I read an interesting article this morning that noted a shift in the mindset of the American people from the gilded excess of the past, to a more frugal lifestyle. Seventy three percent of the people in one study noted that they were planning to curtail their Christmas spending.
I believe that there is a real ‘gut-check’ happening in our country, and people are beginning to come to terms with the reality that they cannot keep buying and buying, and go deeper and deeper into debt. While this may be a bad sign for the retail industry, I think it will have some positive affect out our society as a whole. The current economic situation is dire, and many people will be affected. But we must realize that God often uses these types of situations to draw our hearts back to Him.
Perhaps people will focus less on shopping for Christmas, and pay more attention to the things that really matter: Family, friends, helping those who are struggling, and recognizing the Person that Christmas is intended to recognize – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, take time to be with those you love. Take time to be a blessing to someone who is hurting. Take time to worship the King, who was given to this world as a sign of God’s eternal and unconditional love for us. Worship the King!
...till the whole world hears,
Pastor Clay
Greetings Saints in the Lord!
I have been intrigued at some of the events that have been taking place in the last few weeks. A big uproar in Seattle Washington over the Christmas display, a sitting governor accused of trying to sell a Senate Seat, world-wide recession, A $700 BILLION dollar bailout, with more of our money being ponied up to help someone (except you and I!). What in the world is going on?
I’ll tell you, the world stage is being set, things are happening right before our eyes, like birth pangs:
"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matt 24:4-8, 14 (from New International Version)
Dear people, the world stage is being set for the inevitable return of the King! Let’s remember the real “reason for the season” – the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lord!
Don’t forget that this Sunday is the last week to reach out and share the love of Christ with someone, the outreach to the Seamen’s Center, Calvary Gives Back (to the military), and our Christmas blessing.
Look forward to seeing you all Sunday!
...till the whole world hears,
Pastor Clay
