Pastor
Dave Wilson
 Youth Pastor Adam Habluetzel |
| Alliance Berean Church News |
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Were you one of these kids? Are you still somebody like this now that you’re older? Do you wait for the magic that so many people don’t see anymore? They don’t hear it. They don’t see it. They don’t catch the magic of the feeling anymore. This can happen to many people over their years with Christ. After a while, some people just stop waiting for the changes and happiness of a life with Him. I see it happen all the time in some of the changed lives in my school. And it’s sad…because no matter how long you’re with the Lord, the feeling should ALWAYS be real. *~* “…the center of the city. That is where Santa will give the first gift of Christmas.” “Who receives the first gift?” we all asked. The conductor answered, “He will choose one of you.” --- The Polar Express In this case, SANTA gave the first gift of Christmas. But the TRUE first gift of Christmas was God sending his Son, and it was given to ALL of mankind…of the present and the future. Now, most people I know would have a rebuttal for me on that one, saying something like, “But Jesus couldn’t be a gift…where’s the wrapping?” But in all actuality, they fail to miss the fact that gifts don’t come in packages. At Christmas and birthdays or occasions like that, they do. But God’s gift was life through his son Jesus Christ…no strings attached, no wrapping needed. *~* At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly BELIEVE. --- The Polar Express I love that word. BELIEVE. It’s just so real. It covers every step of faith in your walk with Jesus, but it’s just one word. Amazing how small things fulfill big positions, isn’t it? This is also something you see in the community when you look around at people who USED to be on a “God high”, but are now faced with a dull time of faith. If you stop believing, the “bell” is no longer going to ring in your heart. I feel like this book should’ve been written by me, because it’s true for me, as of now, that the “bell” of faith and belief in Christ still rings loud and pure, no matter how rusty it may get. If you just believe (that word just won’t go away, will it?), your “bell” will always ring. *~* It doesn’t matter where the train is going. What matters is deciding to get on! --- The Polar Express This, in a spiritual aspect, means that if you don’t get on the train with Christ, you won’t be going on that wonderful trip to heaven with the people you love that DO know him. You have to get on the train to go somewhere. If you don’t know Christ as your personal Savior then it’s time you get onto that train. I’m telling you, it’s the best train I’ve ever been on! Get on board with Christ, because the train leading to heaven is conducted by Him and if he doesn’t have you in his “boarding” book, you’re not getting on! *~* Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see. --- The Polar Express God is real. No matter what way you turn the camera, He’s still the most real thing in the world. But this “realness” is a Believer’s-Only (there’s that word again!) realness. I’ve heard the point put like this before: Have you ever seen a million dollars? Well, most of us haven’t seen the actual million dollars laid out on display, but we know it exists, right? Well, the same goes for God…we can’t see him, but he exists. Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not real…seeing isn’t believing (the word, it’s everywhere!), but believing is seeing. *~* Now, I’m not going to end my paper with a quote from the movie, but if you haven’t already caught it, my article was based around the movie and book, THE POLAR EXPRESS. The two can teach you a lot about God, but only if you listen with open ears and an open heart. Christmas is a special holiday, and no matter what your gifts are or how expensive they were, they don’t matter as much as the family time you get at this time of year. Don’t worry about the present side of Christmas, but look at the REAL gift that is behind all of that wrapping. The gift of Christ being sent by God to save us all! That’s what Christmas should REALLY be about. And remember…the magic of Christmas lies in your heart! BELIEVE (I just can’t get enough of that word!)
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Church, Alliance NE |
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