Monday, December 20, 2010

So This is Christmas

So this is Christmas.....and what have you done.....another year over...... and a new one just begun... lalala...... I have the John Lennon song Happy Christmas stuck in my head.

Another year over......and what have you done? What good question to be asking ourselves as the year closes out. Has your year brought you closer to God's purpose for your life? Has this year been a memorable one or just another year like many before it?

My year has been a difficult one. It has been a year of great change in my life. Although it has been difficult, it has not been without benefit. By allowing God to guide my life, great change has not gone unused by God. I have grown and my heart stirs even greater than before for a world that needs the truth I hold inside me.

As we move into the Christmas holiday, what better time to unleash our hearts and pour out God's goodness on those around us. There are so many people celebrating a holiday that is focused on Jesus, King of Kings, but have no personal understanding of why He came in the first place.

This Christmas, teach those around you why He came. Share the greatest gift you can give to someone. Walk through the initial fear to share and let the love you have received be known by those less fortunate. There is no greater gift you could give this season than the gift of God's salvation. Share the truth of Jesus this season. After all, He's the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Blinging to Eternity

Today while doing research for the bible study I am writing I stumbled across a fabulous truth. It's now one in the morning and I am tempted to wake up my husband just so I can share. I just wanna shake him awake and say "Guess what! Bling is good!!

You see I like shinny and glitzy things that bling. I just can't help myself. I love all things glittery. Jewels are great, shinny shoes are fun and a glittery bag is a must with certain outfits.

So when Christmas rolls around look out! Two things I love come together in a great way. I love Jesus and I love bling. On Christmas those two things collide and make an extravaganza of fun for me.

My husband on the other hand can be quite the kill joy when it comes to my decoration obsession. Just because he has to drag a few (thirty) plastic totes up from the basement and then return them after I'm done picking through them, doesn't constitute such ugliness. Okay, he's not necessarily ugly about it, he just complains. ALLOT. He says I have to many decorations and then throws a fit when I continue to purchase more each year. Whats the big deal if it keeps a girl happy? And this girl it does.

I don't get the problem. After all, Jesus deserves it. It's his birthday, I gotta do it up right. His birthday only comes once a year and there are so many pretty bobbles out there to celebrate with. Hobby Lobby calls my name this time a year. I hear it in my sleep.

So imagine my pleasure in finding treasure in scripture that supports my love for bling. I was studying I Peter 1:7. It says this:

That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Here's the good part! Matthew Henry says this about it in his commentary. Jesus will appear in glory, the saints will appear with Him. Their graces will appear illustrious and the more they have been tried the more bright they will appear. Their glory, honor and praise will last to eternity.

WOOT! WOOT! According to Matthew Henry, each trial we go through adds grace that will appear brighter on us. When we appear in the sky with Jesus we will be glowing bright from all our added glory. That to me shouts of glowing brightness. I like it! I like it allot!

Sparkle I will!! So far, with all the trials I have been through, my bling quotient should be pretty high about now. I can hardly wait!

Gotta..... go..... wake..... up..... husband. I can't hardly stand it.....No.....No.....I should probably wait.