Friday, November 30, 2007

It's called Christmas

What do you say? "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?" Surveys show that the majority of Americans say it's okay to say "Merry Christmas."

I just have one question about the issue. Why is it okay for Christians to be offended but not okay for other religous beliefs to be offended?

I found a couple videos I thought were funny about this issue of Merry Christmas. I thought in this blog I would post them for your enjoyment!



and...

Christmas Linebacker

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Enjoy!

Have Yourself Committed!

Kkirk

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Books

As most of you know I am a person that likes to read. I believe I enjoy it becasue I like to learn. It seems I can learn something from just about anything. I'm the weird one that likes reading the boring books. I like to read books on theology and preaching. I also like novels, but I have a tendency to choose from the latter.

I usually 2-6 books at the same time. One book I'm currrently reading is on preaching. It's called Preaching with Variety. It talks about how to preach from the different kinds of literature in the Bible. I don't know if you know it but the Bible is ull of poetry.. history, legal documents, public speeches, religous ritual, and of course the beloved stories from the Bible.

One point the book makes is how many different ways God communicates to us. He wants us to get a clear picture of who He is and also for us to get the message He loves us. A good preacher will use many different techniques to communicate the Gospel just like our heavenly Father does. That's one thing I strive for. I try to be as creative as I can in communicating the timeless truth.

Another book I'm reading is a business leadership book called, It's your Ship! I'm just gettting into it. It's how a navy captain turned the worst ship in fleet into the best ship in the fleet. I've just started on it but one thing I like aboutit is the Title. it communicates the idea that if you don't participate then it doesn't get done. It's your ship!

I hope you feel that way bout Celebration. I hope you feel like a vital part of something special going on! God is working amongst us! He will use you in a mighty way!

That's all for this week.

Kirk

Friday, November 9, 2007

God Just Keeps on Blessing

Hello everyone,

This past Sunday was truly awesome. We have been having Natalie attending our church of late and she is a great lady to know. She is from Long Island in New York and works over in Hampton. She is a a Jew.


Since this past summer I have been having discussions with her about the person of Jesus Christ and his role in God's plan for Jews and all mankind. I told her how Jesus shows a different way than the law to relate to God. I told her his death on the cross provided that new way.

Every Sunday when I would see her she would ask me, "Do you think I'm going to get there?" I said, "yes." This has gone on for several months now. Well, this past Sunday she came up to me after church. I was expecting her to say, "Do you think I'm going to get there?" But this time she didn't... she simply said, "I'm ready." It was such an emotional moment! Tears welled up in my eyes and my heart leaped! Incredible!

There are other stories as well. At the staff meeting Tuesday night we all shared stories about how we have seen different people growing in the Lord. It was really exciting to see all the growth taking place in our churches.

Then Sunday night we had our first Celebrate Life Live! and it went over really well. We had a great attendance and it looked to me everyone was having a great time. it was good to get together but it was also great to see new people getting involved in groups where real life can grow. I ended Sunday just overjoyed with what God is doing!

God has great things in store for us! Don't miss God's wave! Hang 10!

Kirk

Friday, November 2, 2007

You Know What Makes Me Sick!

Back in Cincinnati Ohio on the powerful AM 700 was a comedian who would have different beefs about current topics. He always began his tripe with this line, "You know what makes me sick?!"

That's what I am going to do today. You know what makes me sick? When retailers no sooner take down thier pumpkins and skeletons at halloween than they are putting up Christmas lights, Santa Claus's, manger scenes, and pushing to buy all this stuff for the holiday season.

I heard on the news this morning that retailers are worried that the housing crunch is going to curtail Christimas sales this year so they are leaving nothing to chance. They are going to get an early start on Christmas and get everyone in the mood... to shop, long before "Black Friday."

Why does this make me sick? Whatever happened to Thanksgiving? Where's the hype to give thanks? Well, that doesn't sound to profitable doesn't it? We don't spend money to say thanks. Usually, we just say it, "Thanks!" I mean, how often do you spend money to say thanks, except for the occassional little Thank You card?

Then on top of that the Bible says we are to give thanks to God. It says over and over to give thanks to God. Why? For He is good the scripture says. In fact it says part of giving thanks to God is to proclaim all the good he has done in our life. Where do we carve out time to do that?

When in Thanksgiving in our culture do we proclaim the goodness of God and give thanks for that? Right before we eat? We would do that in our family occassionally. I'd hear my stomach over what everyone else said. It wasn't thankful until it got some food in it! Do you give thanks just before you fall asleep from the turkey eating? How about during the football game? Just before going to bed? How about the next day while your standing in line to get in Wal-MArt at 4 AM? You could proclaim it then. You might even make the news if you make a big enough scene!

Enough of that. The answer for me is church. Church is where you proclaim your thankfulness to God. It's at church you proclaim through song and through prayer how great and might is. You learn from scripture his mighty acts in time. Church is the place to proclaim the goodness of God! Thank him.

Halloween is fun. Christmas is way cool. Let's not forget to thank the one who allows us to enjoy those holidays.

Do this during this month: Thank God!

That's all I'm saying. .

Kirk