The Stable
Wow its almost Christmas…that’s the first thought I had come to mind this morning as I awoke from a good nights sleep. However freezing cold in my house, I was warm in my bed. Then the Christmas story began to play out in my thoughts… What Mary was feeling in that cold and lonely time yet somehow knowing she was in the perfect plan for her life. And Joseph, how he may have been thinking here we are in a stable, no heat, no food, no future plans of a job. Yet they were comforted in that lonely stable by knowing that God had a plan. He had given them a promise and they knew HE would fulfill this promise of a savior.
The stable what was it like, my mind began to race…. It probably had a stench… it was nothing more than a “barn” a house for animals. There was probably animal stench everywhere… it was dark…. no light coming in from the outside. It was lonely; Joseph was the only person in the city Mary knew. Yet for some reason the stable kept coming to my mind.
Stable…Stable…Stable… I thought to myself and then it hit me…the “Stable is the place where Jesus was born”. The stable was the first place that welcomed our LORD and SAVIOR into this world… but wait what if we looked at the stable as a symbol… A symbol of the dark and lost, the lonely, the empty.. the one Jesus wants to be born into…born again… reborn.. But this time by the Holy Spirit…what if we looked at the “Stable” as a soul of the lost women on the streets, the soul of the homeless drug abuser, as the drunk sitting on the side of the road, or the child who sees no end to his torment of an abusive parent… What if we see a stable in them?
Then the thought came to me, will I be willing to stop in my business of the Holiday Season and share this Jesus with them, the Jesus that filled the stable with HIS presence that first Christmas day? Will I be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit to stop and pray for the lost and lonely? I don’t know for certain the answer to these questions but my prayer is “Lord help me to be sensitive to the lost souls of this world this Holiday Season”… AMEN
Carma Wirth
Faith Tabernacle
Womens Ministry Director
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Power of a Moment
Don't ever underestimate the power of one moment. It seems like some of the greatest miracles in life are seen in an inconspicuous moment of time: a brief word of encouragement, a chance opportunity at generosity, a split second decision that can effect the rest of your day or even the rest of your life. All too quickly I find I'm too busy to be "inconvenienced" with a powerful opportunity.
How long does it really take to hold the door open for somebody at the restaurant or compliment somebody on a job well done? It may seem insignificant to you, or it may seem like the biggest put-out you could imagine, but for the ones you touch it could mean the world.
The other day I was driving along and saw somebody in need of help holding a sign at one of our local super-markets. I made eye contact with this individual and then drove away. As soon as I did, I felt a deep urge to turn around and do what I could to help them. (I know: this story seems all too familiar...we've all been there!) When I came back around to talk with them, the conversation very quickly turned to God and how He had been meeting needs in miraculous ways for this individual. I asked if they attended church somewhere and they said, "I don't right now, but I've been thinking about going to that one on the corner. What's it called? Oh, yeah, Faith Tabernacle." I briefly stated I went there as well and asked if I could pray for them. They very graciously accepted.
When I got back into my vehicle, the thought occurred to me: what if I didn't turn around to help? That individual and I looked each other right in the eye before I drove on. They would have recognized me had I took the stage and sat down behind the piano if they visited our church. My hope and desire for my life, the life of my family, and the life of my church family at Faith Tabernacle, is that we would be people who put our religion where our mouth is. That not only would we be Extra Mile Christians inside our walls, but that this community would be impacted by a group of sincere and compassionate Disciples of Christ who are willing to do whatever it takes to change even ONE life for eternity. May God grant to us willing hearts and may we do whatever it takes and pay whatever it costs to be who God is calling us to be.
-P. Jimmy
How long does it really take to hold the door open for somebody at the restaurant or compliment somebody on a job well done? It may seem insignificant to you, or it may seem like the biggest put-out you could imagine, but for the ones you touch it could mean the world.
The other day I was driving along and saw somebody in need of help holding a sign at one of our local super-markets. I made eye contact with this individual and then drove away. As soon as I did, I felt a deep urge to turn around and do what I could to help them. (I know: this story seems all too familiar...we've all been there!) When I came back around to talk with them, the conversation very quickly turned to God and how He had been meeting needs in miraculous ways for this individual. I asked if they attended church somewhere and they said, "I don't right now, but I've been thinking about going to that one on the corner. What's it called? Oh, yeah, Faith Tabernacle." I briefly stated I went there as well and asked if I could pray for them. They very graciously accepted.
When I got back into my vehicle, the thought occurred to me: what if I didn't turn around to help? That individual and I looked each other right in the eye before I drove on. They would have recognized me had I took the stage and sat down behind the piano if they visited our church. My hope and desire for my life, the life of my family, and the life of my church family at Faith Tabernacle, is that we would be people who put our religion where our mouth is. That not only would we be Extra Mile Christians inside our walls, but that this community would be impacted by a group of sincere and compassionate Disciples of Christ who are willing to do whatever it takes to change even ONE life for eternity. May God grant to us willing hearts and may we do whatever it takes and pay whatever it costs to be who God is calling us to be.
-P. Jimmy
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Puzzle #3 ~P. Billy
Hey guys and gals, here's another puzzle to get your mind juices flowing. Try your hardest to solve this without using hints. This one is at medium difficulty, but I've got confidence in you!
Rules: I'll post an image that is a puzzle. The answer to the puzzle will always be one word, and will always have a biblical theme.
The way to solve the puzzle will always be different.
Feel free to post comments about the puzzle - but PLEASE don't give it away.
The point is to stretch your mind a little and come up with the one word solution.
For the first few, I'll post hints and the solution that you can highlight - in case you get frustrated ;)
Puzzle 3:
Hint #1: Get out your New Intnl. Version, if you don't have one - go to biblegateway.com
Hint #2: Count the number of books in the bible. Then chapters, then verses, then words.
Solution: The first number in each row corresponds to a book in the bible, the second is the chapter and verse in that book, the third is the word in that verse. Example: 27 1:7 11 corresponds to Daniel 1:7, the 11th word is "name". Following through the pattern, you should get: "Name of God in". Then you take the last clue (Ruth 1:20) and find the name of God: Almighty!
Rules: I'll post an image that is a puzzle. The answer to the puzzle will always be one word, and will always have a biblical theme.
The way to solve the puzzle will always be different.
Feel free to post comments about the puzzle - but PLEASE don't give it away.
The point is to stretch your mind a little and come up with the one word solution.
For the first few, I'll post hints and the solution that you can highlight - in case you get frustrated ;)
Puzzle 3:
Hint #1: Get out your New Intnl. Version, if you don't have one - go to biblegateway.com
Hint #2: Count the number of books in the bible. Then chapters, then verses, then words.
Solution: The first number in each row corresponds to a book in the bible, the second is the chapter and verse in that book, the third is the word in that verse. Example: 27 1:7 11 corresponds to Daniel 1:7, the 11th word is "name". Following through the pattern, you should get: "Name of God in". Then you take the last clue (Ruth 1:20) and find the name of God: Almighty!
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