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Can you really have a happy Christmas even when you have a thousand and one pressures bearing down on you? Yes, you can! No matter how intense or how trivial the problems are that you're facing right now, you can have the most wonderful, most carefree Christmas season you've ever had in your life. And you can start having it today.

You're probably familiar with that scripture that says to be anxious for nothing. But, have you ever taken it seriously enough to put it into action? There's a good chance you haven't because you haven't understood just how dangerous those anxieties are. You probably haven't realized that they're a deadly part of the devil's strategy against you.

Worry is one of the chief weapons of his warfare. If he can get you to worry about them, he can use the financial pressures and family pressures and scheduling problems that are just a "normal" part of everyday life to weigh you down and drag you into more trouble than you think possible.

Medical science tells us that a high percentage of the people hospitalized are there with ailments caused by worry and tension. Yet, a great many believers worry without even thinking about it. They'll worry about being too short or too skinny. They'll stew over this and that and not even realize they've been sinning.

For the born-again, Spirit-filled believer who owns a Bible, worrying is a sin. So, even if the Christmas cards are late and many people are coming to your house for Christmas dinner, don't worry. Instead, do what the Bible says to do! Pray, making your request known to God! And praise Him for the answer. Then you'll have peace.

Go ahead and have a truly happy Christmas! "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 8.49. Live for God, on purpose, without fear or worry - even during this Christmas season!

Joy to the World!
Randy Estelle's Grand Christmas Tour at WFA!

Don't miss this Sunday at WFA! The Christmas season kicks off in a big way as Randy Estelle's "Grand Christmas Tour" rolls into Wilmington! Randy will be joining with the WFA Praise Team for some great Christmas praise and worship!

Randy Estelle, international concert pianist and vocalist, returns to WFA this Sunday, December 7th, for a special morning of Christmas praise, worship and encouragement from the Word! Randy's credits include eleven solo recordings, over 120 personal appearances yearly, producer honors on numerous CD projects for other artists and an extensive background in praise and worship ministry. He began studying piano at age seven and presented his first professional performance at age twelve. Awarded a full scholarship, he studied as a piano major at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was during his time at CMU that he and his wife, Lisa, had a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ, and were called to ministry, serving first as Music Director in the church of his conversion, and then as Associate Pastor after his ordination.

Today, with prestigious credentials in classical performance, he is also considered one of Christian music's premiere innovators in the areas of jazz, blues, and other eclectic styles.

Mr. Estelle has appeared as a soloist with the Billy Graham Association, the Third World Leadership Conference (Nassau, Bahamas), the Joshua Awards and as a session producer/musician with many artists including Bill Gaither. He and his wife, Lisa, are founders of Courtyard Media Ministries and they have also written over 150 songs including four full production musicals. In addition, he has written and recorded film scores for Star Productions and KidzRoom.

Humor-filled, dynamic, power-packed, anointed and uplifting are all words used to describe this concert experience. You won't want to miss this exciting morning of ministry! Bring your friends and neighbors!

You can visit Randy's website at www.RandyEstelle.com.

Make this the best Christmas EVER and be a part of all the joy that Jesus' birth brings! You have a personal invitation!

The Perfect Christmas Tree

by Kelly McFadden

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Each year in the mall near our home, a Christmas tree looms high above the department stores as a decoration and focal point for holiday celebrations. It is breathtaking. Of course, this tree gets a lot of help. In fact, to make sure the tree looks perfect and even from all sides, existing branches are cut off, extra ones are collected, and each branch is cut and trimmed. Then, holes are drilled in the tree trunk and extra branches are placed in just the right spots. The tree is made to look flawless.

When I think about the holiday season and the message of Christ, this mall has it all wrong. I think God looks at us more like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. You know the one I mean. A tree that is far from perfect: skimpy, left behind and unwanted. A tree that has lots of gaps in the branches and need extra help getting decorated.

God demonstrated his power in mighty ways through the Apostle Paul. The passage from 2 Corinthians records Paul's requests to God to remove the afflictions he was facing, but God chose not to do so. God demonstrated His incredible power through Paul by working through Him even in the midst of His weaknesses. It is also these weaknesses that reminded Paul to rely on the Lord, for he knew he could not succeed without the power of God in his life.

It is tempting to rely on our own strength or think we can do everything on our own based on the talents, energy and effort we give to something. However, God wants us to realize instead that we need to rely on Him to be our strength. When we rely on Him, we will not only find ourselves stronger, but we will also continue to grow and move to deeper Christian character when we allow God's strength to work in us. So when you face situations that are difficult and challenging, be encouraged. God will make His power perfect in you... just as you are, with flaws and all.

Down Here

Max Lucado tells about his neighbor who was trying to teach his 6-year-old son how to shoot a basketball. They were out in the backyard. The father shot a couple of times, saying, "Do it just like that, son; it's real easy." The little boy tried very hard but he couldn't get the ball 10 feet into the air. The little fellow got more and more frustrated. Finally, after hearing his father talk about how easy it was for the 10th time, the boy said, "It's easy for you up there. You don't know how hard it is from down here."

You and I never can say that about God. When Jesus became man and lived among us, He walked where we walk; He suffered what we suffer; He was tempted as we are tempted. He was Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us."

True Christian Christmas

by Joanna Fuchs

Christmas isn't showy gifts
Or glittering decoration;
It's honoring our Savior, Jesus Christ
In humble adoration.

It's serving those less fortunate,
Meeting their needs before our own;
It's making sure at Christmas time
That no one is alone.

It's taking what we would have spent
On things that no one needs,
And using it to help someone
With service and good deeds.

Our Savior showed us how to live
With charity, faith and service.
It makes the holidays a joy,
More peaceful, and less nervous.

So let's remember Christmas is
About our Savior's birth;
That's the way to happiness,
The way to peace on earth.

Christmas Tree Blessing

Holy Creator of Trees,
bless with your abundant grace
this our Christmas tree as a symbol of joy.

May its evergreen branches be a sign
of your never-fading promises.

May its colorful lights and ornaments call us
to decorate with love our home and our world.

May the gifts that surround this tree
be symbols of the gifts we have received
from the Tree of Christ's Cross.

Holy Christmas tree within our home,
may Joy and Peace come and nest
in your branches and in our hearts. Amen.

The Best Gifts this Season

To a Friend Loyalty
To an Enemy Forgiveness
To your Boss Service
To your Child A good example
To your Father Honor
To your Mother Gratitude and Devotion
To your Spouse Love and Faithfulness
To Yourself Respect
To All Men Charity
To God Your Life!!

The Last Impression

Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.

"I pray for a new bicycle...

I pray for a new X-Box...

I pray for a new DVD..."

His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

We are going to have a phenomenal time this Sunday here at WFA! Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to come with you, as they will surely enjoy this special Grand Christmas Tour concert with Randy Estelle! It's the perfect time of the year to ask friends to join you in church, and this is a perfect ministry for guests to enjoy! Looking forward to worshiping together with you!