"After Christmas Sales" or "Better or Different"

This week Steph and I came to a decision. We needed a new Christmas Tree. We decided this last year but waited until this week to get one. The turning point came last year when half the lights went out on our old pre-lit tree. At first we decided to just make do and buy new lights ofr the tree and cover up the old lights with the new ones. So we bought 600 lights for this old tree. It was better at first but it soon became disappointing. You could still see some of the broken branches and the lights which did not work anymore. The duct tape which held some of the branches in place was still visible at some points around the tree. The ornaments didn't hide the ugly spots and it just didn't work anymore. We tried with all our might to make it better and it was, but it still wasn't good enough. We knew the only way to get what we truly wanted was to buy a new one. and we did and now we can't wait for Christmas next year so we can put up our new tree with the new ornaments and the new lights!
This got me thinking about church and why we go. So many of us go to become better. We want to be a better parent, a better spouse, a better employee, a better Christian, or a better person. But maybe just maybe that's the wrong reason to go. There are 100 hundred resources out there that can do the same job, and probably do it better. You see the problem with coming to church to get better is that when we leave we still can see the broken branches of our lives. The lights are still out and the scars are still visible. If church is just a place to go and become a better version of yourself, stay home! But the church should offer something you can't find anywhere else. It should offer the chance to become something new, something different, something which is more like Christ! "The Old has passed away, and look the New has come!" We offer Jesus and the opportunity to become more and more like Him everyday. When we become something new and something different then we'll find ourselves anticipating the next time the doors are open, not wondering why I have to go to yet another service.

"Christmas Fun" or "We're #1"

The other day we all decided to go out and look at the various Christmas light displays around town. Of course, we decided to do this on a weekend when every person in the tristate area was out doing the same thing! So as we are driving we pull out on the main road and a car comes zooming by us and decides to spread some Christmas cheer by flipping us off! My 8 year old sweet, innocent daughter sees this and asks from the back, "what is he doing?" So, in my usual and sarcastic way, I tell her he is just saying, "I'm #1, I'm #1".
A few days later we are driving a truck pulls out right in front of us and I have to swerve to miss from hitting him. then from the back we hear the sweet angelic voice of my 11 year exclaim, "We're #1, We're #1". (I have never been more proud in all my life! - Please note the sarcastic tone here.) I told her right them and there she had just made into my blog once again. She protested until I threatened with some other more revealing stories in which I could tell! Then, it was o.k.
I started thinking about all the stories my family could tell on me. All the stories they could embarrass me with. Then I thought about how this is a pretty good example of of what Family is all about. Family is when people have all kinds of dirt on you and but they leave their shovel at home! so, Mysha, Kisha, and Steph, don't worry I'll leave the really good stuff alone! Merry Christmas!!!

"Thanksgiving Fun!" or "Am I Really Related To These People??"

This past week we along with millions of others celebrated Thanksgiving with family. Of course we had the turkey and dressing, the cranberry sauce and the pumpkin pie, and the green bean casserole and the homemade rolls. But we also had something that I had somehow forgotten how special it was to me, Family.
I know my family is, how shall I say it, unique. Before the meal began we were watch the first football game and then all of a sudden came one of the loudest burps I had ever heard in my life! I was even more shocked to turn and see that it came from my Grandmother! To which she replied, "That was some good Coke!" Another incident came soon after when my aunt, you know who you are, confessed to "borrowing" her neighbors paper. The paper which had all the ads in it for the next morning's Black Friday sales! Shame shame shame! Or the interesting interaction between Ruby and everyone else who dare to try to hold her. (Ruby is my 50 pound English Bulldog) And that is just 3 of the things which happened! I could on and on but the point is that Thanksgiving was loud, crazy, and eventful! And I loved every minute of it! I laughed and laughed at all the crazy people who claim to be related to me, but I don't see how that is possible!
But even in the midst of the lunacy, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I can't imagine what a normal Thanksgiving must be like. Thank-you Lord for these people you have put in my life who have helped shape who I am today! After all, I need to be able to blame someone!