Negative Christianity

As Christians we have a choice to wallow in the negative or dwell on the positive. It is easy to allow ourselves to get caught up in all the bad news around us as if our hope is in this world. As I listen to Christian radio shows like Point of View, which ought to be labeled Negative Point of View, I am reminded of my grandmother's positive point of view. She was a grace-filled Christian lady who tended to find the good in things. My father carried that legacy and I believe that it was his positive mental attitude that enabled him great success in business. Perhaps negative Christianity was also a phenomenon in ancient times and that's why Paul reminded the Philippians to focus on positive things. How often do we dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent and worthy of praise?

Christmas Tree Lessons

There is a movement of negative Christians who tend to overly focus on what is bad in the world. Many also focus on negative things associated with Christmas, such as pagan origins and modern debt. That is okay. Paul encouraged the Philippians to focus on the positive. God created trees and as such they declare his glory. The many baubles on a Christmas tree are reminiscent of the tree of life and remind me of Christ, the way to life. The Psalms declare that a righteous person is like a tree planted by the waterside, bearing its fruit in its season. The Christmas tree and every tree reminds me to stay close by the water of God to bear spiritual fruit. The bright lights often found on a Christmas tree remind me that God's word is a light to my path and that Christ is the light of the world.