Undecorating

Christmas is such a lovely holiday -- with beautiful decorations, and music, meaning, and symbolism. But the day after Christmas, I normally cannot wait to get it all neatly stored in boxes, and carefully packed away for next year. This is mostly because I have to move my favorite chair out of my favorite window alcove for the Christmas tree. I miss my favorite little corner, with the window light streaming over my shoulder. The older I get, the more ingrained in my habits I become. You do too. Admit it. So I am anxious to take down the Christmas tree and reclaim my alcove.

However, this day after Christmas, the undecorating will have to wait. I will be picking up a donated rocking chair for the new mama who chose life for her little one rather than abortion. A kind supporter of Cities4Life sidewalk ministry found the chair and offered to pay for it. All I have to do is pick it up. My concern is I have never used Craig's List before and am a little worried about going to some stranger's house to get the chair. Do mass murderers lure victims this way? If so, let me know ASAP so I can cancel.

As soon as I return safely (if I return safely...) I will undecorate the house, but not my soul. All year long,  I try to carry the message of Christmas. I try to remember that a small, innocent baby was born with one purpose - to die for my sins. His whole life on earth was spent preparing for that terrible ordeal. If I remember that, and picture it in my heart, surely I will be less inclined to sin.

If the rocking chair owner is a mass murderer, the day after Christmas would not be the time he would choose to go on his rampage, right? I mean, undecorating the day after Christmas is one thing...but cutting up innocent people into little pieces to put in the freezer is another.
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James 4:17 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:8-10 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 Corinthians 10:13 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 John 3:4 

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

John 3:16-17 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.