where is "Christ" in Christmas?

This is the Stimmel Christmas letter

No matter where you look, it seems that Jesus is not to be found. In the stores, not even a nativity scene is nowhere to be found. I sometimes wonder why, when he is the reason for the season. As i ponder this Christmas season, it seems that what i see is the need for presents and the need to spend money that you don't have. It isn't are birthday, but the birth of our savior. He should have the honor and glory and respect, but He doesn't. In today's society it seems that Jesus Christ is second place, and oftentimes last place in our lives. We give more honor and respect to Santa Claus than the one who gave his life for us. this past year brought about changes in each of are lives and in the world in general. We have a new president (an African American), with a new set of ideas that we may not agree with, each of us have gotten another year older, and for some of us, life in general, is getting more complicated. There are some of us have lost jobs, homes, their life savings, and feeling of hopelessness. We need to turn to the one who promises each of us hope, and that is the Lord himself. In II Chronicles 7:14 the Bible tells us that if we humble ourselves and pray to the Lord then He will heal our land. So where are the Christians and why aren't more of them praying to the one who knows the future? I know things are hard, but if we would look to God for our answers to life's problems, then I know he will answers. Last year about this time mom and dad were making plans to go on a mission trip to Haiti, not knowing what to expect. They were afraid, and yet when they went to the Lord in prayer, They got there answer, it was to go. They received lots of encouragement they needed. They left on the 15th of June and returned the 22nd of June. Never been on a plane let a lone out of the United States. By faith they went. Much to there surprise, it was a experience they will never forget. To see a child share a sucker with antnother child was so dear. Sometimes we may not think we have a lot of "things" or food but take a look at those in a third world country. They have very little, but are thankful for what they do have. We just got done celebrating Thanksgiving, which should be celebrated 365. Not just one day of the year. If we want Christ in Christmas we need to include him every day.

The Stimmel Family

thanksgiving

let us remember what the true meaning of thanksgiving is giving thanks to God for what he has given us and not pre Christmas sales

it states in psalm 100:4 NLT Enter his gates with thanksgiving go into his courts with praise give thanks to him and praise his name

9-11-09

question where were you on 9-11-01
question 2 did we learn anything from that day

let us not forget what happened on that day two planes crashed into the twin towers a plane crashed in Shanksville Pennsylvania and plane crashed into the Pentagon killing many people by terrorists
let us not forget what happened after that people were packing churches and turning back to God let us pray for revival in are own lives and in are own country

9-11-09

what in the world is going on ch 1

i encourage everyone to pick up david jeremiah's book of the same title the first chapter is very interesting i expect the the rest of the book to be more interesting and informative i will let you know

life

don't you hated when people gossip and spread rumors about you especially when it's not true but i also have to remember what Jesus said "do good to those who hate you" "the world hated me they will also hate you for my namesake"

Let's think about this for a moment

there has been a lot of talk about michael jackson's death while i mourn the loss of of human being we must think about are men and women overseas daily fighting for our freedoms and plus that we have christians and missionaries all over the world dieing daily and no news outlets  are having there deaths as the main story on the 5:30 or 6:00 news  this is a quote from Geraldo Rivera "when Michael Jackson was crying out for help where was his  friends and family"   If Jesus came back sometime this month or year  would that be a top story  the answer would be no because Jesus is not as popular. 

4th of july

happy Independence Day we live in a wonderful country but it also has its problems. let us not forget who gave us are Indepndence both in are country and as a christian

this is a letter mon wrote to the editor

Upon returning from Haiti, I am humbled and thankful for the things I have; a nice comfortable bed, food to eat, doctors, running water and most of all, a home to come to.
On June 15th, my husband and I, along with 28 other people from the area through Faith Community Church left for Port-au-Prince Haiti on a mission trip. Not knowing what to expect or see, all of us were scared, needless to say.
Upon arriving in Haiti, to look around seeing lush greenery and beautiful mountains, a person may think: Why is this the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, but we would soon experience what was meant by it being poor. Two vans took us from the airport to the compound where we were to stay for the next week. On our way, what we saw was overwhelming. The homes were nothing more than three sides (fronds or leaves from trees and a piece of tin for the roof), their clothes were rags sewed together. Pictures and stories on the television don’t begin to describe the devastation and heartache there is in Haiti. One has to experience it first hand.
I found myself seeing what it was like to be poor, yet I found out what it was like to be rich in the spirit. The Haitian people know how to smile and be thankful for what they have.
Coming home, I saw the contrast; people pushing in line, not saying excuse me, people being rude, and people spending like there is no tomorrow.
I find myself praising and thanking God for the things He has given me daily. I am truly blessed beyond measure.
My hat goes off to Rick Batey and Dave Ketelsen for encouraging my husband and I to go to Haiti. A special thanks goes out to all the team members. Thank you all for all the prayers that went with us.
I want to thank Mission to Haiti, through Bill Sr. and Ann Nealey, who had a dream 30 years ago, to witness and help the people of Haiti to learn of Christ’s love.
Someone asked me if I was glad to be home. The answer is yes and no. There is so much to do in Haiti that words cannot describe. My challenge is to every person reading this to go to Haiti and experience the poverty first hand.
The look of a child when given a piece of candy or even a pencil to write with. To have a smile on their face and to be thankful for what they have received.
We had a construction team, a wellness team, and also a Vacation Bible School team. They were awesome in all respects.
If asked to go again, the resounding answer would be yes.

Richard and Irlene Stimmel
407 West Maple Street
Maquoketa, Iowa 52060-2822

dad's day

dont forget to give your dad a card this sunday

my papa

my dad is such a wonderful man his work record speaks for it self he works so hard and tries to please people but people still treat him like dirt. i remenber when i was little he taught me how to work hard and how to do a good job. he has a stern but loving hand by the way both my parents are in hatti working for the lord.    i am so thankful for the both of them.

 moral of the story be thankful and treat your parents with respect

iron sharpens iron conference

i attended a wonderful men's conference last Saturday its called iron sharpens iron i encourge all men reading my blog to attend next year the date is may 8 2010 i learn a lot from the speakers

the christian life

i am so tired of peoples excuses and acting like children the Paul states that when we accept Christ as are savior we need to stop acting like children but act like adults that live like christ

Memorial Day

remember what Memorial day really is it's to remember are men and women who died and still are serving and protecting our country and are freedoms and not just getting the day off or having cookouts

do the right thing

i urge people reading this blog to read or purchase the book do the right thing by mike huckabee it is a good read on how to turn this country around

mommy's day

don't forget about mommy's day is Sunday. my mom is such a gift from God she understands me and knows when something is wrong thank you God for my mommy

gay marriage and swine flu

what happens to a nation and a state that doesn't listen to God's laws judgment and weired diseases

christianity

i am so disgusted that people think that its all about religion but it's really about a relationship with JESUS CHRIST because that is what the Lord wants that is true religion

easter

i am so tired of people focusing on the easter bunny and getting easter baskets for there kids

dont get me wrong its ok to give candy to the kids  but shouldn't we focus on the true meaning of easter instead of the bunny or  the candy but what Jesus did for us and why  he rose from the dead

JOHN 3:16 NLT

"For God so loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life"

marriage amendment

please pray tomorrow that the lawmakers in des moines add a marriage amendment to the state constitution

the cubs

the cubs offically statrted the 09 season with a win 4-2

gay marrriage

well last week the main court in the state of iowa said that gay marraige is ok i dont know why people can't read God's word " the Bible" to see what it says reguarding issues like this

snow

looks like more snow it could be heavy

movie

movie to see monsters vs allians very funny move

movie

klove

just wondering what is going on with jon and sheri rivers on klove no more morning show or 20 the countdown mag on klove

cubs

looks like the cubs have a new closer kevin greg
sure miss kerry wood the only reason got read of kw lots of injurys in his career

snow

well looks like more snow is on the way not that much i hope

why do so many tv stations give different weather forcast

cubs

as a Chicago cubs fan i am looking forward to the 2009 season