Thursday, December 17, 2015

Stuff

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Is it just me, or does everyone have trouble answering this question? I’m always tempted to say something like, “World peace,” or, “An anonymous benefactor who’ll pay off my son’s student loans.” But I know that’s not really what they’re asking. What they really want to know is what I want them to buy me for Christmas.

On one hand, I don’t really want anyone to buy me anything. I’m good. But, on the other hand, if someone’s going to buy me something, I’d rather it be something I want or need. It’s not that I’m unappreciative; it’s just that I know money’s tight, and I’d hate for anyone to waste money buying me something I know I won’t use. 

For that reason, if people ask, I try to think of something I actually need that’s not too expensive. That way, I don’t end up with a kitchen appliance that I’ll never use or a bottle of alcohol that I’ll never drink or an article of clothing that I’ll never wear or a Blu-Ray that I’ll never watch. The last thing I need is more things I don’t need.

When I was a kid, more was better, but now, not so much. What do I really need? A roof? Clothes? Something to eat? Someone to love? If we’re supposed to pray that God would provide our “daily bread,” what is that exactly? What do we need? What sustains us?

Join us on December 20, 3:30 p.m., at 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, IL, as we continue our study of The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13) with the verse 11 “Give us today our daily bread.”

See you then!  

Pastor Ed

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POSSIBLE QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP or PERSONAL STUDY:
(feel free to chime in on these questions in the comments!)

- What was the best Christmas you ever got?

- What’s the most precious thing you ever lost?

- If you were stranded on a desert island with with only a backpack containing three things (so no helicopters or motorboats), what would those three items be? What could you get by with? What could you not get by without?

- If you suddenly lost everything, what would you miss most?

SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER:

Matthew 6:25-34, 11:28-30, Exodus 16

3 comments:

  1. Sadly, I can't name the best gift ever. Perhaps there have been too many. Or, I am forgetful or unappreciative. Maybe it's because of what we all know - things don't satisfy. If they did, they might leave a more lasting impression.

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  2. The most precious things ever lost were postcards, yearbooks and other things like that in a flooded basement. They were precious because they were connections to past relationships.

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  3. On a desert island, a Swiss Army knife, a box of waterproof matches, and a Bible.

    ReplyDelete