There is something about taking down all the Christmas decorations and cleaning up afterwards that makes me want to change things in my house. Normally, I never change anything or rearrange furniture. But on New Year's Day I guess it just felt like a fresh start and I had this urge to change things in my house. The great part is that I did it all without having to go out and buy new stuff.... I just put away some of the things I'd used before on my mantle and entertainment center so that there was less clutter, and rearranged them to give it a different look. And then I totally rearranged the furniture in my living room (with my husband's reluctant help). After doing all that, moving furniture and the piano, he was not happy with the way it looked and he told me that I might be talented musically, but I sure wasn't talented with interior decorating! Gee, thanks hubby! I already knew that I couldn't decorate, so we'll be changing the living room back to the old way pretty soon.
Speaking of changes, I believe that people often think they have to change bad habits or bad behavior in their life before they can start having a relationship with Jesus, or before they can start going to church or seeking help from Christians. However, it's really just the opposite. Jesus doesn't expect you to change anything before coming to him. Any changes you make on your own would probably be like my attempt to change my living room around. Yes, it looked different but it wasn't a good look and it ended up just being temporary. Jesus wants people to come to him as they are, bad habits, bad behavior and everything, and then let him clean up the mess. The only real changes that will last are the ones that He, our real Interior Decorator, makes. If you need to change something in your life in 2008, come to Jesus just the way you are and let him do the work.
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
1 John 3:5
Thankful Thursday
14 hours ago
13 comments:
Fabulous post! Looking forward to coming back and reading more. :)
I like how you can use your daily life to point to a lesson about our Christian living.
Great post!
Very nice analogy.
I love moving stuff around, but in this house, I'm thinking there may not be many options. We'll see. We haven't been here long.
I definately can testify to that in my life. I grew up in a solid Christian family and I always thought that I couldn't minister if my life wasn't in check, but I've found that to be completely untrue. God used Rahab who was a prostitute. God has used people who don't even claim to be Christians to minister to me. He can use anybody.
This is a WONDERFUL reminder, Kathy! ;-D It reminds me of a song that says: "Just come as you are...don't need to change a thing..." I don't remember the rest of the song, though, but it's pretty uplifting he he he...
Btw, I'm no good at decorating myself he he he he...
Hi Kathy,
I made another new friend through Angelena.Her name is Tracy and she has commented on Angelenas blog.I am so glad I am meeting these really sweet running,Christian women !!
My husband is one of those whose furniture stays in a special spot and never moves !Thankfull I am not very inclined to interior decorating.You have seen my taste in clothes so you know I would have a crazy sense in furniture!
Back to the topic.I am glad Jesus loves me the way I am because if did not I am in big trouble !
I'm back! Now I'm dreading taking down Christmas
Angelena, thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to reading yours also!
BP, Thanks! Yes, my life gives me all kinds of things to write about.
Kay, my house is like that also -- not many options for change.
Uriah, glad you came by my blog. Thanks for bringing up Rahab -- that was a great example!
Amel, thanks! I don't think I've heard that song, but it sounds like it fits right in with this subject.
Frasypoo, I learned some things about my husband while we were moving furniture. He doesn't want to change a thing!
Matt, I've been missing you!
Kathy, I enjoyed your family Christmas pictures. I'm like you, I love the holidays, but I also love those first days after the holiday madness is over, and the return of some free time.
Hey, thanks for telling me about your son! That is really awesome and Dallas will love to hear that. I am sure he would love to think he could do that someday too. He is our drummer at church and has a great teacher from NYC.
Nice post. It is all about the gospel and the power of the finished work on the cross that allows us to die to sin...it is no longer our master. (Romans 6, and 8) It is the only way to bring about true change.
great post!
Isn't awesome how God uses things in our daily lives to teach us scripture?
Happy New Year, Kathy! I too have a sense of needing to change things when all the Christmas decorations are down. I also feel a sense of something missing as the decorations are really festive! Ours went down on New Year's Eve, put away and cleaned up.
I enjoy your posts, even when I'm not getting anything written. Thank you!
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