Saturday, November 25, 2017
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
twisted Christmas
Christmas is a little
twisted.
It seems this formerly Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has now become a “Holiday” celebrating, mainly, consumerism.
Yes, you’ve likely heard this lament before, but this is mine.
That I waste precious time, money and energies on decorating, buying, cooking, cleaning and partying....
That we do it in the name of spending all on family and friends, the joy of celebrating the season.
Gifts to make children happy, feel loved or “Good” by Santa standards…..
I’m not as fond of that jolly old elf as I used to be. LOL
I’ve grown a little jealous giving him the credit all these years for all those gifts when the kids only behave for about 2 weeks approaching the BIG DAY, then forget about, break or ask for an exchange on half the stuff by December 26.
Ha ha, the Grinch has spoken, or is this more Scrooge like?
Whichever, I'm softening to both, I do still love the Holiday traditions, the stories, It's a Wonderful Life, Frosty, Rudolph, Elf!! The lights, the food, family. This all makes me smile today.
However, Santa’s gifting is a message of “good deeds get rewarded” the very opposite of the SACRIFICIAL GIFT (Jesus life / blood, paying for our sin ) given us by our Savior, that is totally unearned, impossible to earn in fact.
My home is wrecked, my bank is empty, Santa’s up there drinking egg nog with Buddy and Frosty laughing all the way….ha ha ha
It seems this formerly Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has now become a “Holiday” celebrating, mainly, consumerism.
Yes, you’ve likely heard this lament before, but this is mine.
That I waste precious time, money and energies on decorating, buying, cooking, cleaning and partying....
That we do it in the name of spending all on family and friends, the joy of celebrating the season.
Gifts to make children happy, feel loved or “Good” by Santa standards…..
I’m not as fond of that jolly old elf as I used to be. LOL
I’ve grown a little jealous giving him the credit all these years for all those gifts when the kids only behave for about 2 weeks approaching the BIG DAY, then forget about, break or ask for an exchange on half the stuff by December 26.
Ha ha, the Grinch has spoken, or is this more Scrooge like?
Whichever, I'm softening to both, I do still love the Holiday traditions, the stories, It's a Wonderful Life, Frosty, Rudolph, Elf!! The lights, the food, family. This all makes me smile today.
However, Santa’s gifting is a message of “good deeds get rewarded” the very opposite of the SACRIFICIAL GIFT (Jesus life / blood, paying for our sin ) given us by our Savior, that is totally unearned, impossible to earn in fact.
My home is wrecked, my bank is empty, Santa’s up there drinking egg nog with Buddy and Frosty laughing all the way….ha ha ha
The most wonderful time of the year?
The HOLIDAYS have
become the most STRESSFUL:, time of the year.
Depression – for many; Debt—for most.
Hardly something to celebrate.
Depression – for many; Debt—for most.
Hardly something to celebrate.
Don’t misunderstand me.
I have decorated, I have shopped, ( I buy my dogs Christmas gifts…for goodness sake - so)
I’ve readied my home for company.
…. bah humbug it all!.
I have decorated, I have shopped, ( I buy my dogs Christmas gifts…for goodness sake - so)
I’ve readied my home for company.
…. bah humbug it all!.
I was raised this way, the trappings of holiday tradition. And its NOT terrible.
Buuuuut, it’s not my birthday,
it’s not your birthday, it’s the birth of our Savior WHO saves us from death (punishment for our sins) and GIVES us eternal
life. THAT’S the gift. Period. Amen.
Is it possible to celebrate the birth of Christ which actually has meaning for me and stop celebrating with society the holiday season? OR can I do both and feel good about both?
maybe
Is it possible to celebrate the birth of Christ which actually has meaning for me and stop celebrating with society the holiday season? OR can I do both and feel good about both?
maybe
Can I give a little more (I’m
broke)
Can I love a little more...
Can I be a little more…
YES
Can I love a little more...
Can I be a little more…
YES
A meaningful Christmas that focuses on Jesus, doesn’t use
symbols, I’ll use the means of grace: the Word, preaching, prayer, fellowship
and ordinances (Acts 2:42).
Christmas tradition,
compels me to decorate, a tree, there is
a star on top, nativity scenes are my new "Christmas
collectable". (Guess I’m already twisting it together somewhat.)
I do promise and everyone in my family knows, I will be reminding you all of the real
“reason for the season” (have I done that yet?)
I will ask you about your faith, you’ll get a Bible a gospel tract or video from me….yes, I’m that person. (may as well just give socks right?)
But please understand, this is THE gift, something you might not want, today- but oh do we need it, my heart is that everyone want Christ more.
To realize that He is the gift that we need. {insert my testimony/Gospel presentation here}
I have NOT given more to charity than I have given to the mall as yet.
I have NOT shared Jesus Christ THE GIFT more than I’ve said Merry Christmas.
I have NOT given myself fully, to the One who gave His life for me.
(see what’s going on there, the gift)
I do promise and everyone in my family knows, I will be reminding you all of the real
“reason for the season” (have I done that yet?)
I will ask you about your faith, you’ll get a Bible a gospel tract or video from me….yes, I’m that person. (may as well just give socks right?)
But please understand, this is THE gift, something you might not want, today- but oh do we need it, my heart is that everyone want Christ more.
To realize that He is the gift that we need. {insert my testimony/Gospel presentation here}
I have NOT given more to charity than I have given to the mall as yet.
I have NOT shared Jesus Christ THE GIFT more than I’ve said Merry Christmas.
I have NOT given myself fully, to the One who gave His life for me.
(see what’s going on there, the gift)
Well, maybe I can
just start doing more of those things that matter and keep doing the things that matter to others also?
LOVE…
God first
others
self.
(self is where I get in trouble, I want to make others happy, I want them to like my gift best, I don’t want to be the pushy Jesus lady, yet, I gotta be the pushy Jesus lady…..yep, I’m the one who’s twisted, I sound like a spoiled brat on Santa’s lap)
LOVE…
God first
others
self.
(self is where I get in trouble, I want to make others happy, I want them to like my gift best, I don’t want to be the pushy Jesus lady, yet, I gotta be the pushy Jesus lady…..yep, I’m the one who’s twisted, I sound like a spoiled brat on Santa’s lap)
Ok, so we will rise early Dec. 25, open lots of gifts while
“the Christmas story” goes 24/7, maybe watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”, then feast with my family, perhaps
in the midst of all of that (please)
let me share the true gift of Christmas.
Whatever you
choose to do, do not let anyone make you feel guilty for celebrating or not
celebrating. Just don’t go into debt and don’t let culture ,or church
pressure send you into a funk if you don’t have a “traditional
Christmas.”
That is the last thing Jesus would want on His birthday
That is the last thing Jesus would want on His birthday
Get ready Laura, here
comes Peter Cottontail, Resurrection
Sunday (the big one) ppl!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
best birthday EVER!
June 8, 1999
-it was the best birthday ever and I didn't even know it was going to be my birthday.
1 PETER 3:15
BC
I would have told you that I was a Christian.
I believed in God, I was raised in church, I was confirmed in the Lutheran church as a young person- I had to study the Bible, memorize scripture and stand up before the church to be confirmed, kind of like a Jewish bar-mitzvah, if you’re not familiar with a Lutheran confirmation.
As an adult, I went to church every time the door was open, for about 10 years, I took my children to church, I served my church gladly, taught Sunday School, youth, sang in the choir, ever ready to serve. I read my Bible regularly as an assignment for Sunday School class.
I tried to be good and obedient, but I had never met Jesus.
ISAIAH 64:6
Here's the thing, I "thought" I was a good person "because" I was doing all these things, and I HOPED that this would get me into heaven.
ROMANS 3:12
(Still questioning within myself: Can I do enough that my good will out weigh my bad? Is that how I avoid hell?......)
I thought that was what God required. I never heard the law and the gospel. I may have "heard" the words, but it didn't make sense.
The salvation message had no meaning for me.
Are you saved? Born again? What does that really mean?
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18
Searching
I had to read a certain number of chapters in the Bible each week so that I could report my "good works" to my Sunday school class.
I was being obedient, to the rules of the class, to pray and read the Bible.
I was actually just seeking the approval/acceptance and fellowship of the other ladies in my Sunday school class.
I did not know that I was learning how to seek God, by prayerfully reading his word. I did not know that the God of ...........everything...........was about to reveal Himself to me.
But that is what happened.
June 8, 1999, my re-birthday.
The best birthday EVER.
I was reading my required number of chapters for class.....
I had been praying and reading, I was alone in my room. It was late at night.
There was no salvation sermon, there was no alter call, just the Word and me.
And like Paul on the road to Damascus, my eyes were suddenly opened, as I met Jesus.
ACTS 9:1-18
Reading about Jesus last days, LUKE chapters 22, 23, 24… it was during Jesus ‘trial” before :Pilate (man)and I suddenly knew, that Jesus, the God of the universe had come to earth all those years ago, to save ME.
From ME (my sin) and save from God’s wrath (anger/punishment towards sinners)
Looking at the cross, it should be me up there…..
And I could not be saved because I was reading my required number of verses and serving in the church and doing my best to behave and follow all the rules…..
But because I was a terrible law breaker, (like the people in the crowd shouting for His crucifixion) I could not on my own even obey the simple rules of the Bible, much less be acceptable to a holy and righteous God that DIED for me!!!
I had broken Gods laws, my sin was against Him directly, I acted like a Christian before people, but God knew everything, my past, my thoughts, my selfish ways, in fact, I nailed Christ to that cross (my sin) and I was trying to do good things to “make up for all of that?”
There is no making up for sin, no matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did, it didn’t erase my past or make me “good enough” to stand before God.
PSALM 19:7-11
-Sinners prayer
I didn't recite the "sinners prayer" on the day I was BORN AGAIN, I had said that prayer many times before in Church, but didn't really know what I was praying.
JOHN 3:3-7
On my REBIRTH DAY (THE DAY OF MY SALVATION)
I cried for joy and wept in shame at the same time, I cried because I realized that I (my sin) is the reason Jesus had to die such a horrible death on the cross. Joy because He went to the cross for ME.
I saw the truth, that no matter what I did, I was doomed if I died and stood before God alone.
MATTHEW 10:32-33
ROMANS 8:1-4!
I was so sorry for all the things I had done in my life, I NEEDED God to take that all away, I needed His forgiveness on that day, and I received it, because I was truly sorry and repentant for MY SINS toward God, (which are great) and I turned, right then
-from my life of sin
-to the holy God of salvation.
2 CORINTHIANS 7:10
Jesus' death on the cross saves us from hell, He did that for me because He loves me.
LUKE 19:10
JOHN 3:16-17
I deserve hell, because I sin against a holy God, no, I’m not as bad as Hitler, or nearly as good as Mother Teresa….but even she is not good enough, sin is sin and just like Adolf Hitler, I deserve hell.
ROMANS 5:8-9
BECAUSE:
He is holy and perfect, I am broken and lost.
Christ the final sacrifice for me the guilty sinner.
SO that I would NOT have to face God alone on the day that I die, to explain WHY I have done all the things I’ve done, but I can stand there with Jesus as my defense, as my redeemer the one who paid my fine, so that I could go free. He paid the debt for my sin that I could never pay, it’s now erased.
ROMANS 6:10-14
I died that day, to my self-centered life of my own “good works” and was reborn, a new person in Christ, trusting that His life and sacrifice DID in fact pay the debt I owed to God, I no longer had to try and earn my way into heaven, because it’s impossible!
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
Jesus did it for us, because NONE of us can do it for ourselves.
ISAIAH 53:5-6
AD
I still have many of the same "challenges" as I did Before Christ.
But, I do not face them alone.
Most of my old troubles seem so much smaller now, I do not worry. I absolutely do not go after the things of the world as I used to, I can respond differently now.
I know how the story ends, I know where I will go when I die, I have an eternal perspective on everything, life, troubles and my family.
MATTHEW 6:25-34
I have this HOPE, in Christ, because after Jesus died, he rose from the dead, this is how we know that heaven is real and we will be risen there with Christ, this hope that I am sharing with you now, today, because my greatest desire, in line with Gods desire, is that none of you will perish on that last day, but join me in eternity.
SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW
We will all have a last day, we will all face God on that day, as sinners who are unworthy of heaven, YET we can all have Jesus standing with us, to plead our case and set us free.
HEBREWS 9:27-28
My new every birthday wish: You've heard the saying "you can't take it with you" that's true,The ONLY thing I can hope to bring with me into FOREVER, is you.
*I just want to make sure, that I have shared this with you because I love you!
Maybe you are like me, and just didn't know?
Maybe you have an awesome birthday story to share with me!
Tell me about the day of your salvation -it could be today!
I Love you, Laura
MARK 16:15
HOW?
-it was the best birthday ever and I didn't even know it was going to be my birthday.
1 PETER 3:15
BC
I would have told you that I was a Christian.
I believed in God, I was raised in church, I was confirmed in the Lutheran church as a young person- I had to study the Bible, memorize scripture and stand up before the church to be confirmed, kind of like a Jewish bar-mitzvah, if you’re not familiar with a Lutheran confirmation.
As an adult, I went to church every time the door was open, for about 10 years, I took my children to church, I served my church gladly, taught Sunday School, youth, sang in the choir, ever ready to serve. I read my Bible regularly as an assignment for Sunday School class.
I tried to be good and obedient, but I had never met Jesus.
ISAIAH 64:6
Here's the thing, I "thought" I was a good person "because" I was doing all these things, and I HOPED that this would get me into heaven.
ROMANS 3:12
(Still questioning within myself: Can I do enough that my good will out weigh my bad? Is that how I avoid hell?......)
I thought that was what God required. I never heard the law and the gospel. I may have "heard" the words, but it didn't make sense.
The salvation message had no meaning for me.
Are you saved? Born again? What does that really mean?
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18
Searching
I had to read a certain number of chapters in the Bible each week so that I could report my "good works" to my Sunday school class.
I was being obedient, to the rules of the class, to pray and read the Bible.
I was actually just seeking the approval/acceptance and fellowship of the other ladies in my Sunday school class.
I did not know that I was learning how to seek God, by prayerfully reading his word. I did not know that the God of ...........everything...........was about to reveal Himself to me.
But that is what happened.
June 8, 1999, my re-birthday.
The best birthday EVER.
I was reading my required number of chapters for class.....
I had been praying and reading, I was alone in my room. It was late at night.
There was no salvation sermon, there was no alter call, just the Word and me.
And like Paul on the road to Damascus, my eyes were suddenly opened, as I met Jesus.
ACTS 9:1-18
Reading about Jesus last days, LUKE chapters 22, 23, 24… it was during Jesus ‘trial” before :Pilate (man)and I suddenly knew, that Jesus, the God of the universe had come to earth all those years ago, to save ME.
From ME (my sin) and save from God’s wrath (anger/punishment towards sinners)
Looking at the cross, it should be me up there…..
And I could not be saved because I was reading my required number of verses and serving in the church and doing my best to behave and follow all the rules…..
But because I was a terrible law breaker, (like the people in the crowd shouting for His crucifixion) I could not on my own even obey the simple rules of the Bible, much less be acceptable to a holy and righteous God that DIED for me!!!
I had broken Gods laws, my sin was against Him directly, I acted like a Christian before people, but God knew everything, my past, my thoughts, my selfish ways, in fact, I nailed Christ to that cross (my sin) and I was trying to do good things to “make up for all of that?”
There is no making up for sin, no matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did, it didn’t erase my past or make me “good enough” to stand before God.
PSALM 19:7-11
-Sinners prayer
I didn't recite the "sinners prayer" on the day I was BORN AGAIN, I had said that prayer many times before in Church, but didn't really know what I was praying.
JOHN 3:3-7
On my REBIRTH DAY (THE DAY OF MY SALVATION)
I cried for joy and wept in shame at the same time, I cried because I realized that I (my sin) is the reason Jesus had to die such a horrible death on the cross. Joy because He went to the cross for ME.
I saw the truth, that no matter what I did, I was doomed if I died and stood before God alone.
MATTHEW 10:32-33
ROMANS 8:1-4!
I was so sorry for all the things I had done in my life, I NEEDED God to take that all away, I needed His forgiveness on that day, and I received it, because I was truly sorry and repentant for MY SINS toward God, (which are great) and I turned, right then
-from my life of sin
-to the holy God of salvation.
2 CORINTHIANS 7:10
Jesus' death on the cross saves us from hell, He did that for me because He loves me.
LUKE 19:10
JOHN 3:16-17
I deserve hell, because I sin against a holy God, no, I’m not as bad as Hitler, or nearly as good as Mother Teresa….but even she is not good enough, sin is sin and just like Adolf Hitler, I deserve hell.
ROMANS 5:8-9
BECAUSE:
He is holy and perfect, I am broken and lost.
Christ the final sacrifice for me the guilty sinner.
SO that I would NOT have to face God alone on the day that I die, to explain WHY I have done all the things I’ve done, but I can stand there with Jesus as my defense, as my redeemer the one who paid my fine, so that I could go free. He paid the debt for my sin that I could never pay, it’s now erased.
ROMANS 6:10-14
I died that day, to my self-centered life of my own “good works” and was reborn, a new person in Christ, trusting that His life and sacrifice DID in fact pay the debt I owed to God, I no longer had to try and earn my way into heaven, because it’s impossible!
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
Jesus did it for us, because NONE of us can do it for ourselves.
ISAIAH 53:5-6
AD
I still have many of the same "challenges" as I did Before Christ.
But, I do not face them alone.
Most of my old troubles seem so much smaller now, I do not worry. I absolutely do not go after the things of the world as I used to, I can respond differently now.
I know how the story ends, I know where I will go when I die, I have an eternal perspective on everything, life, troubles and my family.
MATTHEW 6:25-34
I have this HOPE, in Christ, because after Jesus died, he rose from the dead, this is how we know that heaven is real and we will be risen there with Christ, this hope that I am sharing with you now, today, because my greatest desire, in line with Gods desire, is that none of you will perish on that last day, but join me in eternity.
SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW
We will all have a last day, we will all face God on that day, as sinners who are unworthy of heaven, YET we can all have Jesus standing with us, to plead our case and set us free.
HEBREWS 9:27-28
My new every birthday wish: You've heard the saying "you can't take it with you" that's true,The ONLY thing I can hope to bring with me into FOREVER, is you.
*I just want to make sure, that I have shared this with you because I love you!
Maybe you are like me, and just didn't know?
Maybe you have an awesome birthday story to share with me!
Tell me about the day of your salvation -it could be today!
I Love you, Laura
MARK 16:15
HOW?
·
-Look
inside, have you kept the law?
·
Look
at the 10 Commandments, have you ever lied?... I have. Ever
stolen anything? .. I have. Do you put God first, ALWAYS.... not me. Do we
honor our parents? ..... sometimes. Ever used Gods name as a cuss word...I
have. That’s only 5 of the 10, I am not a good person.
ROMANS 2:15
But I AM made right now because Jesus died for me and my debt is paid, I have turned from my sins (repented) and now I live to -Thank you Jesus!!
ROMANS 2:15
But I AM made right now because Jesus died for me and my debt is paid, I have turned from my sins (repented) and now I live to -Thank you Jesus!!
·
Turn
from your sin, repent
and trust Jesus death as
payment, and live.
ACTS 3:19, LUKE 13:3 , PSALM 51, ROMANS 13:14, ROMANS 5:15,19, 21
ACTS 3:19, LUKE 13:3 , PSALM 51, ROMANS 13:14, ROMANS 5:15,19, 21
·
Then
read your Bible prayerfully every day, do what it says and you will know the
truth!
PROVERBS 1:7
PROVERBS 1:7
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