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A lifechanging promise from God: a fresh beginning is yours. More than one young person looked forward to graduation in order to start over. A new beginning. A move can make a huge difference. When playing a video game, its easy to hit the reset button, things get so messed up, and God is saying you can do the same thing with your life. A new beginning.
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 Crying is good. When a baby is born, the alternative of not crying is not so good. Sally and I know what that’s like. When Esther was born we found out later she had a coating of stuff in her lungs, she did not cry, and she turned colors we were pretty sure were not normal. It took 5-6 hours before we knew much of anything or even saw her. Crying is good. In our house, I’m the last one to get it. A movie with a mystery. Sally sometimes figures it out in the first few scenes. The kids are not far behind. I rarely figure it who dun it, and often I don’t even understand after the movie is over (maybe it has to do with falling asleep in the middle). Today’s gospel message from the book of John reads like the unfolding of a good mystery. One theologian from yesteryear described the coming of Christ as God incognito, God hidden, to be slowly unveiled. A tribute to the innocent. The vulnerable. If I were the editor of the Bible and the Christmas story, the slaughter of the innocent children is the first story I would throw out. Yet, God, in his infinite wisdom, determined that the story of the birth of Christ could not only survive, but be enhanced by Herod’s murder of the young baby boys. One of Sally’s cousins said early Friday morning, the day after Thanksgiving, “I can hardly wait to put on Christmas Music. But the kids are asleep. Should I wake them up…” If you want to be technical, nowhere in the Bible does it literally say the angels sang. Some translations say they sang, but the words for singing in those cases are best just as the NIV has it: v. 13: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying…” (Lk. 2:13). The reason I am confident the angels sang is for a simple reason: I cannot imagine anything else. |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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