As we enter the Advent season, I hope you will start to take the Spirit of Christmas into your hearts and home this season in a new way.  Find ways to remember that Jesus was born so many years ago and that he still lives today.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  But remember that thankfulness is not just this one day a year.  Be thankful as we go into this Christmas season.

Have a great day of Thanksgiving and safe travels.

I am posting this a bit later on in the week.  I went on a college visit with my son the first part of this week.  One of the highlights was attending chapel with almost 1000 college aged kids.  Even though chapel is not required at this university, they packed the place out, so much so that they are in the process of building a larger chapel.  God is still working on our university campuses.  Pray for our young people growing up that they will remain steadfast like the message from Sunday.  Christ died and rose again for all of them too.

November is a month to be thankful in.  As part of yesterday’s message, I encouraged you that one way to live free from the sin of grumbling was to be thankful.  And picking one item to be thankful each day of the month is a good start.  I handed out little post-it notes and I am already seeing the benefits myself.  I keep adding to them each day.  And like I said in my message, the best thing about the package of post-it notes is that there are more than 30 post-it in each.  So you can be thankful all the way through mid-February.  Let’s be thankful people and look around at all the God has blessed us with.

We live in a crazy mixed up world where fights and persecutions are taking place all over over Christianity.  Yet we are clearly told to live at peace with those around us.  Jesus even modeled that for us.  So how can we live in peace.  Well Paul tells us in Romans 12:17-21.  We need to Trust God, Triumph with Good, Try Godliness, and Take Care of Guys.  Do not be overcome by the evil in this world, but overcome all this evil with good, godly, and faithful lives as we trust God.

Be a mime either of another godly person or for someone else.

Stop entertaining deceivers and continuing entertaining believers.  These are the bi-fold messages of 2 and 3 John.  Both are important to consider.  Again, this is not minor denominational/non essential doctrines of the Christian faith.  Deceivers are those who teach things that are not Biblical.  And believers, although they may differ on minor things, can still be supported and praised if they hold to the rock solid truths at the center of God’s word.  Sometimes it is a fine line to walk and difficult to determine (especially on the surface), and this is why reading and studying your Bible on your own and allowing God’s Spirit to direct you, is so important.  Know what Jesus teaches and then live that way.  Easier said then done.