WHAT LIES BENEATH CAN BE FRIGHTENING

Oh the sheer beauty of a fresh fallen snow.  The white snow covers a multitude of ugly underneath it.  Lying beneath this beautiful white snow lies and ugly mess of leaves we didn't get picked up in time before the first blast of winter.  I can't even describe the amount of nuts that lie under the snow, we have so many nut trees in our yard that we have a zoo full of squirrels.  And then there are the dead flowers I decided not to get rid of, after all they can wait til spring, right?  I mean seriously look at this picture.  It's amazing and breathtaking.  You'd never know the ugly mess that lies beneath the snow.  It's all covered up and appears pristine.  Almost like a picture post card, until spring.

In spring the mess and ugliness that lies hidden under all that snow will be revealed.  That's when the real work begins.  Our lives are so much like the weather.  Think about it when life is hard we say we're going through a storm.  When life is going great, it's all sunshine and roses.  Then winter hits and life becomes stale and dormant and dry.  It just feels like there is no life left in us.  We feel cold and harsh and bitter, we long for the sun to shine but when it finally does, when the snow finally melts, then we have to begin to regrow and face the ugly mess we have made of our lives.  

Ephesians 4:21-24  assuming that you have heard about and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires. and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Renewal, getting rid of the old stuff is not easy. Transformation can be painful and downright scary.  When I think about getting down on my knees starting to prune bushes and dig out plants that died and raking up those old mushy leaves, my body starts to shake.  Whether your transforming a garden or your life, either way, it can be and it will be a painful process.  As for our life, we need to get rid of the old way of thinking, the old way of talking and the old way of living.  When Jesus Christ began the transformation process in me, I had to face the reality of who I had become and I had to chose to be ready to get my hands and knees dirty as I dug into places and people and hurts and hangups and attitudes and mood swings and a past that left me damaged.  

I had to do a deep heart check and a deep attitude adjustment.  I had to make sure I used the proper tools to dig down deep to get out the roots of the problems.  Just like when your digging up a weed in your garden, if you don't get to the root of the weed, it will just keep coming back up.  In our lives we need to deal with the root of our issues.  We need to STOP BLAMING OTHERS.  We need to be honest and real with ourselves.  Trust me God already knows the problem with your life is you.  And until you face reality and allow God to deal honestly you and allow Him to do the painful process of transformation, your life won't be any better.  

I had to get rid of people in my life who tried to get me tangled in their webs, I had to stop reading books that were morally questionable.  I had to stop watching violent TV shows and movies.  I had to stop listening to some of the music I listened to.  I had to stop watching and listening and reading things that didn't make me feel good.  I lost some friendships and I ticked off some family members.  I was being way to radical, but I had to.  It was my choice to go all the way with Jesus.  I didn't want my former way of life.  I didn't want the snow to continue to cover stuff I needed to deal with and get rid of.  I wanted to change.  I wanted to grow.  

You don't have to do anything.  You can remain watching and reading and listening to the same old stuff you have for years, and you'll remain the same.  Or you can take a chance and make a change and reach for the stars.  Get rid of that snow and deal with what lies beneath.  You just may find that you like being a Jesus Freak like me.   

WHO DOESN'T LOVE PRESENTS?

Okay lets be perfectly honest here....we all love to presents.  Oh sure we can all say "It's better to give than to receive"  but if we're being honest with ourselves we have to admit that for us it's better to receive.  After all who doesn't love opening presents?  I know I do.  And if you're being 100% honest you'd say the same thing.  For me it doesn't matter the cost of the gift, what matters for me is the thought that went into the gift.  Presents are awesome.  Admit it.  Don't try to be all holier than though, self righteous and pious.  Don't act like you have a halo over your head.  You know darn well that you love opening presents.  It's exciting opening a present someone bought just for you. 

This time of year presents take on a very different meaning, at least for me they do.  For me this time of year I try to do my best to concentrate on presence instead of presents.  Now before you sign off or close this out please take some time and hear me out.  You see for me Christmas is about one of the greatest gifts of all, the presence of God.  Not the presents of God.  Way too often us believers concentrate on the presents God has given us without ever really thinking about His presence.  We thank Him of all the gifts He gives us, but what about His presence?  I too was so blinded by all the gifts I have received from God, so grateful for those, that I totally forgot about the greatest gift of all, His presence.  

God's presence is with me every single second of every single minute of my life.  As a believer in Jesus Christ, as one who received the gift of eternal salvation, the very presence of God is with me.  This presence of my Living God has brought about new dimensions to my life.  No matter what my current circumstances are, I have a peace which surpasses all understanding.  No matter what is happening in the world around me, I have faith that God will guide me through it all.  No matter how mean people are to me, no matter what people say about me, I know what God says about me because His presence is with me.  

I do not have to sit in a church pew to be in His presence.  I do not have to belong to a certain religion to be in His presence.  To be honest being in His presence can be frightening.  Why?  Because once I am in His presence He begins to work on me from the inside out.  He changes me.  The books I read changes, the music I listen to changes, the TV shows I watch changes, the movies I see changes and yes even some of my friends have had to go.  It can be painful to sit in His presence because once you do, you will never be the same.  So if it's painful and frightening why should I sit in His presence?

Well the reward is far greater than anything I could imagine.  He has removed people from my life and replaced them with people who love me and encourage me to be all He created me to be.  He has replaced my books and music and TV and movies with ones that make me feel good about life.  I have a peace and joy in my heart so profound it's hard to explain.  I live in the very real presence of God every day.  It is the best present I ever received.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

What is it about Christmas that brings out the little kid in all of us?  Or should I say most of us?  There always seems to be a sense of magic, a sense of wonder and awe surrounds this time of year. Pixie dust sprinkled letters to a Santa Claus, the smell of fresh baked goodies fill our homes, family and friends we rarely see gather round a lighted pine tree, carolers sing about peace on earth and good will towards all mankind, decorations that make us reorganize our homes, the thought of buying that perfect gift for that someone special....these simple things seem to bring about a sense of magic.  Christmas is not another day and lets be honest...it's not just another holiday either.  There is something magical that only happens at Christmas.  

I know, it has to do with the jolly old sole who resides at the North Pole!  His laughter, his belly shaking laughter that brings the magic.  His willingness to give to others inspires us.  His laughter makes us giggle with glee.  The fact that his reindeers really fly fills us with magical hope that we will actually get to witness this event.  The simple fact that for a day his entire menu consists of cookies and milk definitely brings out the kid in all of us.  Santa Claus, that has to bring out the kid in all of us.  I know it does that for me.  I love Santa Claus.  The idea that someone could love others the way he does gives me hope and puts a twinkle in my eye.  I feel like a little kid again.  The excitement, the anticipation, the nervous giggles all come rushing back to me in a moment.  

The gifts he brings are amazing.  How he knows how to give us the perfect gift is beyond my comprehension.  Yes we may give him a list of what we want, but he does better than that, he seems to be able to know what we need, not just what we want.  He always seems to take gift giving one step higher than we could ever imagine.  His love for all of us reaches to new heights and is simply beyond anything we could ever imagine.  Just the mention of his name brings joy and happiness to a weary, wounded soul.  Just hearing his laughter puts a smile on the depressed person.  Seeing the twinkle in his eyes, warms the hardest of hearts.  Santa Claus is real, but he's not who you think he is, at least not for me.  

You see when I think of Santa Claus, when I see those twinkling eyes, when I hear that infectious laughter, when I see how much he gives to those in need....I see the face of God!  You see the man we know as Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, was inspired by my heavenly Father...God!  He chose one of the holiest days of the year to spread joy to those children who were most in need.  His heart and love continues to spread across this world today in the hearts of parents and grandparents.  But what some chose to ignore is the fact that God inspired the person we call Santa Claus.

God loves you and I so much that He gives us His best.  His laughter, (yes I believe God laughs after all He'd have to have a sense of humor...He made us) fills my heart with joy.  God's twinkling eyes makes my eyes sparkle with His love.    He overwhelms my soul with love.  When I stop and try to comprehend the gifts He has given me, I am drawn to my knees.  You see God gave His life for us in the form of Jesus Christ.  He came down from heaven, He got up off His throne and was born to a virgin in a dirty, grimy manger.  He was tortured, beaten, bruised and killed so that we might come to know Him and believe in Him and spend eternity with Him.  

You see, Santa Claus was inspired by someone pretty amazing.  God gives us His heart with open arms.  He's waiting for you this Christmas.  He has a gift for you that is beyond anything you could ever imagine.  His love is overwhelming and powerful.  His grace is beyond comprehension.  Please take time and ponder the truth of God's amazing love that is waiting for you today.  The heart of Christmas has a name...Jesus Christ.  And He's waiting for you today.  I feel the magic of Christmas every single day of my life.  It's not about Santa Claus, it's about God!  Even St. Nicholas knew that.