Bootsie's Tidbits: December 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas

Today I am thinking about Christmas. The joy of celebrating our Savior’s birth. Some find it hard to fathom Jesus’ birth. Born of a virgin. By God’s design. Others celebrate with their eyes on Santa Claus. No father no mother. Poof out of nowhere with only material gifts in his bag. Often unwanted gifts or ones that are so shabby their life span is short. Conversely Jesus brings us the gift of salvation. Life everlasting. The hope of tomorrow. Santa is here and gone in the blink of an eye. Jesus is forever. Wonder why folks settle for a fable when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is available to each and every one of us. Just bow our heart and receive the best gift one could ever obtain plus it is an everlasting gift. Celebrate Christmas with the joy of Jesus in your heart and pass that joy on to others. Possibly a Santa lover might just catch the joy of Jesus if we were to share Him. What a wonderful time of the year to share the joy of Jesus as our Savior.

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Baggage

When my church was building a new sanctuary a schematic was placed on an easel showing an architectural drawing. As our pastor shared he said the architect must have used a computer program for an airport terminal showing people coming toward the church from the parking lot. Those coming from the parking lot were pulling suitcases behind them. The thought struck me that this is so appropriate. Is not the church the place to bring life’s “baggage?” Life’s cares. The secret is to leave life’s “baggage” at the altar, thereby releasing the burdens of life. How many of us take the same cares home after service instead of leaving them with Jesus? Maybe the church is more like a terminal that we realize. Check your baggage at the altar releasing it to heaven and leaving with the cares of the world lifted from our shoulders. When we leave our burdens with Jesus it releases our spirit to be set free. Thank you Jesus for Your provision for freedom.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

About Tidbits

A vivid childhood memory is one in which I am sitting on the front porch steps cherishing new paper and pencils in anticipation of the first day of school. Blank paper, fresh unsharpened pencils with erasers in pristine condition were treasures. The only trouble with this picture is the paper would be untouched or if touched, childish stick people would emerge. My heart desire was to put something lovely on the paper. A lovely flower bouquet or maybe a landscape might be drawn. This dream never came true as a child. As an adult I took a watercolor class and the only good thing the teacher could say about my painting was that the yellow was beautiful. Of course it was because it came straight off the palette. Drawing class was a bit more rewarding as I was able to copy a pencil drawing with a modicum degree of success. I will admit though at one point I submitted a greeting card to The Rubber Stamper magazine and it was published! Several years later I realized after writing numerous “Tidbits” that God had fulfilled my dream to create on paper a work of art, but with words. Word pictures to bring God’s truths so that someone might be encouraged by them.

When I look back and see the little girl sitting on the porch steps treasuring her pencils and paper I see God’s hand on her desire to create something beautiful on paper. Thank you Lord for the beauty of words. Words that can paint a picture to show the magnificence of Jesus.

May” Tidbits” bless you who read them as much as they have blessed me in the ability to share His truths by the written word. To God be the glory for all He has done.