Isn't this a wonderful time of the year? We are in the middle of the holiday season with Thanksgiving behind us                     

and Christmas and the New Year on the horizon. I have always loved this time of year and I bet most of you feel the same way. It is a time of food, fellowship, fun and gifts. Wouldn't it be great if this lasted all year long? I mean, wow!, 365 days of nothing but food, fellowship, fun and gifts. No worries or problems to cloud our thinking or spoil our fun. Nothing but play, party, eat and do it all over again! Wouldn't that be great? or would it?

     The reality is that for most of us, this time of year is nothing but stress, frustration, guilt and worry. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard, "I just hate this time of year, I spend too much money, worry about everything, and am so frustrated, I just wish it would all go away!" Ever heard those comments? You've probably not only heard them, but have made them yourself. So what has happened to our food, fellowship, fun and gifts during this special time of the year? The real answer is, we are caught up in the "Me" trap. So, what is this "Me" trap you might ask? Well, it's basically an attitude that states;

     "I am the center of the universe. Everything I do is more important than anything anyone else does. I must spend more than others, give better gifts than others, and, of course, look better than anyone else. I will give up my precious time to do only those things I believe are more important than yours and worry about things that I have no control over. I do not have time to spend listening to others, helping others, or just hanging out with others, even if they are my family. I am too busy cooking, cleaning, watcfhing TV or making plans to even think about socializing or spending meaningful time with anyone, even my spouse. Basically, it is all about me and what I want, what I need,  what I believe, what I have, what I am willing to give (or not) and what I view to be right."

     Wow! You know I think I have heard this somewhere before? Oh yeah, it is in Isaiah 14:13-14, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."  - It is called Satan's five big "I's". They destroyed him and they will destroy you.

     Believer, God intended this time of year to be joyous. He did intend it to be a time of food, fellowship, fun and gifts. But most importantly He intended it to be a time with Him and family. Don't let this year turn into the frantic, stressful and worrisome time it has always been. Remember the real reason for this and any other season of the year. Make it a time of true Joy - Jesus, Others and You. Our Lord said in Matthew 6:21, "for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." So, where is your treasure this holiday season?  

     My wife and I wish each of you a wonderful Merry Christmas and a bright, happy and Spirit-filled New Year.

                                                                                Pastor Mike & Candi