God,
Bless our veterans and their families this Christmas. 
Bless those who made the greatest sacrifice for the freedom of others.
Bless their families and fortify them with your strength and provide for their needs.
Bless those who are serving today with health, safety and wisdom.
Bless their families with strength, courage and hope.

Bless men like Merrill Worcester, who at great personal cost, honor those who have given it all for the cause of freedom.

Bless you Jesus, that you gave it all for the freedom of every man, woman and child who has ever lived.

Bless you God that like military families everywhere you know what it is to lose a son. Yet you willingly sent him into harm’s way on behalf of those who were far from you.

Check out these new Church at the Gate blogs…

Gate Post - Pastor Steve’s blog
Midnight Cry - Kristen’s prayer blog
GO Kids! - Tara’s children’s ministry blog

More to come… stay tuned.

Thanks to everyone who visited our 2007 City Christmas Blog!

We have great ideas already for next years Christmas Blog and are even very seriously thinking about launching an Easter Blog for the forty days leading up to Easter.

If you haven’t already, please share your email address with us through the “email updates” link to the left. We will announce our future blogging plans with an email to those who are on that subscription list. The email addresses will only be used for that purpose.

Our church exists to be a blessing to you and help you connect with God. If there is anyway we can help you or pray for you, contact us through our website.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward men on whom His favor rests. Luke 2:14

BAL HARBOUR, Florida - A baby Jesus statue gets a Global Positioning System for Christmas! The previous baby Jesus statue in the nativity scene was stolen (even though it was bolted down).  The replacement statue gets a GPS locating device installed in case someone else tried to take it away. Dina Cellini, who oversees the display thinks its a shame we have to rely on technology to save our savior. Cellini has also installed a Plexiglas screen in front of the display and plans to outfit Mary and Joseph with GPS next year.

BRAZORIA, Texas - A baby Jesus figure that was stolen from a nativity scene in Texas a year ago has returned. The doll mysteriously reappeared sometime last week. Police have no suspects or leads in the theft of the doll, but the town’s mayor says residents are just glad the figure is back.

SPOKANE, Wash. - A man dressed as Santa Claus was knocked unconscious by a thrown object that hit his face while he was riding on the back of a truck decorated as a sleigh. Kevin Smith says he never saw what hit him Saturday. Whatever it was, it broke his nose and gave him a concussion and two black eyes. “One second I was up there waving to people, and the next minute I wasn’t,” Smith said. Smith awoke in the back of the sleigh. “They thought I’d spilled my hot chocolate, but then they realized it was blood,” Smith said. “The rest of the night was kind of hazy.”

OTTAWA - Canada’s post office and police are trying to track down a “rogue elf” who wrote obscene letters to children on behalf of Santa Claus, a newspaper reported on Friday. The Ottawa Citizen said at least 10 nasty letters had been delivered to little girls and boys in Ottawa who wrote to Santa this year care of the North Pole. Return letters from Santa are in fact written by an 11,000-strong army of Canada Post employees and volunteers. “We firmly believe there is just one rogue elf out there,” a Canada Post spokeswoman told the paper.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. quickly shut down Santa Claus’ Web privileges after it found out the automated elf it created for kids to instant message with was talking naughty, not nice. Last year, Microsoft encouraged kids to connect directly to “Santa” by adding northpolelive.com to their Windows Live Messenger contact lists. The Santa program asked children what they wanted for Christmas and could respond on topic, thanks to artificial intelligence. The holiday cheer soured this week when a reader reported that a chat between Santa and his underage nieces about eating pizza prompted Santa to bring up sex.

What weird things is your family doing this Christmas day?

We put this one up for our little friend Ben and all the other Thomas the Tank Engine fans.  

Perhaps by now the gift exchange is over, boxes and paper are getting hauled out of the way.  I’m already feeling a nap set in.

What did you get for Christmas?  

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” Hebrews 1:3-4

Actor Will Ferrell got a lot of laughs in the movie Talladega Nights when he prayed to the “tiny, little, eight pound, baby Jesus.” His family tried to get him to pray to the “grown up Jesus” but he refused because he said he likes the tiny Christmas baby Jesus best. A lot of Christians cringed at the irreverence of it all. But, I bring it up here because the focus at Christmas is still the “baby” Jesus.

One of my favorite worship-prophetic songs is by Misty Edwards and there are a couple phrases in the song that need to be shouted from the rooftops this time of year…

He’s not a baby in a manger anymore. He’s not a broken man on a cross. He didn’t stay in the grave, and he’s not stayin’ in heaven forever!

While we are all in memory mode right now reflecting on his first coming, Jesus is focused on his second coming. At the moment of his return, people won’t be thinking, “oh, isn’t he cute.” They will be declaring, “Behold the King has come!”

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I do thank you for taking on frail human flesh, for dying on the cross and rising from the grave. But today I’m even more thankful that you are not a baby in a manger anymore, nor are you a broken man on a cross. I’m thankful that you didn’t stay in the grave and that your not staying in heaven forever. Come Lord Jesus! Come this day! Come in might and power!!

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior is born.”

Thanks to our friends at Faith Comes By Hearing for sharing this audio drama presentation of the Christmas Story taken right from Matthew and Luke 1-2.  Combine this with a couple of our posted Christmas carol videos and you are set to go for your own in home Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  Gather family around, be sure to pray together and thank God for sending Jesus.

Audio Bibles connect modern technology to the Word of God, with the timeless result of sharing God’s Word with people who hunger for spiritual knowledge. Thanks to Faith Comes By Hearing, listeners from around the world can now hear the Scriptures in pristine digital recordings in over 273 languages. Using this technology, people living in 92 countries on every continent are participating in Audio Bible listening groups. Children and villagers who have not learned to read can follow along and begin learning written words. Audio Bible downloads provide global access to this collection of Bible translations, and make it possible to let the Word of God pour out to the people of every culture, in languages they can understand. Audio Bibles offer a solution to the fact that over half the people on the planet today cannot read and therefore do not have a means for understanding the Word of God.

A preacher and his wife have fourteen children. They are already living in abject poverty when she discovers that she is pregnant again. Should she abort the child for the good of the rest of the family?

Or, consider another case: a father is chronically ill with bronchitis, and his wife has tuberculosis. They already have four children. The first is blind, the second died in infancy, the third is deaf, and the fourth has tuberculosis. Then she discovers she is pregnant again. Should she abort and save everyone further misery?

Or, consider this case: a white man raped a thirteen year old black girl. She became pregnant. Should her worried parents spare her the trauma and stigma of carrying the child to term?

Or, yet another case: a teenage girl is pregnant. Though she is not married, she is engaged. Her fiance is not the father of the baby, and naturally, he is very upset. Would you consider recommending abortion in this very complicated situation?

If you answered yes to any of these situations you just recommended the elimination of John Wesley, one of the greatest reformers and evangelists of the eighteenth century; Ludwig von Beethoven, one of the greatest composers of the ninteenth century; Ethel Waters, one of the greatest jazz and gospel musicians of the twentieth century; and finally the Lord Jesus Christ.

A more recent example is with University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Earlier this month Tebow became the first sophomore in the history of the NCAA to win the coveted Heisman Trophy as the best football player in the nation. However, Tebow’s accomplishments may never have been, had his mother followed a doctor’s recommendation to have an abortion. His mother slipped into a brief coma during pregnancy and doctors said her unborn child suffered irreversible damage and she should seek an abortion. A strong Christian, his mom ignored the doctors advice and later gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

At what cost to society do we continue to give ourselves over to the logic of Planned Parenthood and the death industry? The same ancient murderous demonic spirit influencing Herod to kill the children of Bethlehem still seeks to rob society today of great leaders, scientists, musicians and the like through abortion. Life does not begin at conception. It begins long before that in the mind of God who has a unique dream for each human life. At conception, that dream takes on flesh.

You can help pregnant women in crisis choose life this Christmas Season by supporting the work of the Alpha Center.

Tidings of Great Joy!!

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

Millions will marvel today at Santa’s ability to criss-cross the world and hit every home with presents in one night. The faithful can even have fun with their kids tracking his progress on this Norad tracks Santa website (There are even 21 fun games and activities for kids there.) All that is well and good. It’s of course, total fantasy (and a bit of a distraction from the real reason for the season.)

We’ve certainly had a great time these past 24 days watching our Christmasy posts make it into homes worldwide. Click on the cluster map to the left if you haven’t already. That’s just the traffic we’ve seen since December 15. The first fifteen days aren’t even noted on the map. The Christmas Blog has already reached thousands of people in 104 countries and 1448 cities of the earth!

The reason we are doing this is to get the message of Jesus to people who desperately need him. God loves people, knows them and their struggles intimately, he knows right where they live and even the number of hairs on their heads. He knows what they’ve done, what’s been done to them and there is nothing they could do to get him to love them more. He so loved the world he sent his one and only Son into the world - not to condemn the world - but to save the world through him. That verse goes on to say that whoever believes in him (Jesus) and calls on his name will not be condemned but saved.

If you have yet to call on the name of Jesus and invite him into your heart and life, please do so now. Here’s a simple prayer to help you.

Lord Jesus, I need you in my life, please come. Thank you for dying on a cross and paying the price for my sin. I confess my sins and repent. I accept your free gift of forgiveness and salvation. Fill me now with your Spirit. Thank you for the invitation to come follow you. The rest of my life I will do just that - follow you. In your name, Amen.

We have provided a link to the left that will connect you with our church, we’d love to send you materials that will help you grow in your new life with Christ. You can request that literature using the submit a prayer request link. Fill out the online form and leave your contact info where we can send materials. If you prayed that prayer the Bible says angels in heaven are right now rejoicing over your decision. There is also a link to the left that will help you further understand how to have peace with God by accepting his Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Another whole group of you reading this are already followers of Christ. You’ve been given a commission to go into all the world with this message. Go tell it on the mountain - over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain - that Jesus Christ is born!

Before you go to bed tonight, be sure to send this Christmas Blog devotional link to everyone you know in the entire world who needs Jesus in their life. Santa can’t help them. He isn’t coming down their chimney. But Christ can come into every heart and home tonight.

PRAYER: Lord God I pray that the message of Jesus will make it this day into thousands of homes around the world through this Christmas Blog devotional. I pray those who I send this link to will have open hearts to receive your Son this Christmas.

On behalf of our entire church family we want to wish you a Merry Christmas! We are posting numerous things today in hopes that people who are far removed from a Christian Church can have their own very special Christmas Eve service right in their own home just using the things we are providing online today - songs, prayers, the Christmas Story, a message from me, etc.

As always, we’d love to hear from you - use the comment link below.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear?  …an article on “Penguins - Designed By God” in the latest copy of our Answers Magazine.  Check it out.  

The subtitle is “amazing and intriguing, penguins display the creativity and provision of the Creator God.” We knew our friend “Peng Nguyen” was the perfect mascot for the 2007 City Christmas Blog!

On Sunday’s, rather than a written “daily devotion from Pastor Steve” we are posting the audio link to his weekend message.

Dialog on today’s message is welcomed - use the comment link below.

A Washington man nails Santa to a 15 foot cross outside his home to protest how “Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be… Now he’s the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff.”

We think this fella needs to lighten up. What do you think? A mock crucifixion has great offense potential for Christians for sure. But, Santa?

THIS JUST IN: A 34 year old Rock Springs, Wyoming woman stabbed her hubby in the chest with a knife for opening his Christmas present early. She was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery.

We think she’s lost sight of the whole “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” aspect of Christmas. What do you think?

Kathy says Jesus is her Rock. What does Christmas mean to you? What does Jesus’ coming into the world mean to you? Share with others using the comment link…

What is the purpose of the birth of a baby? If it is the baby Jesus, he is all about you and the love of God for every human being.

To learn more about God’s amazing love for you, please join us this weekend.

Service times at our West Campus - 6820 W. 26th St.
Sunday Morning 8:45 A.M and 10:45 A.M.
West Campus directions click here.

Service times at our North Campus - 3812 N. Cliff Ave.
10:30 A.M.
North Campus directions click here.

The Christmas Blog has indeed been a group effort! Honestly there have been many more post suggestions sent to us than we could possibly put up. We are saving some of them for next year. We’ve worked hard to take your ideas and post them so that we can share a laugh, make each other think (and occasionally comment) and always point each other to Jesus, who after all is the gift we honor on Christmas day. Here are some miscellaneous entries for your busy Saturday.

The first is a penguin game to wrap up our penguin theme. And then…well… we’re not too sure what to do with these, but thanks to the Church at the Gate youth video team for their effort. You SNL fans will surely remember Matt Foley…

TAKE ONE…

TAKE TWO…

There are so many needs all around us, but many times we are unaware, or simply don’t know how to help. Here is an excellent idea on how to help donate to the Salvation Army.

This year I’ve been seeing the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, but I’m usually holding on to a child’s hand, or don’t have any money handy and am in a hurry getting in or out of the store and don’t want to dig out my wallet. Well, tonight at Walmart, I had cash to pay for my purchase and instead of keeping my wallet out to put the money back in, I thought, why not keep the change out and put it in the bell ringer’s bucket on my way out. So I did. So my challenge would be, that for each purchase a person pays for in cash, from now until Christmas, to keep out all or some of the change and put it in the Bell Ringer’s bucket outside of the store. Just one small way to be intentional about giving back to the community. (You can also get out of the store faster, because you can put your wallet away while the cashier is getting your change.)

Please share your ideas for creative ways to give this holiday season.