Too often the mention of Christmas comes with a sigh. To some, Christmas is an exhaustive attempt to make everyone happy (except yourself). Rushing family to family, preparing extravagant meals, overeating, overspending, sometimes overdrinking, small talk, traditions we may not even like and then in a blink of an eye, it’s over. 

For those of you reading that would call yourself a Christian, this all can be frustrating as all of this rushing around leaves little room for celebration of the reason we’re even celebrating, Jesus! It hit me over 20 years ago as I found myself trapped in this whirlwind of a holiday and saw how rare Jesus was even mentioned.  I found myself most joyful in the short hour I spent at my church celebrating Jesus, singing about Him and hearing a message all about Him along with spending time with other believers who I felt loved by. It was my first experience at FC in which Christmas changed forever. It was because of this focused time that I was no longer going to ignore the reason I’m celebrating. I was going to now be strategic and intentional. Jesus was not going to be unintentionally pushed aside anymore, especially on the day we celebrate His birth! 

So in my continued effort to do so and for some of you that feel this struggle, I give you some advice from several groups I attend and the wonderful people in them:

• Pray before gift opening. Sounds so simple! We never did it. We never thought of it! Shame on us, I guess? A simple prayer of thanks that we have gifts to open and the clarity of Jesus as our true gift and the salvation that comes with knowing Him

• Read The Christmas Story (Luke 1 or Matthew 1) It’s still such a remarkable story. Humble beginnings, uncertainty, trust, and what a gift to all of us!

• The Jesus Box – based on a story my family and I heard, we write down things each family member did throughout the year that was much like Jesus. Ex. Giving to the homeless, opening the door for someone, donating a kidney (my wife changed the game that year!) Put these notes in a box and it’s the last gift you open!

• Birthday Cake for Jesus – the simplicity of actually celebrating and maybe even singing happy birthday to Him puts Him first. 

• YouVersion Christmas Plans – a free app with plenty of great plans leading up to Christmas. 3 day plans, 5 day plans, and some even longer. What a way to get into the Christmas spirit! 

• Time Alone with God – schedule it, find a location that is uninterrupted and peaceful. Be still. Rest in Him. Trust Him. He is at work. Pray real words, be authentic. Let Him know your struggles and trust that He hears you and will do what only He does!

• Attend church - yes, I’d love for you to come to Fellowship this Friday at 3:30 or 5:00 but just attend a church that talks about Jesus and worships Him. You’ll definitely leave better!

I truly hope each one of you has a very special memorable Christmas!

GUEST BLOGGER: Shirley Andersen

If there is one thing I’m known for, it’s crying. When one of my kids or grandkids scraped their knee, didn’t make the sports team, or were hurt by a friend’s harsh words...I cried. The first time my sixteen year old daughter pulled out of the driveway with her new license, when a boy broke her heart, and as she strolled across the stage in her graduation gown...I cry. I remember how I felt when it came time to move her into her dorm room, I feared my tears might be uncontrollable. Although I was proud she was going to college, and as my part as her parent I was to teach her to be a responsible adult and spread her wings, the thought of her leaving seemed unbearable. The idea of not seeing her sweet face and smile every day, coupled with concern over her well-being, made my heart heavy.

I was so extremely proud this past May when my son walked across the stage and received his college diploma. We were even more excited because it took him 25 years! Imagine the bottles and bottles of tears that flowed. I felt tears of happiness, gratitude, excitement, as well as sadness, anxiety, and motherly worry with every life decision either my children or grandchildren made.

When my grandson was planning for his wedding in 2020, you guessed it, I cried.

Knowing how I am, I knew there was so many tears that God may not have a bottle big enough to catch my tears. I often wondered if these situations were enough to be crying over or was I being too emotional. In that moment of mixed emotions, I desperately needed God’s comfort and reassurance, and I found it in Psalm 56:8. God reminds us He is intimately concerned with every aspect of our lives. God doesn’t judge whether our sorrow is “valid”. But because of His compassion, He catches every tear that is shed. It doesn’t matter how big or small, trivial or important, the sorrow might be. In this Psalm, David expressed grief over his situation, which was truly dangerous. Saul wanted his own son to be king of Israel and was hunting David in order to murder him. This forced David to constantly be on the move as he tried to escape. David was grieved, fearful and unsure about the future. Apparently tears flowed as he poured out his feelings to God. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” Psalm 56:8.

David drew comfort in knowing that no matter what he was going through, God had great compassion on him and gathered all his precious tears in a bottle. David trusted God with his Life and his future. He wasn’t embarrassed about his tears, and we need not be either, even when we wish we could hold them back.

Life Challenges us. Children grow. Seasons of our life change into normal status quo. When this happens, tears often spring up and efforts to contain them fall short. Dropping your child off at kindergarten, college, or watching them walk down the aisle to their new life can evoke a variety of anxieties and emotions. Remember God has compassion on us and our children. He is present with every tear shed, and we can count on Him to collect them. No matter what sorrow we face today, we can have confidence God cares.

As I’m rereading this it sounds different; some sad and some happy. Believe me these memories are happy. I am certainly known for crying. Yes, if there is anything sensitive happening chances are I’ll be shedding a tear or two or a million or two. It’s time something happy and good happened in our family. The last 12 years have been very difficult. Everyone’s life changed drastically when the most important person in our lives passed away; grandfather, father in law, father and husband. Still these memories were shared with those we love more than anyone, and they are all good. Not all is SAD but HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

My grandson, Corey married Rachael on Valentines Day 2 years ago and now in March 2022, I will be a Great Grandmother!

As I said, seasons change, people change, I just turned 70 years of age, or as I’ve been saying 70 years “OLD”. I have slowed down, moved to Connecticut so my daughter can help me with things I’m not as proficient at things as I used to be, like breathing and walking. Isn’t it sorta funny, things that have been such a part of your life since you were born, now you struggle with. But, then again that is the season’s of life. I know I’m a lot closer to the end of my life than the beginning. Andy used to say “I’m ready to go to heaven, but I’d just as soon take the next bus.” Me too.

However, I can only imagine what heaven will be like when I see Jesus face to face and thank Him for my salvation in person. I’ll thank God for the best family and the most wonderful friends at Fellowship Church that I’ve ever had anywhere.

My next beginning will be different for me, as there are...NO TEARS IN HEAVEN.

Dear Lord, thank you for loving my children and grandchildren even more than I do and for having compassion on them and me. Help me feel Your comfort and reassurance when I face new seasons of life and emotional challenges as a mother. Please tuck my babies under Your wing, guide them in their decisions and keep them safe. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to the cross for us. How could we not love you in return and try our best to serve you the way you deserve? Thank you for daily leading me, providing for me, helping me be the woman you want me to be. God thank you for caring so much for me as to collect my tears in a bottle.

Amen

GUEST BLOGGER: Sharon Stevens

Grief is something we all have to face in some way at some time. Loss of any kind---a relative, a pet, a divorce or separation---all different situations involving different intensities and timelines---is inevitable. How we react to and view loss will affect us.

Those of us who have a relationship with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) have a definite advantage as He is our comforter and counselor. It is His will all come to Him through Salvation. As we are in the midst of the emotional and yes, the physical pain grief bestows on us, we should never stuff it away in the back of our minds; but instead talk about it and cry about it to God and our trusted friends and family. Talk and cry - over and over.

Time will help heal.

Serving others will help heal.

Always remember God understands and cares for you. Our loss will never be forgotten, but talking about the happy times you had is very emotionally healing. You can talk to God all you want. He is always listening! Talk to others too. They may not always listen because they are human. But talk anyway.

It is okay to cry to God and and other trusted people even if it is months or years after your loss.

So know God, talk it out, cry it out, and serve God and others all you can!

Then grief won’t overpower you.

Hello, It’s that Texas Lady again. In the course of moving up here from Texas I had to go through my whole house and keep only what was necessary. I wrote out each room and what I would keep from them. As I looked at my list I thought: this has been our home, mine and my late husband’s for awhile. I started thinking about all the good times and sad times, all the times Andy and I were on our knees praying for church members for what seemed hours, The wonderful times of fellowship with church parties, and the joyous Christmas’s with our family. So I also thought maybe there could be something learned about our home that because of our open door policy of any one welcome at any time meant, our home was part of our service to the Lord. So I thought room by room what could I learn ?  This is my list and what I want to take with me to Connecticut:

 Living Room:   Psalm 5:1-3 “Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; For unto thee do I pray. 3 O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.

Spend time with Jesus every morning. Jesus wants to spend time with us so everyday get in your comfortable chair in the living room with the Word and read, then meet God in prayer, letting the Holy Spirit speak to you.

Dining Room: John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Spiritual food is needed to do the will of Him that sent you. His pleasure before ours. Stop striving for your own desires, ambition and get satisfaction in seeking to please Him. Everything else leaves you hungry.

Study: 2 Timothy: 2:15  “Study to show thyself approved unto God,  a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,  rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

The Bible is the word of God!  Study it – Meditate on it and keep it clearly before you.

Workroom:  Acts 20:35  “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

What are you producing or creating for the Kingdom of God with your life ? It’s not your ability but your availability. Be sensitive and responsive to what He calls us to do. Trust He knows how to use you. 

Rec. Room or Recreation:  John 15:11  “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” 

Can you take Jesus everywhere with you, especially when you are out for a night of fun ?  We all  need those times, but can you feel good as a Christian if it’s not someplace you know Jesus would approve of.  Then don’t go !  

Bedroom: Matthew 19:6  “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Husbands remember a wife is a gift from God and women remember you are your husband’s helpmate, not boss. As a quilt is perfectly sewed together where each piece fits perfectly, husbands and wife’s should fit together perfectly. They should have respect for each other,  and lift up each other in prayer. Perfect and fit together for ever warm on a cold night and refreshed on a warm day.               Also- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Closet: Philippians 4:7   “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We need to give God the key to our heart as to every room even what you may not want to. No matter what sin or pain or hang up you have in your past, Jesus is ready to forgive, heal, and give you a new outlook. 

Now we can  Transfer the Title in our new residence.  2 Kings 20:1  “…. Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”

Let Jesus manage the whole house. May Christ settle in your home and be completely comfortable as he is in your heart. May your marriage be strong, loving and never end. May God be pleased in your life together serving God with your whole heart and the same with your children. Kids need to be raised with instruction from God and carried out by 2 loving parents.

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

GUEST BLOGGER: KEVIN WILHELM

Why should a church care about the issue of racial reconciliation? That's the question I have been reflecting on a lot lately.

It seems so simple to me. The church should be THE place to talk about hard topics, controversial topics. Jesus never shied away from something because it was too hard. He also didn't worry about how He would be perceived because He was preaching and talking truth, which He always did.

We know issues don't go away by not talking about them. If the church never talked about sex outside of marriage there would still be adultery, If the church never talked about addiction it doesn't mean there would be no more addicts. If we didn't talk about greed we would still witness greed in people in this world. And if we didn't talk about race there would still be racism.

Jesus had a lot to say about how we should treat each other and it always begins and ends with love. "A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these". Mark 12:31.

Jesus also cared about the oppressed and marginalized. In his time when he was alive in human form He mostly talked about the poor, widows, orphans and prisoners. There are Bible stories about His love and compassion for foreigners and immigrants, for adulterers, for those with literally gross health issues that most people ignored or feared.

This blog is not about politics. This is about knowing that Jesus showed love and took action when He saw people being oppressed, or taken advantage of or discriminated against. He loves unconditionally and so should we. To me part of loving others is to do what I can to lift others up. To do my part so that we can all thrive in life. My role as a Christian is not to judge. Leave that up to God.

I am part of the racial reconciliation group that has been meeting on Monday nights for about a year. We desire to be a bridge to our church community and the community at large. To show who Christ is. We are a group dedicated to learning and growing in our understanding about what the Bible has to teach us about how to love and help the oppressed in the times we are living in today. We don't have to agree on everything or share the same perspective. We welcome people who are open to exploring these topics with us in a safe space regardless of their opinions about race and racism.

One of the highlights of my year so far was when FC participated in the Juneteenth celebration by handing out two thousand bottles of water to people who were thirsty on a hot, hot day. "For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home." Matthew 25:35.

It felt so wonderful to serve people. Folks were grateful and often expressed their thanks and love in return, although that wasn't necessary. We were being the hands and feet of Jesus that day, pointing people to Christ,

These are the kinds of opportunities we explore on Monday nights as we desire to make meaningful progress toward racial reconciliation within our church and in our community. I feel closer to Christ when I engage in these efforts and when I talk with others even if they don't share my current point of view. I am filled with the Holy Spirit when I take action to help the oppressed and marginalized.

We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. So God is the perfect example of why the church should care about racial reconciliation. Being united in Christ is the only foundation we need to talk about or to accomplish anything, He is always enough in spite of our differences. We just have to keep our eyes on Him and do what His Word says.

So let's talk; let's meet; let's grow together and be reconciled with each other just as God desires.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CONVERSATION (starting back up in October) Click HERE.

GUEST BLOGGER: SHIRLEY ANDERSEN

Genesis 22:2-11
Sometimes I think it would be great to have lived back in days when God spoke to people like Abraham to give him instructions on what He wanted him to do. Clear instruction from God so many times would be beneficial to cut off some of the needless spinning our wheels on a day-to-day basis. To know what God was going to tell you and what you were going to do that day would be wonderful.

Well, thankfully, He does.

Some people have a one-way conversation with God because they don't think God could talk to them. I don't think that's true. I think God has spoken to me several times, maybe not in a verbal voice but He has impressed upon me during Bible study and prayer. We should talk to God every day and allow Him to work in us so we try to live a better life instead of going through the motions and making wrong decisions. If we had a GPS in our body, God could tell us what path to take.

Don't be so busy about God things, church things, family things, friend things, that you can't hear God speak to you. BE STILL AND LISTEN TO GOD. He doesn't give too many facts because we wouldn't be able to live by faith. God uses our destination and our journey to teach us lessons along the way.

God tells Abraham to "take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering, upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." Abraham didn't know the answers to the questions, but God did, even before creation. God will tell you 'while' you walk. JUST WALK WITH GOD. Keep walking until God tells you to turn. God speaks when it's important, not always when it's needed.

Listen to God's voice, not your family, friends, church, or the world. God directed Abraham where they were supposed to go to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham knew where God was leading when he saw the place. God wants to speak to us in our spirit. Crisis is just a test to learn how to trust Him. Abraham left some of his people down at the bottom of the mountain and didn't take them up with him. Some people you can't take with you, meaning you have to break fellowship with them so you stay straight and not get into more trouble. Dedication sometimes requires separation. The closer to your destiny, the more you are alone. Some people would be a hindrance for you.

"And the angel of the Lord called under him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham and he said, HERE AM I."
Be in a place spiritually where you can hear God now because Abraham would have slain Isaac if he couldn't hear God say wait. God didn't want Abraham's son, but he did want Abraham to listen to his voice. God provided a ram as Abraham was going up one side of the mountain. The ram or what God was providing for the sacrifice was going up the other side of the mountain. God provides a ram or in Jesus’ case, a lamb. A sacrificial lamb that would take the sins of the world on himself. Everything God calls you to do, He will provide what you need to accomplish HIS WILL for you.

HAVE THE RIGHT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD DAILY
IN ORDER TO HEAR HIM

Make sure it's God's direction and not just what you want. If we let God order our steps, it would be like Google. Google knows what we need before we can type the whole word. God knows what He has ordered our steps for, and if we walk in SUBMISSION as both Abraham and Isaac did, then we are in His will. If we believe in the sovereignty of God that He knows what is best for us, but we don't want to be in submission, then we are fake Christians. He will not take the step for us but He will lead us to take each step. I have confidence in knowing that I shall not be cast down even if I fall. All our steps are ordered by God and we should follow them and not just the ones we want to. God gives you grace to take our next step my faith knowing God has ordered them. It's a wonderful circle; THE MORE WE ASK GOD TO LEAD US, THEN WE FOLLOW, HE GIVES US MORE AND MORE GOOD THINGS BECAUSE WE OBEY.

WHY DO WE EVER WANT OUR WAY WHEN GOD'S WAY IS ALWAYS SO MUCH BETTER ?

GUEST BLOGGER: Shirley Andersen

From birth to death, life is a learning process.  

No one is born with clear and precise knowledge of every little detail of their life. I think most of my life has been way more trial and error than, without a doubt, knowing what is the right decision for my life at this very moment, much less right decisions long term.

My mother used to say I’d argue with a fence post so I’m pretty sure I made wrong decisions. I’m hoping I’m not the only person down through history that hasn’t always been right. Wouldn’t it be nice that the majority of the time we were right, that we made wise decisions? Wouldn’t I be brilliant if I knew the answer to that? If there were only a formula to always know the right way to do things.

Yep,  as a child I was pretty stubborn,  but there are just so many times you make the same wrong choice that you start to get a little smarter and what happens when I’m an adult with kids of my own and I’m responsible for their life by teaching and training them what is right and wrong. I realize I have to make smart and right decisions for my kids. I did learn several things as a child. Things like “don’t cross your eyes as they may stay that way”, “Don’t try to stop or hold a sneeze in because you can blow the back of your head off.”

Yep, these are silly, but I really started listening to what I was being told as a teenager when I started going to church. I was 14 and in a great church. I had only attended church as a kid very haphazardly. You know, if the weather was nice we went to the lake, but if it was raining we went to church.

At this little church here in town were some of the best Christians this young impressionable kid had ever met. Really good Sunday school teacher, the Pastor’s wife. 

When she started teaching, I learned so much. Who would ever have dreamed that in the book of Ruth, Boaz, commanded that “Handsfull of purpose” was left for Ruth, which was just a little extra grain that she could take home and feed herself and mother-in-law? I thought that was so good!  “Handsfull of Purpose” what else was in this book?  She taught me so many different treasures. 

Then one day she said, you can read the Bible yourself. Most of my life I thought we couldn’t, I wasn’t Catholic so I thought, if God strikes me down, think what the Pastor’s wife would have to explain.

Here I am, 14 years old freshman at Rider and I start reading the Bible.  

She tells me to start reading in John!!!  Amazing, John Wayne wrote in the Bible, I’d been told it was God. John Wayne was sorta God to anyone who saw his movies.  

Yep, I found out quick it wasn’t John Wayne.

I really liked it and started reading it a lot. I started asking so many questions that the Pastor’s wife told me to write my questions down and give them to her. She took them home and answered every question. Then they started having me to dinner one night so I could ask questions and they could help guide me.  The Pastor started helping a young Airman on a different night until they decided to have us meet on the same night. Yep, I was thrilled because I had already claimed him as mine; he just didn’t know it yet.  Yep, it was Andy, my future husband. We started memorizing scripture together. 

Our first was II Chronicles 7:14.

 At this point I was not saved but was a little apprehensive. Then Missionary Jack Baskins came and on Sunday morning on Father’s Day I was 16 and I got saved that morning. That was definitely the right decision. I had started reading the Bible and praying.

I learned when I read the Bible daily that I could make decisions that were right because I knew that God was leading me. I haven’t always made the right decision but I’m much better at it when I read and pray listening to God through the Holy Spirit. Instead of making the wrong decision, I get in the Bible and Read and Study then pray.

When we started discipleship it just reinforced what I was taught years ago and had tried to live by over the years. 

Yep, there were many times I did make the wrong decision but reading and praying really is the right decision. 

Pray for guidance, Read, Study, and pray

Yep, that’s the right decision!!!

GUEST BLOGGER: Shirley Andersen

     “ If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

I love this scripture because it’s plain. God says If you,  Then,  I will.   

There are many people that say I don’t understand the Bible when they read it. Plain and simply the Bible says the unlearned and ignorant man perceives not the words of God.  Acts 4:13.  The unsaved don’t understand the Bible like those that are saved and want to learn about God’s Word, daily seeking and praying and wanting to learn the Bible. The use of commentaries and Bible Dictionary or Concordance can help understand difficult passages. But this one is extremely plain and tells you just what to do. We ask through prayer, God answers our prayer when they:

1. Humble themselves

2.  Pray

3.  Seek God’s face

4.  Turn from their wicked ways

     Then

5.  God will hear from heaven will forgive their sin

6.  heal their land

There is something naturally humble in true prayer because it recognizes that the answers are not in ourself but they are in God. The phrase. “My people who are called by my name” was first for the people of Israel. The same God who made this promise to Israel still reigns in the heavens and will still respond to his humble praying people today.  

It says in II Chronicles 6:32-33, “all people of the earth may know your name “ and fear. You as do your people Israel. It’s clear that anyone who acknowledges God’s name and authority may pray with the confidence of God hearing. This passage is similar to others where the invitation is to all who  call upon the name of the Lord.

This promise of answered prayer also includes the condition of repentance. As the people of God humble themselves, pray, seek the face of God, they must also turn from their wicked ways. It wasn’t enough to turn their heart to God; they must also turn their life to God. God simply promises to hear the prayer of his humble prayerful seeking repentant people. He will bring forgiveness to his people and healing to their land. These expressions are best understood as four parts of one attitude, that sinners should seek God himself in humble repentance. 

1. II Chronicles 12:6, Rehoboam and leaders of Israel humbled themselves.

2. II Chronicles 30:18, Hezekiah prayed for the uncleared people of the North. “May God provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God. The Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

3. II Chronicles 11:16, The Levite’s left their common land and came to Jerusalem because Jeroboam would let them serve as priests. So after the Levites left those that wanted to seek the Lord were able to.

4. II Chronicles 30 : 6, If Israel would return to the Lord, your brethren and children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may turn from their wicked ways, for the Lord God is gracious and merciful and will not turn his face from you.

God answered their prayer as he does all prayers when he heard from heaven, forgave their sin and healed their land. God wants the right actions from us and there are many guidelines throughout God’s word as to what He wants us to do and how to live.

Another reason I love this verse beside it being very clear what we are to do and how God answers. This was the first verse that Andy (my late husband ) and I memorized during the Bible Study and prayer time we ended our dates with. Times have changed and I’m sure things like praying together and reading the Bible together are foreign concepts nowadays. That’s how we started dating, putting God first. God blessed us in so many tremendous ways. In 37 years Andy always had a church to Pastor and preach in. We had 2 remarkable kids, the most talented and beautiful grandkids, and loving daughter-in-law. I’m blessed to be able to have a ministry in my church.

2 Chronicles 7:14, Simply it’s how we should live, humbly praying, seeking God’s face and turning away from our wicked ways.