Reason for the Season

I have tried to write this post at least three times.  I was trying to figure out how to put into words what I read and to make sure I didn't say the wrong thing.  I then decided that I just need to put it out there.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and belief, but parts of a letter that I recently read on the Internet just hit me wrong.  So here it goes:

The letter was written by a mom to her daughter regarding the subject of santa.  I am not going to share the whole letter, because I do not feel it is necessary.  I know that everyone has their own opinion about santa, and I am not here to criticize that in anyway.  In fact, my family does santa, but we also know and talk about the REAL reason for the season.

The part of the letter that I would like to share is this:

"Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived.  What he does is simple, but it is powerful.  He teaches children how to have belief in something they can't see or touch.

It's a big job, and it's an important one.  Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family.  You'll also need to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand.  Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he...all the people whose hearts he's filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns...that would otherwise be impossible.

Santa is love and hope and happiness.  I'm on his team, and now you are too."

Now,  I would like you to go back and reread the section of the letter above, but this time replace the word santa with Jesus.  Replacing the word santa with Jesus makes much more sense, don't you think?  Jesus is the one that can provide every need for you and Jesus is the one that is love and hope and happiness.

It surprised me how many people commented back on the letter.  Some people were even moved to tears over the letter that they had read.  Only one person out of the comments that I found mention  God.  The other comments were encouraging and thanking this mom for the letter idea. 

It is just sad the reaction that was given over this letter.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega!!! Plain and simple!

As the holiday season approaches remember the TRUE reason for the season!!

Note: Parts of the letter were left out as to not divulge certain information, as I do not know the ages of who reads this blog!  Thank you for understanding.

Love in Christ,

Alicia

Up in the Clouds

As a little girl, I remember laying in grass on a warm summer afternoon with my mom and brother looking at the clouds. It was a favorite past time of ours. We would lie there and make shapes and animals out of the clouds. To this day I still sometimes stop and look up at the clouds just to see what animals or shapes I can make out.

Last week I was flying to Nebraska and I noticed how beautiful the clouds were. If you have ever flown then you know what I am talking about. These clouds were like none I had ever seen. They were thick and stood tall, like cotton candy on a stick. I really can't describe how magnificent they were, because it would not do it justice. Being in the clouds reminded me how small I am compared to this vast, majestic world.

I love how things, like clouds, can put you back in perspective. This is God's world and He created us for a purpose. So when we think we got it, he likes to remind us they we really don't, but He does!!

I am going to close with the first few verses from the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

1: 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

If you are interested in reading how the world came to be or just want a reminder you should definitely read the whole book of Genesis.

Love in Christ,

Alicia

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Don't Judge A Book...

I am sure you have heard the statement, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." There is a lot of truth in this statement. I can't tell you how many times I have done this. It was just recently that I became aware that I had done it again. I have a neighbor that I occasionally see when I am going to work or just outside in the yard but never really take the time to talk to. I have waved a few times and said "Hi" but, never got a wave or a "Hi" back from her. I thought to myself how rude and she must be a snob! I stopped saying hi and waving even though I knew it was wrong and not the Christian thing to do. A couple of weekends ago we had a garage sale and she and her daughter came over to look around. I over heard them talking to each other in Spanish, then as they were paying for their items the daughter told me that her mom doesn't speak very good English and that is why she doesn't really speak when she sees us. She is not able to carry on a conversation in English,therefore she chooses not to speak. Ah ha!? I felt about an inch tall. All this time I have been ignoring her instead of accepting her; all because I judged her. I told her daughter to tell her not to worry about it. After visiting with them I learned that they are extremely nice and that she is trying to learn English and is embarrassed that she can't speak it very well.

After I was brought to my knees because of what I had done, I realized that is not what Jesus would have done. He would not have ignored her or judged her; He would have embraced her and continued to say hello and wave no matter her reaction. So, there really is some truth to the statement, "Never judge a book by it's cover."

If you go to The bible and look in the book of Matthew, chapter 7:1-3, you will find the verses below:


Chapter 7

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

The verses above give you something to think about the next time you go to "judge a book by it's cover"
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The Place of Exaltation (O.Chambers)

"We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God's perspective and have wanted to stay there.  But God will never allow us to stay there.  The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain.  If we only have the power to go up, something is wrong.  It is a wonderful thing to be on the mountain with God, but a person only gets there so that he may later go down and lift up the demon-possessed people in the valley.  We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life--those are simply intended to be moments of inspirations.  We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.  Yet our spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mountain.  We feel that we could talk and live like perfect angels, if we could only stay on the mountaintop.  those times of exaltation are exceptional and they have their meaning in our life with god, but we must beware to prevent our spiritual selfishness from wanting to make them the only time.

We are inclined to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching.  In actual fact, it is to be turned into something even better than teaching, namely, character.  The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something.  There is a terrible trap in always asking, "what's the use of this experience?"  We can never measure spiritual matters in that way.  The moments on the mountaintop are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God's purpose."
(Scripture: Mark, Chapter 9)


"My Utmost For His Highest" by O. Chambers

If  you read the above and have never been on top of "the mountain" you can ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior!!  All it takes is a genuine asking for Jesus to be apart of your life.  He is already waiting, so all you have to do is ask!  Jesus will guide you the rest of the way.  Through the peaks and the valleys!  He will hold your hand and lead you!  So go on ask him!

Those of you who are followers of Jesus, but have been lacking in faith and hope, can create a fresh start today!  Jesus wants to use you just like He has in the past!  Go on, start fresh today!!!

Love In Christ,

Alicia