Dear First Family,

I’ve been reflecting on both the season that we’re in, as well as the busyness of December.  Sometimes I wonder if the two go well together, or if they clash most of the time.  So, yesterday I had a bit of time to reflect and I believe it was most productive, because I came up with a list of things that I sometimes so easily forget.  I’ll share it with you…

#1 – Jesus loves His church more than I do…so any “freaking out” that I do is totally unnecessary!

#2 – The same God who allowed the storm I am going through will also see me through it.

#3 – The results in ministry are NOT totally up to me!

#4 – Success in ministry will not be measured by how big my church is…but rather by whether or not my wife and kids really love me when this thing is over!  I can probably get another church…but I can NEVER get another Jerri, Brandon, Brock or Barry.

#5 – God came into this world in the person of Christ to capture my heart and get involved in seeing me through my “stuff.”  Isn’t that fantastic?

#6 – Eternity IS reality!  Every single person I see is someone who WILL spend eternity somewhere…and I need to embrace that fact with urgency!  (See Romans 10:14 and Romans 10:17)

#7 – Being busy doesn’t equal being godly!

#8 – Sometimes fighting the good fight means choosing your battles carefully.

#9 – The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is living inside of me…and IN HIM I can do ANYTHING that He commands me to do!

It’s my prayer that this will be a meaningful and fulfilling Christmas as we remember that – no matter what things we are facing, experiencing, or working through, all of those things and more are the whole reason why Jesus came.I’m thanking God for each of you today.  

Thanks for your partnership in ministry and for all of the prayers, investment, and love that you have extended this past year for JESUS.  He sees every bit of it, and He will honor you for it.  Because of your selflessness, many lives have been touched both here and around the world.

Enjoying HIS Advent Grace,

Pastor Dave