Friday, December 19, 2008 What Really Matters
Lately, I have seen some division among Christians regarding Christmas. Some strongly oppose celebrating Christmas because of its pagan roots. Others try hard to keep Christ in Christmas. And then there are those who incorporate more and more worldly stuff in their Christmas celebration. In my opinion, just because something has pagan roots...this does not automatically make it pagan. I think the early Church succeeded at replacing Roman pagan traditions with the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas. Why do I say that? Well, how many people really remember or even know that Christmas started out as a pagan festival? Billions of people in the world know (even if they don't really have the right focus) that Christmas is about Christ. Four names of our days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Viking gods. We don't stop using these names just because they have pagan roots. To me, each day is a gift from God. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 It's how we spend our day that matters...honoring/pleasing God or dishonoring/sinning against God. That goes the same for what we do with Christmas (another day that the Lord has made). I posted about an interesting article titled, "Is Christmas Christian?" written by Hank Hanegraaff, the President of the Christian Research Institute last year. I personally believe in celebrating/honoring Christ daily by the way we live. In Thailand, Christmas (no tree, no gift-exchanging, no baking frenzy, no card-sending, no feast) provides a great opportunity for Christians to share to non-Christians about Christ. (In fact, I myself came to know Christ and received the free gift of salvation during Christmastime of 1985 in Thailand.) I believe that's what many churches in America are trying to do. If people are saved because of the Gospel being boldly shared during Christmastime, then we should rejoice. God can certainly use any events, including holidays that have pagan roots, for His glory. Christ's birth is the beginning of the redemption story/the ultimate love story that never ends (John 3:16). If people tend to share Christ's love more at Christmastime, then we should be glad and encourage them so...and hopefully they will carry on sharing Christ's love throughout the year :).
All these thoughts led me to write a poem. I would like to share with you here:-
It doesn't matter if you do or don't celebrate Christmas
What really matters is that you believe in Jesus
It doesn't matter if Dec. 25th is not Christ's actual birthday
What really matters is that He was born to save us from a debt we cannot pay
It doesn't matter if you don't trim a tree
What really matters is that you know & worship God the Creator who makes trees
It doesn't matter if you don't give gifts to one another
What really matters is that you give your heart and your life to our Saviour...our Redeemer
It doesn't matter if you don't hang up any lights
What really matters is that you follow the Light of the world day and night
It doesn't matter if you don't get to go caroling
What really matters is that unto the Lord you joyfully sing
It doesn't matter what eloquent words you write on Christmas cards
What really matters is that you spread the Good News at every chance
It doesn't matter if you bake the best or the most cookies
What really matters is that you help the needy and feed the hungry
P.S. Answers in Genesis has an insightful article about the history of Christmas. |
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Saturday, June 23, 2007 Creation Week
Have you or your children ever got mixed up over what was created on which day during the creation week in Genesis? I made up a poem to help my children and me remember. I wrote it to be a rhythmic recitation; my kids think I'm silly :). Well, as long as it helps us remember, silly or not...it serves the purpose! Here it is:
Day one: dark and light
Day and night
Day two: water above, water below
Firmament is just so
Day three: land and sea
Plants and trees
Day four: stars, moon, sun
Four seasons were begun
Day five: birds and fish alive
Sea creatures thrive
Day six: animals on land
Woman and man
Day seven: God created nothing
Time for resting |
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Friday, April 20, 2007 You Can't Afford to Wait
After the tragedy at Virginia Tech, I was saddened and reminded once again that life can be gone in a blink of an eye. It made me especially think of and pray for people who don't have the Lord as their Anchor (including many of my relatives and Thai friends). I expressed my thoughts in this poem.
You Can't Afford to Wait
The world is falling apart
The news is breaking my heart
Tragedies seem too frequent
Evil forces become more prevalent
Diseases, illnesses, accidents,
Violence, unforeseen events
Today (actually, this second) could be all you've got
Life is short...like it or not
Do you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
Do you know where you're going when leaving this earth?
You can choose hell & hopelessness OR heaven & rebirth
You need to decide for yourself if you want a relationship with God
You can't afford to wait;
Tomorrow may be too late!
Jesus is my Rock while the world crumbles away
Jesus is my Light as the world gets darker everyday
I hope to see you for eternity in heaven
I hope you choose Jesus Christ today, my friends
You can't afford to wait;
Tomorrow may be too late!
Lord, please open their eyes and hearts...I pray
To see how urgently they need salvation...how desperately they need You
Please help them see that Jesus is the only Way
And help them obey your Word which is forever true
They can't afford to wait;
Tomorrow may be too late!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16, 17
"Jesus answered, 'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6
"Jesus said to her (Martha), 'I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" John 11:25
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Thursday, August 10, 2006 Complete in Christ
"But Godliness with contentment is great gain."1Timothy 6:6 Would you like to know the secret to "being content"? I believe we can truly be content only when we realize that we are complete in Christ. No one else and nothing else will ever make us complete. I wrote a poem, "Complete in Christ" to remind myself of that, and hopefully, it may encourage others as well.
Complete in Christ
Philosophy, psychology
Idolatry, ceremony
They do not set us free.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Legalism, mysticism, asceticism
Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism
Don't be fooled and trapped in man-made religions.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Spiritual formulas, worldly principles
Self-help books, staged miracles
These won't save us. Don't be gullible.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Elaborate church buildings, expensive programs
Certain prayer patterns...we have to discern
Don't be captivated. Don't be intimidated.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Popularity, plastic surgery
Model looks, designer clothes
Don't be envious. We don't need those.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Drugs, cults, New Age, evolution
Power, portfolios, prosperity
Don't be led astray. Don't love money.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Luxurious homes, acres & acres of land
Private planes, latest high-tech gadgets,fancy cars
We don't need anything extra.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Degrees, recognition, career
Costly hobbies, social status, approval of peers
Think of heaven, not just now and here
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Human regulations, immediate gratification
Sensual indulgence, collection of things
They give us no peace. True joy..they don't bring
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
It's our human tendency to desire "more" and "better" and "new" and "exciting". It's our human tendency to get bored easily, to complain, and to be unthankful. With Christ's strength, we can overcome the human tendency (aka our sinful nature). "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the Head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9,10
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Tuesday, July 18, 2006 I Want to Be...
After a difficult day I had with my 7 yo son, what he said to me when I tucked him in bed tonight reminded me again of how gracious the Lord is to me! I asked my son if he had any prayer requests. He softly replied, "Yes, I want to be more like Jesus." Isn't that precious? He has such a beautiful, tender heart! I told him--That's my heart's desire, too (to be more like Jesus).
More than 10 years ago, I wrote a poem titled, "I Want to Be..."
I want to be a sweet daughter
Who makes her mom laugh and smile,
Helps out when her mom gets older,
And does her best as a grateful child
I want to be a submissive wife
Who serves and supports her husband,
Trusts and respects him even in the midst of strife,
Shares memories, struggles, and fun
I want to be a caring mother
Who's always there for her kids,
Helping them grow stronger and wiser,
And become spiritually rich
I want to be a dependable friend
Who tirelessly encourages others
I want to be a cheerful giver
Who never expects to gain
I want to be a fruitful missionary
Who wins lost souls to the Lord for eternity
I want to be a loving neighbor
Who behaves well as a peacemaker
I want to be a faithful prayer warrior
Who won't stop praying 'til things get better
I want to be a joyful worshiper
Who sings praises to the Lord over and over
I want to be a kind "Good Samaritan"
Who readily assists any needy man
I want to be a true Christian example
Who lives a contented life in spite of obstacles
The secret lies in JESUS
Who lives forever within us
I want to do everything right
I want to be pleasing in His sight
What I really want to say is...
I want to be more like CHRIST!
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