Friday evening my parents came in for a week’s stay.  It was great to see them and we look forward to a good visit together.  There is a slight problem with the grandparents visiting though, we have been replaced.  Usually in the mornings Hannah wakes up calling for Danny, but now she wakes up asking for MiMi.  When I walk into the house, she no longer runs down the hall calling out Danny, in fact she no longer runs down the hall.  I have been replaced by her grandparents.

It is only day three now, but it seems that I no longer exist.  Sonya and I are not needed anymore because of these relatives that have come for a week’s stay.  I wonder now if Hannah loves me anymore.  One of the good things however, is when Hannah dirties her diaper she cries for MiMi to change it.  But let’s get back to my pity party.  Why is it that parents are so easily replaced by grandparents?  They give her what she wants and now I look like the bad guy.  Now, I am kicked to the curb and unwanted.  At least they are only staying a week:)

How often do we feel unwanted in our lives?  How often do we feel cast away or that no one cares about us?  I am jesting about Hannah and her grandparents but there are many people who actually experience rejection and hurt.  There are a great deal of people who have felt like outcasts and feel unloved.  It is hard to find joy and peace when you feel these ways, but there is a God who loves the out casts and loves the unloved.  No matter what heartaches you find in this world, you can count on a God who knows where you are and knows you by name.  Next time you feel unwanted, remember that God wanted you, that is why He created you.  You will never be replaced, you are the apple of His eye.

On Bro. Maynard’s blog he shared some amusing ponderings.  I have often thought many of these things and I wanted to share them with you.

* Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
* Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?
* Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
* If a 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
* If a cow laughed, would milk come out her nose?
* If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
* Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
* Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
* Why is it that when you transport something by car, it’s called a “ship”ment, but when you transport something by ship, it’s called “car”go?
* You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can’t they make the whole plane out of the same substance?
* Why is it that when you’re driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?

This morning I was reading an article from Family Life Ministries. It was on how to start family traditions. As we enter into the Christmas season, my prayer is that we all focus on the right things throughout this time. This article will help you focus on the right things and how to engage in these as a family.

Starting Family Traditions by Sabrina Beasley

It may sound strange, but Christmas traditions don’t have to be … well … traditional. You can start new activities that bring meaning to your holidays and build a legacy for your family. Perhaps you came from a family of non-believers, and you have never celebrated traditions that were based on Christ. Or perhaps you have found that your current traditions have no meaning for your family. This year, we have compiled 10 ideas for new traditions, some from FamilyLife and some from our readers.

1. What Does God Want for Christmas? The Christmas holiday is really just a part of the gospel story—God came as man in the flesh to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His birth signifies God’s grace and love for His people. FamilyLife has developed an interactive nativity set that not only tells the story of the birth of Christ, but it also presents the gospel to children.

This resource, What God Wants for Christmas, can be used in your own family, in Sunday school classes, or as an outreach for neighborhood Christmas parties.

2. Use decorations to tell about the entire life of Christ. Christmas is a time that usually emphasizes the birth of Jesus, but decorations can also celebrate the remainder of His life on earth. In addition to the basic nativity set, angels, and stars, include crosses, verses that talk about the life of Jesus, and statuettes of Him while He was on earth.

3. Fast a meal. In America, Christmas includes a large focus on food. This year, during the week before Christmas, sacrifice a meal and pray during that time for the poor, hungry, and spiritually lost in the world.

4. Watch a movie that remembers the life of Christ. There are several good films that focus on the birth, death, and life of Christ. We recommend “Jesus of Nazareth,” the film, “Jesus,” or for mature audiences, “The Passion of the Christ.” Or for a change of pace, try “Ben Hur,” a movie that begins with Jesus’ birth and ends with His death, and tells the story of a man who was transformed by His love and forgiveness.

By watching movies that focus on other aspects of the life of Jesus, the Christmas celebration of His birth is put into proper perspective. This can be an excellent opportunity to talk to your children about why Christ had to come in the form of a child.

5. Share stories about how God has worked in your life. Have you ever told your children the story of your salvation? How about your spouse? While the family is together during the holidays, use the time to share your personal stories about faith, redemption, and life change. Also, reflect on the previous year and talk about how you have grown in your faith individually and as a family.

Click here for the rest of the article

We finished putting up the Cheney Christmas Tree after church tonight.  As is our annual custom, Sonya and Josh decorate while I eat cookies.  When they are done, I put the star on the top.  It is a beautiful tradition!

One thing I love about the local church is that it is largely made effective through the work of volunteers.  Those who volunteer, sacrifice their time and energy to communicate the love of Jesus Christ.  It makes a pastor feel good when he can count on the leaders that serve under him and minister to the church body.

Last night, was a our first department head meeting at RFA.  We had a good turnout as we shared the vision of the church as well as leadership expectations.  Being a leader is a high calling.  We have been set apart by God to serve His kingdom and to do that, we must seek to excel in all that we do.  At the meeting I shared what I believe are some critical things that every leader must exemplify.  I cannot remember where I found these principles but they have proven to hold alot of truth.

A Leader Must Have Commitment
A Leader Must Have Consistency
A Leader Must Be Coachable
A Leader Must Be Classy (or Minister With Quality)
A Leader Must Model Character

Every leader should endeavor to have these qualities in their life.  I am excited about the future of RFA.  We have a great leadership team to build with.  The future looks bright.

I’m a little bothered today after my afternoon trip to Lifeway Bookstores.  I was in the market for 3 bibles for some of our students who have been chosen for a leadership council.  As I shopped through the Bible section for a good deal I was shocked when I found what I would call an industry double standard.  A Bible published by Zondervan Press that is made in China.  Now I know everything is made in China these days so why should I be shocked?  This to me is the ultimate paradox.  We pray for the persecuted around the world and then one of the largest Christian publishing houses in America outsources their Bible manufacturing to one the largest persecuting nations in the world.  It is pretty well illegal to own a Bible in China, but that is where American companies are having them made.

In recent news we found a Chinese pastor who was sentenced to re-education camp because he is a house church pastor.  For those of you that do not know, re-education means labor and torture until they recant their profession of Christianity.  Publishing Bibles in China is the ultimate in double-standards that rewards the Chinese government for persecution while helping an American company save a few bucks.  All I ask Zondervan is, “Is it worth it to save money?”

Thanks for letting me vent.  I had a hard time deciding whether to buy those Bibles or not but I almost had to considering they were the only ones that met the criteria I was looking for.  For shame, a few more dollars in the  hands of the Communist persecutors.  Please pray for the persecuted around the world.  Also pray for the Bible publishers to find another way to publish their Bibles.

Yesterday was another good day at church, although I must admit I was nervous at first.  There were snow flurries and not many people came out for Sunday School and I thought it would be slim pickens for service.  I was surprised when the people started rolling in and we had a good crowd for service.  There was a good spirit in the service and worship was great.  We continued our Flawed series by looking at Flawed by Fear.  We talked about Gideon and how he persevered through fear to obey the calling of God.

At the conclusion of the message there were several who admitted that they struggle with fear.  I believe more people than not struggle with the fear of failure.  I know I do!  God enables us to overcome our fears and we can be used for the Glory of His Kingdom.