Missing That old Christmas Feeling

Have you been missing that old Christmas Feeling? You know where that warm and fuzzy and safe and nurtured and content feeling that you get during the Holiday Season, shouldn't that be kicking in right about now?

Well if it hasn't come in yet? Why hasn't it? I too started to wonder where is that Christmas Feeling. It's due right about now. So I asked God, "Hey... Where is my Christmas spirit?" But somehow before I could even finish the question... God asked me, "Hey... Where is YOUR Christmas Spirit?" So I started to do some searching. Looking for my Christmas Spirit.

Now one night while I was driving home... I pondered how tough this Christmas is going to be. No job. no income, moving to Perris. Plus I wish I had a digital camera, or an iPod or a Wii or a DS. Then I turned to KOST 103.5 the "official" Christmas Music Station. They had this segment about Christmas Wishes. A 1st grade teacher was on the air. She had mentioned that since she was only a teacher making ends meet was always a challenge. But just when I thought she was going to ask for some help for herself... She didn't, she stopped and asked for help to help others. She had this one 1st grade student that lost there Mom and father's in Prison and the children live w/ a family friend. And that her only wish that these Children get a very Merry Christmas...

I pulled over and cried. How petty was I? Poor baby, he wants an iPod. Boohoo... Why was it that I was too concerned w/what I don't have as compared to what I do. I still have a roof over my head, food on my stomach, clothes on my back and a warm bed (couch) to sleep in. While these kids are suffering? Like alot of Children all over the world. So it hit me.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whomever shall believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16...

Christmas is about giving... Not receiving. Because that's what God did the very 1st Christmas... He gave... So if you are missing that old Christmas feeling... Well start giving...

the Road to being a Minister

So these past few weeks, I've gone through so much politics that it makes me wonder is it worth it all? In the struggle of doing of what's right and from what you believe is right. I've seem to have lost what's important. Doing the Lord's work...

I am a firm believe tha we should have a strong foundation. If someone says to me that grass is purple, they need to make sure that they can convince me that the grass is purple. Now does that mean you become an immovable force, not allowing for the possibility that I could be wrong. But if you are going to convince me, I'm going to make it as hard as possible. The only way to do that is for me to make sure that my foundation is rock on. If I'm easily swayed then that means my footing wasn't as strong. Being informed on any issue is key to make sure that doesn't ahppen. In a nutshell, you have every oppurtunity to move a skyscrapper.

But the dangerous part is with all the debate going on we could loose sight of what's important. It is important tha we must put aside the difference, swallow my pride and get the Lord's work done.

Matthew 16:26 "What good will it be for you to gain the whole word, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul?"

We might win the battle, but loose the war. Stay on the road ahead and keep you eye on the prize.

Living Life...God's Life Part II

Living the life that God wants us to live has always been difficult. In fact God has told us that the road to salvation is dangerous. He wasn't kidding. But why is it so difficult?

As his chosen people we are now on this earth to suffer obidiently. In
1 Peter 2:6-8:
6"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."[a]
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,[b]"[c]
8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

We are the cornerstone meaning we are chosen to take a heavy load. Jesus showed us the way. By being true to oneself. Prepare our selves for the tempations that lies ahead. God was pure and was still condemed to death.

1 Peter 2:22-25

22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a]
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

But we again are worth more than this... Worth more than the suffering and the prize in the end is beyong immagination. So hang on my brothers and sisters in Christ. Live Life... God's Life.

1 Peter 1: 7
7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

excess baggage

So I thought I would put more things down as life occurs.

I am about to embark on a life changing events and this will definately change my life.

But I must go through my excess baggage and let some old stuff out.

For as far back as I can remember, I've always felt that I was not like the rest of my cousins. I know that when I was a child I was sickly and fragile, in and out of the hospitals and more in then out. As a kid, I found my relatives "special" attention of me to be annoying but none the less understood and appreciated. But now as an adult, I found that there "special" care for me was nothing more than there lack of faith in my abilities and or talents. I never had there respect just there pity. They fear that I would never amount to anything... I would be completely worthless.

But then I am comforted with these words.

Job 28: 13 "Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living."

How do we or anybody know our worth or what we can do until we do them? How can I say to another you are not worthy of the sacrifices made for you?

Everyone of us is just as lost as the next person. ONLY GOD knows what we are all worth. How much you might ask? Well God stretched out his arms to the side and died on the cross for you.

With that I part with these words.

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship."

Live the life... God's life...

In HIS Service,
Francis "T. Jay" Serrano