Day after Christmas

Well, it's the day after Christmas.

I woke up wishing it was Christmas morning again! 

I woke up struggling through some thoughts as well.

Why the two different emotions?

Well, there is something about the magic of Christmas, 

the good food, 

family visits, 

gift giving, 

traditional music, 

talking to old friends again! 

I especially love Christmas mass, the church looks amazing and the choir sounds beautiful. 

I have to admit this year I am stunned at how God blessed me so that I could bless others. It was nice to see my kids faces light up when they opened their gifts!

But I also see how God is changing my heart. I really understand that Christmas is not the holiday of materialism, it is indeed a birthday celebration. The greatest birthday celebration In the world! 

But God gave me a sober Christmas spirit this year. I am so aware that many people in the world are suffering, many people did not have a merry Christmas. For some people it was their circumstances, their health, for some people it was their attitudes and mind sets that kept them from being blessed. 

Me? I feel humbled. I know I don't deserve the blessings God bestows on me. And yet, He blesses me anyway? I feel humbled and if I'm totally honest with my self, a little guilty.

Let's face it God the Father spoils some of us! 

What's my point?

As Gods children we have to find better ways to help those in need, those who are suffering. We need to take our abundance to the needy. It's about giving not taking. That's the true Christmas spirit. Not shopping till we drop. Not hording metal and plastic goods that we really don't need. 

We have to keep in mind it's the Lords birthday. 

Funny how all year long The Lord Jesus and even the church is attacked, but on Christmas Day the whole world is aware that it's the saviors birthday!! And most of the world is celebrating it. 

Ever wonder why?

I think in the hearts of all people there is a deep longing for peace, the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that only Jesus can give. 

The church can't be selfish, we have it and we need to share! There is too much need out there!

So many people need Gods love.

So many people need Gods peace.

So many people need Gods blessings.

But they don't know how to get it.

When we take our blessings and give them to others people don't just see us, they see Jesus through us. That's how Christ the savior is born each year, that's one of the ways He keeps coming unto mankind. Through our giving!

So I have to ask myself.....

Am I helping people see Jesus?

Am I helping people get into Gods kingdom?

Helping people see the true meaning of His birthday?

Or am I part of the thing that keeps people blind?

Have a BLESSED Christmas!!

Merry Christmas,
its a very catchy phrase this time of year. One the ways I like to greet or say goodbye to people. It is a great way to present the name of Christ to people, to try and throw a blessing at people, to remind people what life is really all about.
We have a creator that has come to us and continues to come to us in so may ways!
Merry Christmas, but it is so much more than that...more than "merry"
this Christmas I am humbled
this year I realize I am having a Blessed Christmas!

Why? Perspective.

A young lady stopped by at work today. I haven't seen her for awhile because she has been out on disability most of the year. I didn't realize how serious her condition was, I must admit when I saw her I was shocked, it was obvious, this poor girl has been suffering.
Here I am thinking about so many trivial things, you know Christmas shopping, Christmas dinner, Christmas visits from family and friends, Christmas money. In my little world that God has protected and blessed so much this year I almost forgot that so many other people are suffering.
As I looked at this young lady, I felt foolish, and instantly humbled.
Lord forgive me for taking for gran it all my blessings. The good life you have given me, as a sinner I know, I sure don't' deserve it.
Its so easy to forget how blessed we are. to not see all the blessings we have in life,
  food,
    water,
       clothing,
            shelter.
                employment,
                   transportation,
                      indoor plumbing
                        safety,
                          good health,
                             loved ones,
                                the church,
                                     and Jesus Christ himself!
In so many ways the cup is half full not half empty.
So this year
have a BLESSED Christmas,
         ... I think if you search your heart you'll see your already having one!

We dont suffer alone

Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. ~St. John of the Cross

Need Gods help?

Well.... I went to confession the other day...as usual it turned into a mini counseling session... I started to share with father that I have been struggling with My finances... I received some pure and simple advice.... Worth sharing I would say, especially for American Christians who happen to be positioned in one of the most affluent / materialistic Cultures in the world....so here goes...

1. Be content with what you have.
2. Be grateful that God has provided for your NEEDS.
3. Strive to live a simple and humble life.
4. If you are suffering offer your suffering up to God, consider that you are suffering with Christ and His church.

I was then given a prayer I could pray daily:
Prayer for All Needs
We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us. Deliver the oppressed. Pity the insignificant. Raise the fallen. Show yourself to the needy. Heal the sick. Bring back those of your people who have gone astray. Feed the hungry. Lift up the weak. Take off the prisoners’ chains.
May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus is your Child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture. Amen.

I hope you are blessed!!!!

Godspeed
Jimmyg

The ministry of reconciliation, the gift of grace and forgiveness.

"One of the "strange" things about the Christian understanding of sin is that Christians become more aware of sin in proportion to their growth in holiness. The more we love, the more we know how much the lover is offended. The great saints really knew about sin. St. Francis of Assisi, as he lay dying, claimed he was the greatest of sinners. At one time I thought this was just the pious rambling of an unearthly man; but now I see that this was the honest realization of a great lover."