God is way cooler than Santa Clause

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..." James 1:17a

What's up guys (or is it better to say people?)? Anywhoo, I am really excited about todays blog, because this is one of the most encouraging passages ever! It's also kinda fun, like Christmas! Remember when you were a kid (who knows maybe you're still like this), and you would wake up before the sun came up because you had all those presents under the tree? Well this is kinda like that. Also we learn that God is WAY cooler than Santa Clause, one could even say He is "THE WAY" cooler than Santa Clause ;-)

This passage is interesting because the two words that are translated as the word "gift" are actually two completely different Greek words. The first word refers to the Giver and not the gift. So it could actually read "The Father of lights is a good Giver and He gives perfect gifts." So here is where we see that God is WAY cooler than Santa Clause, because God is a good Giver! He also doesn't just give gifts to nice kids, He gives gifts to everyone! What types of gifts does He give? He gives perfect gifts! He also doesn't have some elves in a workshop (Child abuse!) making His gifts, He makes them Himself!

So we see that God is a good Giver of perfect gifts. So as Christians this should really encourage us to use these perfect gifts for Him. This leads me to 2 questions: #1 What gifts has God given to you? And a more important question is #2 How are you using those gifts for Him? Guys, People, Loved ones (take your favorite) if we as the Church used God's gifts to further the kingdom, think about the impact we could have. I want to encourage you to pray today and ask the Lord how you can use your gifts for Him.

Love you guys/people!

Another lesson from my little girl

Ok, so it has been a while since I posted, and for that I am truly sorry, but I have to do another post about my little girl! Why? Because it makes me soooo happy to talk about her! :-)

It's been four months today, that my little girl has been on this earth (at least outside the womb)! I really wanted to do an April fool's day blog about not being a fool, but as I was praying about it, God just kept putting a picture of my BEAUTIFUL little girl in my head. So I am going to do a follow up from my blog two times ago and tell you one other very valuable lesson God has taught me about our relationship with Him, through my relationship with my daughter.

Here it is... (drum roll please) God has us go through things that might hurt (a lot!) but is for our benefit. God is reminding me of this just about every day, because this Monday my wife and I are taking my baby in for round 2 of shots! Round 1 of shots was one of the worst days of my life! I'm totally serious about that. But while my baby was crying her beautiful little head off, I knew that I had the doctor (nurse actually) intentionally cause pain in my daughter so she could avoid getting a disease that is much worse than that shot (I know shot's are controversial, but I prayed and prayed and felt this is what God wanted us to do, but I don't have strong feelings either way, so please don't get mad at me :-) While she was screaming, I was thinking that often times this is a perfect picture of us and God. He allows us to experience very painful things, because when everything is said and done, it was totally for our benefit! Are you going through something difficult? Maybe incredibly painful, that makes you wanna cry? If you are a child of God, remember Romans 8:28 (if you don't know...look it up). Just know that God allows us to go through "shot's" for our benefit. May we have peace in the midst of painful times, because we rest in His Grace and Love! Love you guys!!!