A Christmas Tradition

  Christmas time brings so many emotions for many people including myself. There is so much joy and happiness in the air, beautiful lights and a time where so many people do many great things for others. But there is also sadness because of loss of loved ones, financial struggles, anxiety and stress. But some of the things that some may not see is greed, frustration with others, anger, and a major one is that Christ is being taken out of Christmas.

   Matthew 1:21-23 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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.

    I love being able to watch my kids open their gifts from under the tree, I love spending time with my family, and I love to see the joy and happiness on everyone's faces. However, a lesson that we were taught last year was we get so caught up in the gifts, food, plans and travel; that we can forget what Christmas is really about.

  We have an amazing Christ that came to this earth to be like us so that He could feel our burdens, our sadness, our joy, and save us from our sins. His Birth is just as important as His Resurrection because without His Birth we wouldn't have His Resurrection and without His Resurrection we wouldn't have Freedom and Everlasting Life.

   A couple of years ago we started Christmas morning off by reading the Birth of Christ and talked about why we celebrate Him and His Birth. Then we prayed and opened gifts. Last year there were no gifts under our tree but we still took time to read, pray and then gave thanks for His love and mercy, the roof over our head, the food on the table, and for each other. It was the hardest year ever yet we still taught our children and ourselves that gifts are a blessing but you still have so many blessings without them. This year there are some gifts under the tree but my children are more excited to read about Jesus and pray and give thanks for what God has done for us and what He has already given us.

  So this year, start a family tradition, if you have gifts under the tree or if you don't. There still many great things we have to give thanks for and we should teach our children what Christmas is really about. Let’s not allow the world to take Christ out of Christmas.

  Just a thought: Ever wonder why people use X-Mas instead of Christmas? 

Step out of the boat

  I am so ready for summer. Our family loves to fish, camp, and hang out at the beach. Being on the water is one of my favorite places to be. The funny thing is I am so scared when it comes to actually getting in the water. I always worry about what is in the water that I can’t see, what if something bites or stings me, or what if a wave pulls me under and I can't get to the surface.

  I am reminded of the story of Peter in the Bible. Matthew 14:25-33 - And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

  Our spiritual walk can be scary because it requires us to step out into what we can't always see or not knowing exactly how it will all work out, just like Peter, it requires faith. I am the kind of person that likes to have everything in perfect order. I like to always know what to expect next. But God doesn't work that way. If He told us everything from A – Z we would never build our faith and trust in Him.

  The amazing thing about this story is even when Peter had fear and doubt and began to sink; Jesus reached out His hand and saved Him. Sometimes when we step out of the boat we might fall but if we never step out of the boat we will never give Jesus a chance to save us.

  So today ask yourself what Jesus is asking you to do, then take the step and do it. You will not regret it.

Let it Rain!

  Rain is important for things to grow. Each year we plant a garden and I have noticed that rain water always makes our garden greener and grow faster than city water. There is just something about the natural water source that treated water can't do. I love when trees and bushes on the side of a dirt road are all dusty and dirty and then a good heavy rain comes and washes everything clean. Everything always looks crisper, greener, and healthier.
  There are two kinds of water sources, God's water source and man's water source. If you don't feel like you are growing or maybe you feel weighed down, maybe you are seeking the wrong water source. Are you seeking direction from God or man? Are you looking for answers in man written books or from your Sunday morning service more then you are in prayer? Don't get me wrong, God can and will speak to you through sermons and books and He will even use people to speak to you. But if that is what you are depending on and not God, then you are getting water from the wrong source.
  God's presence is just like the rain that falls from the sky. In order for us to be cleansed of the dirt and dust the world throws at us, we need the rain. If we are going to grow, we need the rain. Psalm 68:9 - Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
 I don't know about you but I need the rain. I want to be saturated in the presence of God every day. I don't want to become brittle and weak, dusty and dry, or weighed down by the chemicals of man's water source. If we are ever going to make a difference in this world, we need to be refreshed daily. I am thankful that God uses men and women to speak into my life, I am thankful for the revelation He has given to many to share with us through books and songs, but there is nothing like hearing directly from God Himself. I want a daily encounter with God. I want to make sure that I have my own personal relationship with Him.
  Today I hope that you will seek God for yourself and ask Him to send a plentiful rain on your life.

Opening up to new things

 So today I am practicing what I preach. I am stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out in ministry. I tell our students all the time that in order to grow in God we must step out. So, I hope that with time this blog will get better.

  I guess I should share a little about myself and what "Chosen" Youth Group is about. My name is Cristy and my husband, Jon and I are youth pastors of a small but growing church. My husband is the rock of our ministry and I am, well let's just say, more of the mouth. lol. We are completely opposite and always have been and it's no different in our ministry.

  "Chosen" Youth Group started a year ago and has grown greatly. We started with about 6 students full time and now run about 20-25. But more than numbers, we have a group of teenagers that are hungry and desperate for more of God. There is something so beautiful and leaves me speechless, and that's when our teenagers enter into true worship, pour their hearts out at the altar, and seek for a true encounter with Jesus.

  My hope for this blog will be to give you insight of our youth group and share with you all the great things that God is doing for our teens. My prayer is that as you read these blogs you will be touched and inspired to seek God more than ever and to step out of your comfort zone as well.

  Mark 10:14-16 - But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

and he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

  There is something about seeing a young person experiencing the realness of God. Their faith to believe and their faith to receive what God wants to give them remind us of their innocent and unconditional love. As adults we can put limits on God's love because of past hurt or rejection. It's when you see the love for God as a child sees is when you truly understand what Jesus was saying in this Scripture.

  So my question to you today is, are you putting conditions on your love for God? In your prayer time, I encourage you ask God to reveal to you if you have placed conditions on His love. Ask Him to help you to love Him as a child loves Him.

  The love of a child has no boundaries or limits......