Shine Brightly for Christ

Archive for December 2009

CHRISTmas is about CHRIST being born.

Even my 3rd grader knows that really well. I was so surprised by the answer he gave me when I asked him what does CHRISTmas means to him. He said, “CHRISTmas is all about CHRIST being born. To give us peace. To save us.”

I celebrated the day that YOU were born to die so I can one day pray for You to save my life. -Michael Calvento

I hope we all found  the true meaning and significance of CHRISTmas.

As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”


Happy Birthday Jesus!


Thank you for saving us.

Dear All,

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday.  Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don’t know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last
year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and
chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn’t invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn’t remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face and I wanted to be
with them and share their  table.

In truth, that didn’t surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn’t invited, I decided to
enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho!  He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying:  “Santa Claus, Santa Claus” as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts.  They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.  What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse.  People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the
cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn’t invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party
that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I’m still making the final arrangements.

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you.  I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don’t answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part  of my great
party.

See you soon.

Love,

Jesus Christ


Disclaimer:

The above writing is not written by me. It is from unknown source.

Let me take this time to reflect on GOD’s marvelous love to mankind.

He doesn’t have to create us.
But He did.
He should have not created us.
But he never regretted it.

What does He get from putting us into this amazing planet?
Sarcasm, blasphemy, hatred, opposition, criticism, idolatry.
Way to go people.
Like how scientist wants to put it, “we came from the big bang”.
Wow,an explosion and poof there were the universe,the galaxy.
There is no GOD.  I don’t believe in God.
Who created us then?
Who design the intricate details of our being?

Sometimes I picture myself being in HIS shoes.
I can’t help but be in a fury of anger.

It’s like giving everything you have for the one you love and that person never even said thank you or recognize what you were doing. Instead, neglected you, took you for granted, stepped all over you and cater to someone undeserving of it.
What would you feel?
What if GOD thinks the way we do?

We will all be long gone.

But no,HE doesn’t.
His ways are not the same with our ways.
He towers above all us.
He is sovereign.

HE has never left us despite of all the hateful things we have thrown on HIM.He has remained faithful.
In fact, HE is just waiting for us to come invite HIM in our life.

Why do you think HE sent HIS only son to die for our sins?
Because HE LOVED US.
And the most painful thing we could possibly do to our LORD GOD is to not realize that…on how much HE LOVED US. Need I say more?

But because HE is GOD, HE can endure everything.
What a beautiful kind of love.
And that love is what keeps me going everyday.
What makes me thankful of every waking day.
What makes me happy during the hard times.
What gives me hope during darkness.
What inspires me to share HIS love to others.
What makes me who I am.
What matters most to me.
HE deserve all the praise and glory.
Let us be thankful for HE LOVED US.

HE is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in HIM.                 -John Piper

It is without a doubt that GOD has been really faithful in my life. HE is the only thing that is constant in my whole twenty one years of life and actually,even before I was born.

Unchanging,ever loving and all knowing GOD of this universe.

But it is also without a doubt that I can’t measure up to HIS goodness. But that is not the point. And that won’t stop me also from being mold into HIS likeness.

I want to be able to love just like HE does,to forgive when it is hard to do so, to be selfless and CHRIST centered, to sacrifice something as great as HIS one and only son and to be faithful to HIM all the days of my life. I want to master the art of faithfulness so that I can love HIM better.

I need to learn to bring HIM praise in all areas of my life. Whether it as simple as doing the dishes or studying for my exams, I want HIM to be the center of all those things. To do everything for HIS glory. That through HIS vast greatness, I can find my peace and contentment.

Through HIS love for me, I can find the joy of my heart and treasure HIM even after this lifetime.

My Lord, help me to be faithful to you.
For YOUR joy,is my happiness.

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I’m Your friend

You are my desire
No one else will do
‘Cause nothing else could take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to You

You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know You are near