Christmas Wants

Or everyday wants and needs

Published on December 6, 2004 By oleteach In Religion

Lady Cleve ( this is an edit... my apologies to Lady Cleve who has some wonderful blogs also, but was not the one to inspire this blog. It was the bloag of "lifehappens). had an interesting blog recently where she listed all the things that she doesn’t want for Christmas. Then she listed those really important things that are so dear to her heart. It showed that she has some great priorities. Anyway, it set me thinking about things that people (me included) seem to go after and what those desires might indicate.

If someone told me that I have been chosen to be a guest on the TV show Extreme Makeover, I would be thrilled. If liposuction, eyelifts, facelifts, (no implants, please) special diets and trainers would be assigned to me, I would welcome it. The results would hopefully make me feel and look years younger. This, in turn, might help me to be more outgoing in my attempts to help others, rejoice in the beauty of each day and make every day more heartening. I might not waste so much time feeling the aches and pains of growing older. (If something went wrong, I might feel them more...Ouch!)

But if I didn’t feel good about myself in the first place, no amount of exterior makeovers would have any lasting effects. What would really do me the most good would be a spiritual makeover that would help me locate my self-defeating behaviors and supply the strength to do something about them.

We all have quirks, foibles, bad habits, compulsions, emotional hang-ups and whatever else keeps us from living a wholesome life. We don’t have to be ruled by them. We could do something about it in an Extreme Makeover of our Spiritual Life.

I would have to admit first what those behaviors that I indulge in every day that seem to push people away or cause feelings of hostility, greed, jealousy, unforegivenss in me. If you think you don’t have any of these unhealthy habits… ask one of your closest friends to point them out to you…if you can find one who will be truthful.

Next, if you believe in a power other than yourself, pray for guidance, strength and a clear vision to see what needs to be changed.

Then decide to quit these behaviors. That is called repentance. If you lapse, start again without remorse or shame.

Jesus came to this earth to give us the means for an extreme makeover for our hearts. Accept it and you will see lasting results in your life.

Happy soul-searching!

"

Comments

preacherman

on Dec 06, 2004

Jesus came to this earth to give us the means for an extreme makeover for our hearts. Accept it and you will see lasting results in your life.

You get an insightful for that oleteach. I think most everyone realizes that Christ Jesus was not born on December 25th. That's okay.... Imagine God became flesh & blood that he might be the propitiation for the sin of humanity. How can we not recognize His birth, no matter what day we celebrate it.

Merry Christmas

preacherman

oleteach

on Dec 07, 2004

Thanks for the comment. It is hard to understand why everyone does not just welcome the Good News when it can be the panacea for all of their ills. It is also hard to understand that those same people who deny Christ will be out shopping on Christmas, will expect the day off, will greet people with Merry Christmas and will expect all kinds of material gifts on the day that celebrates the birth of the One they have no use for. "skakes head!"

preacherman

on Dec 07, 2004

I think oleteach is kind'a like going to the doctor. There are a many a folk (especially men) that can have an illness but they hate to go to the doctor because they are in fact scared of what the doctor will find. NO ONE wants to hear they have a serious disease. The average Joe does not want to hear they are sick with the awful disease of sin.

It is also hard to understand that those same people who deny Christ will be out shopping on Christmas, will expect the day off, will greet people with Merry Christmas and will expect all kinds of material gifts on the day that celebrates the birth of the One they have no use for.

This reminds me of what is going on in the public school system out in California (most public schools no matter what state). They do not want any mention of God. Most recently the teacher who can't post the Declaration Of Independence because it refers to God. No pledge of the allegience because of the reference to God, yet the other day California is going thorug a serious drought. The representative from California was talking about how serious the condition was and that all attempts to irrigate were not working. The reporter ask what is left to do? The representative's response was to PRAY.

If you have pushed God out of your schoold system, not allowing any mention of His name- to whom will you pray?

Merry Christmas
preacherman

oleteach

on Dec 07, 2004

We can indeed be very stupid...wise in the ways of world just ain't going to cut it.

lifehappens

on Dec 07, 2004

First let me say that I am flattered that I inspired you! I feel all special now.

I loved your article....

But if I didn’t feel good about myself in the first place, no amount of exterior makeovers would have any lasting effects. What would really do me the most good would be a spiritual makeover that would help me locate my self-defeating behaviors and supply the strength to do something about them.

I love how you said this...and it is so true. Have you noticed that people who have no faith are depressed more often? By thinking that this is all that there is to life and that there is no meaning beyond the newest clothes or most expensive luxury, you deprive yourself of the joy of being a child of God. I know it sounds silly to some people, but knowing that you are more important than you give yourself credit for (as a Child of GOD) and having a relationship with Him can give you the strength to move out of a self defeating habit or break loose from depression.

oleteach

on Dec 07, 2004

lifehappens,
I am inspired all the time by so many of those who blog here. I am totally amazed at the depth of some of these posts. I hope I will never stop learning from all those around me.

lifehappens

on Dec 09, 2004

quote]I am inspired all the time by so many of those who blog here. I am totally amazed at the depth of some of these posts. I hope I will never stop learning from all those around me.

me too...me too.[

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