But Wait – There’s More

Watch some TV in the middle of the day and you will hear it. Usually is happens during one of those commercials selling a wonder product that is able to produce unbelievable results - a knife that can cut through a brick and still slice a tomato, or a towel capable of absorbing all the water in a swimming pool. After amazing you with the performance of their product they then try to amaze you with the price and then they say it, “But wait – there’s more!” As if a can opener that can open cans, cook dinner, and clean the kitchen for only $19.95 wasn’t enough – there is more – “call in the next 300 days and we will give you two amazing ________ for the price of one!”

“But wait – there’s more!” came to my mind last Sunday as I was reading Romans 5:15
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”

Jesus’ payment for our sins – through his death on the cross – was both the grace and the gift that is offered to us, but wait – there’s more!

Jesus’ death not only made it possible for us to live with God and for God in heaven, but it also made it possible for us to live with God and for God right now.

The power of Adams’ sin (and my own) has done a terrible thing but Jesus’ death was so much greater and so much more powerful than all the sins that were committed by Adam, and those who came after Adam.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

Jesus died on a cross to save you from your sins… But Wait – There’s More:
- You are NOW at peace with God.
- You are NOW a member of God’s family.
- You are NOW living with a purpose.
- You are NOW empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome the evil one.
- You are NOW able to love others with a pure heart.
- You are NOW gifted with the ability to build up other believers.
- You are NOW alive!

So get out there and live!

One of Our Own

Before the year is done I wanted to take a moment to recognize one of our own at Foothold.

Michelle Gonnet recently won two art contest and I wanted you to have a chance to see her amazing work.

A Christmas Card that was sent out to all the employees of the Mesquite ISD

Two painting Michelle did to represent her struggles with Asthma

(she's the one in the pink and white dress)

A Difficult Time for Some

For some the Christmas season can be a very difficult time of the year. They see so many who are happy and expressing love for one another and yet they don't feel the same way. This time of the year can really make some people feel so alone and unloved. Let's remember those people with our prayer and if you know some lonely people - give them a call and let them know that you care and they are not alone.

Here is a video to touch your heart and help you see what I am talking about. Thanks, Igniter Media Group for the video which could be purchased here.

I Hate Waiting

I hate waiting (and I don't think that I am alone on this). I have been waiting for days for one of Joelle's gifts to arrive by UPS. They said that it would be here last Friday - but it didn't arrive. Now it is Tuesday and Christmas is only a day and a half away and still I am waiting. I have been checking the package tracker a lot and this morning all I knew was that the package was someplace between my house and Georgia (that is not a lot of information!) I really want this package to arrive before Christmas because this is something that I have been wanting to give her for about two years. I know that I could give it to her on the 26th or 27th but we all know that it wouldn't be the same.

This got me to thinking about how God, the Father, must have been feeling as the day grew closer for his Son to be born. All those years he waited for his Son, the Solution and the Savior, to come to earth and set things right. All those years he waiting for his Son to make it possible so that he would speak face to face with the ones he loved. All those years he waiting for his Son to do what was needed to begin the restoration of his creation. And now it was only a few days away. No wonder the heavens exploded with singing and praising of God - the long awaited day had finally arrived.

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased?
Luke 2:10-11 & 13-14

Penn get a Bible and Christians get Convicted

What does it say about the Church today when a confessing Atheist gets the importance of witnessing better than most of the Christians sitting in the church pew? Please watch to the end - - but beware... it cuts deep.

Great Question

Here is a question to think about. Let it sink in and speak to your heart.

What would you do if you were brave?

This Will Make You Think

Never Silent

Here are some interesting insights on Silence by Mark Driscoll. Take a look and see if his day sounds like your day.

The day began with my alarm jolting me awake. I immediately turned on my BlackBerry to hear it chime for each voicemail and email that had been left while I slept. I stepped into the shower where I listened to my waterproof radio. I then turned on the television to catch some news while I dressed. Driving to work I tuned in to some talk-radio banter.
Throughout the day the chime on my laptop kept ringing as email arrived, and my cell phone continued to vibrate and ring on my hip. Before long, I needed a break, and I put on my iPod to go for a walk.
On the drive home, I again listened to the radio in an effort to drown out the blaring horns of frustrated fellow commuters. After eating dinner and tucking my five children into bed, I turned on the television to watch shows I had recorded on my Tivo.
As I drifted off to sleep, it dawned on me that I had not had one minute of silence during my entire day. It was possible, I realized, that I could live the rest of my life without ever again experiencing silence.

If your day sounds a little like his you should read what else he had to say about it.

Silence by Mark Driscoll

Mega Ramp - Mega Life

Welcome to the Mega Ramp - a 80 foot tall skateboard ramp that allows skaters to jump a distance of 75 feet, and fly 20 feet off of the ground. This ramp is so tall that an elevator had to be installed to get the skaters to the top. The Mega Ramp was developed to push the sport of skateboarding to a more demanding and exciting level. Flying higher, flying farther and reaching new frontiers is what this sport is all about. To be good in this sport you can never dwell on what happen yesterday, but instead you must be dreaming about what you might be able to do tomorrow.

What if we carried this same "skater" mindset into our Christian life?

• Learn from the past but dream for the future.
• Notice what God did yesterday but seek what He will do tomorrow.
• Build upon what is already there to make something bigger.

I think God blesses those who want to do more for him. I think God blesses those ministries that desire and step out in faith to reach even more with the Gospel or cause even more to glorify God.

We could have -

• Mega Worship
• Mega Evangelism
• Mega Missions
• Mega Discipleship
• Mega Care for the hurting
• and so much more.

Using a Boat in 3-D

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

Matthew 13:1-2

Jesus knew that his message was important - a matter of life and death - so he needed to find a way to be heard. The solution - get into a boat. It is believed that this simple action enabled Jesus to be heard by the thousands of people who came to hear him teach. Jesus used the technology of his day to tell people about the grace of God and the good news of salvation.

Wycliff Bible Translators are doing the same thing to reach the deaf around the world. In the past, the estimated 50 million to 100 million deaf people around the world have been dependent upon the ability to read braille (very rare) or the opportunity to watch someone sign in order to "hear" the Gospel. Wycliff is trying to use the technology of the day to create a 3d animation of the Gospel message. Computers, 3d animation, programing, and the Internet have become the "boat" that Jesus is using - through Wycliff - to reach people with the same life and death message.

If you want to see more of this process, click on the links below but before you do - think about how you could tell people about Jesus Christ. What is the "boat" that God has given you to use?

WordSign

WordSign Video Demos

What Used To Be True Video

10 Reasons I Don't Like Most Christians

Really want to thank Tony Morgan for putting this one together. If you don't know who he is, don't worry about it - just read what he wrote and see if there is anything that cuts to the heart. Personally - I said "Ouch!" on #6.

10 Reasons I Don’t Like Most Christians

1. They consistently seem angry and bitter and worried. I thought Christians were supposed to reflect joy and kindness and peace.

2. They don’t dream big dreams. That seems odd given the fact that we’re supposedly worshiping a God who is “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare ask or hope.”

3. They seem to worship their theology more than Jesus. For whatever reason, this appears to be especially true for folks that come from a reformed theology.

4. They don’t like it when other people or ministries experience success. Think about it. There are Christians who would be overwhelmed with joy if NewSpring experienced fewer salvations, fewer baptisms and our attendance dropped.

5. They use prayer as an excuse for inaction. They’re waiting for God to do his thing, but they aren’t willing to step out in faith and obedience.

6. They’re more concerned with the BMW next door than the lost person who drives it.Christians hate people with money. They’re willing to sacrifice time and money for those without it, but they’re satisfied to let “rich” people go to Hell.

7. They would rather people live life without Jesus than give up their personal preferences. What happens when your preferred teacher doesn’t teach? What happens when your preferred worship leader doesn’t lead? What happens when you don’t like the music?

8. They are fake. They dress up a certain way on Sunday and they live as completely different people the rest of the week.

9. They think they’re better than other people. That’s why they create rules to follow. It helps differentiate why they are holy while others are not.

10. They’re comfortable with mediocrity. Doesn’t matter where. Think Christian music and movies. Think how we invest our time and money. You don’t seriously think God deserves our best do you?