 |
|
| the weekly eWell | 19 december 2007 / issue 25 |
|
In this issue: • latest news • community groups • well said • more info • classifieds
|
"The Real Meaning..." Josh Hignight Sometimes “the Real Meaning of Christmas” really bugs me. I mean, I’m a Christian, I know that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. I’ve read the accounts of Jesus’ birth by both Matthew and Luke. My wife, Brandi, reminds me every year that the “wise men” didn’t actually show up at the manger, but probably about 2 years later while He was a toddler. I know “the Real Meaning” is not about presents, or Santa, or egg-nog. We all know these things right? So why do so many Christians make such a big deal about it, and at the same time forget to mention what it means to be a Christian every other day of the year? I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard about how Christianity is about loving your neighbor. Or, how Jesus just wanted people to love each other and that He died in order to show us we should sacrifice our comfort for others. Or how about that Christmas is about being with family, and about giving your kids that amazingly expensive video game that no store has but you found it on eBay only to realize that everyone in the country is bidding on it right at the last minute just like you are and now you’ve used up your next 3 months mortgage payments on a game that they will get tired of playing once they beat it in a month! I can’t believe it, because that is not the main point. Seriously. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all you mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” ~Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB) Jesus, and the rest of the Bible for that matter, is very specific about taking care of the poor, needy, widows…everybody. The members of the first church sold what they had and split the proceeds in order to do just that. They didn’t do it just to be charitable. Not because it was Christmas. Not because it was the end of the year, so they could have the tax write off. They did it out of their love for God, and in response to the love that He showed to them, through Jesus. The entirety of the Law and Prophets (which we need to remember, is a big deal) is based on loving God first and foremost. It is based on loving God more than your wife or husband, more than your kids, more than your parents and family, and more than your friends. And not just that wispy “Emo” stuff, but serious, true, love. It is based on the kind of love that is expressed with your time, your money, your heart, your knowledge, and your every waking moment. And then… you will wind up treating people differently, because God loves you both so much that He gave everything. He became like us. Flesh. And died. And He was resurrected in order to give us life after death. And in that life He gives us, we change and recognize that there is much more to everyday than just living. There is real meaning. (Josh Hignight is currently pursuing a Theology degree at the Baptist College of Florida. He is husband to Brandi, and is a true do-it-yourself-er. Josh serves on the Well’s finance team, and is bass-player-extraordinaire in the Well’s praise band.) |
|
We will be meeting at Cafe Cabernet for Sunday Service for the next two weeks! 12/23: @ Cafe Cabernet, 6:00 p.m. 12/30: @ Cafe Cabernet, 6:00 p.m. We'll be back at Godby in the New Year! NEW YEAR'S EVE Matt and Jessica Folsom are hosting a Rockin' New Years Eve Party on 12/31! The Folsom's house (at 4415 Blue Bill Pass) will be open from 8:00 - 12:30 and you can call 850.443.2344 for directions. Meat and drinks will be provided--please bring a side dish, dessert, or $5 and enjoy the bon fire and s'mores!
Sunday Service is held at Godby High School. Join us in the auditorium each week at 6:00 p.m. The Well WEBCASTS Dean's sermons are now available online at nomorethirst.org. Save them to your IPod, burn them on a cd, or listen to them over the internet. Sermons will be added each Sunday night following the service. PRAYER POINT Tiffany Singleton, in Africa to serve for nine months. eGIVING eGiving is here! Log on to nomorethirst.org and click the eGiving link to set up your eTithe. Please remember to make it eNormous. The Finance Team ePpreciates it! |
|
|
|
|
|
Visit www.nomorethirst.org for more info! |
|
| Dean Inserra, Pastor Scott Simmons, Worship Leader dean@nomorethirst.org scott@nomorethirst.org | |
|
If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter click here |
|
| Copyright 2007 © The Well Sunday Nights, 6:00 p.m. @ the Godby High School Auditorium | |
