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2171 Waverley Street
(at Bison Drive)
Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Phone: (204) 261-8013
Fax: (204) 261-6099 |
| office@mywaverley.com |
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Merry Christmas From Our Home to Yours
Posted: Thursday, December 23, 2010 by Mark Kraft
Dear Friends,
On behalf of our family, Nicole and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you and to thank-you for allowing us to be part of this incredible church family.
Over the last three weeks we have been learning about this amazing grace gift that God has given us the opportunity to receive – the gift of righteousness or a right standing before God. We cannot earn it nor do we deserve it, however, we each must choose to receive it.
I was amazed last Sunday that so many of you prayed the prayer that I lead us in and then how most of you filled out the gift card choosing to extend the same grace to someone in your life that was difficult to give it to. As your pastor that was so encouraging mostly in part because this action on you part has the potential to transform your life as well as the life of our church and more importantly the life of our communities.
The message of Christmas is simply this. The gift of righteousness is a no-strings attached gift. It is a grace gift offered to unrighteous people who could never get righteous enough on their own. The only way they’d only have a right standing with God is for God to give it to them. And the gift of righteousness is not like the trespass. Whereas, the trespass resulted in condemnation to all men, so the gift of righteousness results in justification for those who receive it. (Romans 5)
2010 has been like many other years – a roller coaster ride of joys and struggles, mountaintops and valleys, as well as breakthroughs and obstacles. Our Heavenly Father has been with us through all of it. As we reflect back on this year, we see our congregation growing in spiritual understanding and maturity. What a joy it has been to witness this growth and we continue to pray that more will come to know Him, as well grow in Him.
So much that happens in life is unplanned and unpredictable. We never know what is coming around the corner both good and bad. But regardless of what those twists and turns may be, what keeps us grounded and moving forward is the faithful hand of God in our lives. Whether it be moments of joy and success that we are celebrating, or experiences of hurt and defeat, it seems that God has a way of putting all things to good use. At times we are the ones who directly benefit from going through such experiences and many times, they are meant for the benefit of others. We are learning to trust that in all things God is in control. Sometimes that is easier to say then believe.
We thank God for you and the special place you have in our lives. We pray that no matter where life has taken you this past year or what circumstances you might find yourself in even now, that you too can experience the peace and assurance of the faithfulness of God.
We received a letter recently from World Vision that reminded us of the impact and significance of Christmas. Have you ever heard the expression, ‘the biggest gifts often come in the smallest packages’?
Jesus came into the world as a tiny baby, born in a humble place, amongst animals and simple shepherds. And yet he was God’s greatest gift to us. Today, the greatest gifts we can share with each other – love, caring, generosity, hospitality, grace – don’t come in fancy wrapping or big boxes. But their impact can be enormous.
God’s gift changed the world.
May we use our gifts to do likewise, this Christmas and the whole year through.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
With love from,
The Krafts – Mark, Nicole, Kayla and Jeremy |
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