Monday, December 28, 2009

bumper sticker relition and politics

“Darwin said it, I believe it, that settles it.” No doubt you’ve seen this one, it’s a “comeback” to the “God said it” stickers. Its funny (or tragic, depending on how you look at it) that deeply complex subjects are often boiled down to cliché sayings.

On that particular one, I always wonder about the owner of that sticker/car? I also wonder what Darwin truly said, what he meant, and finally what he believed himself ultimately in the end? I suspect that nothing is truly “settled”, and true scientists (open minded seekers vs. closed minded people who call themselves scientists) would never be so frivolous with the “truth”. To do otherwise is tantamount to intellectual suicide, I’m sure God doesn’t suggest this.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

a stable, shepherds and the Son of God . . .


The lowliest of the low were first to worship in the lowliest of settings.

Luke 2:4-20 (New International Version)

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

May you experience the true Peace of Christmas in your home and heart.

only by Grace,

pat

Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas 2009


Greetings to all,

2009 has been a wonderful year for our family with 2010 promising even more! Pat & Patti continue to find God's blessings everywhere these days with ministry opportunities in abundance! 2010 holds three weddings for our family! Firstly, Cody will be wed to Daron Johnson in May, then Kyle take Laura Schambers to be his wife in June, followed last but not least with Karly marrying her beau Phillip DeFazio in the summer! If all works out, Pops Watters hopes to take all his "kids" to Kauai for a vacation/multi-honeymoon at Waimea Plantation Cottages! Of course, this all depends on; Kyle's PhD schedule at Stanford, Laura's medical residency at ????, Cody and Daron's animal training career and location, and Karly and Phil's plans to boot! But Pops and Mom are hopeful and leaving it all to God in prayer.

Our blessings in Christ Jesus and hope for a safe and prosperous new year to you and yours.

only by Grace,

Pat & Patti

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Lakota Celtic


New web page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=194835078546&ref=search&sid=1702741201.2683480165..1 - check it out!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

the humility of Christmas . . .

While I enjoy the extravagant celebrations that surround Christmas, I am always struck by and humbled as I read the words of Luke (chapter 2, verses 8-20.) My thoughts are always, "The lowest of the low were the first to worship Jesus, and in the lowliest of settings." Think of it, the people expected a warrior messiah to ride in on a steed and stomp the Romans into submission. Instead, a baby is born to a humble carpenter and his wife, and in a cave stable for some animals! Oh yes, there was glory that night, but it was Heavenly light and angels appearing to a group of shepherds, the lowest of low in society at that time.

There have been many Christmases where I've desired to be surrounded by those quiet, humble surroundings. To worship as the shepherds did in the simplicity of the moment in that setting. In our western culture where so much materialism and commercialism is accepted and celebrated, I long for the humility of Christ in this season. No doubt I will take in the immaculately prepared worship services and concerts, but I will find my greatest and JOY and PEACE in immersing myself in those words of Luke. I will quiet myself to hear the lowing of the stock, to smell the setting, to feel the "family" there in that cave . . . pondering what it all meant, and the future of this child.

Emmanuel,

pat

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Merry Christmas!

The following is an email I received this evening from a dear Brother & Sister in Christ, it speaks for itself:

"Wanted to share this amazing experience with you from last Sunday night. I'm still feeling it.


Tonight Shannon made extra food to take to a homeless person; so we as a family got in our van and went down Alhambra looking for someone in need. We want to model serving to our kids. We found a couple and I gave them the warm meal. She told me God Bless You and I replied the same. She responded by telling me "He already has!"
We went looking at Christmas lights and headed home. I decided to grab a big blanket we have in our back room to take back to the couple. Shannon started to put the kids down and I headed out. When I arrived the guy was gone and the gal was very happy for the big blanket.
I asked her if she ever looks into the housing downtown. She told me she had a pass for Salvation Army tonight but no way to get there. Normally I would not do this but I felt God telling me to take her there. So I offered and she got in the car. On the way down I invited her to River Life and we talked about nobody being perfect. Right as we got to 16th She told me someone else had brought her a blanket an hour before and that this was her best day because of the way people were serving her. Then she told me thank you for helping her, but that she was going to help me more. I thought it was kind of strange but said nothing. When we got to the Salvation Army I got the leftover food out for her. She told me that Shannon must be an angel and to tell her hi and then she told me again that she was helping me (it didn't feel like her). She told me to take her sleeping bag and the two blankets to others who needed them tonight and gave me a hug.
As I got in my car I saw guys feeding hot food to people. I asked them if they wanted the blankets. They turned out to be brothers from Bayside Church. I chatted with them and got their phone numbers. They sent me to Gospel Mission. I got there and there were SOOOOOO ,any people on either side of the street. I gave away the sleeping bag and blankets. I felt overwelhmed by the amount of people outside and felt so useless.
As I drove away I was thinking about the lady (she never said her name even though I introduced myself twice). Then it hit me-She knew me-He knows me and it was Him.

God Bless,
Chris"

Merry Christmas from Chris & Shannon, and all your Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus . . . Emmanuel

"In as much as you've done it for the least of these, you've done it for me." JC

musings of a Celtic Lakota "holy man" . . .

Friday, December 4, 2009

Get close to God . . . the "rest" will come

Are you getting what you want out of life? Or do you feel that the economy, your government, your circumstances, or other outside factors are robbing you of value and joy?

Recently, a polling agency asked 1,000 people what they most desired in their lives. One fascinating result was that 90 percent of Bible-believing Christians said that they wanted these outcomes: a close relationship with God, a clear purpose in life, a high degree of integrity, and a deep commitment to the faith.

Notice that these heartfelt desires are all things we as individuals can do something about without outside human help. No government program will assist here, and tough economic times cannot steal these ideals. These life goals are achieved as we allow God’s Word to rule in our hearts and as we receive the Spirit’s strength to build up “the inner man” (Eph. 3:16), resulting in true joy.

In our complicated world, it’s tempting to put our quest for what we desire into the hands of others—to expect an outside entity to fulfill our desires. While we sometimes need help, and we cannot live in isolation, it’s not outside sources that provide true happiness. That comes from within—from letting Christ be at home in our hearts (v.17). — Dave Branon

Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme and reign alone. —Reed


If a troubled world gets you down, look up to Jesus.


A close relationship with God will give you a deep commitment to the Faith, a high degree of integrity, and a clear purpose in life . . .this will all together insure healthy relationships with others. This prayer from us to you (Ephesians 3:14-21):


When we think of all this, we fall to our knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth we pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.


only by Grace,


PnP