December 16 - Words of Promise

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

God has given a so

n to us… His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God… Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in the mail several years ago:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, “God sent us a Saviour” – by Roy Lessin.

Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. Phrases filled with the reason ‘we do it all anyway’.

He became like us, so we could become like Him.

Angels still sing and the star still beckons.

He loves each one of us like there was only one of us to love.

December 15 - A Broken Heart?

Grace for the Moment

by Max Lucado

The Lord hates what evil people do, but He loves those who do what is right. Proverbs 15:9

Perhaps the wound is old. A parent abused you. A teacher slighted you. A mate betrayed you…

Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car.

The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce you name… And you are hurt.

Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight… There is a fire burning in your heart. It’s the fire of anger…

And you are left with a decision. “Do I put the fire out or heat it up?” Do I get over it, or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?”…

Unfaithfulnss is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

December 14 - Every Child Has a Name

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me. John 10:14

The shepherd knows his sheep, he calls them by name.

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd… We see people not persons, but people. A herd of humans. A flock of faces. That’s what we see.

But not so with the Shepherd, To him, every face is different. Every face is a story. Every face is a child. Every child has a name…

The shepherd knows his sheep, he knows each one by name. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And He will never forget it.

Christmas 2009 Newsletter

Christmas is here!

just like to share all the gifts that we got this Year 2009...

newsletter page 1

newsletter page 2

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Blessed Year Ahead! 

December 13 - The Unspeakable Price

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

To all who did accept Him and believe in Him He gave the right to become children of God.  John 1:12

While we lived in Rio de Janeiro, we met several American families who came to Brazil to adopt children. They would spend days, sometimes weeks, immersed in a different language and a strange culture. They fought the red tape and paid the large fees, all with the hope of taking a child to the United States…

Hasn’t God done the same for us? He etered our culture, battled the resistance, and paid the unspeakable price which adoption required. Legally we are his. He owns us. We have every legal privilege accorded to [His] child. We are just waiting for Him to return. We are, as Paul said, “waiting for God to finish making us His own children”. (Romans 8:23)

December 12 - God Isn't Hard To Find

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

What a surprising way to describe God. A God who pursues us. 

Dare we envision a mobile, active God who chases us, tracks us, following us with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives? He’s not hard to find. He’s there in Scripture, looking for Adam and Eve. They’re hiding in the bushes, partly to cover their bodies, partly to cover their sin. Does God wait for them to come to Him? No, the words ring in the garden. “Where are you?” God asks, (Gen 3:9) beginning His quest to redeem the heart of man. A quest to follow His children, until His children follow Him.

December 11 - Just Pray

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises. James 5:13

Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? Pray. Don’t prepare to pray. Just pray. Don’t read about prayer. Just pray. Don’t attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.

Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that works for you. But don’t think about it too much. Don’t be so concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.

And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that’s okay. Just see to it that you are inspired every day.