Merry Christmas!

     Merry Christmas from the Ingrams! 2010 has been an amazing year for us, filled with God’s blessings and many adventures. We have been challenged by God to step out of our comfort zones in several areas and have been blessed beyond measure. Jim had the privilege of serving on 4 mission trips this year, 3 of which he personally lead: two trips to Panama and two trips to Haiti for construction and medical missions. Sam turned 13 over the summer and went with Jim on his first mission trip to Panama as a medical helper. He had a great time and looks forward to returning this summer. I was also able to accompany Jim on a trip to Haiti in October with other members of our church. It was the most difficult yet most rewarding experience I have ever had, an experience that will forever change my life.

     Our boys continue to grow and mature, especially our Sam who at 13 years towers over us at 5’8” tall. He does well in school and resembles his father in personality and appearance (except for the tall part, and lots of hair!). Jake and I have taken up the adventure of homeschooling this year, as he was looking for a greater challenge. Now I spend all my free time trying to be smarter than a 5^th grader! Having school at home is fun, we start late, finish early, and even study in the tree fort when the weather is nice!

     We are looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2011, planning several return trips overseas. Spending time in a different context with a different culture has me contemplating why so many image-bearers of God suffer while I am over-induldged. At this time of year however, I am reminded that the imager-bearer of God, Jesus Christ himself, was born as a humble baby and suffered as a man for me to be my way of salvation. There are many hard issues in life that I cannot understand, the love and grace of God being the ultimate. Take time to try and wrap your mind around the miracle of Christmas, you will be so blessed!

     Much love from our home to yours, Jim, Laura, Sam and Jake

On Faith Panelists Blog: What we tell our kids about Santa - Mark Driscoll

I still remember the disappointment and confusion figuring out the truth about Santa.  Back when GI Joe was a real man, not the little pint sized GI Joe, I'm talking the 12" GI Joe big enough to save the day.  Big enough to save Barbie from any danger, whether man, monster, or mystery, GI Joe was there to save the day.  He already had the amphibious assault vehicle conveniently sized for Barbie to ride beside him after her rescue, but he still needed a tank.  His masking tape armor wasn't enough to protect him when he fought the clothes basket monster, he needed the GI Joe tank.  Jimmy prayed Santa would bring it, he wrote the North Pole, and he also wondered was it true?  Could it really be true, I mean come on - flying reindeer and stuff?  All the cartoons, stories, and malls testified to his veracity, but was it true?

Well, snooping around the house and actually finding the GI Joe tank in the closet increased my doubts but maybe, just maybe Santa was true and this was only an extra gift from my dear mother.  Lying awake Christmas eve, trying in vain to sleep, afraid the legend was true but hoping I wouldn't miss out for being awake, I tried to feign sleep and figure out the truth, hoping to trick Santa if he was real into leaving me presents, while confirming once and for all the situation.  Looking for a sign, any sign, I could have sworn I heard something on the roof - could it be?  I could have sworn I saw a warm red glow outside the window.  What to do, what to do?  Do I run out bravely to see Santa and Rudolph and finally know the truth, never again to see his presents, or do I pray for instant sleep and hide under the covers?  Greedy chicken that I was, I chose the latter.

Waking up at the break of dawn I tip toed into the living room to see what was under the tree.  Had Santa been there?  Did he know I was awake?  Did he give me presents anyway?  Was GI Joe going to be able to save the day?  Well, the tank was there and all was not lost, but the joy was tainted by the guilt of discovering one of my mother's few secrets.  Discovering the joy she had in Saint Nick bringing me the things I dreamed about and knowing I had taken something from her.

Well, as any good kid would do, I forgot about all that and woke her up with squeals of joy that Santa had been there and I got my beloved GI Joe tank!  I wanted to show her how Joe was going to save Barbie from the evil Blob and the other forces of darkness.  Seeing her smile made it all right again and showed me where Santa really lived.

Christians - Do we reject, receive, or redeem Santa? What do you tell your kids or grand kids about Santa? An interesting article for this Christmas season.  Hope you enjoy it!

On Faith Panelists Blog: What we tell our kids about Santa - Mark Driscoll

Enjoy,

Jim

New Years Bible Reading Resolutions

As we head into the Holiday Season I am reminded of one year end ritual I always have - feeling guilty about not  completing my goal of reading through the Bible in a year.  If you're like me, you start well but get stalled.  Something comes up, you get off a day or two, lose your place, the Bible collects dust on the table or in the car, and you get discouraged.  Over the years I have tried many different things - Guilt, no Bible - no breakfast, Guilt,  enrolling in online college courses, Guilt, Small group leading, making online Bible sites my home page, and many others.

What I've learned is, there are a few keys to success -  First of all, there may be some dude who spent three hours each morning reading his Bible Scrolls and Praying before work, but I don't know him.  We all have to give ourselves a little Grace and room for error.  If you fall off the horse - get back up and start again!  Second, just because that dude said you have to have your Bible study in the morning, doesn't mean you have to!  Find a time when it works best for you.  We all have different schedules and preferences for morning or night.  Figure it out for you and make it happen!

Reading in a language I don't understand just doesn't work for me.  I wasn't born in the middle ages, so I don't read the authorized King James anything.  If you can't understand all the Thees and Thous, check out The ESV or NLT translations, you'll find they are much easier to read and understand than even the NIV many of us were raised with.  If you can't understand the language, you're wasting your time, get a good translation.  

Bible Reading also needs to be convenient.  One of the best ways I have found is to have a Bible with me at all times.  I used to be too shy to carry my huge NIV study Bible around, now I can carry the NIV, ESV, and numerous other versions around on my iPhone with YouVersion.  Now whenever I have a free moment I can get into the Word.

Bible Reading should also be systematic.  Random opening and reading can get you in real trouble.  YouVersion has also allowed me to track my reading progress on a specific read through the Bible in a year plan.  That way, I haven't skipped any of those parts of scripture I might have in the past.  

Lastly, Bible Reading should be for the right motivation.  You shouldn't do it because me or your pastor said so, you should do it because you know and Love Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.  You should read because you are fascinated that the God of the universe chose to come as a baby, live a perfect life, and die on a cross for your sins.

If you're considering reading through the Bible this year, check out these sites to find a good plan.  Better yet, download You Version, carry the Word with you wherever you go and get to know your Savior.

- Jim

Bible Reading Plans

All About God  – All about Bible reading plans.

Bible Gateway.org - Comprehensive plan, Biographical plan, Key passages in 61 days, and Chronological Plan

Discipleship Journal – 5 minutes a day, Book at a time, and 4 books at a time complete Bible plan

ESV Bible Plans - Read through the ESV with one of ten different plans

You Version – Online Bible and Smart Phone Bible with electronic reading plans!  This has >20 plans to choose from – whole Bible, partial Bible, and Topical plans.

Bible Software

ESword -  Free Bible Study software