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Our youngest has another double ear infection, and it came on fast. There was no warning, and suddenly she was miserable. As I held her tonight, I sat and watched my ice melt in my glass - it was slow, and it was subtle. What a contrast. 

We need to remember that spiritual growth and spiritual deterioration are not like an infection - neither happen overnight or are sudden. They are like watching ice melt. Both are slow, both are subtle. The question is - are we growing or backsliding? 

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We got a big snow dump again, and the kids wanted to go outside and play in it. This was the best kind of snow, the kind that packs tight so you can make snowballs and snowmen. The kids asked me to teach them how, and I explained you have to apply pressure and press the snow in your hands - that's what makes it stronger. 

Life works the same way with our faith. We've got to recognize that difficulties are not necessarily something to be avoided, they have the potential to test our faith and make us stronger. Sometimes a little pressure is what keeps you from falling to pieces. 

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Kylie and I have been doing a healthy living challenge, and at the start it was very tough - especially what felt like a very restrictive diet. But the longer we've done it, the better we've felt. I've started to realize how poor my diet was before, and it wasn't the way I was designed to eat. Our new way of life is freeing - and I don't want to go back. 

The Christian life should be seen the same way. Following Christ is not restrictive and burdensome - though with certainty it can be challenging. But following Christ is freeing - leading to true life and life abundantly. The longer you walk with Christ, the more you should never desire to go back to the old way of life in the world. 

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Bee's a pretty incredible. The female honeybee is capable of stinging a predator or what she considers dangerous, but not to protect herself - to protect the colony. Her act is self-sacrificing and selfless. She lays down her life for others. 

That is the nature of love. It puts the needs of others first. That is the kind of love Jesus demonstrated for us - laying down his life for us. It's the kind of love we're called to have for others. Don't just boast of great love, show it to others. 

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My grandmother a few days ago was put on hospice care, and I called to tell her goodbye just the other night. In Christ, we don't grieve as those who have no hope. She has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she's kept the faith. 

Death is a part of life, and we will all face it. But for Christians, death is a release from this broken world and birth into something far better. To be at home with the Lord is our aim, and our goal. Let us encourage one another with these words. 

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I noticed a table at our local Chick-Fil-A I had never noticed before. It said the following, "This table was built by artisans from A Better Way Ministries. The materials used were salvaged from unwanted and abandoned homes. The hands that built it belong to a person who also once felt unwanted and abandoned. Love, compassion, and grace are powerful tools." 

In the same manner, Jesus would take notice of those who were unwanted and abandoned. He would take them, use them, and build them into something extraordinary - his body, his church. Jesus is still doing this - and he's doing it with me and you. 

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Happy New Year Everyone! 

Are you ready to change? If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you. Make the right choice. Being a disciple isn't a New Year resolution. It is a discliplined choice that you make all year long for the rest of your life. Is it time? 

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It happens every year with young children. You get them the things on their wishlist for Christmas, but then later on Christmas morning, you find them not playing with the gift - but the box it came in. 

We are not unlike children. God designed this world and the things he has made to direct us back to the real gift, himself. Unfortunately, mankind would rather ignore the gift of God, and settle for playing with worthless idols instead. Don't just play with the box, the gift of God is far better. 

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Having three young children, especially around the Holidays, can be very chaoitic. But while that's true, I need to remember how quickly this stage flies by - and how much I will miss it. I only get one chance to impact my children, how will I use this time? 

Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, took moments to take in his upbringing and treasure the moments in her heart. We would do well to follow her example, and remember that though our children our not our own and will soon be gone, they are a gift from God not to be taken for granted. 

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"It's A Wonderful Life" is my alltime favorite Christmas movie, and among my favorite movies period. The story climaxes with two expressions concerning George Baily - one a note written by his guardian angel Clarence, "No man is a failure who has friends." The second, a toast from his kid brother Harry, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town!" But what made him a success? What made him rich? Not his net worth, not anything financial in nature, but rather the love that he had from his friends and his family and his newfound faith. 

We must recognize what truly is valuable in this life. It's not about money, and if you love money, you'll end up miserable like Mr. Potter. If you have faith and hope in Christ, and you have been blessed to enjoy the day to day things God has given to us in this life, like a family and friends, then you truly are the richest person in town. 

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