Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas everyone!!

This last weekend (December 2nd) our Church put on our Christmas outreach. We planned a breakfast that included incredible decorations, Christmas songs (some traditional and some more directed to our listeners' situations), some light entertainment, and a gosple presentation. At each table sat a host from our church with information about our small groups and regular services. We also included a clothes give away, gifts for the kids and adults too, and an appearance and opportunity for the kids, young and old, to get their picture taken with Santa. We offered a chance for anyone to come and request prayer from volunteers and also to accept Christ as their Lord. I know of at least one girl who responded and joined the family of God!

The morning after, Sunday the 3rd, I was talking with one of the men from our planning committee, Ernie, and he showed me a card that he had been given at the end of the saturday morning. A mother expressed her gratitude saying that this whole event meant the world to her family. They don't have enough money for Christmas presents for the kids and we gave them an opportunity to get some, they had no opportunity or plans to celebrate Christmas and the church filled that too. And she mentioned they didn't even have a tree, and after Ernie showed this card to a couple in the church they went out and got her family one.

Ernie and I talked and he reminded me of Jesus healing of the ten lepers. Jesus healed ten lepers and all of them went away to celebrate. Afterwards only one of them returned to give Him thanks. In a similar way we know that from one thank-you card and one expression of faith that many more were blessed.

Praise God for how He uses our works and does incredible deeds with them.
Praise God for His mighty works.
Praise God for tireless volunteers.
Praise God for His love, compassion and provision poured out on us so that we can pour our love, compassion, time and money on others.
Praise God for He is Good and His love endures forever.

In the last few days Ashlee and I have been doing our devotions in I John. Last night we read through I John 4, and verses 7 and 8 resonated with me.

"Dear friends, le us continue to love one another, for love comes of God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God - for God is love"

Our Church may not have a nice building or a professionally packaged service. Our kids may make a ruccus in our services and people may walk in late. We lack staff, volunteers, and funding for what may seem like the most essential aspects of a church. But we have love and in this I know that our people know God.