WBFJ Wednesday Word

Last week, I attended a ‘Candle Tea’ inside the single brother’s house at historic Old Salem. After a short introduction, our homeschool group was ushered into a room that hinted of ‘honey’. One of the ‘instructors’ explained about making those famous bee’s wax candles that are used by Moravian churches during seasonal Love Feasts. . From stringing the cotton wick to plugging the end of the metal candle mold, each and every step had a proper order. Once the hot wax was poured into the mold, it had to ‘set up’ or harden…but not too much. If left too long, it would be very difficult or even impossible to work the newly formed bee’s wax candles from their temporary home.

So it is with followers of Christ. At the point of conversion, we tend to be ‘on fire’ for Christ. Willing and able…even ‘pliable’ toward the Master candle maker. Yet, over time, Christians can become ineffective, even stuck in their candle mold. Unable to shine. Unable to be used for His Glory.

As we approach the celebration of Christmas, let us not become too busy and stressed that we snuff out our eternal light. May we rejoice at the real reason for the season…the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Useful Trivia: The world's richest 360 people have the same amount of money as the poorest 2.4 billion people. (Dr Hunter ‘Patch’ Adams)

If you were like me, last week you watched in amazement the events unfold one-by-one from the Extreme Home Makeover. What a blessing! However, it did make me wonder, why isn't the church doing more of this? Here's a thought on how the church could step up and take a lead role in EHM.

Community: The church body coming together (just doing life with people), serving one God with one heart; one voice. Learning to serve God first, by serving one another and the act of becoming nameless, faceless and placeless while giving Him the glory. Imagine what the church could accomplish (in His name), if no one cared who got the credit.

Mission: Making Christ known to the world and focusing on taking the message of Christ to the city; (whatever that may look like), today more than ever, people need to know there is hope. As Christ-followers we should be living a life of Godly character and looking for the opportunity to share the Good News!

Prayer: Spending time talking to God that will result in a deeper relationship with Him. Thus, allowing God to show us opportunities to serve as a part of community and mission. In my opinion, this is the most important of these three because it brings in the spiritual dynamic (to EHM) and allows God to begin the process of working through us.

Imagine how much more of a blessing the church could be if we all laid down our agendas and egos and lived out God's love in action by simply serving. That could lead to eternal dividends. And that, my friend is an extreme "soul" makeover!!

I have waited close to eight months for this special event. Early Sunday morning, I get my ‘hour’ back. You know, the ‘hour’ that is stolen (like a solid night’s sleep) every spring. Honestly, losing an ‘hour’ does indeed affect me. Is it just mental? Is it purely psychological? Please don’t judge me unfairly.

According to SleepBetter.org…

-Losing just one hour of sleep can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, potentially

disrupting sleep patterns and affecting daily activities, due to sleep deprivation.

-This situation results in slower thinking and reaction time. Moodiness and exhaustion are also common, which can lead to fatigue and irritability.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/99444.php

Well, that explains a lot about my body (and mind) craving the loss of an hour’s sleep . Right dear?

Here are some ‘facts’ to impress your children about Daylight Saving Time:

-Contrary to popular belief, no federal rule mandates that U.S. states or territories observe daylight saving time.

-Most U.S. residents set their clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall. But people in Hawaii and most of Arizona—along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands—will do nothing.

According to one study, Daylight saving time, however, can bring many benefits including a decrease in the number of traffic accidents, traffic fatalities, and incidences of crime. Congress noted other advantages while updating legislation in 1986, including "more daylight outdoor playtime for the children, greater utilization of parks and recreation areas, expanded economic opportunity through extension of daylight hours to peak shopping hours.

Daylight Saving Time references:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091026-daylight-savings-time-2009-fall-back.html

So, seize the ‘hour’. No matter if you use that extra daylight later in the day to play with the kids, shop or just sleep. Just, seize the ‘hour’.

Daylight Saving Time happens this weekend.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour

before you go to bed on Saturday night.

-VERNE HILL