The Reason For The Season

This Kincaid painting of Jesus is really all that we need to see or talk about on this special day-Christmas 2016.  This painting was given to us by our children some years ago so it has special significance for us.  It hangs near our bed so that it is the last thing we see at night and first thing in the morning. The picture isn't what we honor though.  It is the person of the picture that makes a difference in our days. Do we always give Him the honor due Him?  I am afraid not.  The activities planned for the day, the mood we are in, the stresses that we insist on carrying and the giants that overwhelm us take the emphasis off the one Person who could help us thru the day and instead we plod along with the impression we have to do it ourselves.  When you read my book, I've Always Been Rich" I tell how this way of living and thinking can steal our joy and bring chaos into our lives. Recently I read  the 21st Chapter of Second Samuel about how David was faced with the giant Goliath.  It is one of many interesting and provocative stories of the Bible. David knew the odds were stacked against him except for one important and defining difference.  He knew Goliath was a godless person and he knew the God of the Bible was on his side.  He had the assurance of God's presence with him and knew the battle was his because of that presence.  He faced the giant with a sling and 5 stones and took the giant down.  I believe as Christians we frequently fail to recognize the power God gives us.  When we walk with Him and put our confidence in Him we can do what would naturally seem impossible.  In my book I talk about how extremely shy and introverted I was as a child and especially as a teen and young adult. I would get extremely tense, sweaty and nervous if I was only required to say 1 or 2 sentences in a group.  Now it was not a fast change or one I just fell into but God saw my weakness and choose to use it by enabling me to become a pastor.  The amazing part is that He knew I could not take any credit for the ability to speak publically because that was my weakest point.  He had to tweak and  prune and enable for that change to happen.  The picture above of Jesus is hanging crooked.  That reminds me that Jesus lives in a world that needs some straightening out.  The anger and hate in this world is horrendous.  But Jesus is calm in the midst of chaos.  If we look at Him we will be able to have calmness in the midst of the storms of life.  Life with Jesus as your Savior and Lord  and the giants of your life will be overcome when he empowers you with His Spirit.  He loves you and wants you to live a life of  joy.  That is an amazing present for each one of you this Christmas.  He offers it, you must accept. I count each one of you who follow this blog as very special people. It is one of the unexpected blessings that have come as a result of writing  the book.  God likes to surprise us with the unexpected.  My husband and I have had many of those moments.  We praise God that he has us I mind and in His time He calls us to something impossible (to us).  I could say "read the book" but that would be redundant so I will close by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and God's blessings in the New YEAR.
Marilyn Rensink        mjrevmom6@aol.com    Comments via email or Facebook are  appreciated.  Books available at Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com  or at your local Christian bookstore.