The Precious One

So, do you remember that toy?  You know, the one you couldn't live without?  The one that once you had it you carried it around everywhere?  The one that you wouldn't have given up for anything in the world, even though it was the rattiest, worn-down, overly played with toy in the house.  

Okay, now that you've got that toy in mind, stop reading for just a minute, close your eyes, and just remember how much you loved it.  Remember the fun times you had with it. . .

Are you ready?  Now, honestly, what would that toy be worth?  Whether you bought a new one or found an old one at a flea market, I'm sure it really wouldn't be worth all that much.  Still, you wouldn't have parted with it for a year's salary, or even a million bucks maybe.  Nothing could have changed how precious you thought that toy was.  The funny thing is, it wasn't precious on it's own, it was your love that made it so valuable.

Now stop and think about your own life.  I would suggest that you are way more valuable than you realize, possibly even more valuable than you think possible.  It's nothing you've done, it's the fact that God's love has made you so precious.  Maybe you don't believe in God, or that He created you with a special purpose.  That doesn't change the fact that you are precious to Him, and His love makes you more valuable than all the money in the world.  

We live in a world that tells us our worth is determined by what we do, yet I think our worth was determined before we made any choices in this life at all.  Think about that, and then bask in the love of a Daddy. . .

I Don't Know

Ever just have a day when you don't know what to say or do?  Yeah, that's today. . .

I've been doing mind numbing work (transferring data from an old computer to a new one), and now I have nothing to say.

Sorry.

No really, if it bothers you that much, then write something yourself. . .

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

We got a decent snow storm last night, maybe 4-6", so there was a decent amount of snow last night.  I don't usually wake up too early, so by the time I got up I noticed that my neighbor had already cleaned the front of my driveway where the snowplow leaves the really thick, heavy stuff.  I was overjoyed, and went outside to get started on the rest of my drive and sidewalk, and maybe some of the neighbors sidewalks.

The neighbor who was already working came over, and I just wanted to thank him, but he asked for help.  He had gotten a piece of wood stuck in his snowblower and I had tools to cut it out.  It was just neighbors helping neighbors, and it was beautiful.  

I think to how many times I just ignore a neighbor so I can get inside quickly.  It's amazing how little it takes to really care about people.  I wonder what our communities would look like if we just decided to care for others just a part of the time?

Well, my neighbor and I ended up cleaning the sidewalk of all 6 houses surrounding mine, and we cleaned 4 of the driveways.  We didn't want money or recognition (even though I'm talking about it here, shh don't tell anyone!), we just wanted to care about our community and our neighbors.  I hope you find a way to do that today, no matter how small it may be.

Religion vs. Relationship

So, I've been reading this book (click the title for a link to it) and it has some great things to say.  Here's a quote:

A lot of people are not living life fully alive because they have a religion with Jesus.  To them, it's all about believing and behaving.  Their theology is lined up right and their actions are mostly right, and so they feel like they're basically pleasing God, and they're better than most of the people around, and someday they'll probably get into heaven.  But deep inside they're empty.  The one thing their life is missing is life, because Jesus came to give life, but it doesn't come through religion.  His ultimate goal isn't to get people to believe and behave.  And so, while others experience and adventure with Jesus, they just attend church.

"I Became A Christian and all I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" by Vince Antonucci

To be honest, I like blogging because I can share my thoughts and get feedback from others.  This time, I'm not sure I can share any thoughts beyond what the author said.  I love this passage, and hope that it makes you think about what your life is really about.  If you choose to follow Jesus, are you really experiencing life?  Do you just follow a religion?  If following Jesus doesn't make a true difference in your life, then why do it?  

  Maybe that last statement will take some people off guard, but I truly do believe in the life changing message of Jesus.  I know that when I truly follow Him, I experience life beyond what I was capable of on my own.  I hope and pray that you are able to find that as well.