This afternoon I'm preparing to take a flight across the Pond to take part in my sister's wedding followed by Christmas with my mum and friends in Barcelona, Spain. Everyone has been scurrying around, either because of excitement or duty, preparing for this trip. With all of this going on and assisting my sister with 95% of her printing needs, the Christmas gift buying process has slipped by me. Last week I figured I would just try catching the after Christmas sales online.
However, I think the idea of not spending frantic hours in the mall trying to find the perfect gift - which never happens- has allowed me to think more on the GIFT that is supposed to be celebrated. Bishop Perry asked every member of New Life Temple to give a monetary gift to Jesus this year. It was amazing that there were no shouts of jubilation or dances of praise to express the excitement of giving the Gift a gift. Why? I can't answer that for everyone. But I think Christmas has become about Me and very little about Jesus the Christ - the Holy one who gave his life for my salvation. I should have dance with glee that I was asked to give a gift to the One who gave blood so that I might live in true freedom.
Though there are dear people whom I plan to give a gift to, I want to give my gift to the Gift and celebrate His life that gave me life. Happy Birthday Jesus - it's your party! Please enjoy it.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
When A Bad Week Is A Good Week
I'm sure that you have had one of those weeks when you could not thank God enough for it being over. Or maybe you spent the whole week screaming "God make it stop." We have all had them and we have all prayed for them to end quickly.
At this moment I can't help but think about Job. Here is a guy who had a whole season of trouble, hurt from friends, misunderstanding from a loved one, financial ruin and the death of all his children. The funny thing about this is God allowed it all to happen. Can you picture it - God allows a man to get his teeth kicked out of his mouth and the wind knocked out of him just so He can brag in the face of the enemy. It's no secret that God is faithful, but it's shocking to the enemy to see that God's children can remain faithful to Him even when the moments are at there worst.
When we have a bad week can God count on us to be faithful to him? Do we give God bragging rights to our lives? I wish I could say that I always do. However, many times I fall short. Yet God is merciful and allows me another chance. But when I do pass the test, it's a bad week (season) gone good.
Everyone in Job's life felt like they were there for him. He had his spiritual advisers who felt like they were giving him wise counsel. His wife believed that she was being a caring companion. Yet everyone was only adding to his trouble. Wisdom seemed to be absent and love sounded like foolish rhetoric. Yet Job did not loose faith. He stayed faithful until his bad week turned became a good one.
When your week looks like a bad one - wait! It will become a good one - soon!
At this moment I can't help but think about Job. Here is a guy who had a whole season of trouble, hurt from friends, misunderstanding from a loved one, financial ruin and the death of all his children. The funny thing about this is God allowed it all to happen. Can you picture it - God allows a man to get his teeth kicked out of his mouth and the wind knocked out of him just so He can brag in the face of the enemy. It's no secret that God is faithful, but it's shocking to the enemy to see that God's children can remain faithful to Him even when the moments are at there worst.
When we have a bad week can God count on us to be faithful to him? Do we give God bragging rights to our lives? I wish I could say that I always do. However, many times I fall short. Yet God is merciful and allows me another chance. But when I do pass the test, it's a bad week (season) gone good.
Everyone in Job's life felt like they were there for him. He had his spiritual advisers who felt like they were giving him wise counsel. His wife believed that she was being a caring companion. Yet everyone was only adding to his trouble. Wisdom seemed to be absent and love sounded like foolish rhetoric. Yet Job did not loose faith. He stayed faithful until his bad week turned became a good one.
When your week looks like a bad one - wait! It will become a good one - soon!
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