Bible Center Church

Has this ever happened to you--as it often has to me? A friend will recommend a book for me to read--one that he describes as a "really good"--but better still--"quick read." The friend even offers to lend me his personal copy so that I don't even have to pay for the cost of the book.

Now that's certainly a generous offer on his part, but I try my best to never borrow from others. I take this stand not on carefully considered principles, but simply because I know how negligent I am about returning things I've borrowed.

Here's the usual scenario. After I've completed the task that called for the borrowing in the first place, it seems that the borrowed "stuff" ends up in some "safe, easily-remembered" place, just until I get them back to the lender, of course.

Somehow, this whole process seems to stretch out from days to weeks to months, or occasionally, even years; then comes the embarrassment of having to confess that I've lost my friend's borrowed goods, or just can't find them--along with a weak apology and a promise to continue searching.

I'm even like this with book and materials that I check out of the public library. You know, I probably could have had a room in the library named after me if I had just donated the money spent on late fees in one lump sum. At the very least, several shelves could have been restocked with brand new book and materials.

But, let's get back to my first story about my friend's book. After letting the book lie untouched on the desk for weeks, as I wait for just the right day when I can devote enough time to get a really good start, I finally decide it's time to either begin the reading or return the book. I settle into my favorite chair with a cup of coffee, ready to begin the literary journey. As I carefully read the cover, I'm intrigued by the information about the author and the synopsis that the editors have carefully crafted to increase sales.

A quick glance at the forward makes the book even more inviting, and I begin reading the first few pages. Then my mind begins to wander to other matters. I tell myself that there are other things that I should be doing. There's the Christmas shopping that I haven't even started (I usually put it off as long as possible, rationalizing that the day before Christmas is really the best time to find those unbelievable bargains other shoppers only dream about). I remember that the gutters still need to be cleaned out one last time, and that music for the Christmas Eve Service still hasn't been selected. I remember the promise I made to help an elderly neighbor with her outdoor decorations (and, of course, mine haven't been put up yet either). After reading the first twenty pages or so---and the current paragraph for the third time, I realize that I just can't get into this book---at least not now. I'm lost in the beginning.

You know, for many of our friends and family members, that's the way Christmas is--year after year. Just like me with my borrowed book, they're lost in the beginning. With all the exhausting, but wonderful, activities of the "season" (as the secular world of commercialism calls our Christian celebration of the nativity), many people never get past that miraculous incarnation of Emmanuel, God with us in the form of a baby in a manger. But that's only the beginning; the rest of the story is even more amazing.

The birth of Jesus is really just the introduction of Christ to a world that still needs a savior to reconcile sinful man to a holy and wholly righteous God. The entirety of Jesus' life on this earth led Him to His willing sacrifice on the cross of Calvary and His glorious resurrection from the dead, soon followed by His ascension to Heaven to take His place at the right hand of the Father. Through Christ alone, man can now come to know his Creator and receive the gift of eternal life with Him, a gift purchased through the price of Christ's sacrificial crucifixion.

This year, don't get lost in the beginning--wonderful as it is. A remarkable journey awaits those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, move on to the remainder of the message of the Gospel. The greatest Christmas gift of all time awaits those who come to understand the complete story of "God taking upon Himself the form of man." If we can help you understand and get started in this new and exciting life in Christ, please e-mail us or call the church office to speak to a member of the pastoral staff. We would be honored to introduce you to the still-living Christ---no longer a baby, but the Savior for all mankind.

Jim McQuerrey
   Pastor of Worship Ministries

   ©2001 Bible Center Church

Back To Main Page / Archive of Previous Articles


Has this ever happened to you--as it often has to me? A friend will recommend a book for me to read--one that he describes as a "really good"--but better still--"quick read." The friend even offers to lend me his personal copy so that I don't even have to pay for the cost of the book.
Now that's certainly a generous offer on his part, but I try my best to never borrow from others. I take this stand not on carefully considered principles, but simply because I know how negligent I am about returning things I've borrowed. Here's the usual scenario. After I've completed the task that called for the borrowing in the first place, it seems that the borrowed "stuff" ends up in some "safe, easily-remembered" place, just until I get them back to the lender, of course.
Somehow, this whole process seems to stretch out from days to weeks to months, or occasionally, even years; then comes the embarrassment of having to confess that I've lost my friend's borrowed goods, or just can't find them--along with a weak apology and a promise to continue searching. I'm even like this with book and materials that I check out of the public library. You know, I probably could have had a room in the library named after me if I had just donated the money spent on late fees in one lump sum. At the very least, several shelves could have been restocked with brand new book and materials. But, let's get back to my first story about my friend's book. After letting the book lie untouched on the desk for weeks, as I wait for just the right day when I can devote enough time to get a really good start, I finally decide it's time to either begin the reading or return the book. I settle into my favorite chair with a cup of coffee, ready to begin the literary journey. As I carefully read the cover, I'm intrigued by the information about the author and the synopsis that the editors have carefully crafted to increase sales. A quick glance at the forward makes the book even more inviting, and I begin reading the first few pages. Then my mind begins to wander to other matters. I tell myself that there are other things that I should be doing. There's the Christmas shopping that I haven't even started (I usually put it off as long as possible, rationalizing that the day before Christmas is really the best time to find those unbelievable bargains other shoppers only dream about). I remember that the gutters still need to be cleaned out one last time, and that music for the Christmas Eve Service still hasn't been selected. I remember the promise I made to help an elderly neighbor with her outdoor decorations (and, of course, mine haven't been put up yet either). After reading the first twenty pages or so---and the current paragraph for the third time, I realize that I just can't get into this book---at least not now. I'm lost in the beginning. You know, for many of our friends and family members, that's the way Christmas is--year after year. Just like me with my borrowed book, they're lost in the beginning. With all the exhausting, but wonderful, activities of the "season" (as the secular world of commercialism calls our Christian celebration of the nativity), many people never get past that miraculous incarnation of Emmanuel, God with us in the form of a baby in a manger. But that's only the beginning; the rest of the story is even more amazing. The birth of Jesus is really just the introduction of Christ to a world that still needs a savior to reconcile sinful man to a holy and wholly righteous God. The entirety of Jesus' life on this earth led Him to His willing sacrifice on the cross of Calvary and His glorious resurrection from the dead, soon followed by His ascension to Heaven to take His place at the right hand of the Father. Through Christ alone, man can now come to know his Creator and receive the gift of eternal life with Him, a gift purchased through the price of Christ's sacrificial crucifixion. This year, don't get lost in the beginning--wonderful as it is. A remarkable journey awaits those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, move on to the remainder of the message of the Gospel. The greatest Christmas gift of all time awaits those who come to understand the complete story of "God taking upon Himself the form of man." If we can help you understand and get started in this new and exciting life in Christ, please e-mail us or call the church office to speak to a member of the pastoral staff. We would be honored to introduce you to the still-living Christ---no longer a baby, but the Savior for all mankind.
Jim McQuerrey Pastor of Worship Ministries ©2001 Bible Center Church Back To Main Page / Archive of Previous Articles