[__ Prayer __] a pure, unadulterated PRAISE REPORT!

[Christ_empowered]

I was estranged from my parents for about 10, 11 years. I did horrible things. I spent way too much money and fried my brain on uppers, downers, and in betweeners. And now...

...7 years ago at this time, I was praising The Lord as best I could at Teen Challenge. Somehow, those Georgia boys put up with me, to the extent that they were able. Good times.

I got truly saved 4 years ago. I struggle with the old man, or in my case the old vapor of a phantasm of an electroshocked memory of the old man. In the strangest way, all that heavy, involuntary shock has proven beneficial. I now have a new personality, a new way of being and doing and seeing the world.

So, today is Christmas. Jesus wasn't actually born on this day, but no matter. I read some CS Lewis once, he said that God gave pagans "good dreams." True, that. Dreams of a savior, an understanding of sin and failure and the need for forgiveness. And then Jesus came, and the dreams of the pagans were realized. Predictably, the fallen, frail, flawed, sinful humans whom Jesus came to save killed Him. Not just killed Him, we/they crucified Him. I say "we" because my sins killed Jesus. :-(

But, yeah: Christmas. The light came into the world, and the world hasn't been the same since, Praise God! Genuine Christians may be rare, or at least uncommon, but Christian concepts, Christian morals, Christan reform efforts, have made society much more humane, much more live-able. --This-- is the primary reason I can keep the faith. Well, that and the inner transformations I see in people, including me.

So, Christmas. Gifts. Family time. Reflections. Making memories, reviving moments of years gone by, perhaps a visit to church or mass (here's hoping), maybe a melancholy moment here and there. Babies are born, kids grow up, grown ups (hopefully) grow old. Life is but a vapor, after all.

In my little corner of this planet, currently holding about 7 billion of us humans, things are wonderful. I mean, incredible. My parents and I are having lamb today. And some some kind of potato dish, too; mama says its a must-have with the lamb. So be it. Meat and potatoes and sweets (thank you, Pepperidge Farm, for making my day) and special cheese (yes, I'm thinking of you, Boursin). The combined effect is a full stomach, some extra pounds, and something that I have needed, wanted, craved for 10, 11 years: family unity. Forgiveness. A clean slate.

Jesus saves. Even me. Of course, I'm actually thinking, believing, and living upon a different perception, a different perspective; maybe its the Pentecostal influence, but I'm asking and praying on: why not me?

Happy (inaccurate) Birthday, Jesus!

Praise God for Christ, who changed the world. Praise God for Christ's life, a perfect, Real Life. And, above all else, Praise God for giving us His only begotten son so that we may be reconciled to God the Father, and live in right relationship with our Creator, our Savior, and His Holy Spirit.

My life is full, sometimes overflowing, because of Christ. Life and that more abundantly, a Life with Christ, not a dark, spiritually dead existence.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Pegasus]

I was estranged from my parents for about 10, 11 years. I did horrible things. I spent way too much money and fried my brain on uppers, downers, and in betweeners. And now...

...7 years ago at this time, I was praising The Lord as best I could at Teen Challenge. Somehow, those Georgia boys put up with me, to the extent that they were able. Good times.

I got truly saved 4 years ago. I struggle with the old man, or in my case the old vapor of a phantasm of an electroshocked memory of the old man. In the strangest way, all that heavy, involuntary shock has proven beneficial. I now have a new personality, a new way of being and doing and seeing the world.

So, today is Christmas. Jesus wasn't actually born on this day, but no matter. I read some CS Lewis once, he said that God gave pagans "good dreams." True, that. Dreams of a savior, an understanding of sin and failure and the need for forgiveness. And then Jesus came, and the dreams of the pagans were realized. Predictably, the fallen, frail, flawed, sinful humans whom Jesus came to save killed Him. Not just killed Him, we/they crucified Him. I say "we" because my sins killed Jesus. :-(

But, yeah: Christmas. The light came into the world, and the world hasn't been the same since, Praise God! Genuine Christians may be rare, or at least uncommon, but Christian concepts, Christian morals, Christan reform efforts, have made society much more humane, much more live-able. --This-- is the primary reason I can keep the faith. Well, that and the inner transformations I see in people, including me.

So, Christmas. Gifts. Family time. Reflections. Making memories, reviving moments of years gone by, perhaps a visit to church or mass (here's hoping), maybe a melancholy moment here and there. Babies are born, kids grow up, grown ups (hopefully) grow old. Life is but a vapor, after all.

In my little corner of this planet, currently holding about 7 billion of us humans, things are wonderful. I mean, incredible. My parents and I are having lamb today. And some some kind of potato dish, too; mama says its a must-have with the lamb. So be it. Meat and potatoes and sweets (thank you, Pepperidge Farm, for making my day) and special cheese (yes, I'm thinking of you, Boursin). The combined effect is a full stomach, some extra pounds, and something that I have needed, wanted, craved for 10, 11 years: family unity. Forgiveness. A clean slate.

Jesus saves. Even me. Of course, I'm actually thinking, believing, and living upon a different perception, a different perspective; maybe its the Pentecostal influence, but I'm asking and praying on: why not me?

Happy (inaccurate) Birthday, Jesus!

Praise God for Christ, who changed the world. Praise God for Christ's life, a perfect, Real Life. And, above all else, Praise God for giving us His only begotten son so that we may be reconciled to God the Father, and live in right relationship with our Creator, our Savior, and His Holy Spirit.

My life is full, sometimes overflowing, because of Christ. Life and that more abundantly, a Life with Christ, not a dark, spiritually dead existence.

Merry Christmas!

Praise the Lord Brother. Beautiful note.

God Bless you, your family and Merry Christmas.

 

[Eugene]

.
That's a beautifully written praise to the continuing work of God in your life Brother Christ_empowered. Merry Christmas to you and your parents and may great blessings be with you in the coming year.

 

[Wrg1405]

My parents and I are having lamb today. And some some kind of potato dish, too; mama says its a must-have with the lamb. So be it. Meat and potatoes and sweets (thank you, Pepperidge Farm, for making my day) and special cheese (yes, I'm thinking of you, Boursin

You having mint sauce with it? You've got to have mint sauce with lamb. Or as I say "Lamb with my mint sauce"

Yum yum

 

[Wrg1405]

I was estranged from my parents for about 10, 11 years. I did horrible things. I spent way too much money and fried my brain on uppers, downers, and in betweeners. And now...

...7 years ago at this time, I was praising The Lord as best I could at Teen Challenge. Somehow, those Georgia boys put up with me, to the extent that they were able. Good times.

I got truly saved 4 years ago. I struggle with the old man, or in my case the old vapor of a phantasm of an electroshocked memory of the old man. In the strangest way, all that heavy, involuntary shock has proven beneficial. I now have a new personality, a new way of being and doing and seeing the world.

So, today is Christmas. Jesus wasn't actually born on this day, but no matter. I read some CS Lewis once, he said that God gave pagans "good dreams." True, that. Dreams of a savior, an understanding of sin and failure and the need for forgiveness. And then Jesus came, and the dreams of the pagans were realized. Predictably, the fallen, frail, flawed, sinful humans whom Jesus came to save killed Him. Not just killed Him, we/they crucified Him. I say "we" because my sins killed Jesus. :-(

But, yeah: Christmas. The light came into the world, and the world hasn't been the same since, Praise God! Genuine Christians may be rare, or at least uncommon, but Christian concepts, Christian morals, Christan reform efforts, have made society much more humane, much more live-able. --This-- is the primary reason I can keep the faith. Well, that and the inner transformations I see in people, including me.

So, Christmas. Gifts. Family time. Reflections. Making memories, reviving moments of years gone by, perhaps a visit to church or mass (here's hoping), maybe a melancholy moment here and there. Babies are born, kids grow up, grown ups (hopefully) grow old. Life is but a vapor, after all.

In my little corner of this planet, currently holding about 7 billion of us humans, things are wonderful. I mean, incredible. My parents and I are having lamb today. And some some kind of potato dish, too; mama says its a must-have with the lamb. So be it. Meat and potatoes and sweets (thank you, Pepperidge Farm, for making my day) and special cheese (yes, I'm thinking of you, Boursin). The combined effect is a full stomach, some extra pounds, and something that I have needed, wanted, craved for 10, 11 years: family unity. Forgiveness. A clean slate.

Jesus saves. Even me. Of course, I'm actually thinking, believing, and living upon a different perception, a different perspective; maybe its the Pentecostal influence, but I'm asking and praying on: why not me?

Happy (inaccurate) Birthday, Jesus!

Praise God for Christ, who changed the world. Praise God for Christ's life, a perfect, Real Life. And, above all else, Praise God for giving us His only begotten son so that we may be reconciled to God the Father, and live in right relationship with our Creator, our Savior, and His Holy Spirit.

My life is full, sometimes overflowing, because of Christ. Life and that more abundantly, a Life with Christ, not a dark, spiritually dead existence.

Merry Christmas!

Wonderful post brother.

Not wishing to a downer on your post and I hope I don't.
My father in law went to be with Jesus last week.
This morning I was thinking before I went to church that whilst today is not the birth date of Jesus it's a day that we reflect, celebrate God coming to earth.

It's a day where we as beleivers think about God, in the flesh whom we have not seen and our hope to be with him is not unfounded.

Then I thought about my father in law. Last week for the first time he saw Jesus, every day is now Christmas Day.
I wonder if they had turkey or lamb today.

Yes my friend. Let us all Praise God for Christ, who has changed the world, changed our life, worked in our circumstances, renewed our relationship with him, not only him but with people we have hurt and those have hurt us.

I hope I haven't detracted from your post.

Thanks for your post. Truly inspiring.

 

[Angel]

Merry Christmas friend

 

[AirDancer]

Amen, Christ_empowered, amen!