Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Big Picture

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

I find it interesting the rage over the Colts loss on Sunday. The coaches put in the second string players and the result was losing the game. “ The Colts, after leading throughout the first half, removed Manning and multiple other starters with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, and the New York Jets outscored the Colts by 19 points thereafter to win, 29-15, in front of 67,222 at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday afternoon.” Those in charge said it was not about winning the game, to have a perfect season. To me, if one is playing a game, the goal is to win and to take all steps possible to that end. However, winning the game is not the summation for the Colts; rather it is to operate at their best during playoffs (in January ’10). I guess that is seeing the bigger picture.

Our lives are often like that. We charge through doing what we want, playing to win, not stopping to ask God if it is what He wants. We are winning. Then, things happen that make the game hard to play. We question God, often asking why. It feels like we are no longer winning. We think our lives should be a certain way and God does not seem to be working that out for us, our way.

Micca Campbell wrote, "It's tough to figure God out when He doesn't play by our rules or have the same agenda we have. We forget that God sees a much bigger picture." In whatever situation you are in today, take heart, God knows what the big picture is.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Who is Jesus to you?

“And then He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15

I am fascinated by the many names describing who Jesus is. He is the Son of God, Lord, Redeemer, Alpha and Omega, Immanuel, Word, Bread of Life. He is our Mediator, our Jehovah-Jireh. He is the Ever-last Father, the Good Shepherd, the Mighty One, the Prince of Peace, and the King of Kings. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And, the list goes on and on for Jesus Is.

Who is Jesus to you? Is He a genie in a bottle, a name proclaimed when times are desperate? Is He the baby whose birth you celebrate by forgetting Him in the busyness of the holiday? Someday you will be called upon to say who Jesus is; don’t be caught unaware. Jesus can be your all. Just call upon His name and He can be what means the most, Savior.

Monday, December 21, 2009

I Corinthians 13- The Christmas Version

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is I Corinthians 13. This version is so special for this holiday season.

1 CORINTHIANS 13 – – A CHRISTMAS VERSION -

By an unknown author

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Forgive Them




" Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing'". Luke 23:34a

From Infamy to History, December 7, 1941 is a day to never be forgotten. It saddens my heart that so many in our country do not know the significance of this day. It was on this day that Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. The attack took place on a Sunday, started just before 8:00 a.m. The devastation was more than machinery, ships, planes, or land, but was at the high cost of life. Killed in the attack were 2335 servicemen, 68 civilians, 1178 were wounded. Not only was Pearl Harbor attacked, but every military instillation on the island of Oahu. Japan, although the attackers, also suffered human loss.

History that is not learned is oft repeated, and as a country, we have witnessed this. May we, citizens of The United States of America, never forget this day!