As I sit here on Christmas day, nursing a cold and soar throat with some lovely Boston Harbour Tea, I thought I would take this time to wish all the writers and readers of shadyvale.org a Merry Christmas.

Rather than share words of Christmas spirit from my congested mind, I thought I would share with you my favorite part of the President's Radio Address today:

For 2000 years, Christmas has proclaimed a message of hope: the patient hope of men and women across centuries who listened to the words of prophets and lived in joyful expectation, the hope of Mary who welcomed God's plan with great faith, and the hope of Wise Men who set out on a long journey, guided only by a promise traced in the stars.

Christmas reminds us that the grandest purposes of God can be found in the humblest places, and it gives us hope that all the love and gifts that come to us in this life are the signs and symbols of an even greater love and gift that came on a holy night.

What a wonderful statement about Christ without mentioning His name. The "names" of God above: message of hope, (fulfillment) of the words of the prophets, joyful expectation, hope of Mary, God's plan, hope of Wise Men, promise, grandest purpose of God, Love's greatest GIFT. I would wish that all would come to know Jesus Christ as God and Savior, the greatest gift, the only way to relationship with God the Father, and eternal life in heaven with Him. In case you missed it (many did) Jesus Christ IS God.

Creflo A. Dollar may be may favorite televangelist; why? because he may be the most honest. Look at his name; there is no way a man so obsessed with money just happens to be named after his favorite subject. He even replaced the cross on his pulpit with his own initials. Be that as it may, there are countless other problems.

Primarily, Doc Dollar does not believe Jesus was God.

If Jesus came as God, then why did God have to anoint him? If Jesus - See God’s already anointed. If Jesus came as God, then why did God have to anoint him? Jesus came as a man, that’s why it was legal to anoint Him. God doesn’t need anointed. He is anointing. Jesus came as a man and at age thirty, God is now getting ready to demonstrate to us and give us an example of what a man with the anointing can do.

Well, this morning it was wonderful Pumpkin Spiced Bread that my dear wife made. Wonderful stuff, full of surprising flavors and hidden treats.

I wonder what spices we are adding to the lives of those around us? 1 Peter continues in the concept that those who are in Christ, represent the goodness of God to those around us. Its an enormous responsibility, and yet don't fret, it says that God supplies the means.

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen. 1 Pet 4:11

This sort of living and sharing, that causes others to see God, can't take place if we are living for ourselves, if we are living for the flesh, if we are trapped in sin.

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,so as to live the rest fo the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Pet 4:1-2 NASB

Just as parents can't lead their children if they are trying to be their cool friend instead of one who leads, corrects and guides... we cannot represent God to the world if we are so engrossed in the same things they are, perhaps even trying to impress them, instead of making an impression for truth.

Do you ever feel left out? Do you feel like you haven't been able to experience something of the world because of your Faith? Do you think your deserve to taste more of the world because somehow you haven't experienced enough? Peter says we have had more than enough time for that already, in this bold statement:

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 1 Pet 3-4 NASB

I have had enough time for such things. I should not reminisce, thinking of how things were before... that is unless to remember the emptiness that pursuing the desires of the world left me feeling. Haven't I already had enough? Isn't there still a bitter taste in my mouth? After I have tasted the wonderful things of God, how could I ever wish to go back? No! I will continue to feast on the wonders of Christ, the mercy of God incarnate, who payed to remove that past, who secured an eternity of relationship with Him.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, don't look back as Lot's wife did, look to the future that you have in Christ. And live today as one who flavors the world with the joy you find being bound to God through Christ.

You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presences is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 NASB

So as you surprise the world with the spice of Christ living in you, do not be surprised yourself that some will hate you for it. In all this, they are suprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; (v. 4) Friends who you once participated in the desires of the flesh with, will not appreciate your turn toward God. They will strike out at you, they will often distance themselves, and say that you have betrayed them. But pray, and hope, that one day whether by your life or through the lives of other saints, taste the beauty of Christ and come to Him for the full meal of redemption.

Okay so I didn't like the flavor of the Chocolate Almond Fudge Clif bar this morning. Not as grain-based.

1 Peter, on the other the other hand, still delivered. First Peter was written to Gentile Christians who were suffering at the hands of Rome. Certainly our suffering at this present time is nothing compared to theirs, yet people still wrong us (just as we wrong others), and our response to that wrongdoing has great significance. I need to think of the following passage when the other shoppers steal my parking space, or my place in line:

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. (1 Pet 3:8-9)

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Pet 3:13-15)

So what is every offense against us an opportunity for? An opportunity to demonstrate the grace and goodness of God Himself through Christ Jesus who is now Lord of our hearts. Ever noticed how, especially in this time of year, one persons smile or positivity in a frustrating situation (like the line at Target) can positively effect the mood of others? Of course the opposite is true and often more easily spread. This is not to say, that we believers are limited to changing the world through being positive, but there is, I think in man's hearts this time of year the innate God given desire to see goodness. It is the general grace of God, and the image in the hearts of mankind that desires perfection. It is a Christians call to be salt and light to demonstrate this Grace toward others, even when we are offendended. Boy thats a tough one.

And how do we "sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in our hearts"? By His meditating on His Word. What better way to understand His will for us. What better way but through prayer and His Word do we prepare ourselves for good works? It starts with a good breakfast.

And yet, what is the true "hope that is in you"? Surely it is not the desire nor the ability to perform good works of kindness to those around us? For we constantly fall short in this. Therefore our hope cannot be in ourselves, but in the one who was perfectly just.

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (1 Pet 3:18)

Praise be to God that it is through His becoming a man, the thing that we now celebrate, which we find our hope. That it is only because He, being fully God and fully man, lived a perfect life that we could not have lived, and satisfied the wrath of God against unrighteousness. It is only when I soak myself in the Word of Christ that I can, by His grace, show kindness to those around me. Otherwise, I am just another grump who hasn't had his breakfast. What flavor am I?

In an ideal world we would sit down every morning for a healthy breakfast. Whether it be for reasons of time, cupboard inventory, or simply variety this isn't always the case. It is in those times, when I am looking for a little something of substance to go with the requisite coffee in the morning.

Whether we make coffee at home which is usually the case, or go to starbucks (btw, flash warning. Add up those purchases at starbucks over time. Yikes! Now if that was invested, imagine the compound interest. Fortunately lately I have been the lucky recipient of gift cards), there is a to-go factor with breakfast. Has anyone been in this position? Your at starbucks, you know you need something to go with your steaming hot acid water else you will melting by lunch and have a headache from lack of protein. You look to what they have to offer from the bakery and your scratching your head choosing between the least sugar and the most substance.

Sadly this is true of many store bought "on the go breakfast" options as well. Few are gritty enough to make satisfy both the grain and protein longings while driving in to work. This morning I had a Clif Bar, recommended by [Knobblyknees]. I had the Black Cherry Almond and found it to hit the spot, not overly sweet, definately grainy and quite dense.

Then I cracked open my Bible for the other part of my breakfast and read...