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.

JMC LIVE: Slaves, foodstamps, and marriage

"JMC LIVE" is the husband and wife team of Jeremy and Miranda Caverley. They bring to you the hot topics that affect all of us from a biblical perspective.

JMC LIVE show for Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 8 pm EST

Tomorrow's subjects include slave labor in America, the current increase of food stamps usage, and Ohio's dismissal of an arranged marriage of a former Muslim.

Church: Let's Get Honest About Social Media!

New friend Jay Kranda posted this video recently and I want to help him out! What kind of job is the church doing with social media? How much emphasis should we put in learning about stuff like let's say Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube? And if we already know how to use these social media sites, how much time should we spend using them? And for what?



You can also vote in the poll, "What grade is the church getting in the usage of Social Media?" posted in Jay's The Church & Social Media? post. Thank you!

Encouragment: put on the whole armor

You are overwhelmed. You realize you are behind schedule. You are past deadline. Your assignment was due yesterday.

You wake up in the morning and already feel like you are barely treading water.

Then you remember... go to God. He is our King. He is the one. He is Jesus. Start with Him.

So, you go to His word. You grab the Bible and realize you've been given the tools. You've been given the armor ... you are encouraged once again ... and it's time to attack the day!

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:11-13

David Crowder Band - Here is our King

Thank you, Big Daddy Jesus Freak, over at Tangle.com for posting this on your page. Your music video selection made my morning!



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