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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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| DECEMBER
6,
2003 ISSUE |
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past issues here or subscribe to
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Opening Thoughts:
This advent season is a time to prepare. We need to look
at ourselves honestly and get ready for Christmas by letting
Christ inside.
It's easy to get caught up in the shopping and buying presents.
This month's feature article, Gift Exchange, asks you to
consider the gifts God gives you and how you can use those
to spread the Good News.
Peace be with you,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature
Article: Gift Exchange
In The Spotlight: Reaching Out
What's New & Coming Soon: Reviews, Links, etc.
Daily Thoughts & Reflections: Spent...or
Content?
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: Meaningful Lives
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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Gift
Exchange
by Tom Gilbert
Christmas morning arrives. The kids
excitedly bound down the stairs and dive towards the
tree. You and your spouse smile and put your arms around
each other. Gleeful shouts of joy emerge from the little
ones. Later, the adults open presents and smile, sometimes
even sincerely, sometimes not (oh, boy, another tie!
Socks?!).
Gift giving can be great. We all enjoy getting presents. Most of us like to give
them too, especially when we know they are appreciated or highly anticipated.
Anybody around children at Christmas time knows the truth of this.
We’ve often been taught it’s the thought that counts. It's likely
that once again this year you'll receive a present not exactly to your liking.
Before you rush down to the store to exchange it, please consider a different
perspective on the “gift exchange”.
Read the entire article here
Discover more thought provoking articles
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Reaching Out - Being Informed & Putting
Faith Into Action
Christians need to be transformed
by the Gospel of Christ. When that change takes place
we suddenly can no longer sit still for some of the social
injustice and suffering we see around us. We also should
be inspired to action, including the action of demonstrating
our love of others in our community or on the other side
of the world.
Here are two resources to consider in helping do this:
1) Acts 1:8 Ministry provides
a PACK kit at no cost to Churches willing to commit to an outreach
program. The PACK ("Planned Acts of Christian Kindness") includes
a video, a CD-Rom, a Program Guide and the "101 Ways to Reach Your Community" book.
These tools provide several ideas and events church communities can use to demonstrate
the love of Christ in planned and practical ways. A few examples include providing
free entertainment, food giveaways, car washes to media interaction and community
involvement. more info
2) The
SOJOURNERSbulletin - Every month, Sojourners
magazine produces pamphlets that look at social
justice issues from a biblical perspective.
These four-page, four-color pamphlets are ideal for:
Bulletin/Worship Services
Christian Education
Outreach/Social Action
Spiritual Formation
Church Literature
Bible Studies
You can request a sample copy and find our more here.
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Visit our online
store. There's something for everyone. Many great
Christmas gift ideas!
When you shop with us, you support our ministry – thank you!
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| WHAT'S
NEW & COMING SOON |
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...And
looking back
Christmas is coming soon, and so too, the New Year. We've
prepared a special page featuring calendars
and devotionals.
In 2004 make the time each day to live in the moment.
Recognize the presence of God in you and all around
you.
As we look back over the past twelve months it is
revealing to see how God is working through us. Here
are the themes from Living the Solution in 2003:
Jan: New Year's resolutions for change; Sanctity
of Life; Helping the Homeless.
Feb:
love, compassion and the plight of AIDS in Africa.
Mar: Youth ministry, financial stewardship and the
Holy Trinity (remember 03/03/03?).
Apr:
Dealing with addictions and suffering.
May:
Parenting, mentoring and graduates.
Jun:
More on parenting; male sprituality.
Jul:
Traveling ministeries, keeping a journal.
Aug:
Movies and spirituality; introduction of the DVD
rental store; attitudes and the beatitudes.
Sep:
Spritual growth and education; back to school or
homeschooling; LTS turns a year old.
Oct: Real living through fiction; life story writing.
Nov:
Music as ministry/singing praises.
You can visit the newsletter archives here to revisit
these themes.
Some of the new articles on
our site include:
Will I Stay or Will
I Go? by Ray Stark
Can You Hear Me Now?
Blessings of Adversity by Dr. P. C. Simon
The Jonah Syndrome by Douglas C. Schmidt
Singing Praises
Two timely pieces:
What's the Hurry?
A Shepherd's Tale
We have many reviews -books, movies, music - currently
on site at Reviews.
New link:
Screven
Church – Lots of interesting and
inspiring content.
See more at our links page
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Spent...or
Content?
I have learned to be content in whatever situation I
am in. I know how to be humble, and I know how to prosper.
In each and every situation I have learned the secret
of being full and of going hungry, of having too much
and of having too little. (Philippians 4:11-12)
We have come to the time of year where everyone is talking
about what they want and we are running around trying
to meet those requests, fighting through long lines, trying
to find a parking place and so on. And when we are done
we are spent - in more ways than one!
This Christmas season let's not let the activities of Christmas get
in the way of the meaning of Christmas. Giving gifts to people because
we love is a great thing but let’s not get so wrapped up in the
gift giving that we forget about the best gift and best gift giver. Let’s
not get caught up in the trappings of what we want. Let’s be content
with what we have and give thanks for and celebrate God’s love
to us.
Live it Fierce
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does. Only those who've never truly tried
it with the proper intentions would say otherwise. We
want to pray for you and your needs. If you have a specific
request let us know at prayer requests.
Of course, we keep you information confidential.
We also like to share testimonies of answered prayers
at prayer results.
You can send us your testimony by
email. Use our form
at contact us.
If you do not want your name to be listed simply let
us know.
By sharing God's love and how He helps us you encourage
others in a powerful way.
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would like
to submit an article please see our writer's
guidelines.
Subscribe to Living The Solution
– our free twice monthly e-zine. It will come to your
email box. Your email privacy is protected – we never,
ever give it out!
It is our hope that the content of Living The
Solution will stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly
a result for us in both our writing and reading. If you
would like to see articles on a particular topic or you
have comments please let us know.
Living the Solution respects your rights and privacy. We do not lend, sell or
distribute your email address to other parties. We also will never give out any
personal information without your express permission. You can view our privacy
policy online at www.livingthesolution.com/privacy.htm
If you have questions or comments send an email
Quotable: Meaningful Lives
"If we fill our lives with things that are meaningless
we will live meaningless lives"
Copyright 2003 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 ext 105
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