Sold Out!

House of the Lord

Psalm 27:4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

It seems like I’ve always lived a long way from family. There have been times when they were close, but long periods of time go by when they are far away. Technology has virtually shortened the distance, but it’s not the same as being there. There’s just something about being face-to-face, feeling a warm embrace, experiencing a loved one up close and personal. Listen to Psalm 27:4: “One thing have I desired from the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Now that is up close and personal.

Live Peaceably With All Men

Romans 12:18

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Some things in life you just can’t change. You may want to, but you don’t have that ability. No matter how many clouds, the sun still rises in the morning. You can’t change that. You can’t change the number of elements in water; it’s always two hydrogen to one oxygen. You can’t change your past, or your parents, or your birthdate. You can’t change who your siblings are, even though you may want to.

Imagine that: you can allow hatred and hard feelings to make you want to exclude from your life those who should be closest to you. Don’t do it, friend. In Romans 12:18, Paul writes, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” That includes family, my friend.

Hallowed Father

Matthew 6:9

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

When Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray, he began, “Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus was instructing us to direct our prayer to God as a father. That’s how personal and intimate our conversation with God can be. He also mentioned that the very name of God is holy. ‘Hallowed’ means ‘sanctified, set apart from the average, the mundane, the common.’ Yes, God is the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy. He is all-powerful and just. Yet Jesus said we can address him as ‘father’! That speaks of a family relationship with God as the supreme head of the household. If you love Jesus, he’s your father, my friend!

Children

Psalm 127:3-4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white – all are precious in his sight. Excitement, wonder, simple faith, forgiving, loving – these are words that come to mind when I think of children. You know, the word ‘children’ is found 1,822 times in 1,524 verses in the Bible. I guess children are rather important in God’s mind.

Listen to Psalm 127:3-4: “Look, children are an heritage from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” You may want to spend more time caring for children. They are our heritage, friends.

Famunity

Psalm 133:1 and 3

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

You know what a community is, but have you heard of a famunity? It’s a family living and working together. The family unit has been called the core of society. As families grow and thrive, a community is strong. How much better is it for love and peace to prevail in a Christian community following the teachings of Jesus?

Listen to Psalm 133:1 and 3: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. ” May there be peace and harmony in your family.

Loving Discipline

Proverbs 22:15

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Did you ever watch two babies playing with one toy? Almost always, they will at some point fight over it. “Mine!” says one; “No, mine!” says the other. Who taught them that?

Proverbs 22:15 tells us, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” The child must be taught a better way right from the start. Loving discipline is the key to a happy family and a well-functioning society.

Joy of Family

Proverbs 17:6

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

Often, when playing a live show, I’ll preface one of my original songs by saying, “Grandchildren are a great source of inspiration, so here’s one I wrote for my grandkids.” It’s amazing the bond of love we share. Every time I have to leave them, there’s a sadness in my heart. And when we meet again, extreme rejoicing.

The Bible has it right in Proverbs 17:6 where it says: “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.” All my life’s accomplishments can’t hold my heart like my children and grandchildren. May you know the joy of family too, friend.

Children are Gifts from God

Psalm 127:3-4

Hi, I’m Howie Campbell, and this is a Wisdom and Truth Minute.

When we think of an inheritance, we usually think of money or material possessions. I have heard of people refusing an inheritance, but that’s extremely rare. I mean, who wouldn’t want an inheritance?

Did you know children are an inheritance to us from the Lord? That means they are valuable – not something to be squandered, but cherished and invested in wisely. Listen to Psalm 127:3-4: “See, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” Why would anyone not want such a beautiful inheritance?

Our Family Tradition

Since our first Christmas as Christians in 1985, we have celebrated the Advent with our family. It was the most important part of our Christmas celebration. It shines the spotlight on God’s working through the Old Testament and fulfillments in the New Testament. I can not imagine what Christmas would be like as a Christian without a careful look at these promises.

Beginning December 1st. and continuing to the climatic evening of December 24th. We would light the beeswax candles on the advent log, which Howie fashioned of New York State white birch, and read the Scriptures. Passages were selected to build our confidence in God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise of a Saviour.

“The Good News of Christmas” presentation was birthed from our family tradition of celebrating Advent. Below are a list of scriptures that you may want to look at over the next 24 days.

The Good News of Christmas CD

First Week
Our God Reigns –
Gen. 3:14-15 ?(fall of Satan and promise of his defeat esp. vs. 14-15) Deut. 18:15, 18-19?
Numbers 24:17 (…..there shall come a star out of Jacob…..) Star/Septor symbol of a King.

Second Week
Is. 11:1-2 (the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him)
Is. 10 ?(Root of Jessie an ensign)
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (branch of righteousness, out of David)
Zech. 6:12-13 ?(the branch)
Ps. 89:1-4 (Establish David’s throne esp. 3-4)
Ps. 110:4 (Priestly order of Melchizedek)
Is. 52:7-10 ?(how beautiful are the feet)
Is. 40:9-11 ?(tidings of a shepherd)
Mic. 5:2 ?(Bethlehem, comes forth ruler)
Is. 9:6-7? (onto us a child is born)
Is. 7:14 (virgin shall conceive) Light shine in gross darkness Is Is. 40:3-5 (John’s birth foretold)
Is. 9:2 (light shines in darkness)
John 1:1-8 ?(in the beginning, John bear witness)
John 1:9-18 ?(He came to his own)
Mark 1:1-3 (beginning of Gospel. John)

Third Week
Luke 1:5-13? (Elizabeth and Zechariah)
Luke 1:14-25 or Luke 1:5-35 (Angel to Mary)
Luke 1:39-45? (Elizabeth’s salutation)
Luke 1:46-56? (Mary’s salutation)
Luke 1:57-80 (John’s birth)

Fourth Week
Mt. 1:18-25 (birth of Jesus….Angel appears to Joseph and he took Mary to wife?)
Luke 2:1-20? (decree, inn, shepherds)
Luke 2:21 (circumsicion)
Mt. 2:1-2? (Wise men )
Matt 2: 3-12 (Herod gifts )
Luke 2:40 (Jesus grows)

Being Bold

If there is one holiday that is ready made for witnessing, it is Christmas. People know there must be much more than buying and giving, eating and drinking, partying and stressing. Perhaps you have family, friends, coworkers or neighbors that have closed off or simply haven’t responded to your message in the past. Here is another opportunity to bless them using the language of music and the spoken word.

Christmas is the time of year that we can be like Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. “Then Philip began, and using this Scripture as a starting point, he told the eunuch the good news about Jesus…” Acts 8: 30-38

Some of the people that God places in our paths are spiritually similar to the eunuch. Christmas is here, the story of Jesus’ birth may be familiar. and they may be looking. Praying, we can look for opportnities to point out the fulfilment of prophesies regarding Jesus’ birth. By doing so, we speak of the validity of the Scriptures. Since these prophecies came true prescisely as foretold, so will the others.

If we simply trust God’s word, believe His promise of redemption and commit the keeping of our souls into His hands, then pray for opportunities to share the Good News with someone this Christmas season, it may be God will answer our prayer and grant someone new life in Jesus.

May the sweetness of Jesus be ever so strong this Christmas season!

Debbie and Howie