Category: Daily Post

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Little Drummer Boy

There is one tradition Christmas carol that for the last several years I have pretty much despised.  And that is the Little Drummer Boy.  My analytical brain could not handle this crazy addition to the Christmas Story.  I mean, who is this kid, and where in the world did he come from.  And why is he waking the baby playing that blasted drum?

However, last year, I started thinking about this song a little differently, and even more so this year.  Now, let me stop and say that it’s not that I have developed an affection for it, but I have been able to begin to tolerate it.  I guess it’s not really about a made up drummer boy, and his drum.  It’s really a lesson about giving all you have to the Savior of the world. ( I know many of you are saying Duh , where have you been!)

As the Holiday approaches very rapidly, I am sure you will hear many renditions of this number on the internet or over the air waves.  As you do remember these two little bits of wisdom from the scriptures.

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 New International Version (NIV)

 

10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 New International Version (NIV)

 

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Encourage

This morning as I was preparing for the day I could hear the screeching of sirens in the distance, as they raced to some emergency.  As I stood in a very quiet peaceful house in comfort, I thought about how at that moment somewhere there was chaos.  Enough chaos that several emergency vehicles were going as fast as they could to that spot, to help restore some order to the chaos.   I find it quite interesting how there can be peace in one place and chaos in another, and yet those places be so close together.

So today, if you are enjoying peace – and of course I am now talking about on the inside – reach out to someone who is living in chaos and offer them encouragement.  Find someone who needs it, it really shouldn’t be that hard, and encourage them.

And if you are in some chaos yourself you still may want to find someone else to encourage.  It will probably help you as well.

 

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version (NIV)

 

 

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Who Are You Pleasing

This one is short and simple(but it could be ultimately puzzling).  Think about who you are trying to please today:

 10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 American Standard Version (ASV)

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Eternal Swag

I am getting this out late today because I had to take the kitty to the vet this morning – and then attempt to catch up at work. So just a short thought today.

This past weekend I was teaching some junior high boys about Ananias and Paul and how that Ananias guy was impressive risk taker. As we transitioned from a history lesson to life in the middle schools of America, they suggested the followers of the Christ had “no swag”.

The sad part is I understand what they are talking about somewhat,  because as they put it sometime those that follow the Way, can be “lame”.   However, there’s not much lame, in my opinion about getting out and treating others the way they should be treating.  It may not be as flashy or as exciting as some other things in life, but it probably makes a much larger impact. 

Personally, I think the lameness of followers of the Christ come when they stop following the man who died on a cross for an act he didn’t commit and start after the judgements and short-term visions in their own hearts.  And actually I think that is what they were talking about as well.

I dunno, this one is a real brain stumper to me, and the reason I even write about it is not as much for encouragement to you, as it is to challenge you today – in two ways.

First, why do those that follow the Christ come off as lame?

and Second, are you focused on having ‘swag’ here and now, or as I told the boys, are you thinking about have “eternal swag”.   ( I am not even sure what that really is, but I know that is how the followers of Christ really live.)

 

  16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

And I guess, the tertiary challenge is to think about how this next generation is thinking.  I know it has stayed in my head all week so far.

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Simple Transformation

Well lookie here. Transformed from that boring thing on Friday!!

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And so should it be with us, each day changed from a boring selfish person, to someone who emits that light of the Father.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 New International Version (NIV)