Shining Like Stars

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-- (Philippians 2:14-16a)

With the election over, we can now shift gears—from arguing back to complaining! Perhaps the approach of Thanksgiving will remind us to be grateful, if only for a few moments, to live in a country where we have the right to vote, even if the election doesn’t always go our way. Perhaps we will also briefly give thanks that our nation supports religious holidays, even if we increasingly devote them to hedonistic consumerism rather than the Holy God. 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we understand ourselves to be God’s adopted children, purchased at great cost on the cross, pursued by the faith-giving Holy Spirit, and entrusted with an essential purpose: to reveal the word of life, the message of salvation, to all the world. Our attitude matters. If we reflect the darkness of the world around us, surprised and disillusioned by the evil and disappointments of this doomed life, who will ever see the fire of God’s Spirit within us? On the other hand, if we as God’s children devote ourselves to trusting and obeying, without complaint or argument, our perfect, profoundly loving, promise-keeping Father, regardless of whether such trust is popular or natural, won’t the contrast between the fearful lack of Christ in the world and the fiery light of Christ in us be all the more apparent?

“Heavenly Father, give us the gratitude and trust of beloved children, so that we are not merely soothed in dark times, but shine with the fierce light of the hope that fills us, guiding others toward You, in Christ Jesus, amen.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DEEP THOUGHTS BY CHILDREN
From an actual newspaper contest where entrants age 4 to 15 
were asked to imitate the comedy sketch "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy."

I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, 
which is why I don't have any clean laundry because, come on, 
who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life? -- Age 15

Give me the strength to change the things I can, 
the grace to accept the things I cannot, 
and a great big bag of money. Age 13

Democracy is a beautiful thing, 
except for that part about letting just any old yokel vote. -- Age 10

For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. 
Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. 
That's what happens to cheese when you leave it out. -- Age 6

Think of the biggest number you can. Now add five. 
Then, imagine if you had that many Twinkies. 
Wow, that's five more than the biggest number you could come up with! -- Age 6

As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, 
set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, 
you'll have a couple of days saved up. -- Age 7

Often, when I am reading a good book, I stop and thank my teacher. 
That is, I used to, until she got an unlisted number. -- Age 15

It would be terrible if the Red Cross Bloodmobile got into an accident. 
No, wait. That would be good because if anyone needed it, 
the blood would be right there. -- Age 5

If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace 
for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. -- Age 15

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Lord guide your thoughts this week! In Jesus,

Pastor Kirk