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I love Christmas. I come by it very naturally. My dad loved Christmas. I can remember him waking us up at 3:00 AM to unwrap presents on Christmas morning. He always took us to see Christmas lights, and he loved giving all 3 of his kids’ prolific gifts. Our tree was never empty. Dad made sure of it, and mom loved every minute of it.  

Last year, I was driving to pick up my youngest son at his middle school boys’ community group during the Christmas season, and as I passed by the Christmas lights, I thought about the impact my dad made on my life regarding my love for Christmas season. Naturally, I found myself in tears driving down the road in gratitude for him and for the heritage that he gave me. On December 1, 2018, my dad went to hope to be with Jesus. This week marks the 3rd year without him during Christmas and has brought a fresh perspective for me about Christmas. In all the celebrations (and there should be celebrations), we should be mindful of the fact that Christmas is also a season that’s tough on some folks. They may not have family nearby. They might’ve lost someone they dearly loved. Christmas might bring the ache of family conflicts. This year, be mindful of this as you go about your Christmas celebrations. It might be a time in your family to bring someone into your world that doesn’t have what you have.  

Advent

I must admit that I’ve always been a bit of a non-traditionalist regarding the church history calendar. I cannot explain it except for my youthful zeal. Honestly, I’ve watched churches and people observe traditions without any connection to the gospel, heart transformation, or life adjustments, and I just haven’t had any flavor for it. So, I’ve rejected some really good things, like Advent, because I “threw the baby out with the bathwater.”  

So, when we decided to do an Advent series, I wanted to make sure that this series was about Christ and His gospel. As we’ve planned this series, my heart has been really excited. I’ve been eager to light each candle. I’ve been excited to go through an Advent devotional with my family. And I’ve been excited to preach the sermons on each theme to our church.  

As I said Sunday, my prayer is that this series will cause us to slow down and meditate on Christ’s first coming and long for His second coming. 

Sunday’s sermon

Several years ago, we did a series called “The Great Story.” That series was Sunday’s sermon but in about 12 sermons. So, the task on Sunday was enormous. As you can imagine, there was a lot to cut out. But, my hope is this…this sermon showed you how the Old Testament was pointing to Christ way before the New Testament came around. This sermon was really about the story of redemption and restoration that we find all over the Bible. And it sure does provide us hope. Christ has come, and God is faithful. The only reasons we need for hope.  

From the Cheap Seats:

  • Well, not a very good Thanksgiving weekend for my football teams. Cowboys go down on Thanksgiving. The Beavers got crushed (the score was closer than the game felt). And the Aggies got beat on a last-second touchdown. I hate football…  
  • Then the news came down today that the Cowboys coaching staff is being hammered with COVID positives tests.
  • Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to the Rangers for over 500 million dollars. Rangers just bought the best middle infield in baseball. But my goodness, that’s a lot of money.  

Grateful for you.  

To watch or listen to the sermon described in this post, please click here. 

In Christ, 

Dave York

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Musings

Look Around and Rejoice

It dawned on me:  look around and rejoice…all that we have needed, God has provided.  Let’s use it for the mission of the gospel.  Easter is coming, CLF…, and there are plenty of seats at Jacoby to invite friends to church.  

Musings

Dating Principles?

Sunday’s sermon was a ‘sweet spot’ for me. I struggled with anxiety for much of my early Christian life.  I wanted to please God and do His will, but I was always worried I was missing it.  I was taught about God’s ‘perfect’ will and that, if I missed it, I would not be in the ‘center’ of God’s will.  It created tons of anxiety.  Things started to change one night when Major Ian Thomas spoke at our church on that topic.  He talked about how God actively led His people and that God’s goodness met them as they obeyed Him. After his sermon, I asked, “Major, I want to be led by God.  How can I be sure I’m in the ‘center’ of His will?”  His reply stunned me.  He said in a wonderful British accent, “My dear son, God is already leading you.  You don’t have to worry about that.” 

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- March 29 | 6:30 PM | Jacoby Auditorium -

Come and reflect with us on Good Friday as we gather in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice, finding grace in the cross.

- March 31 | 10:00 AM | Jacoby Auditorium -

Join us for an Easter Sunday celebration, as we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, filled with hope, love, and renewal..