… the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
Luke 2:1-10

Snow storms in Europe, flooding on the east coast of Canada, mud slides in California and grieving families embracing the casket of the son that served in Afghanistan. The list of grief and suffering could go on and on.

This last week has not been calm as some carols would suggest, in fact it has been hectic and confusing. The question comes to mind, "Where is God in all this pain suffering and confusion?" 



As I pondered this question I found myself thinking of Joseph, Mary, some shepherds and a tiny baby in a feed trough. Yes Jesus Christ/God with us in a animal feed trough!

As I think about the inconveniences and grief in the lives of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on the first Christmas night and the Life that followed I am reminded of the fact that as in those day “God is with us today” I believe the Good News of Christmas is that God is with us in all of this incredible suffering and confusion.
The message of God to us at Christmas is, "In all of life I am with you.”
Think about that. God is in the midst of real life. When people are hungry, God is there. Where people are cold, God is there. Where people are hurting, God is there.

God did not come for those who feel righteous and worthy. God came to the hurting, the lonely, the hungry, the naked and the cold. In the inconvenient birth of the Son, God tells each one of us that we are the objects of his love. Through the birth, life and death of Jesus, God tells us, "I know what life is like and I will always be with you." 



Jesus shows us there is a way. He followed the will of God. He conquered sin and death. He gave us eternal hope … and it all began on a cold night in a stable after an inconvenient journey. 



God is with us. Jesus is here. The promise of Christmas is that Jesus will be with us always. No matter what happens in our lives. No matter what life throws in our path, Jesus is with us.

When life is good we thank Jesus for the blessings. When life is inconvenient and hard we thank Jesus for his presence. In Christ we find all of our joy. In Christ we find all of our peace. In Christ we find all of our hope. With this joy, this peace and this hope, we thank God. With this joy, this peace, and this hope we can turn to one another and say with new meaning and understanding, “Merry Christmas”.

Paul Weresch

Goodbye, Rosy ... For Now

I just received a midnight call from my nephew about an hour ago. It’s the type of call that none of us as human beings want to receive. It was to inform me that his mom … my sister for 71 plus years had passed away.

This will be the only grieving I will do because I am happy. Please let me explain.

Rosy and I were three years apart, she was my baby sister. Although we were never really close emotionally or, for the most part, geographically ... we knew that we cared for each other and communicated as we could.

As she began her battle with cancer some months ago, we stayed in touch more and in the last few months, Tim, her son, had started a newsletter to keep her loved ones informed. I called her a couple times a week and we prayed for her at our church regularly along with many others around the country. Although serious from the onset … we thought the battle had been won when it took a turn for the worse a couple weeks ago and one week ago she entered hospice care.
 
I began to worry about the most important thing in my heart and mind … did my sister believe that Jesus Christ her Savior had died to save her from her sins. Although she was involved in church having been a professional pianist, organ player and choir director at several different churches, I wasn‘t sure. I needed to know if she had accepted the Lord and if not, I wanted to be there to show her the way. I made the six hour trip to Tacoma, Washington and was there to see Rosy the day she entered hospice care. Although we hadn’t been that close in life, I wanted to know that we would be together in Heaven.
 
It was sad seeing Rosy, not quite conscious, lying there. I kissed her and held her hand and told her I was there. She squeezed my hand in return. We had an ongoing joke where I would introduce her at our annual birthday gathering as my “older” sister. It went so far that she would bring her birth certificate to show everyone. So, as she lay there I told her … “OK, I admit it … you are my YOUNGER sister!” She smiled and mumbled that it was … “about time I admitted it.”

The next day, after a night of praying and reading all the comfort passages in the Bible I could find, I took my youngest daughter with me and we went to see Rosy. Her son, daughter and daughter-in-law hadn't arrived and we were alone with her. I wasn’t sure she would be conscious enough to hear us but she was quite attentive and even asked for some ice cream which we were able to feed her.
 
She was hurting and asked for something more for the pain. Then, she looked at me and mumbled something about God. I leaned closer and asked what she had said and she said, “God will take care of me.” After all the agonizing, praying and preparation I had done through the night, I didn’t have to open my mouth. I held her hand and asked, “Rosy, have you received the Lord as your personal savior?”

Her answer was the sweetest words I had ever heard from her as she said, “Yes, I have.” Tears of joy rolled down my face as I watched her give in to the medication and go to sleep.

That was three days ago. According to Tim, she hadn’t said much after that and was having trouble breathing. So, tonight I got the call … my baby sister has shed that diseased, painful body and has flown away to be with Jesus. And, I am having a hard time wiping the smile off my face because I am at peace. I know we will be together for all of eternity … Dad, Mom, little Arthur who died at age one, me and Rosy … my baby sister.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Im Watching You Dad!

Watch this amazing little video.
It is a message from a little boy to his dad.
We all need to know this!



May God help us, fathers.
Alexander Shein, Editorial Team

Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

Death is a tragic thing to those who do not believe ... people who have banked their entire existence on who THEY are and what THEY must be in this life. It is not unusual to see survivors who commit suicide rather than deal with a loved ones passing. Other’s have died of a broken heart, seeing no future for them.

When the end of life comes to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life, there is nothing … NOTHING! I cannot imagine the pain these people must suffer as it all comes to an end.

There appeared on these pages some time ago, a piece by Paul, “A Great Experience .. A Wonderful Legacy” where he commented on the passing of a dear friend .. a Christian man .. Glenn Doornink.

Recently Paul received a letter from Glenn’s wife, Mary Ellen. The content of that letter illustrates the exact opposite to the thoughts I put forth to you before. The letter exudes loving memory surrounded by the peace of understanding that we who believe in Jesus Christ will all meet once again in Heaven. Please let me include the letter, in it’s entirety:

Dear Paul and Betty,

Words are simply inadequate to convey the depth of gratitude I owe to you people for your willingness to skillfully guide our family through some uncharted waters after Glenn's departure. With Godly wisdom you helped us through the family gatherings where you encouraged open expression as we wept and laughed together at memories of the good life Glenn had lived among us. My own heart was thrilled and comforted by many things I heard during those times and also with the apparent agreement reached on many details.

So fitting were your messages as you bathed every event with God's truth from His word, at the chapel before the burial to the graveside comments and the good message at the memorial service itself. You carried a large responsibility in causing the whole affair to bring glory to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and honor to Glenn. May God reward you richly for playing such a key role in steering us all through that memorable day. Our Father even added beautiful weather with three formations of geese flying overhead at the burial site.

A wise man told us before we married, "One of you will lay the other in the grave some day if our Lord tarries", and so it has been. Death is truly an enemy as the separation robs us of the close relationship we enjoyed for many years.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:17,18

Most Sincerely, Mary Ellen

That, my friends, is "that peace that surpasses all understanding" that is promised in Philippians 4:7 and that is available to us all.

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

What is the role of the Christian in politics?

Can a disciple of Christ or the church herself be involved in politics?

Some Christians think that the church has no political role to play, and the individual Christian, at most, a minuscule part. This view stems from the concept that Christ's kingdom is not of this world.

Other Christians insist that both individuals and the church have great socio-political responsibilities to improve living conditions.

Some Christians go further and claim that Christianity's main task is to work toward creating a Christian political order that will result in establishing the kingdom of God on earth.

Let us look at the example of Jesus Christ.

Jesus never referred to the type of political society to which His disciples should aspire.

He did not claim to be a socio-political reformer or crusader.

He did not enunciate any political platform. The temptations in the wilderness clearly opened up a political dimension and He resisted them.

Even though He had more than one opportunity to take over society's rule by a sort of coup d'état (e.g., the feeding of the multitude and the triumphant entry into Jerusalem), He did not choose that option.

At the same time, the teachings of Jesus are bound to have significant socio-political fallout when lived by the Christian community.

He offered good news for the poor, liberty for the oppressed, and "life in all its fullness" (John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Therefore, contemporary Christians, following the example of believers throughout the centuries, must acknowledge a social responsibility resting on their shoulders.

Christian socio-political responsibility is based on two biblical foundations.

First, the doctrine of Creation.
God created the universe and established us as the ruling stewards of this world. Stewardship entails both responsibility and accountability for the domain over which one has jurisdiction.

Second, the doctrine of humanity.
Human beings are created in the image of God. The Christian view is that men and women are not an accidental speck on the sea of life, but persons with a responsible role to play and a radiant future. This human potential gives purpose, direction, and optimism to Christians serving others in a communal setting.

Thus Commitment to Jesus Christ means commitment to all God's creation especially to mankind and commitment brings responsibility for the welfare of others.

 Paul Weresch

“Shalom”

Listening to the news and watching the television, one gets the impression the most precious commodity in the world are not natural resources and energy but peace. Peace seems to be lacking everywhere, whether we look to the East, West, North or South we see unrest, confrontation and war.

When we talk about peace we often think of a calm quiet place far from distractions and human challenges. Some people think the only way to find peace is to go on a Safari or move to a quite cabin in the woods away from everyone and everything.

Jesus spoke to his disciples just as he was facing the most challenging time of his life on earth and said the following words in John 14:27:

" Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Jesus Christ was a man of peace. He lived in peace and taught us how to live in peace. But Jesus didn't lead a calm tranquil existence, his life was permeated by confrontations persecution insults and in the end crucifixion.

The peace that Jesus offers is not dependent on outside circumstances; it depends only on our relationship with God. This peace stems from a knowledge that God is in control of all things. This knowledge results from a personal relationship with God.

Dear friend, perhaps you are thinking as you read these lines; "how in the world am I to have a personal relationship with God and how does one experience this peace with all the challenges of life". God wants to give it to you … free! Let me suggest this little prayer … pray it from your heart … He will hear you and answer.

"Blessed Jesus ... I want that peace You speak of. I know that I am a sinner and I repent of my sins. Please come into my life, Jesus. I believe You died for me and I believe that through You I can gain peace in my life. I look forward to a personal relationship with You, Jesus. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. Amen"

If you prayed that prayer, let us know. And, if you need a New Testament of the Bible we can send you one. Just send an email to: cntcpw@aol.com

Paul Weresch