In Spirit and Truth

"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you." —Deuteronomy 32:7 At one time, we could finish digesting our Thanksgiving dinner before we heard the faintest strains of Christmas. Four weeks of Advent were sufficient to prepare our spirits for the coming of Christ! Today we’re lucky if we get through Halloween before the radio stations start playing 24x7 Christmas music. Suddenly when we have to buy gifts for everyone in our family and friends group, 4 weeks just isn’t enough time. So it is only proper, I think, to keep with our current tradition, and take this moment to skip straight to the New Year! I think it could catch on! Christmas at Halloween and New Year at Christmas! Actually, it is proper, and has been for some time! You see, the first Sunday of Advent is the first day of the Church Year. The church calendar provides a method for us to recall the whole salvation

"when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'" —Galatians 4:4-6 This Advent season, in the 9:40 service we are going to be singing a new song. While it doesn’t seem on first glance to be all that “Christmassy,” the core of the song, like the core of the season is the Incarnation of Christ. Take a look at it. Love Comes Down (by Matt Maher) I'm searching for a king and kingdom Here among the beggars and the weak The broken and redeemed I'm finding grace beyond all measure In flesh and blood He hides His majesty Inside of You and me Why would a king do such a thing Isn't it beautiful? / Isn't it marvelous? The God of the universe / He became one of us We cry out and then / Love comes down agai

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." —Romans 12:2 "What is God’s will for my life?" This question is repeated by people in all walks of life, and at all stages of those lives. Once we have decided to follow Jesus, it becomes a central question to our lives, where is he leading us? This question caused me no amount of frustration and inner turmoil as a younger man. I spent much time trying to determine a destination, straining to hear God’s voice leading me toward a glorious end. It took years before I realized that God’s will was perfectly laid out for believers in two brief statements. Through obedience to these two small statements, a Christian can learn the will of God for their lives. The first is found in Matthew 16, Mark 8, and Luke 9, “If anyone would be my disciple, let them deny themselves, take up their cross dai

" Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. " -1 Corinthians 11:1 "If [in this life] I'll never be like Jesus, at least let me be like Gary Benjamin." For the longest time I was amused by that statement. My long-time friend said those words in what I imagined was a healthy mix of tongue in cheek and sincere admiration. Today, the statement no longer amuses me, it drives me. For me, it isn't Gary Benjamin (no offense Gary). For me, it's my grandfather P.B. Mangum, a principled man who loved his wife in little ways that made a big impact on all those who witnessed it. My mom recalls that he would take her out on the lake that he and his sons built with their own hands, rowing the boat to the best fishing spot for her to fish. When he cut open a new watermelon, he would always cut out the heart of the melon and give it to her. The kids had to make due with the seeded parts. I desire to imitate the preference he showed for his wife as I try to be a godly