'Best Church Choir in America' on Christmas Eve

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir performs "Hallelujah Choir"

Merry Christmas ... enjoy!

Our Best Friend

I heard a message on joy Sunday. It was an excellent message given by Saddleback Church's Rick Warren, titled "Radical Joy," which is Part 3 of the series, Radicalis: Developing Spiritual Roots.

There was only one problem ... I didn't come away joyful ... or at least I thought I didn't. You see, my true joy has been in Jesus for the last 11 years. By His grace, after praying to accept the Lord, my life has radically changed. So, you would think I would know better than to be bummed out after Sunday's service, catching myself thinking about family "issues" that often seem to sprout around Christmas.

Nevermind that Warren produced a "Saddleback Spa" type setting, replacing the pulpit with falling snow flakes in a beautiful forested setting shown in a looping video on a large screen TV behind him. Warren, who was joined by his associate pastor, worship leader and a virtuoso guitarist, and seated on comfy leather chairs, purposefully wanted his audience to relax ... and get joyful.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time Sunday ... so, it wasn't a question of wanting to be elswhere. I just found myself asking, "Where's the joy?"

Later, I went about my business, meeting with my parents for breakfast, and having an okay day ... but, I prayed a lot. Yah, sure, I intellectually know that my true joy is in the Lord, but I don't always feel joy. I was doin' a bit of the Christmas blues dance Sunday.

It wasn't until Monday morning that my spirit was really uplifted. I read from one of my daily devotionals ... and although everything certainly is not right with the world, I can again feel the joy we all so desperately want to feel. Like Warren said Sunday, "I've got news for you, life isn't fair, but there is one who can bring you joy no matter what. That one is Jesus."

Sometimes, I might add, joy comes in a simple message.

Here's the devotion that I read this morning in Charles F. Stanley's God's Way, Day by Day:

Our Best Friend

No longer do I call you servants, ... but I have called you friends. -- John 15:15

"All who call Jesus Savior and Lord are invited to be His friend.

What kind of friend is Jesus? He is the best friend you will ever have. He does for us what no one else can do, He helps us in ways no one else can help us, and He loves us as no one else can ever love us.

We may have difficulty seeing Jesus as our Friend, but Jesus doesn't have any difficulty seeing us that way."

Can I hear an "Amen"?

Merry Christmas!

--Alexander

Christmas In A Nutshell

From Worship House Media:

Admit it, you've given some terrible gifts. There's someone who has never given a bad gift, though—GOD! For Christmas, however, He gave us something no one could've imagined. This video illustrates the miracle of Christmas in a fun and poignant way.

It's OK to Shout the Good News

Merry Christmas!



Some people crank up their souped up stereo system in their car loud enough to make the cars next to them at a stop light vibrate. I've been to a football game where the crowd was so loud after a particular play that the luxury box glass windows shook, and the noise was comparable to a sonic boom. In my time, I've seen grown women scream over the Beatles, adults pledge their allegiance to all things Star Wars, and most recently, people killing each other to be the first to get a "Christmas bargain" at a department store.

All found to be acceptable and unoffensive behavior.

However, mention Jesus...suggest an afterschool Bible study, vote yes on Prop 8 (support for traditional marriage), call a parade or event, a Christmas Parade or Christmas Happening...and all heck breaks loose.

Enough. As for me an my house, I will serve the Lord.

It's time to shout the Good News! ...and not be concerned of the backlash. After all, sometimes the truth divides.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." - John 1:14

There it is...Christmas in a nutshell...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

You may not hear me shouting it right now...but, there you go, I've blogged it:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sincerely,
Alexander

A Reason to Celebrate

If you haven't been to TheScroogeReport yet, now is your opportunity. I've posted a Christmas devotional there by Rick Warren, Christmas is a Time of Salvation.

Now, more than ever, challenged by the tough economic times, our celebration of Christmas is important!

Why Celebrate Christmas?

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don’t be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!". . . When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child....The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God... - Luke 2:8–12, 15–17, 20 (NLT)

I wanted to apologize for originally announcing that Rick Warren would be giving the first Sunday message on the 3-week series, The Purpose of Christmas. Youth pastor and funny guy extraordinaire, Doug Fields, gave the first message, "A Change of Celebration." Also, although the previous link I gave leads to the homepage of live, current series, and archived messages, you may have had to make another click. Here's the link directly to Doug Fields message.

Here's the question to ask this first week. Why celebrate Christmas? From the verses above we see that the shepards certainly did celebrate the birth of Jesus...

They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child...The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God...

What was the reason to run, tell everyone, and praise God? What were they looking for? What did they find?

This week, let's ask ourselves these questions with a focus on Christmas.

DIGG!

Christmas Series Begins

It's here! A 3-week study on the purpose of Christmas begins this weekend. Hopefully, you have a copy of The Purpose of Christmas. Don't worry about it if you don't. Begin by listening to the study's opening message by Saddleback Church's Pastor Rick.

You can view and listen to his first message on the purpose of Christmas here!

Hope to see you back here on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, to discuss Rick's opening message about the purpose of Christmas. Oh, and let's try and read that first chapter by then, too.

Let's have our own 3-week study right here!

The Purpose of Christmas is available at Amazon.com, Costco, and check with your local book stores.

See you later!

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WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas Priority Adjustment

Business program host Cavuto interviews Warren on Christmas
Pastor Rick Warren gives a way to celebrate Christmas in tough financial times



Don't forget, I'm having a bloggers book study on The Purpose of Christmas right here! Get more information, including on how to get the book at my post, Blogging on the purpose of Christmas.

DIGG!
_______________

WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Hannity and Colmes: Warren on Christmas

"The Purpose of Christmas" Launches



I'm having a book study on The Purpose of Christmas right here! Get more information, including on how to get the book at my post, Blogging on the purpose of Christmas.
_______________

WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Blogging on the Purpose of Christmas

Want to do a 3-week study on the purpose of Christmas? It's simple. Start by getting Rick Warren's book, The Purpose of Christmas, then listen this coming Saturday (Dec. 6, 2008) to the study's opening message by Saddleback Church's Pastor Rick.

You can view and listen to his first message on the purpose of Christmas here!

Let's do this! Let's meet back here on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, to discuss Rick's opening message about the purpose of Christmas. Oh, and let's try and read that first chapter by then, too.

Let's have our own 3-week study right here!

Be sure to pick up a copy of The Purpose of Christmas now!

I'd love to see you back!

Note: The books are available at Costco as well!

DIGG!
_______________

WEEK ONE: Why Celebrate Christmas?

Cyber Help Needed!

Can you believe all the hype around Black Friday and Cyber Monday? If you've been following the news you've heard about the tragedies at a Wal Mart in New York and a Toys R Us in Palm Springs during Friday's mania.

Hopefully, today will be a bit more subdued. Can carpel tunnel be fatal?



Anyways, wanted to let you know that, like many of us, my employment is on the line right now. If you have a moment please go to my post, Help Keep My Job, about my own personal bailout plan. You can actually help me out by doing something you may already be doing or planning on doing - shopping online.

I pray your shopping decisions are wise and that all of us think about the one we are celebrating this season and always, Jesus Christ!

Can I hear an Amen?

DIGG! (For this bailout plan!)