The Meaning of Christmas

I thought I would take the time to share this with you. I was recently asked to write an article for the Tri-County news: Although I am unsure if it will acutally be printed I thought I would take the time to share it with you all. With that said I pray that each of you has a wonderful CHRISTmas:

This year my family and I had the opportunity to go to New York during the first week of December. What a glorious time to be a part of the New York Christmas celebration. With people, and I do mean lots of people, bustling about seeing the lights and the decorations we had the opportunity in the midst of something incredible to observe the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Although this was spectacular to say the least, with the excitement in the air and famous entertainers present to usher in the season, the true joy and excitement came at Radio City Hall at a show called the “Christmas Spectacular”. The climax of the show was the depiction of the Christmas story in a Spectacular blossom of lights, costumes, and Color. When the show was over it was as if I had lived the Christmas story right out of the book of Luke in the Bible. How do you express in words such and incredible experience other than WOW!

On our return home, to Junction City on the plane it gave me a bit of time to take in and reflect on the experience of the trip. The conclusion I came up with is that in our midst something great has happened, something so great that it has caused the whole world to erupt into a frenzy of celebration. What is even more amazing is that this annual eruption of celebration finds its way into all our lives every year and has done so for literally thousands of years. This celebration of course we know as Christmas. A time when gifts are exchanged, trees are decorated, parties take place, special plays and church services rise to the platforms and pulpits all across the world. But the question I ask is why so much excitement? What is it that has changed a world? What is it that causes us to become excited as little children once again? Can I go as far as to say it is found in one word, Jesus!

Yes, it is the birth of a baby, but not just any baby, but the savior of the world, Jesus. Who is this Jesus? The Bible calls him a wonderful counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. This Jesus was to be God in the flesh to restore the bonds of love between God and his greatest creation, you and me. We celebrate Christmas because the savior of the world has come, the one who would restore our relationship with God that had been broken clear back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve first sinned. This relationship was restored when Jesus took my sin and yours to a cross on Calvary, died and rose again, thus conquering death the ultimate penalty of sin. So ultimately the Bible tells us if we want to be restored unto God we have to pray to Jesus to forgive us of our sins and build a relationship with Him where Jesus will teach us how to live a life free from the bonds of sin.

So when asked what does Christmas mean to me, it means freedom from the bondages of sin-Freedom!!! When in New York a few weeks ago I went to the eighth floor of Macy’s to Santa Land. After going through the North Pole I approached Santa and He asked me what I wanted for Christmas. This was an easy question for me, I wanted my family together for Christmas to share in the freedom of life we have together in our savior, Jesus. Although said many times and many ways Jesus is still the Reason for the Season.

New York Post 2

Well here is my attempt to quickly post a few pictures from our adventures in N.Y. This picture was taken in Central park on our journey through it from the museum of natural history. This park is amazing and it was also very cold. I am sorry I have not posted more, but our days have consisted of 12 hours on the move constantly trying to see as much as we can. At this point I have accumulated over 500 pictures and still have one day to go!

And yes here it is the famous Rockefeller tree. Yes it is amazing overlooking the ice skating ring and it sure does feel like Christmas with all these people, and yes thanks to all of you who waved to us on National TV. Did you see us waving at you?

A stroll in Central park would not be complete with out a carriage ride in Central park. My dad surprised my mom with a ride through the park while Liz, Brittni, and I made our way over to "The Plaza" to see the inside, warm up and shake hands with Eloise. The Plaza was amazing and well let's just say we did not see Eloise other than a few pictures.

This picture though says it all! You may not be able to tell much, but the board with all the roman numerals is all those who died in 911 and although the monument is under construction and there is really nothing to look at it was amazingly one of the most somber moments I can ever express. The picture also shows a man his wife and son hanging a Christmas wreath on the fence in memory of there fallen loved one. The women was weeping and tears were being held back from the man hanging the wreath as they all sported jackets with fireman patches on them. At this moment God point to me the fact that our life is but a blink of the eye in comparison to eternity. But what really got me is how God showed me that people really matter to him and should matter to us. We do not know exactly how many of these fallen hero's new the Lord, but God does. Some are spending eternity with Jesus and some well ..... only God Knows. May God bless each of you and thank you for allowing my family and I to spend this time together on vacation. However I have to say we are really missing each of you and although we are enjoying ourselves, we are looking forward to sharing our experience with each of you. May the Lord Bless each of you and keep you safe!

Merry CHRISTmas!

New York Post 1

Well here we are in downtown Manhattan in new York. How can we say it any better but that it is major sensory overload. I know two of the three people on the left. You decide who you know!

And yes would not be complete without a picture of time square. This day was Tuesday and pretty quite. Then Wednesday came and you would not believe the people here because of the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. They even had a place by Charmin to go to the bathroom where there were literally 20 toilets made up music about going to the bathroom as you rode an escalator up 4 flights the whole time singing songs what goes up must come down. Only in time square would you find a guy dressed up as a toilet direction you to this place. Weird!

This here is the pre lighting of the Christmas tree about 2 hours before. Already you could not move. It looked and felt like Time Square at New Years. We decided we would come back on Thursday and see it lit rather than waste 4 hours standing up next to people breathing down there neck. Besides that we recorded it to watch later on tv

Well that is just a few pics of the over 200 shot so far. I have to say though the Highlight so far was the Radio City hall Christmas Spectacular. Especially the depiction of the Story of the birth of Jesus. All I can say is WOW. Brittni shot pics of that and we do not have a cord to download so you will just have to wait till we get back to see those. Well must go as we are headed back out into the wild to take more pictures and see the wonderful City of N.Y.. But I have to say we do miss each and everyone of you and the truth is the only thing that would make this better is to be experiencing this with our church family. May God Bless each of you and will write more tomorrow.

Many Hands

Today my heart has leaped with great Joy. As I read Acts 2 again exspecially verses 42-47 I was reminded of the true church at work here at Tri-County Worship Center. Verse 44 says "All the believers were together and had everything in common." How exciting is that!!! This morning we had a good old fashion house moving. Many were made know of the need and many showed up! Wow, we moved a whole house in just over 3 hours. The morning started with some good old fashioned flap jacks as 13 of us got together for breakfast at the Rodeo Steak house at the bright morning hour of 7:30am. Kudo's to those who got up that early on a Saturday. From there we proceeded in a great procession of trucks, trailers, and cars to Gen and Gary's home to move them to there new home. Many hands sure make short work of a big job, as 44 hands pitched in with great anticipation and excitement to complete this huge task in short order. Good Job all of you.

How great is it to have a church body that hears the need and jump in so quickly to help another brother in need. This is truly what the first church was about and what I am believing God for in our church. Family helping family. This scripture also says that they devoted themselves to the apostles teachings and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and prayer. Get ready God is moving us and changing us to grow closer to Him through teaching, fellowship, prayer and of course breaking bread together. I can not wait to see what God does next! Thanks again to all who helped and served in the family.

This is one really happy Pastor.
In His service Pastor Bret