Time Out!

Each year, my family and I take a break following Christmas so that we can rest, recharge, and celebrate all that God has done in our lives and ministry throughout the year.  Our lives and schedules are unlike those of anyone else.  In ministry, you are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  There are many weeks that we go without a day off or many important holidays and occasions that are interrupted with ministry calls, etc. So, it is vitally important to have a few times each year to rest, recharge, and renew.

Today began a 5 day rest for us as we make way for a brand new year in 2013.  We got up early and headed out to East Tennessee, where we got to spend Christmas with my in-laws.  It's always a great time of eating, fellowship, and gift exchanging.  They are always so supportive of the call of God on our family.  Afterwards, Natalie and I traveled to Knoxville to spend the night before heading to Pigeon Forge on Thursday.  It was a great night as we spent time watching Christmas movies and chatting with each other.  Great times!

Rest is vitally important for everyone.  Jesus did it regularly to set the example for us because He knew we would become tired and weary from this life that we live.  It was so important for Him to get away and spend time with His Father in heaven while taking a rest for the flesh and mind.  If you are not used to taking a break at the end of the year, this year would be a great time to start this in your life.  You'll see the difference it will make in allowing your life to have greater impact in the new year.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 25

Merry Christmas to you and your family from The Howard Family!

Today is that special day that we've all been waiting for...Christmas Day!  Make this day all about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  One of the best ways you can do that is by giving your life to Him and by serving others.

Our family will be giving to the lonely, the hurting, the less fortunate by serving meals at Gondola's today for about 2 hours.  It's a great way to give back and minister to those who could never give anything in return.  What a joy to serve others with the love of Christ on Christmas and all year long!

Let's come and worship the new born King!

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name ,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Adoration is a word that we love to use during the Christmas season thanks largely to the classic carol O Come, All Ye Faithful as we sing, “O come, let us adore Him.” So many of us during the Christmas season spend more time thinking about Christ and giving Him adoration than any other time of the year. Think about it for a moment. More people go to church during Christmas than any other time of the year. We also tend to find ourselves singing and listening to songs about Jesus more during the Christmas season than any other time of year. As a result, Christmas is a time when we love to praise Him, honor Him, and adore Him much in the way Philippians 2:9-11 describes.

While it’s great that Christ earns so much of our attention and adoration during Christmas, it’s important to remember that we should pay that same amount of attention to Him 12 months a year instead of just one. Sure, it’s easier to get caught up in all the Christmas hype and spend more time thinking, singing, praying, and adoring Christ during December, but in order to have a true relationship with Christ we must adore and spend time with Him daily and not just during Christmas. This year as you move out of the Christmas season and back into the normalcy of life, strive to find a way to capture that Christmas spirit that will enable you to adore Him and grow with Him every day of your life.

What things keep you from adoring and spending time with Christ on a daily basis?
What steps will you take to ensure that you spend time daily with Christ?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 24

Today is Christmas Eve.  People everywhere are preparing to spend time with family and friends for parties and dinners.  Some are taking in some LAST minute shopping opportunities at the mall, shopping center, or their local Wal-Mart.  All around us, there is the rush and business of the holiday season.  I want to encourage you to stop and take a break in the midst of it all to focus on the reason that we celebrate in the first place...the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

At Bridges of Hope Fellowship, we're helping people to take that break in the midst of the rush.  We're offering two Christmas Eve Services to help people to refocus on the meaning for the season.  Join us tonight at 5 or 7 p.m. (CST) for a traditional carol candlelight Christmas Eve celebration.  We're located at 4023 Smithville Hwy. in McMinnville, TN.  I hope you'll bring your family out and maybe even start a new Christmas family tradition!  For more information or directions, visit us online at www.GetHope.info

I'd like to look at one of my all time favorite Christmas carols today, if would could.  It's "Silent Night."

Silent Night

Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah!

Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.”    Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV

When I was a child, we were poor. We rarely bought anything other than necessities throughout the year. About two months before Christmas, my parents asked me to write a list of all the things I wanted. I would pour through catalogs, to stores (before the internet) and dream about all the things I could possibly enjoy for the coming year. After my list was complete, I waited anxiously anticipating the gifts under the tree. The waiting felt like years, but it was worth the wait. Christmas morning was the best day! I spent the rest of the year enjoying my new toys!

God’s children, for hundreds of years, had anticipated the arrival of their Savior. Parents told their children of the coming King: The one who would save them all. Their kids told their kids. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the One they had heard about. The arrival of Jesus, their Savior, was a holy night. The heavens rejoiced. Angels sang. Shepherds quaked at the sight. At Christmas, we remember this day that heaven came to earth! The day God fulfilled His promise! The day God became man to redeem his children from a broken world. Your savior is here. He is present! You don’t have to anticipate something you already have. Celebrate. Enjoy the gift you have received!

In what areas of your life are you waiting and anticipating God’s presence?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 23

Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o’er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation’s story,

Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Come and worship,

Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:13-14 NIV

The actions of the angels are one of the most exciting aspects of the Christmas story from Luke 2. First you have the angel who suddenly appears to the shepherds to tell them the good news of Jesus birth (Luke 2:9). Then, as if the shepherds haven’t had enough, there is a whole multitude of angels suddenly appearing in full concert to finish it off (Luke 2:13). This is such an epic celebration like nothing ever seen in the Bible, and it was displayed not for the government officials, the upper class of the city, or the spiritual elite, but for the lowly shepherds. What a beautiful tension and a perfect picture of the power of Christmas. It is the biggest news that mankind could ever know, its celebration is led by the very angels who hang out in the perfect presence of an all-powerful God, and the message is meant for the lowly and broken.

This old carol is such a simple but powerful reminder of all who have been invited to celebrate and to worship Jesus. Jesus is the most amazing gift given to us. God loved us so much that He sent His only son to enter humanity so that ultimately we could have the chance to be right before a holy God. That is the power of Christmas, and the angels understood it. The shepherds experienced it first-hand. The wise men believed it. They not only joined the worship celebration, but their excitement and worship inspired others to do the same. This Christmas, let our worship would be so authentic and exciting that we would draw others to “Come and worship; come and worship; Worship Christ the newborn King!”

How can you celebrate and worship Jesus throughout this Christmas season?

How can you inspire others to do the same?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 22

Breath Of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, Hold me together

Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, Light my darkness

Pour over me, your holiness, For you’re holy

Breath of Heaven

The LORD is my light and salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?      Psalm 27:1 NIV

So many of us hold Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a very high esteem because she was chosen by God to carry His Son and bring Him into the world. It was the greatest task anyone has ever been given. Even though we hold Mary in high esteem, it’s important to remember that she was a normal person just like us. In fact, she probably battled fear as much if not more so than most people. She was an unmarried teenager that found herself miraculously pregnant after an angel told her she would give birth to the Messiah. She was probably afraid of the great task that God had given her and dealt with fear from the backlash she and Joseph received because of the unique pregnancy. She was probably battled fear on their long journey to Jerusalem as she was nine months pregnant and taking a long journey on a donkey. Despite her fear, however, she remained faithful to God and the task they were given.

The song Breath of Heaven gives us a prayer that Mary most likely prayed asking God to hold her together, be near her, and to light her darkness. How many times have you prayed a similar prayer? Christmas is a joyous time, but the reality is that for many of us, it’s hard to experience that joy in the midst of all the turmoil and trials that are happening around us. Just as God protected and guided Mary through a difficult time, allow Him to guide you this Christmas. Pray and share with Him what troubles your spirit and allow Him to restore the joy of Christmas within you by holding you together, being forever near you, and lighting your darkness.

What trials are you enduring currently that ‘s robbing you of the joy of Christmas?

What are some things you can do to reclaim joy and hope in your life?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 21

Go Tell It On The Mountain!

When lo! above the earth rang out the angels’ chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.

“...I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

Luke 2:10 NLT

The first time a woman finds out she is pregnant, she is filled with joy and searches for the best way to share the news with her husband, friends, and family. When a man is ready to propose marriage, he knows he has to find the right way to ask the question and share the news.

Words can sometimes fail to fully convey the truth of good news. So, when God was ready to bring Jesus into flesh on earth, how did He bring the Good News? In the greatest spectacle, “a vast host” of angels appeared to seemingly random shepherds in a middle-of-nowhere field. Holy light shone down and their voices rang out - it’s the sort of blockbuster, showstopper you would expect for the greatest event in history. The only odd thing is the audience (“lowly” shepherds), and how few of them were probably there. Maybe that goes to show that no stone should be left unturned when we are sharing news like this.

When Jesus began teaching, He did not spread the Good News by word alone. The blind received sight, the lame walked, and the dead were raised – all to communicate beyond words what the Good News meant.

Isaiah 62 shouted, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look your Savior is coming.” Jesus commanded the disciples to go to the ends of the earth. And in the classic spiritual, we are implored to “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!”

Are you shouting out the Good News? Why or why not?

Is there a way for you to share the Good News in a more powerful way than through words?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 20

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie…

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.       1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NLT

Bethlehem. A town which could be considered tiny and insignificant. Micah 5 describes Bethlehem as being “….small among the clans of Judah.” Yet Micah goes on to say “out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Sure enough Jesus was born in Bethlehem some 700 years later.
The significance of insignificant Bethlehem can’t be understated. God loves to work in amazing ways through the unlikely and the overlooked. It’s easy for all of us to feel undervalued and unimportant, but that is exactly the type of person God will use. Think of the endless ways God could use you if you surrender to His will.

Actually Bethlehem did have some significance before Jesus’ birth. Among other things it was also the birthplace of David, Israel’s greatest Old Testament warrior and king. However, this is also another example of God’s amazing province. David after all was the youngest son of Jesse who considered him the unlikeliest of his boys to become king. But God saw through all that and had him anointed the next ruler of Israel. Again God was working in ways that are outside of man’s conventional wisdom.
We tend to see our life and circumstances through a man made perspective. Once we realize that the Lord works in mysterious ways which are far above our own we will be more ready for Him to use us in an exciting way.

Of course nothing has more significance than the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. How unlikely is it that it would begin one quiet, peaceful night in a quiet, peaceful town. The “everlasting Light”, the “hopes and fears of all the years” all started in the “…Little Town of Bethlehem.” You can’t make this stuff up and thankfully it’s not.

How have you seen God use seemingly insignificant people and events in your life or the lives of others?

Have you ever felt overlooked? What effect has that had on you?
What action will you take to allow God to use you in a significant way?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 19

O Holy Night

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

He is a light to reveal GOD to the nations, and he is the Glory of your people Israel!

Luke 2:32 NLT

In the midst of so much imperfection, the night Christ was born can be considered one of the most perfect nights ever in the history of mankind. God used imperfect circumstances and an imperfect location in the form of a humble manager to bring His perfect and holy Son into the world. God could have easily made Jesus’ birth triumphant, but He chose not to. It is through all that imperfection that made this night so holy and so perfect.

The way God brought His son into the world is much the same way He works within our lives. Oftentimes God takes the imperfections in our lives and uses them to perfect us. God loves to take the physical and emotional scars and use those to grow us into stronger people. He also desires us to take what we learned from our imperfections and help others who may be struggling with the same things.

Just as Jesus was a light to reveal God to all the nations, we can be that same light as well. Don’t let your imperfections hold you back. Instead, allow God to use them to shape you into the person He designed you to be, which is a light in a dark world. Give God your weaknesses so that He can turn them into your greatest strengths.

What weaknesses do you need to give God so that He can perfect you?

In what ways do you see yourself as being a light to reveal God’s truth to others?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 18

When A Child Is Born

…new hope, new life. Many things come to pass with the birth of a new child.

For a season, everyone, forgets their own weariness and own problems.

This tiny creature will change people’s lives…forever.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.    Isaiah 9:6 KJV

There is nothing like the announcement of a new baby to bring excitement in a family. As the song says, “…new hope, new life. Many things come to pass with the birth of a new child. For a season, everyone, forgets their own weariness and own problems. This tiny creature will change people’s lives…forever.”

Expectant mothers gain a lot of attention, as friends and family are typically very intent on being involved in the entire process of pregnancy up until the very end. When the moment finally occurs, there is nothing like the sound of a newborn baby’s cry to validate the life that has been growing and developing over the past nine months, and create such overwhelming joy.

The same excitement that comes from physical birth also occurs when we experience spiritual birth in that moment when we ask Christ to become our personal Savior and Lord of our lives. In fact, many people now celebrate both their physical and spiritual birthdays because they understand the day Christ came into their life is just as important as the day they came into being.

Imagine the joy that was evident at Christ’s birth in that His physical birth would ultimately change mankind forever. We can have spiritual birth because of His physical birth. John 10:10 says, “One…came…that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” We have a new life all because of one child: Jesus. As you reflect on this Christmas season, be thankful for God did by sending His only Son so that we can have new life. Be thankful for that holy night when a child was born so that we could be born again.

What led you to your spiritual birth?
What does new life in Christ mean to you?

O Holy Night

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

He is Christ the Lord.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 17

This is the week before Christmas and things are really busy by this point.  We are all busy with community, family, and church events that keep us hopping from place to place.  I love it!

Last night, the Children & Student Ministries at Bridges of Hope Fellowship presented their very first Christmas program.  They did a fabulous job!  I'm so proud of them all.  Also, I am thankful to have people like Rick & Kennette Dixon serving on our team to work with them.  We are blessed!

Today, it's a full day of visits, meetings, and then my family and I are off to Chattanooga, Tennessee to spend time and have a Christmas dinner with my dad.  While we're there, we just might take in the mall and a little window shopping!  Looking forward to all that the day and week holds.

Let's take a look at the carol, "We Three Kings Of Orient Are."

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect Light.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.        Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

It’s often difficult for people to understand that Jesus was born just like us. He wasn’t born in a luxurious palace or a fancy hospital. He was born outside, in a manger. He came into a world filled with sin, yet he lived an absolutely perfect life. He came to lead us, and guide us into a loving relationship with God.

The three wise men are a great example of what complete submission to God looks like. The moment they saw the star they likely dropped everything they were doing and embarked on a long journey that was most likely difficult at times. The men had no idea where they were going, but placed their complete trust in a star to lead them. They devoted everything to seeking Him no matter the cost. Just like the three men in this song followed a shining star to see Jesus when he was born, if we submit ourselves to God, He will direct our paths and be a perfect guide for our lives.

What are the areas in your life you need to submit to God?

Try to remember a time where you did submit something to God. What was the outcome of that situation?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 16

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, Pa rum pa pum pum

A newborn King to see, Pa rum pa pum pum

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.     Romans 12:1 MSG

The night was silent, except for the beating of his heart. It seemed so loud to him, he wondered if his traveling companions could hear it too. He was nervous to see a king, but he kept walking, holding tightly to his drum.

His heart was about to beat out of his chest. The others were carrying beautiful boxes filled with precious gifts, gifts worthy of a king. He had nothing but his drum which suddenly seemed an inappropriate instrument to play for king, not to mention a newborn baby king. If only he had a more soothing instrument, like the harp the shepherd boys sometimes play.

His heart beat was deafening as he stood before the king. And then Mary nodded. The King’s mother nodded at him.. She actually wanted him to play. He raised his sticks and began to beat out of the first pattern that came into his head, the rhythm of his beating heart.

And so the Little Drummer Boy gave his heart to God. He played his best. He gave his best.
How often do we feel our gifts are not good enough? We compare ourselves to others, wondering why their gifts seem so much more “useful” for the kingdom. We want to teach like our Pastor, or sing like our Worship Leader. Or maybe we want to share our blessings, but at times, we don’t feel very blessed. We can’t give what we don’t have, but rather than lamenting our lack, we need to look for our “drum”, the one thing that only we can give.

The truth is God already has teaching like the Pastor’s. He already has singing like the worship leader’s. And what He wants, what He can really use, is your heart.

Think of ways that you can bless others this season and in turn bless God. You don’t have to spend money. You just have to give of yourself, of your heart. Just like the little Drummer Boy. And Jesus smiled at him. Think of Jesus smiling at you. Kind of makes your heart race, doesn’t it? Listen.

How can you bless God by blessing others this holiday season?

Are you giving your best to God? If not, how could you give your best to him today?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 15

The First Noel

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel;

Born is the King of Israel!

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21 NIV

It is widely known that Noël is the French word for Christmas, but do you know the original origin of the word? Noël comes from the Latin word natalis, meaning “birth.” Therefore, the title of the hymn, fully translated, is “The First Birth.” This song is about the Nativity Story, the birth of Jesus as we see in the Bible. Angels came to Joseph and Mary, telling them “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus came to save us from our sins. That is what this season is about for us: the remembrance of this birth, and the life of Jesus. He was born here, lived here, died here, and was raised again here, all so that we had a new way to find relationship with God. This song reminds of the hopes and the expectations of salvation that came with the birth of Jesus, and serves to remind us that, no matter where we find ourselves in our lives right now, that this Jesus was here, and we will always have hope in that. This is a chance to celebrate not only the newness of his life, but this season all provides you an opportunity to start your life over with a new birth.

Whatever sin, whatever shortcoming, whatever failure, whatever weakness you have, a child was born, and he has come to save you.

What are the things that you need Jesus to save you from?

How could this birth change the lives of people you know this holiday season? What will you do about it?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 14

The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Jack Frost nipping at your nose,

Yuletide carols being sung by a chior,

And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

I live in the high and holy places, but also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed, And what I do is put new spirit in them, get them up and on their feet again.                Isaiah 57:15 MSG

If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, homemade apple cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friend’s houses and services at church. Let’s not forget about being all bundled up on Christmas morning with our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground.

And then in the midst of our Christmas illusions, our children storm into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because someone hit them or because one of them use the other’s pellet gun without asking or because one of the neighbors took the basketball away that they had or because they fell off the zip line. Oh, for the love of all that is good and right in the world, can we not stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer?

That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect picture. Something that breaks our heart.

A relationship that ended.
A loved one who died prematurely.
The betrayal of a friend.

Did you know that God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as Him not being in control. No, this is not about His ability but about His sovereignty.

While we may wish that bad things would never happened in our lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33), but He also promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16). So, no matter where we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful.

Friend, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.

How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s interruptions?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 13

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed, The world is sleeping

Holy Star its vigil keeping

Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”   Psalm 46:10 NIV

Still, still, still… These words do not seem to have a place in the hustle and bustle of a busy life, especially at Christmas time. Parties, presents and projects usually have us in a frantic frenzy as we rush from one event to the next. Often, before we know it, Christmas day has come and gone and we realize that, despite our good intentions, we never experienced the peace that comes from truly relishing in God’s amazing love for us.

Isn’t it interesting that God commands us to “Be still”? Do you think it’s because he knows we sometimes have a hard time doing it on our own?

What happens when we actually take time to be still? The answer lies in Psalm 46:10…”Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”. When you are still before God, you better understand that whatever you are facing, whatever your day has been like, you can completely rest in the fact that God is God. He’s awesome and amazing and sovereign. He loves us more than we can imagine and He’s got things under control.

Spend time today purposely pursuing stillness in different moments. Perhaps you could wrap up in a blanket & head outside for a peek at the stars, wondering what that holy star looked like, the one that signaled Christ’s birth many years ago. Maybe take a minute to watch your young child sleep and you wonder what Mary and Joseph thought of their newborn son as you gaze at your own child’s sweet face. Open your Bible, read a favorite Scripture…then sit and wait.

What truths resonate in your soul about Christ as you take time to be still before Him?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mild He lays His glory by;

Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth;

Born to give them second birth.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV

It’s fun to look at a tiny baby and imagine what he will grow up to become. It could be anything – a pilot, a policeman, a chef, an astronaut, a pastor, or a million other options. The future is wide open and full of possibilities.

Jesus was born with one purpose. As it says in the carol, he was “born that man no more may die.” His birth was all about our new birth. In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter praises God for the “new birth into a living hope” – and all that is possible because Jesus laid aside his glory and offered Himself in our place, taking the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. His death and resurrection gives us new life. As you go about your business and your busyness of the season, intentionally take a few moments to slow down and remember that Jesus was born to give YOU a second birth. What a reason to praise Him!

How do you express your gratitude to Jesus for the new life He gives you?

Who in your life doesn’t yet realize the true reason for Jesus’ birth? What will you do to share it with them?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 11

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control
Philippians 3:20 NLT

The term home is simply defined as this: Where one resides. A familiar setting. A place of origin. Where’s our home?

Our home is the place where we’ve spent most of our years growing up and making memories. It’s where we took our first steps. It’s where we learned to drive a car. It’s where we had our first crush. It’s the place where we graduated high school and college and maybe even met our spouse. Or our home may be the place where we now reside. A place where we’ve grown into the people we are now. Home for us is where we feel at ease with those we love the most. It’s the place where we can be ourselves and not worry about the world outside. Home is where our heart is.

Or is it? According to Webster, our home is where we reside, it’s our place of origin, our familiar setting. But according to the 1 Peter 2:11, our home isn’t in this world:
                       Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. 

Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying places on earth. We have wonderful memories and experiences in different places our entire lives. But we weren’t meant to be 100% at home here. Our home is with our Jesus in Heaven. Until He says it’s time to be with Him, we’ll stay here. And as much as we love our earthly homes, we’ll never be fully satisfied. It could be what songwriter Laura Story says in her famous song, Blessings:

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching in this life is the
revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy.

Only Christ can satisfy. Only His presence and peace can bring us pure, unadulterated joy. Only His comfort can truly take us off the ledge of disappointment and disaster. One day we will truly be Home with Him. Not just for Christmas but for eternity.

And what a day of rejoicing that will be.

How can you allow Christ to satisfy you and to fulfill your every need this Christmas season, instead of relying on what the world can give?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing thru the sky, shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15-16 NIV

Over 2000 years ago, the Savior of the world was born. Have you ever stopped to think about how people found out about His birth? The song “Do You Hear What I Hear?” gives us an example of how the news of His birth might have spread.

The song starts with the Holy Spirit asking the lamb, “Do you see what I see?” The Lamb then goes to the shepherd and asks, “Do you hear what I hear?” The Shepherd immediately goes to the King and asks “Do you know what I know?” When they shared what God had told them, an entire nation heard about the birth of their Savior, Jesus, and what His birth meant for the entire world.

Here’s the great news: this too is our calling as followers of Christ - to share with others what we have been told! God reveals Himself to all of us in different ways, depending on our personalities and gifts. For some, He shows us visible things about Himself, like a star in the sky. For others, we hear His voice; and then some of us grow closer to Him best through our intellect. The question is what are we doing with what God gives us? We have to realize that God will use us to bring people to Him through what He has revealed to us.

In this song, God chose a shepherd boy’s voice to tell others about what He had heard and, as a result, an entire nation heard about Jesus’ birth. What about today? If we want people to know about a Savior that has been born, we have to take the time to share with others what He is revealing to us. Lives are changed when we tell the people in our lives what God has shown and done for us.

What has God shown or told you lately that you should be sharing with others?

In what ways does God reveal Himself to you?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 9

Ding Dong! Merrily On High

Ding dong! Merrily on high

In heav’n the bells are ringing:

Ding dong! Verily the sky

Is riv’n with Angel singing.

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.      1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV

We seem to have so many bells and chimes and rings in our lives. Whether the microwave is letting us know that the “homemade” chicken nuggets are ready, or our car is beeping to tell us that our seatbelt is unbuckled, or that super annoying “aaaeee! aaaeee! aaaeee!” coming from our alarm clock is piercing through the dark bedroom to jolt us from our slumber; our lives are surrounded by noises and alarms. These alarms can mean so many different things.

From this classic, beautiful Christmas carol we are drawn a picture of the celebrating chimes from heaven. It’s almost as if the author of this song is describing the way we might hear a call from heaven. In several different passages, scripture describes how someone heard from God. In some instances it was a booming sound like thunder and in others a still small voice.

Have you ever heard that gentle whisper calling you like Elijah heard in 1 Kings 19:12? God can call us in so many different ways. But what he calls each of us to is unique. He may be calling you to minister to a friend going through a tough holiday season. He may be calling you in your profession. God can use doctors to serve those who cannot afford treatment, contractors to build a school in a poverty stricken country, a lawn care worker to cut the grass of an elderly widow in the neighborhood, or whatever your talent might be. The important thing is for you to listen to His voice, just like the beautiful chimes from heaven. He is calling you to be a light in someone’s life this Christmas.

So, go ahead and hit that snooze on your alarm clock, but answer the call of the Father on your life.

How have you heard from God in the past?

What is God calling you to do for someone else this Christmas season?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 8

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed;

the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  Luke 2:6-7 NIV

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is born in a manger with not so much as a bed to lie on. The humble beginnings of our Lord’s life remind us that we are to be humble and thankful for what we have been blessed with. The true meaning of Christmas is reflected so poetically in the story of Jesus’ birth that we cannot help but find ourselves grateful for all that was given to us on that day.

The song describes how even when Jesus wakes, he does not cry out or make a sound. This day was a day of rejoicing, and the baby lying awake on the hay was no ordinary child, He was the Savior of men! The last verse of the song asks the Lord to stay beside us, to lead us, and to eventually take us to Heaven to live with Him. How often is that our prayer? Stay beside me Lord as I make my way through this earthly life.

How glorious and beautiful is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate His birth and the life that was given to us by Him through His life, death, and resurrection.

In your opinion, how does this carol reflect the love of Christ?

What does this carol show you about our Lord at the beginning of His life here on earth?

Why do you think God chose for his son to be born in a manger instead of a birth fitting of royalty?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 7

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

“...and they will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23 NIV84

Time after time, the Israelites found themselves separated from God - always by their own doing. And God would eventually deliver them, only to be betrayed by His chosen people again. So we find two constant themes in the Old Testament:

•The Israelites, no matter how hard they tried, were unfaithful God

•God remained faithful and fulfilled the promises He made to them

Through His prophets, God made many promises. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call his name Emmanuel.” The name Emmanuel translates as “God with us.” It’s a remarkable promise - the Ultimate Being and Creator of the Universe promising to make Himself physically present with the people who have proven themselves unworthy.

In one of the most somber Christmas song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, there is an embraced tension within Israel. They are in exile, separated from God yet again. With a sober perspective, they choose to rejoice in the promise God has made to them. With nothing else to cling to, in the midst of desperation and loneliness, they recall and proclaim the promise that God would be with them - knowing that, in spite of their unfaithfulness, God is faithful to His promises.

No one could have expected a baby in a manger to be the start of God’s perfect plan to be “with us.” And yet, that is exactly how God fulfilled His promise.

Are you waiting for God to come through on a promise He has made? Do you feel a sense of loneliness or exile? Rejoice! Rejoice! Through Christ, God has made Himself present to us. His faithfulness is greater than our failure. And His presence is all the reason we need to, once more, rejoice!

Since God is “Emmanuel,” how is God with you this holiday season?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Luke 1:38 NLT

Have you ever listened to the song Mary, Did You Know?

This touching song has been played for well over three decades during the Christmas season. The lyrics are beautifully written and contain powerful phrases like Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand and that This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you. It’s a stirring line of questions by the songwriter that cause listeners to stand in amazement at the power of our God.

We really don’t know much about Mary except that she was a virgin and probably in her early teens. According to Luke 1:28, we know that she was “highly favored” and that “the Lord was with her”. Even without a stunning resume, God used her. Sweet, little Mary who kept to herself and wasn’t a big “play maker” was invited by the Creator of the universe to change the world.

Many think the reason He chose her is because of her willingness. Upon hearing how this would play out in her life, Mary’s response was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary simply said yes to her Lord with no conditions whatsoever.

Where are you in your life right now? How much of “you” have you truly surrendered? Are you living the truth that “your life is not your own” and that you’ve been “brought with a price”? Is there something that you are missing out on because you won’t let Him lead?

We have a Messiah. His name is Jesus. He is the Savior of the world. He walked on water without a single bit of effort. He came and died to make us new. He gave sight to a blind man with some dirt and saliva. He woke up from a deep sleep and calmed a raging storm with his human hand. He fed over 5,000 people with a tiny bit of bread and fish. He does the miraculous. And He has amazing plans for your life.

What have you not surrendered to God?
What is keeping you from doing so?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 5

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

When the angels first sang about peace on Earth and goodwill to all men, the shepherds must have wondered what was going on. They certainly didn’t hear angelic choirs everyday , and First Century Palestine was hardly a peaceful place. The streets buzzed with rumours of revolution and the tension often boiled over into violence. Society was split along lines of gender, race, wealth and religion, and the shepherds themselves were only a few rungs above beggars on the social ladder. For some of us, Christmas itself is a time to be with friends and family, but for others it reminds us that we are alone or separated from loved ones. Two thousand years later, we seem to be as far as ever from Heaven on Earth.

Many people in the First Century were expecting a quick fix for the world’s problems, and of course that didn’t happen. It still hasn’t happened. But Christmas reminds us of God’s promise to bring in a kingdom where wars, injustice and even death will be a thing of the past, and where we will live together with God. That’s our hope. God does have a plan. The best really is to come.
In the meantime, God continues to show his love to us in so many ways. He provides for our needs. He answers our prayers. He invites us to start living today like citizens of the kingdom that has not yet been fully revealed. We can love one another as Christ loved us here and now. We can show his compassion and his unconditional acceptance to others today. We can experience a foretaste of the new Heaven and Earth right now. We can share that experience with others. And we can do all this in the knowledge that God’s Kingdom will prevail and that the whole of creation will one day see the truth that those shepherds heard on a remote, Palestinian hillside.

What one thing could you change to give those around you a foretaste of God’s Kingdom of peace?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 4

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.  Psalm 29:11 NIV

Who is God to you? Is he your protector? Your provider? This Christmas Season, have you allowed him to be your peace?

It can be easy to view God simply as a friend to go to in times of trouble or a magic genie that grants all of your prayers. But God is so much more than that, and the blessings he wants to give to you are endless! He offers so many wonderful things—completely free of charge–including hope, joy, and peace for your heart. God wants nothing but the best for you.

Although your circumstances may be difficult, or hard to understand at times, that doesn’t mean that God isn’t there. He cares about you and loves with a giant-sized love, and he’s waiting for you to let Him be your peace. So this Christmas, as you think about all the gifts you need to buy, and your never-ending to-do list, don’t forget to stop and remember that only God can provide you with the unwavering quiet strength that comes from his peace.

In what ways do you find peace and comfort in God?

What difficult circumstances are you currently dealing with that you need God’s peace in helping you endure?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light.

From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”   Luke 10:41-42 NIV

Christmas can seem like a rat race at times. There is all of the hectic last minute shopping at crowded malls while struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, the decorating the house (including checking every single bulb on the strand of lights to find the one at the very end that shorted out the rest), wrapping present after present after present, or preparing for the family to come and take over the house for the day. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of Christmas, and to miss the things that are really important.

We see this happen in the book of Luke, when Jesus goes to eat in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha spends her time running around cooking, serving dinner, and cleaning, which are very good things, but are busy things. Meanwhile, Mary sits in the company of Jesus. When Martha asks Jesus to tell her to work too, He tells her that, “Mary has chosen what is better.”
Jesus is trying to tell us to live in the moment. It is great that you are willing to be like Martha, and make sure that all of the popcorn is strung up, but it is not worth missing the opportunity to have a real conversation with a family member you don’t see often, or when your child’s face lights up because Santa indeed got that letter and delivered exactly what they asked for. It is not about all that we have to do, the list of things we have check off, but it is all about the moment.
This year, don’t miss out on what is better. Take the opportunity to enjoy the time you have with friends and family. Take time not to worry about the things you have to do, but to enjoy the people you get to be with. Be present where you are, because that is what is better, and have yourself a merry little Christmas.

What are some things you need to take off the list to make yourself become more like Mary?

25 Days of Christmas - Day 2

Today is an exciting day for me as we kick off Christmas at Bridges of Hope Fellowship!  We launch our new service times at 9:30 & 11 a.m. this morning, along with our new Christmas series: CAROLS. We'll be taking a look at "O Holy Night" and the events surrounding the song.

Today is also monumental for our church as we will be voting to build a 9,000 sq. ft. addition on to our facility to handle the growth that we're experiencing.  God is pouring out His favor upon us and we're making it hard to get to hell from Warren County!

Tonight, we'll gather for our Annual Church Family Christmas Dinner as we enjoy some great food, fellowship, singing, and laughter as the body at Bridges of Hope.  Join us today for all that God has in store for us and see what the excitement is all about for yourself!

In thinking of favorite Christmas Carols, this morning, I want us to look at Angels We Have Heard On High.  It comes from Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  The lyrics go something like this...

Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in Excelsis Deo

Angels we have on heard high

What gives you awe? What things cause you to become speechless when you see them? Is it the sight of a family member you haven't seen in years? Is it visiting a majestic place like a mountain or a historical place like the ancient pyramids of Egypt? The night Christ was born was the most monumental and awe-inspiring event that as ever occurred in human history as God sent His one and only Son to earth so that we could ultimately have eternal life.

There has not been an event in history before or after Christ's birth that resulted in such celebration that the angels themselves made their physical presence known and their voices heard in song. Can you imagine how the shepherds' jaws must have dropped at the site and sounds of the angels? That moment was so majestic that we probably cannot fully comprehend what it was like because honestly, none of us have encountered such a sight.

It seems like people tend to have fewer experiences these days of complete awe. Technology has brought so much of the world to our living rooms and fingertips that we can see anything we want and feel like we are at anyplace we want to be. Unfortunately, most of us probably have fewer awe-inspiring moments with God like we should. Our relationship with Him often becomes too comfortable and even ordinary.

This Christmas, make an attempt to regain those awe-inspiring moments with God. Strive to make your relationship with Him something so inspiring that it causes you to rejoice like the angels did. Don't let your relationship with Him be ordinary, but rather make it extraordinary.

Describe some of the awe-inspiring moments you've had with God. How have these moments impacted you?

What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can start having more awe-inspiring moments with God?

25 Days to Christmas - Day 1

I am so excited about the Christmas season!  It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.  I love the lights, smells, sounds, and the singing of Christmas carols!  

This year, I'll be preaching a series at Bridges of Hope Fellowship called: CAROLS.  We'll kick it off tomorrow, December 2nd, as we talk about "O Holy Night."  I can't wait!  If you don't have a place that you regularly attend for worship, I sure wish you would come and check us out.  It's a great time to get your life on track for 2013!  If you can't be with us, you can watch it LIVE online each week on Sunday at 11 a.m. (Central Standard Time) or you can go back and view archived sermons.  All can be found at www.GetHope.info and click on "Church Online."

During this series, I want to encourage you to check back daily for my blog on the 25 Days of Christmas...Carols, that is.  Each day leading up to Christmas, we'll be talking about a different Christmas Carol, it's origin, meaning, etc.  So, don't miss it and be sure to share it with your friends!

Today, we're talking about "Joy To The World."

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King.

Isaac Watts wrote ""Joy to the World" in 1719. Since then, every Christmas season, carolers cast those words into the air like a lifeline out into the ocean of humanity. And every ""fish" surely finds something inviting and worth nibbling at. The thrill of hope within the message spools out to touch a weary world with anticipation of tasting something really good!

Joy came to the world because God our great Creator loved His creation so much that He sent His Son to reveal His story, and so that over time, His character and ultimate good will toward mankind would be recognized. The impact on earth of Christ's birth will never diminish despite enemies' attempts to stop it. John 21:25 says that the world would not be able to contain the books that could be written about what the Lord did while on earth. Since then many more testimonies of His transforming love have been and will be written.

Nehemiah 8 records that Nehemiah, the leaders and the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with great joy, after sharing God's Word. Rejoice in God's Word and thoughts of the Savior's birth, His purpose and His inheritance.

What do you plan on rejoicing about during this Christmas season?

A Day in Paris

Today, we woke up to beautiful sunny skies and cool temperatures.  It was a glorious day!  It was time to freshen up, get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast, well...if you could call it that.  LOL  It was loaded with carbs.  Yikes!  Juice, yogurt, applesauce, and several kinds of breads with jelly on them.  Then, off we went!  Brent Nunley and I decided to head into Paris and take in the grand sites of the city or at least, some of them.  David decided to stay back and rest so that he wouldn't be worn out for the last flight to the states and then home.

Brent and I caught the bus over to the airport and then jumped on to the subway trains.  It was an adventure to say the least.  We had no clue where we were going, so it was kind of like the blind leading the blind, but we got there!  After getting to Paris, we stepped out of the subway tunnel and up the stairs to gaze at the most beautiful site standing right in front of us...the Eiffel Tower.  We immediately got in line to go up in it, a line that we would be standing in for over 3 hours, mind you.  There was lots of people watching and guarding of our personal belongings from "pick pockets."  Brent was approached by one and noticed the young girls' accomplice. BUSTED!  LOL  Also, while waiting in line, we saw a street performer, aka - panhandler.  He was actually funny, though.  We finally made our way to the ticket booth and paid part of Dwight's inheritance to allow me to go up in the tower all the way to the top.  I will have to say, this is one side trip that I will never forget.  It's just not everyday that you get to go up in one of the most famous towers in all the world and I took advantage of the opportunity (yes, I have pictures).  We could see buildings, bodies of water, etc. for as far as the eye could behold.  Absolutely breathtaking!  The only problem I could see was that it was me and Brent instead of it being us and our wives.  I was watching carefully that Brent didn't get carried away with the romance of Paris and want to kiss me or hold my hand.  Double YIKES!  LOL   After coming down from the tower, we shopped for souveniers, ate lunch and headed for the trains.  Subway on the way back to the airport...we won't discuss that.  We are real men!  lol

After getting back to the hotel room to meet up with David, we all headed back to the airport to get a bite to eat.  Over dinner, we had some good conversation and fellowship as we talked about the future and what all that holds.

The night is over.  Showers have been taken.  Blog post almost complete (will be by the time you finish reading this).  It's time to get some shuteye as tomorrow is a BIG day for our team...Home Sweet Home!  Our flight leaves out of Paris tomorrow at 10:50 a.m.   

Don't forget to pray for us!  -  DeWayne

The Weekend in Abidjan

Our weekend in Abidjan was amazing!  

Saturday, we ate breakfast with our missionary family and headed over to a different part of Marcory to  do some story telling and gathering of people for a small group Bible study that is led in that area by Bamba Bakary, our new friend and brother.  We made a lot of great contacts and shared the story with some amazing people who really want to attend the Bible study.  Praise God!  I pray that this will really grow Bamba's group.

Around noon, we went back to the mission house to eat lunch and rest before heading out to the market for some more shopping and then back to the Marcory area where Bamba's group met.  We got to attend the small group Bible study and it was amazing!  Bamba leads a group that meets in a shoe store that is no bigger than a 10 x 10 on the crowded market street.  There is lots of noise and Muslims surround them.  It was packed with people who are hungry to grow in Christ.  Most of them have been led to the Lord by Bamba or Missionary Mike.  They are currently looking for another location as they have outgrown the shoe store.  This just goes to show that you can have a small group "Life Group" anywhere.  I am amazed at the number of excuses we make for not doing LIFE with other believers in Bible study groups.  In America, we think that it has to be in a home or we can't do it.  I think Bamba has proven to us differently.  Thanks Bamba for being a great inspiration and super charger of our faith and persistence in America to keep pressing on!

Sunday, we ate breakfast and headed off to an African Baptist Congregation for worship.  The service was already in full swing with the choir leading, singing, and dancing with their hankies, when we arrived.  The service is over 4 hours long each time they meet.  Therefore, I don't ever want to be accused of being a long winded preacher.  LOL  The announcement portion of the service was over 30-45 minutes long.  The praise band and team was awesome!  The Spirit of the Lord fell in that open sided covered pavilion that was filled with some 350 African Believers all singing, dancing, and praising the Lord!  I understood very little of what was actually being said, but I felt the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in a thick and powerful way.  As I looked around, everyone had their hands lifted high and magnifying the name of the Lord.  AWESOME!  I noticed lots of things in the service like, the seriousness and fervency in which the ushers served.  They highly respect and reverence God, the Word, the Pastor, and other ministers.  WOW!  We don't see that kind of honor for any of these in God's house in America.  People get up and move around freely without thinking about disturbing or distracting others.  That would never happen in Abidjan!  Just sayin.  When it came time for the offering, they ALL got up and marched around, some dancing, and brought their tithes and offerings to the Lord.  EVERYbody gave something and did so with cheerfulness and thanksgiving.  WOW!

After the service, Mike took our team to Grand Bassam to do some shopping for wood products, etc.  We got some really great deals there and met some great people.  It is a village outside of Abidjan.  We bought from mainly just one family and that will feed them for a while.

We headed back to the mission house to eat lunch and rest up for the trip on Monday.

Monday came and was spent running errands like getting money out of the ATM to pay our bills, packaging up our merchandise to ship back to the states, doing some last minute shopping, changing airline tickets, etc. and getting ready to leave Africa.

Monday night after dinner, we all said our goodbyes and gave our hugs as our team prepared to leave.  I must say, I fought back the tears.  I truly have grown to love the McAfee Family.  Mike and Heather are precious people to me and our church.  Their kids are awesome!  I will never forget their hospitality, love, and care for us while in Abidjan.  We look forward to having this long term church planting partnership with them through the IMB.  Monday around 7:30 p.m., Mike dropped our team off at the airport.  We made our way through and got loaded on our plane headed for Paris.  It was a good flight, but long one.

Tuesday, we arrived in Paris around 6 a.m. and begin trying to make arrangements for hotel, food, travel, etc.  It wasn't easy!  It's the most difficulty we've ever had in an airport.  We were all tried in our patience as we were tired and frustrated with the whole situation of not being able to leave Paris until Thursday and the airline not giving us hotel and food vouchers.  So...here we are!

We went to eat lunch at a restaurant next door to the hotel and it was aweful!  We paid $15 a person for trash, basically.  We also learned that you never ask for water.  They will bring it to you in a big wine-type bottle and charge you $3.50 for it.  LOL  We held our breath and tried to eat it and then came back to the hotel room to rest.

This evening, we took the shuttle bus back over to the airport and ate a good American $6 meal at McDonald's.  LOL  It was good!  Now, we're back at the hotel and resting.  Looking forward to some sight seeing tomorrow in the city!

I just want to say "Thank You" to everyone for their prayers and support of us during this trip.  Please don't let up.  We are NOT home yet!  Can't wait to see everyone when we get back to the states.  God is up to something really BIG!