Xmas/Christmas - whatEVER

Ok, I'm mightily sick of people complaining about the Christ being taken out of Christmas. Some people even complain about using the abbreviation Xmas which is just ignorant. The X is from the first letter of the word Christ in Greek - X= Chi. Not to mention (if you want to reach in the opposite direction) that X is a cross - which is kinda the point. So seems to me Xmas is at least as meaningful as Christmas, if not more.

But the key thing is this - When you complain about not being able to put a nativity on the courthouse lawn, or being told 'Happy Holidays' you are TOTALLY MISSING THE POINT of Jesus' message. Someone sent me this the other day, and I think it explains things well:

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birth day is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Makes you think we've really just missed the whole thing. Instead of complaining, I think Jesus would be happy if we spent some time loving each other. Say something kind to someone. Do a random act of kindness. Make someone smile. Then God will smile on you.

Merry Xmas!

Can you SEE it?

I was reading a post at Soul Shelter about visualizing success. The old "If you can SEE it you can BE it" theory. Makes sense, I guess, but sometimes I just don't know what to see? Sure, I want to be successful, but what is that? Big house, nice cars like those folks making $10,000 a week from home on TV? Not really me.

Right now, success feels like having all the bills paid on time with something left over. How do you visualize that? I'd love to put everything on automatic payments and know that there will be money to cover the bills. But I can't exactly visualize NOT paying my bills, or NOT checking my bank balance!

So I guess I need to rethink my own vision of my future. Our website is starting to gather steam, I'm finding new revenue streams doing work I like; things are looking up even if just slightly. So if I had to envision a successful lifestyle for myself, it would include:

• one grant project scheduled for every school month
• regular classes in digistuff both online and off that regularly fill
• interesting special projects to choose from at a premium fee so it feels worth it to expend the time
• no debt beyond the house, and maybe even paying off the house
• two good cars - and maybe decent cars for kids too
• cash cushion of 6 months expenses
• Set my own schedule so I can maintain good eating and healthy exercise habits
• the ability to turn down work so that I can do other things for no pay

Looking at that, a lot of my desires require a healthy financial situation - no debt, good income, reasonable expenses. AND all those things are things I can influence if not completely control!

Next up - Goalsetting!