The Worst Part of Winter

Okay, so you should know right up front that I've been sick for the last 3 days and I may sound a bit grumpy.  I had terrible sinus problems and a cold that drains every ounce of energy from you.  In my case, the runny nose means that I will also constantly be having bloody noses, so that's an added bonus.  To top everything off, I've been using a different medicine to "help" but seems to give me the worst cotton mouth I've ever had in my life.  Basically, I'm sick of being sick!  Take this cold weather and SHOVE IT!

So, some people will say that I don't know how to slow down and take it easy so my body will recover, but I'm sure there are others who think I'm lazy and need to do more work.  Who knows. . .and right now I don't really care.  Basically, I just want to be finished being miserable.

Of course, I do know that God made this crazy body I'm in.  I also think He made sure it could heal, so in the midst of my discomfort I want to take time and thank God for my health (that's the faith speaking).  Also, as an aside, I'm thankful that I'll live until tomorrow which means I will have been treading this earth for 34 years.  Thanks for that, God, and thanks for letting me start to understand my place here. . .

First Snow

  So, we have our first snow now, and it was so peaceful.  It happened just after Thanksgiving, and it was so beautiful.  You know, that kind of perfect snow that clings to all the trees and creates Norman Rockwell type pictures.  Of course, the wind kicked up and the temperature dropped, but for a moment the entire world was a picture of the Creator's artistic side.  

  Lately, I'm just a little more conscious of the beauty all around.  I think it helps me to know that I am loved, and maybe that sometimes things are beautiful just to make us (me) smile.

Live Like Jesus

  So, what does it mean to be a Christian?  I guess in the end, it's as simple as living like Jesus.  The hard part comes in trying to figure out what that means.  I think a lot of christianity would teach that it means following a set of rules and looking like a "good" person.  I think it's easier.  All you have to do is live like Jesus.

  I'm not suggesting that you can ever BE Jesus, just that we should quit trying to make it so hard.  Just live like Him.  He fed people who were hungry, you may not feed 5,000 but I bet you could invite a neighbor over for supper.  He healed the sick and hurting.  You may not walk around performing miraculous healings, but I bet you could listen to a hurting friend or pray for someone with cancer.  He turned water into wine for a party, maybe you could just invite a friend to share a beer and talk.

  I'm sure some may think this is oversimplified, but I think we could probably do without a great deal of the theology and doctrine if we just learned to live our lives by loving our God and loving our neighbor.  Period.  Sounds so simple. . .why is it so hard?