Christmas: Better Than We Deserve

In December of 1892, a world-wide tradition was born. The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky was first performed. Although it took many years for this orchestration and ballet to “take off”, today there is hardly a ballet company in the world that does not perform this classic during the Christmas season. One of the most beloved aspects of the performance are the children who dance and play instruments. It has been said that, at the inaugural production, the children did not learn their instruments well and did poorly. In spite of this, in an act of great kindness and grace, Tchaikovsky wrote a generous thank you note to each of the children expressing how pleased he was with them. To the children’s delight, each note was accompanied with a box of sweets! This story reminds me of what popular financial guru Dave Ramsey always says when asked how he is doing. He replies, “Better than I deserve!”

Just as these children received “better than they deserve”, we also have been delivered a grace-filled letter, the Bible, and the precious gift of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. This Christmas season, we celebrate the fact that we are treated “better than we deserve”. The Bible even states that our works are but filthy rags (Phil. 3:8) and what He offers is worth more than gold (I Peter 1:18-19)! Our response? Surrender completely to Jesus Christ, celebrate fully “The Gift”, and be grace-filled toward others, treating them “better than they deserve”.

This is the ultimate Christmas tradition.

Merry Christmas and much love!

Pastor David

The LifeLine Project

Imagine you are on a much-deserved beach vacation.  You are relaxing alone on the beach, when you hear a terrified scream, “Help!  I can’t swim.”  A life preserver is attached to a rope nearby.  Of course, you would run, grab the life-saving equipment, and throw it to the struggling swimmer.  You’d do everything in your power to throw the Life Line and help this person.  Your part is to throw out the life-saving equipment; the struggling swimmer must also do his or her part in holding onto this equipment while you pull him or her to safety.

The LifeLine Project exists to be life-saving help and hope to prostitutes on the streets of Columbus, Ohio.  The project was founded by Karen Monroe, who we met during our “His Hands His Feet” mission project this summer.  You may remember Karen, who spoke in October during Taste of Missions.  Karen, and others working with her, relay the message of, “You don’t have to live this way,” as they give a gift bag full of toiletries and information of where and how to get help, as they travel around downtown Columbus.

How does this affect you?  How can you help?  How can we, as a group at Orange Friends, continue being the Hands and Feet of Jesus?

We have the opportunity to fill some bags that will be distributed to the prostitutes in Columbus.  Huntington Bank is donating 500 string backpacks to Karen – how many of these can we fill? 

1.    We are collecting items for the bags now.  There is a basket in the lobby (next to the mitten Christmas tree) for these type of items:

a.       Travel sizes of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush

b.      Chapstick, deodorant

c.       Packaged cracker sandwiches, granola bars, or other energy foods

2.    Write a short note, expressing Jesus’ love, your care, and your prayers; perhaps a scripture verse.

3.    On January 11, you are invited to join Karen and our youth to pack as many of these bags as we can, here at Orange Friends. 

Karen will provide materials from the health department, and rehabilitation facilities.  We will include literature that will tell about Jesus’ love for them.  Our Outreach Commission is pledging $500 to help pack bags.  We can  S-T-R-E-T-C-H  those funds with items we may already have, or items we can purchase as we shop.  PLEASE HAVE YOUR DONATIONS HERE BY December 28, so that we will know what needs to be purchased.

Being His Hands and His Feet, 

Ron Clark

Missions Coordinator

Sermon Follow-Up

This past week, we explored some deep but important theology. I quoted some sources and they are listed below. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this at length, please contact me.

Pastor David

Infographic Credit: Christianity Today. For the full article, please visit:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/october-web-only/new-poll-finds-evangelicals-favorite-heresies.html

Arminianism may be represented by the acronym FACTS:

Freed by Grace (to Believe)
Atonement for All
Conditional Election
Total Depravity
Security in Christ