Pastor Dick Nichols

Cedar Creek Community Church

2969 14 Mile Road, Sparta

If you are reading this brief message, you have survived through the year 2016, including the Christmas-Advent season, and now we all have begun the journey called calendar year 2017 with whatever it holds. In my mind, this is no small accomplishment, and as Christians, we look forward to what God has for us in this new year—new learning, new discoveries, new relationships and more.

The Advent season, the coming of Jesus Christ, God incarnate into the world we live in, is celebrated in many different kinds of ways; one being that we become concerned about choosing just the right gifts to give to some of the special people in our lives. The full meaning of this practice can sometimes get lost in the activities of the season.

We must continually remind ourselves to be thankful for the first gift-giver, as Paul points out to us, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2nd Corinthians 9:15, King James translation). Have you ever received a gift that was beyond description? Just what kind of gift would it have to be to be called indescribable? Would it be a gift you open and say, “this is beautiful, something I’ve wanted all my life, what is it?” Or how about a gift given to you by someone special, carrying a lot of feelings and emotions with it?

The apostle Peter helps us better understand the importance of yielding our lives here to follow the path taught by Jesus Christ, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1st Peter 1:8 KJV). We are all in this year of uncertain times together, and may we all personally find this “unspeakable joy in the Lord.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ is describable and yet he is beyond human description. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” In these eight words, scripture captures our attention, to a word that cannot be expressed in mere words. When we search the scripture diligently, we find thousands of words describing characteristics of Jesus Christ, but the truth is that the more we learn of and about Jesus, we discover that the full knowledge, depth, width and height of Jesus nature, character, eternal existence, etc., always leaves us with more to learn.

When we believe on Jesus as scripture directs us, we quickly learn that this indescribable gift God has given, is God himself; that Jesus is man, Jesus is Savior, Jesus is the good news, and that even if God somehow would give us life for hundreds of years on this planet, we will still have an eternity to continue learning just how unspeakable this gift is.

This Jesus will bring us to God through the sacrifice of himself, and secure for us forgiveness of all our sins; for all eternity. Christmas is past, but it is not too late to open the gift.

Creative gift solutions offer a simple way to show you care

(BPT) – Nearly everyone has more than one special person in their life. Whether it’s a neighbor who lets the dog out, the friend who watches the kids in a pinch or a colleague who makes Mondays a little more bearable, loved ones make our days better. A simple thank you or a small thank you gift can go a long way in showing those people just how much you appreciate them.

A recent survey revealed that most people do have multiple “loves” in their lives. In fact, significant others aren’t the only ones who get Valentine’s Day gifts these days. This survey, which was commissioned by Rich Products, a leading provider to foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces, showed that Valentine’s Day now extends way beyond that one special person. Forty four percent of people said that they purchase gifts for multiple people on Valentine’s Day. When asked to identify their “other loves,” friends were at the top of the list; and surprisingly, among their favorite gifts were fresh baked goods ranging from cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats. –

So to sweeten your relationships all year round, small thank you gifts are both welcomed and appreciated. And keep in mind it’s not the size of the gift that matters. Survey results show that good things come in small, personalized packages.

Give the gift of deliciousness.

To get started, remember showing your appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive and time consuming. Gifts can be purchased on your weekly (or daily) trip to the grocery store then personalized and decorated with things that you have around the house. You can stock up on these inexpensive supplies at your local craft store.

Here are some simple, low-cost steps to show someone you care:

Step 1: Visit the bakery department in your local grocery store for a variety of fresh and delicious options. From frosted cookies, to cinnamon rolls, cupcakes and doughnuts, you’ll find a treat to please everyone on your list – and there’s no baking involved.

Step 2: Personalize each gift by selecting a baked good and using basic art or wrapping supplies (think ribbon spools and tissue paper leftover from Christmas) that you have around the house to dress up your gifts.

Step 3: Attach a personalized, handwritten note on a piece of construction paper or cardstock. Cut the paper to size, punch a hole to thread a ribbon through and tie it to your gift.

Other ideas for a quick and easy do-it-yourself ways to dress up your gift:

* Homemade gift bags: Cut hearts out of construction paper and glue onto a lunch bag.

* Decorative plates: Find inexpensive, seasonal or colored ceramic plates at your local discount store and wrap with cellophane and a bow.

* Sweet surprise: Grab a small gift box, place some tissue inside, add your selected baked good and tie with a colored bow. Make sure that the baked good is secure in the box. You don’t want it to crumble.

For more simple and creative gifting and packaging ideas, visit the Bakery Because Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/bakerybecause.

Ronnie McBrayer

By Ronnie McBrayer

There is a story about a declining monastery. Once it had thrived, but now it was decimated; only a few old monks remained. Deep in the monastery woods was a little cabin where a rabbi occasionally came for retreat. No one ever spoke with him, but for as long as he was there, the monks would feel blessed by his presence.

One day the abbot decided to visit the rabbi and open his heart to him. As he approached the hut, the abbot saw the rabbi in the doorway. It was as if he had been awaiting the abbot’s arrival. The two entered the hut and simply sat in the stillness. Finally, the rabbi spoke, “I know you have come to ask a teaching of me. But it is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore.”

When the time came for the abbot to leave, he pressed the rabbi: “Is there nothing you can give us that would help us save our dying order?” The rabbi paused and said quietly, “Well, there is one thing: One of you is the Messiah.”

The next morning, the abbot called his monks together. He told them he had spoken to the old rabbi and said bluntly, “The rabbi said that one of us is the Messiah.” In the weeks that followed, the old monks thought about the rabbi’s words and wondered whether it could actually be true – the Messiah is one of us?

Thinking like this, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one of them just might actually be the Messiah. A gentle, warm-hearted, concern began to grow among them which was hard to describe but easy to notice.

Over time, as people visited the beautiful forest in which the monastery was home, they sensed the extraordinary respect that now began to radiate from the place. People began to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, play, meditate, and pray.

Then it happened that some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk with the old monks. Then one joined them. Then another. And another. Within a few years the monastery had once again become a thriving order and light to the community, thanks to the rabbi’s gift, a gift that taught them to love others, expecting the very best.

Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of multiple books. You can read more and receive regular e-columns in your inbox at www.ronniemcbrayer.me. 

With a little thought and foresight, you can get your mother a gift she’ll treasure for years. PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Getty Images

(StatePoint) No two moms are alike. Whatever her interests, finding a gift that fits mom just right shows you’ve put thought into it, rather than simply choosing something off the shelf.
This Mother’s Day, why not thank Mom for everything she does, with a gift that celebrates her one-of-a-kind personality?
“Most moms don’t pamper themselves a lot, so customizing a gift that speaks to her hobbies and personal style will feel like a real indulgence,” says Amy Myers, vice president of creative services for Things Remembered.
Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect gift:
*Mom that Needs Me Time: When Mom needs to recharge her batteries between play dates and grocery trips, she’ll appreciate a gift that helps her unwind. A gift certificate to her favorite place to relax—a spa, coffee shop or even a bookstore—can be just want she wanted. Or you can hire a cleaning service and babysitter for the day.
*Techie Mom: Maybe she has her own blog, or she’s always first in line to buy the latest tech gadget. If so, look for techie gifts with a personal touch. Nameplates are now available on everything from iPad cases to laptops. And by adding a simple engraving, like “Chief Executive Mother,” you can make the gift more meaningful.
Alternatively, you can look for portable gifts that make her life easier. For example, Things Remembered offers a USB photo keychain that lets Mom keep her loved ones—and her work—with her at all times.
*Matriarch Moms: Proud moms and grandmas love to brag about their families. Between smart phones and computers, photo sharing has never been easier. Grandmothers, however, are often left out in this digital age. Consider researching the family genealogy online and create a family tree. Or you can give a traditional gift a twist by engraving a personalized message on a picture frame or photo album. Some retailers even offer multiple birthstone jewelry as a way to cherish each child.
*On-The-Go Mom: After having kids, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day. For the mom who makes the most out of every second, opt for a practical and portable gift. Tote bags make a stylish gift and are great for pool days or shopping trips, especially when monogrammed with her initials.
Or, to help mom freshen up on the way to her next event, consider getting her a perfume atomizer and matching compact. When engraved with a special message, her one-minute makeover will remind her how beautiful and loved she is.
For more personalized gift ideas, visit www.ThingsRemembered.com.

East Nelson United Methodist Church

9024 18 Mile Road, Cedar Springs

Pastor Herb Vanderbuilt

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1: 9-14.
Advent is a wonderful time of year filled with excitement and anticipation. Emmy and I have spent the last couple of days in an out of gift shops with Christmas carols providing the proper spirit for this season of giving.  As I looked at all the merchandise I could not help but think of where all these precious items are going to end up. Some, of course, will be lifted high on Christmas day for all to see. Many will be eaten in the next weeks to come. And, of course, there are the ones that will soon be hanging in the closet hoping to one day see the bright lights again. Then I thought to myself, is there a gift that doesn’t end up like this, is there truly a gift that keeps on giving? The words of our text remind us that that God’s spirit is the everlasting gift. Part of the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas time is to remind us of God’s gift of his Son and so we give gifts to the people we know. This is a great tradition. This year East Nelson has decided to also give gifts to people we don’t know. Through the help of our contacts in the local schools we adopted three families within our community and each of us will have the opportunity to bring a gift for someone in these families. Besides bringing a gift however the apostle Paul is reminding us that we also need to hold this person or persons,  in prayer.  Some of us are blessed to have family and friends around us at this time but many others are separated from loved ones and friends. Paul knows about this separation but still found time not only to keep in touch but also to remember them in prayer  which is as priceless as any gift. We don’t often think of prayer as a gift but it certainly is, maybe the most important gift of all. So as we come to the sanctuary this Advent season let us come not only with the gifts we bring for others but with a prayer as well.