ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS EVE SERMONS

Christmas 1959 Alexandria, VA , Mom, Dad, Wayne, Davy, Roberta

When I was a teenager my dad began the tradition of attending a candlelight church service on Christmas Eve.  My mom would stay home with the two little boys. The older kids would attend the midnight service. After the service we would rush home and finish decorating the tree and wrapping presents.  Our family carried on the observance of Christmas Eve in the same way after Chris and I were married; but instead of staying up until midnight we find a service in the afternoon or early evening.

Here is a link to one of my favorite Christmas Eve sermons. Or click on the title below.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Christmas Eve 2018.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEADER

Dave, Davy, Jay, Evy, Roberta, Wayne, Grace

It was in 1956, after Wayne was born, that I noticed my dad reading the Bible every night.  He was a changed man.  He had surrendered to Jesus Christ.  We had always been a church going family.  But there is a difference between attending church and actually being a part of The Church.  

Here is a sermon given by our pastor on Jesus--a different kind of leader.  Scroll down to listen to the December 16th sermon.  Those who love Jesus pattern their lives after Him.

UNCOMMON BRAIN

Even though G. K. Chesterton was Catholic many protestants read and relish his wit and wisdom. Much like Chesterton I am grieved when falsehoods are taught as truth.When a book by Holbrook Jackson was published in 1911 it rubbed Chesterton the wrong way. He proceeded to correct the fabrications. Here is a blog about how this critique has survived and been republished with the truth to which Chesterton pointed.

We know that according to Hebrews; (Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil) digging into the meat of the Bible is the way to discern good from evil. 

PRAYER IS THE ONLY ANSWER

Groveton High School classes of '60 and '61--  50 year reunion

Yes, in the good old days we prayed in school.  Maybe some didn't agree that prayer would make a difference but they respected those of us who did. 
  

As many are condemning the U.S. many more try to leave their countries and to live in our country.  So we must have done something right to have gained this good reputation.

The United States has passed laws, thrown money at problems, and tried every other man made way to bring peace to earth.  The best thing we can do now is pray.  

During my prayer time I choose Scripture to pray.  Here are some of the verses I like:

Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.

Numbers 10: 35 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” 36 And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”

Psalm 74:20 Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

Psalm 119: 136 My eyes shed streams of tears because people do not keep your law.

Isaiah 45:8 “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.

Luke 2: 30 Speaking of the baby Jesus Simeon said -- for my eyes have seen your salvation

II Peter 2:8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

II Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Revelation 5: 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 8:4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

One person can change history just by seeking God.

 James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

What are some of your prayers?