What Does Christmas Mean to You?
Christmas is a beautiful time of year, and known especially for its giving and receiving of gifts. It is also a special time for families to be together. However, many people are without a family, and live alone. Unfortunately, there are dysfunctional families who do not relate to one another.
For our military community, there are frequent separations from loved ones who are overseas, helping to maintain the peace for our country.
Can we look forward with great anticipation for what Christmas truly is? Christmas is about the birth of the Christ child, Son of God, Jesus Christ! Jesus was sent to earth as a baby to become the Savior of the world!
In Charles Wesley’s beautiful Christmas hymn, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” one of the verses expresses so well what Christmas truly is:
“Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.”
As someone once said, “Christ shared in our humanity so we can share in His divinity!”
In reflecting on the humanity of Jesus at Christmas time, are we able to fall on our knees and worship Him, Jesus Christ, the One, who came as a baby to sacrifice Himself on the cross for our sins?
As Jesus reminded Satan in Luke 4:8, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.”
II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.”
Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and therefore let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe;”
Thought To Ponder: Let us thank God for His sacrificial gift of love and life!
Doris Waldrop Mincks, a military spouse and family counselor, has ministered to military families for many years. As a long-time member of CMF and former member of the CMF Board of Directors, she desires to come along side the military community to give encouragement and support to military wives, meeting the life situations unique to them.
Why Join CMF?
We are a group of believers whose mission and passion is to engage with the American military to win souls for Jesus Christ, to disciple these souls to strengthen their relationship with the Lord, and equip them to win more souls as they engage with people around them so that those people may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. That’s why CMF’s motto is “To Win, to Disciple, to Equip, to Win”.
How do we do this? CMF has local representatives and field personnel who regularly meet with active duty military, both one-on-one and in groups, for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to help them grow in their Christian walk and apply God’s Word to their lives and duties. We also meet virtually with military and veterans all over the world through our Facebook page and group, Instagram, as well as through live virtual gatherings when being in the same room is not possible.
And do you know what we have found? These on-fire military Christians, as they are deployed internationally, are often led by the Lord to engage with people of different cultures, thereby introducing them to Jesus, impacting their world, and fulfilling CMF’s guiding scripture found in Matthew 28:18-20:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Another powerful way we fulfill our mission is our Link Up program, where we unite members with other members no matter where they are in the world. Our Christian Report is an ongoing source of encouragement to our members. Despite deployments and changing assignments, there’s no need for our members to feel isolated and alone.
CMF is a prayerful community of believers. Members are encouraged to bring us their prayer requests so that staff, field personnel, and our membership can lift up these petitions before the Lord through our Battle Plan (monthly prayer list) and our Electronic Battle Plan (daily requests sent via email). Just email us at prayer@cmfhq.org. Isn’t it wonderful that we serve such a good God, who encourages us to “boldly approach His throne of grace” where we will receive mercy and grace to help us in our need?
While these are just some of the benefits of membership (which is free) they are effective ways to support and equip each other more effectively, where we can stand together for Christ. In a world that rejects Christ and Christian values, where the pressure can be great to compromise our faith, it has become more important than ever for Christians to be part of a fellowship that can support them in their walks with Christ. It’s through CMF that we can most effectively be united and equipped for this purpose.
Not yet a member? It’s easy to join. Simply point your smartphone camera at the QR code to the right and click on the box that says “Open in Web Browser” and you will be taken directly to the CMF website membership application. You can also navigate to www.cmfhq.org/get-involved/join-cmf. Simply read our Statement of Faith, and if you agree, complete the membership application. That’s all there is to it!
Why Donate to CMF?
Since our inception, May 1977, Christian Military Fellowship has remained true to our calling to give each and every person in or associated with the armed forces of the United States the chance to say yes to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Your tax-deductible donation enhances our ability to provide free resources to Christians in the military that include:
· Bible study material · Books · Bibles
· Leadership Training and materials
· Discipleship Training and materials
· World-wide fellowship link-up service
With your help, Christian Military Fellowship can continue to serve the men and women of the United States military and their families during these challenging times. Help us build a Godly legacy! Your gift, large or small, will help us to continue in the battle for souls.
CMF is a member of ECFA and a recipient of Ministry Watch’s Shining Light Award.
Never Alone, Never Forgotten
It was Christmas Eve while on Patrol. I was standing the last watch in Engine Room Forward on USS Alaska (Blue). I was feeling sad, alone, and forgotten. I had given all but one of my “FamilyGrams” (Fifty-word messages sent to Sailors on submarines) to my then-girlfriend, but had received only one message while deployed and it was from my mom.
Communications are limited while on Alert (standing ready to launch missiles). That evening the 1MC sounded, ‘Alert One, Alert One.’ Meaning we had an incoming communication. It also meant that FamilyGrams might be being delivered.
Standing the last watch means filling out new logs for the on-coming watch and closing out the previous day. Everyone usually gets excited to hear news from home—It’s a lot like Pavlov’s ringing a bell causing dogs to salivate. Once the messages are received and approved for distribution, a Radiomen delivers them to the lucky Sailors. Well, guess who didn’t get one. That’s right, Me! And besides that, my watch relief was late. Someone must have gotten a FamilyGram. And it turned out that my relief wasn’t just a few minutes late, he was more than 30 minutes late. I ended up starting the Christmas Day logs with a terrible attitude.
During the midwatch, equipment is shifted to even out equipment usage, such as pumps, generators, heat exchanges, electric plant line-up. It’s a lot of extra work and I was upset that I was doing it. By the time my watch relief finally showed up, they were shifting the electrical plant. And it was accidentally shifted out of phase, causing a fire in one of the electrical breakers. Fires on submarines are bad for many reasons, especially while on Alert as we need to stay undetected, silent, and under water.
After helping put out the fire and missing MidRats (meal before breakfast), I went to bed, feeling sorry for myself, empty, and broken. That’s when I heard His voice, not an audible voice, but one so clear and unmistakable that it was no doubt my Heavenly Father.
He reminded me that I was not alone and that I was given the greatest gift anyone could ever wish for: life, and not just life, but eternal life. All I could do is weep and be thank thankful for not being forgotten on Christmas morning.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
LCDR Scott Radetski, CHC, USN (Ret.) is a long-time CMF Regional Ministry Representative, who energetically ministers to the military community in the Pacific Northwest.
Book of the Month
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Come & Adore provides the opportunity to sit and draw near to the One we celebrate.
Each day the devotional book focuses on a word (such as Peace) and takes you through scripture, challenging us to live these out in our lives, showing us how Jesus Christ has fulfilled these.
Start your December days with Jesus. Keep focused on Him all month long. Come & Adore is a 25 day advent devotional, with daily Bible readings.
Supplies are Limited! As a member, you may order this book for free by emailing us at Resource@cmfhq.org
Are You Interested in Becoming a Local Leader?
Christian Military Fellowship exists to help you fulfill your calling in Christ to share the hope that is in you with those with whom you interact as part of your daily life.
Remember our motto, in keeping with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is: “To win , to disciple, to equip, to win”!
Toward that end we encourage you to complete the briefing material we send to our new members:
Orientation (Brief #1) that shares an overview of the CMF ministry.
Developing a Local Ministry (Brief #2) that shares the Biblical foundation for you local ministry and delineates the logical steps in beginning your local ministry.
Pray and Plan (Brief #3) that shares the most important activity of all! Asking Jesus what He would have you to do and then being obedient to follow His leading in your local ministry. This will begin your journey of obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 18:28-30).
If you choose to begin this process, you may send your completed and signed exams to us by US Mail or via email at:
Leader@CMFHQ.ORG
They are also available at the CMF Web Site at Members Only->Member Downloads->Be a Leader tab.
We’re praying for you!
Christian Military Fellowship
An Indigenous Ministry • Discipleship • Prayer • Community • Support
Encouraging Men and Women in the United States Armed Forces, and their families, to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Christian Service Charities in order to maintain the highest standards of excellence and accountability.
Christmas, Then and Now
More than 2000 years have passed since the first Christmas. The first Christmas took place in Bethlehem. The town was crowded due to Caesar’s census requiring everyone to register in their birth town. Joseph and Mary had no place to stay when they arrived, but found shelter in an obscure stable.
Joseph and Mary were a very tired young couple when they delivered their first baby. They must have wondered, does anyone know? Does anyone care? Is this really the Messiah?
The Heavenly Host knew and came to some lowly shepherds in the middle of the night. They heralded this great news that the Savior was born. The shepherds were terrified and shocked, but after recovering, they rushed to Bethlehem to see the baby that was God’s promised Savior.
Joseph and Mary were probably awakened from their sleep as the shepherds rushed in. The shepherds stumbled over one another as they told about the vision the Angel and the Heavenly Host heralding the birth of a long-awaited Savior.
After the shepherds left rejoicing, Joseph and Mary were so tired they probably fell asleep. Someone does know! Someone does care! – His Heavenly Father cares!
Christmas today is not at all like the first Christmas. Some say that it is the fault of commercialism, but commerce only tries to satisfy the demands of the customer. We as a people are responsible for the emphasis on material things. Holiday parties, dinners and get-togethers are also part of the celebration of Jesus’ birth. However, little about Jesus is mentioned or considered during the season.
Gift-giving has become a requirement to prove our love and appreciation for those to whom we give. We often forget the gift of salvation and LIFE that Jesus came to bestow upon those who trust Him.
Church services are filled with special readings and Christmas music. Plays and pageants about the Savior’s life are reenacted. Handel’s great Messiah is heard and revered. Lots of good activity, but few care about their relationship with Jesus himself!
JESUS CAME TO BE OUR SAVIOR!
JESUS LOVES TO BE OUR LIFE!
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15)
We trust that you and your loved ones will enjoy Jesus during the special Christmas season!
Pastor Bob Bingham, who passed into glory earlier this year, was a long-time member of CMF and former member of the CMF Board of Directors. He was a missionary to the military for 17 years and pastored Rocky Mountain Evangelical Free Church for 25 years. Pastor Bob is greatly missed but we are blessed that his ministry and words still remain to encourage us.
We are pleased to announce that MinistryWatch has listed CMF as one of their “Shining Light” Ministries. To become a MinistryWatch “Shining Light,” a ministry must have earned a 5-star rating on MinistryWatch’s 5-star financial efficiency scale. Further, those ministries on this list have a Transparency Grade of “A.” That’s MinistryWatch’s highest transparency grade. Out of 700 ministries, only 13 meet these strict criteria.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 449
Veradale, WA 99037-0449
(800)798-7875
(303)761-1959
https://www.CMFHQ.ORG