Well, life ran over me the last week or so. I try to write on Monday, when I am fresh from a relaxing weekend (oh, wait! I can't remember the last one of those I had!).
In my reading, I have moved from Acts to Romans. God's timing is interesting!?! I never realized that Romans begins with the Christmas Story - you know "unto you a child is born." We'll get to that in a minute.
Did you ever stop to wonder why God needed to send a gift to us? You know, He created us to be in fellowship with Him - Adam and Eve in the Garden - one on one - face to face with God - always in His presence. He really wanted that for us! He still wants that for us! But, like most kids, we decided to do our own thing. Boy, what a mistake. Then came the apple. You know, if I had been there ... (well, actually, Eve would not have had to give me the apple. I would have taken it myself - no help from anyone else.) At that moment, God already knew we would stray, and He already had a plan in mind to get us back into fellowship with Him. Amazing! I would have just scrapped the whole thing and started over. But, (don't you love that word when it comes from God?) He loved (and still loves) us too much to just give up on us. So, He sent us a baby. What! I know, it's not how we would have done it, but it's really just what we needed.
Back to Romans. In Chapter 1, verses 1 - 7, Paul tells us the Christmas Story. Read it again if you don't believe me. Set apart, by a Promise from beforehand. His Son, born of flesh. Declared with resurrection power to be The Son of God. To give us grace and apostleship - adopted back into the family, nature changed so we can be what we were created to be, eternal destination changed so we could be back in face-to-face relationship with Him. There it is again - He wants us! Can't imagine why, but He can. Thank you Lord Jesus for being willing to come and do all things necessary and save us! Thank you Father for not giving up on me, ever!
But, keep reading. Now comes the part we were saved from. Starting in verse 18 and following, Paul tells us what we are really like, if we are honest, when we are left to our own devices. Yes, I know, you aren't that bad. But couldn't you be, if there were no restraints? I think - no, I know - I could!?! As I read this, I was amazed by how much of it you could actually see in everyday life. Nature screams out that there is a creator. We ignore it. We know all about God, but put him neatly in a corner, not to inconvience us too much. We search for more knowledge, but fail to gleen it's true potential. We pervert, cheapen, trade, lie, steal, gossip, boast and on it goes. If you read this list and compare it to the papers, or grocery store magazines, or evening news, can you see it. It's all right there.
But, God sent us a baby! Never forget that. He didn't send us a tree. He didn't send us a candy cane. He didn't send us a sleigh or reindeer. He sent us a baby. That baby was the joy of the whole world. We had the pleasure of keeping our youngest grandson (6 mos.) this past week. Baby's can be demanding. But, boy is it worth it! All it takes is one smile that lights up his face to make you forget the early mornings, the dirty diapers, everything else. That's what God sent us. A baby who's smile will continue to light up the world for all who believe. It really lights it up even if you don't believe, but you don't have eyes to see. That's for another day.
So, remember this Christmas Season. Remember what God has sent you. Revel in it. Ponder it. Consider it. Accept it. No strings, just light!
Blessings to you and yours this wonderful, joyful, bright Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Happy Holidays! Well Merry Christmas TO YOU!
Happy Holidays. Or maybe Season's Greetings. What! Don't you mean Merry Christmas!
Holiday Tree! Don't you mean Christmas Tree!
Man, we can sure get caught up in all this. Do you think we might have lost the true meaning and reason for Christmas? Let's see......
First off, there is a whole lot of discussion and debate about the actual date when Jesus was born. Then, (Oh NO!, kind of like Congress), we set the date arbitrarily so it has the most advantageous benefit (maybe to hide a pagen celebration) for us. Well not really we, but someone did, right? So we now have a date when we can celebrate the birth of Jesus. And for the Christian world, it is one of the most Holy Celebrations. Here is the ultimate gift. Right?
Let's see...
God, decided to give all His children a gift. Not just any gift, but the ONE they really needed. See, He is really fond of ALL His children, even the one's who don't claim to be His children. He gave the Gift to ALL, even if they chose not to accept it. Are you seeing this yet? He gave us the Gift of:
Adoption back into His family (We are sons and daughters of God!)
A new nature so we can return to being what He created us to be in the first place.
A new destination (Eternity in Heaven with Him, and our true Big Brother, Jesus!)
All of this was wrapped in the smallest and most vulnerable of packages, a baby. You remember the story - The shepherds get the message, the Wise Men get the message, the baby is born, the star, the Heavenly Host Praising and Worshiping...Unto YOU a child is born, and He was not sent to judge us, but to SAVE us! (The judging part comes later! He won't be asking our opinion! Are you ready?) Not the way we would do it, right?
So now we make it about giving gifts, trees, candy canes, etc. Do you think we can outgive God? Do you think if we give enough we can be saved, or free, or happy, or healthy, or wise? Do you think if we give enough we will be remembered? Do we really think this a a Gift Exchange?
Wow, Gift Exchange! There's a thought. God, thanks for Jesus, here is my 1.4 hours on Sunday. Thanks for Jesus, here is my career. Thanks for Jesus, here is my checkbook. How about - God, Thanks for the true Gift I really needed, Jesus to Save me, here is everything I am and have - my devotion, my worship, my (well you fill in the blank). Do you think that is the gift exchange God is looking for? He gave The Gift with NO Strings attached. That's right - NO STRINGS! He gave it even if you chose not to accept it! He will leave it wrapped on the shelf, with your name on it, right up until That Day. You know, when Jesus comes again to judge.
So, why are we so offended when someone doesn't accept the Gift He gave? (What do you mean, Happy Holidays! Don't you mean Merry Christmas?) We didn't give it! We can't make them open it! Maybe all we can do is pray for a softening of their heart to the One who truly loves them with ALL of His heart. Maybe we could influence them to accept and open the gift by showing them how much WE VALUE OURS! (You know how Grandparents are when they talk about their grandkids, right!)
Well, I have sure rambled this week. Here's the thing. At church last Sunday, they showed a video. It really struck a chord with me. My heart still resonates with it! It makes you stop and ask some questions, and think, if you are so inclined. I am. Maybe, this Christmas, I want to spend less and give more. Not sure how that looks, but I'm asking my Daddy in Heaven to show me!
Here is the link. I encourage you to watch, and ponder the wonder of Christmas again.
www.rethinkingchristmas.com/?q=node/14
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
www.btbf.org/adventconspiracy
Praying for a Worship-Full Christmas,
David
If only we had that much passion for the lost!
Holiday Tree! Don't you mean Christmas Tree!
Man, we can sure get caught up in all this. Do you think we might have lost the true meaning and reason for Christmas? Let's see......
First off, there is a whole lot of discussion and debate about the actual date when Jesus was born. Then, (Oh NO!, kind of like Congress), we set the date arbitrarily so it has the most advantageous benefit (maybe to hide a pagen celebration) for us. Well not really we, but someone did, right? So we now have a date when we can celebrate the birth of Jesus. And for the Christian world, it is one of the most Holy Celebrations. Here is the ultimate gift. Right?
Let's see...
God, decided to give all His children a gift. Not just any gift, but the ONE they really needed. See, He is really fond of ALL His children, even the one's who don't claim to be His children. He gave the Gift to ALL, even if they chose not to accept it. Are you seeing this yet? He gave us the Gift of:
Adoption back into His family (We are sons and daughters of God!)
A new nature so we can return to being what He created us to be in the first place.
A new destination (Eternity in Heaven with Him, and our true Big Brother, Jesus!)
All of this was wrapped in the smallest and most vulnerable of packages, a baby. You remember the story - The shepherds get the message, the Wise Men get the message, the baby is born, the star, the Heavenly Host Praising and Worshiping...Unto YOU a child is born, and He was not sent to judge us, but to SAVE us! (The judging part comes later! He won't be asking our opinion! Are you ready?) Not the way we would do it, right?
So now we make it about giving gifts, trees, candy canes, etc. Do you think we can outgive God? Do you think if we give enough we can be saved, or free, or happy, or healthy, or wise? Do you think if we give enough we will be remembered? Do we really think this a a Gift Exchange?
Wow, Gift Exchange! There's a thought. God, thanks for Jesus, here is my 1.4 hours on Sunday. Thanks for Jesus, here is my career. Thanks for Jesus, here is my checkbook. How about - God, Thanks for the true Gift I really needed, Jesus to Save me, here is everything I am and have - my devotion, my worship, my (well you fill in the blank). Do you think that is the gift exchange God is looking for? He gave The Gift with NO Strings attached. That's right - NO STRINGS! He gave it even if you chose not to accept it! He will leave it wrapped on the shelf, with your name on it, right up until That Day. You know, when Jesus comes again to judge.
So, why are we so offended when someone doesn't accept the Gift He gave? (What do you mean, Happy Holidays! Don't you mean Merry Christmas?) We didn't give it! We can't make them open it! Maybe all we can do is pray for a softening of their heart to the One who truly loves them with ALL of His heart. Maybe we could influence them to accept and open the gift by showing them how much WE VALUE OURS! (You know how Grandparents are when they talk about their grandkids, right!)
Well, I have sure rambled this week. Here's the thing. At church last Sunday, they showed a video. It really struck a chord with me. My heart still resonates with it! It makes you stop and ask some questions, and think, if you are so inclined. I am. Maybe, this Christmas, I want to spend less and give more. Not sure how that looks, but I'm asking my Daddy in Heaven to show me!
Here is the link. I encourage you to watch, and ponder the wonder of Christmas again.
www.rethinkingchristmas.com/?q=node/14
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
www.btbf.org/adventconspiracy
Praying for a Worship-Full Christmas,
David
If only we had that much passion for the lost!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time to get started!
I sort of mentioned to my family that I was thinking of blogging. They all seem to think I am very opinionated anyway...don't have any idea why they think that. So, anyway, they encouraged me to start blogging (maybe they think I will leave them alone now ... not likely!
Here are some thoughts I think I will expand in the coming months. I'm always up for discussion and questions. I was an educator for 15 years and been in technology for over 20. I don't know all the answers, but I have a good idea how to find out the ones I don't know.
Topic thoughts:
Who appointed me judge or arbitor over you.
Cosmic dance with the creator.
Washed in the blood or just in the water.
Republican, Democrat or realist.
There are more, but I better stop before I get out my soapbox.
So, we just finished Thanksgiving. Now here is an interesting thought. We jump from Halloween to Christmas and somehow, Thanksgiving is just a quick bus stop on the route. If we could just come up with a theme to decorate our yards, do you think we would spend more time there?
Thanksgiving should be every day. Thank you Lord that I woke up this morning, in a warm bed, in a warm house, beside a loving wife, with more food in the pantry and fridge than some families will see this month, with a truck in the driveway, with a job to go to, in a country that allows incredible freedom (at least right now), to the sun shining, or the snow falling, with air to breathe, with a wonderful assortment of plant and aminal life to see - experience - enjoy, with friends to enjoy, with a hope in my heart of more and better things to come (in this life or in heaven), and so on, and so on.
You do realize how much we take for granted, right. God is truly good all the time. I know, I know - How can a loving God allow...... But if you read The Book, you know, The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, you will see that we are living between Genesis 3:17 and Rev 22:3. Look those up for yourself. The end says there is a better day coming - That Day. I sure look forward to it.
OK, so looking forward to it doesn't mean I don't have to live today. In fact there are only 2 days of real consequence to a believer - Today - and That Day (you know, when Jesus comes back to get us). Each day is a new gift from God for you to show the world what He is doing in and through you. Think about that today, when you are stuck in traffic, waiting in the line for that woman to find the checkbook in her purse, looking at the wrong food order you just got, you know - living in the real world.
Blessings to you - From Our Father in Heaven.
Here are some thoughts I think I will expand in the coming months. I'm always up for discussion and questions. I was an educator for 15 years and been in technology for over 20. I don't know all the answers, but I have a good idea how to find out the ones I don't know.
Topic thoughts:
Who appointed me judge or arbitor over you.
Cosmic dance with the creator.
Washed in the blood or just in the water.
Republican, Democrat or realist.
There are more, but I better stop before I get out my soapbox.
So, we just finished Thanksgiving. Now here is an interesting thought. We jump from Halloween to Christmas and somehow, Thanksgiving is just a quick bus stop on the route. If we could just come up with a theme to decorate our yards, do you think we would spend more time there?
Thanksgiving should be every day. Thank you Lord that I woke up this morning, in a warm bed, in a warm house, beside a loving wife, with more food in the pantry and fridge than some families will see this month, with a truck in the driveway, with a job to go to, in a country that allows incredible freedom (at least right now), to the sun shining, or the snow falling, with air to breathe, with a wonderful assortment of plant and aminal life to see - experience - enjoy, with friends to enjoy, with a hope in my heart of more and better things to come (in this life or in heaven), and so on, and so on.
You do realize how much we take for granted, right. God is truly good all the time. I know, I know - How can a loving God allow...... But if you read The Book, you know, The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, you will see that we are living between Genesis 3:17 and Rev 22:3. Look those up for yourself. The end says there is a better day coming - That Day. I sure look forward to it.
OK, so looking forward to it doesn't mean I don't have to live today. In fact there are only 2 days of real consequence to a believer - Today - and That Day (you know, when Jesus comes back to get us). Each day is a new gift from God for you to show the world what He is doing in and through you. Think about that today, when you are stuck in traffic, waiting in the line for that woman to find the checkbook in her purse, looking at the wrong food order you just got, you know - living in the real world.
Blessings to you - From Our Father in Heaven.
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