Easter!

   Easter is just days away! How crazy is that!? So I was thinking about writing about that today.  But, I know some people think that story is over told.  Because that is where we get John 3:16 from.

   So then I thought why not write about the day itself, and how we spend it.  To start, something so simple but powerful as Jesus raising from the dead, has turned into this day filled with eggs, bunny, candy, and the Easter bunny.

   Yes, we go to church in our spring dresses and nicer clothes, some people have brunch after and spend time with family enjoying the good news of Jesus being alive.  But is that what we are thinking that day?

   Are we rejoicing that Jesus is alive? Or have we filled our minds with the Easter eggs that need colored.  The baskets that need to be put out for the kids that morning.  The meal that need prepared before family comes.  The list could go on and on.

   Are these things bad? No, but it's where our heart and mind are and why we are doing theses things.  Easter could be the one day your friend that you have been asking and asking to come to church with you says yes.  And their life could be changed forever on that one day.

   The candies and eggs can be good too, it's just how we look at them.  There are theses cookies that are called resurrection cookies that are a great way to tie the Bible story to Easter through cookies.

   I hope you all have a great Easter and look at the day a little differently then you normally would have.

   Till next time
    LiveTheTruth :)

   

 

 

Christmas Time!

 

With Christmas being a few days away.  I thought what not a better thing to write about then...CHRISTMAS! But that got me thinking, everybody writes about Christmas this time of year.  Do I really want to be like everybody else?

   Well...I'm here aren't I? But I'm not going to be sharing what you might be thinking.  I'm going to share some of the meanings behind different holiday things.  Along with a few other things to help us all remember the real meaning of Christmas.

   First, lets talk about the Christmas tree.  What are ways we can see our Christmas trees in our living rooms and think of Jesus? Well...for one, Christmas trees are evergreens which last all year round.  The same as God's love for us lasts forever.  Number two, the Christmas tree is in a triangle shape.  That could help us remember the trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

   Now what about all the stuff you put on a Christmas tree? well...the lights could help us remember that Jesus is the light of the world. The Ornaments, could mean a lot of things depending of the shape and color of it.  So that one I'll let you figure out.  Now for the Star at the top of the tree. The star can help us remember the star the wise men and Shepherds followed to find baby Jesus.

   You don't have a star on top.  Maybe a angel? Don't worry that can have an meaning to.  The angel can mean a bunch of things. It could be the angel that told Mary and Joseph about Jesus, Gabriel. Or it could be the angels that talked to the Shepherds.

   Now the candy cane.  Well...think of its shape holding it normally it looks like a cane.  Well...the shepherds used 'canes' when they were in the fields. But if you turn the candy cane upside down it turns into the letter 'J'.  Which stands for Jesus.

   Now on to the colors of the candy cane.  Red stands for the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross.  And the white stands for the purity of Jesus.  So those are a few ways you can remember The birth of Jesus when looking at a candy cane.

   Next, Presents.  A way to tie the Christmas story to presents, is to remember the Wise Men.  They gave three gifts to baby Jesus.  Those three gifts were Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.  Now we might not give those kind of gifts anymore, but we can still remember the gifts the Wise Men gave Jesus.

     Each of the three gifts can relate to something now too. Gold is something of value.  So the gifts that you really want. So with those gifts remember the gift of Gold. Next is Frankincense.  Frankincense is a essential oil used for offerings. symbol of the divine name, and an emblem of prayer.  So those thought though gifts that you put time and effort into can remind you of Frankincense.

   Myrrh was present at Jesus' death. In Mark he described the Roman soldiers mixed Myrrh with wine to give Jesus when he was on the cross. The disciples also used Myrrh when wrapping Jesus in the tomb. Myrrh is a sign of Worship.  So all of the gifts that can be a sign of Worship can help us remember the gift of Myrrh.

   We can also remember the gift God gave us.  His son, Jesus.  God didn't have to give His son to us to die on the cross for us all.  But He did. He did it so we could be together. Because God wants to be close to all of us.

   So this holiday season when you see a Christmas tree, candy cane, or a present.  Remember the Christmas story.

   Merry Christmas!

   Till next time
    LiveTheTruth :)