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Best Day of the Year

It’s here.  The Best Day of the Year!. Even though I am so behind this morning, becoming the victim of a much different morning routine.   You may be asking why it’s the best day of the year, after all my birthday is in September and Christmas is in December.  And Ice Cream Sandwich Day is like in August or something.  Well, here is why:

 “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yep, I saw that quote Friday afternoon and thought it was perfect for the Buffet.

Make today the best day of the year!

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 American King James Version

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National Pancake Day

Hey, it’s  National Pancake Day! and that means FREE pancakes at IHOP.   It seems just like yesterday that I was writing about Pancake Day 2011.  That sure what a pretty creative post about pancakes and giving.

Today, however, is a different story, as my early morning departure for Atlanta has fizzled my creativity a little bit.  But, thinking of creativity, check out this video that was sitting on my Flipboard last evening.  It was sort of odd, just this , no words:

To Do List from Yaniv Fridman on Vimeo.

That’s pretty cool. It’s sort of a challenge to stretch yourself.  Enjoy the day.

24 This is the day the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be happy today! Psalm 118:24 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Oh, and just in case you thought it was the last day of February!!! It’s Not!

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Ode To Busyness

I feel like my life has been shot out of a cannon since school has started.  Over the last two weeks it’s been a combination of new practices, new routines, school meetings, and over various events that eat up the calendar from sun up until sun down.  The lazy days of summer ended in such incredible fashion that the memory of those days in only re-callable with pictures!  And it seems to be set to continue like this for some time.

This weekend I have been thinking about these weeks ahead and the ‘business’ that they are filled with and have decided to not be stressed by it.  There are so many positive things about to happen as our children discover their own strengths and weaknesses.  I can’t imagine the amount of memories that I will gather as a parent observing and challenging those guys. Maybe I am a little crazy, but I have decided that this busyness is life. Oh, sure some of it can be reduced, and lots of it can be managed.  But instead of ‘just getting through it’ or trying to find another way, I am going to try to embrace it head on.  (This may be the biggest mistake of my life!).

I am starting to think that the things we do each day are not barriers to us living life, but actually are us living life.  So today, on this Monday morning the beginning of a week with a schedule that is quite full, I am rejoicing.  Not because I am ‘busy’, for there is not doubt I would rather be laying on beach somewhere, but because I am starting a a day that is a gift from the Lord and the number of opportunities that lay ahead of me in this busyness are enormous.

So off I go, rejoicing ( I hope I can make it past 10am!!!)

 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 New International Version (NIV)

 

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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?

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Rejoice

Well I woke up this morning with these words on my lips:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

You know it must be close to Christmas.

But really this is how our lives should be lived all year long.  We are free, because of the baby, because of his birth, and his resurrection.  What then can take away that joy?

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (New International Version, ©2010)