A Christmas Poem

This is the poem I wrote to read in church. Last night was our Food for Christmas singing and I felt led to finish this poem yesterday afternoon and read it last night.

Mary and Joseph, they came into town

The lack of room had caused them to frown

They finally found comfort inside a cave

Not made for man, but protection it gave

They came into town for Caesar to tax

Decree for a census, he wanted his facts

Not knowing that he was a part of God's plan

God's plan to bring salvation to sinful man

The Virgin Mary, she was so great with child

Not being protected from all of the wild

God provided protection for them on that day

And provided a bed that was made out of hay

The angels that night would all start to sing

Born in the hay that night was a king

Forgiveness from sin, this child He would bring

Take away from believers, death's awful sting

This was God's present to all of this Earth

The present was wrapped up in this child's birth

This child would come here to pay for our sins

And when you accept that your story begins

God's Ultimate Gift

People are running to and fro
Shopping for gifts, the stores they will go
Showing their loved ones how much they do care
But I know of a gift, one that you can't compare

Up on Black Friday all too early
To be with some people all too surly
In the stores they push and they shove
To get things to show their love

God came from Heaven above
To show all of us His love
He came here to Earth
And had a simple birth

Was not early or late
He took on our fate
And was born here to die
For the sins of you and I

So when you give an you get
I hope you will not forget
The gift that comes from above
The gift the Lord gave of love

If My People

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Elections are past and soon we have new elected officials taking office. Some will be happy, others will find fault no matter what happens.

I have wondered often since 1980, when I gave my heart to the Lord, why do people who claim to be born again Christians always put more faith in a political party than God? If we were to plug into the power we have at our disposal, we could all make a difference.

Michael Card Wrote the song "Heal Our Land" for the National Day of Prayer several years ago. Below are the lyrics.

Forgive oh Lord - and heal our land
And give us eyes to seek your face - and hearts to understand
That you alone - make all things new
And the blessing of the land we love - are really gifts from you

Refrain:
If my people - Will humbly pray
And seek my face and turn away - From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them - And move my hand
And freely then will I forgive - and I will heal their land.

Unite our hearts - in one accord
And make us hungry for your peace - and burdened for the poor
And  grant us hope - that we might see
The future for the land we love - our life, our liberty

Pray for those in authority

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

1Timothy 2:1-3 The Message

By now, we all know the next president of the United States will be Barack Obama. Whether or not you voted for him, our command from the Bible is to now pray for him. If as Americans, we pray for our leaders, we can help cause change.

Gossip-Words CAN Hurt

This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! James 3:7-10 The Message

One of the most damaging things one can do to another is spead a negative word about them. It can be done in many ways. It can be done through everyday conversation, seemingly innocent, or it can be spread through malicious gossip. We can do it by blogging also. Many times it has been done in the form of a "prayer request."

No matter what way this is done, it's just plain wrong. Just sound out the word "gossip." Doesn't the word sound like a snake hissing? And what was the first appearance of Satan in the Bible? A snake. And he was appealing to the ego of Eve. Much like repeating gossip appeals to the tail bearer's ego.

Cleveland Plain Dealer sports and faith columnist Terry Pluto has written a column in today's paper called "Gossip can be easy to spread, difficult to undo." A very well written column and his message hits home. Terry talked to several local clergy in the writing of this and has scripture references from the book of Proverbs. Take time to read this, and recommend it's reading to others. Better yet, print it out and give a copy to your pastor.

Seen on a church sign in town

For real change, choose Jesus!

Cast your nets in the deep!

1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Luke5:1-7 KJV

I noticed today that there was a larger than usual congregation in church,but given the current state of current events, it doesn't surprise me. I recall that around 1980 there was an increase in church attendance too, and during that time there was also problems with the economy, and this weeks grim news along with increases in unemployment arecausing people to look where they don't usually go looking. Prayerfully, they will find something and come back for more.

The above scripture was the text for this morning's message. Our pastor, Jeff Ball, urged everyone to follow the Lord's command and cast our nets in the deep. No matter what the need is, the Lord will supply.

Simon Peter had his doubts. He had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Surely human logic told him that there wouldn't be any fish out there. But it wasn't just any one who told him this. This man was just preaching the truth,as he had never heard it proclaimed before. This man was from God.

Peter then took the boat into the deep and cast his net. He then caught s much fish, he had to call another boat to help bring them in.

Jesus wants to do the same for us. If we are behind in our bills, He wants us to cast our nets. He is willing to supply all our need. He will supply these where we wouldn't expect. All He wants is for us to hear and obey His Word. The same goes for other needs we have.

Don't put your faith in politics. Put it in the Son of God.