2 Days Until Christmas

This is the season of Hope.
This is the season of Joy.
This is the season of Life.

The news is good ... the news is very good ... Heaven's Light Shines into your life.
...
Where there is hopelessness - He brings hope.
Where there is pain and suffering - He brings joy.
Where there is sickness and death - He brings life.

His Name is Jesus. His Name is Emanuel. Let Him touch your life.

110 heavens light shines from Mark Redd on Vimeo.

3 Days Until Christmas

Monday was the last mall trip I will take this Christmas Season ... I think. I really enjoyed talking with people, visiting with sales clerks and picking up three last minute gifts.

Gifts are a weird thing with me. I really don't care to give a gift that means little to nothing ... one out of "obligation." I understand that it has become part of the tradition of Christmas, but when I give a gift, I really want it to be meaningful ... don't you?

God gave a Gift ... He became flesh ... He lived ... He Died ... He Rose Again. All part of the Gift. This Gift was indescribably costly. It cost Jesus His life. But the benefits for all of humanity are unimaginable. Life - Abundant here on earth and eternal with Him.

What an incredible Gift. What incredible Love.

thegift from Mark Redd on Vimeo.

How can we respond? How can I respond? With our love; our gratitude; our worship.

That is the gift of Christmas.

5 Days Until Christmas

In grateful memory of First Lieutenant Bass Redd who died in service of his Country in the European Area, December 11th, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. freedom lives, and through it, he lives. - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men. Signed - Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Those words are inscribed on one of the most precious items I have in my office. It is encased along with the flag that draped my grandfather's coffin. He along with thousands of others, paid the ultimate price so that we may have the freedoms to enjoy a Christmas Season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdEFaOoSBsw

Today, I just wanted to stop all the shopping, parties, and frenzied activities and thank those who have given and serving this country, defending and providing the freedoms we enjoy here in America.

May God Bless You and Keep You Safe. You are not forgotten. You are missed.

8 Days Until Christmas

Apollo 8 was in orbit of the moon and they were broadcasting "live" that evening. Dad worked at NASA and knew Frank Borman and the rest of the crew.

A few days before liftoff, Dad called Frank Borman and asked him if the crew had Bibles they could carry in space. They did not, but Dad had gotten some flight approved to fly.

Late on that Christmas Eve, in the most viewed broadcast in the history of television to that point, from deep in our space came the words, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." I looked at my Dad ... there were tears in his eyes. The rest is history.

The God that created the heavens and earth is the same God that humbled Himself to a baby in the manger. In reality, the God who spoke all that is into Creation became a single cell embryo in a teenage virgin's womb.

"God with us" -- that's who Jesus is. He is with us still. Even today. Right now. He is here with us. He is with you, every moment of every day of your life. When you stumble out of bed in the morning, He is with you. As you face the stress of each hectic day, He is with you. As you contemplate the uncertainty of the future, He is with you. As you struggle with loneliness and fear, He is with you. As you wrestle with temptation, He is with you. He is your constant companion, your faithful friend who has promised that He will never leave you or forsake you.

What's so special about this little child who was born 2000 years ago? He changed the world--not by establishing a new political ideology or a new religious philosophy, but by changing the way God relates to us, and we relate to God. This little child, born in a stable made from elements he created, was God in the flesh. He sacrificed his deity to become one of us, and lived a life of humble obedience, even to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. Three days later He was raised from the dead, and He lives today. When He walked this earth he was "God with us" and today He is still "God with us." The greatest Christmas promise of all is that Jesus Christ came to live in this world so that He could come to live in your heart. God is with you. Accept, receive, and recognize his presence in your life.

This is the message of Christmas. There is hope. He is here ... waiting.

9 Days Till Christmas!!!

Merry 10 Days until we celebrate arrival of Immanuel!

For those who may be new to this short journey to Christmas, let's review. For the last several years, I have been looking for a way to keep the true meaning of the Christmas Season from being forced out by the busyness and commercialization of this Season.

So this year I devised a plan. Each day I would scour the earth ... ok ... YouTube, Vimeo, GodTube and/or Facebook ... for a video that would remind me of what Christmas was all about. The challenge was to keep my eyes off of ME and focus them on Christ and others.

Along with the videos, I thought I might write out and action plan for the day. A thought or two to carry with me - a word or two to share - or something I would do that day as part of the project.

So far - I think it has helped. There are still 10 days till Christmas, but to this point, I have noticed my focus more where it should be and less on me ... and that is a good thing.

Today's video is just a reminder about how the Christmas Season should be. Take a few moments and watch!

The point? (There are Four)
Worship More - By the way ... what do you Worship? Just askin ...
Give More - Not Stuff ... but you. Give You to others.
Love More - Even those that are the most difficult to love.
Trust God More - after all ... can you think of anything more trustworthy?

ACTION PLAN!!!

Spend a few moments with God today asking Him to help me not to get caught up in the increasing hectic pace of this season. Give More - I am going to get some peppermint candies and give them to the sales people as I do my shopping. (Online shopping .... hummm)

Make a great Christmas!!

10 Days Till Christmas!!!!

One Last Christmas

Good Morning! It is Tuesday, December 14th. There are 11 days until we celebrate the birth of the King of all kings and Lord or all lords.

A little background on the video I chose today. Last spring, I went as a sponsor with the LaPorte High School Orchestra to Memphis Tennessee. While there, they had the privilege to play at St. Jude's Hospital. It was an awesome experience.

Which brings me to this video. Very seldom to you know when it will be "Your Last Christmas." This little boy did - and his family and community surrounded him with love.

Let me ask you a question: What if you knew this would be your last Christmas? Would you be more interested in people or presents? Would there be relationships you would try and mend? Would there be words of forgiveness you would offer ... or maybe accept? Perhaps it might be good to stop for a moment and think about these things. It may help you understand what really matters .... what really is important.

Maybe that relationship isn't with someone else. Maybe the relationship you need to concentrate on is the relationship with the One in the Manger. Talk to Him - He is listening.

What great gifts to give ... the gift of a mended relationship; the gift of forgiveness; the gift of life. Isn't that was Christmas is all about?

Day Five - 15 Days Until Christmas

You don't see this so much anymore. For years, it was Merry Christmas! Then the politically correct crowd coerced retailers to go with Merry X-Mas - you know - separation of church and estate kind of thing. Now, we have Happy Holidays so as to be all inclusive and not offend anyone - unless you are conservative Christian of course. (smile)

Years ago, Greek theologians substituted "X" for Christ in their writings - a "shorthand" way of writing Christ.

BIG LEAP HERE - In Algebra, you always solved for "X." So I have a question - what is the "X" factor that you are allowing to replace Christ this Christmas? This humorous video (one of Nathan's favorites) might help you just a bit.

It is Friday - we have a Jr. High Basketball Tournament, Driver's Ed, Play Practice, Christmas Parties, a Hockey Game with some shopping thrown in. In all that .... when am I going to find time to spend a moment with Christ? I will have to work not to allow any or all of these to become the "X" that knocks Christ out of Christmas. I will find those moments in the midst of the chaos to "Be still and know that He is God."

I don't want no linebacker after me!

Day Four - 16 Days Until Christmas

The central message of Christmas is that God chose to come and live in His Creation with the very people He created. Think about that for a second. He created everything - mankind rebelled mucking it up - and He chose to come into the mess we made and start restoring it one person at a time. And one day, He will make all things new.

When He was born, He was given the name, "Immanuel" which means God with us. And He is with us here today.

For those who feel abandoned - He is there.

For those who are filled with Pain - He is there.

For those who are lonely - He is there.

For those that are searching - He is there.

Maybe, just maybe, during this Christmas Season, we all need to reminded, "You are not alone - He is here - Listen for Him." Maybe we just need to stop for a minute to hear/see Him.

Keep looking for Him.

Day Three - 17 Days Till Christmas!

Future Garage Sale Fodder

Ok ... I must admit - I enjoy shopping for Christmas presents. I don't even mind the crowds or waiting too long in line. I have been known to organize long lines and leading them to sing Christmas Carols while waiting! (tis true)

However, what I don't like is wasting money. It bothers me to see "last years must have toy" at a Garage Sale in July for $2.50. A few years ago I adopted this gift giving strategy, "If it isn't going to survive the year, don't give it." Having to teenage boys, that can be more expensive at times, but it seems to have worked out well.

This video may express it better.

A great gift you can give if yourself. Your time, your attention, nothing says "You Matter" like spending quality time. Be wise in your gift giving. Invest yourself in others. Long after the gifts are gone, the relationships will remain.

Happy Gift Giving!!

Day Two - 18 Days Before Christmas

Merry 18 Days Until We Celebrate Christmas! Can you change - just a little - the way you navigate the next 19 days until December 25th?

Yesterday morning - (Monday) - I went to the Apple store in the mall with a buddy of mine. While we were there, we went to the food court to get a Chick-Fillet. My buddy ordered while I tried to find and secure a table ... the place was packed.

After getting a table, I started up a conversation with a lady in the next table. We talked about Christmas shopping - had she finished - just conversational chit-chat. About that time my buddy and a couple of other friends brought the food and we started eating.

After a few minutes, the woman finished eating, started to leave and I commented that it looked like she had been Christmas shopping for herself! (She had some lady store department bag.) She smiled and said, "I am giving my daughter away this weekend at her wedding. My husband died a year or so ago. I bought this so I would look nice."

I was stunned. There was no "pity me" in her voice, but you could sense this was a big challenge for her. I assured her that her daughter was fortunate to have such a mom as her, told her she would do great and waved as she walked away.

My buddies and I just looked at each other. It was one of those "where did that come from" kind of moments.

Not everyone is going to have a Merry Christmas. Maybe if we just took a little bit of time, we can find them, listen to them and encourage them during this Christmas Season.

thegiftofyou 480p mpg from Mark Redd on Vimeo.

I don't know who that lady was - but you can bet, she will be in my prayers this weekend.

Day One - 19 Days Before Christmas

Merry 19 Days Until We Celebrate Christmas! Can you change - just a little - the way you navigate the next 19 days until December 25th?

A few weeks ago, I saw this video that challenged me to do just that. Just make some small changes in the way I celebrated Christmas. This video is dated (2007) and has grown from its original origins, but the message is right on. It challenged me and hopefully will challenge you also.

During the next 19 days - can you move yourself and family to Worship Fully? Spend Less? Give More? and Love All?

Ok .... maybe that is a big goal for the next 19 days .... so, how about this? Can you do in the next 24 hours to do this? Maybe you can find a cause, a person, something to give to, help with that will make a big difference.

See you tomorrow ...... until then .... Make a difference.