Christmas Contrasts...

Have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS                        Dec. 2010

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

When one considers the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of our Savior, it is an amazing thing, miraculous in every way, from the virgin birth to the supernatural signs of His birth.  Amazing it is that our Creator took on the form of man, His own creation, and not just of any man, but that of a servant, to reach across the barrier of sin to reconcile us to Himself.  The Apostle John, in chapter 3 verse 16 in The Gospel of John, states that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."

Paul, in his letter to the Philippian believers wrote the following:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Phil. 2:5-11

Also amazing, as an observant grandfather who is blessed to have significant interaction with our wee ones, is to witness how quickly they learn what it takes to call attention to themselves and their needs, perceived or legitimate.  As life goes on, we get better and better at it, sometimes carrying it to the extreme!  

Reading once again the incredible account of the birth of our Lord and His humble way along His life journey, I see an amazing contrast between The Lamb of God and the typical "me, me, me promotional mindset" that is so representative of the human race in general.

 

An observant writer said the following of our human race: Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. — T.S. Eliot

So let us focus on the Savior, His birth, His life, but most especially, His journey to the cross, His death and resurrection and the process the led Him there and us into His fold, His family, and our eternity together, in His presence.  

May REAL PEACE be abundant in your life and family every day, every hour, every minute until we celebrate and worship together forever.

David Phelps sings "O Holy Night"...ENJOY! (copy and paste the link below into your browser address bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NQ2VlFfXc&feature=related

Thanksgiving, 2010

Paul wrote, in his letter to the Philippians, about being satisfied with whatever he had. In other words, to be content, come feast or famine.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:10-12, NIV)

A popular tradition among families that celebrate Thanksgiving is to go around the table just before they eat (you know, while those wonderful refrigerator rolls that just came out of the oven are getting cold, not to mention the turkey and stuffing or the taters and gravy!)  and each person mention something that they are thankful for.

There is no lack of creativity during the sharing of this tradition, as blessings for most of us are in abundance,  at least in this country.  And...the USA is generous with missions of mercy and supplying the rest of the world with material, financial and man-power donations in times of disaster or other crisis.

However, I often muse that the more difficult task of maintaining true contentedness with what we have as Americans stems, obviously, not from lack or from actual need but more from pure "want."

We have become, perhaps, a bit complacent or "fat" on our abundance, often taking it for granted, so our lack of contentedness is based not on having to do without a basic, life sustaining need, but rather on the simple desire to have more.

In other terms, our struggle, for the majority of us, is to learn to live a balanced, God-centered life IN SPITE OF THE ABUNDANCE THAT SURROUNDS US!

Our battle then is within, and it is with that old familiar demon known as materialism-the desire to have things we don't really want or even need, and our purpose may be none other than that of appearances.

Am I thankful I live in this country?  Oh yes I am, but I also have lived in places where meeting actual need is part of daily survival, EVERY DAY.

Perhaps a better tradition among our families would be to call attention to those who really do have need, wherever they are, and to do our part to minister to them in some viable way.  That can be done first of all by praying for them as a family, but also by giving through our local church or some other valid support organization to reach out to the less fortunate.

May your Thanksgiving celebration be a blessing that extends throughout the year to the less fortunate.

Kyle's biopsy report...

We got good news this afternoon...

Kyle's oncologist called and said that all the biopsies came back negative.  PTL!

We appreciate all the intercession that has gone up on his behalf!

Biopsy surgery...

On Monday, Nov. 15, we spent a long day at OHSU in Portland.  If you have seen our previous posts, you will have noted that our youngest son, Kyle, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.  The oncologist removed a larger section of skin and tissue off of Kyle's head, just above the left ear.  He will have a nice scar from that and also one in front of his ear and another on his neck where the nodes were removed.  He is doing fine and will be home recovering for a few days.  The nodes looked normal to the eye, and the biopsy reports should be available within a week.  Thanks for your continued prayer.

Nov. 11, 2010 Hats off to our veterans...

"A veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to America for an amount up to, and including, their life.  That is beyond honor, and I thank you for my freedoms."  
(Thanks Kevin for that comment!)

A few honoring videos...
(Thanks Paul, for the links!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsOT5usxkgA&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYlrrAWCTRg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVgY0wSk42M

Visit to the oncologist...

Today, Tuesday, Nov. 2, election day, we voted early and "elected" to go see the doctor.  The doctor's pre-biopsy opinion is that sentinel nodes appear normal.

Several doctors, including the plastic surgeon who will do the repair work after the biopsy, did brief checks and all reported no abnormal nodes that can be detected at this point.

Kyle's biopsy surgery is scheduled for Nov. 15, which will net results within a week of that, or very near Thanksgiving Day.

We appreciate your prayers!

Kyle's first visit with his oncologist...

Today at 1 p.m. we go to see the oncologist to get his take on what has been found so far, hear a plan of action, then wait some more.

Word is they will schedule his biopsy surgery within the week. 

We would appreciate your continued prayers for him and his doctor.

Look for another update this afternoon!

Prayer Requests and Praise Items...

• Please pray for the Hillsboro Hispanic congregation as the transition with their new senior minister, Evaristo Rojas, begins
• Please pray for those within our Hispanic congregations who are unemployed or soon will be due to winter layoffs...jobs are scarce
• Please pray for Kyle Gilson, my youngest son (23), as he undergoes further testing for melanoma.  First consult with oncologist is Tues. Nov. 2, and biopsy surgery to be scheduled within the week
• Praise the Lord for a great time of worship and fellowship at our recent joint meeting (culto unido) of all our Hispanic churches in the area...250 present!

Recent events and activities...

• Evaristo Rojas, preaching elder at our Hillsboro Hispanic church was ordained as the senior minister of that congregation on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010.

• Our "Culto Unido" or "joint meeting" of all our Hispanic churches, was held at Court St. Christian Church in Salem, OR, on Oct 24, 2010. Daniel Lopez, minister of our Hispanic congregation there, did the preaching.  There were around 250 believers present at that service.  A time of fellowship around the supper table was provided in the church multi-purpose room.  Chicken with mole (a rich, dark sauce), beans, rice and tortillas had been prepared by the Salem congregation.  Following the meal, there was a baptism.  PTL!

Introduction... "Who are we?"

OLÉ exists to glorify God by working with the local church to bring in the Harvest among Spanish speaking peoples.

 

How? Keep Reading!

By working with the local church…

We believe that the local church is the first line of evangelism both locally and cross-culturally. OLÉ was founded to help churches in their desire to reach out to the Hispanic community with the Gospel. We praise God for the openness of so many of the churches in the Northwest that have:

• Prayed for the people,
• Supported financially,
• Opened their buildings.

...to bring in the harvest...
Because the Hispanic peoples are relatively new to the Northwest, they are more open to the Gospel, and there is a harvest to be brought in that we do not see in other areas.

OLÉ directors take regular trips to Latin countries. The purpose of these trips is to follow up and encourage converts who have returned there, and to provide Bible study/evangelism material for them and their contacts.

 

… among Spanish speaking peoples …

 They are from everywhere:

1. From the small pueblos and large cities of Mexico
2. The large cities of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and other Latin American countries.
3. Refugees fleeing the Marxist government in Cuba and other oppressive countries.

…through new church planting …

 By the Grace of God, we have seen churches established in:

• Hillsboro
• Salem
• Albany
• Gresham
• Tigard
• Newberg, and other locations

          

The OLÉ team consists of Hispanic ministers working alongside Anglo missionaries, a board of directors and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ

How can OLÉ help?

1. Helping churches with their cross-cultural vision.
2. Doing a study of resources within the local church.
3. Demographic studies to determine where and how to reach Hispanics.
4. Communication between the Anglo and Hispanic congregations.

Invite us to present the work in your church, leadership groups, camps, VBS, missions committee or youth group.


Que Dios le bendiga,

Bill Gilson