Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

J.Yost
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Greetings to all. I have been taking some time off as of late. Today I am in the office to print out last year's blog posts. I will bind them and keep them on a shelf at my house when I am finished printing. i do this for couple reasons. One, so I can look back through it as a journal and remember what God has done and what I have been praying for. Two, so one day my kids will be able to read it and have a magnifying glass into their fathers heart. Three, maybe one day when I am gone they can influence my family and all those who would have interest in reading such a thing:) Merry Christmas and to all a Happy New Year!!


above is a pic of Braydon and I by our snowman that we built next to DCA as the planes flew right over our heads...PS- he kept ducking thinking the planes would hit him..lol

Scandal- The Virgin Birth

J.Yost
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This Christmas we are doing a series entitled SCANDAL. We are taking a look at the Christmas story and revealing a few truths that we tend to brush over in order to make it fit 'our idea' of Christmas. I have been challenged each week and encouraged to repent of my preconceived ideas of what I created this season to be. This week I have the opportunity to discuss the Scandalous Story of the Virgin Birth. I have to admit. It looks a little different than how I remember the Sunday school story going. Here is an excerpt or teaser from this weekend's message. To get the rest you have to be at Loews Theaters 10am Sunday morning at Gtown. Merry Christmas.


"For years people have studied and spent their entire lives following the prophecies that were to come. First the Roman Republic was established to organize and govern the people and then failed due to massive civil wars. Following it came the Roman Empire with powerful leader Caesar Augustus. The government had already been established and the idea of power and rule had been set in the minds of the people. This picture was formed as the cognitive category of what the Savior and the Reign of Christ was supposed to look like. Lots of visible power, money, gold, possessions, popularity and so on. Anything that did not fit into that category could not have been the truth! Or could it?"
You see from the very beginning God gave us a few clues to let us know that it may not look like the way we think it should look like. It’s almost as if he knew this would happen; that we would get stuck in our pre conceived ideas and miss the one thing that we were here on this earth to receive."





A18 Market Place

J.Yost
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Our 2nd Annual Holiday Missions Catalog came out last weekend. Last year we had an idea to capitalize on the season of numerous Christmas Catalogs that entice people to be consumers and re-stock on things that they don't need. We decided to create a Catalog that would coincide with our yearly missions trips. In the Catalog you can purchase different items of great need in all different areas of the country. You can spend $20 to provide clean water for one person in Africa all year. You can spend $10 on a brick that will form the "La Puerta Cafe" in Nicaragua to create community and jobs among the hearing and deaf. You can also spend $30 to pay for kids to go to school. Last year givings totaled to $57,000. We are gearing up to give even more this year. This is such a great opportunity to turn the Christmas Consumer Scandal into a Season of Giving (as it was originally intended for) and provide for those in need. So this year, you have the chance to gather with your family and pick things out of the Catalog that you would like to give for Christmas. It is the gift that changes lives. 

Consider shopping at the A18MarketPlace today.  
One Gift=One Life Changed Forever!!

Confession

J.Yost
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A few weeks ago we did a message on the topic of Confession in our 'Ritual' Series. It reminded my of this amazing act, confession, that opens up the flood gates for freedom and forgiveness yet it is practiced less and less especially in today's American Culture. In fact, the arch-nemesis to confession is something that we have to face everyday, our ego & pride. I wonder if its safe to say that the one thing that is keeping us from true freedom is ourselves? The danger here is the secret of sin. The bondage of sin seems to be so much more powerful when it is housed within a secret. Once sin is confessed, then comes forgiveness and appropriate accountability to help us change our pattern or lifestyle. The question is, who do we confess to? First and foremost the answer is, GOD. The Bible clearly states that if we confess our sins to Him..He is faithful and just to forgive us and make us new and give us another chance. The best part in all of this is that the Bible also says that after we do this confession thing God totally forgets about it. That my friend is good news. So the next time you are reminded of a sin you confessed and you feel guilty about it, know where that comes from and its not from God. To whom else should we confess? The Bible also says that we should confess our sins one to another. This is where the tangible accountability/help comes in. We have people around us that love us and can help guide us in the right direction. For me, there is extra weight to it when I know someone is going to ask me 'that question' during the week. It helps to keep me focused and to resist temptation. The importance in this is to find the right people to confess to. They are out there trust me. Maybe you need to find some better friends or have some tough conversations with the friend you have? Do it, and fast. These types of relationships are crucial to ones health and survival.
Takwaway- What do you need to confess today to God or to someone? Begin practicing it now. Your freedom is just one awkward conversation away:) take advantage of it. Why eat the crumbs when you can have the whole cake?!!

Psalm 32

It Is Better to Confess Sin
A maskil of David.
 1 Happy is the person
       whose sins are forgiven,
       whose wrongs are pardoned.
 2 Happy is the person
       whom the Lord does not consider guilty
       and in whom there is nothing false.

 3 When I kept things to myself,
       I felt weak deep inside me.
       I moaned all day long.
 4 Day and night you punished me.
       My strength was gone as in the summer heat.
                         Selah

 5 Then I confessed my sins to you
       and didn't hide my guilt.
    I said, "I will confess my sins to the Lord,"
       and you forgave my guilt.
                         Selah


 6 For this reason, all who obey you
       should pray to you while they still can.
    When troubles rise like a flood,
       they will not reach them.
 7 You are my hiding place.
       You protect me from my troubles
       and fill me with songs of salvation.
                         Selah


 8 The Lord says, "I will make you wise and show you where to go.
       I will guide you and watch over you.
 9 So don't be like a horse or donkey,
       that doesn't understand.
    They must be led with bits and reins,
       or they will not come near you."

 10 Wicked people have many troubles,
       but the Lord's love surrounds those who trust him.
 11 Good people, rejoice and be happy in the Lord.
       Sing all you whose hearts are right.

The Umbrella Effect

J.Yost
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Psalm 119:25-32 (New Living Translation)

Daleth
 25 I lie in the dust;
      revive me by your word.
 26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
      Now teach me your decrees.
 27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
      and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
 28 I weep with sorrow;
      encourage me by your word.
 29 Keep me from lying to myself;
      give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
 30 I have chosen to be faithful;
      I have determined to live by your regulations.
 31 I cling to your laws.
      Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
 32 I will pursue your commands,
      for you expand my understanding.


I am so grateful for God's provisions and instructions in my life. It is the safe place that enables us to have life to the full. There is a way that seems right to a man at first but it is the Lord who guides our steps. In those steps is where we find peace, purpose, and wholeness. The enemy comes ONLY to steal, kill, and destroy everything that God has ordained for us. It would serve us right to stay under the umbrella of His commands. These are not commands that keep us on a rigid list of rules under the umbrella of an authoritarian God. On the contrary, these are the commands that lead us and guide us into an abundant life under the umbrella of a graceful and loving God. I don't know about you but I want to stay under that umbrella. At times I myself try and stray out from under it, but in the end, it leads to deception, pride, depression, and isolation. If I am completely honest, that is not the type of life that I want to live. Today, remember to stay under the umbrella. If everything is going fine and you don't find your self in specific need, stay under the umbrella. If hell breaks loose and you are not sure where to run, stay under the umbrella.