McDowell Church

Children's pastor, Lori Prather looks at the new year and focusing on 'One Word' that might help us create focus and meaning in 2019.

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts.

When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts.

When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts.

When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

From the time most of us are young, we’ve seen and been attuned to what we don’t have. We’re inundated with messages of those things or experiences that could make us happier. We want to BE RICH.

This simple passage of scripture in 1 Timothy uses this phrase not as a state of being, but rather as a way to live. The concept moves beyond what we have to how we live with what we have. That simple perspective shift is a game changer. God has entrusted to us time, abilities and financial resources. In the next two weeks, we'll explore how we can BE RICH in our deeds and with our resources, no matter how much we have.

Road rage. It seems like such a childish response. Until someone cuts us off or pulls in front of us or slows us down because they are texting. Then, it's our responsibility to let him/her know of their wrongdoing. When it comes to us, it's not road rage - it's helping others know how to drive.

It's often no different in our relationships. When we are hurt, we feel the need to get even. Then s/he feels the need to get even with us. Pretty soon, we're locked in a cesspool of hatred and revenge. Scripture gives us some examples of how hatred and revenge can eventually lead to death. But forgiveness, a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, is a pathway to freedom. There is a flow to forgiveness—from God, to us, to others. In the next couple of weeks, we're going to explore the pain and destruction found in revenge and the freedom that flows out of forgiveness.

Road rage. It seems like such a childish response. Until someone cuts us off or pulls in front of us or slows us down because they are texting. Then, it's our responsibility to let him/her know of their wrongdoing. When it comes to us, it's not road rage - it's helping others know how to drive.

It's often no different in our relationships. When we are hurt, we feel the need to get even. Then s/he feels the need to get even with us. Pretty soon, we're locked in a cesspool of hatred and revenge. Scripture gives us some examples of how hatred and revenge can eventually lead to death. But forgiveness, a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, is a pathway to freedom. There is a flow to forgiveness—from God, to us, to others. In the next couple of weeks, we're going to explore the pain and destruction found in revenge and the freedom that flows out of forgiveness.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life.

It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life.

Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life.

It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life.

Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life.

It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life.

Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.