“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

We invite you to come and celebrate the reason for the season with us Friday, Dec. 22. Enjoy good company, fun times and the hearing of that familiar Gospel story – the greatest story ever told.

Our Price Hill community lunch and Christmas gathering will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family Activity Center. There will be a Christmas message, food, inflatable, crafting for the kids and toys. Every child present will receive a ticket for one toy.

The Covington celebration will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon. There will be food, caroling and a sharing of the Christmas story.

If you’d like to serve as a volunteer at an event, feel free to reach out to mreinert@lordsgymministries.org.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, for some. For others it’s the loneliest time.

Loneliness is an enigma. You can be completely physically alone and feel it. You can also feel it when you’re in a crowded room. It’s a sad, lowly state that seems to be magnified during what should be the most wonderful time of the year. 

There’s a reason. The enemy is at work overtime. Because truly, the most wonderful thing is celebrated this time of year. Don’t let the feeling of loneliness get you down today or any time.

Truth is you’re not alone. Truth is you are deeply loved and continuously in the presence of the Lord, Who is the One Who loves you so deeply.

You see, the King of Kings, stepped down from His throne. The Lord of Lords abandoned His home. The greatest became the least. The one true God, Creator of the world, poured out his heart to you. The Father gave up His own Son for you.

Feel that love, not the lie of loneliness. 

Grateful to God for all our dedicated volunteers and staff who made this activity possible for the third consecutive year. Thankful for the team that God allows me to lead and for the incredible volunteers who have answered God’s call to uplift our hands and strengthen our knees with their help and resources. More than 375 coats were donated, most of them by our beloved members at All Church. Hats off to All Church! More than 224 people from the community were blessed. God is good! Happy Thanksgiving!

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Corinthians 9:11

My youngest is 5. He is such a sweet and giving child. I recently received a note from a parent of a fellow student in his preschool class, telling me how grateful she is that he is so kind to her son who has autism. He doesn’t have many friends, she said, but Jack goes out of his way to make him feel cared about.

I praise God for this. It’s all Him. I think the Lord is working in His young heart because his father and I have been very intentional in telling Him about God’s love and how important it is to love the Lord and to love people. Not that we by any means have this down perfectly. My husband and I are still learning this same lesson in our 40s! Let me give an example.

Over the summer, we make a few visits to the Cincinnati Zoo, it’s one of our favorite vacation destinations. We typically go in the mornings and once we get off the Interstate, we always see a lady holding a sign for help or food.

My son was very concerned about her and so we decided to feed her and pray for her. Every time we go to the zoo, we bring an extra breakfast sandwich.

Iv have to admit on this particular morning I was feeling good about the gesture. You feel good knowing you are making a positive difference in someone’s day. Well, God wanted me to give my heart a challenge that day, apparently.

We continued driving toward the zoo. On the sidewalk up ahead I saw a gentleman with a sign asking for help. We didn’t have any more breakfast sandwiches but,the Spirit reminded me that I had a little bit of cash on me.

“No,” I said, in my head. “We might need a drink later, I’m saving that.” 

I felt a tug on my heart.

Still, I refused. And thought: “If Jack mentions you have money to give, I’ll give it. Otherwise, no.” Now I was sort of cheating because Jack had no clue I had cash on me. At his age it would be rare if he’d think of that. HA!

Jack finally caught sight of the man with his sign. “We have to help him,” he said.

“We don’t have any more sandwiches,” I explained.

“You have money, give him that,” Jack chimed.

Oh boy! I knew then, that God had been speaking to me for sure! At that moment my greediness melted away and I wanted to give the man what I had. I grabbed my purse and rolled down my window. The man with the sign and tattered clothes was so grateful. We also prayed for him as we drove away and I thanked God for reminding me the importance of having a giving heart.

“And on that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.’ Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.” Isaiah 12:4-5

I have a confession. When Nov. 1 rolls around, I’m typically almost constantly replaying the lyrics of “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart” in my head. Over and over they go. Sometimes a faint hum slips from my lips… There’s nothing quite like the season of thanksgiving.

Do you know the tune? It’s catchy. Do you know the lyrics? They’re joyous. Do you know the story behind it? It’s inspiring. 

“Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us;
and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks…”

“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” was written in 1978, by Henry Smith. The song was his only published worship song out of 300 unpublished compositions! Smith penned the piece after having trouble finding work following his graduation from university. Smith had a degenerative condition that eventually left him legally blind.

While at his church in Williamsburg Virginia, his pastor inspired him with a reference to how Jesus made Himself poor to make others rich through Him.

What a testament this song is to what the Lord has done! I’m certainly grateful.

Fellowship is essential to a happy life. Time with our close friends increases our sense of belonging and purpose. Friendship boosts happiness and reduces stress. It also improves our self-confidence and self-worth. Friendship is a beautiful blessing from God. Here are five Scriptures about true friendship and what it entails: 

1. Friends love us and are willing to put each other above themselves: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15
2. Friends genuinely care for one another. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
3. Friends are family. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”Proverbs 17:17
4. Friends learn from one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 
5. Friends pray for one another. “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.” Job 16:20-21