Run, Run as Fast as You Can

 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

 There are probably still a few of these left around your house. You probably read or told the story to the children while they nibbled on the leg or bit off the head. But have you thought about how much we are like gingerbread men? 

The little old man and woman were childless so they decided to make a gingerbread boy. Different stories will have different ways of creating the eyes and buttons and jacket but at the very outset, the gingerbread boy was determined to run away. He even made fun of the little old man and the little old woman and all those who tried to get him to stop along the way. Where was he running to anyway? 

Then the fox entered the scene. He didn't act like he wanted to eat the gingerbread boy. He seemed helpful. He was going to get the boy across the river that otherwise would have melted the cookie boy. The deeper the fox went into the water, the farther up on the fox, the gingerbread boy had to ride until — the gingerbread boy had to ride on the fox's nose. When all finally seemed safe, the fox flipped his snout causing the cookie to go right in his mouth. End of story. But is it?

Almost from the time we are born we try to run away from our Creator and all those who would try to stop our running. Where are we going anyway? We laugh and make fun of those who try to warn us not to run to the world. Sadly many allow that old sly fox to trick us into thinking the best life is the free life, the life to live as we please. Then when the things of this world have taken their toll, we are left defeated, addicted, or worst of all dead. 

As we enter into a new year let's evaluate where we are headed. Are we running in the wrong direction? Will we turn around like the Prodigal son and return to our heavenly Father? He's waiting to receive us with open arms if we will only turn and run to Him. Look again at the picture of the cookies. The gingerbread men are holding their arms wide open. They are not in running motion. Maybe they too are trying to tell us to open our arms and hearts to God and return to Him this year.

Heavenly Father, help us open our hearts and minds to you in the coming year. Lead us in Your way. Direct our path away from the things of the world that daily seek to devour our lives. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.

Tis the Season

 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ~John 10:22,23 KJV

It’s that time of year. Cookies, gingerbread houses, and decorations galore. As I tried to copy the picture of a winter gingerbread village in a jar, I wondered what winter was like for Jesus. There were no Christmas trees, no holiday cookies, no . . . . But wait, there was the Feast of Dedication – Hannukah! Jesus walked in the temple on Solomon’s porch! He saw the city all covered with snow. There may have been holiday cookies and gifts. There was a menorah burning in the temple by the altar of incense. Jesus may have been thinking about the lights of the temple and the miracle God had performed. Hanukah celebrated the fact that God caused the temple lamps to burn for eight days with only enough  oil for one day.

Today, we are in the midst of the Hannukah/Christmas season. Though the world tries to put out the true meanings of Hanukah and Christmas, we must keep the light within our hearts shining, demonstrating God’s love to the world. Whether we read Isaiah 53 or John 3:16 the message is still the same. It is our job to let the world know that God sent His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. May we dedicate our lives to the Messiah. May we let our light shine before others to glorify our Father which is in heaven. 

  How are you keeping the Messiah in the Season this year?

Heavenly Father, as the lights shine around us this Hannukah/Christmas season remind us to let our lights shine for you all year long. In Jesus the Messiah's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Do you have special traditions for Christmas or Hannukah? We often see gingerbread houses but I thought a gingerbread village in a snowglobe might be a fun activity that would be edible for the whole season. Just click on the link from Better Homes and Gardens for the video and instructions. 

It may be fun to add a menorah cookie to the village. You can probably find a cookie cutter of a menorah at a hobby store or online. 

Enjoy all the fun, but remember the reason for the season is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all— the birth of Jesus Christ who came to die for our sins. 

Run, Run as Fast as You Can

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

 There are probably still a few of these left around your house. You probably read or told the story to the children while they nibbled on the leg or bit off the head. But have you thought about how much we are like gingerbread men? 

The little old man and woman were childless so they decided to make a gingerbread boy. Different stories will have different ways of creating the eyes and buttons and jacket but at the very outset, the gingerbread boy was determined to run away. He even made fun of the little old man and the little old woman and all those who tried to get him to stop along the way. Where was he running to anyway? 

Then the fox entered the scene. He didn't act like he wanted to eat the gingerbread boy. He seemed helpful. He was going to get the boy across the river that otherwise would have melted the cookie boy. The deeper the fox went into the water, the farther up on the fox, the gingerbread boy had to ride until — the gingerbread boy had to ride on the fox's nose. When all finally seemed safe, the fox flipped his snout causing the cookie to go right in his mouth. End of story. But is it?

Almost from the time we are born we try to run away from our Creator and all those who would try to stop our running. Where are we going anyway? We laugh and make fun of those who try to warn us not to run to the world. Sadly many allow that old sly fox to trick us into thinking the best life is the free life, the life to live as we please. Then when the things of this world have taken their toll, we are left defeated, addicted, or worst of all dead. 

As we enter into a new year let's evaluate where we are headed. Are we running in the wrong direction? Will we turn around like the Prodigal son and return to our heavenly Father? He's waiting to receive us with open arms if we will only turn and run to Him. Look again at the picture of the cookies. The gingerbread men are holding their arms wide open. They are not in running motion. Maybe they too are trying to tell us to open our arms and hearts to God and return to Him this year. 

Blessings for the New Year,

Gail