Looking at the World with Jesus' Eyes

I know it is hard around this time to see the world the way Jesus sees it.  People cutting you off while driving, pushing ahead in lines, etc. is enough to make anyone crazy! 

I am reflecting on a video I watched recently where a guy is going through the normal routine of life with some difficulty: getting cut off, long line at the coffee shop,, and then someone hands him a a pair of special glasses. He puts the glasses on and boom! he magically sees everyone with subtitles underneath. Like the guy who cut him off in line " is having trouble making ends meet", or the guy waiting on him at the coffee shop " has a fear of commitment." It makes the main character see people differently, the way Jesus would want him to look at the world. 

I was able to spread a little Christmas cheer yesterday by getting some shower gels from Bath and Body Works and i gave them to the consignment shop workers that work at the shop I frequently enter. I know it isn't much, but they were floored at the fact I thought of them that day. They have a thankless job ( much like me!) and get very little appreciation for what they do. I just wanted to show them I appreciate them for their hard work.  Just trying to spread a little cheer to people i meet.....

I encourage you to spread a little Christmas cheer this season, even to people who don't deserve it. After all, didn't our Savior do that for us?

Adopted as Sons

I am currently doing some research on our adopted as sons ( and daughters) into the family of God for my book.  I am amazed at how much God talks about that and how many people could use that refreshing take on their lives. How many of us really live our lives as if we are truly God's son or daughter?If we changed our perspective and viewed our lives that way, how much of our lives would have to be changed? 

How would we view the hardships we are going through right now as the refining God wants to do to make us more like Him? " “Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined ( and everyone undergoes discipline) then you are illegitimate children and not true sons… No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have trained by it.”( Hebrews 12:7-12 NIV). Do we truly view our circumstances the way that the book of Hebrews states? 

Do you believe you  are adopted into the family of God?

There is a hole in Our Christmas Tree!

That is what my son said to me just a few minutes ago. He was looking in between the branches to the gap in between two of them that overlooks the floor behind the tree. Only my son could see something like that- point out the one gap in between 2 branches.

But, isn't that the same with us? If we don't look at the intricacies of the Christmas season and what it is really all about, don't we find a hole in the middle? Doesn't the season just become hollow and meaningless, like there is a hole in people's hearts because they are relying on one day a year to fulfill their lives, as opposed to looking at the one who fulfills our lives everyday? 

My husband and I were driving with our children to Joe's parents house when we hit traffic at every exit from our church to there. There were some slushy, icy patches on the road, enough to cause accidents on every highway we tried. Upon realizing this, my husband slowed his speed to avoid this impending danger. The person behind him beeped loudly and then whirled by him , looking back in disgust! And I'm thinking, it is Christmas time ! Have we forgotten the season in which we run around putting unnecessary stress on ourselves? 86% of people believe in God, or so they claim. Why are we not living like the religion we affiliate ourselves with? If we can't get this right on the one day a year people expect good will toward men, then we have our work cut out for us.

When God Says " So What?"

I love the verse in John 28 where Jesus says to Peter, who was just told that he would be martyred for the faith and he is concerned with how John will die, " So What?" 

Ok,so not in those exact words, but  when he says " what is that to you?" he is basically saying to Peter, "so what" if I want John to die a different way than you. 

It is a great word for his people not to compare yourself with what God is doing in the lives of others. especially those of other believers. 

So, what is God saying " so what?" to you about?

Where are you comparing yourself to others ?

Why does it matter  what is he is doing on others' lives?

What is He doing in others' lives that He is not doing in yours?

Tolerance is Intolerant

Why is ti that whenever someone is trying to  promote a mesaage of tolerance do Christians get portrayed as intolerant?  Why do Christians not receive the same tolerance as the other religions that emphasize it?  Why don't we have the right to celebrate and talk about religion, yet when we do we are seen as being pushy?

Take the show Community, for example. Ot the Office. Both claimed the christians of their group  were " pushing" beliefs on others. Yet, just 20 years ago, Merry Christmas was the natural greeting for this season, and Happy Holidays was unheard of. Aren't you preaching intolerance when you say Happy holidays, because you are not allowed to  state the religion you believe in?

Furthermore, why is it that people are so offended by saying Merry Christmas when it is just Santa that they are promoting? When is the last time you heard that Jesus was the focus of this holiday ?  And, where is my tolerance when I do want to teach my children, follow an advent calendar or say Merry Christmas?

What if WE did what we could?

So, first Elisa Morgan talks about what Mary did that made it "what she could" , then asks herself " what if I did what I could?" , then ends with " what if we all did what we could?"

So, what if WE all did what we could with the people God has put into our lives. Maybe if all of us helped the poor, prayed , met a need for someone everyday, what kind of impact would that have on the world as we know it? 

I mean, isn't that at the forefront of any charity event, environmental protest, or church pulpit? 

We can't all solve the problem of homelessness. Or war in Afghanistan.  Or the sex slave industry. The bible is clear " The poor will always be among you..." But, that doesn't mane we sit idly by and do nothing.  

The bible is also clear. We are to be the " hands and feet" of Christ. That's how we give him glory.  But, it can feel overwhelming at times.

This message by Morgan, however, is not.  If I just set out to meet one person's need everyday,  the  message of Christ will be spread more rapidly.

If the I, turns into we,  however, we could change the world. 

What if i did what I could?

After Elisa Morgan describes WHAT  Mary did, she poses the question to the reader: what if I did what I could?  

Maybe we can't eliminate world hunger or restore peace to the Middle East, but who has God brought in my path to help or to give my best?  

Maybe it is writing a check to help someone pay for groceries. Maybe it is stooping down to pick up whatever it was the stranger next to you dropped and is having difficulty retaining.  Maybe it is hugging or praying for someone in need. 

What if I did what I could? Everyday? What if i were more aware of the needs of those around me , instead of focusing solely on myself? How much good could I do to change the world?