What Do You Think You Can't Do?

WRITTen SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010

Me and my treadmill ... (to God be the Glory!)

I don't know why now ... I mean, I surely do not understand what is different about the last few weeks ... well, wait, I DO KNOW WHAT ... OK ... let me explain.  I do not like exercise!  I mean, I really DO NOT LIKE exercise.  I could actually use the 4-letter "H" word that refers to having anaversion to and/or an intense dislike ... REALLY.  My husband, on the other hand, LOVES exercise and would be perfectly happy to exercise often and heartily.  YUCK!  

A little more than fourteen years ago, I began to have terrible back pain, a burning like I've never felt before and throbbing, aching muscles around my knees.  I underwent many medical tests and after testing negative for each, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, ... hmmm ...  The pain got so bad that I could hardly do more than just walk.  It was (in my opinion) absolutely ridiculous; I was only 24 years old but I felt like I was much, much older.  I was given multiple prescription drugs, which after the first couple of days I refused to take because they made me sick, and I was told this would never go away and I would have to learn to live with it.  

 I have tried exercise now and then over the years and I have had some successes, but in most cases, my body would suffer greater pain and discomfort from most types of increased physical activity.  Therefore, I disliked exercise even more and did it less and less which caused me to be even less physically fit and my body to become weaker ... are you starting to get the point?  It was kind of like a hamster running in his wheel and not ever going anywhere.  Over the years, my husband and I have prayed about it, talked about it, challenged it and accepted it and though I've pushed myself past what I believed was my limit on numerous occasions, more often I have stopped myself due to the thoughts constantly parading in my mind "I can't do this" and "I don't want to hurt".  A vicious cycle is what it has been.

Over the last year or so, I have been doing some soul-searching, I have been seeking God more deeply, I have tried to analyze certain aspects of my life and trying to improve upon those areas where I fall very short.  While I've been "searching" and cleansing my mind and my thoughts, I have found that there is a link to the way that I treat my body.  Now, I would not say that I have abused my body or mistreated my body in terrible ways and I don't think anyone else would either but stick with me here and I'll explain.

I LOVE sweets and treats!  Truly, ... I would pick a handful of cookies over a piece of fruit any day.  One could almost say I am addicted.  I'm not really sure if it goes hand in hand with someone who has an addition to say, ... tobacco or alcohol or something like that ..., but I DO NOT LIKE to go without a sweet.  So, in the recent months, during my "searching" and "cleansing" of the mind, I discovered and had to confess to myself that I might just regard my sweets (and my tea - sniff, sniff) higher than I regard my LORD and Savior.  Is THAT possible?  Dear friends, ... it really is!  If one could find him or her "self" saying, "I'm not giving that up for ANYONE!", ... THAT is an addiction and an "enslavement" to that "thing".  

Tea and sweets are something that I thoroughly enjoy, something that I count on for enjoyment and comfort ... it's wonderful to sit quietly sipping a lovely cup of hot tea and nibbling on some tasty bit of sweetness ... but I discovered that I was allowing THAT ACTIVITY to become my GOD, ... where I sought refuge, comfort, peace and renewed strength.  In addition, my indulgences in said "comfort and peace" has caused me to pack on extra pounds that I do not wish to have ... another vicious cycle.  

As 2009 came to a close, I was really at a point where I just knew I wanted to change.  I spoke with the LORD, telling Him I don't want to be a slave to food and be enslaved to an immobile body ... (You are my GOD and You are all I NEED) so I planned to fast.  Honestly, I've never really done this before.  I've thought about it many times, I've heard about it and I've read a little bit about it.  At first, I was going to fast from all unnatural foods but then quickly realized that my intent was really to prove to myself and to the LORD that He is my first "comfort and peace"; nothing comes before Him, everything in my life comes after Him.  Tea and sweets are what I needed to fast so for the first few weeks of January that is what I did.  It was SO DIFFICULT and I had to seek God constantly for strength and perseverance.  When it became difficult and I thought I would give in to temptation, I prayed, asking God for strength.  I searched the Bible for more direction and more insight and before long, I realized that God hadn't actually asked me to "fast"; He just wanted my focus to return to Him ~ He knows always, but sometimes I forget that when I remain focused on God, there is a peace in all things and my perspective is clearer.  

The funny thing is, I was sure that during those weeks that I was fasting from honey-sweetened teas and numerous candy snacks and sugary treats, that extra pounds would just melt away effortlessly ... and do you know that I did NOT lose one single pound during that time???  Oh, the frustration at that realization. But let me tell you something ... dear ones, you've been patient and I am finally getting to the point ... 

On the day that I decided that I would no longer fast from tea and sweets (and to celebrate its end, my dear, sweet husband was taking me to Panera for a Chai Tea Latte and sweet treat in the evening) I had a strange urge to run on my treadmill.  I do not really know why I would "WANT" to do something like this but I thought, "I'll give it a shot and at the least I'll try to counter some of the calories I will consume later at Panera".  Do you know what happened?  

After one minute, I just wanted to get off!  So, I prayed ... perhaps it was the LORD, Himself, prompting me to talk to Him ... to focus not on the discomfort but rather to draw strength from Him.  I began to say the LORD's Prayer.  I found that after saying "Amen", nearly a minute had gone by and so I'd say it again, thinking about each word as I prayed them, ... Amen and Amen.  I was so overwhelmed that first day that I was in tears as my time on the treadmill came to an end.  I was on my treadmill for thirty minutes doing a mix of fast-walking and jogging!!!  I set myself a goal ... thirty minutes or 300 calories, whichever takes longer.  And I did it!!!  

So, the next day, I did it again!  And the day after that, I did it again!  Each time, I would pray and talk to God, saying the LORD's Prayer and adding another AMEN each time; then I began praying Scripture that I know to help the minutes go by and to pray to the LORD for strength and endurance.  As the minutes would go by, while in prayer, I would watch the numbers change on the information panel of the treadmill.  The panel displays distance, time elapsed and calories burned.  Being the "numbers person" that I am, I would look at the numbers and talk to God about the numbers, ... one more minute, LORD, ... help me to reach the next whole number, ... I'm almost to the next mile, help me to keep going, ... I trust You, LORD, You are my strength ... and so I would push myself as the LORD allowed and each day I have met my goal and on more days I have exceeded my goal.  One day last week, I was so "into it" that God spurred me to fifty minutes on my treadmill!!!  Yesterday, I went for my "record" time/distance/calories of 60 minutes, 11 seconds!!!  

To some, this might be strange ... to others, the fact that I'm making such a big deal might be cause for concern and to those who are physically fit on a regular basis, this whole post might be absurd ~ perhaps the only person who might truly understand what an amazing, awe-inspiring, miraculous fact this truly is would be my husband (and even then, he can't fully know) ~ BUT, GOD is allowing me something that I have not been able to attain until now.  Each day when I go on the treadmill, I think about God, I pray to Him, I think about how awesome it is that He is allowing me to do this and I'm not struggling with pain, discomfort, breathing issues, muscles spasms, leg cramps, etc ... all things that have inhibited me before.  My attitude has changed; my outlook is more positive ~ I feel REALLY GOOD!  And guess what else?  While I haven't given up tea and sweets, I am not craving it to pacify me or to provide me comfort and so I've had less of it (beloved Dennis and Maureen, this does not mean you should discontinue parcels of vital supplies).  Amazingly, and to the glory of God, I am seeing physical results to my "prayer time on the treadmill", even though it's only been a few weeks.  

There are some days that I think about skipping out but I don't want to take for granted what the LORD is granting me ... I want to take full advantage of it now and as long as it lasts; I don't want it to be taken away.  And usually after I've been at it for a few minutes, the negative thoughts are gone and I know it's good to be where I am.  The LORD is with me each day, as I talk with Him and pray, as I draw strength from Him ... my mind races with thoughts about my glorious God and the time passes by quickly and that in itself is a huge blessing!  

It is only because of GOD that this is happening; it is only by His strength that I am achieving this success.  I thank Him each day; I praise Him because He loves me even in the tiny details ~ in ways that some might be blind to or find completely insignificant ~ the LORD is with me.  I cannot say it enough ... I have been given this gift by God; I could not do this before!  I could not do this before!  How great is my God?  Truly indescribable!!!

So, ... what do you think you can't do??

Nothing is impossible with God ~ Luke 1:37

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength ~ Philippians 4:13

I love you, O LORD, my strength ~ Psalm 18:1

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect ~ Psalm 18:32

A Little Story ... as told by myself, Ben and Molly

Me: “Did you know that Ben is my son?  Do you think he looks like me?

Yep, he is!

As my natural son, Ben is granted certain rights and privileges just for being born to me such as food, shelter and clothing is provided to him.  As his parent, it is also my responsibility to share with him, teach him right and wrong and love him no matter what.  As my child, Ben is considered to be my heir and he is entitled to an inheritance.

So, Ben, what’s an heir?” 

Ben: “A person who inherits or is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate and/or possessions of another.”

Me: “What’s an inheritance?” 

Ben: “Something that is or will be inherited; property that transfers at the owner’s death to his or her heir.”

Me:  "Okay, ... so, what will Ben inherit from me?  My house?  Here is a nice room in the house ... my favorite room ...

The family car?  Here is a likeness of our vehicle ... if that's still around, it will be part of Ben's inheritance.

And if there's any of this left ... well, that will part of the inheritance too!

Those things are fine, I guess ... but they're not worth all that much, are they? ...  they're not indestructible, ...  and they certainly won't last forever.

Me:  “Hmm, … okay, are you with me so far?

Did you know that Molly is my daughter?  Do you think she looks like me?

            Molly isn’t my natural-born daughter – she’s adopted.

Molly, what does adopted mean?” 

Molly: “To take into one’s family through legal means and to raise as one’s own child.  My mama and baba adopted me and I got to live a new country with a new family; I got a new name and now I have a future inheritance!”

Me: “That's right!  Molly’s rights and privileges as my daughter are exactly the same as Ben’s, just as if she had been born to me in the same way that Ben was.  Isn't that cool?  That's one of the uniquely special things about adoption!”

Ben: “hold on, uh, … Mom …”

Mom: “yes?”

Ben: “I’m adopted.”

Mom: “huh?”

Ben” “I’m adopted too …”

Mom: “what do you mean, you’re adopted?  I should know whether or not I gave birth to you or if I adopted you.”

Ben: “I’m adopted by God.”

Me: “Ohhhh … you know what?  Ben’s right!  (He always WAS a smarty-pants!)  Ben IS adopted by God!  And not only has Molly been adopted by our family but she, too, has been adopted by God … even I have been adopted by God!  Do you know why?”

“God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5NLT)

“What does that mean?  Well, we have to start at the beginning …

What is Sin? – SIN IS ANYTHING THAT SOMEONE DOES, THINKS OR SAYS THAT DOES NOT AGREE WITH WHAT GOD DOES, THINKS OR SAYS. (why? Because God is  Creator and He sets the standard)

Who Sins? – EVERYONE “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Ben and Molly, when you do something wrong at home or at school, is there a consequence?”

Ben and Molly (in unison):  “YES.”

What is the consequence for Sin? – “For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23a)

“So, what is the consequence?  It's DEATH!  What is death?  It is eternal separation from God … so our sin certainly does NOT get us to heaven because that’s where he lives and our sin separates us from Him.

“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)  …

... did you read the BUT in that verse?

So, what is this gift?  And what is ‘eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Believe in the LORD Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

… and there’s more to it …when we believe that Jesus is our LORD and Savior because God sent Him for us, to save us from our sins, we are guaranteed eternal life in heaven AND ...

“… to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, … but born of God.” (John 1:12)

“…[we] received God’s Spirit when he adopted [us] as his own children.  Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs.  In fact, together with Christ, we are heirs of God’s glory.” (Romans 8:15b)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, … (1 Peter 1:3-4)

 ... we are also included in the same inheritance that Jesus Himself is given as the natural Son of our Heavenly Father!!!  Can you imagine???

Living in Filth ...

My son broke our vacuum cleaner!  I have to preface that my verve for cleaning, organizing and rearranging has not genetically passed along to him.  You must know that he almost never vacuums; it's just not one of his strong points and if he can avoid the task of vacuuming, he certainly will but on one recent occasion, he did decide to take that route at a time when it became absolutely necessary due to build-up of what we'll call "debris and gunk".

And he broke the vacuum cleaner!  The nerve! 

So, ... naturally, we needed to purchase a new vacuum cleaner.  We got one by Eureka, the kind that doesn't require vacuum bags!  It’s great!  There’s just this cylinder-shaped container that catches all the debris that the vacuum sucks up. 

Well, there was a period of nearly two weeks between the death of our old vacuum and the purchase of our new one.  Needless to say, I went to vacuuming right away.  I took the new machine out of the box, connected its attachments, plugged it in and away I went.  I vacuumed just one room and noticed movement … you know … in that cylinder-shaped container that catches all the debris that the vacuum sucks up.  So, I turned it off and pulled the container out. 

Sure enough, it was FULL of YUCK that looked like THIS …

THAT WAS IN MY CARPET?  ALL THAT??  That is, in my opinion, A LOT and I couldn’t even see any of it!  I had no idea we were living in that filth and I certainly didn’t realize it could build up so quickly. 

You know, .. SIN is like that.  Sometimes it’s right there under our noses, we’re living in it and we don’t even realize it.  If we don’t pay attention and remove it right away, if we ignore it because we don't want to deal with it, it can build up in our lives, eventually becoming obstacles of "debris and gunk".  When we're finally ready to do something about it, it might just be that permanent damage is unavoidable (we may suffer earthly consequences of our sin), though, spiritually, God wipes our slate clean because God is a God of FORGIVENESS and RESTORATION! 
For those of us who are in Christ ... believing that He (Jesus) physically and spiritually received the punishment we deserve when He was crucified and descended into hell, trusting that He overcame the shackles of death by His unsurpassing power, knowing that He crushed Satan's grip on Him and all mankind who believe when He was raised from the dead ... we are restored and Jesus resumes His reign next to His Father in heaven. 

I know that it is impossible for me to prevent ANY "debris and gunk" from getting into my house so I have to vacuum on a regular basis.  In the same way, it is impossible for us to prevent ANY sin from being in our lives ... we still sin but we continue to strive toward eliminating them from our lives.  God is our vacuum cleaner and we can go to Him on a regular basis and allow Him to remove our "debris and gunk".  1 John 1:8-9 says that "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess ours sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  He restores us and helps us to choose differently, react differently, respond differently ... until the sins we continue to struggle with become less and less.   It's a process and it needs to be dealt with on a regular basis; the longer we put it off, the more prone we will be to incurring greater consequences or damage ... turn to the LORD and let Him be your vacuum so you don't keep "living in filth".

It's Time for a Change ...

I like change!

I do!  Call me CRAZY … but what I really like is to rearrange ...  furniture, that is!  It’s my quirky characteristic!

Rearranging furniture causes me to clean the spots that have been hidden and gone unnoticed, to remove those things that have piled up since the last time I rearranged and it allows me to give a room a new look.  I like the opportunity for something new

... newness ...

I like the way it feels, the way it looks and this time of year is a GREAT time for furniture rearranging.  Most of us have to make room for our Christmas tree and the numerous decorations that we pull out of storage and when it’s time to put everything away, as it now is, the opportunity to rearrange and to give everything a fresh and sparkly perspective is absolutely inviting!  However, there is a downside to my fervor for furniture relocation.  My family does not share my enthusiasm and sometimes they are even put out by it.  Sometimes, it throws them off; it causes confusion as it disrupts the flow of continuity and routine and often they aren’t given a choice prior to the rearranging event. 

Change can be a choice but sometimes it is forced upon us without forewarning; sometimes circumstances interrupt our plans and unwanted change is hurled at us … and some of us are reluctant to change.  Things happen, a word is spoken, a look is given, a tragedy strikes, our desires are not fulfilled … and sometimes … we just STOP. We stop right where we are and as if our feet have become cemented to the ground we stand upon, we become hard and unmoving. 

Do you know what I’m talking about?  Has this happened to you?  It’s happened to me. 

You know, when we become a Christian, Satan no longer has the opportunity to snatch up our soul for himself … HOORAY!  That IS a good thing but, guess what?  He hates that!  It infuriates the devil when he loses claim to one of us.  So, he alternatively does the only thing that’s left for him to do.  Once he can no longer own our soul, he wants nothing more than to make us ineffective.  He thrives on our indifference!  Don’t think for one second that he is not the absolute cause for all the trouble and the tragedy, the heartache and the headaches, the destruction and the despair that is rampant in this world.  The Enemy is the root of depression, worry and fear and he wants to immobilize us to prevent us from bringing honor and glory to our LORD Jesus through our service.  So he attempts to disrupt our lives … but we do not have to allow him a foothold into our conscience.  When we do, we stop serving and we stop spreading His TRUTH … instead, we lament over our losses, we torment over our tragedies, we weaken in our worries and we surrender to Satan.  Dear One, … please understand this clearly … GOD DID NOT INTEND FOR YOU TO SURRENDER TO SATAN!

For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind. ~ 1Timothy 1:7 (NLV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Consider the caterpillar.  Just when he thought he was done for ... when he thought he had nothing left to offer ... he changed!  He became something beautiful and useful ... a purposeful creature.  Just like the caterpillar will never be a caterpillar again (the old has gone), we can never go back and be what we once were and we can’t hold on to what we don’t have.  And in the same way that the caterpillar transforms into something new and beautiful (the new has come), we can welcome the beauty in the opportunity of something new.  For those of us who are "in Christ", all the heavy baggage, the weight-bearing load of our sin and struggles and shame ... it's all GONE.  We tell ourselves that God has chosen for us to be "this way" when really, it's just that we're so used to carrying it around that we just don't want to "let it go".  JESUS has already released you from the strongholds you've been chained to (addiction, loss, unforgiveness, guilt, depression and anxiety, feeling unwanted, pride, doubt and unbelief ...) so Leave it ... Don't cling to it! 

In this new year, you have a choice … a choice to stand still or to move, a choice to languish or to overcome, … a choice … to walk away from “the old” and walk confidently towards, with great anticipation, the beautiful opportunity of something new … with purpose.  Will you do it?  I’ll be praying for it!

When we come to Christ, all that we are in nature and character is destined to change. ~ Frances Frangipane

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  ~Ezekiel 36:26

 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.   God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:14-21  (MSG)

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)

The walk is part of the gift ...

Long Walk Part of Gift
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:1 NIV).

Friend to Friend
An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other," she said.

When Christmas day came, the boy brought to the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. "Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?" the teacher asked as she gently fingered the gift.

The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless.

"Why...why, it's gorgeous...wonderful, but you shouldn't have gone all that way to get a gift for me."

His eyes brightening, the boy answered, "Long walk part of gift."

I just love that story. During this holiday season, I watch as people scurry about swiping those plastic cards through the credit card machines faster than a speeding bullet. And yet, God has already shown us that the most precious gifts cannot be bought or sold. "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" (John 3:16 NIV).

The magi also knew about the joy of giving. While they gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child, they also gave another gift...a long walk. We don't know how far the magi traveled, but we do know that it was a distance that took months, perhaps years. Their long walk was part of the gift.

I wonder how far we are willing to go to worship Jesus...to bring our gifts to him. I wonder how far out of the way we will go to praise him. Do we only give to Him when it is convenient or easy? Or do we give what He wants most - a portion of ourselves, our very lives.

I think the little African boy had the right idea. The real gift wasn't the shell; it was the sacrifice he had to make to give it.

Let's Pray
Dear God, thank You for the gift You gave us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that I will keep gift-giving in perspective this holiday season and give gifts from the heart rather than the pocketbook. Help me to see that a "long walk," or a portion of myself, is the greatest gift of all.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Someone Who Understands ... (author unknown)

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.
He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.

As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence.His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said,
"Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.


Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy..

"How much?" asked the little boy... "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands...

Symbols of Christmas: Christmas Tree

Consider the Christmas Tree …               

… it’s shaped like a triangle reminding us of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  “When the Helper comes, who I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness of Me.” ~John 15:26

… it’s an evergreen (it stays green all year round) and its limbs grow upward, reminding us of heaven, our future home where we will spend eternity.  “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” ~Romans 6:23

… it’s decorated with lights to remind us that God is Light and He is our Guide in this dark world.  In Him, we also are light and we are to shine that light to everyone we come in contact with.  “I am the light of the world. No follower of mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life"  ~John 8:12  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16

… it’s decorated with ornaments to commemorate all our special moments, they remind us of the blessings God has bestowed upon us.  Just as ornaments are all different shapes and sizes, blessings are all different as well.  God chooses each blessing for us so that it will be just right.  “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that He has given you.” ~Deuteronomy 1:17

…it’s decorated with a star to remind us of the heavenly sign of the fulfilled prophecy long ago when the star led the wisemen to the infant, Jesus.  For many miles, the men followed the star as it guided them to the Savior of the world.  “and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” ~Matthew 2”9b-10

… it’s decorated with an angel to remind us of the angels who proclaimed the news of the birth of Jesus.  “…Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the LORD.” ~Luke 2:10-11