Archives For eucharisteo

Unconforming to Christmas

December 12, 2011

“Is Santa real?”

“No darlin’. There was a man who was very kind and loving but no, there is no Santa that flies around on a sleigh.”

“Oh…..Jesus is pretend?”

That was a conversation between my four year old and I about a week ago. And that, my friends, is exactly why we do not celebrate Santa. Or the tooth fairy. Or the Easter bunny. You name it, we don’t worship any of it. Only Jesus.

May I be transparent with you? It’s terribly embarrassing but true nonetheless.

I didn’t know Jesus was real. And I couldn’t figure out how somebody could be born in December and be thirty three by April. {okay, okay, you can stop laughing now}. Until I became a follower of Christ I just could not separate Him from all the holiday figures that are so heavily worshipped. Jesus had nothing on me. I mean, after all, I was too afraid Santa would send his elves to spy on me. I worshipped Santa. And I worshipped myself. The threat of elves watching made me obedient in the  moment but did nothing to edify my heart.

So how did my children hear about Santa? How in the world did they not hear about Santa. He’s everywhere. But I’ve told them the truth from the beginning. And every year we are more convicted to drop worldly traditions. Traditions that seem innocent but do nothing to draw us closer to knowing our savior. Though I don’t consider us ‘radical’ I can’t even begin to tell you how many looks we get from grocery clerks and the such when they ask our girls if they’re ready for Santa to come and I reply, “we don’t do Santa.” Rubbing against the norm. But remember that we’re drawn to be a light. And I want us to shine the eternal light of Jesus, not the momentary twinkles of Santa.

Jesus is real. The gift of His life is for forever.

Blessings!

 

 

In Family
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His Mysteries

December 11, 2011

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

{Ecclesiastes 11:5 ESV}

Blessings!

In Scripture
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Help Portrait 2011

December 10, 2011

Today is the official Help Portrait day of 2011. Help Portrait is an organization of photographers who give back to those who are less fortunate. Are you a photographer? Give of your time to those who, maybe, have never even had there photo taken. We all know the gift of a photo. I moment saved in time. A memory made more permanent. If you asked somebody what they would would take from their house if they could only grab one thing, it would be their photos. You truly can not put a price on memories.

Head over to the Help Portrait website and see where you can volunteer. You don’t even need to sign up. If you feel lead to photograph somebody at no cost as a gift to them – just do it. No strings attached. Maybe a neighbor? A women’s shelter?

You don’t even need to be a photographer! Can you do make-up? Do you have a location you can offer up as a one day photography studio? Can you drive people to and from the make shift studio? This isn’t just for photographers, there is a place for everybody to serve. Bring snacks? Donate financially?

And remember, this isn’t about you. This is about serving others. Encourage somebody today and show them how beautiful they truly are.

Blessings!

In Change the World
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Build Your Nest

December 7, 2011

I have a dear friend who, just yesterday, found out the gender of her fourth baby. I’ve been waiting for this day almost as long as she has because I’ve been wanting to give her a birds nest necklace with all her little chicks in the nest. But I needed to know what colors to use! And now I know. Two green and two pink. How perfect.

These necklaces are ridiculously easy to make and a joy to give away. They cost around $4 per necklace. I’m betting you could make them for even less, though.

All you need is some jewelry wire, your choice of beads, a plain necklace to string it on and some needle nose pliers.

Thread your beads onto the wire {I put on as many children as the family has}. Twirl them around til they are in the design that you like. Four beads, as you can see, makes a pretty and simple circle. Using the wire just begin securing, and twisting the beads on.

Begin spinning the wire around like a nest. This part is tricky as the wire isn’t attached securely just yet. Continue spinning to the thickness you desire.

Then have some fun and get creative. Weave the wire in and out to make it look like a *real* nest. Just play with it. Each design will be unique and breathtakingly beautiful.

When you’re finished use the end of the wire to make a loop so your nest can hang from the necklace. Then tuck any loose wires in so the necklace wearer doesn’t get poked. The pliers are very helpful in this step. And there you go. A beautiful, inexpensive, handmade gift for any mother.

Blessings!

In Tutorials
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Stop Listening to Logic

December 6, 2011

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

(Genesis 3:1-7 ESV)

What would happen if we chose to listen to the Spirit first? Without hesitation? Without thinking through something ‘logically’? We all live through Genesis 3 every. single. day. Always having to make a decision.

I’m hungry. Should I have an apple or a piece of cake?

Well, the apple is definitely healthier. Less calories. I’ll fit into my skinny jeans sooner.

But…

the cake only has about another day left until I have to throw it out. That cake cost a lot of money. It would fill me up more than the apple. And I could put the apple in the fridge and it’ll keep longer.

Cake it is.

And what happens after you make the ‘bad’ decision? Regret. You should have had the apple. And you know you should have. But in the moment the cake tasted so good! For that brief moment.

Thankfully our God knows we’ll choose the cake. And His grace is abundant. He lovingly teaches us through our bad decisions. What we feel as guilt is simply our resistance to His teachings. Take a chance and listen to the Spirit first. How many times in the Bible do we see followers working out something ‘logically’ in their heads first? If they did, they wouldn’t have followed through with their faith living actions.

Examples: Moses crossing the Red Sea. Noah building an ark. Joshua marching around Jericho. Esther talking to the king. Mary keeping her baby. Paul walking out of jail. John writing down his dream {Revelation}.

Be different. Listen to the Guide that has been sent to us. Without hesitation do what He calls you to do {as long as it does not contradict His word}. No matter how crazy. Step outside your comfort zone and risk looking like a fool for His sake. And do it lovingly, just how He is to us.

Blessings!

In Encouragement
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