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Come and See Ministries |
I had a busy winter and spring with trips to New Orleans, a phone ministry with a church in Idaho, a phone ministry with two churches in upstate New York followed by a visit for further ministry there and some engagements in Ohio.
This Aug. I am working with a church in north central Ohio, a church in central Ohio, a church in South Carolina and a two churches in Los Vegas. One of these is anglo and the other is hispanic. I am also working on something further with the churches in upstate New York. Please pray for Come and See Ministries that we will be able to continue our work for God and his glory. God Bless, Gary
Many of us have been in the battle of keeping Christ in Christmas for many years now and this year is no exception. The latest I have heard is that a small town in America has removed some Christmas decorations and the removal comes from a retired decorated Marine who does not believe in God. When will this battle ever end.
Recently i read in my friend David Kerr's news letter a reminder that Happy Holidays comes from the original 'Happy Holy Days.' Thank you David for the reminder and with that reminder let me wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holy Days too as this celebration is the most Holy of all days in the year. As the great Christmas Hymn reminds us, "Oh Holy Night..' God Bless and Happy New Year too. Your friend in Christ, Gary W. Exman
Here we go again on the day before Thanksgiving with the media and the retail markets, by and large, forgetting the real meaning of Chrismas. We Christians must rise up and be counted on to carry the banner of Christ. How can we do it on this eve of Christmas? Let me suggest four ways.
1. Share the spirit of Christmas by thought, word and deed wherever you go and in whatever you do these next 30 days.
2. Pray for the needy in your town and go out and help them in any way you can with your gifts of time, talent, and trust.
3. Help your own family to give something to someone above and beyond what you share with yourselves this Christmas.
4. Attend Church these next 4 Sunday's and Celebrate the 'Joy to the World, the Lord has come.' Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, Gary Exman
Here is wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. This is that great time of year when we enjoy family and friends twice. We start out with our big celebrations on Thanksgiving and then we continue until after Christmas and New Year. May you and your Church people have the greatest of celebrations during these weeks and share with those in your congregation and neighborhoods who are without jobs and food. This is a great time of need across our land and a wonderful opportunity for us to share from our own bounty. God Bless you all and may we all have holiday's of sharing and giving. Gary Exman
Maybe I am totally Old School. I grew up in the 50's and Playboy came out, what, one year before the 55 Chevy. I remember we all read it in a private moment and many boys hid it under their beds only to sneak it out late at night in their bed with a flashlight. Most of my age 'did it' in private like in the back seat of a car. Then after the sex explosion of the 60's and the free wheeling of drugs it got out more in the open, or at least between the rows in the corn field.
Then when College dorms were opened for visitations by the opposite sex the revolution really jacked up. Most of my marriage cerimonies from the late 70' till now have been with couples who were already moved in and keeping house way before that cerimonial rite of passage. Now it is 'no privacy dorm rooms' and your room mate brings in a friend regardless of sexual orientation to 'do it' in front of you, whether you are awake or asleep. God Help Us, and as the question is, what will it be next?
What can the Church do??? Preach purity and righteousness against a flowing tide of Old School ideas such as moral virtures. Pray much for a revivial of truth and true love. What we need to be doing in public is not 'it' but presenting with our lifestyles a life or righteousness. Gary Exman
Hope you will join back with my posts as I have missed for one month. God Bless you all and may you have a great month of October and the rest of the year. Here is an early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too. Gary Exman
Here are 8 steps to prayerful personal stewardship
1. Pray for your job and income everyday including your employer and other employees.
2. Pay your tithe weekly.
3. Remember those around you who do not have jobs or are struggling financially.
4. Give your clothes you do not use to the church clothing store.
5. Teach your children and grandchildren how to give and even tithe.
6. Do not charge for something you cannot afford. Only buy what you can afford.
7. Keep a weeking, monthy and yearly budget.
8. Remember God loves a cheerful giver.
God Bless you and your stewardship. Gary Exman