PLAYING DRESS UP

Look at these precious faces.  These kids were part of the "cast" of the Christmas play last month at our little church.  I guess they were "first at the lick log" for the afterparty.  Thanks to Sharna for thinking of the cake/providing it.  From left to right, of course you will recognize Jesus' mother Mary, the lead Shepherd, and Joseph.  They did such a good job.  Yesterday at church one of the dads told Mike that his kids were wanting to come to church that morning because they hoped they would get to dress up again.  They like that dress up stuff.

More precious faces...of our nephew/wife who ALSO got to do the dress up stuff last night at the Golden Globes.  David was nominated for a song he co-wrote called "There's A Place For Us".  The song was used when the credits rolled on the movie Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPdSw2kGnOQ   Unfortunately the Best Song award went to music from the movie "Burlesque".  Waaa.


Did you happen to catch those fancy dresses at the Golden Globes?  Kate put on Facebook some fun things...like who she saw and who was standing in the bathroom line with her.  I've heard it is impolite to stare, but I don't know how they kept from doing just that as they rubbed elbows with Hollywood royalty.


Listen to these lyrics from David's nominated song:

There's a place out there for us

more than just a prayer or anything you've ever dreamed of.

So if you feel like giving up cause you don't fit in down here,

fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand.

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe.

It's written in the stars that shine above, 

a world where you and I belong,

where faith and love will keep us strong,

exactly who we are is just enough...

there's a place for us, there's a place for us.

When the water meets the sky,

where your heart is free and hope comes back to life,

when these broken hands are whole again,

we will find what we've been waiting for...

we were made for so much more.

So hold on, now hold on,

there's a place for us.

I don't know about you, but those words call me up.  We WERE made for so much more.

Scripture says a time is coming when the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of our God.  Life as we know it becomes life as He knows it.  In fact, Handel wrote "The Messiah" about just such a moment.  And in THAT moment, all the price tags change.  The things prized today (like beauty and money and power and prestige) dissolve.  Then...only what counts with the Lord counts.  All our attempts to dress ourselves up won't change what He sees.

I like the words from the song "if you feel like you don't fit in down here".  Everyone has felt that at one time or another.  So CELEBRATE!  Those are stirrings of a desire for another place.

And there is a Place tailor-made for those who choose to go.  Isn't that an amazing thought about being "kings and queens"?  God promises that our preparation in THIS place determines our job description in the next.  Read Revelation 5.10 and 2 Timothy 2.12.

All those "with a ticket" can get in.  Beyond that, those who pursue Him on this side...and demonstrate their willingness to be "retrofitted" for the next kingdom...are rewarded in kind.  Just like in the parable of the talents, Jesus says to the faithful:

"Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness!"  Matthew 25.23