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2017 is almost here.  (Or depending on when you read this, it might already be here!)  Are you ready? This week we have been challenging ourselves to look forward to the next year.  I know that many people they are willing to chuck 2016 out the door.  But there is nothing that says 2017 will be any better or worse.  Or is there? All through the Bible, we are taught to place our faith in God for our future.  A future that He says is good. (Jer 29:11).  God says that your future can be long and fruitful.  (Ps 91:16)  A life that is good (John 8:12) So with that said, what do you think is possible for 2017?  The possibilities are endless. PRAY:  Dear Jesus, help me to see 2017 that you see it.  Help me to get excited about all the great things we are going to do together this year.  AMEN! At 9 AM this morning you can join Faith Family Worship Center and me for a free breakfast.  Bacon, Eggs and home fries.  You and your family are more than welcome to come.  If not, then I wil

EXPENSIVE!  Change is expensive.   Sometimes when I need to stop somewhere and get a bite to eat, I will ask Google to give me a list of local eateries.  Google responds and gives me a list that includes this. $$$$  One $ means cheap and $$$$$ means expensive.   Now, in the spirit of being honest here, I have to admit when I see one $ I think, "What are they serving?  Cat food?  This food can't be good."  Then when I see $$$$$, I think, "Mortgage payment!"  I run away from both.  I usually end up around $$ to $$$.  When you talk about changing in 2017 think about this quote, “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” ― Tony Robbins. Do you want to change your life?  Then it is going to cost you, $$$$$.  Remember hard times have a purpose and life-changing events begin in difficulty. Ecclesiastes 7:14, In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider — God has made the one a

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  (Adapted from a poem by Robert Burns) 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” So why plan ahead?  Why do we set goals and make plans?  If our wisdom is foolishness to God and if our plans are going to go awry anyway - why bother?  Good question.  Benjamin Franklin supposedly said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”   Zig Ziglar, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” "The only failure you will ever experience is failing to try."  Russ Jones Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."  Verse 9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." God has nothing against your plans, as long as they are His plans.  By now you have made a list of goals that you want to achieve in 2017.  Yo

One of the reasons why we fail at New Years Resolutions or improving ourselves is that we don't ask for help.  There is usually a few reason for this.  - Pride:  We don't want to ask for help because it makes us look weak.   - Money:  Change can be expensive.   - Fear:  What will happen if I do this?  Before you do anything, talk to someone who has done what you want to do.  You may know a friend.  You may need to do some research online.  You may have to ask around.  But you need to start asking questions.   Proverbs 16:20, Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 15:22, Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.  (ESV)  God has put people into your life to help you get where you need to go.  He never intended for any of us to be truly "independent."  He expects us to be interdependent.   If your marriage is on the rocks - find a couple who are doing

I asked someone the other day what their 2017 resolutions were going to be.  Their answer, "My resolution for 2017 is to make no resolutions for 2017." Chicken. Now I am the first to acknowledge that our success rate at keeping resolutions isn't very high. - 45% of Americans usually make New Year's Resolutions. - 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolution. - 24% never succeed and fail on their resolution each year. Here are a top ten list of the resolutions that you can make this year. 1. Lose Weight 2. Getting Organized 3. Spend Less, Save More 4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest 5. Staying Fit and Healthy 6. Learn Something Exciting 7. Quit Smoking 8. Help Others in Their Dreams 9. Fall in Love 10. Spend More Time with Family http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/ Luke 14:28-31   28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29

In just a few days we will celebrate the new year.  If you are like me, you think that 2016 went too fast.  But here is the question that you need to consider.  What did you do in 2016?  What did you accomplish?  What did you do differently? Remember what the definition of insanity is, "Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results." The reason why people keep doing the same things over and over, expecting different results, is simple.  They don't know what else to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 says Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. I get the feeling that Paul was speaking from experience.  Every day that we live has enough evil in it to ruin our day.  Have you ever thought, "The world is against me!"  Well, you are right - it is!  So how do you combat this? 2 Timothy

Well, it finally happened.  After putting in a full day at the Church to prepare for Christmas Eve, I came home and took a 2-hour nap.  Then returned to the church at 9 pm only to leave by 1:30 AM.  Opened presents (Hey it was Christmas Day!) and back to bed by 3 am.  Up by 7 am and back to church by 9 am.  Service was from 11 am to 12 noon which concluded with a snowball fight.  (That was fun!)  Went out for lunch and returned home by 3 pm (ish).  Sat down on the couch, yawned once and declared, "I'm going to take a nap." Woke up at 7:30 pm.  Some nap! I was exhausted. But then, I knew this was going to happen.  It happens every year about this time.  You know it too.  You "Christmas" till you drop.  Sometimes, like me, you do it physically.  Sometimes it's your attitude.  Sometimes it's your patience.  You just run out of something and then - BAM! You've seen this happen at the mall or department store.  Some parent runs out of patience, and

All good things come to an end.  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day.  We have listened to more Christmas music than we care to admit.  (For me that is the Nutcracker - Thanks, Anneka.)  Eaten more Christmas cookies than we care to remember and attended all the festive events we could fit into our schedule. At 11 pm on Christmas Eve, we will worship Jesus and celebrate His birth.  I love that service for one particular reason.  In all the busyness of the holidays, we stop and remember.  In the midst of the Christmas hymns and candlelight communion we push the noise of the world out and allow the peace of God to saturate our souls.  While the Christmas traditions and events are all good, they will come to an end - at least until next year. But Christmas will never end.  Christmas is Jesus, and Jesus is Christmas.  They are the same thing. Remember, Jesus' gift to you.  His love, mercy, and salvation. PRAY:  Dear Jesus, as I remember what you have done for me,

In my living room is one of these.   Every morning my daughter gets up and moves the nose one day closer to Christmas. The anticipation builds with each day. I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt the same way?  I wonder if the angels were waiting in anticipation to sing to the shepherds?  I wonder if the wise men were getting excited with each day that passed? Of course, each of these characters in the Christmas story felt this way for a different reason. - Mary and Joseph were anticipating the birth. - Angels were anticipating the announcement. - The Wise Men were anticipating the opportunity to worship the King. What are you anticipating today? Lamentations 3: 22 - 23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Are you anticipating His mercy and blessing in your life today? Are you anticipating His love and joy that comes from your relationship with Him? Are you anticipating Hi

Stop what you are doing right now.  Just take a moment to close your eyes and take a deep breath.  Don't worry the world it will be there when you get back.  Pause and think.  "What am I doing right now?"  Now ask yourself, "What should I be doing right now?" Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Take a moment to wait.  Often you will feel extra pressure as you close out this Christmas season.  Your job has deadlines to meet, Christmas or no Christmas.  There are last minute gifts to purchase.  That unexpected Christmas party invitation that you cannot say no to, but don't have time to attend.  Will you make it?  Is it all going to come together? As yourself this question.  A year from now, will anyone remember? I've done a few things that people remember, but for the most part, my Christmas activities have

A Satanic holiday display was vandalized last night in Boca.  An atheist posted it.  (If you don't believe in God, you don't believe in Satan either - just saying!) I  listened to a central Florida sheriff explain at a news conference how they caught and jailed a woman for stealing Christmas toys from Toys for Tots.  Allegedly she has been doing this for years. I heard that a favorite South Florida Christmas lighting display was suddenly shut down because the neighbors complained. You say, "Merry Christmas!" Someone else says, "I'm offended!" You say, "Bah Humbug!" Someone else says, "What's the matter with you?" You can't win.  Why?  There is a large amount of confusion about Christmas. Now I am the first to admit that there are some who have taken Christmas way over the top.  They would put Clark Griswold's lighting display to shame.  Why do they do it?  One guy said, "I'm just competitive that way.&

If it hasn't happened already, it probably will.  It happened to me today.  I hit the wall. Last week was dance week and regardless of how I prepare for it - it's tough. Sunday - Help set up the stage. (That is not as simple as you think it might be.) Monday - 4+ hours of rehearsals. Tuesday - School show Wednesday - Off Thursday - 4 hours of rehearsals. Friday - Variety show Saturday - Young dancers show and one Nutcracker Sunday - Another Nutcracker, tear the set down. All the while I am taking pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures. Now I am not whining; I am making a point.  I love my daughter, and I love to watch her dance, but I'm exhausted. What is it that you do that pushes you to your limits?  Is there something about this season that seems to wear you out?  Too many parties?  Too much shopping?  Too many Christmas cookies? 2 Thessalonians 3:13   As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. Christmas is a season to change lives.  The id

What a great day at FFWC!  The kids were sooooo cute in our Living Nativity!  It was a full house and many people choose to experience a Christmas miracle, accepting Jesus into their hearts. That is the thing about Christmas.  It's good for the body (if you don't eat too much) - for the heart and for your spirit.  Think about it, what other time of the year do you work so hard to spend time with friends and family? What other time of the year do you go out of your way to put a smile on someone's face? What other time of the year do you think about your relationship with God? (Well, maybe Easter.) Now take all of these activities and think about doing them 12 months out of the year. True, maybe you should make all those cookies, but how would your life change? How would your life influence others? That's what God has been doing for you every day of your life since the day you were born. He chooses to see the good in you all the time. He knows that it's there beca

Ahhhhh! As I mention yesterday, Betty and I are in full blown dance week.  I am not going to bore you with the details, but sleep is a precious commodity right now. Then this morning it happened.  "Daddy?"  With that one voice that makes me brace myself for what is coming.  "I forgot something at home, can you go get it?"  Ahhhhhh! Of course I will go get it, sometime today, but it made me think.  In the Christmas rush, we forget stuff, important stuff. Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Now I am not saying that Christmas will make you sin.  That's like saying the devil made me do it.  NOT! But in all of the Christmas rush we can forget what is most important.  Our faith.  The people that we love. The reason why we celebrate Christmas - JESUS! PRAY Dear Jesus, please help me remember during this hectic season the reason why I worship you.  Thank you for loving me and thank you for saving me from my s

Tonight (last night for those reading via email) was my daughters holiday show recital.  She had 8 dances which included jazz, musical theatre, modern, lyric, and contemporary.  When it was all over she was exhausted, but her eyes sparkled.  She had fun! When was the last time you did something that just wore you out, but your heart was still in it?  You did not care if you were tired, it was worth it all! I think about the characters of the Christmas story and how each of them had to commit to their part.. Wise men who travelled so far, they could have quit at any time - but they pressed on.  I wonder what their eyes looked like when they found Jesus?  I think about the shepherds who searched through the sleepy village of Bethleham.  Going from stable to stable search for a new born.  What did their eyes look like when they saw Jesus?  I think about Mary and Jospeh who were committed to her pregnancy and God's will.  What did their eyes look like when they saw Jesus for the fi

I heard it this morning.  I hear it every year.  I cringe when I hear it.  I know it's true and there is nothing I can do about it. Betty (my wife) "I know I bought more presents, but I don't have any idea where I put them." It's the same conversation every year.  A present arrives early (August or September), Betty walks into my office and asks, "I've got to hide this until Christmas."  I say, "Don't forget where you put it!!"  "I won't" is her response.  All the while we both know what is going to happen. (HA!  I just checked one of her usual hiding spots and found another present!  But I know there's more.) Here is the odd thing.  We will not find these presents until sometime between March and June.  (Don't ask me why - but that's the way it works.)  We have found some presents six months later and just held on to them for next Christmas.  True! Luke 4: 18 - 19  18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upo

I turned 53 this year.  So now with 53 Christmas' under my belt, I can tell you - Christmas has changed - A LOT! - Remember when it was morally wrong to see a Christmas tree or hear a Christmas song before Thanksgiving? - Remember aluminum Christmas trees? - Remember going to one department store or mall to do ALL of your Christmas shopping, in one day? If you're thinking, "No Russ, I have no idea what you are talking about."  Don't worry; someday you will have some Christmas memories too. Christmas has transitioned again and again.  To be honest with you - I don't think that all the changes have been that bad.  I don't do Black Friday, but I do love Amazon!  Christmas cards have turned into e-cards.  Video calls have helped grandparents connect with their grandchildren who are thousands of miles away. So, how does Jesus' arrival change your life this Christmas?  Matthew 1:23   “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they s

Christmas is a time for new beginnings.  . Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them . Jesus' arrival was the beginning of the end of the old contract with God.  Everyone's relationship with God was through the Law of Moses.  The Law was the Law.  Obey it, life was good.  Everything about the Law pointed to a Savior who was going to come and change the rules.  Jesus came and changed the rules.  Instead of living under the law of Moses He introduced the law of grace and love.  Because of His sacrifice for our sins, forgiveness was now a reality for anyone who asked.   But some didn't want to change.   The old way of doing things was good enough.   Some wanted to direct the change themselves .  Yes, we want change, but it's our way or the highway.  Some yielded to the change willingly .  Yes, we want the change and we are willing to take the risk.   Ch

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was made famous by a department store named Montgomery Wards in the late 1930's.  (A few of you might remember them.)  Of course, since then we have heard the song over and over again.  (If you heard it the first time, that would have been in 1949.) So, what do Rudolph and Christmas have to do with each other?  Well, on the surface not that much.  This story isn't about a Jesus or shepherds.  But there are a few things I would like to point out to you that you might think about this Christmas season. Rudolph was a reject.  Rudolph was a young buck whose nose glowed like a light bulb.  The other reindeer rejected Rudolph and made fun of him. Jesus was a reject.  He came from a mom and dad who were unwed.  He was born into a poor family. King Herod wanted Him dead. During a season that celebrates God's goodness and love to us - shouldn't it be our goal to include the "rejects" of our world?  The family member who just

I have often asked myself the question, "Why did Jesus come when He did?" Don't get me wrong I am glad He did. Obviously He came at the right time. But why then? Why not come 400 years earlier? Why not come now? I just can't answer the question. What I do know is this. Mankind needed a Savior. Matthew 9:36 When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd . When is it time to make a difference in someone's life? When your compassion kicks in. Especially when you see that the world is harassing them. When they are helpless to defend themselves. When they are lost without hope. I don't know why the first Christmas was over 2,000 years ago.  But God thought it was necessary to do something right then and there. This Christmas determine that you are going to make a difference.  If you don't know when or where you are going to do that, don't worry - I think

Now I am not insinuating that you don't love Jesus or that you are Scrooge.  But over the last few days, I have been listening to people talk about their holiday plans and something is missing. Sunday's (as we will this Sunday) we will unashamedly and openly worship Jesus.  Why?  We celebrate what He has done (and is doing) for us.  We honor Him for the great sacrifices He made on our behalf.  Sacrifices so great that there has been nor will ever be anyone who can love us more than He has. So why do we Celebrate Christmas?  The same reason why we celebrate Easter.  We are honoring the sacrifice that He made on our behalf.  For Jesus to come and give His life on the cross for our sins, He had to become flesh like you and me.  To become flesh, He had to give up His Majesty in heaven to come to earth.  Now I am completely honest with you here.  I have no idea what that entails specifically.  What I do know is this.  Jesus, the Son of God, was in heaven.  Third member of the

This next week is going to be a pressure cooker for me.  It's dance week and dance parents know what that means.  It starts with a performance tomorrow night, stage set ups on Sunday, two dress rehearsals, school shows, nursing home presentations, a variety show, a mini show (this one is so cute) and two full blown productions of the Nutcracker.  There will be much driving to a fro.  Pictures to take, costumes to prepare, backstage preparations and more!  I'm about to find out how my family handles pressures.  Why? When under pressure the truth comes out.  I know a pastor that when he is interviewing someone to work on his staff deliberately demands them to interview under a high-pressure schedule.  He wants to see what they are made of because the truth comes out under pressure. James 1:2 - 4   2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its

Yesterday morning my wife cried, and I had nothing to do with it. For the last 13 years, my wife has done everything she can to lose weight and get healthier.  In the process, she became a professional dieter.  She could tell you everything you needed to know about losing weight, but she just couldn't do it.  I suspect that much of this had to do with the programs she was using because her will and determination never faded. For the last 13 years, I have watched my wife's health fade.  Allergies became her nemesis. Then a year ago last June she was exposed to mold.  It nearly sent her to the hospital.  For the next year, she struggled and fought to return.  It was very, very hard. Then this morning my wife cried.  Why?  Betty has lost 34 pounds.  She hasn't been at this weight for over 15 years.  Her health?  I cannot remember the last time I saw her with this much energy and vitality.  Allergies, almost gone.  Health, ever better. I could spend all the money in t

Christmas is weird.  Why would I say that?  I know of no other time of the year when people can be so blatantly, proudly and arrogantly selfish while at the time be obviously and willingly selfless.  It makes the mind boggle. I see people at the stores buying everything in sight.  I hear kids telling their parents, "I want this and this and this and this . . . "  I see people look at the price of something with horror on their face - then plop down the credit card. Then the other day Betty met a friend of hers in the checkout line at a local store.  In the spirit of making small talk Betty said, "Oh, you are doing some Christmas shopping?"  The response was, "Yes, we are purchasing gifts for people who cannot have a Christmas this year."  YES, I thought, while observing the dad ahead of us who looked like he was mortgaging his house for a cart full of junk for a group of kids getting high on shopping.  (Oh yeah!  That can happen!) Philippians 2:3-4

When I read the Christmas story, I see stress everywhere.  Good stress and bad stress.  Now before you go thinking, "Wow, Russ.  You see life from a dim point of view."  No, I don't.  I just re-read the Christmas story because I wanted to know.  Were they stressed out?  Wow, were they ever!  Mary and Joseph - Hey, you're nine months pregnant, but get on this camel because we have to go to Bethlehem and participate in the national census.  You get there, and there is no place to stay, except in this cave full of animals.  Which one of you wouldn't like a lovely evening with some sheep and chickens?  Oh by the way!  Mary's water broke - guess who's coming!!  Now usually Grandma and/or a midwife would be available to help deliver the baby.  The Bible doesn't tell us if there was anyone around to help, but I get the feeling that Joseph had to step up to the plate.  I wonder if he was thinking, "I don't know anything about delivering babie

I have, to be honest with you, I never knew what a Chestnut was until I was an adult.  I love the Christmas Song and would sing it as a kid.  All the while wondering, "What is a Chestnut?" Then one Thanksgiving Day Betty and I were invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was an Italian family, so it wasn't a Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a Thanksgiving feast!  At one point someone brought out a cookie sheet out of the oven with these round objects on it.  I didn't know what they were so I asked.  Everyone laughed at me, and someone said, "Don't you know?  Those are Chestnuts!"  I felt like an idiot, but I ate one and I liked it!! Christmas is a lot like those Chestnuts.  There are a lot of people out there who don't know what it is all about.  But if they were to find out boy would they love it!  First of all, take a few moments today and thank God that you can experience the real life and love of Jesus.  His gift to you ever

This Christmas tree appeared in my house over the weekend.  It has nothing to do with my blog, but I thought you would like it. Today is my day off.  It isn't a day off - it's more like doing everything else I need to do other than work stuff.  But as I was driving someone in front of me was going much slower than the flow of traffic.  Guess who got stuck behind them?  Yes, it was me. I fumed and fussed for about 20 seconds; then it dawned on me.  What do I care?  It's my day off.  It doesn't matter if I drive fast, slow or in circles.  I was getting caught up in everyone else's Christmas Cheer.  You know what kind of cheer that is.  The kind that yells at people for driving too slow.  Grumbles at cashiers for moving too slow.  Stresses at UPS for delivering that package from Amazon, too slow. Eph 4:2 says, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, The only person who can control your feelings is - YOU!  When you

Today was a great day to start the week. Life Groups were awesome.  Morning Worship was great!  The message challenged us to be good.  (If you were not here, you might want to get a copy of this one.)  I had a great lunch with some of our leadership team.  Soup Kitchen was a beautiful time of serving others for both adults and Voltage youth.  So, can Monday be just as good as Sunday?  Yes it can, but it will be different.   While Sunday for most people is a day off from work, Monday is a work day.  While Sunday winds down our weekend, Monday winds up our week.   So i got to thinking, how did Jesus start His day? We don't know a lot about Jesus' habits, but from what we do know we can surmise a few things that we can do.  Jesus prayed in the morning .  Mark 1:35. Now I am the first to tell you, I am not a morning person.  Praying in the morning isn't easy for me.  But it can be done.  Now for some people it is the very first thing they do when they

This usually happens a few times during Christmas.  Someone will walk up to me and say, "Don't you think that all this commercialism of Christmas has ruined it?"  To which I say, "Yes" and "No."   The following usually happens a few times during Christmas.  Someone will walk up to me and say, "Don't you think that all this commercialism of Christmas has ruined it?"  To which I say, "Yes" and "No."   Here is my explanation.  YES - Christmas is a very profitable time of the year for many merchants.  Up to 25% of their income occurs between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve.  So it doesn't surprise me that marketers go all out to get our dollars during the Holidays.  Can we get so caught up in the shopping and celebration that we can forget why this time of year even exists?  Sure we can.  But that is on us, not the merchants.   Proverbs 25:28 says  "A man without self-control is like a city br

One of the greatest messages about Christmas that people tend to forget is the humanity of Jesus.  Now, before some of my theologians out there go crazy, I am NOT saying that Jesus wasn't fully God either.  To quote the great Stanley Horton, Jesus was, "100% man and 100% God". But we forget that Jesus endured the same physical limitations that we face. Yes, He was tired, homeless, hungry and thirsty.  (John 4:6) We forget that Jesus endured the same mental limitations that we endure. The Gospels show us a Jesus that felt compassion, anger, zeal.  He was troubled, distressed,  sorrowful, depressed, deeply moved, and grieved.  He wept,  He groaned and suffered in agony.  He was surprised, amazed, expressed joy,  and he loved. We forget that Jesus endured the same spiritual limitations that we experience. Before Jesus came to this earth, His relationship with His Father was face to face.  Now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, He had to connect with His Father

Jesus was always answering one question during His ministry.  "What can I do for you today?"  Now the Bible doesn't especially spell it out that way. However, His actions prove it to be true.   How would Christmas change if we were to ask the same questions of others?  Instead of guessing what gift they would want, why not ask them what you can do for them?   (Do not ask them what they need - that is an entirely different question.)  Help meet physical needs.  If you see someone who is hungry, feed them.  If you see someone who is naked, clothe them.  (Matthew 25)  Help meet emotional needs.  Helping people carry their emotional needs is an all-important part of life.  Without others, how would we ever make it?  (Col. 6:2) Help meet spiritual needs.  Praying for one another is one of our sources of strength.  Helping one another live a life of faith that honors Jesus is one of the highest callings we can embrace.  (James 5:16)  The question gives yo