The Diamond- a parable

There was once a diamond. Like most diamonds, this one was cut to reflect the light that hit it into various colorful beams. Each of these colorful beams of light was important to the diamond- each lit a path that the diamond could follow. Generally the diamond knew which path it would take. After briefly considering the various colors, it chose the path lit by the green light, for green was its favorite color. These choices of which path to take were always fairly easy for the diamond. Many times, as the light shone through it, there was a green beam of light to follow. While the decision was more difficult if no green was reflected, those times were very rare.

The most difficult time for the diamond came not with the absence of a green beam, but rather the presence of a new green beam. As the light shone through the diamond, it prepared to follow the green beam it expected to appear. But in place of the normal green light was a bolder, richer, crisper green beam. The beam of light was so much more real than the green the diamond was used to. Suddenly it was scared. It wanted to follow the path lit by this beam, but it was so new and different. 'Maybe another color would be better this time.'

See, the diamond knew that this beam of green light could not be produced from the way it was cut. There was something else inside or outside of the diamond that was making this beam. 'What if it disappears once I start down that path? I don't want to follow that green and then lose it. What if I am not able to follow that path? Afterall, I didn't produce that beam; I may not have what it takes to walk that path.'

And then it all made sense to the diamond. As long as it kept whatever it was that produced the beam, the diamond would be able to walk the path and follow it as long as was necessary. And so, with that thought in mind, the diamond proceeded to follow the path lit by the real green light.

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What is your favorite color? What drives the decisions you make in life? When you filter the ligth of past experiences, what paths do you see? Which one do you choose?

Has God ever stepped into your life and given you a new path to walk- one that matches your usual desire, but many times the intensity? Have you ever been scared to take that path because of the unknown yet wanted to take it because it was so much more real?

Take God with you along that path- He will guide you and give you the strength as you follow the desire He has given you.

Merry Christmas!

Wow, this just feels really weird. Why, you may ask? Well, mainly because it is warm and we have had pretty much no snow this whole winter season. Now, as soon as I say that, I realize I lived 7 years in Texas, where it was always warm around Christmas. But to tell you the truth, I never did get used to it. I love the snow; not driving or walking in it, but its beauty. (To all my family and friends in Denver, I understand there are times where there is too much for it to be pretty) Right now it is 43 degrees here and tomorrow should be 42 with a chance of rain- now that is too warm for Christmas!

But there is another reason I can't believe it is Christmas Eve- it is just another day. Now, sure, there is a decorated tree in our living room with wrapped presents under it. Our fridge is stuffed with cookies and stollen and Christmas music is being played in our house all the time. But it is just another Monday in my life.

I am just not a person who gets into the holidays- the "spirit", the celebrations, and the importance. I know that this holiday has great meaning to all people, whether they acknowledge it or not. It is amazing that God would come down to earth, to be one of us. But I just don't get the whole idea of a special day of celebration. Is there something wrong with me?? I do not hate the season or am against it in any way. I just don't jump on the bandwagon of the whole thing.

That does not mean I can't wish you a Merry Christmas- have a great time with family and friends and please, take some time to yourself, read the Christmas story and thank God for His great gift to us.

Public Photos!

At the encouraging of a friend, I gave Picasa another try and have now put pictures up for everyone to see. Go check them out!

Christmas = Xmas

I felt it was a good idea to address this topic, since Christmas is approaching. So many times I have heard people say "Don't take Christ out of Christmas" when they see someone write "Xmas". But have you ever stopped to wonder where the term "Xmas" came from? Normally we use "X" to refer to "cross", such as laX = lacrosse. But why replace "Christ" with "X" to define the holiday? It doesn't make sense.

And there's a reason it doesn't. "X" was not originally used to refer to "cross", but Christ. It has something to do with the Greek spelling of Christ and the abbreviation for that. And here is where I pass you off to wikipedia. You can continue to read about the origin of Xmas. Also, check out this BBC article about this same thing.

I hope you are now enlightened and can now enjoy the holiday, whether we call it Christmas or Xmas