Tis the Season

Happy Holidays... from my house to yours.

This small blog this week is being written to encourage you to keep an open heart towards others around you this Holiday Season.

This time of year can cause people to go through a wide range of emotions... it's also a time of the year where we can become very selfish and self-centered. If you would start this practice of keeping an open heart right now... who knows it might just carry over as a new habit in 2009. What a great concept that would be.

As I look out into our society, I see people who have become hard hearted and have no joy during this time of year, but if you've read any of my blogs, you'd know me well enough to know I'm not just talking about the people who haven't reached out to Christ... I'm also talking about us Christians who do know and have accepted Christ.

People are getting so wrapped up in their own little world that they no longer see what's going on in the lives of others... not to mention the fact that we don't have the time to see the hearts or hurts of others. WHY? Because we've got to much to do and don't have enough time to get it done.

One of the facts that I've discovered in the Bible is that Jesus was a busy man... but He made the time, and if you read about His life you'd discover that there we're times when He would just change His busy schedule to reach out towards others. To me that's what a true disciple should do, follow the teachings and steps of the Teacher.

What most people need in our life time are not more presents... they need more presence... Not just Gods... they need ours too. When people are talking, do we listen? When their sharing pain, do we feel it? When they hurt, do we care?

We're so busy getting ready to do our own things, that we are failing miserably at what we're supposed to be doing. LOVING OTHERS.

I write this post not for the purpose of making you mad, but if I do...OH WELL. If what I'm sharing with you hits a nerve, then maybe... just maybe God is trying to show you something.

All I want for Christmas is for people to see that Jesus not only died for our sins, He also lived as an example of how we should live. He gave His all and this Holiday... maybe we should do the same. Give our all.


We have so much in this country and yet we still lack the gift of love. Maybe this year, you'll give something to somebody you don't even know, give them your love and undivided attention.

God bless you, and I pray that this post helps you with the gift that keeps on giving this year.

In His service
Pastor Dough

Compacency

To often, we look to the cross and stand in awe that someone would care enough about us... to take our place for what we deserve... this article is not intended for the weak... this is being written from my heart because I can't stand by anymore and watch this country... or my city just walk around like their lost.

Some of you might know that I pastor a small church in Saginaw, Texas and we refer to it as "The Perfect Place for not so perfect people" and believe me when I tell you... it takes a lot of guts to walk in and say... "that's me!"

The reason for this article today is prayerfully to stir up your heart as well as mine... you see, I could get busy and caught up in just attending church and don't get me wrong... it's important to do this... church is intended to build you up... not so you will live the perfect life... because believe me when I tell you... you can still be a mess and be in a church (I have a lot of personal experiences) but to build you up to get past your selfishness and see that this society that we're apart of is on the fast track toward destruction. (If you don't believe me... watch the news).

You see the reason God wants us to be born again is so that our new life would reflect His glory. If we don't... then why bother. The longer I stay inside the four walls of my church... the more discontent I become and guess what... I start looking for other means to find fulfillment. If you're reading this and your honest... you might just have the courage to agree with me.

Jesus... Our Lord and Savior didn't die so that we would just obtain stuff and live in the comforts of our luxury, He died and offered forgiveness and to bring us a new life. So why is it that we continue to act the same way we use to act? Why are we not moved with com passions for the people that we walk by everyday?

Personally... I can't do this anymore... I can't sit back and hide in my comfort zone and hope that the world that goes by my doors will stop in and say... I saw the sign.

I can't sit back anymore and be consumed with my wants... my needs or my life, because if I stay in this mode... I'll just rust away and go back to my old selfish ways.

I hope that those who read this will look at their life and say... I can relate. I'm being totally honest with myself and you today. Living and loving like Jesus did... one person at a time can get you out of your pool of complacency. Are you willing to take that step... I am.

God bless you and please... stop living for yourself... start denying yourself, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

P.S. Even if you've screwed up over and over... get up... ask for forgiveness and get going. I believe God will honor that. The only time you lose the fight is when you won't get back up.

Being Real

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

I will rise up!

I know it's been a long time between posts. Forgive me! Today's message can be encouraging to those who need to know.

As I stopped today for time in prayer, I cried out to God concerning the fate of our nation. You know what? God is still listening and believe me when I tell you.. He still loves and cares about us.

Psalm 12:1-8 (NLT) "Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the Earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. (Sounds like our society today)

May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, "We will lie to our heart's content. Our lips are our own- who can stop us?"

The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for Me to do."

The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

Living for God is a deceitful world can be difficult and lonely. At one time Elijah felt so lonely he wanted to die. But God reminded him that there were 7,000 other faithful servants. God reminds us the same thing... Hang in there, you have other believers still out there with you, you're not alone. When you feel alone, seek out other believers for strength and support.

God said... "I will rise up!" He still hears your prayers and He's paying attention to what's going on in this generation. Fear not!

This was written by King David a long time ago... but if you look at this closely... it sounds like he's talking about us in 2008 AD. God still hears the cries of His children and promises to rise up on your behalf.

I hope this blog is an encouragement for you today... I know its help me.

God bless you as you bless others

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady