The Christmas season is one that is full of family, fun, food, and friends. But under it all is the foundation of our joy. The answer to our greatest longing. Of course, saying there is an answer assumes there is a question. Finances, relationships, job, writing, family, church, and school all ask different questions.
For me, the beauty of the Christ story is that He is the answer to every question. It has been said that “Jesus plus nothing equals everything.”
May you find that He is truly the final answer for you. And as you write and explore a life of faith, may this current Advent season of waiting, preparing, expecting, and giving grant you insight into the riches that only He can provide.
Fun Fridays – December 14, 2018
Thank you, Steve. If there’s one thing I can count on in this business, it’s the way you bring everything back to Him.
Happy Boxing Day.
Anita Mae.
You’re so right, Steve. That line says it all. So why do so many of us who follow Christ insist on mucking it up?
I’m guessing Tullian Tchividjian is Billy Graham’s grandson, right?
“Jesus plus nothing equals everything.” Perfectly said. Thank you!
Love this! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely, Steve. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 12 and have never regretted it, no matter what came into my life. He is the Answer.
Did Mary know Isaiah’s gist
and did her pure heart quail
to see each soft and perfect wrist
rent by an iron nail?
Or was she somehow shielded
from hat must one day be?
Were the terrors gently field
by God as she took a knee?
I’d like to think he gave her
both peace wisdom too;
her Christmas Night made sweeter
by what she must pass through.
It’s bittersweet chiaroscuro, this story
where the shadow gives the light its glory.
Aargh…
Line 6, “WHAT one day must be”
Not ‘hat’. Definitely not hat.
AND there’s an ‘and’ missing from line 10, though ‘peace wisdom’ does seem a nice phrase.
Fingers fast. Brain, not so much.
So if anyone’s still interested, here’s what the thing SHOULD have looked like(and there was one MORE typo…sheesh):
Did Mary know Isaiah’s gist
and did her pure heart quail
to see each soft and perfect wrist
rent by an iron nail?
Or was she somehow shielded
from what must one day be?
Were the terrors gently fielded
by God as she took a knee?
I’d like to think he gave her
both peace and wisdom too;
her Christmas Night made sweeter
by what she must pass through.
It’s bittersweet chiaroscuro, this story
where the shadow gives the light its glory.
Andrew, I’m always interested.
And working in a print shop, I’m way too familiar with the elusive typo. (I think they were designed by the enemy to discourage writers.) Sheesh!
Beautiful sonnet, wonderful depth and food for thought. Blessings, my friend. And prayers, always.
Judith, thank you so much for the kind words and prayers.
Blessings back!
Beautiful, Andrew.
Thanks, KT!
That is so beautiful, Andrew! I’ve often wondered what it was like to be so human and experience so much from God.
Jaime, thank you so much; it’s something I’ve often wondered, too.
Beautiful article.
It’s hard to find your way without The Light.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Thank you for these words, Steve. Even in the hard seasons . . . especially when they come this time of year . . . we can find joy when we know the Joy-Giver. I appreciate your words that point me back to Jesus.
Great post, Steve. When Jesus is the subject, everything else comes into a different focus. He has helped me through things I never thought I would have to face. And with that help, he increased my witness for him. I will be forever grateful. It’s nice to know others out there understand the importance of relationship with him. Blessings on your Christmas season for you and all the people you live with, work with, and love.
Thanks for reminding us to keep our focus on Him.
Amen! Thank you, Steve. As I grow older, this season brings me closer to Jesus. I re-read the Magnificat this morning, savoring Mary’s “Yes” to the Lord of Light and Salvation. I cried tears of joy.
Beautiful! Glory to Christ!
Amen. He is the answer and all we need. Thank you, Steve.
Steve –
I’ve never heard that saying (or perhaps I have long since forgotten it, in which case I need to go back and find it…)
Those are the purest, simplest words that we can offer, and surely a perfect intro to sharing the Gospel.
Thank you!
Praise the Lord! Listened to John MacArthur’s message from Colossians 2 and enjoyed his love for the truth. He so loves the Word of God and holds it up to show Christ. This Christmas is all about Him, my life is all about Him and He is what we hold out to non-Christians. He is sufficient for acceptance with His Father and that is the key to life – not all the things that we see.
Words to live by indeed, Thank you for sharing Steve!
He is everything anyone needs to have a relationship with the Father and to be filled with the spirit of God to be able to stand strong in the face of evil in its many forms especially, the thoughts that come into our minds.
His name, Jesus/Jesu is our most powerful weapon, besides prayer, against all things against us and those we love. He has won the victory for us, we just need to claim it and walk it…one step at a time, every day.
I learned this the “hard way”, but rejoice even more because I did learn and am blessed. I pray all of Earth may some day know this truth too.
All of Earth will indeed know this Truth that will set us free – IF we share Him with them. Let’s go out into the world and tell them about Him, introduce them to Him, tell them what He’s done for us.
Jesus plus nothing equals everything! Will have to remember that!