Chuck Bridges Blog

For many people the Christmas season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. Some families have a tradition of decorating their tree on that day while many others arise at unhuman hours to go shopping. Each year I see people who have their Christmas decorations up long before Thanksgiving — for reasons unknown to me.

I guess my point is that getting into the “Christmas Spirit” comes at different times and is associated with different things for everyone. For some, it is a season to be meloncholy. Some families will spend their first Christmas without a precious loved one. For some, it is a season of renewal as we gather with friends and family members who we don’t see that often. For some it is just a FUN season to share a lot of laughs, give some well-meaning gifts, and rejoice in the HOPE that Christ brought into this old world.

This month at Washington Avenue we are celebrating the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season by focusing on a different aspect of the Christmas story. As I was away in the mountains in September to study, meditate, pray, etc. I read through the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. In thinking ahead to the Christmas season, it occurred to me how we base most of what we know and believe about Jesus from the 4 Gospels. Isn’t it ironic that only 2 out of the 4 even bother to mention a few sparse details about Jesus’ birth?Immediately I thought: “Since we have such limited details given about Jesus’ birth, could it be that God is more concerned with us knowing WHY Jesus came than HOW He came?”

Jesus himself gave us insight into WHY He came: “I have come that they may have life, and that life to the full” (or “Life more abundant”). John 10:10b When I revisited this passage my heart immediately thought about this “FULL” or “ABUNDANT” Life that Jesus came to give us. I also thought about the rise of interest in our society in being Physically Fit and healthy. Diet products and exercise equipment continue to be marketed constantly through infomercials, direct mail, etc.

This month our Series of Messages is called “FIT For LIFE.” We are going to break down the KEYS to being Physically Fit and show how these same concepts apply to our “Spiritual Fitness.” The theme is all about exercise and dieting. We have a two-fold ambition: 1) Help Christ-Followers understand how to have a strong heart, spiritual muscles, healthy diet, etc. and 2) Encourage God’s people to be Physically Fit. I hope through this series some people will do more than make an empty New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, get in shape, etc. The Bible says that our Body is not our own, we are bought with a price! God expects us to take good care of these bodies we live in.

Get the word out and come with an expectation that God is going to change lives. We are going to have some fun as we explore God’s Word for His plan on being “FIT For LIFE” that is ABUNDANT!