If You Say "I'm Christian, But I'm Not...", Then You're Not

This video is a perfect example of what compromise and friendship with the world looks like.

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)


                                                       
                                                                        
This video is full of error and here are some reasons why:

1) If you're a Christian, you better be prepared to talk more about Jesus than yourself. Before you can do that, however, you better familiarize yourself with some of Jesus' words such as these:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)

2) This is what happens when you rely on your own opinion instead of God's word: you make it all about you. God's word is recorded in the Bible. Because it is God's word, the Bible is the standard by which Christians determine correct doctrine. Our opinions count for nothing. If you disagree with what is written, then either you or God is mistaken. (Hint: It's not God.)

"There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end leads to death."(Proverbs 14:12)

3) It is obvious these young people have no clue about who Jesus is and what he did. Not one time do they quote from Scripture to back up what they say. There is no talk of Jesus taking our sins - in fact, there is no mention of sin at all - upon himself and dying on the cross nor is there talk of his victorious resurrection. There is no mention of the Gospel, which is the entire reason for being a Christian. In other words, these young people have not said anything that would set them apart from unbelievers. They have RELIGION, not a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. If they do not repent and get to know the real Jesus, they will one day hear these terrifying words of Jesus:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23)

Friends,  get to know the real Jesus. Get to know what Jesus really said. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to start. If you don't have your own Bible, go to Bible Gateway.

For the record, a Christian is someone who:

• Believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)
• Believes that Jesus is the only way to heaven. (Acts 4:11-12) (John 14:6)
• Has repented of their sins. (Luke 13:4-5) 
• Understands that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and acknowledges that Jesus died on the cross in their place, thereby paying the penalty for their sin. (1 Peter 2:24)
• Believes that Jesus was raised from the dead. (Mark 16:5-8)
• Is a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 
• Is being sanctified by God so that they will be like Christ and not be defined by sin. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
• Is nothing without Jesus. (John 15:1-4)
• Knows that they did nothing to earn their salvation - it is the free gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) (John 3:16)
• Gladly preaches the gospel so that others may be saved. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Romans 14 and Why I Don't Observe Lent

Growing up Catholic, I observed Lent. From Ash Wednesday, fasting, meatless Fridays (we were too poor to eat fish), all the way through to a looooooong Good Friday service. Yes, I observed Lent. I remember having conversations with my Catholic school classmates about what we were giving up for Lent. Typical answers were: candy, soda, pizza etc. At least, that's what I remember; my classmates might remember differently. But, hey, we're all middle-age now so all of our memories are suspect. :-)

When I left the Catholic Church, I obviously did not observe Lent. When I became a Christian (Catholics may say, "When you became Protestant...") I decided not to observe Lent for the simple reason that I did not find any value in it. The Protestant church I attend does have Stations of the Cross and some of my Christian brothers and sisters do give up something for Lent. I don't participate in any of these things.

My Christian brothers and sisters: Do not let anyone tell you that you must give up something for Lent, or that you must attend Stations of the Cross, or do extra devotions, or do meatless Fridays. Don't let anyone else tell you that you shouldn't, either. While I personally question the value of these things, I believe that whatever you choose should be between you and God. If you're fasting and giving up something for Lent, the world doesn't need to know about it:

Matthew 6:16-18English Standard Version (ESV)

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

If you don't observe Lent, you also, do not need to go on about it. Whatever side of the Lent issue you fall on, don't look down on your brothers and sisters who are on the other side.

So, my unsolicited opinion regarding Lenten observance, or any observance for that matter is this: You're not holy if you do and you're not holy if you don't. It's not a salvation issue and observing Lent is one of those non-essential matters. You are only made holy by the blood of Jesus.

I invite you to read from Romans 14.

 Romans 14 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
    and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Soli Deo Gloria

Further Reading:
Glory to God Alone - Ligonier Ministries

Solus Christus

Further reading:
John 11:23-26
John 14:5-6

Sola Gratia

Further reading:
Romans 3:21-24
Romans 11:5-6
Galatians 2:19-21

Sola Fide

For further reading:
Romans 3
Acts 13:38-39

Sola Scriptura

OK, so I'm a day late as usual. It is my intention to post one of the Five Solas (or Solae) of the Reformation with an accompanying Scripture verse every Friday of October. The first one, Sola Scriptura, is being posted on Saturday just because I forgot.

Remembering the Reformation

When a Routine Blood Donation Isn't

It's good to be back after however many months it's been. I just haven't felt like blogging. It's not that I lost interest, it's just that I didn't have alot to say or share. There is something that I would like to share, however, and that's why I'm back.

Back in May, I decided to participate in a blood drive. It was one of the many service projects going on around our church that weekend, and this was one that I knew I could do. Afterall I'd done it before and it was no big deal. Just before the needle was inserted, I remember thinking, "Holy crap, that's a huge needle." It turns out that the needles used for blood donations are much larger than those used by a lab for a routine blood draw. This wasn't the case the last time I donated blood. Mind you, I'm not afraid of needles and I'm not afraid of blood and no, I've never wanted to be a nurse or a doctor because I don't want to deal with other people's blood. (How's that for a run-on sentence?)

As the needle was inserted into my skin I said, "OWWW!" A shooting pain ran down my arm, but the phlebotomist assured me that I was OK. Unfortunately, I have a high tolerance for pain, so I just tend to grin and bear it. I kept thinking, "Bleed faster, bleed faster." Afterwards, there was minimal bruising and stinging, shooting pain, but I thought nothing of it.

Over the next few days, that stinging pain didn't go away. About 10 days later over Memorial Day weekend, I noticed some weakness in my forearm and hand. I brushed it off because I had too many other things to do: upcoming graduation, anniversary, another anniversary party, vacay in Tahoe. I didn't have time to deal with it. It's quite easy to live in denial.

Finally, at the end of June, I called my doctor. She proceeded to test my finger strength by inserting a piece of paper between each of my fingers. I was to squeeze my fingers together while she tried to pull the paper away. I failed. She did several resistance tests and I failed those, too. Thinking that I might have nerve damage, she called the neurology department and it just so happened that the chief of neurology was on phone duty that day. (A total God-thing) He said to send me on over and he could squeeze me in for a consult right away. He performed many of the same resistance tests that my primary doctor did, and decided I needed to undergo a nerve function test. While in his office, I learned that he had been a regular blood donor. It was from him that I learned that at some point, blood banks switched to larger needles because they enabled faster blood collection. Nice.

Right hand

Left hand

A week later, I went back for the nerve function test. The good news is that none of my nerves were damaged. PRAISE THE LORD! The bad news is, it still doesn't explain the stinging pain and weakness in my arm and hand. The neurologist referred me to occupational therapy to try and rebuild strength. I had my first OT appointment today. She used a hydraulic hand dynomometer to measure the force of my grip. My right hand measured 80 pounds per square inch. Pretty darn good for a middle-aged gal. My left hand? Only 2 pounds. I was sent home with high tech tools such as a rubber band, an exercise band, and a list of exercises to perform each day. I go back in 3 weeks for a progress check. All of this from a seemingly routine blood draw. As you can see from the pictures, I can't fully squeeze my left hand and make a fist, nor can I flex my left arm muscles.
 
So what's the moral of the story? I'm not sure there is one. I guess I've learned not to assume that a routine procedure is not without risk or potential complications. Ignorance can be painful. Sometimes we just get the short end of the stick. We get shafted; we get screwed over. Yes, the shooting pain hurts. Yes, the weakness in my arm and hand is frustrating. Yes, I'm annoyed. In spite of this, I put my hope and trust in the Lord for his perfect timing and will continue to praise Him in good times and bad.

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10

It's Not About Church

I was raised in the Catholic Church and attended Catholic school until 8th grade. There were a lot of positive aspects about growing up Catholic and Catholic school life: the uniforms (not), the church carnivals, and the camaraderie. But... Shortly after high school, I came to the conclusion that religion was a bunch of BS. There had to be more to God than just going to church every Sunday. There had to be more than fasting during Lent, or saying the Rosary among other things. If that's all there was to it, then I wanted no part of it because it felt shallow. No, it felt hollow.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of leaving without having anywhere else to go. So I wandered, spiritually, for a good 15-20 years. Buddhism sounded good; earth-based spirituality sounded good; agnosticism sounded good. Sort of. I never really took anything else that seriously. Oh I read a lot and talked to a lot of people, but nothing ever really appealed to me. I came to the conclusion that I didn't need religion. I was "spiritual, but not religious". Snicker.

When my oldest son was about a year old, we were getting ready to leave southern California and return to Seattle. At this time, I was beginning to long for the church community that I had as a kid. I wanted our family to go to church, including my husband (who was raised Lutheran) who swore that unless it was for a wedding or a funeral then he wouldn't go. I looked into a church for both of us, and found a Unitarian Universalist church in Seattle. It seemed like a good fit for both of us. (Sounds like shoe shopping, doesn't it?) It was also during this time, that my youngest son was born, and folks from this church came by to drop off meals and offer sympathy and condolences. In spite of this, it wasn't what I was looking for; something was missing.

In 2003, we came back to northern California and looked for a church. We didn't like the UU church, so we attended a United Church of Christ church. I liked the people, but we were the only family with small children. And still, something didn't feel quite right. In 2007, we decided to leave this church and begin shopping for a new one. It sounds crass, but really, that's what we were doing. We wanted a church with more families. When we heard that the "big" church had a special needs program, we decided to try it. It wasn't nearly as bad as we thought and we ended up liking it despite our preconceived notions.

It was May 2008. We had been attending this big box church for about nine months, when I began to feel unsettled. Was this the right church? I don't remember the exact date, but I think it was the 10th. It was late at night, and I was alone in the garage (that's where our computer was) and I was paying bills and balancing the checkbook. I was feeling overwhelmed and tired. I closed my eyes and had this dream - some might call it a vision, but that still sounds creepy to me. I was sitting on a fence and I'm positive that I heard God say, "Choose. You've gone your way all these years. It's time to choose: your way or Mine." I said, "I choose you, Lord. I choose Your way." In my dream I jumped off the fence and went running through the clouds toward God's voice. I know, it sounds corny and crazy, but that's what happened. When I opened my eyes, I began to cry and to confess my sins to God. I acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah; that he died on the cross for my sins; that God raised him up on the third day. The peace that I felt was surreal. Where just an hour before I was anxious and overwhelmed, I was now at peace. I was baptized the following Sunday on May 18, 2008 at the same church, which I still attend.

My long-winded point in telling my story is this: I was looking for a church, not the reason for the church. I was looking for a community; I wasn't looking for Jesus. For a long time, I was one of those people who was able to attend church without really being a Christian. You have to have a relationship with Jesus, otherwise church is meaningless. Without Jesus, a church is another social club, or worse, a social obligation. I'm not saying that a church community isn't important, because it's the church that is the body of Christ. What I am saying is that going to church will not automatically mean you have a relationship with Jesus. Make sure you have that above all else.

I'm still not religious, BTW.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. ~Ephesians 2:19-22

Great and Small - Applying the Parable of the Talents

A few months ago, right before Thanksgiving, I had the privilege of buying groceries for someone who was down and out. A lady who had previously attended my Bible study sent out an email to her former and current Bible study partners with a plea to help her next door neighbor. It seems that her neighbor's husband had left a few months earlier; she had recently lost her job; she was down to her last meal of food; she had two small children; she was out of diapers and had no money for rent or gas. She was overwhelmed and paralyzed with fear. My friend's email stated, "We need to shower this woman with the love of God. If there's anyway you can help, please let me know."

Immediately, I knew that I wanted to buy some groceries. I have a heart for people who are hungry. I remember being hungry many times as a child and it's an awful feeling. I replied to my friend to send me a list of food that her neighbor liked. The reply email contained a list of her neighbor's needs: food, diapers, toilet paper, rent money. For some unknown reason, instead of focusing on the list of food, I began to focus on the rent money. All of a sudden I really wanted to pay her rent. There was no way I could pay her rent as I didn't have that kind of extra money. I began to despair. What good are groceries if she was evicted and homeless? How could I possibly pay her rent? "Lord, how can I pay her rent? I don't have the money!" In answer to my prayer I heard the Lord clearly tell me:

I'm not asking you to pay her rent - I have another servant who will do that. I'm asking you to buy groceries...and a gas card.

I got it. I bought groceries and a gas card. I also contacted some other friends and collected more groceries and diaper donations from them. When my husband and I delivered the groceries and diapers, the lady was so overwhelmed and grateful that she was crying. I later learned from my friend that several other people bought groceries and...someone else paid her rent. Earlier that morning, her house had no food, no diapers, and no hope. By that evening, her refrigerator and cabinets were overflowing with food and her rent had been paid all by people who didn't know her. It truly was a miracle. That, my friends, is the wonderful body of Christ - the church - in action.

I tell this story not to toot my own horn (heaven forbid), but rather to share the lessons I learned from it:

1. I'm convinced that the enemy of God was trying to distract me from obeying God by trying to refocus my attention on to the rent and away from the groceries. Had I allowed myself to be distracted, I would have been an unfruitful servant. Praise God for His intervention.

2. Sometimes, I think our heart is in the wrong place when we think or say that we want to do something "great" for God. First of all, we can't do anything for Him. Second, whatever God is asking us to do, we should be thrilled that He counts us worthy servants to assign us a task - big or small.

3. The person who paid the rent contributed 10 times more than I did. Who gave more? The answer is "Neither" because we each gave according to what God had blessed us with. The important point here, is not to focus on who contributed what and how much. The important point is that we each obeyed God and used the gifts that He gave us. No matter how much or how little you have, God will show you how to use it for His glory. Don't compare yourself to others. God has blessed us all with different gifts. Whatever you do, don't hoard your gifts; use your gifts according to His direction and you will be a good and faithful servant.

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money..." Matthew 25:14-30

He is Risen!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” ~ Matthew 28:5-7

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~John 3:16-17

It's the Waiting that Kills Me

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ~Psalm 56:3

The problem with being able to think ahead is that my mind tends to overreact, or worse, I start second-guessing myself. Is that what I really saw? Don't you think you're overreacting? Aren't you jumping to conclusions? If you don't do something it might get worse. You'll look like an idiot if it turns out to be nothing. See what I mean?

We're in the process of scheduling an EEG for my youngest son as it seems he had another seizure over the weekend. You may remember that he may have had one at the beginning of the school year. When we saw the neurologist in October he advised that since my son had been seizure-free for so many years, we would treat this as his first seizure. He also reminded us that sometimes seizures return with the onset of puberty. Fabulous. As if puberty by itself wasn't enough. No, really, sometimes I say, "WTF? Are you kidding me?!"

At any rate, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for several reasons. The thought of my son dealing with seizures again makes me want to vomit. The thought of going through the list of anti-seizure meds or doing the ketogenic diet also makes me want to vomit. All of this runs through my mind and we don't even have a definitive answer yet. It's the waiting that kills me. I'm good at enduring and persevering, but not waiting. Once I know for sure, then I can deal. Until then I need to breathe and try not to explode.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4

The Measure of Success

My imaginary address to a graduating class...

Some of you will go on to be wildly successful. Though some of you may be burdened with wealth or fame you will know that one of the secrets to life is knowing that it is a privilege to serve ⁽¹⁾ and a joy to bless others.⁽²⁾ Some of you may not be burdened with wealth or health, yet you have learned the other secret to living a successful life, which is being content no matter what your circumstances, whether you are healthy, wealthy, poor or sick.⁽³⁾ Being successful means that you don't follow the crowd; most people will simply shake their heads or roll their eyes at you. A few will secretly admire you but they'll still think you're crazy. How can you gain more by giving more? ⁽⁴⁾

Some of you, I'm sorry to say, will not be so successful. Unfortunately, you will acquire beautiful cars, and houses, a successful career, and lots of money. You'll be burdened with worry about how to protect all of these things and without realizing it these things consume you and become your life.⁽⁵⁾ Your empty shallow life will be the envy of many thereby enabling and encouraging you to continue in the vicious cycle, until you wake up one day realizing that your life is nearly over and you have nothing to show for it. It will all be gone when you are. ⁽⁶⁾

The road to failure is wide and easy to take. Everyone's doing it. The road to success is narrower and harder to find. ⁽⁷⁾ The good news, my friends, is that as long as you are coherent and breathing, it's never too late to turn away from failure toward success.⁽⁸⁾  Just stop, turn around, and go against the crowd. Keep your head held high with your eyes on the prize and don't look back.⁽⁹⁾  You're on your way. The good news is, when you've chosen to walk the path to success, it won't ever be taken from you. ⁽¹⁰⁾ The good news is: although you will lose the whole world, you will gain your soul. Now that's success.



(1) Mark 10:45
(2) Acts 20:35
(3) Philippians 4:11-13
(4) Proverbs 11:24
(5) Matthew 16:26
(6) Luke 12:19-21
(7) Matthew 7:13-14
(8) Luke 19:1-10
(9) Philippians 3:13-14
(10) Luke 10:41-42

Faith, Hope, and Love

Stepping Up and Stepping Out

Many, many years ago when I was a senior in high school, I got a part in the school's spring production of You Can't Take it With You. I'll let you follow the link to Wikipedia for the synopsis. (I played Penelope, BTW.) Ever since then, the phrase "you can't take it with you" has stuck with me although it's taken a while to let it soak in. When it's time for me to leave this earth and enter into eternity, I won't be able to take anything with me. This means that my time, talent, and treasure are all temporary things and it does me no good whatsoever to hoard them. So, why not share them? I'm glad you asked.

I'm a Star Trek fan because I love the fact that in the Star Trek universe, the people of Earth have finally united and have worked together to eliminate poverty and disease. I know, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, too. Although I love the idea of eliminating poverty, I realize that I've never done anything to work toward that objective because it seemed so daunting...until now.

Last year, my husband and I decided to step up and step out in faith and sponsor two children through Compassion International: a little girl in Kenya and a little girl in Bolivia. A month after sponsoring these two girls, we decided to sponsor one more: a girl in Indonesia. I've always been skeptical about child sponsorship programs, but last year Wess Stafford, the president of Compassion International, spoke at our church. It was a moving speech. I had checked out Compassion before and they are highly rated at Charity Navigator. That's important to me. I realized that I could go on being skeptical - doing nothing to alleviate poverty - or, I could step out in faith to make a difference, if only in the life of one person. Eight months later, I haven't regretted it. I write to the girls in Kenya and Indonesia since I signed up to sponsor them; my husband writes to the girl in Bolivia since he sponsored her. It has been an eye-opening and joyful experience. The photo above is of some artwork that my little girl in Indonesia was able to send to me.

I encourage you to find your own way of sharing your time, talent, and treasure. Perhaps, like me, you are intrigued but skeptical of sponsoring a child. I totally understand. Head on over to Charity Navigator and do some research. I firmly believe that when we give of ourselves and share with others, we receive so much more in return. Remember: you can't take it with you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

Merry Christmas!

Believe in the Love behind the reason for Christmas. May the love and peace of Christ be with you now and all through the year.
Merry Christmas!!

Believe

I have this ornament on my Christmas tree. It is simply the word "Believe" written in script and studded with rhinestones. At this time of year, we are exhorted to believe and we're bombarded with phrases like "Believe in the magic of Christmas" or "I believe in Santa Claus". I've even seen something like, "If you don't believe in Santa then you get underwear." Well, at least I still get underwear. 100% cotton, preferably, please.

However well-intentioned or humorous these phrases may be, I still think they're misguided. At best, they're a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas. At worst, they distort and deny the true meaning of Christmas. But what is the "true" meaning of Christmas? Quite simply, it is about the best gift ever given; the gift from God to us as so eloquently stated in the Gospel of John:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." ~John 3:16-17

Believe and you will be saved. Believe that God loved you enough to do this for you and that no way no how could you ever work for it and earn it. That's why it's called a gift.

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” ~John 11:25-27

Rethinking Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness

Talking about faith is never easy, at least not for me. Yet, sometimes the opposite is true: it's easy to talk the talk but not walk the walk. Either way, putting that faith into action can be difficult especially when we are influenced by so many things, like our surrounding culture. 

Americans say, "Life".

Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24

Americans say, "Liberty".

Jesus said, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

Americans say, "Pursuit of happiness".

Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:25

All That We Have

Some years ago I underwent an attitude adjustment. I can't even pinpoint the exact moment; let's just say it was a process. It was when I began to realize that all that I have are gifts from God that I was able to have some compassion on people and to prevent myself from getting angry. Let me explain.

When I say 'all that I have', I mean that literally. I have been blessed in numerous ways: I have a husband who loves me; two kids who are relatively innocent and not jaded; a home of my own; food in my fridge; two cars; assorted animals; family and friends. I also have average intelligence (no comments) and my health. I have eyes that see - 20/20 vision in my mid-40's - ears that hear, legs that walk and hands that work. Which in turn gives me the ability to: feed myself, dress myself, wipe my own butt, decide what I want to do, and go just about anywhere when I want to...except maybe uphill; I do drive a 1969 VW after all. These are gifts from God. Some people are born without some of these gifts, some experience a tragedy that takes away these gifts, and some people squander these gifts. Whatever the case, they are gifts and they are things that should not be taken for granted.


My youngest son, for example, does not have the gift of sight, the ability to speak, or the ability to reason...he is legally blind, nonverbal and cognitively delayed. He needs help with eating, dressing, and yes, wiping his butt. He does have other gifts: hearing, a joyful laugh, a gentle (sometimes stubborn) spirit. When I realized that not everyone has average+ intelligence, not everyone has their health, not everyone was born into a loving family, not everyone has enough food/clothing/shelter, it gave me insight as to why people are the way they are. It's not meant to be an excuse, but it did teach me to have compassion and to use my gifts and blessings to help other people the way others have helped me.


The words "entitlement" and "entitled" are being tossed around in American politics more than ever. It is my opinion, that anything we take for granted is viewed as an entitlement. This includes what we consider "the basic things" like the gift of life. We think very highly of ourselves and our accomplishments and we often don't have any patience or compassion on those whom we deem fools. We also fail to acknowledge the blessings we have been given either from God or from others. We can talk all we want to about the grace of God, but we live and act in a very self-centered, works-based world. I firmly believe that in order to understand, to accept, and to give grace you have to have a grateful and humble heart. That begins with acknowledging that all you have is a gift, even those things that you seemingly worked for.


Lord, thank you for two legs that walk, two hands that work, two eyes that see, two ears that hear, and a spirit that longs for You.

"The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" Exodus 4:11