I’m sure you’ve already heard this a lot, but MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. I am planning on taking a blog break over the next week or so. I will be posting again on January 5th 2009…so don’t forget to stop by and check the blog out next year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
josh
If you are in the Mo-town area, I hope you will join us at MCC for our Christmas Eve service at 6pm tonight!
If you are travelling, then be safe and have a Merry Christmas, wherever you may be!
josh
Today is [hopefully] my last day in the office for 2008! I am spending today finishing preparations for our Christmas Eve service at MCC tomorrow night [which you are invited to at 6pm, Christmas Eve, here at MCC], and meeting with our creative team to get ready for a new January series. Oh, and I still have a little shopping to do!
How are you spending the last couple of days before Christmas?
It’s official, Christmas is only three days away. I imagine, for most of us, the next week will be full of places to go and people to see. Are you ready for the frenzy that is Christmas?
Yesterday at MCC we looked at Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the way she “…treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” [Luke 2v19 TNIV]
Often we can treasure the wrong things like anger, pain, hurt, our past…all things that bring despair, guilt, and bitterness. Christmas is about learning to take time to enjoy, treasure, and embrace all the right things…like hope, peace, joy, and love.
Are you ready to take the time to treasure your experiences with your family, friends, and community of faith this Christmas?
Have you ever wondered where the time went? How it slipped away so quickly without you noticing? It happens to the best of us!
Christmas is one of those times for me. I have so much to do, so many commitments, that I can move through them like a robot…not really being present mentally.
This Sunday at MCC we are going to explore the importance of really being there, because when you aren’t, you really miss out on the gift of life!
See you at 9 or 10:30 am!
I am a music buff/junkie. Yesterday I spent some time downloading some new tunes that I couldn’t get out of my head. My play-list is usually a diverse sampling of various musical styles. For example, on the same play-list I might have Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, U2, and something country…yes, I occasionally get a hankering for a little good ‘ol country!
So, what are you listening to these days?
Have a safe, fun weekend!
Do you have something that you look forward to at Christmas?
Every year a couple at church gives our staff this AMAZING almond toffee. When I arrived at my office this morning, my joy was made complete by discovering the blue tin with a gold bow on it…the toffee was here, Christmas had come at last! I brewed a pot of coffee right away, and I have already eaten myself into a sugar buzz.
So, what is it that you look forward to at Christmas?
Have you ever wished you could freeze time? Maybe rewind or at least hit the pause button? I’m sure we all have. Time is constantly slipping through our fingers.
Which makes me wonder…how am I spending my time? Am I making the most of it? Am I living life to the fullest? Are you?
Here’s an all-skate question for the day: What would you do if you had a free day with no commitments and nothing to hold you back?
I don’t know what my answer would be tomorrow, but today I would go to New York City. I went once in high school and I loved it.
Tag, your it!
Last week I ran across this quote which was found scratched on a wall in a Nazi concentration camp.
I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining.
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God even when He’s silent.
Christmas reminds us that God is always up to something. He is always present, available, and aware of what’s happening. Even when he’s silent…he is here.
* For more on this topic see Pete Greig’s book, God on Mute.
Yesterday at MCC we spent some time reflecting on joy.
Joy is the opposite of fear.
Fear holds back and worries about what others think.
Fear spends all of its time worrying about the unknowns, the “what ifs.”
Joy is about celebrating, about something so good and true that you can’t help but let go.
Joy is about “what is.”
Christmas is about God being with us. What is, is pretty amazing.
The angels told the shepherds to “…not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Joy frees us from fear!
So, what do you have to be joyful about today?
