"Yet what ultimately made [Nicholas of Myra] a legend was his love of children. As he grew older, he used more and more of his funds to purchase gifts for children. Giving toys or candy to little ones, Nicholas told stories of Christ and the gift He had given through His death on the cross. Then, he would add, 'Jesus loves little children, and He loves you.' Through these gifts, many began to understand the full measure of their salvation."It goes on to describe him as a "servant of God" and a "legend of faith."
"...we think about how confusing it must be to a straight-thinking, uncritically-minded preschooler because Santa is so much like what we're trying all year to teach our children about God. Look, for example, at the "attributes" of Santa:
For those debating, I highly recommend checking it out.
- He's omniscient -- he sees everything you do.
- He rewards you if you're good.
- He's omnipresent -- at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
- He gives you good gifts.
- He's the most famous "old man in the sky" figure."
"As we're walking down life's road, we arrive at a tall pole with signs pointing in two different directions. The marker leading to the left simply says Pleasing God. The one leading to the right reads Trusting God. It's hard to choose one over the other, because both roads have a good feel to them."
On the path marked Pleasing God, "I come to a door that reads Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be. These words reflect the values that flow out of the motive of Pleasing God, and they describe how we believe we should act. Since my motive is a determination to please God, I will value being all God wants me to be. So, I open the door by turning the knob of Effort. The motive of pleasing God has now produced the value of Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be. As I enter this enormous room, a hostess with a beautiful smile greets me and says in an almost too polite tone, 'Welcome to The Room of Good Intentions.'"
"The stifling atmosphere in the room...make[s] it hard for me to breath. I am so tired of pretending and keeping up appearances. As I search for the door, someone walks up to me and, looking over his shoulder, whispers, 'Hey, umm, I'm going to check out that other path back at the crossroads. For the past several years, I've given this room everything I've got and something's not working for me. You look tired too. You want to go retrace our steps and head out for the Trusting God trail?'"
On the path marked Trusting God, I come to a door that reads Living Out of Who God Says I Am. "I tilt my head to the side, thinking the phrase might make more sense if I do. Those are certainly some words, one right after another. What in the world to they mean? It can't mean what I think it means! When do I get to do something here? Where's the part where I get to prove my sincerity? Where are my guidelines? When do I get to give God my best? I shake my head and stoop down to read what it says on the doorknob...Humility."
"As I step inside, another hostess immediately approaches. She smiles kindly and, with a voice that is at once knowing and reassuring, says softly, 'Welcome to The Room of Grace.'""We will never please God through our efforts to become godly. Rather, we will only please God -- and become godly -- when we trust God."
"Dear Mike Mauntel, Magazi salutes you "Shikamoo." He says he is fine and doing well together with his family. He says he is so grateful for the nice family gift you sent to him. He says his parents are so grateful for the nice gift, for they were able to buy the following: One iron sheet, clothes for dad and mom, rice, sugar, beans, clothes (suit) for him and his sibling. He also thanks you a lot for the nice photo, letters and stickers you sent to him. He says he lives with his father, mother, and his sibling. He says his past photo he had sent to you he took with his parents. He says he, likes playing football game. He says his best subjects are mathematics and handwriting. Magazi hopes that Michael is born and grows well. Hey says may you have a look at the photo he has sent to you when with his mother and sibling with all the gifts he bought. He lastly says may you pray for his mother to know Jesus for he is of different denomination."He also included this drawing. Notice the stickers!
"Although Tanzania is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa, it remains desperately poor. The country hosts the largest refugee population in Africa because of conflicts in neighboring Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. Refugee camps, which house thousands of children in Tanzania, have little access to clean water, sanitary conditions or education.
Nearly 90% of Tanzanians struggle to survive on less than $1.25 a day. The country has few exports, and agriculture is the primary source of income. Many regions, however, are plagued by drought."Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.
Knowing I was moving to Atlanta, we didn't want to waste ANY time. My parents had taken off the week I was moving, so we decided to get married that Thursday night. I actually moved everything to Atlanta, got the apartment ready, and drove back the day of our wedding!
Our "reception" was at the Merrick Inn. They had a room that fit us perfectly. After the dinner, Emily and I drove off to the Cumberland Inn. Our drive to Atlanta was one of the most memorable moments as well. I'll never forget Em sitting with her back against the passenger door, her feet on my lap, smile on her face, sun shinning, country music blaring and the two of us looking forward to starting our lives together.
If I had to do it all over again, I would -- and I wouldn't change a thing! I'd take a wedding on a Thursday night and a honeymoon in Atlanta any day of the week.
Happy 5-Year Anniversary!
