I've Got Nothing...

Years ago a great TV show was on NBC called “Seinfeld”. The producers and actors promoted the show as being about nothing at all. Yet, week after week it was the #1 show on TV in its time slot, and more often than not the #1 show on TV overall.

The reason I mention the show is because I know there are people out there who say that you have nothing to offer others in your spiritual walks. If that is truly the case, why are you here? Why does God have you right here, right now? You must have something to offer someone, or else you have no reason to be here.

Think about that the next time you think you have nothing. I mean, I thought that I had nothing to write about this week, and look what I came up with! See, there is always something, even if it’s about nothing.

I Am...

I am a man.

I am a husband to a beautiful wife.

I am a father of 3 great kids.

I am the main provider for my family.

I am the spiritual leader of my household.

I am an elder at my church.

I am an office manager at my job.

The reason I bring this up is because of a song I heard during the Christmas season. I’m sure you probably heard it as well. The version of “Mary Did You Know” by Casting Crowns is a favorite of mine. I feel it to be extremely powerful the way that they emphasize certain parts of the song.

The one part of the song that really hit me this year is when they ask Mary if she had any idea that the child she was carrying would be known as the Great I Am. Those two words, I Am, are very powerful in so many ways. Think about the fact that Jesus was born into the world to be more than any of us could ever imagine ourselves to be. He came into the world to encompass it all, and eventually die on the cross for every one of us! And kids today think they have pressure!

Anyway, this got me to thinking more about who I am, and how it could even start to compare. I started to think about who I think I am versus who the world thinks I am. Is the “I am” that I think I am the same as the “I am" that the world sees me as? How do I come across to others, and where on the list above does everything rank on someone else’s list? Am I truly doing my job as a follower of Christ if other people in the world see me as something not on the list way before any of the things I’ve listed above?

These are the things that I’ve been thinking about for the last month. My question to you this week: What is your “I am”, and how does it compare to the “I am” that you show the world each and every day?

Clear The Board

It is almost New Year's Eve already! The last day of the year, the last day we have until we clear the board off, so to speak. A new year brings to many the ability to start over with a clean slate.

You do realize that this isn't real, right? The only way you can really clear the board is to start a relationship with Jesus who loves you more than you'll ever know.

Do you have a relationship with God yet? Do you know others who need a relationship with Him? If anyone truly wants to clear the board, then I pray that in this upcoming new year you are able to start a relationship with Him.

The Final Preparations

So, we have less than a week before Christmas comes. Are you ready? Have you wrapped all the presents, made all the food, traveled all over to events, etc.?

This week I won't take up too much of your time. Instead I just want to remind you to also prepare your heart. Prepare for Him to continue to use you for His glory. Prepare for Him to reach others for His kingdom. Trust me, this final preparation will be worth it!

God bless you all, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Music Part 2

Christmas Music Part 2 - December 15th

So, has God put a smile on your face through any Christmas music this last week? He has done that to me many times. I don't know about you, but I have some real favorites when it comes to Christmas music, and all of them I love for different reasons. Here are three of my favorites, in no particular order:

A) “Wonderful Christmas Time”

I've always loved this song. I like the upbeat melody and the words that speak of simplifying this time of year. Isn't that a goal we should all have this season? Simply enjoy the season and everything about it! We often complicate the season, and this song reminds me to sit back and enjoy.

B) “Feliz Navidad”

This song is in some of my earliest Christmas memories. My parents use to play 94.5 (a station out of Port Clinton at the time) on the radio every Christmas morning. It never failed that this song would come on while I was opening my presents. This song is always positive and reminds me of all the other people in the world celebrating the birth of Jesus at the same time.

C) “The Little Drummer Boy”

I've loved this since I developed a bass voice. I have always enjoyed singing this song more than any others because of all the bass notes. Yet, more than that, I enjoy this song as it reminds me that often times the best gifts that can be given are often those that are the simplest. Using the gifts that God gives us is one of the best gifts we could ever give Him.

So, what does God lay on your heart this time of year? What songs do you keep encountering when He wants to put a smile on your face? No matter the song, or the meaning to you I pray that you are touched by Him this season and that He touches others through you as well.

Christmas Music Part 1

I don't know what it is about Christmas music, but hearing it almost always puts a smile on my face. In fact, if it wasn't for the snow, I think I'd have a smile on my face 24/7 through New Year’s Day. I love the time with family, time off work, various gatherings, giving gifts, etc.

To many, Christmas music resembles something else. They see crowds at stores, more work they have to get done, places they have to be, and money to be spent.

What does Christmas music mean to you? Do you hear it and envision all the positives of the season or the negatives? Do you remember the true meaning of the season?

I hope that you remember this quick devotional every time you hear any Christmas music this season. If you feel yourself focusing on the more difficult things this season, try to think about God instead. I know that He'll make the negatives go away and put a smile on your face as well.

The Plan

This time of year it is very easy to make plans for almost every day of the month of December. Most of us have family events, sporting events, kid's school events, church events, etc. It get to be the busiest time of the year in fact. Day after day we run from one item on the to-do list to another.

In the busyness it will be very easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. We plan for all of the events, we plan all of the meals, we plan the presents, but do we plan to make sure God is at the center of everything we, especially this time of year?

As all of us plan our ways through this advent season, I wanted to just throw out a reminder to make sure you plan time for God in your day-to-day events. Without Him at the center of all you do, you'd easily get the plan wrong and forget the true meaning of Christmas.