Its a Brand New ....

Its a Brand New ... Year - that's something we get every Jan 1. It is a chance to make a fresh start in many ways, and the advertising industry seems to be well aware of this. In fact, if you aren't starting a new exercise program, a new diet, and any number of other new things, you are probably behind the eight ball already. It is a New Year so get with something new already!

Some suggestions for the New Year, really ... grow closer to Jesus this year (attending church, reading the Bible, etc.), do something for others on a regular basis (volunteer in a community organization, coach a kids' sports team, spend time with an elderly relative, etc.), be a better person this year (better in all your relationships), and ...
IF YOU HAVE KIDS, determine to be a better parent this year: have a better relationship with your spouse (or with the child's other parent if you are apart) AND spend time with your children DOING THINGS they would want to do, make memories with your children so that the things that happen this year will be remembered someday as ..."you know, it was around the time when dad and I spent a month building that model train set in the basement" or "it was that summer when we went as a family to a Cardinals game and mom let me have a Fredbird". I'm not saying that every kid needs a Fredbird, but I am saying that kids need times with mom and dad that will be memorable -- like spending time playing scrabble together (that's what my mother did with each of us kids) or time helping them learn to play a sport, or just walking in the neighborhood with the kid while she rides her bike.

Showing your faith at Christmas

If I were to ask, "What are three ways we can show our faith at Christmas?" I expect that one of the answers given would be "We can put a nativity set in the front yard for our neighbors to see." I'd say that works, so there's one. But, when you think about it, the nativity really only shows that we have a set of beliefs. Until our neighbors see that Jesus has changed our lives, they will never understand that we really have faith, and they won't see that faith in Jesus can really make a difference in a life.

Just imagine the person with the nativity set in the yard, but that person usually seems unfriendly. Will having the nativity set show the neighbors anything good about your faith? Not good. But, if you are a friendly neighbor already, then put up the nativity, now they might realize that you are more than a friendly neighbor, but you are a person who lives their faith.

I put up the nativity in our yard on Saturday, and was thinking about this. I feel challenged now to show my neighbors I'm not a religious nut, but I am a sincere follower of Jesus, one whose life is made better because of Jesus. I want my neighbors to know that Jesus is real and He loves them. Christmas isn't the only time of the year when I can do this, its just easier in some ways (particularly since putting up a nativity in August just doesn't seem to work out).

Back to those three ways to show your faith ... being a friendly neighbor, helping at a food kitchen, donating toys or coats for kids, .... There are lots of things you can do to show your faith in the One who was born on the first Christman.

What does Opportunity look like?

Sometimes I hear someone say, "When I see an opportunity ..." One example is in telling friends about Jesus or inviting them to church. I'll just build a relationship, be a friend, then "when I see an opportunity ..."

Well, here is your opportunity. If your friend has kids, or even grandkids, you can invite them all to join us for our Trunk-or-Treat on October 29th, 6:30-7:30 PM at Grace Union. It is a fun-filled, candy-fueled evening that any child will enjoy.

Opportunity can look like a lot of things ... and one of them is Trunk-or-Treat!

Giving Gifts ... its a year-round thing

When God created the animals, he made all different kinds. The animals are each uniquely equipped for their habitats – like penguins for the cold, and giraffes to reach the leaves on high branches.

God as also equipped people for unique purposes. Some of us are great at singing, while others are good organizers, and still others are artistic. God intends for us to use our gifts to serve others. When you think about this, try to see it this way ... ANYTHING you are able to do, or even anything you could learn, is a gift (not just the ones you like doing, or even the ones you do best). If you have the ability to do something it is a gift, use it for others!


Parents who serve in the church are showing their children an awesome example of using their gifts for others. When you help in the nursery, that might not be your 'special gift' or your passion, but the fact that you spend time showing love to the little ones is a GIFT to the Lord and the children. The same could be said for someone volunteering time to help clean at church or to help pack bags of food at the food bank, it might not be your main thing, but it is a gift you've been given that you are giving back to God.


I am very thankful for everyone who has chosen to serve in Children's Ministry @ Grace Union. We are blessed that you have chosen to use your gifts to serve our kids ... thank you.

Water .......... water ............. water

This is a quote from dying man in the desert, isn't it? Did you know that when a person is thirsty it means they have are getting very low on water? There is a need for water long before you actually get thirsty. That's why athletes hydrate before, during and even after activity, to keep water levels up and prevent being thirsty.

How do we keep the water levels up? Spend time with Jesus. How do we help our neighbor, who might not even be thirsty yet, but still needs Jesus? Get a little package, put Jesus in it, and take it to your neighbors. Simple? Sure it is. The package is you. Now go show Jesus (who is inside you) to your neighbor and you are on the way to helping relieve the thirst they might not even realize they have.

The Sky is ...

The sky is an awesome example of God's creation. When I look into a night sky, on a clear night with all of the stars visible, I can't help but think about how awesome God is to have created all that. When God created the sky, He also made the seas and the dry land. I’m glad He made the land, because I don’t think I’d like to live on a boat for very long. 

Not just the sky, but everything God made shows people how great He is. And we can show others how great God is by the way we treat others and the things we do. For instance, when we show love to others, they can see the love of God through us. 

Creation Story and Play-Doh

We've been talking with the kids about the creation story, and seeing a unique relationship with our own stories in the process. When the earth was created it was 'formless and empty', kind of like a lump of clay or Play-doh. It might have looked odd; it was an unfinished work; it had such great potential.

When we first begin to follow Jesus, we are like that lump of clay or Play-doh. We are an unfinished work (you thought I was going to say we look odd), but we have such great potential. No matter your age, God is still shaping you into His image. Just imagine all that He accomplished in creating the world and all that is in it, certainly He can accomplish His work in our lives as well.

Philippians 1:4-6  ^4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ^5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ^6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. {The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.}