ADVENT CONSPIRACY - VIDEO
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 18:12.
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 18:12.
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I somehow dont agree with a few things, but its great anyways.
Very outstanding website.
The information here is super valuable.
I will share it with my friends.
Cheers
Pastor Frank ever since you first preached on the Advent Conspiracy, I have been really been thinking about how I can make a difference this season. About a month ago my cousin had gotten behind on her car payments and she asked if I would let her hide her car in my garage from the repo man until she could get caught up. I agreed, I felt as though I was helping her. My neice called me about a week ago and stated that she was $150.00 short on her MLG&W bill. I advised her to call MLG&W for assistance, everybody else does. Sad to say it didn't hit me until I was in line at Macy's buying Christmas gifts and those boots that I had to have that I would probably wear once or twice, that I should be helping them, I was financially able to. It is true that we can somtimes get caught up in ourselves and what we "want" when there are people around us that need our help. So I stepped out of line at that moment and called my cousin and niece and apologized for not helping them sooner and told them that I would take care of whatever they needed. The appreciation from them was priceless. It was the best Christmas gift that I have ever gotten. It really felt good to help them. That is what Christmas is about, helping others.
As I was reading your comment, I thought to myself, that's obedience at its best. So many of us have had those "revelation" moments, but we talk ourselves out of them. We justify our immediate needs and appetites and delay action on those "revelations" that God gives us. I believe that God's heart skips a beat whenever we take action on what we believe is God's will...for we are the church that's doing the right thing in all relationships!
P.S. You get extra points for putting those boots back!! :-)
Pastor Janae
www.rjanaepitts.org
Pastor Frank,
I think that you (and those who created the Advent Conspiracy concept) are dead on point in relation to misguided/misdirected giving during the Christmas (and other) season. I agree that it would be much more appropriate to take funds which would be used for unneeded, unappreciated gifts and use them to help people in need or help to fund a significant cause! To a significant degree, I also agree that saving some of these funds is a great idea! I do have a question though . . . in light of the economic downturn that we are experiencing and the effects that are being seen in industry, is taking money out of the economy the best thing for us at this time? I mean, as we reduce our access to consumables, aren't we also contributing to the loss of available jobs? Doesn't this in turn result in increased foreclosures of homes, personal bankruptcies, etc. etc. etc.? What's your take on this?????
Our family tradition for over 5 yrs on Christmas day includes fellowship, prayers, scriptures, songs and poems after dinner.
We don't exchange material gifts, but we share spiritual gifts. Everyone gathers in one room and bring a gift to the table such as: wisdom, love, power, protection, good health, financial blessings, salvation, courage, good grades, etc. Everyone shares, children and all.
Our doors are open to those who just want to join in.
It has been a wonderful blessing to us spiritually and we begin the new year with a peace of mind financially. . . what a double blessing!
God Bless
Pastor Thomas, You are absolutely correct. This Christmas, I will focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I too was caught up in the gift purchasing aspect of Christmas. I am committing myself to give more and spend less this Christmas. God bless. Pancho
I had a house fire on Feb 14 on Peabody Avenue caused by my downstairs neibor. I recieved little from red cross and nothing from this church. I lost just about everything and had no insurance... Ironically I had spoke of getting insurance that day as I had just gotten caught up on getting comfortable in my life. I trusted in the blessings of God that I was glad that I had a job and good health. Thankfull to my good friend Vernon Irvin I did not have to live in a shelter downtown .. On November 7th my long time friend was shot and killed upon answering the door at his frayser home. Ive been upset lately. Vernon was the Supervisor of the cat scan dept at the reginald medical center and a Decon at Mt Pleasent Church he gave to so many people including me. Knowing that I had no family backing me he always there when I lost my contact or had car truble or anything... I work nights and sometimes dont make it to church on Sundays but I want to come more in the coming year and I want to do better ... I want to live every day with the spirit of giving and celabrate this day of christmas as a birthday party. Contact me
Dear Anonymous:
Thanks for taking the time to write the email. I was sorrowful that we missed the opportunity to help you in your fire disaster. I am really sorry about that. We would like to be of support to you in the loss of your friend. Our pastors meet with people, pray with people, and offer support. We also have Elders and Spiritual Oofficers that would love to support you. If you will identify yourself, I will make sure that we as a church reach out to you.
If you cannot make church on Sunday, how about making it on Wednesday night. We have an excellent service and we feel the presence of God weekly. We start at 7:00pm and I would love to see you.
I am praying for you in my devotion time this morning, even though I do not know your name.