This day we call Christmas

Oh, to write an original Christmas post.

Hah.

There is nothing new under the sun...but still, every Christmas has it's wonders.    
They may be old, but there is something comforting about things that are old.

That makes me think of something in a show I watched recently.
 "I like old things.   They make me feel sad,"   one character said.  
Her friend replied, "What's good about sad?"  
To which she said:  "It's happy for deep people."      

So if I talk a little mellow, a little deep, a little bit thoughtful, know that it's coming out of my heart, which, at the moment, is in a thoughtful, reminiscent mood.    It may be 'sad'...but it's truly deeply happy for me.

Christmas is nearly here.      I'm glad for the break from school, work, even the internet.      I think it's good to get away from all the things that clutter up our lives and relationships and simply spend time with people.    Sometimes I overanalyze and over plan my relationships.     But this Christmas is reminding me of the value of simply being together.

So with that, I'll sign off until New Years...
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~abbyelizabeth

Passion = Sacrifice

       "So what is passion, really?  And how is it different from interest?

For the follower of Jesus, passion is a stirring in us that connects us more closely to the things that matter to God. That stirring moves us to a willingness to make sacrifices to accomplish something to further that passion.  When you're passionate about something, a "whatever" attitude just won't do.  You don't just sit back and stay detached. You do something.  You get involved.

Passion is being willing to give up something or ourselves-our time, our resources, our comfort, our interests- for something or someone...Of course not every passionate person is forced to become a martyr because of his or her passion, but every passionate person has to make sacrifices."

          -Zach Hunter, Lose Your Cool (emphasis mine)

For me to become the person I want to be...the person full of life and love,  the person that makes a difference in the lives of others... I'm going to have to give things up.  Things that make me comfortable.  Things that I put time and effort into but that aren't worth my love.   And it's going to mean taking on things outside of my comfort zone.  Doing hard things.   

Sacrifice.

 "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."   -Romans 8:12-14

I choose to live for eternity.