Grace Blog
Talking to your kids about Santa
Mark Driscoll has written a helpful article on thinking critically about how parents can talk to their children about Santa Claus. Driscoll explains that, like other cultural artifacts, we can reject it, receive it, or redeem it. His approach is to redeem Santa by teaching your children about Saint Nicholas, whom he argues “was a wonderful man who loved and served Jesus faithfully.” You may not agree with Driscoll’s approach with Santa, but he provides a meaningful alternative for the usual thinking about Santa. He concludes by saying that “we gladly include him in our Christmas traditions to remind us of what it looks like for someone to live a life of devotion to Jesus as God. Our kids thank us for being both honest and fun, which we think is what Jesus wants.”
Labels: Advent, Cape Coral, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church, Mark Driscoll, Santa Claus | posted by TimBrister at 9:29 am | Categories: Advent, Culture and Society, Current Events |
Christmas is for those who hate it most
Matt Redmond has written an excellent article about how Christmas is for those who hate it most. Here is an excerpt:
Jesus came for those who look in the mirror and see ugliness. Jesus came for daughters whose fathers never told them they were beautiful. Christmas is for those who go to “wing night” alone. Christmas is for those whose lives have been wrecked by cancer, and the thought of another Christmas seems like an impossible dream. Christmas is for those who would be nothing but lonely if not for social media. Christmas is for those whose marriages have careened against the retaining wall and are threatening to flip over the edge. Christmas is for the son whose father keeps giving him hunting gear when he wants art materials. Christmas is for smokers who cannot quit even in the face of a death sentence. Christmas is for prostitutes, adulterers, and porn stars who long for love in every wrong place. Christmas is for college students who are sitting in the midst of the family and already cannot wait to get out for another drink. Christmas is for those who traffic in failed dreams. Christmas is for those who have squandered the family name and fortune—they want “home” but cannot imagine a gracious reception. Christmas is for parents watching their children’s marriage fall into disarray.
Labels: Advent, Cape Coral, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 9:26 am | Categories: Advent |
Ten Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering
Many of us struggle to make conversation at Christmas gatherings, whether church events, work-related parties, neighborhood drop-ins, or annual family occasions. Sometimes our difficulty lies in having to chat with people we rarely see or have never met. At other times we simply don’t know what to say to those with whom we feel little in common. Moreover, as Christians we want to take advantage of the special opportunities provided by the Christmas season to share our faith, but are often unsure how to begin. Here’s a list of questions designed not only to kindle a conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but also to take the dialogue gradually to a deeper level. Use them in a private conversation or as a group exercise, with believers or unbelievers, with strangers or with family.
1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?Of course, remember to pray before your Christmas gatherings. Ask the Lord to grant you “divine appointments,” to guide your conversations, and to open doors for the gospel. May He use you to bring glory to Christ this Christmas.
Labels: Advent, Cape Coral, Christmas, Donald Whitney, Evangelism, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 8:22 am | Categories: Advent, Evangelism |
A Social Network Christmas
Labels: Cape Coral, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 10:07 am | Categories: Advent |
How we can keep Christmas giving Christ-Centered
John Piper answers:
Labels: Cape Coral, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church, John Piper | posted by TimBrister at 11:04 pm | Categories: Advent |
Counsel from Spurgeon on Christmas
My friend Tony Reinke has written an excellent blogpost about Charles Spurgeon’s counsel for his church members during the Christmas season in his sermon entitled “Going Home“. As Tony explains, Spurgeon’s “the aim of the message was to encourage each member of his congregation to humbly, wisely, and appropriately find opportunities to share their personal testimony with family and friends.” His sermon, based on the demoniac in Mark 5 going home after being converted, provides helpful practical instruction, including:
* Christmas is suited for sharing the gospel with family and friends.
* Aim to share the story of God’s grace in your life.
* By sharing we edify believers.
* By sharing we reach lost friends and family.
* Be alert for one-on-one opportunities to share your story.
* Don’t expect this sharing to be easy.
* Overcome this fear by sharing to honor your Savior.
* Share your story with gratitude to God.
* Share your story with humility.
* Share your story truthfully—don’t embellish it.
* Tell your story seriously—don’t share it flippantly.
* Don’t neglect your personal devotions during Christmas.
* Rest upon the Holy Spirit’s help to share.
* Remember that this story you share over the holidays is the story that will be on your lips eternally.
Take a look at Spurgeon’s sermon itself and the excerpts provided in Tony’s blogpost.
Labels: Advent, Cape Coral, Charles Spurgeon, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 8:21 pm | Categories: Advent, Evangelism |
Advent Conspiracy
It’s that time again. Thanksgiving turkey has been devoured, and the advent season has begun. This video is a few years old, but it is worth watching at the beginning of every Advent season to remember what this time of year is all about. More presence, less presents. More giving, less gifts. More Jesus, less credit cards. I can dig that. How about you?
Labels: Advent, Advent Conspiracy, Cape Coral, Christmas, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 11:25 pm | Categories: Advent |
Preparing for Grace Gathered :: December 6, 2009
As we enter this Advent season, we have the privilege of celebrating Jesus who is Immanuel, God with us. In Him, all the promises of God find their yes and amen, and through Him, we have access to the throne of grace. Let us come boldly through the mediatorial work of Jesus our great High Priest who was born to die, a lamb to be slain, that we might through his death find life!
Bible Study: The Gospel-Centered Life
Tim Brister and Rick Tarter continue the final section of The Gospel-Centered Life which focuses on how the gospel works through us. This week takes us to the important issue of forgiveness and how the gospel not only informs us why and how we should forgive but also empowers us to forgive as God has forgiven us. We encourage you to read and meditate on Matt. 18:21-35 which will be our primary text during Sunday’s teaching.
Grace Gathered (Worship Services)
During Grace Gathered, Pastor Tom will be continuing his series through the book of Proverbs, this Sunday focusing on “Vocational Wisdom.” What does God’s Word have to say about work, sloth, and productivity? How do you view your work–a divine calling or a secular obligation? God desires for all of us in the workplace to labor in light of the gospel and those where in the image of God is being renewed.
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” is a classic hymn of Charles Wesley which we will be singing as a congregation. Below are the lyrics. Consider the words as you prepare your heart to worship Jesus this Sunday.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Grace Scattered: Community Groups
This Sunday evening, Grace will be scattered across SW Florida through our Grace Community Groups. These groups are intended to cultivate opportunities to gospel one another, discuss and apply Gods Word from the morning, and foster life-change through authentic community. If you are not currently in a GCG and would like to be, please see Pastor Tim Brister. For more information, including FAQ, maps, and host homes, click here.
Reminders
1. Those who are look to visit with us or are coming down as Snowbirds, please note the schedule change for Sunday morning. We have two morning services (8:00 and 10:45) with Sunday School in the middle at 9:30am.
2. Christmas Outreach has begun! If you have not picked up bags of Bibles to distribute to your neighbor and friends, be sure to pick some up at the Welcome Center.
3. This Sunday is the deadline for all applications pertaining to the 2010 short-term mission trips. If you have completed your application, you can turn them in to the church office or Pastor Tim Brister.
4. For those attending the 8:00AM service, we want to welcome you to come early for a time of light breakfast and prayer at 7:00AM in the Fellowship Hall. The pastors and those serving in various ministry teams will also be attending, praying, and looking to Jesus for the launch of a wonderful Lord’s Day together.
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Grace Gathered, Lord's Day | posted by TimBrister at 1:45 pm | Categories: Advent, Grace Gathered |
He’s Here - The Jesus Storybook Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible has been a great gift to our family for our family worship. We are close to completing it for the second time, and our boys are increasingly loving their Bible with each time of learning about Jesus. Below is a video narration of the birth of Christ. I encourage you to share this with your children sometime during this advent season. You can pick up a copy at Westminster Bookstore for just $11 and change.
Labels: Advent, Jesus, Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible | posted by TimBrister at 12:17 pm | Categories: Advent, Jesus, Parenting/Family |
