christmastime

I love Christmas. However, it is not my favorite holiday. :D

being transformed

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2--Living Sacrifices

This verse has really been sticking with me lately. This past Sunday the pastor said something that also stuck with me. He said that who we really are is what we think. We are what we think and because we are sinners we tend to turn towards "stinkin thinkin". I know I definitely have this problem. It is easy to be overcome with despair when I think too much about it. I am a sinner and there is nothing I can do about the fact that my nature is sinful and will almost automatically turn towards "stinkin thinkin". I desperately plead with God to take this from me. But I have found more and more lately that when I ask Him to take a certain repetitive thought process or sin from me into His hands, I don't want to give it up. It is like holding out a penny to God and saying "Here, have my penny" yet my hand is still closed into a fist. As I desperately ask Him to take control of my life I just as desperately cling to what I need to give up.

Every day I am to be a living sacrifice to the Lord and every day I fail Him. Yet, because of His Son, God does not see me as an abject failure. He sees me clothed in the righteousness of Christ. I am transformed into a child of God and He sees me as made clean because Christ took all of my filthiness on himself when he died on the cross.