Controversial Disbelief

FYI - You may disagree with what I'm about to say here, but I'm posting it because it's been on my mind all evening. I am open to comments and your point of view if you'd be willing to share.

This evening my father reported to me that a local church would not be hosting Christmas day church service; therefore, we would not be following the tradition of attending Christmas Eve service at this particular church. I wasn't sure how to respond. I was speechless and lost in the thoughts that flooded my mind. A Christian church not having service on Christmas day??? I stood in disbelief, not sure whether to be angry or let it slide. 

Later, there was discussion on the radio with listeners' comments about churches cancelling church services Christmas day. There were comments both approving and disapproving. I didn't listen long in my less than 5 minute drive, but I did hear two comments that got me thinking.

1. God doesn't call for organized religion. He calls for a relationship with Him. Without a church service worship can be done in a family setting Christmas day.

2. Christ is the reason we celebrate, and the Christian church was formed because of belief in Christ. Therefore, the church should take advantage of the opportunity to corporately celebrate His birth.

I personally, believe that cancelling church on Christmas is absolutely ridiculous. The whole reason I attend church is because I believe in the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. I feel that it is a privilege that Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, and I want nothing more than to attend church and worship the Lord with other believers on this very important day in history. The day my Savior was born, the very reason my life has purpose and meaning. 

Just last weekend I asked my parents how Christmas would work this year hoping they would say that they planned to attend church on Sunday morning. My mom responded by saying we'd attend Christmas Eve service somewhere as usual as well as on Sunday. She later told me we'd need to figure out when we will open gifts. Either we wake up extra early and open them before church or we wait until after church. My response was that it didn't matter to me, as long as we have Christmas breakfast and attend church :)

My thoughts may not be well written, or you may disagree with me. But please, whatever your thoughts are, let's not forget the true reason for the season. It's not about spending tons of money or opening that gift you been waiting months to hold in your hand. Honestly, while it's fun to be with family, even family isn't why we celebrate. CHRIST is the reason for Christmas, and HE is the best give we could ever be given. 

Bursting at the Seams

I cannot even begin to express the churning of my heart at this moment. Since completing the November Gratitude Challenge, my eyes have been opened even further to the blessings the Lord has poured out upon my life. I cannot even begin to give the appropriate thanks that HE deserves. I want to scream it from the mountaintops that Jesus is Lord. I want others to love Him the way that I do. I desire that my life be a reflection of the one true God. 

Recently I purchased the Hillsong Spanish CD that was released on November 1 of this year. It's amazing how many of the songs have sparked something within me. Normally on a CD I enjoy a few of the songs, but on this CD every single song gets me. I've been in tears a few times listening to the album. The one that keeps playing through my head currently is has a phrase that goes something like this, "Dios hazme transparente. Refleja en mi tu amor que toda gloria sea solo para ti." (In English: God, make me transparent. Let your love reflect in me so that all glory is only for You.) Yesterday, throughout the day, this phrase along with other lyrics from the song were vibrating from my lips. I caught myself many time whispering these words or thinking on them and then altering my actions or spoken words to reflect just what the song was reminding me to do. 

I love that when I ask friends in Peru how they are doing they respond with a truthful response, and then add that "Gracias a Dios" or "pero Dios tiene el control." Meaning "thanks to God" or "...but God is in control." I think for some of them it is said out of routine, others are truly grateful to the Lord. Either way, I see this response as surrender and reverence to the Lord. I love that they acknowledge the Lord's work in their lives and their need for His divine intervention. Too often, I "forget" that without God, I am nothing, and I get an attitude that I'm fine on my own. 

I desire that every breath I take, every word I speak, and every activity in which I participate be an opportunity for me to demonstrate the love of the Lord. I desire that my life be a life of complete human abandonment and total surrender to Jesus. I want to be consumed by the Creator. I will not settle for anything less!