Christmas Past

Miles and smiles have come and gone in the past few days.
There have been stories and hugs and tears and fears
Expectations - both met and unmet
Car rides and flights, arguments and fist fights
there have been warm embraces and cold stares.
memories, fuzzy and clear
love, happy, joyful and cheer

bows, gifts, presents a plenty
chatter and noise and people everywhere
bells ringing, crying, laughing, clapping, partying
cash and credit
and a for real pet to pet it

Getting past Christmas to Christ
getting in on what God has for us
giving up what we think is best
getting the best, giving ourselves

Christmas Past - Christ Now

Christmas - Best and Worst..

Christmas brings out the best and worst in people and situations (usually the situations have to do with the best - the and worst in people).  Maybe you experience the highs and lows, ups and downs, celebrations and pit-parties too. - Especially at Christmas.

Why is that?  Are we more in tune with our sensitive side?  Is it all the heart-wrenching stories, the peace on earth, the bells ringing, children crying...what is it?

Christmas marks a moment that is significant for eternity.  It is celebrated and communicated as the birth of Christ, God's answer for a lost and dying world.  God knew the world's need for Himself and He gave Himself.  As a child, to experience humanity, to live, to heal, to feel, to know.  Jesus did that.  And He died.  For me and for you.  As a replacement, for our eternal death - if we acknowledge Him, believe Him.

You see it is the best and worst.  Worst because we know the heart that we have had, best because we know that God came down here.

That mentality plays out in everyday life - on one hand you experience joy and victory on the other pain and remorse.  The battle goes on.

This Christmas let's get past all the stuff and fluff, all the turmoil, all the hurt and feelings and let's focus on Christ. If you are like me, you've got to make a conscious choice to get past Christmas, to Christ.

Let Christmas bring out the best in you - Jesus - because He's in you!

DB

cuba bound

so the journey begins -

I'm meeting many of the team for the first time tonite as we share a meal, laughter and stories.  we each tell of other experiences and of what we hope God will do through us as we labor along side brothers and sisters in Cuba for the next 8 days.

I am ready - excited even.

A little axnious I must admit - mostly about what is home...family, events, church, friends, balls being juggled....I could go on.

Tomorrow Miami and then Havana - look out here we come.

Lord God may your Spirit move in mighty ways and may we be useful tools in your hands.

AMEN

ps 115

Psalm 115 ¹ Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, 
   because of your love and faithfulness.² Why do the nations say, 
   “Where is their God?” 
³ Our God is in heaven; 
   he does whatever pleases him. 
⁴ But their idols are silver and gold, 
   made by human hands. 
⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak, 
   eyes, but cannot see. 
⁶ They have ears, but cannot hear, 
   noses, but cannot smell. 
⁷ They have hands, but cannot feel, 
   feet, but cannot walk, 
   nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 
⁸ Those who make them will be like them, 
   and so will all who trust in them.

Lord – to you be all the glory because of who you are.  Because of your love and faithfulness.  Let us live out glory to you lord so that that the world will ask – “who are you God?” And we may tell them of your greatness.  And our love for you and what you have done for us.  Lord let your power be made known and let the weakness of their idols be realized before their eyes – let them crumble to dust.  Lord God touch man’s mouth to speak praise before you, his ears to hear your  joyful songs, his hands to do work  in you name, his voice to shout for you O LORD!  TRUST in Him!

here is a picture of "backstage at baptism" from a few weeks ago.  it was a really great day.

Praying for Friends today/ thankful for how I see God at work

Couple needed jobs
family fighting cancer
woman rehabbing injury
several recovering from illness and surgery
one who accepted Jesus this week!!!
kids serving
dad who has cancer
Gratitude in tough times
improvement in hospice patient
excitement-anticipation for CUBA MISSION TRIP!
very good offerings in the month of September

Opportunities to love give and serve
- Buddy Walk this Sunday - come out at 1:30 to pass out drinks and love on this part of our community.
-Candy Carnival - Oct 28 - candy, fun, people.  There is a place for you to serve and have fun.  get with Deanna Kroskie to find out how.

CityPrayer for 9.29.11

If you are local (Anderson, SC) drop by 708 W Whitner St at Capstone Church for Cityprayer.  We prayer together for the needs of our city.  For God's blessing, guidance and salvation.  


If you can't drop by between 12:15 -12:45 - at least drop what you are doing for a minute or two and pray.

^{Psalms 251} O Lord, I give my life to you.  ² I trust in you, my God!  Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.  ³ No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴ Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  ⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  ⁶ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.  ⁷ Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.  Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.  ⁹ He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  ¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Lord God  - I give myself to you again today, trusting you to do better, more with me than I could ever imagine.  You will not fail, you will not fail me!  Give direction to my steps, show me your truth, grow my hope that is placed in you.  Forgive me when I fall, fail and frustrate.  Thank you for your unfailing, unfailing, unfrustrating love.

Lord God you are good and faithful.  I love you!

Thank you Father - AMEN

Give Away Day

This Sunday at Capstone Church we are holding GIVE AWAY DAY.  Our church does this several times a year to bless our community by giving away things like furniture, clothes, toys and food.

You can be apart of GIVE AWAY DAY by

1.  Praying for God's name to be glorified and that people who are far from God come to a saving relationship with Jesus.

2.  You can give stuff away (your stuff)

3.  you can help set up and sort at Capstone this week - call the office 222-2114

4.  you can show up Sunday to set up at 9 am - get with Mike Cummings

5.  you can hang out after church - Give Away begins at 11:45.  you can walk and talk with our neighbors that come looking for something they can use - kind of like a personal shopper.  but most importantly you can get to know someone new.  there will be hotdogs too.

See you Sunday.
DB