as a child sees it...

On the day before Christmas, Pyper was all excited about what was to come. As I photograph her, and see her expressions, I can't help but to think of the premise of seeing the world like a child sees it. I wish I would have approached more things in my life with the innocence of Pyper. Reflecting about this on the eve of the birth of the One that told us that "we must be just like children to see the kingdom of God". In 2014 and beyond, I want to see and make a difference in the world around me with the eyes of a child...

Christmas Blend

Ok, so after reading the post on quirkybee.blogspot.com, I decided to also vent on something that sorta bugs me when we get close to the Christmas season.  I attached a picture that I took, so it stays with the troybradfordphoto theme (no blogs without a picture of it).

So here I am at the airport in Seattle the other day.  I was waiting in the loooooooong line for Starbucks coffee and of course I was next to someone who wanted to talk.  She was mentioning the fact that she was surprised that Starbucks still called their holiday coffee a “Christmas Blend”.  Then she goes on to tell me how she is a “Christian”, but she doesn’t necessarily think that it matters is someone uses “holiday” or “Christmas”.  Of course, me being the introvert that I am, (especially in airports) I am thinking that maybe I didn’t want coffee after all.  I can’t believe that out of all of the people in the airport, she picked me to share her opinion with.  Well, the conversation continued and then she got me to thinking.  She was telling me how she almost lost a friend over that very thing.  The friend was insistent on boycotting a particular store because they use the phrase “Happy Holidays” in their advertisements instead of “Merry Christmas”.  When she didn’t agree with her friend, the “disagreement” began.  In reality, it turned “ugly”.  So here is the thought that is going through my head.  “Would Jesus really get upset over such a technicality?”  If they are so insistent in using “Happy Holidays”, maybe we should think of why?  We shouldn’t be so arrogant and think that just because we believe in Jesus Christ, that everyone else should (because we are right and they are wrong).  Maybe if we just appreciated the fact that some stores (or people) say “Merry Christmas” (and let them know that) and not hold it against the ones that say “Happy Holidays”, then we might be portraying the love that Jesus extends to us (and them) every day. Remember how undeserving we really are!  Do you think the world sees the boycotting or complaining as our absolute love for our Savior or do you think they see it as our arrogance that we are saying we are right and they are wrong?  I DON’T want to come across as a person that is compromising my beliefs, but I DO want to be a person that doesn’t let my personal “technicalities” get in the way of letting others see the grace that Christ provides all of us all year long.  By the way, love that “Christmas Blend” coffee!

Christ Died For Us...

So I took this on one of our trips to New York in 2006.  Not exactly my style of spreading the Good News, but I have to respect a guy like this...  In the middle of Time Square in New York City; one of the busiest places in the world.  How many people are REALLY paying attention to him, his salesmanship or his sign.  Yet, he continues...   Not in a "Bullhorn" kind of way (for the Noomiacs), but in a matter of fact kind of way.  So what is the probability that he will reach someone?  Well if you think about it, probably pretty good!  The chances are slim, but the number of prospects are high.  Plus, what makes ME think that I can actually convince someone to come to know Christ on MY own with MY dynamic ways of sharing the Gospel?  Both of us (he and I) are on a level playing field.  We both need God!  Without His prompting or plan, nothing happens on the other end...  In both cases, it starts with a person willing to share and ends with a person who needs Christ.  Hits me right in the face!  Who seems to be the more willing person to REALLY share Jesus???