Our Redeemer is Here

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Written in about 700 BC., Isaiah 9:6 is one of several passages that points the reader to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  I enjoy reading this passage and applying these titles to my Lord, because He is all of them.  Do you ever consider that many people are still looking for the Messiah?

Messiah can be defined as the redeemer or the expected king.  What does that mean to us?  Each of us are in need of a redeemer to reconcile our relationship with God.  Many people say, "But I am a good person."  Jesus tells us that “No one is good—except God alone" Mark 10:18.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," states Romans 3:23.  You and I are living in a fallen state (seperated by sin from God) and everyone needs a redeemer.

Jesus tells us His reign is not exclusive to the Jewish nation, but everyone.  Examine these words spoken to a Samaritan woman:

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:23-26

Jesus tells Samaritan woman He is the Messiah and when you follow Him you will be called a true worshiper; not a Jew, Samaritan, Greek or Gentile, but anyone is welcome to follow Christ.

Our redeemer is here, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:11,13-14.

You can call Him: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace if you choose to.  Do you know Him?

Merry Christmas and may each of you chase after Christ.

A Hellums Christmas Story

A few days ago we spent some time with Cordsen Photography and I said, "I really want to get a shot of Landon playing with the tree."  I would have my opportunity.  Rod looked up and Landon was playing with the tree.  He handed me the camera and I snapped this lame before shot, but what makes it worth while is the after shot.

After I snapped the camera, Landon looked at me and raised the ornament above his head.  Not considering the ornament might be breakable, I did not stop him.  Normally when he put objects above his head, especially spherical (balls), he throws them.

You guessed it, he threw the ornament to the ground and pop!, the ornament was smashed into several pieces.

I hope that everyone is have a great Christmas holiday.  Don't miss out on all the fun that there is to be had.

And for sure don't miss out on what Christmas is about: Christ!  God Bless.

Jesus, Our Friend

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:12-15

The passage in John 15 tells us that Jesus is our friend.  Do you consider Him as a friend?  It is sometimes not what we consider our Lord, but scripture is clear He wants to be our friend.  Many times we view God as our guide, leader or sometimes view Him as a mean parent.  These views of God aren't bad, but we should add friend to our list of thoughts about God.

What does your friendship look like with Jesus?  It should be similar to our friendships on earth.  We talk to our friends, share secrets with our friends, cry with our friends, be open and honest with our friends and love our friends.  We have the option to talk to God in prayer all day long.  Spend time in His word and be honest with our Lord.

Remember, He is your Lord and also wants to be your friend.

God Bless.

The Christmas Season Part Two

"From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." John 1:16

As I was sitting down to write Part Two, I received and email from a wonderful friend who said the following, "From experience please don't make it all just about the kids.  I did that in just about a way that it become a bad habit that it was just about my kids.  Stay focused on JESUS this Christmas."

I am happy to publish my friends words and say thank you for sharing from your experience.  It is all about Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth, resurrection and second coming.

I love it, Christmas or Christ is not exclusive to anyone.  The passage says, "all received."  If we receive Christ we become benefactors of God' blessings; who abundantly gives them.  Who doesn't want to be blessed?

John 14:6 tells us that, "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  Through a relationship with Jesus we "receive blessings [one] after another."  Jesus showers so many blessings on us, so many I can't believe we see all the blessings He provides.

Kari and I desire to instill into our boys that Christmas is about giving and blessing one another with the love of Christ and not just about presents (and surely not candy apples).  Bless someone today, flash a smile, say a prayer or even stop someone and tell them "God loves you" or "I am praying for you."

Truly, tis' the season.  God Bless.

The Christmas Season

Several years ago I was very hum-bug about Christmas, but I credit the Georgetown Christmas stroll for changing that attitude in my life.  Not that I had anything against the celebration from a spiritual aspect, but just the decoration, singing and stuff...I don't know, maybe I was just having a bad year.  All to say, Christmas is one of my all time favorite seasons of the year.

In addition to the colder temperatures, there is good winter time eats: stew, chili, tamales and stuffing.  I have already been enjoying many of these meals and am thankful to have such a wonderful wife that prepares them.

Christmas is changing for Kari and I.  Although we both agree we are still kids at heart, it is becoming less about us and more about our boys.  We want to find a good balance for our boys and hope they grasp and understand that Christmas is more than toys and candy apples.

More to come on this topic...stay tuned to Insert Title Here.  God Bless.

A Christmas Giving Option

Many will give to great cause this Christmas season. If you haven't given to a cause, please consider Highland Lakes Camp. We saw 610 students come to know the Lord this past summer; wouldn't be amazing to see more students than that next summer. You can help make that happen.

Log on to www.highlandlakescamp.org/donate to give $25 today.

God Bless and may each of you have a Merry Christmas!

Justin Bieber's Latest Song and Video Pray

Ok. I am serious when I say, "Justin Bieber has a great video and song here." Take a few minutes to check it out.

Go Bears!

Today at 2pm the Bastrop Bears are kicking off in the quarterfinals game against Mesquite Poteet.

Ten years ago, I was on the sidelines cheering on the Bears and today my family and I will be sitting in the stands. How exciting for Bears to be driving so deep into the playoffs.

Go Bears!

Scam Scared?

Why do I always believe someone is running a scam?

We were watching some infomercial because Little Einsteins ended and Kari asked me this morning, "Do you believe in the product they are selling?" My response was not to specific, but along the lines of a little yes and heavy no.

Why am I writing about this? Well the question made me consider, "Why do I always believe someone is running a scam?" Have I been cheated or fooled one to many times? I am not sure where my leary nature comes from, but I do have a hard time believing the next latest greatest thing is worth my money.

Am I overanalyzing? Maybe, but I do think that sometimes I am more apt to say no than yes to something and that is not necessarily a bad thing unless it was a good thing I should have said yes too. Therein lies the problem: sometimes it is not a bad thing, but I assume it is.

Read a ton of reviews, asks your neighbors or just stop watching infomercials are some solutions.

Thoughts?