December 2009 Newsletter

Welcome

As our year comes to a close and we look forward to a New Year, we look toward the many decisions we'll be faced with. Some decisions will be difficult, but with a careful weighing we will know our proper direction. However, many of us will face impossible decisions with heartache and suffering regardless of our pleading prayers. It is with those eyes that I take a look at the Christmas story in this newsletter. What does this Christmas story give us for these trying times? What can we learn anew from a story we've heard year after year? Come close and lend your ear, for Christ the Savior was born, and in him we find hope for this New Year.

Blessings to you, my faithful friends. And Merry Christmas...
    Cheri

Article For Use in Your Ministries

Lessons From the Christmas Story for the Decisions of Our Lives

Lesson From the Innkeepers
No room at the inn, are such sad words.  No vacancy.How many of us have filled our lives to the brim?We have filled them  with so much that if God wanted to come visit for just an hour, there would be no room.Our hearts are filled with so many things that call our attention, demand our love, and cause us heartache, that when He desires to speak within- there is no room.The innkeepers were too busy; may we learn from them that we need to make room for His Spirit to stir within us if we are to hear from Him.

Lesson From Simeon and Anna
Simeon and Anna worked at the Temple in Jerusalem and were there the day Jesus was brought in for the purification and consecration ceremony. As Mary and Joseph entered the Temple that day, the Holy Spirit told Simeon that this child was the one he had been waiting for. Even though Simeon and Anna were very old, they never lost hope that God would fulfill His promises that they would see the Christ Child. They spent those years waiting by getting closer to God so that when the time came they were filled with wisdom to share with the holy couple. May we learn from Simeon and Anna to spend our time waiting for our breakthrough by growing closer to the One who has the future in His hands.

Lesson From Herod
Herod had expectations that the newborn King would usurp his power.He knew that he was not the rightful heir to the throne of David, (he had done something wrong) and thus he was fearful of a military uprising. So, he devised his own plan. He invited the Magi to his palace and asked that when they found this newborn King they would return to him with the news "so he might go and worship him also." This was a lie. He planned to kill the child and thus get rid of his problem. May we learn from Herod the danger fear does to our soul and  relinquish our fear to the One in whom fear must flee.

Lesson From Joseph
According to Jewish law, Joseph could have divorced Mary when her apparent infidelity was revealed. However, Joseph was a man of integrity. He chose the best path for Mary because of his love; he chose to quietly divorce her, and then send her away where she would be safe. He would then endure the public ridicule that was meant for Mary. But, God sent an angel to tell Joseph there was a third option...marry her. Joseph didn't argue, question, or refuse. The Bible simply tells us that he did what the angel commanded him. May we learn from Joseph that the right decisions we must make may cost us dearly, but they are indeed the best in God's eyes if they place the welfare of others before our own.

Lesson From Mary
When Mary is told she will bear the Son of God, her question was "How can this be since I am a virgin?" The angel then tells her the Holy Spirit will come over her and her relative Elizabeth (who she knows is too old to have a child) who isalso expecting. Mary answers with some of the most beautiful words of the Christmas story. "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." She has no doubt this will be good, that this will turn out alright, and that God can do the impossible. May we learn from Mary childlike faith that our decisions, when offered to God with a humble heart, will be made good. For nothing is impossible with God!

Cheri Cowell, 2009

Highlighting Cheri's Speaking

This month's focus is the Direction Conference!

The Direction Conference is designed to shed light on this critical area of spiritual development. Author and speaker Cheri Cowell illumines the way with six questions to guide in wise and godly decision-making. In small groups, personal devotions, and group exercises you will learn how to discern God's guiding hand in the small and big decisions of your life.
The Conference schedule is flexible, allowing for a Friday night/Saturday All-day event, or an All-day Saturday/Sunday morning retreat.

Upcoming Events

January 23            All Day Direction Conference - Punta Gorda, FL (for tickets contact Carol)
January 29,30,31  Word Weavers Writers Conference in Eustis, FL
February 1-5          Kingdom Conference,  Orlando FL, with Eugene Peterson
March 4-6              Facuty at the Florida Christian Writers' Conference

Links Online

Click on these links to read more from Cheri's pen.

Wanna Be Published blog

The Christian Pulse devotionals- The Destination