Who Stole Baby Jesus?This Christmas season has proved to be very eventful for my family. We typically travel home to Tulsa where both Michelle and I were raised. The day we were scheduled to make the drive home we discovered that my sister was going to have surgery. The good news is that we were able to pray for her all day as we drove home and God answered our prayers and the surgery was successful. My sister is now home and recovering well.

But here is the interesting story... The day after our arrival to Tulsa we made our way to the St. Francis Hospital to see my sister. As we entered the lobby, my two children were attracted to the oversized nativity scene that consumed the room. Chloe looked down at the manger and immediately bellowed, "Someone stole Baby Jesus!!!!" Sure enough... Baby Jesus was missing!!! My first thought was, "How could anyone do that? That is just whacked!" Instantly I started thinking about sermon illustrations... 1) Maybe someone really needed Jesus 2) Jesus is out there waiting to be found and 3) Maybe Jesus being gone is causing people to inquire!

We proceeded to the 8th floor to see my sister and then I took my kids down to the chapel. It was the same chapel that my first grade teacher lit a candle for me when I was sick in that hospital back in 1971. We walked over to the nativity scene that was at the front of the chapel and would you believe it? Baby Jesus was missing there too! Are you kidding me? Who would steal multiple dolls of Jesus? Is there not anything sacred anymore?

As we made our way out of the hospital, I noticed the security guard sitting at the information desk. Of course you know what I am thinking... "Dude! If you were doing your job right then Baby Jesus wouldn't be missing!" I couldn't just walk by and say nothing! I was appalled! So I inquisitively asked the security guard, "Who is stealing all the Baby Jesus' around your hospital?" He looked up from his magazine and gave me one of those "stupid-idiot" looks and said, "Sir, no one has stolen Baby Jesus... It's not Christmas yet... Baby Jesus hasn't been born yet!" I smiled back and said, "That's good... never would have guessed that one!"

I've pondered that one a while. So, I guess they pack Jesus up at the end of the year and He only makes his one week appearance every year. It sure is great to know that my Jesus is alive and well and has taken up residence in my living body. I can celebrate Christmas everyday of my life knowing that God incarnate came to earth as a sacrifice for my sins and made me righteous. That is the Good News of Christmas. The only thing that is missing... my sin... not Baby Jesus!

Rusty

Christmas Day has come!

I think it was about a year ago that I was imagining what it would be like to be a part of group or ministry that didn't make much human sense. Today... I'm sitting on my couch (that was for you Terry) and wondering what in the world is happening. Allow me to describe what has occurred over the last two months.

A few weeks ago I asked the Leavener Community what they needed from this ministry. The general response was that they didn't need much at all. They wanted to be able to hang out together, process the message of grace together and help others who needed to experience freedom in Christ and freedom in other areas of their lives. That is a great description of the people who meet together on Sunday Mornings at the Ward's House.

I then asked one of my friends, who is a local nurse, if she knew of any families that had some unique situations that Leavener could come along side and minister to them. She sent me two families to follow up with. Please understand, I cannot even begin to explain the fullness of their situations in this brief blog.

The first family is a single mom (37 years young) and three daughters (12,13 & 14). Each of the three girls are treated for asthma at a local children's hospital. The mom has stage 4 bone cancer and has already survived longer than the doctors predicted. In the past week, I was able to sit down over breakfast with the mom and hear their complete story. This is a very humble family that was not seeking any help. On Saturday, several of the Leavener ladies and their daughters took this family shopping and made a list of all the things they needed. Next Friday Night (Dec 14th), we are hosting a Christmas Party at Heartland Church at 7:00 PM. We will celebrate the life of this family and encourage them through their family issues. Rick Stump will be leading us in singing some Christmas Carols as well. You won't want to miss this party!

The second family I just connected with this week. I talked to the wife who was taking her husband to the hospital for the 8th time this year. Last year they discovered that he had liver cancer. In May of this year, he had multiple organ transplant. Since then, he's had 4 additional surgeries due to complications. It has been a rough year for the family. As I continued the conversation through tears, the wife told me that their 15 year old son has had an inoperable brain tumor for four years. The growth has currently stopped. I cannot even begin to describe the emotions that were exchanged during our phone conversation. When asked how we could help, the wife informed me they had family pictures taken over a year ago and they have never been ordered or purchased. Leavener is trying to work with photographer to get these pictures to the family. Please pray the photographer will release the digital rights to these pictures so the family can have these valuable images in plenty. This would be a request beyond the normal practice of this photographer. Leavener has currently placed an order to receive a minimal order of these pictures.

I sit here amazed at the ministry opportunities that God has brought our way. I cannot answer in human understanding how all this will be accomplished. I just trust the Lord will provide as He leads us to each opportunity.

Simply Amazed...

Rusty