Twas The Day Before

Twas the day before Christmas and all in the office
People were working, all grumpy and scoffing
Last minute shopping and presents to wrap
Never made it to Santa to sit on his lap
Presents and in-laws, wrong sizes too
Somewhere in all of this we forgot about You!

Is that you're experience? Have you gotten so wrapped up in the busy stuff of Christmas that you've left Jesus out of the mix? Christmas is all about PRESENCE, not presents. Don't misunderstand... giving gifts is entirely appropriate... that's exactly what God did for us by giving us Jesus. I'm just saying that in all of our celebration, let's take effort to place priority on God's presence... Jesus - Emmanuel - God with us.

Recent Events and Stuff from my world:

Sunday night LifePoint partnered with Newsong to deliver a Christmas concert / story. During the show the band had a little break. I got to sit on the floor with Nick (one of Newsong's guitarists) and talk about what it looks like to have 2 very similar churches partner to behave in a KINGDOM MINDSET and give people an on ramp to experience Jesus.

Haley, my 12 year old daughter, has basically wrapped all of our family's gifts. This is a much bigger GIFT to Vange and I than Haley realizes.

Ashli, my oldest daughter, just turned 14. She got a laptop for her birthday and she is super pumped!

My boys, Dawson - 6 and Griffin - 5, finished up shopping for Vange last night. They really enjoyed shopping cart surfing! (Does that make me a bad Dad or a cool Dad?)

Vange has recently learned to text message on her cell phone..... Several days lately she has sent a quick text to me asking how I'm doing. It is the words she finishes the text with that makes me feel warm and fuzzy: I LUV U. There is something wonderful about seeing that pop up on my phone.

Last thing - I would love as many of you as possible to reply to this question:
If you were to actually give Jesus a present this year, what would it be?

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and People with every word and every action!