Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A penny for your thoughts

Thoughts are real and powerful; even though they can't be seen with the naked eye or measured with your hands they are very real! One of the most important things we can do to create the level of Joy, peace, and passion we want is to learn how to manage our thought life. You will become tomorrow what you're thinking today. 92% of what people worry about never happens or can't be controlled anyway. The apostle Paul gave believers a strong exhortation about managing their thought life: He Wrote, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever thing are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 Now let's hear the conclusion of the matter: what you do habitually you become permanently. Therefore, make it your daily habit of practicing the virtues Paul has given us; they will help you experience God on a totally different level!

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Santa who Stole Christmas

There he go again! I'm talking about Santa. This guy is slick; he can separate you from your money before you can say the words "Red Tag Sale." He only shows up on December 25th, the day after you have spent your tithe, rent money, and utility bill money to buy gifts that won't even last. Why is it that we get suckered each year. Don't we realize that the expense for Christmas was bought and paid for over 2000 years ago; don't we realize that Christmas isn't about what we can buy, but what's already paid for. There is a big difference between Santa and Jesus. With Santa, Christmas is about us and what we want; with Jesus, it about Him and how much He loves us; God so loved the world that he freely gave us the most precious Gift in His son-the chance of Eternal Life! It's okay to express your love and affection for important people in your life with gifts and cards, but it's not okay to feel obligated to spend what you don't have or don't want to spend in order justify yourself during the holidays. If you're buying gifts to justify yourself-that is the spirit of Santa. But if you're buying gifts simply because you want to bless others with no strings attached and won't need to break your piggy bank to do it-that's the Spirit Christmas!

Monday, December 6, 2010

The Spirit of the Holidays

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Seriously! Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. The spirit of Christmas is contagious; people are kinder, gentler, and joyous during the holiday season. Even crepty people can find the opportunity to smile. The spirit of the holidays is a powerful opportunity to reconcile important relationships, say you're sorry about something you did in a moment of foolishness. We are generally more forgiving during the Christmas Season. Why not make the most of every opportunity to strenghten the bonds of fellowship you have with people in your inner circle. You will need them from time to time. Don't allow spiritual darkness to cloud your witness to fact that Jesus is the reason for the season. We don't deny problems on the home front or trouble lurking at the door. Nevertheless, we refuse to lose site on "The Christ", and the wonderful Gift God gave to the world in sending a Savior. Make no mistake, the world needs a Savior and Christ is it! Therefore, be joyous always; this is God's will for you this holiday season.