A King is Coming- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

We Celebrate a special Birthday in 3 Days.  A lot of this world is out fighting the traffic, lines at the checkout area, and getting caught up in the commercialize things. You know, that is what it was like about about 2000 years ago. The Lord of Lords was coming  and everybody was busy doing their own things. They never took a second to see what God was about to do or how he was about to bless them. Luckily we have a compassionate God because if I found out my son was going to born in a Humble Manger, I would have been like are kidding me? But know he came to the world humble and left this world humble and he will come again. I know it a busy time of year but take just a second to look around and think and know that God is in control and JESUS is the Reason for the season. Take time to talk to him, take time to just take breath  and notice what God has done for you. Let's not make the same mistake we made 2000 years ago and miss opportunity to see the Jesus. I leave you with the word Linus from Charlie Brown Christmas, "The Reason for Christmas,"

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

   LUKE 2:8-14

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LET HIS LIGHT SHINE AND BE PROUD TO LET IT SHINE!

 A few days ago I read an article by Ben Stein (Below is Article by Ben Stein) and then I was reading my Bible this morning:

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Folks he wants us to let HIS light shine. How can we let his light shine if we are always hiding it or putting it away? It our Call to Duty as a Christian  that we let His light shine and we exalt HIS name. We need to be proud to be a Christians and stand firm in HIS foundation.  We need let His light shine for all to see. The world is saying we need  to be politically correct, need to be quite, don't pray in public, and we don't  need to share our faith in public because that might make people feel uncomfortable. What is not correct about sharing Jesus's love, His compassion for others, what he did on Calvary, and how he changed your life. Do you love Him enough to share HIM? Can you proclaim Jesus is Lord and He is the Lord of Lords?  It is time we change our way of thinking and quit sitting back thinking someone else will get up and take a stand.

Jesus has called us to go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to everything that Christ has commanded us. And REMEMBER... He is with you and everyone to the end of the age...

Please Read  Ben Stein Story Below! Have a blessed day!

 

With God's unfailing grace,

Dan Sullivan
 _________________________________________________________________________
The following was written  by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning   Commentary.
My confession:

I am a Jew, and every  single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me  even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled  trees, Christmas trees.  I don't feel threatened.  I don't feel  discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.


It doesn't bother me a  bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are  slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind  of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters  celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that  there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach  house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me  as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.


I don't like getting  pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting  pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in  God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no  idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist  country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it  being shoved down my throat.


Or maybe I can put it  another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship  celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God ?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But  there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from  and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many  jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little  different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's  intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter  was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could  God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..   Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.  She  said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for  years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our  government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He  is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to  give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us  alone?'


In light of recent  events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.  I think it  started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a  few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we  said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in  school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal,  and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock  said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their  little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem  (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know  what he's talking about.  And we said okay.


Now we're asking  ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right  from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their  classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think  about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has  a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'


Funny how simple it is  for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to  hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question  what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail  and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages  regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how  lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace,  but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and  workplace.


Are you laughing  yet?

Funny how when you  forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list  because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you  for sending it.

Funny how we can be more  worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of  us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard  it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought  process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is  in.


My Best Regards,   Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Praying for a Young Lady in Youth

Lord, I lift a certain young lady up today! She is involved with the Youth here at Pine Forest and she just lost her Grandfather. Lord please let her know she is loved and she is cared for by many. Lord let her know that she has people that she can count on and she has people praying for her. Father please help give her peace that passes our understanding. Lord we do celebrate her Grandfather's life because we do know that he is with you and that is a blessing in itself. Father we praise even in our lowest moments because we know you have conquered the grave. In you humble name I pray.... Amen.

HUGE SUCCESS and BEING THANKFUL!

Great Job Youth! You did a wonderful job during the Yard Sale!

We raised $1,703.00! Wahoooo!

I am so very blessed to serve with such wonderful and loving Young Folks. Their hearts are all about serving and loving Jesus Christ.

My Prayer for today:
Lord, I hope we know we are loved, I hope everyone knows the real reason for Christmas, I hope my youth group knows that I love them and I am here for them through thick and thin. Lord I thank you for putting me here at Pine Forest and blessing me with such extraordinary folks. I thank you that I have a wife that is so supportive of my ministry. I thank you for her spirit even when I don't let her know as much as I should. Lord bless this church and be with the folks who don't know you. I most importantly thank you for your Son. What a precious gift you gave us. I wish we would have been more accommodating and loved him as he loved us. I love you Father! Amen!


I wanted to share these song lyrics with you!
"The Saving One" by Starfield

What mercy was revealed
What selflessness and peace
My fate was surely sealed
Until He rescued me
His pardon for my sin
His bounty for my need
From slavery and shame
I am redeemed

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One

No fear can hold me down
Nor darkness steal my joy
For blood has been poured out
The enemy destroyed
Death could not hold Him down
The cross was not enough
To steal away His throne
For He is God

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One

Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved
Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One [x2]

Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved
Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved 

Yard Sale

Yard Sale!!!

Rain or Shine Event! 

Saturday, December 3rd-- 7am-2pm                                                Hotdog Lunch-In- 11am-2pm

All Funds go to support the Youth!

Address: 867 NC Hwy 581 S., Goldsboro, NC 27530
For more info.-(919)735-5161

We have a variety of things such as:

Furniture ~ Kid Toys ~ Electronics ~ Adult/Kids Clothing ~ 

Paintings ~ Musical Equipment ~ Printers Decorations ~Sporting Gear ~ Decorations ~        AND SO MUCH MORE!! 

                       Help support a good thing and support                   youth trying to make a difference!

Preparing for Action

In the news I am sure folks have been seeing and hearing the story on Penn State University. The story and everything with it makes me sad for all parties involved. I pray that the victims find peace; not just any kind of peace but peace that passes all understanding; the peace that only God can provide. I also hope that anyone who didn't turn the coach in like he or she was suppose to do ask for forgiveness and then they find peace too. Folks even though what Jerry Sandusky did was very wrong on all levels, he needs a lot of prayer.

God asked us to love and to forgive, so as we start the healing process I challenge you to think about what it says in 1 Peter 1:13, "Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled: set your hope fully on the go be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."  God called us to prepare for action so lets go into action in a loving way and let be self-controlled and remember how much mercy and grace he has given us.