Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Peace On Earth

There is so much hurt on this planet that it truly is staggering. Could there ever be peace? Jesus, has been called the "Prince of Peace."

It's not that life will be devoid of suffering and hardship. It's that there is one who gives us peace beyond all human reason to navigate the trouble.

Jesus is our peace. May the peace of God fill your hearts and minds this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to all.

john

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Spit It Out!

Jack LaLanne is known to have said two simple rules of nutrition are: "if man made it, don't eat it", and "if it tastes good, spit it out."

I think about this around the holidays when we traditionally feast and have to smile and think..."no truer words!" Man made confections are delicious but simply have no nutritional value. When I think even more on this, I find great spiritual application.

Our world, media, music, culture, etc., are filled with "confections," wouldn't you agree? It's hard to argue against that which feels, tastes, looks and smells so good! How could it be bad for us? Furthermore, wouldn't a loving God want us to be fulfilled and happy, surrounded by that which makes us all feel so good? Or is there another reality?

I now believe God and serving Him will never be about personal happiness and satisfying "life's sweet tooth." I don't mean it's all doom and gloom! I mean serving God is not defined by how we indulge ourselves in American culture. Cars, houses, jobs, clothes, entertainment and the like are not the "fiber" of life. I think you all know what I am saying.

Just because something tastes good in this life doesn't mean it's good for us nor is it an entitlement. I leave you with the words of Oswald Chambers:

"Nowadays we have far too many affinities, we are dissipated with them; right, good, noble affinities which will yet have their fulfillment, but in the meantime God has to atrophy them."

pass the broccoli,
john