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Back to Matthew...Mt. 20:17-28...The prideful Christians and the composed Christ

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Sometimes the snow is just right to coat every needle of the pine tree.  This morning it was aided by the fog off the lakes frosting everything.  There was just enough snow while the kids and grands were here to sled, tube, snowshoe and ice skate.  This week more snow is coming so I hope to post some snowshoeing pictures soon. Another year is upon us and a survey of last year via this blog shows that I posted 48 times.  My rate has been in the 40's for the last 5 years.  When I started it was much higher with some years topping over 300!  I think I have settled into this spot and will probably continue at this pace unless something new comes up.  I can't seem to get into the video or podcast lane.  I don't think I am talented enough in those areas so I will stick with the printed word to express what I am thinking and doing.  A short video or a static picture here or there will help at times with visualizing what I am actually seeing. It was ...
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Another new church document - mission/purpose statement - last post of 2025?

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  Still posting some pictures from the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  I like this picture with the Christ candle lighting up the Word of God that takes center position in our sanctuary.  This Sunday we go back to our ongoing study of the Gospel of Matthew.  The break has hopefully built some anticipation to Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the cross. The first coming has set the stage for the where we are right now in the life of Jesus.  The cradle of Jesus needs to be connected to the cross of Jesus.  It is like the connection of affliction with the following of Jesus.  The Acts passage that supports our new mission/purpose statement includes Paul's warning that affliction comes with the fulfilling of what Jesus has said to do.  Just as Jesus endured persecution and affliction that put Him on a cross following the Father's will so did Paul with being stoned, shipwrecked and run out of town at times following the Great Commission given to His ...
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Some reflections from another Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

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Another Christmas Eve and some reflections from the night.  The first is that I am so thankful that churches have this opportunity still in our time to gather the community together to focus on the birth of the Christ Child and share the message from the cradle to the cross.  Back in my easy chair after the service I surfed the web to our children's churches and others of our past and took in their services.  So blessed to see this all out effort to probably the most attended church service of the year. This church building is so easy to decorate for Christmas because its base color is green.  A little lights, poinsettas, and candles and you are ready to go! A very simple service this year with the reading of the birth event in Luke 2 and singing to cooresponding carols.  We read the story and also sang it.  May the Word of God ever be center to our time together. We went from about 60 last year to about 140 this year.  We had enough candles and space....
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