"Bah, Humbug"

Holiday preparations have you in a dither? Feeling pressured on all sides? Ready to throw up your hands and say, "Bah, Humbug"? Click on the links below to discover a bit of wise counsel to navigating the holiday season well.

1. "Don't let Christmas run you."

2. "Divide the pie."

3. "Negotiate."

Remember Whose birthday we're celebrating ~
Linda

Blue Ribbons

Recognize.

Perceive.

Esteem.

Encourage.

Applaud.

Boost.

Galvanize.

Inspire.

Strengthen.

Revitalize.

Build.

Impact.

Honor.

Bless.

Click here to see how one woman's words of affirmation gave hope and life.

"Go thou and do likewise ..."

Linda

"Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up ..."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Christmas Facts and Fiction #5

Fact: The Virgin Birth of Jesus was prophecied by Isaiah - almost 700 years prior to Jesus' birth.

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us)."

Critics have said that "virgin" is a mistranslation and that the Hebrew word, "almah," used in the prophecy merely means "a young woman." They further claim that the Hebrew word, "bethulah," would have been used to confer the idea of virginity.

However, the latest detailed linguistic studies show "bethulah" could refer to a widow or a divorced woman who was not a virgin while "almah" is never used of a non-virgin. Biblical researchers tell us that if any notion of virginity were intended, "almah" was the best and only word to do the job.

Think of it: 700 years before Jesus was born, God had written this detail concerning His birth - He would be born of a virgin - a human impossibility. This unique birth allows Him to be a human being without the taint of Adam's sin.

What a powerful God we have - He made sure that every detail of His Son's crashing into human existence would be fulfilled.

Adoring our detailed God ~ Bob

Jimmy

IN HONOR & MEMORY OF JIMMY

1993 - 2009

THE LORD HAS MADE HIMSELF VERY REAL TO OUR JIM.
NO LONGER DOES HE SAY HELP ME LORD,
FOR HE CAN JUST SEE HIM.
HIS MIND IS CLEAR AND HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT CLUTTERED.
AND ANY ACTIVITY DONE, IS NO LONGER FLUSTERED.

HOW GREAT IS HIS PEACE AND HIS COMFORT NOW.

IN HIS HANDS HE RESTS, AS GOD CARESSES HIS BROW.

HIS MOM AND HIS DAD AND FRIENDS WRACKED IN PAIN.

KNOW THAT IN JESUS WE'LL SEE HIM AGAIN.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY LIFE HAPPENS THIS WAY.

FEELINGS TUMULTUOUS, WAVE THROUGH OUR DAY.

BUT GOD IN HIS WISDOM, TRULY CREATED JIMMY'S PLAN.

KNOWING BEFORE BIRTH,
HE'D WELCOME THIS SPECIAL YOUNG MAN.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO HOLD ONTO GOD'S GRACE.

ALLOWING HIS MERCY TO UPHOLD OUR SAD PLACE.

IF JIMMY KNEW GOD THE WAY THAT I DO.

AND I BELIEVE WITH MY HEART THIS TO BE TRUE.

WHO ARE WE TO LOSE OUR HOPE IN OUR GOD?

WHO CREATED US ALL AND THE LAND THAT WE TROD?

SO TAKE HEART MY DEAR FRIENDS, THIS IS NOT THE END.

A NEW BEGINNING FOR JIMMY HAS BEGUN A NEW TREND.

HE IS FULLY BRAND NEW IN THE LORD WE ADORE.

AND GOD WILL ALLOW US TO SEE HIM ONCE MORE.

IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.

A prayer written by our friend, Brian Young.

Please join The Community at Creekside
in praying for Jimmy's family and friends as they grieve.

I Never Win Anything!

I never win ANYTHING!

So I just about fell out of my chair when I opened an email from Anne Jackson at madchurchdisease.com and found that I've won a copy of Adam McHugh's new book, "Introverts in the Church."

I'm fascinated with the subject he's exploring, since I've had numerous conversations with introverts, who sadly wonder if there's a place for them at the table. I am thankful to say, as an introvert who gains strength and energy from extended times of quietness and solitude, that the answer is a resounding YES.

I love that God has designed and shaped us in ways that are unique and complex. I remain confident that He loves us with all our own particular characteristics and idiosyncrasies! And is delighted to use us right where we are.

He rejoices over His beloved creation ~
Linda

QUICK CHAT BLITZ

Wednesday, December 9th & Thursday, December 10th

QUICK CHAT BLITZ

A SPECIAL END OF THE YEAR GIFT TO BLOG READERS

Need to brainstorm? Evaluate? Look ahead?

>>> CAREER <<<

Challenges

Changes

>>> HOLIDAY <<<

Gift-giving

Decorating

Hospitality

Logistics

Organization

Relationships

>>> 2009 EVALUATION <<<

Personal

Ministry

Professional

>>> 2010 PREVIEW <<<

Choices

Opportunities

Goals

For 2 days only, I am offering COACHING QUICK CHAT at 50% off! A 45 minute phone appointment from the convenience of your home or office. PLUS unlimited email interaction for 1 week - all for $100.

I've never offered this 2 day opportunity before. It's my END OF THE YEAR GIFT to the readers of this blog - to say "thank you ... I appreciate you!"

What a gift to give - to yourself ... or someone you care about! Click here to discover what coaching can do for you ... and read what others are saying.

Questions? Ready to claim your time slot?

Appointments are limited - contact me today!

Linda@CreeksideMinistries.com

OR

845.298.0710

Looking forward to connecting with you ~

Linda

Christmas Fact and Fiction #4

Fact or Fiction? Mary and Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus on that evening.
The truth is that they did take the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem so that Joseph, who was in the family line of King David, could register for the census.
The truth is that Mary was expecting baby Jesus when they arrived in Bethlehem.
The truth is that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
The fiction is that they made the journey on Christmas Eve.

Luke 2:6 says, "While they were there the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son." The words, "while they were there" tell us that Mary and Joseph were already settled in Bethlehem prior to the baby's birth.

The important fact for Luke is not the journey, but the fact that Jesus is born in Bethlehem, the city of King David, and that even in His birth, Jesus identified with those who feel they have no place.

What place do you need to prepare for Him in your life and schedule? Bob

Christmas Facts and Fiction #3

Did the "Three Wise Men" from the East arrive in Bethlehem in time to see the baby Jesus in the manger?

1) There is no record of how many "wise men" came to see Jesus. Since three gifts were given to the child, it has been assumed by some that there were three who carried the gifts. Most likely, there was a sizable entourage of "wise men" (magi) accompanied by soldiers to protect them and the cargo that they carried.

2) Luke 2: 11 says, "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh"

Note: By the time the "wise men" had arrived to see Jesus, He was in a house - not in the manger. It must have been a considerable time after His birth that the "wise men" found Him.

The text also tells us that Jesus was a child when the "wise men" found Him. The Greek word for "child" is different from the word for "infant" and refers to someone who is around two years old.

While folks attempt to include everyone and everything in the nativity pictures, we do know that the "wise men" were not yet present in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.

The important fact, however is that they worshiped and adored Him even when he was a child. They recognized the child as Deity.

Wise Men still adore Him ~ Bob

A Very Lavish Gift

This link was sent by a woman whose faith in Christ has nurtured a passionate zeal to reach out to those who are wounded and hurting ...

"The key to building up people is kindness -- giving them what they need and not what they deserve. When you consider the way Jesus built up people, He did three things: challenged, encouraged, and spoke honestly."

Read more ...

Thank you, my friend. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit {Galatians 5:22-23}. It's not some magical thing we can drum up on our own. It seems to be a rare commodity today in our self-serving society, and sadly seems to be in short supply in our homes, churches, and workplaces.

1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that "love is kind." Here's a simple guideline ... can you put your name in place of the word "love"?

What might the Spirit lavish on you if you surrendered to His filling and control? Most likely, it would be a beautiful gift destined to be poured into another's weary, parched soul.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen ... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"
- Ephesians 4:29, 32.

A gift we each need to give ... and receive ~
Linda