Still celebrating the Christmas Story 12/31

I am still celebrating the Christmas Story!   Today, I am reflecting on the gifts of the Kings.  The Kings from the East brought 3 gifts:  Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  The gifts were valuable, but not your classic baby/toddler gifts.  Traditionally, we give gifts at Christmas because of the gifts of the kings. 

As a child, I remember being told that Christmas was Jesus' Birthday and What was I going to give the Birthday Boy?  I struggled with this concept, because I couldn't figure out what I had that the king of Kings could even be interested in?  And if I gave Him _____ this Christmas/Birthday, What would I give Him next Birthday? 

At some point, I realized He wanted me, all of me.  All of the mess that I am, He wanted.  And because I am a mess. it was the gift I could give over and over. 

And He wanted me because He adores me.  ahhh.  I don't pretend to "get this", but I am always His best gift.  Better than gold, frankincense and myrrh.

^{Matthew 2:9} After the wise men heard the king, they left. The star that they had seen in the east went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. ¹¹ They came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their own country by a different way.

Still Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/30

I am still celebrating the Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating the star.  Today, you can purchase the naming rights and name a star after a friend or relative.

Here is a informative video on the Bethlehem Star. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPHKg0M3mEo

It is about an hour long.

^{Matthew 2:2} They asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
³ When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, as were all the people in Jerusalem. ⁴ Herod called a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ would be born. ⁵ They answered, “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this in the Scriptures:

⁶ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are not just an insignificant village in Judah.
A ruler will come from you
    who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.’” Micah 5:2

⁷ Then Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men and learned from them the exact time they first saw the star. ⁸ He sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, “Look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me so I can worship him too.”

Still Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/29

I am still Celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  I am celebrating that the wisemen/kings went to Kind Herod to inquire of the birth of Jesus.  The Kings represent the other end of the spectrum from the shepherds:  The rich, maybe even the very rich.

I am noticing that the wise men went to the top - Herod to ask about the birth of the new baby king.  They followed the chain of command and assumed that the top would be the source of information.  Isn't that how things look from the outside?  But if you are on the inside, perhaps, you wouldn't go to Herod to ask those questions.

Matthew 1:1 Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. ² They asked, “Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Celebrating the Christmas Story 12/28

Today, I am still celebrating the Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating Mary's awe and response to this amazing story she hears from the shepherds.  Can you imagine?  You are a new mother and you are awaken by a group of shepherds, who tell you this fanciful story of being on a hillside and suddenly, an Angel appears and then a choir.  All to tell them:  you had a baby.

I'm sure this confirmed several things she had wondered about.  After all, it had been 9+ months since Gabriel's visit to her.  Faith is easiest 2.5 seconds after the miraculous event.  It is much more difficult to have "faith" after 50 people in your life, especially the 5 closest to you have said "Are you crazy?  Really?"

Here is to having faith, even when it looks impossible. 

^{Luke 2:17} When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. ¹⁸ Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them. ²⁰ Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It had been just as the angel had told them.

Celebrating the Christmas Story 12/27

Today, I am still celebrating the Christmas Story.  I am celebrating the Shepherds' response to their Angelic Greeting.  When the shepherds heard, they responded quickly.  Almost instantly!  Some Biblical translations indicate they run thru the sleeping Bethlehem rather loudly and excitedly to get the Christ Child. 

I hope my response is like the shepherds.  Instantly!

^{Luke 2:15} When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding trough. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. ¹⁸ Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

 

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/26

I am still celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating the Shepherds, because technically, they show up after Jesus was born.  If I understand this right, the Shepherds were the lower class.  The bottom of the SES - socio economic scale.  No status.  A hard, but lowly job that took long hours, but it didn't pay well at all:  Caring for someone else's sheep. 

I understand that God demonstrates his love for the poor, by going to the shepherds FIRST with this grand, good news of a royal birth.  And grandly HE does this, with a single Angel and the classic Angelic Line:  Do not be afraid.  and then, POW, a whole angel army to sing the good news!  To shepherds at night on a hillside. 

^{Luke 2:8} That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. ¹⁰ The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. ¹¹ Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. ¹² This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”
¹³ Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Give glory to God in heaven,
    and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/25

Today, I am celebrating the REAL Christmas story.

IMMANUEL.  God with us.  That the God of all Heaven and Earth had compassion on us and joined us in our world.

Immanuel.  God with us.  The Real Christmas Story.

Celebrate.

^{Matthew 1:22} All this happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel,”^[f] which means “God is with us.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/24

Today, I'm celebrating the real Christmas Story.  I'm celebrating God's provision.  That HE is good and that He always provides. 

^{Isaiah 9:6} A child has been born to us;
    God has given a son to us.
    He will be responsible for leading the people.
His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God,
    Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Power and peace will be in his kingdom
    and will continue to grow forever.
He will rule as king on David’s throne
    and over David’s kingdom.
He will make it strong
    by ruling with justice and goodness
    from now on and forever.
The Lord All-Powerful will do this
    because of his strong love for his people.

Mother and Daughter

From 1990 until 2004, I did a lunch time program at Pearland HS and when it open, at the 9th Grade Center as well.  It was called Pizza@ Lunch.  We sold pizza - cheap! and I provided various programs.  My favorite was to have a 3 youth pastor panel and open it up to questions from the students. 

From 2007 until 2013, I work with on campus Christian Clubs. 

Yesterday, I had a first.  I notice the girl - the daughter - and I remembered:  She went to the Club at JH East.  I didn't remember her name, so I didn't say anything. 

Then, I ran into Mom who said:  I remember you from the HS.  I use to go to the Christian program there.
Me:  Really?  Pizza@ Lunch?
Her:  Oh, yes!  Good times!
Me:  Thank you for saying something!  I appreciate it.

Then, I watch Mom and Daughter get in a vehicle and drive away.  And it hits me.  Wow!  I've done this long enough to minister to both Mother and Daughter!

Celebrating the REAL Christmas Story 12/23

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating the swaddling clothes.  The dictionary tells me that these are narrow strips of cloth that are used to swaddle young infants.  The intellectual part of me understands that this swaddling is a prediction of his death and the clothes that used to wrap Him in then.  The former juvenile delinquent chaplain can only come up with a line from the Best Christmas Pageant ever:  Tied up and thrown in a feeding trough!  Where was Child Welfare?

I am still reflecting on the humble beginnings of the King of Kings.  I feel more ready to celebrate Christmas than I ever have!  How about you?  Are you ready to celebrate, really celebrate:  Emanuel, God with us?

^{Luke 2:12} This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/22

Today, I am celebrating the real Christmas Story.  I am celebrating the manger:  The feeding trough the first time mother laid her newborn in when there was no crib in the stable.  In our day and age, it is the drawer unprepared mothers use to put their newborns in.  An unlikely bed for new born King!

There are some unlikely things in my life, as a daughter of the King.  Both of my own doing and those done to me by others, I find my self in a cow trough - up, off the ground and out of the manure, but in the most unlikely places! 

^{Luke 2:7} and she gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough.

Celebrating the REAL Christmas Story 12/20

Today, I am celebrating the REAL Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating the fact that the INN was full.  Therefore, Jesus was born in a barn - probably a cave.  It was a spot for storing animals.  While some us have been born at home,  very few of us have been born in a barn.  It was an unusual birth spot for the King of Kings.  Not in elegance or riches.  Not with the finest of medical care.  A barn.  The ultimate in contradictions:  King of Kings born in a barn with animals. 

Luke 2:7b Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough.

Celebrating the REAL Christmas Story 12/20

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  I am celebrating that God always makes a way.  I am celebrating that God uses the schemes of man to accomplish HIS will.  I am celebrating that a census - a need to count people - "register" probably for taxes - got a very pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem - to fulfill the prophecy that Jesus be born in Bethlehem. 

I pray that God will accomplish HIS will with me.

Luke 2:1 At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register. ² This was the first registration;^[a] it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to their own towns to be registered.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/19

Today, I am celebrating the real Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating waiting and what waiting does for us.  And how we all seem to HATE waiting.  Waiting creates anticipation, want and desire.  It also develops patience and appreciation for what we are waiting for. 

Matthew 1:²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

I'm waiting.  There is much I am waiting for.  And it is worth waiting for.  What are you waiting for?  Isn't the expecting waiting called faith?

Celebrating the real Christmas Story 12/18

Today, I am celebrating the REAL Christmas Story!  Today I am celebrating genealogy of Jesus.  In Matthew 1, we have Joseph's genealogy, which gave Jesus a legal right to the throne of David.  In Luke 3 - which starts with "Jesus was known as the son of Joseph" and then proceeds with the genealogy of Mary, which gives Jesus the biological right to the throne of David.  I'm not going to copy and paste the genealogies here, but I am rejoicing because God always covers all His bases PERFECTLY! 

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/17

Today, I am celebrating the real Christmas Story. I am celebrating Mary's response to the privilege of carrying the Christ Child.  A beautiful response but amazing considering that the source was probably a girl no older than 17.  The insight that "all generations will call me blessed" is profound!  I can now see that right does bring blessings - if not now, down the road.  I was taught that as a child, but I don't think I could see it at 17.  
What will future generations call you?  Blessed?  Wise? Godly?  

⁴⁶ Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
⁴⁷     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
⁵¹ His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
⁵² He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/16

Today, I am still celebrating the Christmas story.  Today, I am celebrating that Zecharias regained his ability to speak after at least a 9+ month silence.  I remember once I was suppose to be silent for 2 hours at a conference.  My goodness - what a challenge!  After a long silence, Zecharias is praising God and prophesying the future of his son, John.  Zecharias is not bitter, but reveals praises for God and gratitude.  May I praise my savior in the same way.

^{Luke 1:67} Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior^[g]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,^[h]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/15

Today, I am celebrating the real Christmas Story. Today, I am celebrating the birth of John the Baptist and the return of speech to his father Zacharias.  Somehow, both Elizabeth and Zacharias were on the same page and knew the baby was to be named John.  As soon as Zechariah wrote "His Name is John" he was able to speak and he praised God.  Talk about seeing the hand of God at a bloody circumcision ceremony.  What about you - Where have you seen the hand of God?
 
I can't begin to tell you how meaningful this has been to me to each day focus on some aspect of the real Christmas Story and to celebrate it by focusing on it and writing about it.

^{Luke 1:57} When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”
⁶¹ “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” ⁶² So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. ⁶³ He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.
⁶⁵ Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/14

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  I am so thankful I have the real Christmas story to celebrate during this season.  Today I am celebrating that Joseph was a good man, a man who was obedient to God.  I am thankful for good men everywhere and if you are married to a good man, there is much to be thankful for. 

Still praying to be obedient to God in all things.  How about you?

^Matthew1:18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/13

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  I am remembering that when Mary visited Elizabeth, baby John the Baptist jumped in Elizabeth's womb, confirming that Mary was carrying the Christ Child.  I am celebrating that even babies in utero recognize the presence of their creator.  I am celebrating that Mary and Elizabeth showed a great depth of spiritual understanding and obedience.  I am praying that I will be as obedient.

^{Luke 1:35} The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.^[f]”

³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

³⁹ A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³ Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ⁴⁴ When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. ⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/12

I am still celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  Today, I am celebrating the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary.  I am celebrating the wonder of the Angel bring a message to a earthling - a human.  I am also celebrating Mary's response.  Mary was a young girl - probably 14 to 17.  Sometimes, I think that we don't give youth the credit they deserve. Mary embraced this message and indicated her willingness to follow.
How will you respond to God's message to you today?  May we respond like Mary:  I am the Lord's Servant.

^{Luke 1:26} In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!^[d]”

²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel^[e] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.^[f]”
³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.  

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/10

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story. I am celebrating that the angels always start with: Do not be Afraid! There is something truly scary about the presence of God. Ultimately, the presence of God is something that changes you and that is scary. It is so scary, I am crying as I write this. Think about Zecharias – his contact with God Almighty – via Gabriel, left him speechless. ... Mary’s contact left her pregnant. And the Shepherds ran thru the streets of Bethlehem to find the new Baby King.
 

My Friend, what about you? How will your contact with the Almighty this Christmas leave you changed? Speechless? Pregnant? Running?

Do not Be Afraid! Let the God of the Christmas Story change you!

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/9

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story. Today, I am remembering Gabriel, the messenger angel. I am remembering that Gabriel stood both in the presence of God and appeared to both Zecharias and Mary.
May I stand in the presence of God and before people and bring the them the message of HOPE, PEACE and LOVE that they so long for.
Luke 1:19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story 12/8

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas story. I am remembering the silence of Zecharias. I am wondering how Elizabeth felt when Zecharias got home that night. I wonder if it was a normal evening, except that Zecharias could not grunt and say “Thanks for dinner. It was good.” I wonder if he spent the evening in front of the tv, like always or whether he had a burning desire to say the things he had been putting off. Initially, when I read this, I figured that Elizabeth and Zecharias would write notes to each other in the dust. But then, I remember that probably, as a woman, Elizabeth would not have been educated, so she probably couldn’t read or write. The baby, John the Baptist was conceived after Zecharias was struck silent, so I figure he was silent for 9+ months. What would you say today if you knew you were going to not be able to speak for 9+ months? What about the other way around: What would you learn from others if you couldn’t speak? Does anyone remember the movie “What the Deaf Man Heard”? Will you Celebrate the Real Christmas Story by speaking up or being silent?    

Luke1:21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story - 12/7

Today, I am celebrating the Real Christmas Story. I am celebrating Zecharias, a priest and servant, who was called to a task, which he did. When the angel Gabriel appear to him to let him know that his 40+ year old prayers were going to be answered, Zecharias was a little shocked and he doubted. I'm thinking what was I praying for 20 years ago? 10 years ago? Do I still want that? Is there anything I'm still praying for after 40 years?

And for all of you, who think you are beyond all this , I hope you get that pony in your stocking that you prayed for 40 years ago. Or puppy. Elizabeth and Zecharias are getting a baby.

Luke 1:8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[b] 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[c] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Celebrating the Real Christmas Story

I have been posting each day on Facebook some aspect of Celebrating the Real Christmas Story.  This year, as in many years, there is not $ to give the gifts to my daughters that I would like to.  The idea of saying "I know you want a tablet, here's a coloring book and crayons" just ain't working for me!  The idea of a Christmas Tree seems empty.  I never dreamed that someone - i.e., me, who is so in love with the Real Christmas Story and the Real meaning of Christmas, could find this season so empty.  So I decided I would celebrate the REAL Christmas story - Like an advent calendar - each day, unfolded a little bit, like a much anticipated Christmas package.  I started on 12/6 - so a little late - but I am celebrating the Christmas Story!  (I'm on Facebook - Dottie Cooper Hinesley - if you would like to follow there!)

12/6 Today, I am celebrating the real Christmas Story. I am celebrating, that God answers prayer, sometimes, waaaaay after we pray and long after we think He has said "No" because waiting is all over and the opportunity is way gone. Elizabeth & Zechariah conceived a baby, probably long years after they prayed, after they were old, probably years after they had say good bye to the dream of having a family.

Luke 1:6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

Today, I'm going to keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping because of the Real Christmas Story, because of God's faithfulness to Elizabeth & Zechariah. 

My most recent ministry letter:

September 25, 2013

Dear Friends & Family:

Thank you for your faithful support, both financially and in prayer.  Because of the intensity of the spiritual battle I was involved in, I haven’t written a letter for a while.  However, I do write about ministry related events and issues at dottiedch.blogspot.com  if you would like to keep in touch there.

The Update

I have been helping on- campus Christian Clubs (since 2007), Baccalaureate (since 1999) and the Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance (since 1991) – just as a reminder of what I have been doing in Pearland.

 

2009 was a year where everything was looking up.  Club ministry was really coming together.  People were coming to help.  Pearland was becoming a team. The vision (and the task) was becoming clearer.

2010 was the pivotal year.  At the very end of the year, the on- campus Christian club support team was destroyed by a divisive partner.  A youth pastor put himself in charge of Baccalaureate and the Pearland Youth Ministry Alliance.  He also attempted to take control of all on-campus Christian Clubs as well.

2011 was the healing and affirming year.  After the move  to put me out of everything I had been doing, I had two simple goals:  1) Finish well: finish the 2010-2011 school year with one club. 2) Move on: move  out of Pearland to another community.  By April 2011, I realized I was doing more clubs and working with more students than I had been, before the clubs were taken away.  Graciously, someone pointed out that God will prosper you in what He has called you to do – I couldn’t have figured this out at that time: I was too wounded.  My calling was affirmed.

By November 2011, something was taking place in me.  I realized that I was the point person for unity and working together in my community; it was unity and working together that was Satan’s target, not me.  I realized that the number one group hurt when we don’t work together is our children, our schools and the poor and weak among us.  I moved from licking my own wounds to a new healing and trying to rebuild, trying to help my community regain the ground that had been lost.

During this time, I started to view what I was doing differently.  Rather than just someone doing what she could, I saw myself as uniquely called, uniquely trained, uniquely designed by my Creator for my community, for clubs, for students, for such a time as this.  Rather than just doing a good thing, I started to see myself as engaged in strategic warfare for a generation.  My perception-shift  was critical:

   A unique  person, in a critical position, who is called by God to bring people and churches together, to reach students for Christ. 

I did not attend Baccalaureate 2011 – the first Baccalaureate I’ve missed since 1994.   The attendance was about 35 graduates per high school..  The low attendance was a balm to my ego, but also an assault to my community spirit – how could they ruin such a wonderful opportunity to influence students to godliness, and enable churches to work together?  I attended Baccalaureate 2012.  Attendance was even lower – about 24 graduates total.  I helped with Baccalaureate 2013 (because my daughter, Allie was a graduate), the attendance of the graduates from both HS schools was down to 12 graduates.
   The 1999 through 2010 Baccalaureate programs had been attended by about 100 graduates per year.

During July 2013, the ministry I was working with, Cross in the City, closed down very quickly:  I had less than a week’s notice.  This left me without an income and without a way to raise any support.  With only my husband’s income, our income is at poverty level;  it is a critical situation for our family.  Frankly, without God’s intervention, I don’t see how we are going to get through this one.  It is difficult enough to go without a paycheck, let alone without 6 months of paychecks.

In spite of our situation, I knew I needed to be sure of what God wanted me to do, not just continue to persevere because He was prospering my work, or run out and take the first job I was offered because our family was so desperate for the income.  It was definitely a challenge to wait on God at this point.

I also had real questions about whether I wanted to continue in Pearland.  I had two contrasting realities:.  God was clearly prospering what I was doing with on- campus Christian clubs:  6 clubs were receiving support at various levels, totaling about 600 students a week.  I was interested in supporting any type of on-campus Christian Club.  But, the local youth pastors decided that they would push a certain model of club with their youth groups.  So, if I supported a sponsor or student in their desire to do a different type of club, sometimes sponsors received critical emails.  It was an odd position to be in:  I want to support Christian Clubs.  I want to encourage students to attend church.  I want students to live out their faith on their campuses.  However, doing this caused me to be to be at odds with the youth pastor community. 

I prayed.  I looked for jobs.  I evaluated my strengths.  I considered my family and their needs.  I really thought I was going to give up on ministry and find a “real” job.

The Future 

And then, I got this exciting invitation:  to work with Youthworkers Support Network (“The Net”).  I have the opportunity to be part of a team and create community.  I will have the opportunity to encourage clubs all over the Greater Houston Area.  I will have the opportunity to help develop youth ministry networks all over!  This is the biggest thing I have ever done and I am excited about the possible impact. 

Some of the best news is that it will be part-time (20 hours per week), which will allow me to juggle my family issues, and will also allow me to continue encouraging the Pearland club leaders.  It will also give me time to evaluate whether I should develop a 501(c)(3) organization to provide this support for Pearland.  (YSN will avoid developing or supervising direct-ministry programs, so it can focus on networking and leadership development.)  In the process, I will get to serve at a level that will be both challenging and fulfilling to me.  I will get to help sponsors and students from all over our metroplex, start and improve their on -campus clubs.  I will get to help youth workers, who have just realized their community could be better if they worked together, start networks.  I will get to connect people. … .    

I am:

A unique person, in a critical position, who is called by God to bring people and churches together to reach students for Christ.

Since joining YSN’s staff on September 1, I have two immediate  projects: 

#1  Rebuilding my support base:  I’ve never had time to focus on fundraising – I’ve always jumped into doing ministry, and fundraising was put aside.  Now I will have a season to do this.  My prayer is, that by January, 2014, I will be fully funded!  Please pray for my family’s needs during this time.

#2  Researching area See You at the Pole efforts:  “Where is SYATP going on?”, “Who is promoting it?”, “How can we help them next year?”

Will you consider joining me?  My initial goal is $30,000 per year.  This will cover my part-time salary of less than half that of a starting school teacher (which I’ve never received before), plus my taxes and basic program expenses  This will take as a little as 100 people giving $25/month, or $300/year – to keep me in this critical position.  Will you be one of my 100?  Will you be two?

                                                                                                            Please pray for me.

                                                                                                Serving Him,,

                                                                                                Dottie Hinesley

                                                                                                Schools-Network Coordinator