Being a Christmas Blessing
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I love experiencing the beauty of our living room this time of year. The warmth of a fire, bright flames framed by the darkness of the fireplace, the crackling of the wood burning, the beauty and scent of a live tree decorated with lots of lights and meaningful ornaments all are a constant reminder. They remind me of God’s faithful, steadfast love and grace through the centuries and the years of our lives and mine and Mary’s life together. For a moment, it is a taste of home, shalom- peace and wholeness.
Tears fill my eyes as I think of how God speaks to me through a Christmas tree. The bright, colorful lights point me to the One who came as the light shining in the darkness and the darkness that cannot overcome
that light (John 1:4-5). As I see those lights I am reminded of the dark days of my life, some of those recent, and I see how Jesus came into the darkness through his Spirit, by his word and most of all through his incarnational presence, through people loving me, revealing the One who is Emmanuel – God with us. As I see those lights I’m also reminded of the good days of joy and brightness which often come through people revealing the incarnational presence of Christ.
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Th
e various ornaments remind me of the story of Christmas, of Jesus fulfilling his promise to not “leave me as an orphan but to come to me” with his overwhelming loving presence. Other ornaments tell the story of mine and Mary’s life together. In them I once again see the faithfulness of God through the seasons of our lives.
Today I’m working in my office downstairs looking at a small artificial Christmas tree decorated with lights. This tree has been here all year long. Yes, you read that correctly, 365 days a year I look at a Christmas tree. You’re probably wondering, “what’s that all about?” As I look at it, I’m reminded each day of the light that overcomes the darkness. I see a memorial reminding me that God has come – he is Emmanuel – God WITH ME in Christ.
This is the heart cry of every human being – for someone to be present with them each day of the year– to experience the light and warmth of the touch of love, to experience the blessing of Christmas.
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As you see the lights of Christmas may you remember that God has sent you to be the incarnational presence of Christ. In the hustle and bustle of this season may you remember the simplicity of being a Christmas blessing through the simplicity of the BLESS skills. May every light you see remind you to pause to BLESS.
As you do, you answer the heart cry of those you are with and you reveal the very heart of God.
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Larry Bolden
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What you are getting your spouse for Christmas?
Start planning now for the September 5-8, 2019 Battle for Your Marriage! If you and your spouse have each completed the Battle for Your Heart process, consider inviting 2 or 3 couples to join you in the Battle for Your Marriage.
Applications are on the Wellspring website until March 1, 2019. Space is limited, but we must have a minimum of 16 couples to move forward with the dates as scheduled.
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The full marriage process price is $1,800* per couple broken into Module 1: $1,050 and Module 2: $750. Installments may be set up to spread the cost over one year. If you have any questions, please contact
abbym@wellspringgroup.org.
* Prices may vary due to facility rates not yet released
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Now through December 31, 2018 new monthly or special gifts will be doubled through a generous matching gift when you partner with Wellspring for the first time!
Will you give toward the $285,000 we need in order to reach
our goal of $385,000 by year end?
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***This gift matching opportunity is limited to new monthly and special gifts up to $50,000.
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Nashville,
looking for a way to introduce
other men to the Battle?
Invite 3 other men and join us for an interactive Wellspring Group workshop to get to the core of what it means to flourish as a man.
We’ll look at the model of masculinity in Scripture, the distortions we experience, and explore how to be a whole-hearted man: someone who engages his world with strength and love, offering life and growth.
March 1 & 2, 2019
Thompson's Station, TN
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Email us and we'll keep you up to date on the details.
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