Swaddling Clothes

I have been really wrapped up in the Christmas story this year. For whatever reason, G-d has shed some light on things I use to ignore. Embracing His story will change your life. I would encourage you to read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke. Then be like the shepherds after they heard the good news, they went to find Jesus. And they found Him.


Here are a few thoughts that have been stirring.

Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes – From my understanding this would have been pieces of linen. Mary would wrap Him tightly with the linen. However, everyday she would Unwrap Him for obvious reasons (cleaning). The thought is we too should unwrap Jesus on a daily bases. The only difference is when we unwrap Him He cleanses us.

He is the gift from G-d that needs to be opened. And the best part this gift keeps giving and there is something new every day when you open it.



Just a thought

Sunday Playback

It was a great Sunday this past week. If you missed it here is the play-by-play.
Eric opened with a discussion about Christmas Décor and gave out free toothpaste and free sandwiches coupons.

Special guest, Coach Schmitt addressed StockbridgeAssembly and thanked us for serving at Woodland High School.

The thought for the message was Simply Hope.

Hope is what the Christmas story brings to us. We talked about the shepherds in the fields watching their sheep and how hopeless they must have felt.

Key thoughts about the Shepherds

• 400 years of silence from the close of the Old testament to the opening of the New Testament

• Being a shepherd was a tough job.

• Shepherds were marginalized in society

• Not much in finical advancement

• They were fighters (always protecting their herd)

• They worked months on end. Separated from family.

• They lived with sheep. Day in and day out.

• Shepherds were watching their flock by night

       Darkness (night) can lead to fear, danger lurks in darkness, we get lost in darkness

They story in Luke paints a dark picture before the angels show up

We all can relate to the shepherds at some point or another. Hopeless, dark, and tough times.

But when the angel shows up he brings light. 3 different times in Luke’s story light and peace are together

The angel said that there was a

• Savior – someone that will rescue you in time of trouble

• Messiah or Christ – The promised one , G-d still follows through on His promises

• Lord – The coming ruler to bring peace

And the best part was, Jesus was for them.
The angel also gave them a sign that pointed to Jesus
• G-d has always offered us signs in times of hopelessness that point to Jesus.
This Christmas G-d is for You and G-d is with You. There is always Hope

Hope to see you soon

Monday Morning Playback

Here is the Play by Play of yesterdays gathering and kickoff of Simply Christmas at StockbridgeAssembly

• We opened with a comical thought about Bad Gifts people have given and received. (Have you ever given a bad gift? I have) G-d has never given a bad gift!

• Worshiped Rocked! Charles and the team did great.

• I was able to give honor to someone that spoke into my life 17 years ago, Ms. Margie. She actually prophesied over Nikki and I that we would be in the ministry. At the time we were not even attending a church.

• ‘Big” P (Patric) shared a monologue – the main point "Don’t just sing Joy to the world, but share Joy with the world."

• A Simple Challenge - A challenge was given to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. This is, G-d loving us so much that He gave His Son to die in our place.

• Spend less and Give more- Don’t get so caught up in the consumerism of this culture, but rather reflect G-d in your giving. He gave a personal gift, relational gift, a gift that made a difference, a gift of presence.

• Embrace His Story – Encouraged everyone to read the Christmas Story and other scriptures to keep it alive in us. Not just once but daily. Maybe try http://www.youversion.com/ and read the rediscovering Christmas reading plan.

• Celebrate – As Christ followers we should be people that know how to celebrate! We should be smiling. Celebrate with family (old traditions and new traditions), Friends (have a party and share in a meal together), and everyone (try to make someone else smile by random acts of kindness).



Next week’s topic – Simply Hope

Excited about the upcoming Christmas series starts Dec. 1st  at bible study. Topic - Simple Purpose

I dont know what to do???

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do? You had no clear direction on which way to go? You had no idea how things would turn out? It may be at home, at work or in relationships. Times like this can wear on you and drive you to do stupid things.

Here are a few things I have been learning when faced with not knowing what to do! (Been learning, means this is something that happens often in my life)

Admit you don’t know what to do – Sometimes we make stupid decisions because of pride. You may feel like you have to know everything but let me tell you –You don’t. Embrace the lack of your knowledge and be willing to learn. Which leads to the next thought …

Be humble enough to ask for wisdom – I would bet someone somewhere has been in a similar situation. I would bet someone somewhere would share some ideas with you. I would bet that someone somewhere is waiting on you to ask. I know G-d is waiting, in the book of James it says we can ask for wisdom and G-d will give it to us freely. Someone that is not in your situation can see things from a different angle. Seek out wisdom.

Commit to stay in it – Don’t stop believing. No storm last forever. Stay committed. To many times we just don’t like the fight and give up way to soon. It may be the 4th quarter and your tired and behind. But as long as there is time on the clock keep fighting. Commit to your relationships, your work path, and life. Its darkest right before the sun breaks the horizon!

Daring to change- Be willing to make the necessary changes. Apply the wisdom you received. It may be small changes (and if you’re in a tough situation small changes may be wise). You would be surprised what a simple shift in your attitude would do. Just changing what you speak out of your mouth will affect your situation. One small step can make a large impact. You may have never done it that way, but go ahead and risk it. Learn to embrace the changes of life and work it to your favor.

I’m still learning!

???’s for yourself

Romans 10:15 "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

Here is a few ??? I asked myself “Self, what message do you bring to others?” “Self, are you bringing good news to others news that brings peace and freedom?” “Or are you spreading bad/negative news?” “Self, are your feet beautiful? Or do they smell?” “Self, is your presence welcomed and enjoyed by others?”

Is it about beautiful feet or more about the message the feet are carrying?

Two things we must know – 1. We bring a message with every connection we make. 2. Your feet need to be beautiful!

I get it!

I was at a store the other day; I believe it was right after the famed holiday Halloween. And what I saw turned the light on for me. I saw half the store dedicated to xmas décor and heard over the loud speaker xmas music. THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER! This particular store had every kind of fake tree you can buy. There where blue, green, orange, and pink trees. Some of these trees had flashing lights others had the standard lights. And to top it off you could buy every imaginable ornament to hang on your colorfully fake tree.

At that point I got it. What we need in the world is different colored, fake xmas trees. This just makes the world a better place. I think everyone should have a different colored xmas tree. Can you imagine your neighborhood; in the window of every house was a different color xmas tree. How great would that be!

And speaking of xmas music. I get it and have a suggestion. What if in every neighborhood we put up outdoor speakers and each house could plug into them and play their favorite xmas songs. Wouldn’t that be great? Every day you came home you could hear a different holly, jolly xmas song. : )

I get it, this is xmas! The greatest time of the year!

(Please feel the sarcasm)

I intentionally write xmas I will blog about the why later