So a little boy I was watching during the women's bible study at my church. showed me a prime illustration of what this blog post is all about. Today in the nursery area was a new toy, I have no idea where it came from but it was pretty easy to figure out. You place the cars at the top pull the levers down and they go flying down four stories (in toy size mind you) of ramp shooting out the bottom, most not going that far. Now I know that does not seem too thrilling, especially since the only variation came from using either a wooden or a regular toy car, but I watched a four year old do it for his entire 55 minute play time.
As I watched him I saw how nothing could stop him for finding complete joy in the new toy, whether it be the car itself or the something else that goes on, he was ever persistent.
Now what does that have to do with Serial Sinners you ask (you guys ask a lot of questions), well it's that behavior that is repetitive (or in a series) without any knowledge that something is better that defines the human condition. Yes I am a Serial Sinner, and so are you. Now I'm not sure if you found this blog on accident or if you were actually checking up on me, but to be honest I hope that in some form you can understand some of the nature of your own depravity. I will have some bread for thought at the end for you to ponder about man's state of sinfulness.
But why am I posting this? Well I was thinking about how we as Christians can have a better than though approach but in truth we can't be that much better. We have heard that all have sinned so why do we act superior. The only difference between us and those playing with the toy car ramp, is that we know truth, and truth says we are separate from God. Does that mean that you're on the same level of morality of a serial killer or serial rapist, well of course not, but still the wages of sin is death. Besides in the scale of forgiveness think of what Jesus said in Luke 7:47 "But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Are you a Pharisee?
No I did not write this blog to convict people and simply step on people's toes because frankly I'm stepping on my own toes. I share what I'm learning and that's what God has revealed. I can be judgmental and that holds me back from really being honest and open in my witness to others. Why is my love not blind to a person's faults, yet I claim to walk with Christ? Can I see a person's sin and still love them? Well of course I can in God's strength, who shows through Christ the vastness of God's love. John 2:25 says "He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person." yet there are so many instances that Jesus was tender yet forthcoming with his knowledge of a person sin. We are called to love others because we are all Serial Sinners, who all need salvation. Just as I heard recently, 'if Mother Teresa, Hitler and the Dalai Lama were all on the Titanic, they would all need a lifeboat!' Don't forget that you need that lifeboat as well.
-A. Marie (A Serial Sinner)
BREAD For Thought:
Romans 3:21-31
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
One Day Without Shoes
Today I went one day without shoes! That might not sound that bad for those of you who live in a place that knows that it is spring, but today when I walked to campus it was snowing. Yes I am nuts but I think this blog is even more important than just going barefoot in the cold while wearing my winter jacket. I was sure that I wouldn't be able to do it even before I knew what the weather would be. I thought that was too much of a pansy (thanks Johnny TenEyck) to every walk around all day on the hard gravel. But after a lot of inside barefoot practice and being able to encourage myself to be stronger that I think I am.
It seemed that God wanted to call my bluff today and make it snow just as I walked outside. The ground was wet and rocky but as I walked to campus trying my best not to step on any painful rocks finding that pain was inevitable and that my feet felt numb from the cold. I was able to finally walk in someone else's feet. I had never been able to walk outside from the slight discomfort on my feet. Walking outside on different types of sidewalk, slower than usual because of the lack of soft material under my feet I thought of what it would be like if this was your life everyday. I love shoes and this seems to be a devastating thought, but I never thought I could make one day so I know I can do anything when I believe in God's work in me!
This day led me to think of how privileged I am, and selfish for never thinking of anyone else but myself the majority of my life. I will never take shoes for granted again, or socks for that matter. I've been blessed to live in this country and yes my ancestors suffered oppression but I'm living the life they dreamed of. This being the Why Week it also made me think of how privileged I am to be a Christian in America. If I never wanted to take a risk in my faith I would never have to. This is sad but it's truly the state of most Christians in America. But I don't think that justifies any thing. Why are you a Christian?
Honestly I had to face that question myself two years ago as a scared sophomore who realized she didn't want to be persecuted for her faith. Now I see the same amount of uncertainty in church's around the country. How radical would Christianity be if people were willing to be persecuted. I'm not saying I want us to be persecuted or to even be without shoes, I'm just saying that from my experience that Godly selflessness changes you for the better. It's not that you automatically become a martyr and give away all of your possessions, but that you become even more aware of how you can be a coworker with God. And in the words of MercyMe, you never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for!
So take a step, maybe a barefoot one, to push yourself out of the way. Sure you might want to think you're the most awesome person in the world, but don't see your life as just some insignificant blip that will only last as long as you do, but as a Godly legacy that will last through out generations of believers.
Some BREAD for Thought:
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Romans 8:18
[ Present Suffering and Future Glory ] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 2:2-4 (New International Version, ©2011)
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others
It seemed that God wanted to call my bluff today and make it snow just as I walked outside. The ground was wet and rocky but as I walked to campus trying my best not to step on any painful rocks finding that pain was inevitable and that my feet felt numb from the cold. I was able to finally walk in someone else's feet. I had never been able to walk outside from the slight discomfort on my feet. Walking outside on different types of sidewalk, slower than usual because of the lack of soft material under my feet I thought of what it would be like if this was your life everyday. I love shoes and this seems to be a devastating thought, but I never thought I could make one day so I know I can do anything when I believe in God's work in me!
This day led me to think of how privileged I am, and selfish for never thinking of anyone else but myself the majority of my life. I will never take shoes for granted again, or socks for that matter. I've been blessed to live in this country and yes my ancestors suffered oppression but I'm living the life they dreamed of. This being the Why Week it also made me think of how privileged I am to be a Christian in America. If I never wanted to take a risk in my faith I would never have to. This is sad but it's truly the state of most Christians in America. But I don't think that justifies any thing. Why are you a Christian?
Honestly I had to face that question myself two years ago as a scared sophomore who realized she didn't want to be persecuted for her faith. Now I see the same amount of uncertainty in church's around the country. How radical would Christianity be if people were willing to be persecuted. I'm not saying I want us to be persecuted or to even be without shoes, I'm just saying that from my experience that Godly selflessness changes you for the better. It's not that you automatically become a martyr and give away all of your possessions, but that you become even more aware of how you can be a coworker with God. And in the words of MercyMe, you never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for!
So take a step, maybe a barefoot one, to push yourself out of the way. Sure you might want to think you're the most awesome person in the world, but don't see your life as just some insignificant blip that will only last as long as you do, but as a Godly legacy that will last through out generations of believers.
Some BREAD for Thought:
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Romans 8:18
[ Present Suffering and Future Glory ] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 2:2-4 (New International Version, ©2011)
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
What Hellcats Taught Me
While watching a show that most would label as that dumb cheer show (Hellcats), I saw something deeper than just stunts and drama, I saw people standing together despite the consequences for the sake of doing what was right. Not what was easy, but what is right. As Christians today we sometimes fail to realize that we have to stand together,we are all for gathering in our churches and singing our worship music, but how willing are we to cry for another brother or sister in Christ? Are we willing to let them go with our very names on the line, to go into the jungle with them with our lives.
I can't say that I can right now, but I want to. I want to be a part of a unified body of believers, giving my all for them despite what hardships and 'lost' I might face. It's not easy to stand in that circle and punch my fist saying no matter what I'm in this with you. It's been almost two years since that fateful van ride that made me face the question of whether my faith is real. I decided that I would take the risk no matter what, but does that live out in my life. Do I uphold the Gospel despite the criticism, adversity and inconvenience. It not easy to let God use you, you have to make the effort and the choice. We battle everyday with our selfish nature. I have to tell myself to be purposeful to seek spiritual conversations. Thinking that it's just going to happen is like saying that the blind man will be able to get through a forest without our help. The people around us need us, and frankly I'd rather be that weird Jesus Freak, then to have to face Jesus and tell him I have no fruit to show from my walk with him.
The latest episode made me realize how much cheer-leading has in common with the church. I know how does short skirts and back flips have anything to do with being in the body of Christ. In this particular episode one cheerleader literally fell backwards into the waiting arms of her teammates. But here's the catch, she couldn't see them, which I physically don't think I could ever do, what with the fear of falling thing. But it was a symbolization of being a part of a team, and for this character it meant more, it meant changing her plans and thinking of how her decisions effect them. But she wasn't looking at them as assets, but as liabilities (I know that's the soon to be former major of mine coming out), she felt she owed them something that she was facing her choices alone. Yet when her team knew what she was facing and how all of their very livelihoods were on the line they still stood together, not knowing the outcome.
So in more cheer related metaphors, we have to be bases to those who are flying into the unknown for the sake of the gospel, because they need to know that we are willing to catch them when they fall. We need to give our all for the presentation of the gospel, our lives aren't a competition, and we don't practice to win at it, but we still need each other. The only time a cheerleader is by herself is during the tryouts (maybe some of us have forgotten what it was like to not walk with God). We are not just a religion, we are a family, we are responsible to and for each other. I am sure that God will even ask us questions on how good of a steward we were with other believers. It's not easy to stand in truth but it's even harder when you feel alone. I'm willing to strive to support and encourage you no matter what, I pray that you will do the same.
-A. Marie
I can't say that I can right now, but I want to. I want to be a part of a unified body of believers, giving my all for them despite what hardships and 'lost' I might face. It's not easy to stand in that circle and punch my fist saying no matter what I'm in this with you. It's been almost two years since that fateful van ride that made me face the question of whether my faith is real. I decided that I would take the risk no matter what, but does that live out in my life. Do I uphold the Gospel despite the criticism, adversity and inconvenience. It not easy to let God use you, you have to make the effort and the choice. We battle everyday with our selfish nature. I have to tell myself to be purposeful to seek spiritual conversations. Thinking that it's just going to happen is like saying that the blind man will be able to get through a forest without our help. The people around us need us, and frankly I'd rather be that weird Jesus Freak, then to have to face Jesus and tell him I have no fruit to show from my walk with him.
The latest episode made me realize how much cheer-leading has in common with the church. I know how does short skirts and back flips have anything to do with being in the body of Christ. In this particular episode one cheerleader literally fell backwards into the waiting arms of her teammates. But here's the catch, she couldn't see them, which I physically don't think I could ever do, what with the fear of falling thing. But it was a symbolization of being a part of a team, and for this character it meant more, it meant changing her plans and thinking of how her decisions effect them. But she wasn't looking at them as assets, but as liabilities (I know that's the soon to be former major of mine coming out), she felt she owed them something that she was facing her choices alone. Yet when her team knew what she was facing and how all of their very livelihoods were on the line they still stood together, not knowing the outcome.
So in more cheer related metaphors, we have to be bases to those who are flying into the unknown for the sake of the gospel, because they need to know that we are willing to catch them when they fall. We need to give our all for the presentation of the gospel, our lives aren't a competition, and we don't practice to win at it, but we still need each other. The only time a cheerleader is by herself is during the tryouts (maybe some of us have forgotten what it was like to not walk with God). We are not just a religion, we are a family, we are responsible to and for each other. I am sure that God will even ask us questions on how good of a steward we were with other believers. It's not easy to stand in truth but it's even harder when you feel alone. I'm willing to strive to support and encourage you no matter what, I pray that you will do the same.
-A. Marie
Monday, March 22, 2010
Life: The Summation of who I am and how God has blessed me!
So I felt awful most of the last week. Is God not Good? If you are surprised to read that you don't really know me. But for those of you who do know me and think I'm optimistic and upbeat all the time you are very mistaken. I am the most negative person I know, but I also know that people don't like to be around negative people so I do not show my negativity. But just now that was not fake that was truth that I can not deny. He is good! If you knew the whole of my testimony you would stand with your mouth gaping until I got to the But God! part.
Have you ever heard someone say But God!? Really think about that phrase. I think that those are the two most transforming words out there. But God! For me I can say that about a good number of people don't really realize the weight of those words. The But God! in my life is the reason I go out and evangelize to the world. Maybe I've only hit the campus of Michigan Tech or the beach of PCB but I can't see where my results lead so who knows where the Gospel is traveling through me? I know that I will love the people no matter what their decision, yet I know I'd rather see them have a But God! in their lives.
We just had an evangelism campaign called I Agree With John, this event was one of the biggest steps of faith I have ever taken. Not only did I have to step up and lead and pray but I wore a BRIGHT green shirt on campus proclaiming that I agreed with John. How nerve wrecking. Yet I believe that I was 100% successful because I stepped out in faith, in the power of the holy spirit, and I left the results to God. I can not save anyone, yet God chose me to share the Gospel with others so that he may save them. So wearing the shirts was hard to have people both faculty and staff looking at me as if I personally had wrote every single chalking on the sidewalk (even the anti IAWJ ones) and believe that God had called us to make that move. To trust in him who was in control. I am confident that the work that God wanted to be done has been and will be done on our campus!
So if you still wondering about what all this has to do with the summation of who I am and how God has blessed me you need to look at your own life. If you a Christian then think about the But God! of your own life. I ceased to live before the But God! of my life because I was dead in sin. For any non Christians think about where your life is headed. Would it not be better to cause mouths to gape at how God has moved in your life, than for shoulders to shrug because nothing has changed.
But God!- A. Marie
Have you ever heard someone say But God!? Really think about that phrase. I think that those are the two most transforming words out there. But God! For me I can say that about a good number of people don't really realize the weight of those words. The But God! in my life is the reason I go out and evangelize to the world. Maybe I've only hit the campus of Michigan Tech or the beach of PCB but I can't see where my results lead so who knows where the Gospel is traveling through me? I know that I will love the people no matter what their decision, yet I know I'd rather see them have a But God! in their lives.
We just had an evangelism campaign called I Agree With John, this event was one of the biggest steps of faith I have ever taken. Not only did I have to step up and lead and pray but I wore a BRIGHT green shirt on campus proclaiming that I agreed with John. How nerve wrecking. Yet I believe that I was 100% successful because I stepped out in faith, in the power of the holy spirit, and I left the results to God. I can not save anyone, yet God chose me to share the Gospel with others so that he may save them. So wearing the shirts was hard to have people both faculty and staff looking at me as if I personally had wrote every single chalking on the sidewalk (even the anti IAWJ ones) and believe that God had called us to make that move. To trust in him who was in control. I am confident that the work that God wanted to be done has been and will be done on our campus!
So if you still wondering about what all this has to do with the summation of who I am and how God has blessed me you need to look at your own life. If you a Christian then think about the But God! of your own life. I ceased to live before the But God! of my life because I was dead in sin. For any non Christians think about where your life is headed. Would it not be better to cause mouths to gape at how God has moved in your life, than for shoulders to shrug because nothing has changed.
But God!- A. Marie
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Break
Last semester has been pretty tough for me but it indicates a huge change in me. If someone had told me I would be very involved in leadership I would have told them that they were probably right. If someone had told me I would be involved in the leadership of a campus ministry I would have told them they were wrong. It's funny but I put God in the same box most college students do. The box that is labeled "Will devote time to when I graduate". The song tomorrow is one of the greatest song to illustrate what a lot of college students plan. I for one am glad that God claimed me in college.
Tomorrow is not promised so I want to live for him today. That's more than just reading a chapter of the bible every once and awhile and regularly attending Sunday service. That was my original plan for my life when I entered college. I can not honestly remembering studying my bible in high school. So many changes in my life happened since college and in the last year it has been more so. One thing that really changed my life was a conversation that scared the daylights out of me. This conversation was talking about Christians being persecuted, and I was so frightened because I was thinking that I did not want to be persecuted. The people having the conversation talked about knowing who was in Christianity for real. Petrified I pretended to still be asleep. After that I thought constantly on that conversation and decided to not worry about my life but to find Joy in the cross!
This sent me on a journey for life part of this journey led me away from the things I was 'passionate' about before. One thing I've learned about being passionate is that sometimes that passion is more like lust. Consuming not long lasting. I had been having a fling with these things but I was not able to make a commitment to them because I was lustful for them not passionate. After constantly going through the motions I decided to go for a break. After this I was able to talk to my true love more with an uncluttered mind. He has allowed my personal ministry to flourish and has brought me to a position where I can help in leading a ministry. It has been the best break I have ever taken and even though I am doing more ministry wise he is still providing me with the rest I truly need.
Tomorrow is not promised so I want to live for him today. That's more than just reading a chapter of the bible every once and awhile and regularly attending Sunday service. That was my original plan for my life when I entered college. I can not honestly remembering studying my bible in high school. So many changes in my life happened since college and in the last year it has been more so. One thing that really changed my life was a conversation that scared the daylights out of me. This conversation was talking about Christians being persecuted, and I was so frightened because I was thinking that I did not want to be persecuted. The people having the conversation talked about knowing who was in Christianity for real. Petrified I pretended to still be asleep. After that I thought constantly on that conversation and decided to not worry about my life but to find Joy in the cross!
This sent me on a journey for life part of this journey led me away from the things I was 'passionate' about before. One thing I've learned about being passionate is that sometimes that passion is more like lust. Consuming not long lasting. I had been having a fling with these things but I was not able to make a commitment to them because I was lustful for them not passionate. After constantly going through the motions I decided to go for a break. After this I was able to talk to my true love more with an uncluttered mind. He has allowed my personal ministry to flourish and has brought me to a position where I can help in leading a ministry. It has been the best break I have ever taken and even though I am doing more ministry wise he is still providing me with the rest I truly need.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I Said Yes!
Now most of you who are reading this are probably thinking that I just got engaged. Which means that you are both wrong and right. I am not engaged to a wonderful Christ-filled guy who I will spend the rest of my life with. I am in fact a BTR- Bachelor(ette) Til Rapture who is not dating anyone at this time. The whole point of this blog is to tell you the surfers (and stumblers ;) ) and my few friends who may find this on my facebook, that I have just bought a purity ring. So I am engaged..to Jesus! For awhile now I have been dedicating more and more of myself to him. Part of that was getting baptized last year. I finally made the proclamation that I was God's before the world.Well now I am making a different proclamation. I have declared Christ as my one true love. Does this mean I'm becoming a nun? Of course not, it means that no matter who comes along Christ is still the number one love of my life. I have declared that my heart belongs in God. As it says in A Woman After God's Own Heart "To Be God's woman, to love Him fervently with a whole heart" is my sole desire. Many of us Christians are still looking for our true love, the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with. Well surprise, surprise, you have already found him. Jesus loves us, knows the desires of our heart, and has already showed devotion by dieing for our sins. Saying yes to Jesus does not mean that there is no room for anyone else in your heart. By no means ( a Paul reference), it means that your heart is larger because you are allowing Christ to be your bridegroom ( guys this refers to you too) if any of you want to get engaged to Christ as well and wear a ring I found mine on www.waitt.org. I pray that everyone will eventually say yes to Christ our one true love!
Friday, December 18, 2009
A Christmas Mystery
A Christmas Mystery
By Angela M. Sherman
It was Christmas Eve, a day I did not expect to get many clients. I was preparing for the New Year's rush. No one had come into my office the two weeks prior to that night. The only visitors I expected to have were the people who were supposed to change the sign on my building. The person who leased the small set of offices before me was a detective who had decided to retire to Florida. I expected that a few people would come in seeking his services, and boy would I they be surprised to find that the building now held an accounting practice.
That day I had a very large amount of people seeking out a private eye. Some cases were very weird from missing pets to people who wanted me to do some real James Bond sleuthing. I only had one guy come in for accounting services, but after he mentioned the Cayman islands I knew what he wanted was not entirely on the level so I firmly turned him down.
Just as I was about to close down a young woman came in. I had been looking down at a stack of papers and did not notice her come in. Suddenly I hear "I need you to find my son." That's when I looked up and realized that someone was sitting in the chair across from mine. My eyes stared at a teenager. I immediately felt sorry for her. She was still a baby with a baby. I told her calmly that I was not a detective but instead an accountant. She insisted that I needed to find her son.
"He's supposed to be with his father but I just know that he supposed to be around here somewhere. Here's a picture of him when he was born" She handed me a folded picture.I just knew she was probably the nuttiest of all the people who had come in that day. What was it about Christmas Eve that brought out the nut jobs? I insisted that I could not help her, then she said the thing that really creeped me out. "You can help me more than you think"
I had already went back to looking at my work when she said this. My head jerked up and I was surprised to see that she was gone. I realized that she had left her picture. I grabbed it and ran outside. She was nowhere to be found. I then looked down at the picture and thought that some kids must have just been playing a prank. The picture was of the nativity, a scene I had seen countless of times. Shoving the picture in my pocket. I decided that my day had been long enough and that was going to close up.
I went to the mall and heard all the people hustling and bustling. There were countless signs flashing Happy Holidays and Holiday music played rather loudly. For some reason I was drawn back to the picture in my pocket. Though it looked brand new when I had first glanced at it I saw that the picture looked somewhat faded now. I shoved it back in my pocket as I went and finished my last minute shopping.
I knew that I was going to see my family that night so I decided to rent a movie that me and my niece could enjoy together. I saw countless titles about Rudolph, Frosty and even Hello Kitty. I then turned my gaze to the bottom of the shelf and I saw a very small section of movies about the nativity. This brought my mind back to the picture in my pocket. It seemed to be more faded than before. I was puzzled and thought that maybe I was having eye problems. I grabbed the hello kitty movie and one about, still bothered by the picture.
This went on until finally I arrived at my sister's house. I was practically tackled by my niece who was insisting that I tell her what I had got her for Christmas. My niece was just like everyone else I had seen while running errands they were to busy being caught up in the material spirit of Christmas and were not giving thought to the real reason for the season. I was unable to stay long after I checked the picture again and saw that it was still fading almost right before my eyes.
I went back to my apartment and put in the movie about the nativity. Something had to be wrong with my tv because the sound was very low and you could barely make out a picture. I pulled out the picture and just stared at it. It was still fading. Suddenly the movie cut off completely. i looked down at the picture and it was completely blank. I asked myself over and over again what it all meant.
This had to be more than just some kid pulling a prank or a mother who had lost her son. Who was this young woman? What had happened to the picture? What did she mean by "you can help me more than you think"?
Finally it hit me! The mother in the picture was the young woman who had stood in my office. The baby was Jesus. The true meaning of Christmas was lost and she wanted me to find it. The Christmas Mystery was solved. Or was it?
..................................................................................
This is not a true story just one God gave to me a couple of years ago to tell my church. It poses a question about this time of the year that is supposed to be Wonderful and Joyous, but the most wonderful part is being shut out. I want people to read this and to make an honest effort to put more Christ into Christmas. Let's Keep The Christ In Christmas!
By Angela M. Sherman
It was Christmas Eve, a day I did not expect to get many clients. I was preparing for the New Year's rush. No one had come into my office the two weeks prior to that night. The only visitors I expected to have were the people who were supposed to change the sign on my building. The person who leased the small set of offices before me was a detective who had decided to retire to Florida. I expected that a few people would come in seeking his services, and boy would I they be surprised to find that the building now held an accounting practice.
That day I had a very large amount of people seeking out a private eye. Some cases were very weird from missing pets to people who wanted me to do some real James Bond sleuthing. I only had one guy come in for accounting services, but after he mentioned the Cayman islands I knew what he wanted was not entirely on the level so I firmly turned him down.
Just as I was about to close down a young woman came in. I had been looking down at a stack of papers and did not notice her come in. Suddenly I hear "I need you to find my son." That's when I looked up and realized that someone was sitting in the chair across from mine. My eyes stared at a teenager. I immediately felt sorry for her. She was still a baby with a baby. I told her calmly that I was not a detective but instead an accountant. She insisted that I needed to find her son.
"He's supposed to be with his father but I just know that he supposed to be around here somewhere. Here's a picture of him when he was born" She handed me a folded picture.I just knew she was probably the nuttiest of all the people who had come in that day. What was it about Christmas Eve that brought out the nut jobs? I insisted that I could not help her, then she said the thing that really creeped me out. "You can help me more than you think"
I had already went back to looking at my work when she said this. My head jerked up and I was surprised to see that she was gone. I realized that she had left her picture. I grabbed it and ran outside. She was nowhere to be found. I then looked down at the picture and thought that some kids must have just been playing a prank. The picture was of the nativity, a scene I had seen countless of times. Shoving the picture in my pocket. I decided that my day had been long enough and that was going to close up.
I went to the mall and heard all the people hustling and bustling. There were countless signs flashing Happy Holidays and Holiday music played rather loudly. For some reason I was drawn back to the picture in my pocket. Though it looked brand new when I had first glanced at it I saw that the picture looked somewhat faded now. I shoved it back in my pocket as I went and finished my last minute shopping.
I knew that I was going to see my family that night so I decided to rent a movie that me and my niece could enjoy together. I saw countless titles about Rudolph, Frosty and even Hello Kitty. I then turned my gaze to the bottom of the shelf and I saw a very small section of movies about the nativity. This brought my mind back to the picture in my pocket. It seemed to be more faded than before. I was puzzled and thought that maybe I was having eye problems. I grabbed the hello kitty movie and one about, still bothered by the picture.
This went on until finally I arrived at my sister's house. I was practically tackled by my niece who was insisting that I tell her what I had got her for Christmas. My niece was just like everyone else I had seen while running errands they were to busy being caught up in the material spirit of Christmas and were not giving thought to the real reason for the season. I was unable to stay long after I checked the picture again and saw that it was still fading almost right before my eyes.
I went back to my apartment and put in the movie about the nativity. Something had to be wrong with my tv because the sound was very low and you could barely make out a picture. I pulled out the picture and just stared at it. It was still fading. Suddenly the movie cut off completely. i looked down at the picture and it was completely blank. I asked myself over and over again what it all meant.
This had to be more than just some kid pulling a prank or a mother who had lost her son. Who was this young woman? What had happened to the picture? What did she mean by "you can help me more than you think"?
Finally it hit me! The mother in the picture was the young woman who had stood in my office. The baby was Jesus. The true meaning of Christmas was lost and she wanted me to find it. The Christmas Mystery was solved. Or was it?
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This is not a true story just one God gave to me a couple of years ago to tell my church. It poses a question about this time of the year that is supposed to be Wonderful and Joyous, but the most wonderful part is being shut out. I want people to read this and to make an honest effort to put more Christ into Christmas. Let's Keep The Christ In Christmas!
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