Does anything illustrate the Pavlovian principle like the seatbelt sign being turned off at the end of a flight? Ding! And the instinctive response is to stand as everyone does almost in unison like your team just scored a basket, goal, touchdown or fill in the blank to suit your own personal sports connotation. Even folks with window seats stand bent over awkwardly like spelunkers waiting for their respective turn to move. Just like Pavlov’s dogs, we too have been trained to provide instinctive responses. Keeping with the airline reference, I was traveling on business a few weeks back and overheard a woman having a discussion on an interesting topic with the travelers around her. At first it was just the normal banal banter that takes place on the return flight on a Friday afternoon. The woman was traveling with her child and the other travelers seemed to be not related but interested in the discussion. I began to tune in when the woman lamented the Disney shows and their poor representations of dads and parents in general. I’ve spent considerable time on this soapbox myself. The surrounding travelers agreed with her and even added examples of their own. All seemed to have a very good understanding of what parenting ought to be. Then it happened.

Just like that instinctive speech kicked in just as if Pavlov had rang a bell and we were defeated. Instead of iron sharpening iron or Braveheart riding up to encourage the fellow parents gathered there, I heard the standard voices of fear and defeat similar to what Joshua and Caleb experienced the first time Moses knocked on the door to Canaan. “It’s a sign of the times”. “It’s Hollywood being Hollywood”. Are we being held captive by this culture hostile to Biblical principles or are we hostages to our own fear? One way to overcome this peer pressure is to understand what is at stake. General “Mad” Anthony Wayne a legislator and Brigadier General in Colonial America understood the stakes when he lead the assault on a British outpost on the Hudson river called Stony Point. After capturing the fort, General Wayne reported to General George Washington the following.

 
 “The fort and garrison with Col. Johnston are ours. Our officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free.”

Have we as the family of believers lost our determination for freedom?

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. – 2 Cor 3:17

I cannot possibly describe the feeling of utter happiness I experience when Christmas rolls around every year.  I had started the season off this year with 70 dozen cookies and LOTS of Michael Buble Christmas and that was just the beginning!  Just the other day I was completing the perilous task of ascending the attic to retrieve our boxes of Christmas decorations and wreaths.  Singing along, quite loudly, to Christmas music all the while clad in not one but TWO sweatshirts.  Yes it really does get cold in Texas, believe it or not. 
 
There's just something about the holiday season that inspires warmth, amity, gaiety and familial bonding.  I cherish that indescribable feeling when I am presented with another moment to thank God for yet another Christmas, another beautiful opportunity to celebrate his sons birth.  
What can compare?
 
The correct answer should be a resounding, "NOTHING. . . duh", but I fear that answer may have gotten lost in the mob of holiday shoppers and personal gratification.  
Somewhere we seem to have forgotten what Christmas is really about.  While I cannot deny my love for pumpkin spice lattes and continual Christmas music, these worldly pleasures cannot be put on a higher throne than Jesus Christ.  Which is more important?  Fulfilling my taste buds desire for something delicious and "christmasy" or spending an eternity with the Maker of the Universe?
And no that is not a trick question.  
The simple truth is, Jesus blessed us with his divine and miraculous birth many years ago this Christmas.  How is it that suddenly our thought processes are limited to how much cheaper that flat screen TV will be ON SALE!!  Don't misunderstand me, I'm talking about myself here as well.  It's easy to get sucked into the trap of "buy one get on half off".  
How about we remember that tis the season to be jolly because Christ entered the world as a baby to one day take the burden and punishment of our sins.  Maybe it's just me, but I'd take eternal life with Jesus Christ over a new TV any day.
Have a blessed Christmas!

My husband loves to dance.   I like to dance too, I am just not as smooth on my feet as he is.  Our very first encounter over 20 years ago was on the dance floor.  I wanted to say no, when he asked me to dance because I didn’t want to embarrass myself, but he wouldn’t hear of it.  Garth Brooks has a beautiful song titled, The Dance. Dan has taught our daughters to dance.  Instead of being at the mall on Black Friday, we headed to Garner State Park where the hills encouraged our hiking during the day and the dance floor was our best friend at night.  Garner State Park, named after Jack Garner, is known to be the favorite state park among Texans.  Garner has been hosting dancing under the summer sky at the Garner Pavilion for over forty years.  Although the Liberto’s are new to this Garner tradition we have taken’ a liking to it and decided to take a day trip to the park and dance one last time before the outside dance floor became a memory until summer 2012.

As Dan and I danced that evening I decided to close my eyes, during one song, and listen to the rhythm of the music and just follow as he led.   Oftentimes I just get in the way when we dance.  Maybe I am just trying to take over or I am trying too hard.  Reminds me of my relationship with God.  If I would just listen to God’s voice as he leads the way in our dance together how much more precious and purposeful our relationship would be. 

So when I dance with the Lord I will close my eyes and bask in His glory and follow His lead as I do my husband’s.

This is the question I ask when I attempt to leave my house wearing something not at all pleasing to my parents. Of course I’m not wearing anything bad, they just have a different definition of "appropriate".

Now I have been taught that I’m not allowed to wear anything too short and too low so I try my best to stick to modest dress. I still at times fall short of the mark, because like I said my parents have different standards. God has standards also and in the Bible God refers to our bodies as His temple. We’re supposed to respect ourselves with what we wear. When I dress inappropriately, I’m not only disrespecting myself, but also those around me.

I recently finished reading "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" with a group of friends my age. One of the chapters went into detail about how distracting it is for boys when we girls walk around wearing really short shorts or very low cut tops. We are supposed to respect our brothers in Christ not lead them into temptation. One of the chapters asked the boys what they thought about girls who dressed immodestly. Most of the boys confirmed their appreciation when girls respected them enough to dress modestly.

So as I conclude, you might not find it a big deal. But I tell you it is to my parents and more importantly, it is to the Lord. We should all keep that in mind. And I guess my parents and I are getting closer to reconciliation on the definition of "appropriate". But just in case, say a prayer for me.

I recently went “home” to visit my family.  First, I am not sure why I call it home, but I always have.  I haven’t lived there for 25 years, but it is still home to me.  It is always refreshing to visit family and old friends.  However, while I was there I attended a funeral of a young man I went to school with.  His death was sudden and unexpected.  As I pondered the circumstances surrounding his death, I wondered what held him captive. 

He indeed was being held captive, you see he was a drug addict. Something in his life persuaded him to delve into the dark, lonely world of drugs and alcohol instead of embracing a life of freedom without the bondage of an addiction.   We are all being held captive by something.  His stronghold was just more apparent than others.  What enslaves us to the point where we abandon God and his unwavering love?  Worry? Unforgiveness?  Bitterness of heart?  Lustful thoughts? The list is endless, but we have the power to overcome with Jesus Christ.

Jackie Liberto

“Fureeh” is good.An email came out a few days ago from our neighborhood email distribution.  “Free Fridge.  Email back if you want it.”  I could not reply fast enough!  I have never had an extra fridge.  I have often seen them in other people’s homes, but not mine.   And this was all the better!  It was free!  Did I say “fureeh?”  Well, today we cleaned it up and plugged it in.   I was overjoyed with this simple little gift that I didn’t have to pay for.   I love a great deal but this was over the top!

Jesus has given us a great deal!  I wonder if Jesus ever gets contemplative and asks his children   “Grace anyone?  It’s Fureeh!  Get on board!  I have plenty to go around and I want to give some to YOU!  Matter of fact, beloved, I am willing to give you all you desire!    No payment required because I have already paid for it.  All you have to do is ask.”  Do we ask?  I wonder how many of us would be lined up in front of Neimans if they were giving away free clothes?  Would we share this fantastic event with our friends?  I  just wonder!

 Are we living in abundant grace?  Are we joyfully dancing in our churches like King David?  Are we experiencing unbridled freedom through Christ?  Do our friends know there is something different about us?    Or do we, instead, act like spoiled brats because our children are out of control?   Not enough money at the end of the month?  The hubby is getting on our nerves?  The list goes on and on, right?    “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

Remember “ fureeh” is good!  “Fureeh” is the best!   Nothing can or will ever compare to the free gift of God’s unconditional grace.    

“So Christ has truly set us free.”Galatians 5:1

Jackie Liberto

What is the real meaning of love? Or what is love? What does it truly mean to love someone unconditionally? We as fallen human beings do not possess the same power to love one another unconditionally as God does. Although we can try, it’s hard to love that certain person ALL THE TIME through the good and bad, the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. It’s easy to love during the good, the ups and the highs but what does it take, as Christians to also love through the bad, the downs or the lows. To some it may be that they were hurt and struggle to love because of that hurt.

I struggle with this, I went through some difficult times in middle school and now I find it hard to say anything good or uplifting about the people who hurt me. But think about the awesome example Jesus gave us with His death on the cross. As Jesus was beaten, cursed, spit on and ultimately hung on the cross, did he bad mouth all the sinful people of the world that he was dying such an excruciating death for? Actually it was quite the opposite. He asked His father to forgive them. He endured that because he loved us so much and wanted us to spend an eternity with him.

So if Jesus Christ can do that, what will it take for us to show some love for that person that offends you. If the offense was in the past, then forgive and reconcile. Isn’t this how Jesus taught us to pray? "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." – [Matthew 6:9-15] If the person continues to offend, then continue to forgive and pray for them. Jesus taught us of this perseverance as well did he not? "Forgive 70 x 7" -- [Matthew 18:21-22] You don’t have to continue being around the person but keep your arms open for such a time their heart changes and they want to have a relationship with you.

Conner Liberto

Have you ever doubted God?  I have unfortunately.  It amazes me that I can read the stories of the Bible and be so astounded with the faithfulness of God and then something “weird” happens and I start to doubt!   Psalm 55:22 says: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."  Some of you are probably saying, “But it's not that easy”.  I agree.   It requires that you completely loosen your grasp on the problem and let the Lord handle it.  That is something I struggle with daily. 

We moved to Boerne when I was in third grade, and with moving there comes other big changes like switching schools. So I enrolled in a new school and spent the next 6 years there.   Unfortunately, these were not the most enjoyable years. We prayed but things didn’t seem to be getting any better, in my eyes. But, like always, God had bigger plans, I just didn’t see it yet. So I doubted at times. It’s not that I didn’t trust God, I just wanted to fix the problem on my own.

Now, I'm a sophomore in high school and although I still struggle with bitterness occasionally, the Lord has definitely gotten me on the road to healing as well as blessing me abundantly. I have amazing friends, an amazing family and an amazing God.   It's always been tough for me to completely let it go and give it to the Lord but it’s a process.  I would just like to reiterate that the Lord does not want you to carry these burdens, the Bible says he is willing to carry them for us because he loves us that much! Never doubt God, he knows what he's doing! :)

Conner Liberto

I am free from sin and death because of Christ!

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.”

I love the fact that God loves us so very much that he gave his one and only son so we could have eternal  life with Him and we will not perish.  I am very happy that we can live with him after we die. I think that God is so awesome because he died for us.  He will always forgive us for our sins.  God always watches us while we sleep and play.

I will start off by asking the question. What is encouragement? Or what is the opposite of encouragement? I’m sure most of you know what the opposite would be which is tearing people down. So what does it mean to encourage one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? Maybe before you 'jokingly' insult someone you tell yourself , "Oh they know I’m kidding. They know I don’t mean it." But ask yourself this. Do they really know your joking? Maybe they start laughing and it appears that they don’t care.

It can be hard to tell because in reality they may not care! But maybe deep down inside, they take what you say to heart and begin to judge themselves by what you say even if they don’t intend to. For example, when people 'jokingly' insult me I will sometimes think nothing about it. However other times I will take it to heart. I will think about it and judge myself by it, even without knowing it. The point here is that God calls us to encourage one another whether you like the person or not. They are still loved by God and what you say can still be hurtful. So I ask you as well as myself to make a goal to encourage and lift each other up every day.

 Therefore encourage each other with these words. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:18