Balancing Ministry N' Work

  1.      In the move A Christmas Story, Nine-year-old Ralphie wanted one thing and one thing only for Christmas. a.       His heart was set on a Red Ryder Range 200 shot BB Gun. b.      It seemed like a hard sell as many were telling him that he would shoot his eye out if he had one. 2.      On Christmas morning Ralphie was opening his presents and it did not look like he was going to get his wish. a.       But after everything was opened, he was told he had one more gift. b.      Ralphie got his BB gun and then got hit in the face with a ricochet. c.       As an adult Ralphie looked back and thought that was one of his best Christmases ever. 3.      Many of us probably have a memory of one of our favorite presents from Christmas, birthday, or some other occasion. a.       When we think about that gift, it might bring a smile to our face. b.      We have likely given and received some really nice gifts over the years. 4.      As wonderful as those have been, the be

1.      In the move It’s a Wonderful Life, the angel Clarence is sent to earth to show George that things are not as bad as they seem. a.       There is good in his life even if he does not see it. 2.      Sometimes I think we get so focused on the here and now that we don’t see all the good that God has blessed us with. 3.      We can get bogged down and not see how glorious our future is. 4.      As a follower of Christ, we are blessed beyond measure. 5.      Last week when Dreaming of a White Christmas we touched on one and in reality the key Blessing. a.       When our life belongs to Jesus we are bathed in His blood. 6.      1 John 1:7 a.       We are cleansed of all sin… as followers of Jesus we are clean, righteous, we are saved. b.      Our sin will not be held against us. 7.      Romans 6:23 a.       Our wages, the ones that we earn by our choices, actions, and even our thoughts is death. b.      But, through Jesus we are given a wonderful life, an eter

1.      This morning I want to talk about dreaming of a white Christmas. 2.      I for one like waking up to a white Christmas. a.       A dusting of snow covering the yard, but not so much that that roads are not safe. b.      For me it makes the day feel special. 3.      As much as I enjoy a white snow-covered Christmas, that is not the white Christmas I want to talk about this morning. 4.      A lot of times when we think about Christmas, we are focused on a sweet little baby who was lying in a manger. 5.      Our focus is on the gift of that little child. 6.      Sometimes people look at the gifts that the wisemen gave to Jesus and His parents. 7.      But what about the gift that came some thirty-three years later? 8.      Revelation 1:4-6 a.       This part of Revelation was written to the churches of the church age. b.      We are in the church age. c.       One of the key things in these verses that I want us to look at this morning, is that we have been