This was really nice. I enjoyed it very much. Good to see you smile despite life's turmoil.
Check out what my Dad just sent me. Pretty cool.
I thought by now you probably have heard the Christmas story many times over and lot's of holiday music so I thought I would just let you know about a different kind of "GIFT" I have received this Christmas. As most of you know, the past two years has thrown many curve balls my way. Some of you may also be going through your own deep waters whether they be financial, health, relationship, legal or personal loss issues to name a few. I have been reading some scripture from the Message Bible (A translation I have not been familiar with) and found an interesting passage located in James 1:2-4 which says: "Count it all joy! Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows it's true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do it's work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way". I was generally familiar with this passage and a few others that tell us lifes tests and challenges are a "GIFT" and we should count them as "JOY". Wow! But what struck me in this translation is the part that says "So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do it's work..." The natural side of us wants our pain and problems to go away as quickly as possible, but at the same time I want to be thankful for the "GIFT" that was given to me so it's purpose and work will be complete. During this Christmas season, and throughout our lives, let's all "Count it all joy" for whatever God sends our way and consider it a "gift". I pray that it's work will be complete in you also. Merry Christmas - Jon Tedesco
JON.. I saw in one of your paintings on your video the statement "Grateful Beyond Words"... Let that be the case this season. His love for us is beyond words and he is good. Merry Christmas Jon.
Jon...
ReplyDeleteThis was really nice. I enjoyed it very much.
Good to see you smile despite life's turmoil.
Check out what my Dad just sent me. Pretty cool.
I thought by now you probably have heard the Christmas story many times over and lot's of holiday music so I
thought I would just let you know about a different kind of "GIFT" I have received this Christmas.
As most of you know, the past two years has thrown many curve balls my way. Some of you may also be going
through your own deep waters whether they be financial, health, relationship, legal or personal loss issues to
name a few.
I have been reading some scripture from the Message Bible (A translation I have not been familiar with) and
found an interesting passage located in James 1:2-4 which says:
"Count it all joy! Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know
that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows it's true colors. So don't try to get out of
anything prematurely. Let it do it's work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way".
I was generally familiar with this passage and a few others that tell us lifes tests and challenges are a "GIFT" and
we should count them as "JOY". Wow! But what struck me in this translation is the part that says "So don't try to
get out of anything prematurely. Let it do it's work..."
The natural side of us wants our pain and problems to go away as quickly as possible, but at the same time I want to be thankful for the "GIFT" that was given to me so it's
purpose and work will be complete.
During this Christmas season, and throughout our lives, let's all "Count it all joy" for whatever God sends our way
and consider it a "gift". I pray that it's work will be complete in you also.
Merry Christmas - Jon Tedesco
JON.. I saw in one of your paintings on your video the statement "Grateful Beyond Words"... Let that be the case this season. His love for us is beyond words and he is good. Merry Christmas Jon.
Love Ya.. JT :)