Low on Power?  Get a Free Charge!

He gives power to the faint; and to him who has no might He increases strength.   Isaiah 40:29

"Low on power?  Get a free charge!"  So read a number of signs in Chicago's O'hare airport.  Travelers were invited to recharge their electronic equipment without cost.  As a believer, are you running low on power?  Did you run well at one time, but now you desperately need to reconnect to the greatest source of power?  The above verse gives the solution, "He gives power."  His power is found as you bend your knees before the Lord and an open Bible.  He promises to increase your spiritual strength.  Connect today.    

    -Arnot McdIntee

His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again! - Annie Johnson Flint

I found this devotional appropriate for the season where additional power is needed to light trees, houses, fences etc....and where gifts, holiday party and outings charge us emotionally.  It is is a wonderful time of the year!  However, like charging up your phone, tablet, or computer, it is temporary, and requires a recharge.

When traveling a few days ago to visit family and friends for Christmas, I was reminded again of the "need" for power in our society.   Airports are filled with people searching for a place to plug in. Individuals are desperate to find  precious but limited power sources in order to maintain communication with the world.    How comforting that the power source we really "need"  is available everywhere and at anytime.  There is no need for a labeled kiosk saying "free recharge"  The recharge we need comes unlimited and free but we have to be intentional about grasping for it.

So this Christmas, I recognize that I am running low on power.   I desperately need to reconnect with the Lord, which is my greatest source of power.  Being with family and friends and being warmly embraced by those I dearly love has filled my heart with love but I am in need of time alone, plugged into God alone, whose pow'r has no boundary or end. As I spend some time in the mountains during this retreat........

Please pray:

1. For rest and relaxation in the beauty of the mountains.   
2. That I may meditate on God's word and that through it I would be renewed in body, mind and spirit.
3. For wisdom and courage as I contemplate the responsibilities facing me in the coming year.

   
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE THRU  

Dec. 4-6     AND     Dec. 11-13

Thanks to the acting skills, caroling voices, and servant hands and feet to help share the Good News about the true Light of the World, the Christmas Lights Drive Thru was a major success!  With such a good response last year we extended the event this year to two weekends.  Over the course of the two weekends, we saw over 4,600 people.

This event is a major fundraising event to help us continue to operate as a non-profit ministry.  It's because of events like these that we are able to continue to minister to thousands of Bahamians each year through the ministries at the Centre and Camp.

Below is a picture tour.  If you saw pictures from last year, look again!  We added more lights and the sets were decorated differently!  For a little added bonus, I have included a link at the end of the picture tour with a video of the event.  Enjoy!

  This event is much more than lights!  Its about pointing people to the LIGHT OF THE WORLD!  The  pageantry alone required 30 plus actors/actresses, which we acquired by partnering with different churches on the island. Dilan Van Ryn and Mark Wallace worked hard pulling together and coordinating the actors.  To pull off an event like this, Dilan did a fantastic job of coordinating the 60 plus volunteers needed for each night of the event.  In this photo we are gathered around the flag pole for prayer.

The white gates are opened and cars are transformed into "donkeys" as they journey toward Bethlehem.

First view as they enter

After entering the gates, and seeing the lights, "donkeys" are greeted by those of us along the road collecting "taxes" (admission fee) and offering glow sticks to light their path toward Bethlehem.

Oh....who do we have here?   The Prophet Isaiah......with a message from the Lord!

And three "wise guys" (the wisemen) looking lost and asking for directions.  They are looking for the new born King!

The journey is long and there is much waiting.... (There are many other"donkeys" waiting to see the 

new born King!)   Donkey's stop for a drink and something to eat (concessions) to carry them through the rest of their journey. 

What?  More taxes?  The Roman soldiers guarding the gate, demanding for VAT tax (value added tax) A new tax that has been added to all purchased items  in the Bahamas.  (This adds some cultural relevance for Bahamians to be entertained by)

Inside the gate, marketers are aggressively selling  their merchandise!

Along the road, we meet Joseph and a very pregnant Mary, looking for a place to rest.

No Room at the inn???  You are sitting playing domino's and can't help us? Where is the customer service? 

Look!  An angel!  What does she say?  A Savior has been born!  Go.......You  will find him ........

wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Shepherd's in the fields saw the star.

Fast forward a few years.  Jesus as a boy, found in the temple.  "Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"

Jesus calling his disciples "Come, follow me, that I may make you fishers of men!"

Jesus, teaching at the Mount of Olives.  Blessed are the.........

The donkeys are moving slowly.  Ushers along the road help to keep them moving.  Hurry, Jesus is about to sit with his disciples.......

 inviting them to join him in the last supper.

Mary, grieving at the foot of the cross after her son Jesus was crucified.

The angel proclaiming the tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive!  Now go and proclaim it to the world!

As the donkey returns to reality and become a car again, they are greeted by Mark Wallace or a local pastor assisting him who challenge them to consider the true LIGHT OF  THE WORLD.  JESUS!  HE SAVES!

Cars continue driving through the property to admire the lights.

As cars move toward the exit, they are greeted with a Christmas song by the puppets.

The you tube video link below was recorded about 5 years ago when the event was done for the very first time by a group of people involved in a discipleship program (Patmos) on the isalnd. Unfortunately this years video has not yet been completed, but you can get an idea of what we did.  There are some differences in some of the lines but 90% of it is the same as what we did this year.  The biggest difference is that this year we had all Bahamian actors and actresses which is awesome that the community has come together to put on something of this magnitude to glorify the Lord.  Enjoy!

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

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and into the New Year!

Jen