A safe trip home from Toronto and a fun movie with the family. It's nice to be on vacation and to have some time with the folks closest to me.
December 27th
Wow! Another birthday for me! Thanks God for yet another spin around the sun!
As I mature and get older physically, don't let me get old. Help me to be young in spirit even if my body isn't as young as it to be. Help my thoughts be fresh and new every day and to keep learning about myself, my world and you. And help me to never whine about my body changes, but rather to adapt and to keep myself as fit as healthy as possible.
December 25th
Had a good trip to my brother-in-law's for our family Christmas celebration. It was nice to see family and to experience the closeness of all of us.
It's a special joy to see how our various kids get together so well, even after not seeing each other for a while, and despite some of the differences in our lifestyles. Thanks, God, for making me part of this family.
December 25th
December 25th: You’re Home!
Christmas Day. Wherever you’re celebrating, whether it’s in your own home or someplace warm and exotic (remember, for me home is Canada) you are there. I know, that’s obvious, wherever you may that’s where you are, but it’s not always clear and understood by folks. Or at least it doesn’t always seem to be appreciated.
Here’s the problem as expressed by a Christian artist singing a Christian song. He’s not at home. Not on earth anyway. Home is in heaven, a mansion or room that’s been set aside for when Jesus returns and we all chuck this mortal coil. According to this Gospel musician, this life, the one we’re living right now is only a temporary, painful place that isn’t where God wants us to be, really.
Frankly, I’m confused. I checked the Bible and according to God’s own Word, this planet and the universe that contains it is exactly the good creation He intended. This is where He placed us. This is where His chosen people originated. This is where Jesus came, died and had His resurrection. In short, this is where we are meant to live this life and, what’s more important, the place from which we are meant to both glorify and enjoy God. At least that’s what the Bible says. Oh, sure, there is another life to lead when Jesus returns, but that’s something different. It’s a reward, something special set aside for later.
In the meantime, this is our good and holy home. It’s where God placed us and where we belong. It might not seem like that but that’s only because we’ve made a big mess of things. So, contrary to what one Gospel Song would have us believe, we’re at home right here on planet Earth, and it could be (and often is) a wonderful place to be.
Think about that for a moment. This is life. This is what we get. We are who we are and we are where we are. Again, that might be pretty obvious but in light of one not so accurate singer’s statement, it apparently isn’t so obvious. That’s why I’m making a big deal of it. In fact, today, Christmas Day, it’s even more important to recognize where and who we are, because we are here because of Jesus.
God is not pleased with how we deal with one another, ourselves or His creation. God could punish us for our behaviour, but He chooses not to, because He loves us too much. Instead, Jesus took the rap and freed us from Sin. That’s what today, the day we celebrate His birth, it’s important to remember that great gift, and the great gift our life on earth is. We are here because God wants us to be here. He lets us know Him through the beauty of this planet. He also lets us know Him through Jesus and folks that try to live like Jesus.
Here’s the problem as expressed by a Christian artist singing a Christian song. He’s not at home. Not on earth anyway. Home is in heaven, a mansion or room that’s been set aside for when Jesus returns and we all chuck this mortal coil. According to this Gospel musician, this life, the one we’re living right now is only a temporary, painful place that isn’t where God wants us to be, really.
Frankly, I’m confused. I checked the Bible and according to God’s own Word, this planet and the universe that contains it is exactly the good creation He intended. This is where He placed us. This is where His chosen people originated. This is where Jesus came, died and had His resurrection. In short, this is where we are meant to live this life and, what’s more important, the place from which we are meant to both glorify and enjoy God. At least that’s what the Bible says. Oh, sure, there is another life to lead when Jesus returns, but that’s something different. It’s a reward, something special set aside for later.
In the meantime, this is our good and holy home. It’s where God placed us and where we belong. It might not seem like that but that’s only because we’ve made a big mess of things. So, contrary to what one Gospel Song would have us believe, we’re at home right here on planet Earth, and it could be (and often is) a wonderful place to be.
Think about that for a moment. This is life. This is what we get. We are who we are and we are where we are. Again, that might be pretty obvious but in light of one not so accurate singer’s statement, it apparently isn’t so obvious. That’s why I’m making a big deal of it. In fact, today, Christmas Day, it’s even more important to recognize where and who we are, because we are here because of Jesus.
God is not pleased with how we deal with one another, ourselves or His creation. God could punish us for our behaviour, but He chooses not to, because He loves us too much. Instead, Jesus took the rap and freed us from Sin. That’s what today, the day we celebrate His birth, it’s important to remember that great gift, and the great gift our life on earth is. We are here because God wants us to be here. He lets us know Him through the beauty of this planet. He also lets us know Him through Jesus and folks that try to live like Jesus.
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