The Gift of HOPE//
THE GIFT OF HOPE…
Clark Griswald longed for the perfectly lit house…
Buddy the Elf believed his dad would make it on the nice list…
George Bailey wanted a better life for his family…
And, Ralphie Parker just wanted his very own Red Rider BB Gun.
At the core of every Christmas TV Special or holiday movie that we’ll watch this season is HOPE.
Hope is this universal need. We all need it and we see HOPE made into flesh all the way back in an event that took place in a stable in Bethlehem all those years ago.
+
WK 197 // HOPE… for Sanity
We all know how crazy we can get when we expect something… especially if that expectation isn’t met. In this week’s teaching Guest Teacher Julie Buchtenkirch uses A Christmas Story’s Ralphie Parker’s longing for an official Red Rider Air Rifle as an example of the scheming, stressing, and insanity we all go through. Then she explores with us the sanity that comes from the True Gift of Hope.
[audio:http://www.wearecrosspoint.com/listen/teaching/197XPT_112810.mp3|titles=WEEK 197 // 112810 // Hope for Sanity|artists=Julie Buchtenkirch, Guest Teacher & XPT Partner]
WK 198 // HOPE… for Security
Everyone has the need for security in some way. In this week’s teaching, Lead Pastor Curt Walters takes a hard look at what it means for us to find true security from the real Gift of Hope this holiday season.
[audio:http://www.wearecrosspoint.com/listen/teaching/198XPT_120510.mp3|titles=WEEK 198 // 120510 // Hope for Security|artists=Curt Walters, Lead Pastor]
WK 199 // HOPE… Thru Disappointment
Expectations don’t always get met. Just ask Clark Griswald about his expectation for his Christmas bonus. Or just ask anyone you know about a time they experienced disappointment. The holidays aren’t always cheery for everyone. This week, Lead Pastor Curt Walters shows that disappointment is something that we can grow from and hope for something better on the other side.
[audio:http://www.wearecrosspoint.com/listen/teaching/199XPT_121210.mp3|titles=WEEK 199 // 121210 // Hope Thru Disappointment |artists=Curt Walters, Lead Pastor]
WK 200 // HOPE… For a Second Chance
Everyone hopes for a second chance at some point in life. It took an encounter with a ghost to shake Ebenezer Scrooge into that moment of hope. In this week’s teaching, Lead Pastor Curt Walters points out the simple fact that the original Christmas story is the beginning of an opportunity for a second chance for anyone that accepts it.
[audio:http://www.wearecrosspoint.com/listen/teaching/200XPT_121910.mp3|titles=WEEK 200 // 121910 // Hope For A Second Chance |artists=Curt Walters, Lead Pastor]
