God of Hope and Joy

ST. PAUL PUT HIS PEN TO PARCHMENT AND WROTE WORDS THAT EVERY PERSON ON PLANET EARTH NEEDS TO HEAR AT TIMES LIKE THESE.

"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."

THAT HOPE DID NOT INVADE THE WORLD IN THE FORM OF A SUPREME SULTAN RIDING DOWN MAIN STREET JERUSALEM ON A WHITE STALLION DEMANDING THAT MEN BOW TO HIM AS A REIGNING MONARCH.

HE CAME IN THE FORM OF A BABY WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES LYING IN A DESOLATE MANGER SURROUNDED BY SHEPHERDS, SHEEP, OXEN, DONKEYS AND JOSEPH WHO WAS STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THIS MOMENT.

THE HOPE THAT CHRIST BRINGS TO OUR LIVES GENERATES PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING, JOY THAT IS UNSPEAKABLE, ENERGY THAT HAS NO LIMIT AND EXCITEMENT THAT NEVER ENDS!

JOHN HAGEE wrote these words in a recent newsletter referenced below. Seems fitting as we are about to enter 2008, a year of "Sending Out."

A nice reflection for the season and the new year. If you're interested in CUI or Christians standing with Israel, contact me or check out their website. Shalom, Dwayne

" For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:30-32