Merry Christmas

Isn't God just amazing?  What a wonderful opportunity we've had as a church these last two weeks to really reflect the message of Christmas - LOVE!  Christmas is all about love.  How could it be about anything else?  It was God's love for each and every one of us that prompted him to send his precious son to us on Christmas.  Emmanuel...God with Us.  I love that.  I often wish I could have been there and seen that.  I've felt like I missed something about the whole miracle on more than one occasion.  It's moments like the ones we've had partnering with Penn Naz that remind me that I didn't miss anything.  I can live Christmas every day if I just look for opportunities to love more generously and give of myself as Christ gave of himself. 

Have a wonderful Christmas.  Enjoy your families and friends during this time and keep watching for those opportunities to share Christmas love each day of the year!

Northview Women's Exercise Program

Come Join the Fun!

Let's get in shape together with Slim in 6

Every Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10 am

Every Tuesday at 1 pm

Children are welcome - they join in with us and have fun

See you there!

Contact Jacci Cardwell for further details at cardwell4276@msn.com

Holy Spirit Challenge

Wow!  Wasn't the message today awesome?  I know I need to definitely empty out so I can be filled!  I thought it might be encouraging for us to share our week with really seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Please post your experiences and what you are "unplugging" from....is it noise? TV? Facebook (I know that was my big one).  Hope your week is blessed!  Remember - no bible study Wednesday but we hope to see you at Dwell.

~In Him,
Jacci

Life's Volcanoes

Ever been to Hawaii? The big island is beautiful. It's so lush and green and yet some areas are just black volcanic ground. We visited the big island in February 2003. One of our favorite excursions was to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We went at dusk and drove down the Chain of Craters road to the ocean. As we started our hike we noticed a sign that said "New land flow September 2002". We were walking on ground that had come from the volcano, been cooled by the ocean and was now a new part of the island. That's pretty awesome. One of the rangers informed us that they had lost 100 acres of unstable new land into the ocean the month before. God giveth and God taketh away was my first thought.

Hot lava pouring into a cold ocean produces a large plume of steam which is spectacular by day and breath-taking by night. Imagine...all that mixing of hot molten earth with cold water to create a place that seeds will eventually land on and will flourish. Creation from chaos and destruction.

Isn't that just like God? He takes our heavy earthly burdens and tries them by fire. He pours our circumstances out into a cold world and creates a landing place for new growth and life! He trims away our unstable parts to make way for the new land. In the end, when the race is run we become beautiful, lush islands teeming with life.

Praying for abundance and life from your volcanoes...Jacci

But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.~Isaiah 43:18-20