What Do You Long For?

The song lyric's say,"'Tis the season to be jolly." For many, there is no way this is going to happen. Sickness, broken home, financial struggles. It's difficult to be jolly in situations like these.

I am reminded by God's Word what this time of year is truly about. It's so much more than gifts, food, parties, getting together with family, even more than celebrating the birth of Christ. It goes back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Because of their disobedience they would eventually die. Until then, there would be pain for childbirth for Eve, Adam would have to plow the ground and separate the weeds from the vegetables, they and their children would experience pain physically and emotionally. They would even experience murder.

God told Satan that Jesus would bruise his head and that he would bruise Jesus' heel. This meant that Jesus would defeat Satan and the cross and death would only be temporary suffering for Jesus. At the moment Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead Satan was defeated and Genesis 3:14-15 was fulfilled. Restoration was established and God's longing for a relationship with mankind was made possible.

So you see, Christmas is not only a time of celebration of the birth of Christ but a time of rejoicing in knowing that because of His birth, death, and resurrection, you and I have what we have longed for - peace with God and the promise of spending eternity with Him.

Thanks for reading,

Pastor Gary

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What's In A Name?

We are now into the Christmas season. A time for Christmas music, shopping, protests against stores that say "holiday" instead of Christmas, parties, church Christmas programs. It seems like it's the same thing over and over again. Every year going through the same things. Now don't get me wrong, I love all those things except the protests. But the name Christmas seems to have lost its "luster." It's been fought over and commercialized so much that the name isn't carrying the meaning that the Christian world has come to love. Christ-mas! Christ is Christmas.

Let's quit protesting and getting caught up in all the material things and get back to Christ-mas. If you are a born again Christian (there is no other kind), don't forget where that name came from - CHRIST! This year, light up your house for Christ. The lights and decorations are for Him.

We at CrossPoint have four very large trees in our front yard. We have decorated (still two to go) each tree a different color. The first is in white lights to signify Christ as the light of the world. The second has green lights to represent Him coming to earth. The third, red lights to show the great price, His blood, to paid for our sins. And the fourth, blue, to represent the place He promised that we would go if we accepted Him as our Savior - Heaven!

May this Christmas season change the way you view this wonderful time of year.

Much love during this Holy time of year,

Pastor Gary

Our Many Blessings

We have been blessed with many wonderful gifts from God. Our families, friends, full cupboards, and so on. However, many do not have these blessings. Consider sharing your blessings with others for as you share with others, you are sharing with Jesus.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Hill
CrossPoint Free Will Baptist Church

Nicknames and Pastor Appreciation Day

Hi all,

I didn't get many interesting husband/wife nicknames from spouses in my church. I received names such as honey, babe, etc. One name I did get that was confirmed by his wife this morning was "jerk". She was pretty adament about him being one ever once in a while.

Today was pastor appreciation at CrossPoint. I am priviliged to serve wonderful people and am blessed by their support.

Husbands, remember this: "The secret to being a great dad is for a man to always love and serve his wife - his children's mother -first."

Have a blessed Monday,

Pastor Gary

What Do You Call Your Spouse (keep it clean)?

I do quite a few weddings as pastor of CrossPoint and one of my favorite parts of the ceremony is when I get to introduce the couple, for the very first time anywhere in the world, as Mr. and Mrs. I just think it's cool that I can be the first one to do that (okay, enough of that).

Speaking of names, I got to thinking about what spouses call each other after they have been married for a while. Here's a short list I came up with (these are real). Let me know what you call your spouse.

Snugglepuppy, Lovemuffin, Smooshy Poo, Hunny Bunches of Oats, Sugarlips, Jellybean, Doodlebug. I call my wife Beautiful, Sweetie, Baby, but my favorite is Hunka Hunka Burning Love (pronounced Luv)). I have asked couples in my church to share their nicknames for each other. If they are brave enough to do it, I'll share them with you later this week.

Have a blessed day,

Pastor Gary

Not Just Another Day

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the day that protestants gather together to celebrate the Lord. It's a time of worship, praise, fellowship, and for many a time to reflect. There's something about being in church that settles the mind and puts things into perspective. We come to church with a load of hurt, worry, discouragement, and doubt. But sometimes what goes on in the service opens our hearts to what God wants to do in our lives. There's hope instilled as we hear the songs and the message that God has given to the pastor. You see, God knows what we need to hear. It's a time where God shares with us that He wants to heal our hearts from all the clutter of doubt, disbelief, hurt, etc. And, if we open our hearts to His promises and really trust that He knows what He is doing in our lives, and that all that He does is because He loves us, miracles can happen.

You see, Sunday is not just another day. It's a day of hope. Take advantage of Sunday morning and Sunday night services. Don't look at it as an inconvenience for you to go to church twice a day. Look at it as an opportunity for two doses of hope.

Have a blessed day in church,

Pastor Gary