DEC. 18 - Thoughts on Glorifying!!

How do we "season the season" with glorifying? Here are some not-so-random thoughts from David Mains and others:

THINK about how you approach the worship service. Come, expecting to receive. Don't come like a cork - bobbing on the ocean, just going through the motions. Come with your eyes open to see the hand of God, and your ears tuned to hear the frequency of heaven!


USE MUSIC. The music of the season - in your home or car - can help tune your heart any time of year! Share songs that touch your heart with your children and other family members. (BY THE WAY - did you know there is a new Christian music station in Austin County - check out 90.7 FM.)


CONTINUAL PRAISE. Implement continual praise into your life. Adopt a praise phrase (like "Glory to Jesus" - or - "Be with me Lord" - or - "Glory to God in the highest" - or another one) - and repeat it to yourself throughout the day.


TWEET PRAISE! Use Twitter or Facebook to share brief inspirational thoughts with others!


PRAYER WRAPPING. Pray for each person who is receiving a gift as you wrap it!


BORING TASKS. Use "task time" like driving, or walking the dog, to meditate on the goodness of God.


IDENTIFY OBSTACLES. Write down obstacles that keep you from offering yourself wholly to God. Pray about those obstacles.


SEE THE BABY! When you see a family with a newborn, if it is appropriate, take a moment to say a word of blessing to them. Then say a silent prayer for that family. And thank God for becoming a helpless, humble child in order to save you from your sins!


USE THE MANGER SCENE. Use the manger scene characters with your family to talk about what it was like for each of the characters in the Christmas story - even the animals!


MOVIE NIGHT. Purchase or rent the great movie "The Nativity Story" (suitable for approximately age 10 and up). Talk about the movie with your family!


TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP. Talk with your family members about how excited you are to celebrate that "holy night." If you are out of town, find a church (of any denomination) to attend.


INVITE A NEIGHBOR to share Christmas Eve Candlelight worship with you! Candlelight worship at BUMC on Christmas Eve is at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. - plus we have an "early" candlelight service (for those whose schedules are busy on Christmas Eve) - on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.


A POEM. Read this poem by Greg Asimakoupoulos, called "Godspeak":

As I sit in silence for the service to begin,
I wonder how the living Lord might speak to me again.
Will it be the songs we sing or in the pastor's prayer?
It just might be the sermon or a need somebody shares.
Maybe God will touch my heart through laughter or a sigh,
or even through distractions like a newborn's hungry cry.
Whatever means God chooses to bend my ear his way,
I will worship him expectantly for there is something he will say.