The Gift that Keeps on Giving

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7)

I just love Christmas :) Sure, I love getting stuff from people, who doesn’t? And I really love Christmas Cards-- especially the ones with pictures so I can see how people have changed and grown...But do you know what I really love? I love giving a gift that I think is really meaningful and that I think someone will enjoy. I get soooo excited about seeing people opening these kinds of gifts.  I don’t even want acknowledgement, but I do want to see their face light up with delight! The anticipation until that distinct someone in your life opens the specially picked out gift rivals the anticipation of waiting for Santa Claus to come bring presents when you are a child!

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

I think Jesus felt that way when he gave us the Holy Spirit. He knew that He, Jesus, could only be in one place at a time while He was here on earth in that human body, but He was going to send us a wonderful gift-- an outpouring of Himself that each of us, at all times, could keep in our hearts if we asked for it.

Jesus knew that we would need a continuous renewing of our faith. We are an anxious, fearful bunch of people and we need constant affirmation that everything is going to be alright and He knew exactly what we needed to get through this life.  He gave us an advocate, a true gift of love. Sure it would be fabulous if each of us could memorize the whole Bible, God’s Holy breathed word... and then live in the confidence it grants us...but we won’t.  So we have this reminderer, who Does have the whole Bible memorized!

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 25-27)

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5, emphasis mine)


Reflection Question: Have you called on the Holy Spirit and asked Him to live in you and be a part of your life?

Limited Time Offer

(said in the best infomercial voice)

Are you tired of trying to be 2 people at once?
Is living a double life confusing and too much work? 
Well, I have THE solution for You! Live your life full out for Jesus.

But Wait!  Don't... Buy... Yet! 

With this purchase you will not only be free of your double life, but you'll also receive a great many blessings from Jesus including, but not limited to, your own real-estate in Heaven unexplainable joy and more from Him than you could ever ask or imagine!

We just couldn't put a price on such an amazing deal... so for a limited time only we aren't charging you one cent. You must only give your promise not to return to that double life and offer your life for transformation to Christ-- the giver of every good and perfect gift.

This is only a limited time offer; available only until Jesus returns to collect His payment. Jesus may return at any moment without notice. There is no limit to the number of people who can receive this offer, but there are no rain-checks available so make your decision before it is too late.

To redeem this offer simply turn your thoughts upon Jesus and offer Him your life. Thank Him for this once in a lifetime gift and spread the news to others!

"For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:18-20)

---

For so many years I tried to live a double life. I tried to fit in with the church crowd and also with the not-so-churchy crowd. But it's exhausting to try to be two people.  I think it's pretty exhausting to be one person!

I started writing this blog because I really needed a creative outlet. I am a creative minded person and I wasn't getting to use it. This blog gave me a chance to release my creativity without tying me down to a time structure I couldn't really commit to with my current job. 

I didn't realize it at the time, but it also helped cure me of double life disease.  When I put myself out there as a full time Christian for all to see, and aired out my struggles and triumphs, I no longer had to worry about being "cool" to those non-Christians. I just had to love on them and be myself, my one and only true self, around them. No judgment, no condemnation, just real life love! People aren't stupid either, they can tell the difference between real love and acceptance and faking the funk. You must fully accept the offer from Heaven to become a Real Life Christian.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:15-16)

Reflection Question: What is holding you back from letting go of your double life? Will you wait until it is too late to cash in on this once in a lifetime deal?

Island of Misfit Toys

(Make sure you pause the "music" before playing the video)

Have you ever felt like you belonged on the Island of Misfit Toys? You know... from the old Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer movie, where the toys that didn’t fit the mold got sent to. Whether you’re different than the “cool” people at school, or you’re not quite like the people at work... or even the black sheep of your family. Hopefully you don’t, but most of you probably know what I’m talking about. You have felt alone, like no one knows or cares who you are.  That is what the devil would like you to think, and he is the king of lies.

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” (John 8:42-45 emphasis mine)

But if that is a Lie then what is the Truth? The truth is that we ALL belong to God and therefore we all belong! Notice that the night Jesus was born, also came Great Joy for ALL PEOPLE.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for ALL THE PEOPLE. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”(Luke 2:4-12 emphasis mine)

There is a place where each of us belong. It is in the only place worth being, in the body of Christ. We belong in His “crew”... with the “cool people”. The ones who “really know what’s going on”. Each of us deserves to find a Church, which IS that body of Christ, where we can be who we are and be loved exactly where we are. If you don’t have that love in the body of Christ, take the time, find it...it’s worth it. It is one of the only things Worth doing.

Reflection Question: Do you belong to the “cool people”? 

Sleep Like a Baby

I am grieving. No, no one has died, but I feel like crying. I have been yelling at my children and treating them harshly.  Surely they are not neglected. They are not abused. And they are Loved. But my heart cries out as I take Holy Communion this Sunday to ask for forgiveness for my behavior. 

 

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:9-10) 

As I get ready to get in bed myself tonight, I make sure they are tucked in their blankets and I see their little angel halos in full glory. And at this sweet peaceful time as I kiss them each on the cheek softly, I thank God for the grace He grants me to take care of His babes even though I do not deserve it. 

And I know that the way I feel love for my little angels as I watch them sleep and the way they love me unconditionally as "the best mommy" even when I'm harsh, are only a fraction of the unending love we receive from our Father in Heaven.  

And with that.... I shall drift sweetly off to sleep myself. 


Reflection Question: How will you let God grant you Grace this week?

Choose Your Own Adventure

Is it just me or do you look around lately and see a bunch of weak women?  The more I talk to women... and Worse, the more I talk to men about women, it seems like they've traded their love of adventure for the daily grind. What happened to those high school or college ladies that had aspirations to climb Everest? Or at least hike out to a beautiful place in the woods and then rappel down the side of a rock-face. The world has tried to tell us that "good women" take care of the home, rear the children and still make a six figure income. That is supposed to replace our adventure. But something is missing...... In our hearts...... isn't it? We often feel used and abused and there is something more that we desire. I think that "thing" is the desire for adventure that God places in our heart. We don't want to be a damsel in distress really! We want to be worth rescuing, but then we want to be part of the rescue.

I don’t want to BE the adventure! I want to be a part IN the adventure!!

Let me tell you that God did not say "Adam fill the earth and conquer it and Eve you cook and clean." that's not there in Genesis. He speaks directly to Both of them when he says "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth and conquer it." (Gen 1:26)

Stop taking it! Stop thinking it is “good” to only do what “they” think you should be doing. Listen to the things God has placed into YOUR heart. Then get out there and do them!!! He won’t fail you!

Reflection Question: What adventure is your heart aching for? How are you going to go for it?