David Shepherd » Christmas http://daves.meintl.org Life at the Center Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:28:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 2006-2007 dave@meintl.org (David Shepherd) dave@meintl.org (David Shepherd) http://daves.meintl.org/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg David Shepherd » Christmas http://daves.meintl.org 144 144 Just another Ministry Essentials weblog David Shepherd David Shepherd dave@meintl.org no no Advent Conspiracy – from the eyes of an atheist http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/19/advent-conspiracy-from-the-eyes-of-an-atheist/ http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/19/advent-conspiracy-from-the-eyes-of-an-atheist/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:46:11 +0000 Dave http://daves.meintl.org/?p=372 AC_Wiseman_Logo_Thumb“I love this movement, the Advent Conspiracy movement. I’ve been trying to get my family to do this for the last two years, long before I heard about this. A few years ago, I told my family that i think we should refrain from buying gifts for each other on Christmas, and instead donate the money to charity. My family all thought it was a terrible idea, and even called me a Godless heathen. (In jest, mind you, but still I found it quite ironic).

For the record, I am a former Catholic who drifted comfortably into atheism some ten years ago, although I still celebrate Christmas out of family tradition. Over the years, I became more disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas and realized that it had become a Hallmark Card holiday, having little to do with the core values of Christianity and more to do with retail sales figures all wrapped up in marketable Pagan imagery.

The greatest thing about Christianity to a non-believer like myself is that, even after you strip away the more miraculous elements of the faith, you are left with a central figure in Jesus Christ, who preached love and forgiveness and charity and goodwill to his fellow man. At its best, Christianity is a religion about love and peace and I believe that message is all but lost among far too many of today’s Christians. Anyway, I just want to tell you I think you’re doing a great thing and I hope that more people follow this movement. I’m going to forward this video to everyone I know who celebrates Christmas (including Christians, Catholics, Protestants and even Godless heathens like myself, still bound to the holiday by tradition)”

Keep up the great work!
And Merry Christmas!

Want to know more?  Click here

NOTE:  More could be said about this person’s take on the core of Christianity at its best.  However, I think we would be fools not to listen to her cry for something more.  If our redemption does not free us to live at peace with all men and show the love of Christ, which compels us (and causes us to look more like Him in significant ways), then what is our Christianity really all about?

]]> http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/19/advent-conspiracy-from-the-eyes-of-an-atheist/feed/ 0 0:00:01 "I love this movement, the Advent Conspiracy movement. I’ve been trying to get my family to do this for the last two years, long before ... "I love this movement, the Advent Conspiracy movement. I’ve been trying to get my family to do this for the last two years, long before I heard about this. A few years ago, I told my family that i think we should refrain from buying gifts for each other on Christmas, and instead donate the money to charity. My family all thought it was a terrible idea, and even called me a Godless heathen. (In jest, mind you, but still I found it quite ironic). For the record, I am a former Catholic who drifted comfortably into atheism some ten years ago, although I still celebrate Christmas out of family tradition. Over the years, I became more disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas and realized that it had become a Hallmark Card holiday, having little to do with the core values of Christianity and more to do with retail sales figures all wrapped up in marketable Pagan imagery. The greatest thing about Christianity to a non-believer like myself is that, even after you strip away the more miraculous elements of the faith, you are left with a central figure in Jesus Christ, who preached love and forgiveness and charity and goodwill to his fellow man. At its best, Christianity is a religion about love and peace and I believe that message is all but lost among far too many of today’s Christians. Anyway, I just want to tell you I think you’re doing a great thing and I hope that more people follow this movement. I’m going to forward this video to everyone I know who celebrates Christmas (including Christians, Catholics, Protestants and even Godless heathens like myself, still bound to the holiday by tradition)" Keep up the great work! And Merry Christmas! Want to know more?  Click here NOTE:  More could be said about this person's take on the core of Christianity at its best.  However, I think we would be fools not to listen to her cry for something more.  If our redemption does not free us to live at peace with all men and show the love of Christ, which compels us (and causes us to look more like Him in significant ways), then what is our Christianity really all about? musings dave@meintl.org no no Finding our way… http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/17/finding-our-way/ http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/17/finding-our-way/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:50:23 +0000 Dave http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/17/finding-our-way/ A friend wrote recently expressing some thoughts and feelings I’ve had of late and face in the many Christian leaders I spend time with on a regular basis. She says it well so I’ll not embellish. God help us in our celebration that we not sound redundant in our insistence that His Son is the reason for the season. May we be silenced by a clear vision of Who He is and what He really is about in our here and now – Christmas included (for a good glimpse read Rev. 1: 10-18).

It’s another holiday season. Another year end…
One that was filled with joys and sadness.

And now in the midst of the tinsel, lights and shopping, the holidays can be filled with unrealistic expectations. Even in the joy, old hurts can be revisited and new ones inflicted. A heart can ache from hope deferred… and I find that I have been in that category!

Therefore, my focus this month has been wondering if I’ve lost my first love. You know “THE reason for the season”. As a missionary I can get so caught up in the “doing” that I burn out because I’m not taking time to “be”…..at His feet, letting Him speak into my life with words of love, telling me that I don’t have to “do”. I just need to “be” — His.

This time of year God brings me face to face once again with His design for redemption of mankind. His intentions toward me are for a life lived abundantly. His plans for the kingdom ……victorious.

So while I’m trying to remind myself that the season is about my Saviour, I came across “12 prayers for Christmas” by Sandra Higley……and they touched my heart.

My prayer is that they bless you and remind you as they have me.

*Lord, help me to follow the way of love – may your love compel me.
*Restore the joy of Your salvation in me; I want to experience the joy of Your presence.
*Let Your peace rule and guard my heart; give me more of You – You are my peace.
*Enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may know the hope You called me to.
*Let Your favor rest on me.
*Shine Your light of life on me; help me to walk in it.
*Help me to fear You so that I may walk in your holiness.
*Teach me selflessness; Keep me from self-seeking attitudes that reject truth.
*Make me rich in ways that result in generosity on my part so You will be praised.
*Help me receive Your kingdom, Your Spirit, and Your grace.
*Encourage me to seek Your face with all my heart.
*I ascribe glory to Your name, Lord; I come before You in worship for You are holy.

]]> http://daves.meintl.org/2009/12/17/finding-our-way/feed/ 0