Merry Christmas! from the Burches

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A Christmas Carol by Amielle Lydia Burch

A Christmas Carol

“Mother, what is Christmas?
What does it mean?
Why do you celebrate with me?

Why do we sing of Christmas cheer?
So loud for everyone to hear?”

“My darling, my darling, you should know.
Why didn’t you come to me like so?

The reason we gather ‘round the table,
Is ‘cause Jesus was born in a stable.
Why we sing out loud for all to hear
Is ‘cause we want other’s to know of the cheer.”

“But, Mother, why do you give presents out?
It’s not my birthday.
It’s Jesus’!
Give a shout.”

"We give the presents out to show
That we love everyone so.”

“Mommy, Mommy, may I pray?”
“Of course, of course yes you may!”

“God, hear what I pray today.
Thank you for sending your beloved son to be born in a manger for everyone.
Thanks for the food you provide
Thanks again for sending your son to die!!!
Amen!"

~Amielle Burch

"I want to make a difference!"

I want so badly to make a difference in the world; it hurts. I look around to determine if there are any results from my efforts. Lord what have I done? Lord, what can I do?

I have been contemplating this for weeks, months and even years to be honest. I know he is the Potter and I am the clay (Isaiah 64:8); we are made by His hands and for the work He has for us. I ask Him: What kind of pot am I? What is my purpose? Lord, I desire for my pot to be used in the most effective way. Over the years I have discovered some uses for this ol’clay, but I feel like there is something else or there should be more. I am not doing enough. Tell me what to do.

Today as I write these things, my thoughts are a little clearer. I am sure one answer is that I need to let go of self. Humble myself. Give all to Him. I need to step back and let Him be glorified.

Then I ask how can I willing do this? A part of letting go of self requires daily submitting to the Master. I must trust His rule. When I admit it, I actually find stability and security in His control; but, I must let him lead. My answer is found in various ways, and this surrendering only comes through prayer.

What is prayer? Prayer is placing our requests before Him (Philippians 4:4-7). The interesting part from this passage in Philippians is the Lord is near. We are not to worry the least little bit, because our minds will be guarded in Christ. God guards our minds. This is a daily or moment to moment request. If my mind is to be guarded, I must pray. If I am to release self and submit, I must pray; I must be near Him.

How is all this possible? I must train myself to rejoice in the Lord by accepting the peace that He gives when I approach Him. Through this peace, my heart and mind is totally protected from damaging His work or purpose. My mind is guarded.

Why pray? We pray to be near to God. What country or nation is so grand as to have God so close to them as we do when we pray? We have the True God near us (Deuteronomy 4: 7). That speaks enough.

How often should we pray? Continuously. I must devote or give myself over to prayer. And, while I am praying, I am watching or allowing Him to guard my mind. I never really put these two scriptures or thoughts together before. I cannot guard and watch vigilantly without His power and peace being passed on to me. Just last week I wondered how I could watch in prayer. I can not; God can. Again He has promised to guard my mind and heart.

Where should I pray? Not necessarily thinking about a physical location, I questioned this. The scripture in Ephesians 6: 18 states that we are to pray “in the Spirit”. Here we find the word watch again — “watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”. The word perseverance is determination. I must be single-minded. I must conscientiously let go and allow the Spirit to be master of my mind and thoughts. The Spirit helps me. He makes intercession for me. Also, when I am praying for others, self is placed on the back burner.

Supplication means plea. Plea seems to be a stronger word even though it is just a synonym. How can I place my pleas before Him? Uprightly. This can only be done when we hold to Proverbs 15:8. The prayer of a righteous one satisfies the Lord. He delights in our prayers.

So, I ask. What must I do? Nothing; He does it all. How can I make a difference? I can’t; He can. How do I humble myself then? Watch and pray. Will the desire, the hurt, to make a difference ever go away? The answer is found only in prayer.
L. Burch, Journal, Dec. 2008

Prayer- the voice of silence

Join with me in prayer this month for three areas. Let's pray for:

Russia's drinking dilemma

• a typical bottle of vodka contains 40% alcohol

• some turn to risky drinking (i.e., normal household items like perfumes, men’s aftershave and medicines containing alcohol)

• alcohol is a disease

• alcohol creates a problem for the Russian soul




European Russia encompasses over 100 million people, most of whom are Russian not only by nationality but also as a people group. The land size of European Russia is approximately the same size as the United States of America.


Golgotha Baptist Church

Our family will start an English speaking ministry at this church for evangelistic and discipleship efforts. Our target month for beginning a Sunday School class is February.

Coffee Moments- do not forget about us

….yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. – Jeremiah 14:9b (focal passage- Jeremiah 14: 1-9)




At this time Judah was mourning. There was a drought in the land. They actually were crying in anguish because the cities’ wells, grounds and fields were barren and dry. The people were at the point of despair. Have you ever been to the point of desperation like the people of Judah? Are you now?

The Lord recounts these words to Jeremiah. We can understand the fear of the people. Appearing next are pleas in the form of prayers admitting the sins of the people. Have you thought about praying like this and begging God to hear you?

Prayer for the moment:
Our sins show our guilt, Lord. Please help us. We have backslidden immensely; our sins have offended You. You are our only hope in this time of ultimate despair. You seem as a stranger to me right now or like a person that passes by me unknown. It is as if You are a soldier that has been approached unaware, unarmed and stunned. However, I know that You are right here with us. We know this, Lord. Others may think the opposite. We know that we are Yours. Please do not forget about us (Jeremiah 14:7-9)!

Do you desire to feel His presence so strongly in your life? I do.

In His Love,
Les
-Coffee Moments- a time to reflect on God’s Word, 2008

A Thanksgiving Prayer- poem by Ashlyn Burch

I am still hung up on the theme of prayer, so to speak. I just read my daughter's poem that was published in her school newsletter. I thought I would share it with you.

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for this day
A day set away to pray
A day to remember what You've done
A day to thank You for Your Son.
We gather 'round the table here,
Knowing that we have no fear
Knowing You are very close
Knowing You are the Holy Ghost.
While we eat our food today,
We will lower our heads and pray.
We will pray, thanking You.
We will pray, praising You!
-Ashlyn Burch

The holiday of Thanksgiving is a great day to remember our blessings and a reminder to be so thankful everyday. I hope to share with you soon a lesson I am writing on Prayer or at least a portion of it. God, please help me "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2). We are to be on guard, observant, watchful and thankful. How often? Continually.

Paleontological Birthday

Even though some paleontologist view the world to be 6-7 million years old, we know the truth about creation from God's Word. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Gen. 1:1) And, we have record of the history of man and of the dates of Christ's birth. That date being placed around the year 3-4 B.C. when King Herod reigned.

On November 29, 2008, the Burch family went on an archaeological adventure. We went to a dinosaur museum in Moscow, Russia, watched a family movie and observed a toy dinosaur egg hatch. Luke turned 9 years old. I praise the Lord for our miracle boy! Doctors only gave him a 10% chance to live. I will never forget to thank the Lord for Luke and for all my children. They are definitely a blessing from Him.

We had a wonderful day celebrating and even learned much about fossils. And, we had some great discussions about when and how we think dinosaurs actually lived and looked. Here are some clips from the Birthday party.



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