Christmas Eve Services

Just a reminder that our services are at 4 and 5pm. The services are 50 minutes and there is no childcare. Service highlights this year include singing Christmas carols, skyping with Tom and Jennifer Thompson in Estonia and hearing about Estonian Christmas traditions, candle lighting, and I'll speak for about 15 minutes and share the gospel.
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take courage

During the Lord's Supper two weeks ago, I challenged our church family to select and target one lost family member or friend we would encounter with whom we would make every effort to share the gospel over the Christmas holidays. During the services, we had a special time of commitment in this regard. I thought I'd report in on the progress of my commitment.

I encountered my person last night and today. Last night was in the context of a large family gathering and the Lord answered my prayer for time alone with the individual. I had about 10-15 minutes alone with my person in the living room--as Nicole said, that's a God thing. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to share, the person wouldn't stay on track. So, Nicole and I went over to their house today and the Lord was so good. I got to have a 30-45 minute spiritual conversation with her during which I got to share the gospel and call her to salvation. She was very receptive to the conversation, but she didn't respond in faith.

Yet, as Nicole and I discussed afterwards, I laid it out there and now we must trust the Lord to work in her life. Maybe we will get another opportunity.

I want to encourage you to follow through on your commitment as one of your ways of honoring the Lord Jesus during this Christmas season. He came to seek and to save the lost--so let's seek the lost and give them every opp at salvation.
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the bible is a conversation starter

This morning I went to Starbucks to go over an upcoming sermon without the background music of "daddy, watch this...daddy, watch this...daddy, daddy".
I walked in and ordered, all the while holding my bible. After about an hour of reading my bible and writing notes at a table, a barista asked what I was doing. When I looked up there were no other customers around. I told the four baristas I'm a pastor going over an upcoming "talk". Then I proceeded to give them a synopsis of the message whose premise is that close proximity to the things of Christ does not mean a personal relationship with Christ. All four listened. One asked questions.

I'm fascinated by how often my bible is a conversation starter in secular places. It should come as no surprise; God's Word is a living organism filled with power.
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uncommon story of life change

I'm always amazed by stories of life change in Christ. But, here's one that especially got to me. Today, an 88 year old man walked the isle to profess faith in Christ and request baptism.

This story grabbed me because it's so rare for someone to come to Christ so late in life. The longer one lives, the less likely they will turn to Christ.

When a family in our church began reaching out to this man a few years ago, he was hard and disinterested to say the least, even mocking the faith at times. But, this NEHBC family unit kept showing him love and kindness and persisted in talking to him about Christ.

Today, he is our brother in Christ. Glory to God.
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Relating to extended family

Here is an outstanding article by Russ Moore on navigating the extended family gauntlet over the holidays in a way that allows you to influence them for Jesus Christ. His keen insights on relating to extended family are helpful year round. http://www.russellmoore.com/2009/12/20/a-word-about-family-tensions-and-the-holidays/
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Different field, same Kingdom and Lord

Today, my family worshipped at First Baptist Church of Pflugerville, TX. We attended the 9:30am (traditional style) service.

FBCP is blessed with a great pastor--Steve Washburn--who has been leading the church for ±20 years. He was Nicole's pastor during her high school years and I'll always be grateful to FBCP for the spiritual foundation they laid in my wife's life.

One thing can be counted on at FBCP: Jesus Christ is central to who they are and what they do. Jesus was the focus of today's sermon and they prayed 3-4 times during the course of the service. They also announced the results of their adult bible study classes' efforts to give a visible demonstration of Christ's love during this Christmas season--they gave financial assistance to 15 families, even helping one family keep their home. FBCP talks about Jesus, talks to Jesus, and demonstrates Jesus Christ to their community.

Congrats to FBCP on their new worship facility. It's beautiful.
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You shall honor your father and mother

My in-laws paint an amazing picture of the 5th commandment. For four years now my mother-in-law's mother has lived with them. Grandmommie has severe dimentia, sleeps ±18 hours/day, requires a hospital bed, and can't go to the bathroom, eat, bathe, etc without a lot of help. To put it mildly, my in-laws' lives have been severly disrupted by Grandmommie's quality of life. Did I mention my father in law's mother lives close by, widowed with declining health?

Yet, with great attitudes, week in and week out, year after year, my in-laws keep providing loving and sacrificial care to their parents. This not long removed from being the major financial support of their own children.

My in-laws are a great example to me of the 5th commandment lived out.

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Practicing the Christian Greeting

Two weeks ago when we wrapped up Philippians on Sunday morning we learned about the christian greeting. I've been trying to practice what I learned and thought I'd share this story with you.

Yesterday, at a sporting goods store in Austin, TX, I waited in a long checkout que. While he was checking out the customer infront of me, I noticed the employee's cross ring. So when I was up I conversationally pointed out his ring and asked him if he is a Christ follower. Uncertain where I was headed with my question, he gave me a cautious, "yes". I told him I am also and affirmed him as my sibling in Christ. Then in one sentence I said it's so great to think that the Lord put him in Austin's field of harvest and me in Houston's, but that one day we would be united in Heaven and ended with a "praise the Lord".

If he had been on my side of the counter, he would have hugged me. He got a little emotional and told me I had made his day.

Thank you Lord for helping me to practice the christian greeting. I left there with a bond with a total stranger that formed by our relationships with You.
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Women's Prison Ministry

Well, if you have been following the story here, it's official, Jan 5th Dianne Duff will begin teaching bible study at Texas' Plane State Jail on Tuesday afternoons.

This story of how we got to this point is completely a God thing. I won't rehash it again, but I stand amazed at our Lord Jesus who continues to put NEHBCers in disciple making opportunities. We are looking at the birth of yet another infant ministry--this time inside a prison.

Please take a moment right now to pray for this new ministry and pray for God's will to be done.

Any ladies interested in getting involved can speak to Dianne or me.
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I Don't Know How She Does It

With just Colt and I at home for a couple of days, I'm again wondering how Nicole mothers 4 children with such excellence. I know I can't do it. No doubt, if she died, the four kids and I would be in a serious bind. She is a vital, necessary, and unifying presence in our home. I love you, Cole.
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