Rev. James Ford shares about a new ministry that he is moving on to, and also about his walk with the Lord in the decisions leading up to this new opportunity.

Christmas really is all about a gift. I am not referring to the gifts we give each other as important as those can be, or bizarre, or unnecessary; but the gift that God gives us. The real Christmas story is about God giving something of infinite value to Him so there could be an infinite and eternal value to us. God gave us His Son.

Christmas really is all about a gift. I am not referring to the gifts we give each other as important as those can be, or bizarre, or unnecessary; but the gift that God gives us. The real Christmas story is about God giving something of infinite value to Him so there could be an infinite and eternal value to us. God gave us His Son.

While everyone in America may not know, may not honor the reason for the season, we have a lot in common with them at this time of year, and this series is exploring how we use those commonalities as a bridge to sharing the true Christmas story. One of those commonalities experienced this time of year is anticipation.

While everyone in America may not know, may not honor the reason for the season, we have a lot in common with them at this time of year, and this series is exploring how we use those commonalities as a bridge to sharing the true Christmas story. One of those commonalities experienced this time of year is anticipation.

Listen, we are a people of the Gospel, that means a people here to communicate Good News! Christ followers are in the communication business and when something we are saying makes no sense, we have to fix that, not the world. “Hey world, respect what I believe and celebrate it with me,” is not good news and is not going to communicate well. It takes some work and thought, but I think what is going on in America gives us a great opportunity to communicate this good news, especially at Christmas.

Listen, we are a people of the Gospel, that means a people here to communicate Good News! Christ followers are in the communication business and when something we are saying makes no sense, we have to fix that, not the world. “Hey world, respect what I believe and celebrate it with me,” is not good news and is not going to communicate well. It takes some work and thought, but I think what is going on in America gives us a great opportunity to communicate this good news, especially at Christmas.

Holidays are so shaped by our family, the time and the conversations we have together, and that can mean something very good or something very bad. You know what else is really shaped by our relationship as a family, the time we spend together, the conversations we have? The Lord’s Supper. Which is an interesting thought because we tend to approach this table in a very private manner, a place of doing personal business with God. And yes, there is an element of that, but we have perhaps as American Christians neglected to understand that this is much more of family moment, than a private one.

Holidays are so shaped by our family, the time and the conversations we have together, and that can mean something very good or something very bad. You know what else is really shaped by our relationship as a family, the time we spend together, the conversations we have? The Lord’s Supper. Which is an interesting thought because we tend to approach this table in a very private manner, a place of doing personal business with God. And yes, there is an element of that, but we have perhaps as American Christians neglected to understand that this is much more of family moment, than a private one.

Today we conclude our series on the protection of gratitude. Gratitude, that protects our outlook on life, our relationship with others, and even with God. Now, does our relationship with God need protecting. I don’t know. Have you ever asked, *What is God doing? Where is He? Why doesn’t He answer?* These are very real and very tough questions. They are the questions than can make Thanksgiving difficult. And they are questions dealt with by some of the greatest people of faith. As a matter of fact, maybe the greatest person of faith ever.