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End of the Eggnog

Well, what a wonderful weekend. We wrapped up a great week of celebration by unwrapping fantastic gifts for each others, by spending time with family, by enjoying 6 inches of snow and by remembering the birth of the Christ.  But now the eggnog ( non-alcoholic, of course) is gone, and bottom of the tree is empty and seems life goes back to the drudgery of it all

But it doesn’t have to be the way.  The joy around Christmas sprouts from the joy that is found in living a life full of love for others.  No, not the mamby bamby hug ever one sort of love, but a love that comes out of true concern and adoration.

So, as you enjoy the last of the eggnog, remember the carry the spirit along with you, as we see here in these words from Romans about real love in action:

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:9-21

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Bless Us All

Merry Christmas from the Daily Buffet!

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”” – Luke 2:11-14

Enjoy the day with your family!

God Bless Us  – Every One.

(If you can’t see those two videos here are the links are here and here.)

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Only One More Sleep

Santa is on the way, I just checked NORAD and he has started his work somewhere in Russia!  What fun.

So with Christmas on everyone’s mind, its a time for rejoicing and rest, families and friends and traditions.  And as always consider others around you, after all there’s only one more sleep till Christmas Day.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (New International Version, ©2010)

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Famous Motives

As you know if you are a long time reader of this blog, that I am a fan of the writings and teaching style of Francis Chan.  It has been well published that earlier this year he left his position at the mega church he started because he felt it was becoming too much about him and not enough about the Christ he teaches.

Yesterday a good friend of mine pointed me to a Cnn.com article about Mr. Chan’s departure.  I found it very odd that this article mentioned several times that there was no impropriety in his leaving.  It was almost like the assumption would be that is someone stepped out of a ‘famous’ position there had to be some sort of badness behind the scenes, and that the motivation for such a move would be more about covering up darkness then exposing the light.

Take a read, and add Mr. Chan to the cloud of witnesses that are pushing you towards good works.  I hope you find some encouragement in the way Mr. Chan has kept his focus and that it will help you in your own personal decisions and directions.

17 And 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, ©2010)

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As You Once Were

Yesterday one of my liberal minded, utopia seeking college student friends, whom I dearly love,  posted on Facebook about some political things going on in Nashville.  Without going into all the gory details, I have to say that I spend a better part of the day thinking about how to tactfully post a response to his somewhat condemning post.

My thoughts quickly traveled to Ephesians however, for it is here that the writer of this letter lays out some very profound and yet simple ideas for those who wish to follow the Christ.

You see, my friend was calling out the way sin has been categorized to a point that some is acceptable and some is not. However, the letter the the Ephesians clearly calls out all sorts of dark behaviors and groups them in the same pot.  Then there’s the real kicker.  It’s not a condemnation for having had these sins in your life, but an impetus to move past them:

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

All of us have sinned. All of us continue to make mistakes.  All of us are so dependent on the grace the oozes from our Lord.  However, we are still admonished to move toward the light and to leave the other things in darkness.  The Message version of this brings home the point in a very contemporary way:

8-10You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10  The Message (MSG)

So, we need to leave the darkness behind, and move towards the light – transformed by the grace and love of Christ. As you battle the darkness in your life remember this admonishment. And as you deal with others steeped in the battle with darkness please remember that “you were once darkness” but now “you are the light”.  Approach them with the grace and love bestowed upon you.

Oh, and isn’t this just another reason to live a life of joy?