20 RELIGION
editorial@robson.com — December 2011 RELIGION Angels, Apostles, and Anglicans
The Rev. Dr. Ashley M. Classen, Deacon The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Texas In his book, The Ten Laws of Lasting
Love, Paul Pearsall tells this precious story of how he and his wife refused to give in to his medical diagnosis of cancer: “Early on the reports were seldom good,
and one day a doctor brought particularly frightening news. Gazing at his clipboard, he murmured, “It doesn’t look like you’re gonna make it.” Before I could even ask one question, my wife stood up, handed me my robe, adjusting the tubes attached to my body and said, “We’re getting out of here. This man is a risk to your health.” As she helped me struggle to the door, the doctor approached us. “Stay back,” demanded my wife. “Stay away from us.” As we walked together down the hall the doctor attempted to catch up with us. “Keep going,” said my wife, pushing the IV stand, “We’re going to talk to someone who really knows what is going on.” Then she held up her hand to
the doctor. “Don’t come any closer to us.” The two of us moved as one. We fl ed to the safety and hope of a doctor who did not confuse diagnosis with verdict.” Paul Pearsall went on to become a board- clinical
certifi ed neuropsychologist who
wrote 15 international best-selling books, published over 200 professional journal articles and has been a keynote speaker for over 500 Fortune Five-Hundred companies. Don’t confuse diagnosis with verdict!
They didn’t! Do not throw away your confi dence, it
will be rewarded; through it you will fi nd mercy and grace to help you in your time of greatest need. Hebrews 4:16 All are welcome to our Bible study group
for the study of Scripture and fellowship in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Our group meets Tuesday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at a home in Robson Ranch Estates. Please contact 940-206 9567 or 940-262 0940 for directions. Blessings and God’s Peace.
Jim Mann God has moved throughout history. These
moves have been recorded in the Bible and by secular historians. We tell time by God’s move in history: BC/AD. He’s moved at the birth of nations and the fall of nations. He’s moved in very personal and private ways as he has in very public revivals. God moves differently as each situation warrants, as each soul and each situation is different. But as you look at the moves of God, you can detect a subtle pattern. I won’t say God is predictable. Not in the least. But we can look to precedent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas,
we’ll read again that old, familiar Christmas story. As you read that historical account, what you will see is a description of the move of God. Since God never stopped moving after that fi rst Christmas, since He still intervenes in history, since He still moves in the hearts of his people—we can learn from this story how God moves. How does God move? God moves
unexpectedly. The coming of a Messiah certainly wasn’t unexpected but how this Messiah appeared defi nitely was. He wasn’t born in a capitol city to nobility, in a palace with attendants. His mother was a virgin. His adoptive father was a laborer. He was born in the backwater town of Bethlehem. In a stable. His attendants were sheep and their shepherds. How does God move? God moves
miraculously. I mentioned the virgin birth. I mentioned the fulfi lled prophecies in the Old Testament. There were divine dreams and visions. The Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem. And of course there was the
fact that you have a child, in Jesus, who is both human and divine. How does God move? God moves
incarnationally. That simply means that God moves personally—in the fl esh. God was not afraid to come to earth and get His hands dirty. He didn’t send angels or solicit human assistance. He sent his own
Son...in person. How does God move? God moves
deliberately. God gave us what we needed in Jesus. He didn’t get us a “gift” and hope we’d like it. He knew that gift was exactly what we needed. Years before, when the world needed a rescuer, God gave us Noah and his ark. When the Hebrew people needed a deliverer, God gave them Moses. When Israel needed a king, God gave them David. When they needed direction, God gave them the prophets. We needed a savior. God gave us Jesus. This Christmas I want to encourage you
to open your heart to God’s move. He might surprise you. Do you need a miraculous physical touch from God? A miraculous emotional healing? It’s certainly not beyond God to meet those very personal needs and give you exactly what you need. He’s done it over and over, and he’ll do it again. We’ll be talking about God’s move at Christmas and in our hearts
throughout
December at New Life Church. We’d love for you to join us. Merry Christmas! Jim Mann, Ph.D. pastors New Life Church
at Robson Ranch, which meets at the Robson clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Visit
www.Robson.NewLifeDenton.org for more information.
KIWANIS _____________________________ - continued from page 6
Coupons are good through February 1, 2013. The books make great gifts for the
holidays. By purchasing one, you not only save money but you also help us help our community. Proceeds will help the Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch provide scholarships, handicap ramps, holiday baskets, Hospital Trauma Dolls, “Reading is Fundamental Programs” in the schools and many other charitable services. Kiwanis of Robson Ranch
ROBSON RANCH PIONEER PRESS
gets 50% of the proceeds from sales here on the Ranch. Books are available at the clubhouse
Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays between 9:00 and 11:00. Or simply call 262-3164 for more information and free home delivery. Sales will continue through December or until we sell out. Don’t miss out on the savings and the opportunity to support disadvantaged youth in the Denton community.
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