This time of year is a good time for self-reflection.  I tend to think back on the past year, as well as what may lie ahead in the new one to come.

I’ve been reading through the book of Hebrews.  I have loved learning more about this book and the valuable lessons in it.  One section caught my attention recently and it offers the reader a chance for self-reflection in regards to one’s own Christian life.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves are suffering.  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’”  -Hebrews 13:1-6

The study on Hebrews I’m doing referred to these things as “five essential marks of the Christian life.”  I took a moment to write it down in a shortened version so I can refer to it often and quickly.  1) Love one another, especially other Christians.  2)  Be hospitable.  3)  Be sympathetic and helpful – particularly to those in prison, as well as those oppressed and suffering.  4) Guard marriage/be pure in sexual matters.  5)  Be content with what you have.

As we begin a new year and I continue to press on towards spiritual maturity, I plan to keep these things in mind.  Thank you for letting me share my thoughts as I study God’s word.  I encourage you to do the same.

Many Blessings to you in 2012,

Melissa

VCNP has been enjoying some wonderful sermons from Pastor Brian about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I would highly recommend going on line and hearing the audio recordings that are free on line for everyone.

I love how the bible continues to be fresh, to have new revelation and am so grateful for Pastor Brian’s gift of teaching.

After seeing the ‘Passion of the Christ’ the understanding of how horrific it must have been for Mary to watch her precious son be tortured became a reality to me. Being aware of that sacrifice never escapes me. Christ charging John to make Mary his ‘Mother’ as He was dying… Thinking of her well being over His own pain and suffering…

That is OUR GOD.

What I have been rolling around in my mind though is this thought of Mary finding out she was to be a ‘teen’ mom. She was placing herself in a position to be mocked, judged and ridiculed for the rest of her life. Surely she was taunted and called horrible names. We think pregnancy before marriage incites all kind of judgement in the Christian community now, think of the fact that she could have been stripped naked and possibly stoned to death. A little more dramatic than what we are used to in western society!

Did she cry out wondering why God had chosen her to carry this burden or was she always strong?

I think she must have just felt total freedom and intimacy with God in order to trust Him the way she did. That would mean crying out when she was scared or lonely, admitting to God she was in need of His touch..

If Mary’s example of total trust of God doesn’t lead us to be challenged and inspired, gosh I am not sure what else can.

I know I spend the 12 days prior to Christmas remembering that my true love is so good to me and am thankful for the gifts He gives me. He is a generous God and I strive to place more of my life in His hands every year.

Thank you for letting me ramble on and share my thoughts. Matthew and our sons pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas Holiday and a Joyful 2012.

Blessings and Love,

Rebecca Turrigiano

Too Much to Do!

 Does anyone else feel it?  The pressure of this season?!  I do.  I don’t know how to get it all done and I find myself too often in a hurry, trying to do two things at once and then doing a poor job of both of them.

 The simple essence of hurry is this:  Too much to do! The good of avoiding hurry is not just pleasure, but to enable us to calmly and effectively do the things that are truly important with strength and joy.  I once heard Dallas Willard say, “We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.  It is an enemy of the spiritual life.”

 We don’t want to “skim” our lives.  We want to live them.

In order to not live in a state of “hurry” we must try not to live in a state of urgency.

 Here are some suggestions I heard from Dallas Willard:

To get the urgent off of our backs we must:

1. Form a clear intention to live without hurry.  Try one day.

2. Cultivate a mental picture of your place in the world before God:  What is God doing and where do you fit in?  Write it down.

On the basis of that:

3.  Begin to eliminate things you “have” to do. (Choose to do less better.)

 Examples I could think of include not answering some e-mails and facebook.  Even not reading all of the e-mails may be in order.  (I am actually not even on Facebook.  I am holding out as long as I can!)

 Don’t be afraid of doing nothing.

That is when we reflect on what is really important.

Please join me as I try to do less.

Blessings,

Thora

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the Salvation Army bell-ringers! I love the sound of hope the bells sing. I remember giving our kids money on the way into the store and on the way out of the store so they could drop their pennies into the bright red bucket! The bible says, “It is more blessed to give than receive,” Acts 20:35. It is satisfying and purposeful when we live life with open hearts, open hands and open wallets ready to be used by God to be a blessing to others. Mario and I have lived our lives throughout the years with hearts wide open for those around us, but last week God surprised me.

Wednesday evening I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things and to pick up baking supplies, as Thursday was my BIG baking day! As I was leaving the house I realized I had forgotten my purse in Mario’s car that was at the church. Ugggh! I had some cash so I decided I would carefully get only the things I needed. As I walked through the store, doing the math in my head, I was sure I was within budget! As I approached what seemed to be a very short line, I realized the woman in front of me was having trouble. There was a discrepancy in price with an item. I felt a tingle of irritation go through me and quickly reminded myself that was wrong, so I took my attention elsewhere. As I looked away, my eyes caught the eyes of a lady that was joining our line, I smiled, and she did not. No worries, it was now my turn! I had placed everything on the conveyer belt in order of need.  As the cashier began to scan the items at a certain point I asked her for a subtotal, I was over by $11!!!! I told the cashier I did not have enough cash, that my wallet was in my husband’s car and I needed to take a few items off. I could feel the penetrating eyes on me from my fellow line people and I could see in their eyes the same kind of irritation I had for the previous purchaser. I began to search through the bags when the lady behind me, the one who had not smiled at me, spoke up to the cashier, “How much is she short?” I quickly looked at her and said oh it’s a lot, I’m so sorry; I’ll be done in a moment. The cashier however said without hesitation, “$11!”Then the lady behind me said “Merry Christmas” and gave the cashier $11! I began to say, “Oh no that is not necessary,” when the cashier stopped me and said, “She said Merry Christmas!”

I’m usually on the giving end, I was humbled but that cashier reminded me I had to allow this lady to do this after all it was her blessing as well as mine! As I walked away God reminded me of the many times He had used me and now He wanted me to receive. And for all of you who know me well…yes I cried!

I learned that Wednesday evening hands and hearts that are wide open to give have to be wide open to receive as well.

From my heart to yours,

Blessings,

DaNetta Fernandez

I like to play games on Facebook. I like to farm, I like to build a happy kingdom, and I especially like word games with friends. Every morning I receive notifications in my email about gifts my neighbors have sent me. People send me cows, christmas lights, and money that can be used in the game. All these gifts are fun to get, but sometimes there are so many that the server gets bogged down and I get kicked out of the game.

It makes me think about all the sales the stores have going on right now. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of people line up to get the best deals on gifts they would like to give or even receive for Christmas. Advertisements fill the mailbox, the television, the internet. It can be overwhelming and may cause you to overspend. It can breed feelings of inadequacy when you can’t get what you think your loved ones want.

Here’s a gift just for you. The greatest gift that was ever given is already ours. He is a present from heaven. God gave us His son.

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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This is where we focus our hearts. Rejoicing in this amazing gift that we could not live without. That which completes each one of us. The gift of Jesus into this world of never enough.

It changes perspective from desperation to celebration. May your gifts be given with joy in your heart. May your families be reminded of the incomparable blessing of the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas,

Kathy

What would you like to get for Christmas?  A nice purse?  A cute pair of boots?  Maybe some jewelry?  After all, who doesn’t like presents?

Undoubtedly, the act of giving and receiving gifts is one of the most exciting parts of the Christmas celebration.

In fact, it all began with a gift.  The Bible says in John 3:16:

God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. (CEV)

Our God loves giving presents to His children!  James 1:17:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)

Let’s see some of the gifts our loving Father gave us on Christmas Day:

• Salvation
• Hope
• Forgiveness
• Comfort
• Adoption
• A new and abundant life!
• Love, joy and peace

All of these came wrapped in one special and most important gift of all:  His Son, Jesus!

During these very special yet busy days, let us remember – with great joy and thanksgiving – the most wonderful gifts we have already received from the Father Above, gifts to be cherished for the rest of the year.

May your Christmas celebration be filled with love, joy and peace!

Ana

Don’t forget to simplify this Christmas!

This is a crazy season and like most people, I have a difficult time not getting caught up in it.

I’m trying to remind myself to slow down, relax and reflect on why we are celebrating in the first place.  It is all about Jesus, even though I can get caught up in Christmas cards, candy, cookies, lights, programs, buying gifts, Christmas parties, etc.

Here is something you can do right now…Slow down.  Inhale and exhale.

When the phone rings and you are very busy, inhale and exhale before you answer it.  (If you really have to answer it all that is)

Say “no” to some of those events you really don’t have to go to or that you are only going to so someone won’t be disappointed by you not attending.  (Unless, of coures, it is your child’s program. )

Buy your mashed potatoes at Cost-Co and don’t take time to peel.

Buy your pies for that matter.  Make cookies only if it makes you happy or if it is something you can do with your kids.

If it is a stress, skip sending out cards.

Use paper goods and throw them away on the 25^th so you don’t have to do as many dishes.  (I apologize to greenness.)

The simple answer is this….focus on Jesus, His birth, and loving those around you.  May the Kingdom break in for you this season as you experience the simplicity of the gospel.

Blessings,

Thora

Are you waiting on God for something?  Probably most of us would say yes.  Sometimes as I’m waiting I get weary, so for a long time I didn’t understand the meaning of the song that starts out, “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord…”  But I finally get it.

If we wait upon the Lord and stop striving to make thing work out in our own strength and in our own timing, then we can get rest.  And rest renews our strength.

God can work out whatever we’re waiting for far better than we can.  If you’re waiting and weary, be encouraged by the fact that God wants to work out your situation in the best possible way because His plans for you are for good and not evil (Jer 29:11).

He loves you so much that He wants to help you and do things for you.  That’s God’s heart towards you because you’re His child who He chose to create.  “Strength and gladness are in His place” (1 Chr. 16:27) and He’s inviting you to come in.

Shagufta