THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The Christmas season has become a month we are bombarded with a whirlwind of consumerism, and with advertisements and promotions of all kinds on our airwaves.

It is very easy for us, even as Christians to be caught up in this whirlwind and forget the true reason for Christmas.

So let's try to answer this question: What is the meaning of the Christmas season?

First, Jesus Christ came to proclaim good news to the poor; to those who are spiritually hurting. He came to heal the broken-hearted.

Medical science has found ways to reduce and even remove pain. But there is no cure for a broken heart.

Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin. Jesus came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. He came to lift up those who are crushed by life.

He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to give us hope and a future. He came to give His life for us.

Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many".

He came to die so that we will live. Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep.

So in all of this hustle and bustle, wrapping paper, and brightly coloured lights, let's get down to the bottom line.

Christmas is about God sending His Son to die on a cross. He was born to die, to give us eternal life.

He came to give us eternal inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Christmas.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

GOD GAVE HIS SON

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

When we think of Christmas, we think of the arrival of Jesus: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given".

In reality, it was also a departure. For us, a Child was born. But for God the Father, a Son was given.

In heaven, the time had come for the departure of God's Son. We even have a record of Jesus' farewell words to the Father.

He said, "'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure." Then I said, "Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of me—to do your will, O God".

Jesus literally left the throne in heaven to a feeding trough in a manger. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals.

He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. Scripture sums it up well: "Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor."

And whilst we rejoice at His arriving, in heaven there is sadness at His departure. The giving of the Son was a big sacrifice on the part of the Father and His angels.

No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has.

He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth. Yet His influence continues unabated.

There has never been anyone like Jesus, because Jesus was not just a good man.

He was the God-man who came and walked this earth. And that is what we should celebrate every day.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us Jesus, Your only begotten Son.

Scriptural Reading: Galatians 4:1-7

HOW IS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE?

But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' Luke 12:20

God wants to use you to win souls, but what about your own soul right now?

Have you given any attention to it lately? Have you looked at the state of your soul? We all have the tendency to place so much emphasis on that which will pass away and so little emphasis on that which lasts forever.

The Bible tells us the story of a man who forgot about God, a man who had all his needs covered except his spiritual need - the most important one of all.

He built a great storage barn to keep all his assets but soon realized that he needed more space.

What he had was not enough. He wanted a lot more. So he set out to build a massive storage barn with the view to guaranteeing permanent success for the rest of his life. In his heart, he boasted in his own strength.

The Lord rebuked him for his materialism and that night everything changed.

This is not a blanket condemnation of those who are successful or wealthy. In fact, there are many commendable things about this man.

He apparently was a hardworking farmer. He obviously worked harder, got up earlier, and spent more effort than all of the other farmers to accomplish his goals.

His mistake was not in being successful in his work or acquiring possessions. His mistake was failing to make plans for eternity.

His mistake was that he forgot about his soul. He was living well, not recognizing that all human life has an end and then, eternity.

Prayer: Lord, You are the hope of my salvation and the strength of my life; help me trust You always.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 12:13-21

Getting to the Other Side of Grief

I ran into a friend at the mall today who recently lost her brother. He was 27 years old. Far too young with too much life to live. Matt and I had the privilege of going to his service a few weeks ago and we immediately fell in love with their family, even though we had never met them before. It's the type of family that made us say: a) we want a big family, and b) we want to be as close as they are.

My heart ached and ached for their loss all throughout his service. I found myself crying almost the entire time, even though I never had the chance to know him. At one point I literally wanted to stand and wail and mourn for their indescribable loss and grief. I cursed the American way of grieving in my mind—so solemn and composed. I wanted to immediately implement the Jewish and Middle Eastern customs of grieving with wailing and tearing of the clothes and pouring ashes on the head.

Since we have begun our own grief journey I have noticed this subtle mindset that so many have about grief. The more outwardly composed and collected we are, the more praised we are for "being strong" and being a light and example. An example of what? Not collapsing on the floor in gut-wrenching pain and weeping that leaves our eyes nearly swollen shut and our faces red and blotchy? No, we save that for the privacy of our bedrooms.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. People who experience such profound loss and grief are not any stronger than you are. We did not experience our loss because we possessed more strength than you and you are not exempt from experiencing it yourself. People who experience such profound loss and grief go on living because we have to.

As my sweet friend and I talked I realized we shared many of those same experiences. People praising her for being strong. People commending her because she looked like she was moving on because she happened to get dressed and put makeup on that day. I loved the way she confronted the last person who told her that. It's a front, she said, I'm actually living in a black hole right now.

Because people don't see the other side.

They don't see the sleepless nights and the nightmares and the constant replay of your worst memories: the still heart where there should've been a beating one, the moment she was placed in your arms and all you could cry was, You're so beautiful, you're so perfect, the kissing of her head over and over, the soaking in of her face knowing you'd never see it again, the handing her over for the final time, the collapsing on the bed in tears because you don't know how you will live through this pain. They don't see the crushing of your heart when you see someone who has what you should have. They don't see the tears rolling down your face night after night, the thousand different places in this city that you've cried and then pulled it together as you pulled into the church parking lot. They don't see the anger and the desperate questioning and the item thrown across the room because you can't stand the pain and anger anymore. And they don't see that it doesn't stop. That nine months later you're still so freaking sad and angry that you realize for the first time that grief is a long, long journey and you're just getting started.

I'm comforted when I find in the Bible the same gut-wrenching pain that has become so familiar to me. None of this ridiculous composure and "staying strong" and being the poster child for handling grief well. Isaiah tells me that Jesus was a man familiar with grief and sorrow, and when Jesus wept the original language describes for us the type of weeping that is from the stomach; you know, the kind that doubles you over.

Jesus is near to me. He is with me. He has never left me. I have laid in bed and pleaded with Him to please show me His love and kindness because it felt so far and, even at times, not true, and my God, the one who leads the stars out in number by name, has done just that. He has shown me indescribable love and kindness. But it doesn't erase nor exempt me from the grief experience. Nor any other believer. Yes, God is good, but death isn't.

He tells us in his own Word that the last enemy to be destroyed is death (1st Cor. 15:26). Yes, death is an enemy. And we can have every type of visceral reaction to it that soldiers have in battle at enemy lines. It is not tidy. It is not comfortable. It doesn't make for easy conversation or even relationship. It reshapes what you thought your life would be like, look like. It is inescapable.

When I talked to her today my eyes filled with tears as she spoke and shared how angry she's been, and I told her I have been as well, and I told her that's OK; it's part of the process. No, we don't want to stay there and become embittered but we don't have to have a quick palatable response to everything either. We don't have to defend God or try to make it go away for the other person. We can simply say, I know and I'm so sorry. I've been there too. I'm there now.

Someone shared this perspective not long ago and it's stuck with me. How much would I love it if my children came to me when they were older with their real problems and questions and struggles and sin, more than if they simply always told me the "right" thing so that I somehow felt better about them? I love my children desperately and nothing could ever separate me from loving them.

I crave relationship with them, not a surface appearance of them doing the right things but me never actually knowing them, truly knowing them. And it makes me wonder how much more so our Father? He's not looking for us to have our spiritual ducks in a row first. He's not looking for us to redeem our own pain and experiences. He is the Redeemer. He is the one who sanctifies. He is the one to work out all things for good.

I think people who suffer and grieve have such deep faith because the believing doesn't come easy anymore. It's been purified in the Refiner's fire. We can no longer say that God is good because our lives are going how we think they should; we now say God is good because He is simply good. Because it is who He has been for all of eternity and He is incapable of being anything other than Himself in all His perfection. His goodness isn't true because we have good gifts. His goodness is true because it is who He is.

Yes, my faith is deeper. My belief in God and His Word are stronger. But it's not without severe pain and wrestling.

And something tells me that there are some of you who can relate. And I want you to know, it's OK.

Source:charismamag.com

Ways you are unknowingly destroying your husband and killing your marriage

When I got married, I was amazed at the instant, overwhelming sense of responsibility I felt to love and care for my husband. Suddenly, a huge part of someone else's well-being and happiness was largely affected by my choices and actions.

Women, we need to be careful about how we are caring for our husbands and marriages. Don't let the small stuff ruin the things that will bring you the greatest happiness in life.

Here are just a few ways you might be unknowingly destroying your husband and killing your marriage (as a caveat, please understand that although this article is directed toward women, it applies to men as well):

1. Living outside of what you can afford: A wise old woman from my church congregation once advised: "The best thing you can do as a wife is to live within your husband's means."

Wives, show sincere appreciation and respect to your husband by carefully following a budget and making the most of what you have. Be wise about your finances.

Constantly complaining about not having enough to fulfill your lavish desires or racking up astronomical amounts of debt on your credit card is a poor way of saying "thank you" to a faithful spouse who works hard every day to provide for the family.

Yes, you may not have enough to buy that Kate Spade bag you've had your eyes on for months, but your husband will love and appreciate the fact that you honor him and are grateful for what he provides.

2. Constant negativity: You hate your hair, the messes around the house, the neighbor across the street, your dumb co-worker, the old dishwasher, and everything in between. As soon as your husband walks through the door, you launch into action and dump every negative and angry thought that's crossed your mind throughout the day.

Can you imagine having to carry that burden? Negativity is draining. Men like to fix things, and constantly being hounded with complaints makes it difficult for him to help solve your pains.

If there is one thing I've learned from marriage is that a good man wants you to be happy, and if he can't help you do that, it makes him unhappy. It's okay to have a bad day once in a while, that's totally understandable, but don't make it a way of life.

3. Putting everything else first: When your children, mom, best friends, talents, or career in front of your husband, you send a clear message to him that he is unimportant. Imagine having that message sent to you every day for many years. What would that do to your self esteem?

Put your husband first.

Although it sometimes seems counter-intuitive and counterproductive, I think you'd be amazed to find that it's often the key to the greatest happiness in marriage. So many couples get divorced these days, because they neglect to care and love one another and put each other first.

If you choose to put each other first, you will find a lot of joy.

4. Withholding physical affection: Men crave and need physical affection with their wives. When you constantly decline intimacy, it wears on them. Sex should not be used as a tool to control your spouse; it should be viewed as a sacred tool to draw you closer to one another and to God. It is a great blessing to be wanted and needed by a loving, romantic husband who wants to share something so beautiful and important with you -- and you only. Even though you might not always be in the mood, it's worth it to give in (when you can) and spend that time bonding.

5. Not speaking his language: Women love to drop hints. (I think it's part of our DNA.) But men just don't get them. (I think that is a part of their DNA.)

Don't waste your time giving subtle hints that he won't understand: Speak plainly to him. Be honest about your feelings, and don't bottle things up until you burst. If he asks you what's wrong, don't respond with "nothing" and then expect him to read your mind and emotions. Be open about how you really feel.

Source: Katelyn Carmen

Take A Tour Of Norway's Unbelievably Luxurious Prison

 Norway's prison system is known as one of the most humane in the entire world.

It may also be one of the most radical. 

"This is prison utopia," American prison warden James Conway said in "The Norden," a made-for-TV documentary. "I don't think you can go any more liberal — other than giving the inmates the keys." The production explored Conway's experience visting Halden.

The 75-acre facility tries to maintain as much normalcy as possible, an important concept in the Norwegian prison system, Jan Stromnes, deputy head of the prison, said in the documentary. That means no bars on the windows, fully equipped kitchens, and friendships between guards and inmates. 

"Every inmates in Norwegian prison are going back to the society," Are Hoidel, Halden's director, said in another production by Gughi Fassino and Emanuela Zuccalà. "Do you want people who are angry — or people who are rehabilitated?"

Like many prisons, Halden seeks to prepare inmates for life on the outside with vocational programs: wood-working, assembly workshops, and even a recording studio.

Norway hasn't imposed the death penalty since 1979. Life sentences don't exist, putting the focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment.

The Scandinavian country has an incarceration rate of 70 per 100,000, totaling 3,571 inmates for the entire country. The US' rate is more than 10 times Norway's — 707 per 100,000, or 2,228,424 people behind bars.

At Halden, it's sometimes hard to tell the inmates and guards apart.

Uniforms aren't required.

And the guards and prisoners are friendly with each other. Read more:businessinsider.com

Here, one guard helps an inmate choose a DVD.

This building is "Unit C," where 84 inmates live. The windows don't have bars because the prison wants inmates to have a good view of nature.

The halls look more like a college dormitory than a prison.

The cells themselves are pretty spacious.

The decor even looks like a bedroom from an IKEA catalogue.

Ten inmates share this common area.

It has an Xbox.

Inmates sometimes play darts while others cook in the well-equipped kitchen.

This is Jack. Before he went to prison, he was in school to become a chef and now uses the kitchen to practice. "I feel good inside here," he says. "I feel that I can become a better person."

Surprisingly, inmates can use sharp utensils without supervision.

And porcelain plates.

When American prison warden James Conway visited Halden, he was shocked at the inmates' access to potential weapons. The metal top of this hanger could easily be fashioned into an "ice-pick-type weapon," he said.

Not to mention the heavy, sharp tools out in the open.

Inmates have jobs like woodworking at the prison that require these tools.

There's also an assembly workshop.

And retail or customer service positions.

The most controversial skill-building additive is a recording studio.

"I'm having a hard time believing that I'm in a prison," Conway said when he came across the studio.

Inmates can learn to play instruments, sing, and work with audio equipment. Three have even appeared on Norway's version of "American Idol."

A gym helps the inmates stay active indoors.

And inmates get to experience all four seasons on the grounds. In nice weather, they can play sports on fields outside.

The grounds are beautiful. The prison's architect suggested keeping "as much of the nature as possible," deputy head of the prison Jan Stromnes explained. That way, inmates could serve under normal conditions — one of the key principles in the Norwegian prison system.

Halden also invested in art and architecture, reportedly spending $1 million on paintings, photographs, and light installations to create a "warm and cozy" environment.

Inmates don't have all the fun. Guards get around the spacious premises on scooters.

"The relationship with some inmates, it's kind of like a normal friendship," one guard explains. "Last year, we had one inmate who was crying when he was leaving."

Read more:businessinsider.com

Health: Never Ignore These Cancer Warning Signs

Many people ignore potential warning signs of cancer, a new British survey found.

The study involved 1,700 people aged 50 and older in the United Kingdom who completed a health questionnaire listing 17 symptoms, including 10 widely publicized possible cancer symptoms.

The symptoms included:

• Unexplained cough
• Unexplained bleeding
• Significant changes in bowel or bladder activity
• Unexplained lumps
• Changes in appearance of a mole

While 53 percent of the participants said they had experienced at least one of the potential cancer symptoms in the previous three months, only 2 percent thought cancer was a possible cause of those symptoms.

In many cases, people attributed potential signs of cancer to reasons such as age, infection, arthritis, cysts and hemorrhoids, according to the Cancer Research U.K.-funded survey. It was published Dec. 2 in the journal PLOS One.

"Most people with potential warning symptoms don't have cancer, but some will and others may have other diseases that would benefit from early attention," lead author Dr. Katriina Whitaker, senior research fellow at University College London, said in a Cancer Research U.K. news release.

"That's why it's important that these symptoms are checked out, especially if they don't go away. But people could delay seeing a doctor if they don't acknowledge cancer as a possible cause," Whitaker added."It's concerning that even the more obvious warning symptoms, such as unexplained lumps or changes to the appearance of a mole, were rarely attributed to cancer, although they are often well-recognized in surveys that assess the public's knowledge of the disease," she said.

Sara Hiom, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research U.K., said in the news release: "Diagnosing cancer early saves lives because it gives patients a better chance that treatments will be successful."

Source: charismamag.com