Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas

I am sitting here at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, as the snow is beginning to fall softly on the ground.
I feel very blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful setting.

This really is a very special time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Emmanuel; God with us.

I know this can also be a very difficult time, especially for those who have lost loved ones this past year. Yet, the beautiful message of Christmas is that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. And even in our sorrows there is hope and joy in knowing that we are not alone. Yes, our emotions often deceive us in making us feel alone, but if we are children of God, the truth is we are not alone!

We can draw close to God through the seasons of our life and know the presence of Almighty God Himself. We can experience God as our Father and the comfort of His Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God has given us so much through His Son who entered this world in such a humble and lowly way. Because of Him we can rejoice!
We live in a world that has little to hope in and believe in. Even in the secular realm we hear the word "Believe" used often, and yet, without the reality of Jesus Christ, there is no substance to belief.

It is not enough to "Believe". It is Who we believe in!

Believing alone has never saved anyone. It is only as we put our faith in Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

May the true message of Christmas be the message of our lives.

If you want to see the real meaning of Christmas brought back in our nation, life it!

Don't underestimate what God can do through one person who is surrendered to Him in obedience and love.
I am challenged this year to purposefully reach out to those who need hope. And I would like to challenge you to do the same.

Maybe a neighbor, or waitress who is working hard to raise a family, or an elderly individual who needs to be valued. You will not find a greater joy than knowing you have made someone else feel valued and loved.

I would challenge you these next few days to find someone you can encourage and make smile in some way.
Be creative!
Then I would like to hear your stories of how God used you to touch someone else in a meaningful way.
It would be great to fill the next newsletter with your stories. Do send me your stories.

Please follow through on this. It would encourage all of us as we share what God is doing....

********************************

Continue to keep Haven of Hope Ministries in your prayers. I am planning on visiting more churches and pastors this coming year in order to open doors of ministry to their needs.
Pray for the pastors of our communities who face overwhelming demands in order to lead their churches and care for the flocks.
They face the same things we all do as well as carrying the responsibility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray for their spouses and children.

Have a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!