Christmas is about giving…giving out of love

                The precedent was set 2000 years ago…When God gave humanity the greatest  gift ever to be given…it wasn’t a bargain…it cost Him His Son…there was no black Friday sale on salvation…no cyber Monday special for the redemption of man kind…

No… that first Christmas Gift…was costly…it was unique…a once and for all gift…it came wrapped not with paper and bows…but in human flesh

…As I checked my Christmas gift list…with all my family, friends..my hair dresser…the staff at the nursing home…and others…It hit me…What about Jesus?…

      What on earth do you give the King of kings?…What would He want?

          The maker of the stars probably doesn’t need a star wars light saber

           The Light of the world…really has no need for a mag flashlight

           The creator of all creatures great and small…probably has no use for a new duck call

If at Christmas and birthdays…we give and receive gifts from people who love us…

                       Then why don’t we do that for Jesus birthday?

Three examples from scripture…Gifts that were given that first Christmas morning

Shepherds…Luke 2:15-18

                What did the shepherds give to Jesus for His birthday…time

They took a night off from work…left the sheep in the hills…headed to town..and searched until they found Mary and Joseph and the baby

I believe our time…the gift of our time is something the Son of God would want for His birthday

Time spent with Him…

                He is all about relationship…and as we all know…relationships take time…

The all knowing Savior…wants us to get to know Him better…and the only way to do that is spend time with Him…reading His word…listening to the Spirit speak to our hearts..basically just hanging out…drinking starbucks together

But I think He not only wants us to spend time with Him…But I believe it would please Him to receive the gift of our time…by using it to bless others.

Matthew 25…tells us that “whenever we do it for one of the least of these…you did it for me”

When we give of our time to bless others…we are doing it for Him

So one gift we can give Jesus for His birthday…at Christmas…but throughout the year is our time.

But secondly, notice the gifts of the wise men…Matthew 2:11

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and myrrh.”

They gave Him…gifts…tangible gifts…gold, frankincense and myrrh..

What would we possibly give Him…once again I think the verse in Matthew helps us to know what to do…”whenever we do it for one of these…we do it for Him”…as we give to others…we are giving to Him

There are many ways to give out of our resources to others…my family and I choose this year to purchase gifts from the Compassion International Gift Catalog.  Through this program you can purchase a cow, goat, pig, chickens and much more to help a family in a third world country develop an income to support their family.

Lastly…not only can we give Him by giving of our time…and give from our resources

But we like the angels can give Him our praise … “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

During the busy Christmas Season, don’t forget to praise Him, for He truly is the Reason for the Season.

Denah 

The wind was blowing, snow and sleet were falling and I pulled the collar of my heavy coat up and my hat down. I was wading through mud past my ankles to feed the outside horse today. Even my dog, Buddy, was smart enough not to get out of the truck in this weather.

Yet, for too many years I can remember doing it. To be quite honest I hope the day never comes that I have to quit. It is not for the money and there sure is not any fame, but there is passion for a horse deep within me. This passion drives me day after day and season after season to meet their needs and then have some of my needs met in return.

Are horses my god? Not even close, but I know in the depths of my heart that for me they are a gift from God. A gift that motivates me to love Him even more. Praise be to our God who lavishly loves we who are His and shows His love in ways both big and small, even through the gift of the horse.

Bro. Jim

The only daughter.  Now an adult,  stands an inch taller than her mother.  She is finding her own way in this world.  Step by step, day by day, learning to walk through life apart from the parents who have cherished and loved her for twenty years. 

Her walk will not always be perfect, but she will always receive grace, mercy and love.  Falter and fall she will…we all do. 

Recently, while hurrying through life with a glass of milk in one hand a plate of food in the other, she tried to navigate our stairs while wearing boots and spurs.  The spur catches on a stair, down on knees, sliding, falling she crashes to the bottom.  The glass is shattered, the milk runs down the wall, the dogs scatter to devour the fallen food and she…she is bruised and hurting. 

As a mom, I first determine that she will be alright…that nothing is broken…and that all will heal. 

But, I wonder… why… why try to navigate the stairs in our home with hands full and feet heavy.

A “voice”…His voice…reminds that I am no different…

I too, try to navigate this life with my hands full and my feet heavy.  I carry the burdens of this world…I grasp them tightly in my hands…I am weighed down by my mistakes and sins…they make my feet heavy…and I fall

He gently reminds me of His words…recorded centuries earlier…words that reminded me to empty my hands into His.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke iseasy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Emptying my burdens,

Denah

A much needed message on forgiveness….one that touched my heart…may it touch yours as well

from Corrie ten Boom in Tramp for the Lord

‘It was in a church in Munich that I saw him—a balding, heavyset man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. People were filing out of the basement room where I had just spoken, moving along the rows of wooden chairs to the door at the rear.

It was 1947 and I had come from Holland to defeated Germany with the message that God forgives.

It was the truth they needed most to hear in that bitter, bombed-out land, and I gave them my favorite mental picture. Maybe because the sea is never far from a Hollander’s mind, I liked to think that that’s where forgiven sins were thrown. ‘When we confess our sins,’ I said, ‘God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. …’

The solemn faces stared back at me, not quite daring to believe. There were never questions after a talk in Germany in 1947. People stood up in silence, in silence collected their wraps, in silence left the room.

“And that’s when I saw him, working his way forward against the others. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat; the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones. It came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights; the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor; the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister’s frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment skin. Betsie, how thin you were!

“Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: ‘A fine message, Fräulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!’

And I, who had spoken so glibly of forgiveness, fumbled in my pocketbook rather than take that hand. He would not remember me, of course—how could he remember one prisoner among those thousands of women?

But I remembered him and the leather crop swinging from his belt. I was face-to-face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.

“ ‘You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk,’ he was saying, ‘I was a guard there.’ No, he did not remember me.

‘But since that time,’ he went on, ‘I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fräulein,’ again the hand came out—’will you forgive me?’

And I stood there—I whose sins had again and again to be forgiven—and could not forgive. Betsie had died in that place—could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?

It could not have been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.

For I had to do it—I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us.

‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses,’ Jesus says, ‘neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’

I knew it not only as a commandment of God, but as a daily experience. Since the end of the war I had had a home in Holland for victims of Nazi brutality. Those who were able to forgive their former enemies were able also to return to the outside world and rebuild their lives, no matter what the physical scars. Those who nursed their bitterness remained invalids. It was as simple and as horrible as that.

And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion—I knew that too.

Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.

‘… Help!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’

And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart!’

For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then…

But even so, I realized it was not my love. I tried and did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Romans 5:5… “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.”

As he slid over to make room for me on the hospital shuttle, he told me his name…Immanuel. 

     Immanuel….the name means “God with us”.  I wondered if he knew the significance of his name.

An amazing and wonderful name for a boy of four.  His shy grin and big brown eyes stole my heart.  I asked him if he was having a good day, his momma shook her head no, but Immanuel slowly shook his head yes.  For him, it was a good day.  We chatted until  the shuttle stopped in front of their car to let them off.  He had a sippy cup in one hand and books in the other, so I helped him down the steps of the shuttle.  While his momma was unlocking the car…little Immanuel with the big brown eyes….sat down his sippy cup…laid down his books…and turned to me grinned and waved with both hands.  One little boy, I may never see again… stole my heart.

I am not certain what was going on in their lives…but,  they were on a hospital shuttle and momma sadly shook her head when I asked if they were having a good day…these led  me to believe it was not a great season in their lives.

Each of us have difficult seasons in our lives…

     We may be struggling financial or relationally.  Our difficulties may be with our physical health or emotional health.

But whatever the circumstance…one big word…”Immanuel” …makes all the difference in the world.

     “God is with us.”

So when the tears flow and the heart breaks, remember….HE is with you.

     When the frustrations are growing and life is just plain hard, remember…God IS with you.

          As  pain and suffering afflict your loved one, remember… God is WITH you.

              When your heart breaks and the losses seem more than you can bear, remember…God is with YOU.

God, He teaches and reminds us through His word, through His creation and sometimes …sometimes…through the name of a brown eyed boy.

 ”The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Denah

She, who has been faithful, day in and day out, continues to be faithful to the One who calls her.

He has been calling His people to a life of faithful obedience for thousands of years…from Abraham to Moses, from David to Jeremiah, from Mary to the disciples and from John to us.  A faith that serves, that is lived out in the grind of everyday life. 

It is this kind of servants heart, we have all witnessed in her life.  She lives the “yes” life.  When God asks it of her…the answer is always yes.  Yes, when it’s easy and yes, even if it’s hard. 

She said, yes, to teaching, leading and loving youth every Thursday.  Yes, when He asked her to cradle babies and change diapers in the nursery.  Yes, to children at camp, at vacation bible school and at home.  She said, yes, when He said Pray.  With bended knee and yielded heart she has prayed.  Prayed for my family and yours, with excitement and fervor she has prayed for the ministries at Cowboy Church, and she has shed tears for us and with us during times of loss.   And she has taught us.  Through her example, we have learned to pray.  Prayer Posse, a vital part of the ministry at Cowboy Church owes much to her faithfulness.

And…she continues to be faithful…As God called Abraham to leave his hometown and follow Him…God has asked Elizabeth Perkins to leave her home church, Cape County Cowboy Church, and follow Him. 

She said yes, to the One who calls each of us to a live of a life of faithful servant hood. 

As most of you know, Elizabeth, who has faithfully lead our Prayer Posse ministry will now be serving Him at the Rock n Roll church in Cape Girardeau.

Today, let us celebrate.  In the midst of the sorrow, celebrate.  Celebrate a life of passionate servitude.  We celebrate the difference she has made in each of our lives…and we pray God’s very best for her and her family, Jeff, Brady and Bryce.

May all her “yes’s” encourage us to be a “yes” people.  As God asks each of us to serve Him by serving others…may we say yes with joy and thanksgiving.

Denah

Palm Sunday…the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem

But…

Before there were Hallelujahs….Hosannas…the waving of palm branches

                                before there was worship

There was a breaking…a breaking of a will… for His will

Jesus sent two of His disciples saying to them “Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.  Untie it and bring it here.”

The disciples did as they were asked …

                They brought the unbroken colt… the one never ridden…

that had never bowed to the will of another

The colt who would willing lay aside His will…so that another could be lifted up…

so that the King in all His glory could enter Jerusalem

The scene…

                The colt …Wild eyed …frightened…unsure…

                                Perhaps a little stubborn…legs locked tight

He braces amidst the commotion…yet the Master approaches

The colt senses a Man he can trust…he hesitantly takes one step towards Him then another…and finally…their eyes locked…the colt submits…

                This the yielding of one will for another…The colt lay down His will for Christ’s

Christ then riding the colt…traveling the road down the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem and the whole crowd…the WHOLE crowd sings…joyfully they sing praising God in loud voices

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord

                Peace in heaven and glory in the highest”

It is no different today…for Christ to be exalted…there must be a breaking

                A breaking of our will for His…a yielding to Him…

The colts’ purpose was to bring glory to Christ…

our purpose…to bring glory to Christ

To bring Him glory…we must…

Submit …Yield…we must lay down our pride…our bitterness…our selfishness…our ways…our will

And exalt Him…tell of His goodness…His mercy…His love…

                And Sing…Sing…His praises…Hallelujah

Praising Him

Denah

I had yesterday off and Oh what a day to be off. The sun was shining, the temperature in the 80′s and for the first time sinced I don’t know when I was warm all the way to my bones. I had a full schedule planned; lawn mowers to repair and lawns to mow, horses to ride and stalls to clean, not to mention a church to do list that forever goes on even on days off. As usual things changed, but today they were changes for the good. My good friend Doug, called said he was on his way out to do some more work on wiring my barn. Now some times when others help, it can become more work than if you do it yourself. Not Doug he has the gift of service as much as anyone I know. He didn’t come for pats on the back or to become the subject of today’s blog, but simply because he is my friend and thats what friends do. When he got there he did not demand my time, but went about the ministry of using his gifts, talents and tools, to meet my needs in such a Godly way, that I not only praise him, but most of all the God that sent him. And at the end of the day, I had all horses ridden, stalls cleaned, mower fixed, yard mown, church to do list complete, plus new lights burning in my barn. Wow, by Doug so graciously doing his miinstry, he set me free to do mine. Is it any wonder the Jesus said to be the greatest you must become the servant. Thanks Doug in my book your the greatest.

My schedule is like a spring storm…winds blowing, clouds racing, thunder can be heard in the distance.

     And in my haste and negligence I fall prey to the storm…before the clock struck 8am I had already bloodied my knuckled, banged my knee and mashed a finger.

          Then in the midst of the chaos…I heard the words…. “Quiet,  be still”

I sat down, opened the Word…to read the Words of the One who is Peace…the One who has been calming raging seas for millenniums

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  Mark 4:35-41

Suddenly the storm in my life breaks…the sun is shining and the Son is reigning…

Praying for Peace to reign in each of our lives today

Denah

Of all of the friends I have there are few that rank any higher than Buddy, my dog. When I named him little did I know how well his name would describe him. This morning as I left to go to the barn, like every other morning he was at the door waiting to go. I am convinced that it is not the destination of our travel, whether it be the barn, office, to town or else where that he likes, but that He just likes to be with me. Granted that, wanting to be with me, might not make him the brightest dog on the block, but it sure makes me feel good. Even though my life is not that exciting , he is more than content, just to sit and watch and wait. As I looked at him this morning, I couldn’t help but pray, “Lord, make me more like Buddy, in my relationship with you.”

Bro. Jim