Okay, so first I want to say thank you for the responses on my last post…  I am thankful for this little corner, this little avenue…  to scream out, share with you all my love for my family and for my God.  We are here to shine Light in a dark world.  May there never be darkness in this corner…

Below is a little something I received from a friend.  So simple and so true…  I ask if I could share with you all.  You never know who might need to read these words.

 {thanks for letting me share}

This is something that has been on my mind lately, and I wanted to share this with everyone. I’m sure that this is something that we’re all aware of, but I believe that we’re called to share our hearts sometimes for reasons that we may not understand. So, with that in mind, I hope that this touches the heart of someone who reads this as much as it touches my heart to write it.

As I listened to our pastor last Sunday night talk about the 4th chapter of Ephesians, I was struck by the same thought again and again. How can we talk about how bad this world is and then expect people to want to live the way we live? Let’s be honest; most people equate Christian living with what you have to give up; what you can’t do; sacrifice. I know that I’ve thought about it that way in the past. The focus is on all of the things you now consider sin.

Now don’t get me wrong; we absolutely have to remove sin from our lives as much as is possible. There are things that we simply cannot continue to do or say if we follow the example that Jesus lived before us. I just think that we allow the world to paint us as suffering and sacrificing here for a reward after death. It can’t sound very promising to those who have yet to accept Christ.

Here is my point. We shouldn’t be focused on what is lost, and we shouldn’t allow the world to focus on what is lost when we give our hearts to Christ. We must focus on what is gained! We live a victorious life, not one of suffering. The world should see us not only as different, but different in all the best ways. Joy, true joy, should be written all over us. Don’t we have the blessing of a love that surpasses knowledge? Paul says so in Ephesians 3:19. Isn’t that love great enough to overshadow anything this world thinks we’re missing?! Yes!

Our Lord offers the world a better life now, not just after the grave. We cannot and should not live like we’re in misery here because that is a very poor advertisement for our faith. When you watch those goofy commercials on television, aren’t the people who are using the product or service that they want us to buy always happy? We’re expected to equate that product with happiness. Shouldn’t we live our lives as advertisements for Christianity? If so, then be happy!

Let us commit that today, right now, we will recognize the incredible gift that God has given us and let the world see its impact on our lives here on Earth. Heaven will be better than any of us can imagine, but that doesn’t mean that things are pretty darn good here! The love that I feel for my wife and children is a gift; the closeness of family and friends comforts me. The beauty and wonder of God’s creation is the most impressive work of art I’ve ever seen. Let’s celebrate what we have now while we wait for even better gifts later.

I hope that this blesses each person I send this to half as much as you bless me through your role in my life. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be glorified in all that we think, say, and do. Amen.

Good stuff, huh?

So, go put on a happy face and have a blessed weekend!