F R O M T H E C E O
"Isn’t there Anyone Who Knows What Christmas is all About?"
akss Charlie Brown.
Linus responds, "Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."
he quotes Luke 2, verses 8 through 14:
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown" said Linus. And he picks up his blanket, sticks his thumb back in his mouth, and the "Peanuts gang" all go outside to decorate the Christmas tree that Charlie Brown bought.
If you have ever watched A Charlie Brown Christmas that first aired in 1965, this would be a familiar scene. The story goes like this. Charlie Brown feels depressed during the Holidays because he thinks there is something wrong with him. "I don't feel what I'm supposed to feel. I guess I just don't understand Christmas."
Finally, he goes to a psychiatrist, who just happens to be Lucy, and talks to her about his problems. She advises him to “get involved” with the school play hoping that will help him be “happy” during the holidays.
He learns the true meaning of Christmas when at the school play practice he gets frustrated with it all and finally asks, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" Linus walks to center stage, drops his blanket, takes his thumb out of his mouth and speaks truth directly through God's Word.
As we come to the end of 2008 the Turning Point Ministry Group wants to encourage you to remember the verses that Linus quoted. Christmas is all about our Savior being born. It’s about the hope that Christ gives us and His promises. It’s about the Gift the Father has sent us; the One that brings meaning to life and then makes it eternal with Him!
This month Dr. Kevin Downing brings Part 4 of his series on Facts and Fallacies of Intimacy – Why Don’t You Understand? Heather Pearman, LMFC shares about Dealing with Grief During the Holidays. Turning Point Mortgage offers three articles: one by our featured speaker from the Turning Point Speakers’ Group, Robert Trommler, Destroying the Myths and Confirming The Facts about Reverse Mortgages. Make sure to read his article in this issue. We also share important information about The Homestead Act that allows you to protect some of the equity in your home from judgment creditors. Another important article from TPM deals with Protecting Yourself from Foreclosure. Crushing Credit Card Debt by David Berky shows how you can “snowball” your way out of credit card debt! Our friend Bob Lotich provides a personal perspective on 5 Bible Verses About Money Every Christian Should Know. Finally, we draw more wisdom from Gayle Erwin’s website, Servant Quarters, as he publishes an article authored by Louis Cassells entitled He Became Man and Dwelt Among Us.
Call today and let us know how we can serve you in all the areas of your life! - www.TurningPoint.org
Be sure to read my closing statement at the bottom!
Buy Now, Pay Later—NOT…this time.
With Christmas just weeks away the temptation to buy is great! You want to give the best to those you love and you are blessed to watch the faces of your family when they open their gifts on Christmas morning. So you are out shopping, you pull out the plastic and think, I’ll just double my payments. BUT….then comes January…along with the credit card bills! Unexpectedly there are other things that come up and before you know it, debt has piled up and for some; it’s on top of what was already there!
What should you do? Resist! Join us as we tighten our belts and give gifts that are rich in value and sentiment, but inexpensive. The lesson learned from our struggling economy is to live on less yet live more abundantly with the many blessings we still have…our families, our friends, and our health.
I still remember one of the many outings my wife and I went on while we were dating (we still date). We went to the beach to fly a kite I had just purchased at the grocery store for $1.45. When we got to the beach there was no wind. Never-the-less, I tried to get the kite aloft, but no luck. I just dragged it in the sand back and forth until I gave up. Our disappointment was short lived as we turned to looking for sea shells. After thirty years of marriage, this is still a warm memory that we still laugh about and cherish.
Turning Point Counseling - Tender Help for Tough Problems
This time of year can be one of toughest times for you, your loved ones, or friends. We may struggle with loneliness, finances, the loss of a loved one, or several other challenges. TPC is here to help! Call today and let us schedule you with one of our professionally trained Christian counselors in your area that will best fit your needs. You don’t have to go through this alone. God has someone ready for you to help you grow and learn more about Him and what He desires for you.
We also encourage you to remember to keep your focus on Christ and the reason we celebrate Christmas. The best gift ever given was born to us in a manager, came to earth, was crucified, buried, and rose again to bring YOU everlasting life with Him. So as we approach this time of year, remember that God loves you that much to send His Son.
Check out our locations page… www.turningpointcounseling.org/locations.
If you have any questions or comments, or testimonies, email us at info@turningpointcounseling.org or you can find a caring Christian counselor near you by simply calling us at 800-998-6329. TPC - 25 years later and still caring!
Turning Point Stewardship - We do it for you
What better way to start the New Year than to be a good Steward! TPS is a ministry to help you do just that. We do it for you! Let us help you pay your monthly bills, increase or start tithing, build your savings account and be at peace knowing that every month it’s being done for you on time.
Call us. We are here to help; we are here to “do it for you.” Get started today and end the year in a positive way.
Turning Point Mortgage
RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES!!! 5% for 30 year fixed for Conventional Loans for those who qualify!
If you’ve been thinking of refinancing or a new purchase, NOW IS THE TIME! MSN reports that Mortgage rates fell for the second day in a row Wednesday (Nov 26), and could be heading toward levels home buyers and owners haven’t seen this year. That drop is what the Federal Reserve was aiming for when it announced a plan Tuesday to buy $600 billion in mortgage-related securities in an effort to slow falling home prices and rising foreclosures, while kick starting demand among fearful homebuyers. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage Wednesday was 5.76 percent, the lowest it has been since February 2008, according to HSH Associates, which publishes mortgage information. The lowest daily figure this year was 5.47 percent on Jan. 23.
At TPM we want what works and is right for your family and future. If you’re in need of a refinance or a new mortgage, give us a call at 800-910-9083 or visit us at www.TurningPointMortgage.com. We’d love to talk with you. No matter what state you’re from, we’re here to serve you.
Turning Point Speakers Group is here to help! Are you planning the events for the coming months – maybe the coming New Year?
Featured Speaker:
Robert Trommler is a 33 year resident of Orange County and has worked in residential and commercial real estate and finance for over 10 years. He has four years experience as a Reverse Mortgage consultant for Wells Fargo Bank and has helped hundreds of seniors to identify their financial objectives to discover if the Reverse Mortgage program is an appropriate fit for their situation. Robert is a graduate of Purdue University and is a published author and frequent public speaker and has professional and personal associations with many local and national organizations. Robert sees his work as a ministry to seniors. Many seniors are often unaware of the many benefits that a reverse mortgage can offer, provided it’s a good fit to their situation. In this current newsletter Robert shares an article entitled: Destroying the Myths and Confirming the Facts about Reverse Mortgages.
Robert is available to speak, at no cost, at your church or organization. Please call us to schedule an event.
TPSG has a large variety of topics and speakers that are able to meet your needs! Our professional speakers are available to speak from no-cost, love-offering, and on sliding scale fee.
If you would like more details, a list of topics, or to schedule one of our speakers contact Frances Harvey at 800-998-6329 or email info@TurningPointCounseling.org and request information. Click here to visit our website. Call us; we WILL be able to help you!
Are you a speaker and would like to join our prestigious group of professional speakers? We have many churches and organizations seeking speakers to address topics on managing money, emotional and relational health, buy ing and selling a home, obtaining a mortgage, insurance, financial planning, etc. Give us a call and see how we can help expand your service.
As we close another year I am especially grateful for the privilege of serving each and every one of you. Our heart’s desire is to truly revolutionize the quality of your family life. Notice that I didn’t put that in italics. Revolutionizing the quality of your family isn’t just our tag line; it really is our mission, our purpose, our calling.
We’ve been fulfilling this mission for the past 33 years in one form or another and our enthusiasm is just as fresh and strong as when we first began. What keeps it fresh is the many stories that you have shared on how, through partnering with our Lord, you have been blessed, encouraged, given new hope, and given the courage to try again. Isn’t that just like Jesus? He calls us to serve Him and each other and we all get blessed in the process. There just isn’t any better way to live!
As 2009 draws near, may you renew your desire to serve Him and bless others.
Dr. Peter Robbins, CEO
Turning Point Ministry Group
