THE CROSS By Steve Shipley

A good friend of mine recently gave me a book to read, "A Violent Grace", by Michael Card. I highly recommend this to everyone. Below is an excerpt.

The cross seems to have disappeared from the Christian art and music of our time. Worse, it has disappeared from many hearts and minds as well. I must confess that my own ministry, which began with a singular focus on the cross of Christ, has slowly shifted towards more popular and palatable themes. I used to relish the criticism that I was "preaching and singing about the cross too much".

In fact, the key verse for the first ten years of my ministry was, "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." ( I Cor. 2:2 ) Lately, though, I've noticed that it seems to be easier to get things done by avoiding such criticism. My early critics were right: It's hard to sell songs about a crucified man. Better to sing, preach, and write about the positives---peace, prosperity, and easy grace. To a society obsessed with abundance and acceptance, the Good News minus the cross ( which is no good news at all ) does seem to keep the coffers and pews full. What are we to do? Where are we to stand if we long to stand for Christ? I believe that if we are to maintain Biblical Christianity in the new century. we must refocus our attention on the cross.

For him who has ears to hear, let him hear!

I'd Rather Have Jesus.....Sung by Steve Shipley

GIFTS FROM GOD! by Steve Shipley

Every Christmas, you hear folks grumble on about the commercialization of the holiday. Well, I for one, like the shopping and the gift giving. Sure, there is a deeper, more important meaning to Christmas and Jesus IS the reason for the season. But to me, one of the highlights of Christmas Day is watching my grand-kids open their presents. No Grinch is going to take that away from me.

A few years ago, my young grandson, Christian, was a huge fan of the "Star Wars" movies. On Christmas, the first present he opened was a huge spacecraft from the movie. He yelped and grabbed it up and headed out of the room exclaiming, "I'm done!". At that point, for him, Christmas was over. He got what he wanted. It was no matter that there were still countless more gifts under the tree that were just as wonderful. He loved his new toy and off he went to play with it.

This is very much like many Christians are when it comes to God. We take His marvelous gift of salvation through Christ and we're finished. Off we go, saying, "I'm done!". But alas, our heavenly Father has many more gifts to bestow upon us; but we're in the other room, content with the one. The Bible says that, "every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights." He has awesome gifts to give to each of one of us. Don't make the mistake of thinking that it's over after opening the gift of salvation. Search the scriptures and you will find much more. God wants to bless you far more than you can imagine! ( ( Hint: I Cor. 12 )

My little grandson soon realized that there were more presents to open on that Christmas day. His joy was componded with each gift he unwrapped. Christmas really IS about the gifts. It's about the gift of salvation through Jesus our Savior. Then it's about all the gifts follow! Have a merry Christmas and remember to open all your Gifts!

NO PAIN, NO GAIN by Steve Shipley

It is human nature for us to do all we can to avoid suffering. After all, pain is not pleasant. Body builders coined the phrase, "no pain, no gain", and that's why we have so few body builders. If it was easy and "painless" then it would be rare to see an overweight or out of shape person.

Christianity could easily adopt the "no pain, no gain" mantra, because there's a lot of truth to that in our spiritual lives. To grow up in Christ, you will experience growing pains. Jesus said it so clearly, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." Self denial is no fun and cross carrying is even worse. David Wilkerson had this to say about the subject:

"Christians want an escape from pain and suffering! We want our troubles to vanish. And we are so caught up in our escape from pain, we lose the true meaning of the cross. We refuse crosses and losses- no Gethsemane for us! No nights of agony! We don't even know this suffering, bleeding, resurrected Christ!

We want His healing power. We want His promises of prosperity. We want His protection. We want more of this world's goods. We want His happiness. But we really don't want Him alone!

The Church once confessed it's sins- now it confesses it's rights. What if---instead of our beautiful homes and cars, we had to wander about in sheepskins, hiding in dens and caves? No healing. No success. No prosperity. No worldly blessings. No miracles, signs and wonders. How many of us would serve Him if He offered nothing but Himself?"

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." Phil. 3:10

No pain, No gain.