::Christmas and the Cross::

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:

   'Good morning!

   You're beautiful with God's beauty,

   Beautiful inside and out!

   God be with you.' "

::Luke 1:26-28 (Message)::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 15 DAYS!

To begin my Christmas countdown, I'm sharing a video of a song by Go Fish. The world remembers the birth of Christ once a year, but His birth is only the beginning. Jesus was born so that He could die for us. His birth isn't what saves us; His death and resurrection save us from our sin! So as we remember Christ's birth, remember why He came. It's all about the cross.



"It's About the Cross" by Go Fish

"It’s not just about the manger where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels who sang for him that day
It’s not just about the shepherds or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wise men who traveled from afar

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

It’s not just about the presents underneath the tree
It’s not all about the feeling that the season brings to me
It’s not just about coming home to be with those you love
It’s not all about the beauty in the snow I’m dreaming of

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it’s the ending that can save you and that’s why we celebrate

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about God’s love
Nailed to a tree
It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday
It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross."

Jesus' birth is only the beginning!
-ej

::Jonah::

"[Jesus] called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven...And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.'" ::Matthew 18:2-3,5::

Today during brownbag we watched a video of a little girl (I believe she's 6) telling the story of Jonah. It is so wonderful to hear such a young child tell the story with enthusiasm and sincerity. I don't think anyone could watch without a smile reaching your face. Jonah is not just a story to her, and it shouldn't be just a story to us either. Please take the time out of your day to watch this roughly 8 minute long video. I promise that it is worth your time :).



My challenge to you is that next time you sit down to read your Bible, see the the stories through the eyes of a child and let them come alive! It's not a boring history book; it's filled with real people and a real God who wants you to get to know Him!

May we never tire of reading God's Word.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

-ej

::Luck of the Pot::

"Names, once they are in common use, quickly become mere sounds, their etymology being buried, like so many of the earth's marvels, beneath the dust of habit."
::Salman Rushdie::

Just for fun, here's another etymology post! This one is about a fairly common word we hear on Sundays.

Potluck:
English, from the 1592, 1600 in the writings of Thomas Nashe

original meaning: "food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest", or "one's chance or luck of the pot"
18th century influenced by the word "Potlatche": def. "a communal meal" in the Chinook Jargon, a Native American language
19th century sp. "pot-luck": def. "meal provided by the host"
current definition: "a communal meal to which people bring food to share"

-ej

Cited: Wiktionary, Merriam-Webster, Wikipedia

::Надейся на Господа::

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
::Corrie Ten Boom::

This is a cartoon written by some of the AIMers, and I found this one quite funny. :) You'll probably have to click on it to make it big enough to read.

 Property of AIM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION from the AIMER HUB BLOG

We are in the unknown time. Some of the AIMers have an idea of where they are going for the field, others have no idea, but all of us know that there are many unknown variables. Where will my field be? With who will I be going? What will it be like? Will I get along with the coordinators? From where will my support come?

Isn't it wonderful to know that we have a God who already knows the answer to all these questions? He's a BIG God, and yet cares even for little me and you!

Next time you have doubts about the future and the unknown, just know that you can trust God. We don't need to worry when He's in charge!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' " Jeremiah 29:11-13

-ej

::Nov 2010::

"Always winter but never Christmas."
::C.S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe::

The link to download my November newsletter: November Newsletter.

If you'd like to receive the newsletter by email, please leave your email and let me know at http://kontactr.com/user/ejtotheworld.

I think I've fixed my blog so that you can comment with being a google member. I have also moved up the Follow button on the right side of my blog so that it's easier to find. You are more than welcome to follow me, and please do comment! :)

Thanks! Love you all.
-ej