I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was seven years and my family served the Lord at North Jackson Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas. About 13 years ago I preached at North Jackson. As I walked around the church as an adult instead of a child, everything seemed so small.
The first floor in which was the nursery and the Sunday School rooms. Seemed so small to me as an adult. As a child the area was huge. Then being in the Sanctuary for the first time in many years, the place seemed small as well. As I child, I would crawl under the pews from the front to the back, wondering if I would ever get to the last pew.
No, I did not do this during a worship service when the preacher's message got over my head. My mother was at the church many times during the week doing something. So playing around the church was something I did as a child. Today, I considered it one of the many things God has allowed for me to do in my life that has helped me love His church.
At Christmas time, North Jackson would construct a manger scene outside on the north side of the property. It was made out of limbs, straw, old wood planks. In it was plastic figures to represent Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. I have been blessed because I had parents who took my sister, Jaye and I to church. As I look back, being able to play in that manger of the front lawn of North Jackson Baptist Church helped me understand the real Christmas Story.
I was able to touch the straw, feel the cold of December as I played in and around the manger. It has helped me to see how the birth of Christ was a miracle. Matter of fact, any birth of a child is a miracle of God. As I have studied the Christmas story to preach, my time in the manger as a child has helped in my preparation.
We do need to return to the manger. It is were God become flesh and dwelled among us. It is where God sent His Son, the Savior, and the shepherds to come and see and then go out and proclaim the good news.
This Christmas, before you open the presents, before Santa Claus comes down the chimney, before you sing Silent Night, Holy Night, go back to the Manger. Spend time reading Luke chapter 2. Ask the Holy Spirit as you read to transform you back to that Holy, Holy, Night.
Have a Blessed Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade
Marshall held its annual Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13. All entries must have Christmas lights attached to the float or vehicle. It is a neat sight to see.
I drove a big Ford F-250 pick up in the parade borrowed from my freinds at Marshall Ford with ETBU Mascot "Toby the Tiger" riding in the back. Toby did a great job of entertaining the parade goers. The attendance was huge. In my five years of working at ETBU and being in the parade or at the parade, my guess is this was the largest crowd to view the parade in years.
The crowd around the square was at least 10-12 people deep. We were entry number 110 out of 150 plus. Huge parade.
If you have never been to Marshall at Christmastime, I encourage you to come and veiw the lights. Take the time to walk around the square and watch the ice skaters on the out door rink. It is a wonderful sight. As you walk around the square, give praise to God for sending his son, Jesus Christ to the world. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus.
Here is something to think about, how bright was the light that shown as the angel appeared to the shepherds telling them that Christ had been born? That light still shines bright today in those who have trusted in Christ for everlasting life.
I drove a big Ford F-250 pick up in the parade borrowed from my freinds at Marshall Ford with ETBU Mascot "Toby the Tiger" riding in the back. Toby did a great job of entertaining the parade goers. The attendance was huge. In my five years of working at ETBU and being in the parade or at the parade, my guess is this was the largest crowd to view the parade in years.
The crowd around the square was at least 10-12 people deep. We were entry number 110 out of 150 plus. Huge parade.
If you have never been to Marshall at Christmastime, I encourage you to come and veiw the lights. Take the time to walk around the square and watch the ice skaters on the out door rink. It is a wonderful sight. As you walk around the square, give praise to God for sending his son, Jesus Christ to the world. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus.
Here is something to think about, how bright was the light that shown as the angel appeared to the shepherds telling them that Christ had been born? That light still shines bright today in those who have trusted in Christ for everlasting life.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas Parades
Last week I drove Miss ETBU, Zane Gruzinina in both the Carthage Christmas Parade and the Longview Christmas Parade.
I remember as kid growing up in Palestine watching the parades go through the downtown streets from the upper floor of my Uncle Joel's store. What a view to have as a child. Up high and able to see the parade stretch from one end of the block to the other end.
I think I have found a better place to watch a parade. Driving in one. My son Ashton, usually rides with me and my other son Andrew, who is 13 now, used to ride with me. He is grown up now. It is a blessing to hear the excitement in Ashton's voice as he sits next to Miss ETBU waving to the crownd and saying "Merry Christmas."
It was also a blessing to drive Zane in the parade as well. Zane is from Lativia and is majoring in Business at ETBU. She has a wonderful testimony of how God revealed Himself to her parents and how they became Christians. Even though Zane is from Lativia, she sounds just like an East Texan. She has adapted well to the East Texas way of life. The best I could tell she enjoyed being in the parade as well.
There is still one more parade to go this Saturday in Marshall. It is the annual Wonderland of LIghts parade. Every parade entry has to have lights. It is a wonderful parade to watch. Zane want be riding in this parade as she will leaving to go home for the Christmas break at ETBU.
Toby the Tiger, the ETBU mascot, will be doing the waving for this parade.
As we enter in this special season, take time to say celebrae the birth of our Savior. Take time to enjoy time with your family. Take time to enjoy what God has provided. Everlasting life through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ.
I remember as kid growing up in Palestine watching the parades go through the downtown streets from the upper floor of my Uncle Joel's store. What a view to have as a child. Up high and able to see the parade stretch from one end of the block to the other end.
I think I have found a better place to watch a parade. Driving in one. My son Ashton, usually rides with me and my other son Andrew, who is 13 now, used to ride with me. He is grown up now. It is a blessing to hear the excitement in Ashton's voice as he sits next to Miss ETBU waving to the crownd and saying "Merry Christmas."
It was also a blessing to drive Zane in the parade as well. Zane is from Lativia and is majoring in Business at ETBU. She has a wonderful testimony of how God revealed Himself to her parents and how they became Christians. Even though Zane is from Lativia, she sounds just like an East Texan. She has adapted well to the East Texas way of life. The best I could tell she enjoyed being in the parade as well.
There is still one more parade to go this Saturday in Marshall. It is the annual Wonderland of LIghts parade. Every parade entry has to have lights. It is a wonderful parade to watch. Zane want be riding in this parade as she will leaving to go home for the Christmas break at ETBU.
Toby the Tiger, the ETBU mascot, will be doing the waving for this parade.
As we enter in this special season, take time to say celebrae the birth of our Savior. Take time to enjoy time with your family. Take time to enjoy what God has provided. Everlasting life through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ.
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