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How did he love us?
Here is how Isaiah described it: He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed. This is a little difficult for most of us to
fully comprehend but we know that his love was a sacrificial
love. He suffered, bled and died for us, as an atonement for
the sins of the world. And if we are to try to be like him, we
must acquire this kind of love for our fellow men.
To have a Christ like love for our fellowmen, we must be
willing to sacrifice for them, to feel the pinch of giving for
them, even when it hurts. For this reason it is difficult for
the rich to feel this kind of love, even when they give large
amounts of money to the poor. It is entirely too easy for them
to part with it. Take, on the other hand, someone who has $200
in their purse for this months groceries, but gives half of it
to someone in urgent need. Or, the person who has two coats and
gives one to someone who has none. Or even more sacrificial is
the person who has only one coat, but gives it to someone who
needs it much more than he does.
Money is not the
only kind of giving. There is giving of our time and energy to
someone in need. If you have plenty of time on your hands, time
to burn, it can hardly be counted as a sacrifice for you to
devote time to someone in need. But, if you are a very busy
person and yet are willing to devote some of your time to
someone in need or a worthy cause, this is also a part of
sacrificial love. Often the busiest people are very efficient
with their time and the most willing to squeeze in time for
someone in need of their help. We are surrounded by people who
need our time, either time to talk to them or lend a helping
hand. Whatever it is, when we go to some sacrifice for someone
in need, or when we are willing to go to some trouble or
inconvenience to help our fellowmen - even strangers, it can be
counted as sacrificial love.
Be sure to make the
necessary sacrifices of time, money and energy to make a good
Christmas for your children – one they will never forget. It
is a wonderful way to demonstration to your children your love
for them but even more it is the way to really get into the
Christmas Spirit yourself. I am not suggesting you go to the
extreme and squander your money, spoil your children or wear
yourself out. That would be wrong. But don’t let Christmas
get too bland. To do so would give your children the impression
that you don’t care about them or their feelings, that you
put other things in priority. It is better to skip the adult
parties, gift giving and delicious goodies, and give your
children a Christmas they will remember.
The crowning glory of a Christ like Christmas
would be to suggest to each of your children to sacrifice
something of true value, such as their favorite toy of the
previous Christmas, and give it to a child who has none. Don’t
pressure the child to do this, as this would undermine his
feeling of personal sacrifice. It must be given voluntarily. To
locate such a family in need you could ask your church minister
for a referral. They are usually aware of such families in
need. My husband and I did this one Christmas when our children
were all still at home. Each child parted with one of his
favorite presents of the previous year, beautifully wrapped and
given with the heart.. They all remember it as one of their
very best Christmases. I am sure it was because their sacrifice
brought the true spirit of Christ into their life. Isn’t this
what Christmas is all about?
Online
Classes - Discussions – Email Groups
I would like to announce a wonderful addition
to this website, and one many of you have been requesting for
quite some time. Sandy Schindler, one of our authorized FW
teachers and former online teacher, has accepted our request
for her services to direct the online FW classes, FW
discussions and FW email groups. She will call on other
trained women to help her. Sandy is taking registrations for
classes now. If you are interested in further information or
would like to register, click on FW classes on the main menu of
this home page.
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