Gifts That Don't Go Under the Tree

God bestows to each of us personal keys to unlock the door of life. 

These keys in other words can be called gifts. Each person has a unique talent; whether it be creating food or a crochet project. Both are quite differing from each other and have such contrasting results, however, both stand as endowments from our Lord Father. 

We are also granted multiple gifts sent in abundance from God. One may have the talent of playing an instrument, but also have an expertise in knitting. 

Our skills should be in use to display the Lord’s power. Often people are wondering what their gifts are, and live life without finding them. Using your gifts helps you find a purpose in life. You see that God created you, and you are an element of the body of Christ. Each segment serves a purpose, and everyone is an essential member. 

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach"

Romans 12:4-7

The Essential Interpretation

Christmas is a perfect example of how people defile the real purpose of something that is Christ based. This holiday is a celebration of the Son's arrival to save this damaged world. 

We steal the holiday and makes it all about gifts. You would be seen as a bit odd if your central purpose of enjoying the festivities wasn't all about presents and food.

Glorify the true essential meaning of the season, Christ coming down and saving us from death.

P.S. I wouldn't complain if I received a Garfield mug from someone. :-)

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: 

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, 

and shall call His name Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

"For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

"...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which translated, 'God with us.'"

Matthew 1:20-23

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"

John 8:12

A Jolly Giggle a Day Keeps Depression Away.

A good jolly laugh beats out any pain pill. God provides us silly little antidotes to assist us over the pot holes of life.  

One of the many great comedic outlets given to us from our Lord is Garfield! 

If that doesn't help you, there is always Moxy and Poe for you to visit.

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

Whisk Away Your Worries

Got yourself in a kerfuffle? Merely whisk away your worries with baking!

Coffee Cake Muffins
From Martha Stewart, with our own edits.

For the Muffin

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

For the Streusel Topping

• 1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1. Prepare streusel topping: in a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles large coarse crumbs; refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffins: butter and flour a jumbo 12 cup muffin tin (or two 6 cup muffin tins). In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well combined. With mixer on low, beat flour mixture into butter mixture.
4. Divide half the batter among prepared muffin cups. Top with half the streusel mixture, then remaining batter, and top with streusel. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Varying Personalities

"Doppleganger: a ghostly double of a living person that haunts its living counterpart." *

Being your own doppleganger is a characteristic you should avoid at all costs. 

A Tom cat looks in the mirror and sees himself. He proceeds to step outside acting like a dog, carousing about searching for something to chase. Quite the contrary persona of a typical cat who just likes to eat and sleep.

This can be applied to one's Christian life. One can insinuate being a follower of Christ on a Sunday, however the rest of the week was spent carousing about. 

The idea of doing whatever sinful desire you want as long as your going to church is ok does not stand strong to Biblical standards. You should be feeding on the God's nature consistently; going to church once a week makes a weak Christian.

If you look in the mirror there shouldn't be a doppleganger, there should be only a single person before you. 

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 5:17

*Source: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/doppelganger

Livin' Life on a Whim

A Cat's and Christian's personalities oppose each other drastically.

The Christian persona is more as a fish or a whale, completely surrounded by water; just as we are called to swim profusely in the Biblical Word.

The feline changes his mind on a whim. For the cat will love siting on your lap, until it hears the snap of the food being delivered into their dish.

So just keep swimming in the Bible!