Family Impression

Holiday Shopping for Christmas,

The season brings thoughts of gift giving and celebration. With a family of six we really want to make Christmas memorable, but plan to do so without dropping an lot of coin at the mall. Our neighbors have lights hung with Santas and snowmen adorning our block. I’d really like to go big for Christmas and when I consider what the season is all about I remember that I need to re-focus. We are all making gift lists and storing up some cash for shopping. With only a week left until Christmas Day I know it’s crunch time to prepare for the big day.

I won’t spend all my resources shopping at the mall, in traffic or waiting in line. Since the day is all about Love, perhaps it would be best to get ready by showing more of God’s love. The first Christmas was just that a gift from God to man of our Saviour’s birth. I sure would like to show my appreciation and celebration for this gift that is just as valuable today as it was in that manger a couple thousand years ago.

We really have all we need, a home, clothes, family, pets and more. It seems like the thing we lack most is time. My wife has a coupon book on her gift list for acts of service, making an opportunity for our kids to be creative. My gift list is to have margin in my schedule, something I know that only God can help me find. By spending some extra time together and embracing the love of Christ I know that this holiday will be big in our hearts and minds. I hope to take this experience well into the new year.

On the subject of gift giving, there are hundreds of ways to save on gifts: coupons, specials and sales. I am a big fan of online shopping so I plan to cash in on some online offers. I would recommend buying from reputable stores with online shopping available. Many of my favorite stores have an email subscription list for coupons and special offers. I recently found out about cash back and rewards shopping. There is a web site that advertises the highest possible cash back rewards for shopping in their network of stores, visit MazumaMama.com to learn more. I plan on saving time for the holiday by being creative at home and even shopping online.

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I just got home from seeing the film, Facing the Giants. A friend treated my wife and I on a spontaneous date to the movies. A few days ago my friend sent out an email to call believers to action, to support a Christ-centered film that is plainly a great movie, great story and must see for anyone. I was very impressed with the story of real people facing the impossible, and the fact that God works in the lives of men, woman and children. This film shows how christians pray using the promises of God and the blessing of trusting God while moving foward against all obstacles.

If Napoleon Dynamite was such a big hit in our main stream culture there is no reason why Facing the Giants shouldn’t be a huge success in our sub-culture of a post-christian nation. Perhaps this film will inspire church goers to give God the glory in everyday life. The movie clearly illustrates how God is working on behalf of His children to bless them and show His strengh in our weakness. Great job ‘Facing the Giants’ cast and crew!

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How do you feel about your family relationships? Does the thought bring a warm sensation and awe? Or, do you need to make a trip to the family improvement store (not Lowes or Home Depot). A simple way to make your family members feel special is to use words of praise and spend quality time at home.

I took note when a speaker said, “I told all my children that they are my favorite son/daughter, and I asked them not to tell his/her brothers and sisters.”I’m not sure if I could pull this one off since my kids were in the same audience. The principal is key to making your relationships special. All my kids and especially my spouse should feel that they are my favorite.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverb

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My wife Linda and are pastors of Family Life Community Church in Anaheim, Ca. Our mission is to “Help families live together in joy and harmony for the glory of God”. We are eternal optimists when it comes to seeing our mission happen in the lives of individuals, couples and families. The answer for all relationship conflicts are in the Word of God. Conflicts will arise in any seasoned relationship. Conflicts are not bad, they are inevitable. So, with that in mind, our job is to become experts at conflict resolution. The issue is people being honest with themselves about whether or not their actions line up with the principles for life found in the Bible. If their actions are Biblical people prosper in their relationships, if not, relationships deteriorate. I love the Word, I bear witness to it’s power in my life and in the lives of others we’ve been associated with in our 30 years of ministry.

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Some time ago at a seminar the speaker said to keep the main thing, the main thing. I thought this was a brilliant concept. It was a simple idea with a high standard. I noted this in my mind to never forget. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

So just what is the main thing? The more I pondered the question it became difficult to quantify, unless I rule out everything that is not the main thing. Right? I thought so. Is this main thing the meaning of my existence or my purpose in my life; this concept alludes many people. There really are many distractions, or should I say excuses. How honest am I willing to be? Sometimes I am my toughest critic.
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