E-Flash From Dan, December 17, 2015

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I was on the C.S. Lewis Institute website yesterday and was reminded that Lewis referred to the Incarnation [the coming of Jesus] as the “Grand Miracle.” Lewis calls the Incarnation the Grand Miracle because all of the other miracles of Jesus’ life—including the resurrection—were only possible because of the Incarnation.

“…[A]ll the well-established Christian miracles are part of it [the Incarnation]… they all either prepare for, or exhibit, or result from the Incarnation.” C.S. Lewis

The fact that the Lord Jesus would set aside His divine privileges and enter into His creation as a humble, defenseless, human baby is so staggering that it is impossible for us to even grasp the full implications of this extraordinary event. According to the Bible, He did this because of His great love for us. That makes it even better!

We will be celebrating this wonderful event—the birth of Jesus—at the services this Sunday, December 20^th, 9am or 11am.

The worship team is planning a terrific program for us and I am working diligently on a message which will express the Joy of this Good News! I am praying the joy spoken of by the angel to the shepherds on that momentous night long ago will be communicated in such a way that it will come alive in you and me.

You won’t want to miss our time together this Sunday! It will truly be a blessing.

Hey, I’ve got a great idea. Why not take a risk and invite someone? People who may not typically go to church are likely to go to church at Christmas time if they are invited. Let’s invite and see what God does.

I’m looking forward to seeing you!

Love and blessings,

Dan

Looking For Reasons To Be Offended Or For Reasons To Be Thankful?

I know this is an exaggeration, but sometimes it seems like everyone is just looking for a reason to be ticked-off, insulted, offended and hurt.  In many contexts, whether I’m speaking or writing, I feel like I have to carefully consider every thought and measure every single word—even the nuance of every single word—for its potential to be misunderstood or misinterpreted.  

I don’t remember it being that way when I was young but it may be that my memory on the matter is selective.  (Or maybe it was happening a lot back then but I was oblivious.  Knowing me, that’s entirely possible.)

I’m going to make an effort to try to notice things to be happy, pleased, cheerful and thankful about.  For example, the birth of Jesus is a great place for me to start. 

What the heck, let’s see what happens.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6