I have never really understood why we worry so muchwhat we are going to buy someone for Christmas.As I recall Christmas came about because of our Savior’sbirth. There was no monetary exchange between God and Mary. 

So why do we stress ourselves and our checking accountsfor a long list of people at Christmas time? Well, because it istradition. There really isn’t anything wrong with this tradition;As long as we keep Christ the center of it all! 

How do we do this? Well, I would like to say I had a hundredof ideas, but I don’t. I do know that it did not matter to Christthe amount of the gifts a person bought or the amount of moneythey spent on a gift. What mattered was the heart behind the gift.Was that gift given out of sincerity or out of the need to feel superior? 

TV would have you believe that the bigger the gift you getthe happier you’ll be. Not so. The only gift that you’ll everget that will truly make you happy is the gift of eternal life throughJesus Christ. That my friend is why we celebrate Christmas, because that is where it all started. 

Let’s make sure that we keep Christ in Christmas. Make him thecenter of our lives not just during the holiday season, but year round.Jesus truly is the Reason for this Season.

Some people were resting from a long week of work, but not this fearsome group. They, and an unannounced friend(?), got up early to do something to help someone else. “We Are Here For You Day” was the reason for the work. This is an denomination-wide event sponsored by the women’s missions group.

 Although the workers were few, the other churches could  contribute for supplies. If they had known the snake was in the garden there might have been more helpers or at least spectators. The rattler caught a ride with Jennifer in a rarely used sprayer…which came in her car. I don’t know who the made it headless, but no one except the snake was hurt.

November 4th is the beginning of prayer for guidance in this area and several others:

• personal holiness;
• spiritual growth in Christ;
• His guidance in developing a singles ministry;
• personal direction toward ministries of individual churches;
• each church, pastor, and staff;
• awareness among believers of needs of singles;
• spiritual mentors for singles;
• spiritual awakening of singles in our community;
• salvation for lost singles in our community.

Please join us if you feel lead to.

But if we are talking Christmas carols that’s ok with me. I could listen to them, sing them, hum them…you get the idea…for the whole year. And getting an early start on good deeds for others is fine, too. Many in our area do Operation Christmas Child. So we are buying small gifts and wrapping shoe boxes. Since these require shipping it is necessary to get that done pre-Thanksgiving.

But that isn’t what I meant. Several stores opened at 6 am and were staying open late and I thought instead of ending daylight savings maybe we had somehow gotten to the Friday after Thanksgiving without my knowing it. That means I missed a lot of birthdays.

No matter when it comes, don’t forget that unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given is the real reason we get excited about this not just the gifts under the tree. It’s for the best gift of all: a savior who is Christ, the Lord.

The outcome of this meeting is that I read Diana’s blog…and she links to one from Matt Tullos. This entry of his is unbelievable. I thought Bobby Bowden was king of the wild and desperate play.

Check out http://worship.squarespace.com/ In case he has moved on its title is “yes, there’s always hope.” You will view the wildest football play you will ever see. And yes, they win!

His blog also links to another I like to read by Perry Noble, the pastor of Newspring which also just happens to be in Anderson, SC.

Jesus promised never to leave us alone; and He does provide a skinless companion who never leaves us, but sometimes it helps to have a few friends around with skin on.

Many of the churches in our area either have no special singles emphasis or have only a few participants in their events. So it seems to make sense to combine some of these activities so that we can see the others out there who have a similar world view. We are followers of the teachings of Jesus and would like to be more active in our faith.

Although this is the brainchild of a Baptist group we welcome others to join us in our efforts. Even if you have no church affliliation you are welcome to be a part of our units or teams.

Your church can join us even if you are the only sing;e…just let your church office or the FBA office know that you are the contact person. Once you have become a team member attend planning meetings or any of our events.

Over 59,000 singles are projected for the Florence County area by the end of 2008 so we could really grow!