By Dana Rongione
Published October 10, 2008
Christianity
Rating: Unrated
Dana Rongione
Dana Rongione is a full-time Christian freelance writer. For faith-filled messages, check out http://www.danarongione.blogspot.com.View all articles by Dana Rongione
Building the perfect ice cream sundae is a creative process. Personally, I like to begin with a hot, fudgybrownie. On that, I place two scoops of chocolate ice cream, topped with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate cool whip, and if I'm feeling guilty, a shiny red cherry (for the nutritional value, of course). Did you notice a trend? What can I say? I'm a chocolate lover, and if I'm going to make a sundae, I'm going to make it right. After all, sundaes are not served daily at my house. No, they are reserved for special occasions. They are intended for times of celebration.At this point, may I suggest that every day should be a cause for celebration? The very fact that we woke up this morning is reason to celebrate. Life is a precious gift, yet we are often too busy or too preoccupied to notice it. Yes, we perform our daily tasks, but is that really living. Don't get me wrong. I understand that we all have to work or to do things we really don't want to do. But, how is our attitude during these times? Are we resentful that we have to work, or are we thankful that we have the health to perform a job? Attitude makes a big difference.Picture in your mind a celebration. How many smiling faces do you see? How many people look like they're having fun? It's hard to be somber and gloomy in the middle of a party. Isn't it? That is, unless of course, it's a pity party.Now, picture your own life. See yourself doing the things that you do day after day. Are you smiling? Do you look like you're
having fun? Are you enjoying life or simply enduring it?In Psalm 118:24, David says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Notice, David didn't give any stipulations. He didn't say, "If it's a good day, we can rejoice." He didn't say, "If things go my way, I'll be glad in it." He simply said, "God made the day, so I'm going to rejoice in it." Case closed.David understood the importance of celebrating life. Does that mean David didn't have any problems? Absolutely not! David's life had more twists and turns than a constipated snake. Nevertheless, David knew how to rejoice in the Lord during the good times and the bad times.Some of you may be saying, "But you have no idea how difficult my life is." You're right. I don't know, but God does, and He will help you through those hard times. He promised that He would never leave us and that He would always meet our needs, whatever they may be. Is that not a good reason to celebrate?Now, for those of you who already have the ice cream scoop in hand, let me say that I am not condoning indulging ourselves in an ice cream sundae each day. Instead, let's partake of chocolate "Son"days. Let's celebrate living by spending time with the One who gave us this gift of life. Praise! Thanksgiving! Worship! What a wondrous treat!Christians, we should be the happiest people on earth. If we can't find a reason to celebrate, why would the lost want what we have? We have Jesus, therefore, we have joy. Let's not miss another opportunity to celebrate. Life is may not always be good, but it is always special. Have you had your chocolate "Son"day today?
Published October 10, 2008
Christianity
Rating: Unrated
Dana Rongione
Dana Rongione is a full-time Christian freelance writer. For faith-filled messages, check out http://www.danarongione.blogspot.com.View all articles by Dana Rongione
Building the perfect ice cream sundae is a creative process. Personally, I like to begin with a hot, fudgybrownie. On that, I place two scoops of chocolate ice cream, topped with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate cool whip, and if I'm feeling guilty, a shiny red cherry (for the nutritional value, of course). Did you notice a trend? What can I say? I'm a chocolate lover, and if I'm going to make a sundae, I'm going to make it right. After all, sundaes are not served daily at my house. No, they are reserved for special occasions. They are intended for times of celebration.At this point, may I suggest that every day should be a cause for celebration? The very fact that we woke up this morning is reason to celebrate. Life is a precious gift, yet we are often too busy or too preoccupied to notice it. Yes, we perform our daily tasks, but is that really living. Don't get me wrong. I understand that we all have to work or to do things we really don't want to do. But, how is our attitude during these times? Are we resentful that we have to work, or are we thankful that we have the health to perform a job? Attitude makes a big difference.Picture in your mind a celebration. How many smiling faces do you see? How many people look like they're having fun? It's hard to be somber and gloomy in the middle of a party. Isn't it? That is, unless of course, it's a pity party.Now, picture your own life. See yourself doing the things that you do day after day. Are you smiling? Do you look like you're
having fun? Are you enjoying life or simply enduring it?In Psalm 118:24, David says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Notice, David didn't give any stipulations. He didn't say, "If it's a good day, we can rejoice." He didn't say, "If things go my way, I'll be glad in it." He simply said, "God made the day, so I'm going to rejoice in it." Case closed.David understood the importance of celebrating life. Does that mean David didn't have any problems? Absolutely not! David's life had more twists and turns than a constipated snake. Nevertheless, David knew how to rejoice in the Lord during the good times and the bad times.Some of you may be saying, "But you have no idea how difficult my life is." You're right. I don't know, but God does, and He will help you through those hard times. He promised that He would never leave us and that He would always meet our needs, whatever they may be. Is that not a good reason to celebrate?Now, for those of you who already have the ice cream scoop in hand, let me say that I am not condoning indulging ourselves in an ice cream sundae each day. Instead, let's partake of chocolate "Son"days. Let's celebrate living by spending time with the One who gave us this gift of life. Praise! Thanksgiving! Worship! What a wondrous treat!Christians, we should be the happiest people on earth. If we can't find a reason to celebrate, why would the lost want what we have? We have Jesus, therefore, we have joy. Let's not miss another opportunity to celebrate. Life is may not always be good, but it is always special. Have you had your chocolate "Son"day today?
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