Any time I leave and get some time away on vacation, it takes a lot of people to fill in. I am really grateful, then, to the Elders in allowing some inconvenience to come their way so I can enjoy rest and relaxation. My secretary, Jandee Oard, for being the rock of organization I can rely on to cover the details. The deacons and their wives who work extra hard to not let details slip through the cracks. Various members of our worship ministry step up in big ways. And, this time, Graham Hill and his wife Beth Ann, who have taken time away from their family in Edmond to provide pulpit supply for me. I want all of you to know how grateful to God I am for you. You have chosen to be a servant and, thus, positioned yourselves for greatness. Know that I am being refreshed and will miss everyone, but I can be refreshed due to your actions.
Merry Christmas!
I wanted to take an opportunity to say Merry Christmas to everyone. Many of you may wonder if I made it to my Mom’s and if I was able to surprise her and the answer is yes. We have had a good, relaxing time so far and we have family coming in today and tomorrow.
Thank you to all who have made this past year such a blessing. We appreciate all of you and hope you have a blessed holiday.
SOW – Matt Chandler on Rebuke
Free audio you must check out:
Matt Chandler’s latest sermon: The Anatomy of a Rebuke
Holiday Update
Just so you know, I will try and get an occasional post here and there but they might be sporadic during the coming holiday season.
MM – How does your family center on Christ during the holidays?
Ever since Thanksgiving, I’ve been musing on how my celebration of a holiday is distinct and different from the world. I think too often, our (Christian’s) celebration is merely the same kind of celebration as the world, except it’s maybe cleaner and we add Christ on top. But we have the same kind of greed for gifts and service out of obligation. So, what steps does your family take to celebrate the holiday in a way that distinctly points to Jesus?
Holiday Fun…
My wife tipped me off to this group: Straight No Chaser.
They are an accapella group from Indiana University who recently performed at the Christmas in Washington Spectacular. Here’s the video of their take on the song 12 Days (with over 9 million hits). Enjoy.
Tale of Despereaux
Tullian Tchividjian recommends we get out and see this latest movie. Evidently, The Tale of Despereaux is, according to Tullian’s good friend John Seel,
a compelling morality tale where themes of acceptance, sacrifice, forgiveness, beauty, light, and love find their narrative voice and compelling action.
Tullian’s post even includes discussion questions for the movie. This might be worth checking out during the holidays.
Reftagger Employed Here…
Reftagger is an incredible tool that I’ve added to my blog. You type in a Bible reference (like John 3:16) and it takes you to the ESV reference of that. Enjoy.
SOW – Piper’s Advent Poems
For today’s free audio recommendation, if you’ve never listened to them, you simply must receive the gift of poetry that John Piper gives his congregation each year. All the years are collected in a handy list according to date.
If you are looking for a good place to start and you want it to be more of a holiday feel, check out The Innkeeper.
Don’t Waste Your Exit…
…or, as Justin Buzzard writes, How To Leave A Church. In this short post, he laments hearing of people leaving churches, but it reminded him of an article his college pastor wrote entitled, Putting Asunder: Some Thoughts on How To Quit Your Church. Among other things, three tips are given:
1) Leave deliberately
2) Leave graciously
3) Leave thankfully
This short article was so helpful and would demonstrate to the church from where you are departing the love of Christ.
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