I am only just beginning to realize a different perspective regarding the importance of recognizing that special day in my everyday life. Moreover, God is showing me the importance of actually performing that act, myself; that is, lifting up Christ high above all else.

I’ve found that so many of us say we hold Christ higher than anything else in our lives. But when I ask myself if Christ is more important to me than my children; my comfort; my pride; my desires, I must repent. All too often, I realize that my own desires are elevated at an unhealthy level and THEY are what become risen in my life.

I was praying recently about a situation in which I wanted Jesus to intervene. I asked for all the “right things” – a changed heart; a godly perspective; kind actions; but my motives were not pure They were merely to exalt myself by making a difficult situation easier for me to handle. When His Holy Spirit revealed this to me, I knew that I had erred and needed to exalt Christ! I had to perform the act of rising Him up in this situation and not myself.

I am still dealing with and working through this situation I mentioned. God didn’t take it away, or change it to make it more comfortable for me. But I am now able to see that my eyes were focused on how it could be easier for me if only Christ were there, instead of focusing on lifting Him up and seeing that He already was. By His grace over me, I am able to view evidence of His mercy, His grace, and the gifts He bestows upon His children. His Holy Spirit has allowed me to see that I had raised my own comfort above Christ. And, although the circumstances haven’t changed, Christ is now being glorified. All because He led me back to ponder those three words, “HE HAS RISEN”.

Isaiah 7:14 foretells the birth of Christ, and that “…His name shall be called Immanuel”. Isaiah 9:6 says, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”. Now, we know that Christ wasn’t actually named any of those names, but was named Jesus. But He is known by those names, as well. When we consider the name Immanuel and its meaning, God is with us, we come to a point that we really have to ask ourselves if we have forgotten Him. The question posed today was, “If God was right next to you, how would you behave?”

My Christmas wish for you is one that carries through the entire year. My wish, and my prayer, is that we all remember that Christ is with us – every day. His spirit indwells within us; he is standing right next to us when we avoid that person we don’t want to make eye contact with. He is right next to us and hears us scream at our children. He is watching our response when we are asked to give. Have we forgotten this when we chose not to share His good word with our neighbor, or when we curse at the drive who cut us off? My wish for all of us is that we conduct ourselves in such a way that if Jesus were standing next to us, he would smile and pleased; every day of the year.

Merry Christmas to you and to your families. Rejoice with gladness from the abundance in your hearts.

I am incredibly blessed to be a part of a family that is knit together by the Spirit of God; a family that truly takes care of one another and edifies each other. The event was overflowing with fun and laughter, and it was for a glorious cause. This poem was written to capture the evening:

Laughter and dancin’ was all over the place.
Nary a smile was missin’ from a face.
Blacked out teeth and hair tied with twine,
It shore was a rootin-tootin’ good time!

Chicken on the grill, and corn on the cob;
Even a few apples so the kids could bob.
There was line dancin’ and two-steppin’ after a lesson or two
(Whitney and Pete had to show us what to do.)

The duds were mostly cowboy boots and hats
And Brett made sure the music never went flat.
Christy collected money and even her hubby Josh came…
We’ll never hear the Honky Tonk Pa-donky Donk song quite the same.

There’s a doggone good reason for all this fun had by us,
And that was to honor our new little Tobias.
His Ma and Pa couldn’t be prouder,
And so much cheerin’ made the music grow louder.

They had no idea how their lives would change when they woke up that morn,
Because, out of hope, the little whipper snapper was born.
“This gift,” God said, “I give to you.”
“Your faith has been proven, tried and true.”

Let’s take a moment and thank God above
For His undying mercy, His passion, His love.
Our children are gifts; we are entrusted with their lives.
So raise them up in Jesus, the one and only true prize.

-Deb Foos

God has richly blessed this body with a variety of gifts. We are expected to use our gifts for the edification of the church body, and ultimately for His glory. However, when the church ignores the condition of the soul, it requires believers to become good actors. Christians often times experience loneliness, anger, resentment or a myriad of other unresolved issues.

For that reason, we are introducing Care Connection; a soul-care ministry to assist the sanctification/transformation process in a safe environment where the broken and struggling are given grace, truth, and time to discover, heal and grow. Heather Campos will be utilizing her gift of counsel and sharing with us her ideas and instructions for lay counseling.

Hats off to Mel Campos, who catered the meal for the evening. She did a phenomenal job, and no one left hungry! Thanks also are extended to all the elders and their wives for making this, by far, the most exceptional celebration dinner we’ve ever had.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the interns’ graduation. This group of young men and women has persevered over the past year by serving, learning, studying, and growing in the Lord, while trying to maintain relationships with each other, their families, and their jobs. Everyone at Life Connection Church is proud of each of them for their determination and resolve, and we wish them continued blessings as they press forward in their walk.

Check out the pictures and see for yourself what a glorious commemoration this was. As we gear up for the next 7 years, we pray for the Lord’s continued grace and direction as we share the gospel in our community.