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Saving For Christmas: Jesus is Savior From All (Lk. 2:1-14)

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.   8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk. 2:1-14 ESV).

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When 9 = 400

Last Sunday the Highland congregation graciously and sacrificially gave $153,000 for World and Urban missions.  The goal was $148,000.  In the midst of a difficult economy, at… Read More »When 9 = 400

Impractical Presents: Giving Worth to Those with None (Prov. 22:2)

I recently came across an online “Net-worth Calculator.”  Net-worth, according to this calculator is the difference between your assets and your liabilities.  It adds up your assets—how much you have in checking and savings, how much life insurance you posses, how much your home, car, jewelry, and art are worth, your mutual funds, pension funds, stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles.  Then, it subtracts your liabilities—outstanding mortgages, student loans, car loans, credit card debt, and similar items.  What’s left is your net-worth.  This software will calculate any person’s net-worth.

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Surprised by Hope: #6

surprisedbyhopeIn Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, N. T. Wright challenges us to rethink our notions of heaven and the implications of the doctrine of heaven for the entire Christian faith.

In Chapter Six Wright lays out the biblical answer to “What is God’s purpose for creation?” in contrast to the popular options explored in chapter five: evolutionary optimism (EO) and souls in transit (SIT).  In summary, Wright argues that the early Christians did not believe the world was getting better and better on its own steam (EO) or that it was getting worse and worse and their task was to escape it (SIT).  Instead, early Christians believed “that God was going to do for the whole cosmos was he had done for Jesus at Easter.”

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