A classic Christmas Carol uses the phrase, "Tis the season to be jolly." But, what if we don't FEEL jolly? How do we focus on the positive when everything seems dark? What do we do when it's Christmas, but nothing seems "merry and bright?" Discover how to celebrate Christmas in spite of the circumstances, for the angel said, "I bring you GOOD TIDINGS of GREAT JOY."

When Christmas becomes something it was never intended in our lives, it's likely due to the fact that we have forgotten why we celebrate this day. Yes, it's about a Baby Jesus in a manger. Baby WHO? JESUS! If we miss the purpose for His name and the reason He came in the first place, our celebration of Christmas becomes empty and futile. Let's rethink Christmas and consider HIS NAME and the reason why that name is so critical.

The Christmas Story is filled with angel encounters and dreams. It all seems so strange and distant, but is it, really? Does God still use holy angels and God-originated dreams with Christians today?

It's easy for us to fall into a rut, mindlessly meandering through the Christmas season. This year, let's rethink HOW and WHY we celebrate Christmas. Before Jesus arrived, there was a deluge of Holy Spirit activity to prepare the way for His arrival. What the Holy Spirit did then, He's doing now to prepare the way for the Second Coming of Jesus! Are you a participant in the story?

Expressing gratitude has an amazing effect on us, which can pull us out of despair and set our feet onto a pathway toward peace. But, how can we shift our focus from the stress and despair encompassing us? This message continues our fourteen day gratitude campaign where we will daily shift our focus from ourselves, our problems, our obstacles and our issues, learning to adopt gratitude in as a lifestyle.

Often we feel emotionally and spiritually drained. We feel dry and powerless where nothing seems to defeat our hopelessness and loneliness. But there is hope! When expressed correctly, GRATITUDE can serve as a weapon against the darkness surrounding us. This message is the launch of a fourteen day gratitude campaign where we will daily shift our focus from ourselves, our problems, our obstacles and our issues, learning to use gratitude in as a lifestyle

Welcome to the weekly podcast of Pastor Tim Woody and City Life Church in Fort Worth, Texas. City Life Church exists to influence culture by making Jesus known. For more information visit us online at www.citylifefw.org

It's Heart for the House Sunday. This is an annual special service where we share some of the unique needs and visions for the ministry of City Life Church. We are also asking our congregation to consider making financial commitments toward several areas including security, missions, children, benevolence, outdoor paint and production needs. NOW is a favorable time to perpetuate the legacy of Jesus!

Often our lives are obsessed with looking at our phones, staring at the stressful situations around us, and getting frustrated with the things we can't fix. What if we change our perspective and lift up our eyes instead? All through the Bible, people did this, and it brought about significant results. It's time to stop seeing yourself as small, insignificant and barely surviving. Lift up your eyes and discover the power of God and receive fresh vision and perspective!

Discouragement is an evil tactic from Hell that attempts to pull us down, drain our faith and cause us to give up. Sometimes the things we see, hear, think and feel are actually set-ups from the Enemy to reduce us to rubble. How do we break out of discouragement and thrive again? How can we find new courage to take that bold step of faith toward what God has promised?