Hey! Let’s Replace “Christmas” with “holiday”! by Dan Barnes

On Friday, November 28, 2008 – the new “holiday” spirit kicked into high gear! Before I go any further, let me explain “holiday” spirit:  “holiday” spirit is the spirit created by man: totally selfish, self-centered; all about ”me” spirit!  Totally contrary to the old-fashion ”Christmas” spirit which is all about “others”!  Now, let’s continue on with my thought: 

With the new “holiday” spirit roaring loudly, stores opened for business.  At one store a 34 year old man was trampled to death by some ”holiday” shoppers who were in the “holiday” spirit (remember: the all about me spirit)!  Then, with the man lying DEAD (where the “holiday” shoppers left him), those same ”holiday” shoppers were “irate” because the authorities were closing the store.  It seems that none of the “holiday” shoppers even cared that the man was DEAD! In my town alone the police were called to break-up two fights of those in the new, politically correct “holiday” spirit! 

This out-of-control political correctness is slowly taking and destorying anything that is good!  Christmas used to be such a wonderful time of year!  Buying to give! Not buying to have or get!  It seemed that people slowed down to Celebrate the Birth of a Savior!  Remember:  That Peace and good will story?!  Well that’s forgotten!  Replaced by “holiday” spirit!  That “I don’t care one bit about you” spirit!

Do you remember the old Coca-Cola company song “Christ-mas-time is coming, Christ-mas-time is coming!”  That song uses to give us such a good feeling!  But that’s gone!  Replace by “holiday 2008″.

 Even the local radio station is playing, quote, ”holiday” songs, not “Christmas” song (even though the songs are Christmas song) but they have to be politically correct so the “holiday” people don’t get their feelings hurt as they are trampling people to death, so they can save $5!

The hateful, anti-American, bigoted “holiday” people have forgotten that which makes this time of year great!  They have forgotten the reason for “Christmas” time!  That reason is REDEMPTION!  To Love our fellowman!  To give because we love God and we love our neighbors as we love our-self!  Christ came to give man:  hope, love, peace and most important: Forgivness!  That’s what Christmas time should be again! 

But Christmas will never be the same unless YOU do something!  Here’s what you need to do: 

1.  Stand for The Christ of Christmas! The Peace and good-will toward all men.  And most importantly remember Jesus Christ came to Redeem sinful people!   The whole reason Christmas is!

2.  Stand for American Tradition!  Do not let these hateful, anti-American, bigoted “holiday” people take away our heritage in the name of diversity and tolerance! 

3.  Stand Against Political correctness when ever you can! 

4. Stand for Common Sense!

Political correctness is the opposite of Common sense!  Let’s get Common Sense back!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday Evening October November 16, 2008

PREACHER: Assistant Pastor Paul Kauffman

Malachi 3:10, Genesis 14:18, Genesis 28:20, Matthew 23:23, Luke 11, Hebrews 7:4-28, I Corinthians 16:2

PROVE ME–A challenge from God.  God is challenging all of us to tithe.  He is saying to try Him.  He promises to bless us so much that we won’t have room to receive all of His blessings.

Tithing is found throughout the Scriptures and it is still applicable to Christianity today.

The Pharisees were a proud group of people.  Although they tithed, they neglected other important aspects of their walk with God. 

A Few Principles on Giving:

1.  Be a cheerful giver.(II Corinthians 9:7)

2.  Be right with God and others when we give.(Matt 5:23)

3.  Don’t give for the sake of being recognized.(Matt. 6:1-4)

Promises about Giving:

If you give, you will probably get a lot more back.  God will take care of you. (Malachi 3:10, II Corinthians 9:6)  God’s blessings are not always monetary.  If we give our firsts (the first 10%) to God, He will take care of us.

Tithing is only the bare minimum in giving to God.  (I Cor. 16:2)  The tithe is a  command to give.  We should love God enough to give Him over and above what is commanded. (Luke 12:48, 21:2)  If God has blessed you, you should give Him more. 

God doesn’t just bless us to buy new toys, but to give more away.  (II Corinthians 9:11) 

God’s extra provision is usually not intended to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.

MATTHEW 6:33–Put God first.  The question if not how much of my money I give to God, but how much of God’s money I am going to keep for myself.

Malachi 3:10–If you’re not giving, take up that challenge from God.  When you start to give and see God working in your life, He will become more real to you.  You will see that He cares about you–even in your finances.  The more real God is to you, the more you will trust Him, and the more you will love Him, fear Him, and the more you will walk with Him.

“I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back to me.  But God has a bigger shovel.”