One of the best things about this past Saturday was that we were inside! Warm, cozy, and dry! Thank you for another great week of CSports Basketball. We have two more Saturdays of games before we break for Christmas and New Years. Please remind all on your teams to get their CSports at the Jags Basketball tickets asap. For some reason, people tend to wait until the last minute to get them, but when I run out at the last minute it will be too late to get more! These will make a great Christmas gift to the young players and we got a great price from the USA people, $5 per ticket.
This week we had really contested games, some ending in a tie at the last second! The players played hard and the natural competitive emotions caused some fouls and feelings. Let’s work hard to govern these. 100% effort is expected but the rules of the game set boundaries. Some of the emotions generated really good bonding among those who felt their blood pressure rise and quickly turned it into self-awareness and forgiving (that included me). Coaches, you guys do so much for our ministry and several of you coach more than one team. That is above and beyond. However, there have been times when people who have committed to referee games have not shown up. Coaches, please see if it is possible for you to referee some of the times. There were a couple of games in which there was only one volunteer referee and that is tough in any sport! Please let Mrs. Rose know if you can donate another hour on a Saturday.
My halftime devotions Saturday had relatively little to do with Christmas, but then almost everything to do with Christmas. I read an altered version of Paul’s words in his Letter to the Corinthians which some refer to as “the love chapter”. Please take time to read 1 Corinthians chapter 13. It ends with verse 13 which says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” The version written by Sharon Jaynes goes as follows:
©By Sharon Jaynes
If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband (or wife).
Have you taken the time this season to call someone you know who doesn’t have many friends or is a “shut-in”? Have you handed a dollar to your child to put in the salvation army bucket at the store? Have you shared a good word with someone you don’t usually speak to at work or in the neighborhood?
My wife and I had a great night last night at my son’s choir presentation. I sat with my wife, my daughter and my son in law. My daughter in law was serving in the church nursery and was taking care of my youngest grandson. My two older grandsons sat on my lap or stood in the pew on either side of me watching the wonderful performance. The night would only have been better if my mother had been well enough to come with us. The program presented a story of a young lady who was caught up in the worldly part of Christmas with lights, tinsel, etc. She was guided through the tutoring of a used book store staff to see the historical origins of Christmas from Christ’s birth through some of the expressions of love in poetry, carols, service, and sacrifice. My wife and I smiled with red, teary eyes all the way home. What a blessing it was sharing this time with our family!
Have you made the time to attend Christmas programs? Have you planned to present “the real reason” when you have parties or your family events? While service and love are expected from each of us as God’s children all throughout the year, the season of Christmas is the easiest and most important time to refresh your spirit and teach your children. Please use this time to grow and teach!
We will practice and play games this week and next. See you on the court!
In His Service,
Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister
Christ United Methodist Church
251-706-3326
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6