Merry Christmas from the Rodgers family!

Christmas time we have been reminded of the great truth in the Christmas carol “Hark the Herald  Angels Sing.”  In Christ, God and sinners are reconciled!  We are so thankful for the life that we have in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:9).

As we think back over 2014, we have been blessed by so many old and new friends.  God has given opportunities to encourage and be encourage by others.

Over this past year our family has been growing in many different ways.  The picture to the left shows that Joel is now taller than Krista.  In this same picture  Krista is wearing a Jamaica hat.  Dave went to Jamaica for two weeks in November to teach a class on Biblical counseling in the church.  It was a great time!  We are very thankful for awesome grandparents and friends who helped Krista and the kids. Thank you to those who were praying for this time.  

At this year’s Emmanuel Baptist Church Christmas eve service, David was able to share about what God wants for Christmas.  We want to close this brief update with what he shared.  The picture to right shows what God wants.  Not a selfie of David.  He wants you and your worship.

You can read more about Dave’s trip to Jamaica, the Christmas eve lesson and other thoughts about our year at www.boonedy.blogspot.com

Have a Merry Christmas and an Amazing 2015!  

What God Wants - Christmas Eve service at EBC

Tonight I had the opportunity to share with Pastor Duke at Emmanuel Baptist Church's Christmas eve service.  

While I may not win an Oscar for my acting, I was very excited to share the truth of God's Word with those who were there.

The two specific things I shared were a poem and a couple of verses.  

The poem was adapted from the Christmas devotional What God Wants for Christmas.  Here it is.

What God wants for Christmas.  Now here’s the surprise

In this box is where it’s been disguised.

Peek in the box, for so long you have waited.

What God wants is you – the one He created!

“Me?” you ask.  “Why is this so?”

”I cannot wrap me and put on a bow!”

No you cannot; but what you can give

Are the choices you make in the life that you live.

God wants you to know Him and love Him within.

And this is called worship, an offering to Him.

To do this   trust Jesus, who died in your place

When you didn’t deserve Him – that is called grace

Give him control of your life and your heart

Say, “Jesus I need You.  I’d like a new start.

Forgive me today for the sins I’ve committed

So one day in heaven I will be permitted.”

When you this way, the heavens rejoice
That you have made worship of God your life’s choice.

God wants you to know Him, so choose every day

To love God and thank God

And give Him all Praise.

The verses were 1 John 4:9, 10, which are part of this quarter's memory verses at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

1 John 4:9 says "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."

The reason Jesus was born was so that we might live through him.  We have abundant, eternal life because Jesus - God in flesh appearing died on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.  

1 John 4:11 says "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

What God did for us in Jesus Christ should impact they way we live in this life.  

In my ministry at EBC as pastor of children/family ministry and soul care, I want to help people live out the faith in their families, among believers and in their communities.  I was very thankful for the opportunity to share on Christmas Eve.  It is my prayer that the evening encouraged people to focus on Christ this Christmas time.