Thou hast made the moon to mark the seasons, the sun knows it’s time for setting.
Psalm 104:19 RSV
Today is the last day of 2010. Tomorrow dawns a brand new year! Are you ready for it? Well, before the New Year is upon us, here’s an important reminder: Don’t overlook today! Today, you were handed from God 24 hours to live life to the fullest. That's 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Sometimes we get so busy and distracted we miss the fact that each rising, sun brings new opportunities and adventures on this planet we call Earth. God gives us one new day at a time so that we aren't distracted by the future or paralyzed by the past. So, today may be the last day of the year, but today is also the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of today! Enjoy God's gift to you on this New Year's Eve. You can accomplish a great deal with the 1440 minutes in a day. Today, stop and take advantage of all that God has provided for you.
The greatest commodity you have at your fingertips is time. Everyone has the same amount of time to use or waste today. The happiness in your life depends on how you use your time. Periodically I need to take an evaluation of how I am using my time. This little list helps me keep perspective:
Take time to THINK — it is the source of power.
Take time to PLAY — it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be FRIENDLY — it is the road to happiness.
Take time to LOVE — it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to READ — it is a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to PRAY — it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to LAUGH — it is the music of the soul.
Take time to GIVE — it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to WORK — it is the price of success.
Happy New Year!!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Baby Jesus
"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7
We are tempted to keep the baby Jesus tucked safely away in a manger, far removed from daily life. Such a sweet little baby cradled on a bed of straw, surrounded by livestock, smiled upon approvingly by Mary and Joseph, and adored by shepherds and wise men warms our hearts and is not very threatening. He makes no demands of us regarding our priorities, attitudes, lifestyles, and commitments. But an adult Jesus who teaches and heals and performs miracles; who challenges and confronts us with demands of God's kingdom; who is crucified, dies, is sealed in a borrowed tomb, and then rises from the dead on the third day challenges everything that we know about life on earth.
That sweet little baby whose birth was heralded by angels grew up to be a man, and not just any man, but the God/man who fully embodied and demonstrated God's radical, irrepressible, never-ending love in human terms that we can understand. It is this image of Jesus that commands ultimate devotion.
Now you and I are personally involved because we know the true story of Jesus. That baby's humble beginning is only the first chapter in a drama that has yet to be completed. By entering into our consciousness, his story has become a part of our history. That baby is now known as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We call him Jesus (Savior) because he saves his people- those who look to him and trust him- from their sin as well as their bondage to sin.
The shepherds and wise men paid tribute to him. Millions upon millions of people have committed their lives to him. And by His grace I will be more intentionally committed to being one of those faithful followers!
We are tempted to keep the baby Jesus tucked safely away in a manger, far removed from daily life. Such a sweet little baby cradled on a bed of straw, surrounded by livestock, smiled upon approvingly by Mary and Joseph, and adored by shepherds and wise men warms our hearts and is not very threatening. He makes no demands of us regarding our priorities, attitudes, lifestyles, and commitments. But an adult Jesus who teaches and heals and performs miracles; who challenges and confronts us with demands of God's kingdom; who is crucified, dies, is sealed in a borrowed tomb, and then rises from the dead on the third day challenges everything that we know about life on earth.
That sweet little baby whose birth was heralded by angels grew up to be a man, and not just any man, but the God/man who fully embodied and demonstrated God's radical, irrepressible, never-ending love in human terms that we can understand. It is this image of Jesus that commands ultimate devotion.
Now you and I are personally involved because we know the true story of Jesus. That baby's humble beginning is only the first chapter in a drama that has yet to be completed. By entering into our consciousness, his story has become a part of our history. That baby is now known as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We call him Jesus (Savior) because he saves his people- those who look to him and trust him- from their sin as well as their bondage to sin.
The shepherds and wise men paid tribute to him. Millions upon millions of people have committed their lives to him. And by His grace I will be more intentionally committed to being one of those faithful followers!
Friday, December 17, 2010
What Christmas is All About
"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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11
One of my favorite Christmas television specials of all-time is A Charlie Brown Christmas. In the cartoon, Charlie Brown wrestles with the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of a world that seems overloaded with commercialism. First appearing in 1965, the issues Charlie Brown grapples with ring just as true today as they did over 40 years ago.
In one scene, Charlie Brown is so frustrated, he yells, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” To answer, Charlie’s friend Linus steps out onto the auditorium stage and recites the Christmas story straight from the Gospel of Luke. It seems so simple. Yet today, many people celebrate the holiday for a lot of reasons, and some have nothing to do with the birth of Christ, like family traditions, a day off from work, a time of gift-giving, Santa Claus, parties, and so on. Commercialism and materialism is a part of the fabric of Christmas celebrations in our society. It’s easy to forget that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be
all glory given;
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
(from O Come, All Ye Faithful)
Make this one of your best Christmases by choosing to make the birth of Jesus the primary motivation for your celebrations.
Merry Christmas and God Bless!!
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