The Great Separation

This Week's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:15.

Stand in it! - Okay. The Christmas 'season' is over. But Christmas isn't. In fact it's never ending for those in love with Christ. And one day we shall know God's completed gift, but until then we return to the duties of this world with thanksgiving and praise that He has granted us another day to serve Him here.

To that end here is this week's scripture:

“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:” (1Co 2:15 NIV)

Take it with you. Scripture is 'carry on' after all. ;-)

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you God's Grace. - Greetings in the name of the Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

This past year has known trial and tribulation for many of us. Close to home and across the sea.

The year has also known joy and comfort for many of us.

I've known joy this past year. Friends and family continue to surprise and uplift me. God has shown me things about myself and worked in my life in ways I never expected and in the lives of people I love.

There have also been moments in the past months where I've cried out to God in frustration, anger, and fear because I don't understand what He's doing in my life or what he expects of me.

But He still remains my God. Because, though I've been discouraged, I know that He is faithful and able to use me even though I'm a man with many failings. I remember His gifts of loving friends, moments of sheer joy, and experiences that brought me into a greater relationship with Him; everyone one a taste of Heaven to come.

His Word has been a comfort for me though I sometimes don't understand.

Best of all, I know His promise made flesh in a pure boy child born in a manger, cold, smelly, and dirty. So that I, and you, can be united with God through that child's sacrifice as a sinless man upon a hill top, cold, harsh, and bloody.

May the blessing of the Messiah be yours this Christmas. May it lift you out of the mire that sin has made of this world. May it comfort and sooth your spirit, renewing you and enfolding you in the peace which transcends human understanding. For there is none of us so dirty, so sinful, so lost, that He will not come and call us beloved.

Merry Christmas!

-Hal

This Week's Scripture Verse: Matthew 1:23.

Stand in it! - The Christmas season has become such a busy time of year. With this great activity can sometimes come a feeling of isolation.

We are not alone.

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Mt 1:23 AV)

May the Lord on High grant you that extra measure of grace this Christmas. Celebrate in love the birth of our Living Savior!

Question: Is your Church Open this Christmas Sunday?

To be open or not to be open... - So, yeah, I've been absent some over the last several weeks. But I still managed to follow a bit of the news. I see there's some discontent in some of Christ's realm over the fact that Christmas actually falls on Sunday this year.

Gasp, what a horrible idea. Or at least that appears to be the reaction by some.

So the question is, "Will your Church be open this Sunday?"

And if so, will you be attending?

And if not, will you be seeking out a Church to worship the Christ with your blood bought family in Christ?

Oh, yeah. My Church will be open. Same time. Same day. Same desire to worship Christ with fellow believers.

Hmm... Maybe someone should order a birthday cake!

Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 15.

Seeking as for hidden treasure. - Here is the Bible study questions for John chapter 15.

You can download the PDF file here (John 15, Bible Study). (Right click and select the save option to save it to your computer. Clicking the link will likely load the pdf in your browser.)

(Added 2006.05.22: For download of the complete Bible study [all 21 chapters] follow this link.)

If you find the Bible studies helpful in your growth in the Lord, please consider giving a donation through the button below. Right now all donations will be used to pay for the week long mission trip I'm taking in July to Tampa where I will be working with an organization that ministers to migrant workers, homeless, needy, and children. I've not been notified of the final cost by our group leader yet, but it's expected to be around $400-$450. Thank you.

And here are the questions contained in this study along with a quote I found in preparation:

1. Read through the questions of this Bible study. Now read chapter 15 of John and write down any questions and insights that come to you.
2. Who is the vine? Verses 1-11.
3. Why would Christ use the image of a vine? Verses 1-11.
4. What are we in the vine? Verses 1-11.
5. How do we bear fruit? What is the fruit? Verses 1-11.
6. What does it mean to remain in the love of Christ? How is that accomplished? Verses 1-11.
7. What does Christ mean in verse 11? How would He receive joy in us and how would our joy be complete?
8. What is the importance of verse 15?
9. Is there any comfort for us in consideration of verse 18? 18-19.
10. Why not leave "them" in the ignorance of their sins so that they would not be guilty of sin? Verse 22.
11. Who will the Holy Spirit testify to? Verse 26.
12. Who are the disciples going to testify to? Verse 27.
13. What is the purpose of the instruction in this chapter?
14. Is Christ speaking just to the disciples in this chapter?

May the Holy Spirit guide and lead you in your desire to know Christ more fully.

-Hal

Picts of Reindeer and Christmas Tree Lot.

Greetings. Like I stated in the last post I would have some picts for you.

Here is a couple of pics of the reindeer I've been making and selling.

The girls behind the reindeer sell Christmas trees.

Here's some more.

Here's a photo of the lot. Not the palm trees. Got to love Florida. I took these today and it was a really overcast day with highs near 70 degrees.

Still here.

I'm still here, but have been real busy making reindeer and guarding Christmas trees. Extra part time job to get a little holiday cash and some money for a writer's conference next year.

I'll post a pic of reindeer soon.