Great Expectations for 2012! - by Pastor Lonnie Ellis

The time is here that the door to 2011 is closing and the door to 2012 is opening. This is the perfect time to thank Jesus for all that He has done in our lives and thank Him for the things He will do in our lives. Thank you Jesus for the things we know about and for the things we don’t know about.

You don’t have to be a prophetic person to see the world we know is changing. That is a constant since time began. There is a lot being said for the change that is coming in 2012. Some of it is positive and some is negative. I believe there is some truth in both. According 1 Corinthians 13:9 - Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! (New Living Translation (©2007)). I want to share the very small part of what I believe Papa has placed in my heart. A boss I had a long time ago said to me, “Make change your friend”. I use to be scared of change but because of what he spoke into my life several years ago I learned to embrace change.

Though the world seems to be in a place of flux, uncertainty and what some might call chaos, I believe we are in a time that heaven is showing up in AMAZING ways like never before. There is a shaking going on and though we don’t fully understand it, it is good.

I feel there is an invitation from heaven for deeper levels of intimacy with Papa like never experienced. Also we should expect His Greatness to show up in our lives in 2012. One of our school of supernatural students said in class “See God in everything” That placed a challenge in my spirit and heart. I continue to meditate and process her statement with Holy Spirit. When the storms of life that happen in this world (See John 16:33 & Romans 5:3-5) shows up in my life I remember her words and begin to ask Papa for His perspective. This helps to keep me in his gift of grace and peace. Before you know it, I no longer remember the storm because His love and peace overtakes me. Then the answer from heaven shows up. I do not claim to have perfected this but it is true for many, many people. In 2012 we are going to hear an increase of positive and negative information from the world and the body of Christ. The wise thing we can do when this information comes is to go before Papa (intimacy) and ask Him to give us heavens perspective for our lives and journey. We must remember that He is good and that He loves us with an everlasting love and nothing can ever change that.

Have a Happy New Years and expect GREAT things from Papa for your life in 2012 no matter how the world may or may not look.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Lonnie

Below is a video link from a major prophetic voice Larry Randolph. He touches on things to come in 2012. It spoke to my spirit.

"Prophetic teaching: a shift is now happening" - Watch Video HERE

Emmanuel: Our Unspeakable Gift by Pastor Susan Fochler

I have a little calendar sitting on my desk at work. Looking ahead to the scripture for December 25, I was struck by the words: “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:15. Unspeakable: An inability to define, describe, find the words for....beyond the capability of human language to capture. How can one find language to give full expression to the reality of an all knowing, all powerful God, who chose to leave the flawless Light of heaven in order to come and live among us in this darkened world? And He did this just so He could remain in continuous relationship with each of us for the rest of eternity.

Last weekend, while listening to the familiar reading of the Christmas Story, I found myself entering into that time 2,000 years ago as I never had before. Perhaps because I had been contemplating how “unspeakable”, how beyond my ability to comprehend the full meaning of Jesus come to earth. I seemed to be both here and there at the same time.

The nativity creche scene came to life. Mary sitting and Joseph standing with newborn baby Jesus lying before them. The shepherds came, amazed and uncertain how to best communicate their worship and allegiance. Their faces still radiant from the sight of many angels filling the night sky with the brilliance of God’s Glory, heralding the coming of their long looked-for King. The wise men then approach, their eyes on the star illuminating the stable almost as bright as day. Joy overwhelming them at finding the object of their long search. They came bowing low in humble awareness of the honor bestowed upon them; that they should live to see this day when God became a child living among man.

But most of all, I was aware of Mary. Her eyes fixed on this baby, this tiny One who had so radically caused her life to derail off the predictable norm and onto a path never traveled before. As she looked upon her baby it was beginning to dawn on her that, “Let it be unto me” meant far more than a mysterious pregnancy. Aware that the birth was not the end of her surrender; that the usual hopes and expectations a mother might have for her son would not be hers. She had said yes to something much bigger than herself, and could not take that back. Yet somehow, in her honest humility, she had no regrets. This was the Gift Who would usher in a new Kingdom through which God would set up residence on earth as never seen before. She had known from the beginning He was only hers to hold very lightly. and that her Son would be shared with all of mankind for all time.

This One who knows all things, has all power, created all things through the utterance of His Word, willing to be contained within human parameters during His time on earth. Born utterly dependent on frail human beings. Raised by loving but not fully comprehending parents. Born to hear the same sounds, see the same sights, work through the same relational issues and bear the same physical and emotional limitations as you and me. Heb 2:17 reminds us that it was “...essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful High Priest...” Apparently there was no other way for Love to bridge the gulf between heaven and earth.

What amazing love has been poured out upon us! That Love that invites us into something much bigger, much more powerful, much more transformational than our own individual lives. We thank you, Lord, for being willing to come to us, dwell among us, live and breathe among us; the Unspeakable gift...that You chose to be as us, so that now we get to be as You in the world!

THE REAL STORY OF ST. NICHOLAS

St. Nicholas should be an inspiration to us all. He was a godly man whose reputation for giving to people caused him to be a revered example of what compassion and giving are all about.

Stories of his life—a life full of Christian beliefs and values—are the real background for today's mythical Santa Claus.

A Gift From God
Nicholas and his parents lived in Turkey in the third century and were Christians. Nicholas' parents had prayed and asked God for a child, much as Abraham and Sarah had done. From the time Nicholas was born in about A.D. 280, they considered him a gift from God. Diligently, they taught their young son devotion to God and to be very generous to the poor. Although they both died when Nicholas was in his teens, their heritage of living for God and giving followed Nicholas.

Ordained as a young teenager, Nicholas entered the priesthood at age 19. His uncle, the bishop who ordained him, prophesied that Nicholas would offer guidance and consolation to many people, that he would eventually become a bishop, and that he would live a life of enlightenment. Eventually he did become the bishop of a small, coastal village, and his influence spread into many nations.

Many accounts have been written about the life of Nicholas. It was said that he would spend all night studying God's Word to bring it to the people. He was known for helping the poor, for praying, fasting and standing steadfast in faith and goodness.

Many miracles were brought about through his prayers. Included among the accounts of his ministry is the report of twin brothers who were raised from the dead. It was written that one could hardly keep count if the virtue and goodness he spread around him.

When Nicholas died on December 6, A.D. 343, he is said to have quoted Psalm 11 with his last breath, "In the Lord I put my trust." In the Greek language, the name Nicholas means "victorious" or "hero of the people," and he did indeed become a very popular figure in the centuries that followed his death. Stories of Nicholas spread throughout Greece and into Russia. He became the popular patron saint of Russians, who called him "Nikolai, the wonderworker."

His Gift Was His Legacy
In 1087, the remains of St. Nicholas' grave were transported from Turkey to Bari, Italy, where a basilica was built in his honor. Soon after, his popularity spread throughout Italy and across Western Europe. December 6, the day of his death, became St. Nicholas Day on the Roman Catholic calendar, and the custom of gift-giving on December 6 began in France and spread across all of Europe.

With the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s, the worshiping of the saints was denounced, and St. Nicholas Day was no longer observed in England. In Holland and Belgium, the traditional day of December 6 was still celebrated. There, Sinter Klaas rode through the streets on a white horse, rewarding good children with treats and toys and giving rods or switches to bad children.

Christopher Columbus brought the first celebration of St. Nicholas Day to the New World when he landed in the West Indies on December 6, 1492, and named the harbor Port of St. Nicholas, in honor of the patron saint of sailors.

All of these traditions blended with immigration to the New World. As the English and Dutch came and intermarried, Father Christmas and Sinter Klaas blended into one figure. Dutch Americans eventually adopted December 25 as their day of celebration, and by the end of the Civil War, St. Nicholas the bishop was generally known in the United States as Santa Claus.

The poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" further shaped the American Santa. Another popular poem, originally titled, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," was penned by New York professor Clement Moore in the 1800s and created a word picture portraying a round-bellied Santa with a huge pack on his back.

Picking up on this image, cartoonist Thomas Nast added a North Pole toy workshop in his cartoon for Harper's Weekly magazine. In 1925, a large corporation ran an advertising campaign of Santa Claus further defining him as a large man with a red and white fur suit, black boots and a long, flowing beard—the closest description of our present-day Santa.

The American Santa Claus, like America itself, came from a melting pot of Old World cultures and characters. He is the Dutch Sinter Klaas and the Lutheran Kris Kringle who bring gifts to children. His red garment is lined with fur like the German version of Nicholas, and he spreads merriment and cheer like Father Christmas. And a team of reindeer, borrowed from a Russian legend, accompanies Santa Claus on his journey through the night.

The story of the true St. Nicholas is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is really about. St. Nicholas represents the giving heart of our Heavenly Father, Who doesn't give switches and rods but Who always gives only good gifts.

The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus Christ to us from God the Father. Jesus is our hope, redemption and victory. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant Friend Who will never leave nor forsake us. In Him, we have the joy of living a heavenly life on earth.

He is the meaning of Christmas "Christ mass" means "anointing celebration." It's the celebration of "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…."

It's the celebration of how the anointed Jesus "…went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil…" (Acts 10:38). It's the story of our triumphant Savior—Jesus, the Christ—the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

Now, that's a Merry Christmas!

Jesus, Our Ever PRESENT Help

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Last week, the girl I've done home care for the last 10 years went home to be with Jesus. Her brother, whom I also cared for, graduated to greater glory several years ago. Nicole and Josh had a rare genetic disease and they actually lived much longer than doctors determined. Nicole was a daughter to me. She taught me how to love in ways I can't quite describe. Though I have found so much comfort in knowing she isn't suffering anymore, my heart has still been hurting quite a bit. It's in these times of pain, that I have found myself more than ever, pressed into Jesus' chest. He has been so kind, so sweet, so available and so present for me.

This week, I have been experiencing more and more just how “ever present” Christ is. He bore all of our pain when He went to the Cross. It is a done deal, finished, past tense. Yet there are times in our lives that we still hurt in the “present.” The beautiful thing about my Jesus is that He is willing to stay “present” with us though He already took upon Himself every hurt we currently feel. He is not confined by time or space. He is just as present in our pain as He is in all of our joys. He never tells us, “Get over it!” He knows there is a time to grieve and is not uncomfortable with it. He always stays connected with us in every aspect of our lives and knows exactly what we need and when.

I want to encourage you right now, to enjoy Christ in your “present.” Whether it's His hand drying your tears, His breath on your face, His steady gaze in worship, His company as you go Christmas shopping or His joy bubbling up in your belly. He never disconnects from you. You carry Christ inside of you and He lives to stay present with you in every minute, every moment, every day of your life.

“I AM is our past, present and future. Enjoy and express Him daily in total abandonment.” - Francois du Toit

I love you family,
Karena Lout

Brent & Suzanne are going on a Sabbatical Rest!

Suzanne and I will be taking a much needed sabbatical this December and January. After 21 years of ministry, including two church plants, we need the down time to enjoy the unforced rhythms of grace. Don't worry--our stake is in the ground here and we will be back before you know it rested and ready to be part of the huge end-time harvest that is most assuredly on the way!

Our sabbatical rest will start this Sunday, Dec. 4th. I will be preaching this Saturday, Dec. 3rd, sharing from my heart some things the Lord's been doing in me and how I see this sabbatical in light of the bigger picture of what is happening with Blazing Fire and God's plans for the Bay Area. Please make it a point to be there this Saturday, December 3rd at Blazing Fire's worship service if you are able.

This sabbatical is truly a gift from the Blazing Fire family to us! We can't take this time away without your continued support financially. Any end of the year extra gift to Blazing Fire would be a huge blessing! And thank you, ahead of time, for remembering to bring Suzanne and myself before the Lord, asking him to refresh, restore and renew us during this time away.

All of the life-giving ministries of Blazing Fire Church, inlcuding our Saturday night Blazing FIre worship services will continue without missing a beat! Our amazing Elder team is all set to continue providing pastoral care. The Blazing Fire Church phone number (925-997-5774) will still be functional and Pastor Russ Fochler will be receiving the calls. Any e-mails sent to me or Suzanne will not be read until our return on February 1st. You can reach anyone on the elder team via e-mail. Go to this link to see their e-mail addresses:

http://www.blazingfire.org/meet.htm

Again, I will say much more when I share this Saturday night, so please join us.

We love and appreciate you all!
Brent & Suzanne