dlorimer (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} dlorimer) wrote,@ 2006-12-06 04:18:00 |
|
If you could have one thing for Christmas ...
Went to the mall Saturday. I enjoy malls, because there's so many interesting and creative things to do (and shopping is not one of them).
So, a few of us took a survey. We asked one simple question:
"If you could have one thing for Christmas - anything in the world - what would it be?"
We had some very interesting responses. The biggest thing we noticed is that people didn't know. They took a long time to think, said "I don't know" a lot, and just generally, it was hard to come up with an answer.
Some of the best answers were:
"For God to change His mind"
and those couple of guys that said "for my wife to stop shopping at the mall!"
The best, however, was "a new tie."
We interviewed 42 people. We had some very interesting results.
22 (52.4%) people asked for non-material things.
19 (45.2%) people asked for material things. (1 person said "nothing")
Now, look at these results. We were in a mall in Lexington, KY. I would assume that people here would be in a more materialistic mood than usual. And yet, the majority still asked for non-material things. I'm interested to know how it would compare to just asking people on the street.
The top three items on the list were
1. Peace (8, 19%)
2. New Car (6, 14.3%)
3. Health (5, 12%)
It quickly became of time of some really neat opportunities. We had the opportunity to pray with several people. All of them were very appreciative. Even those that were surprised that we asked, not only allowed us, but thanked us. I felt we were able to touch some people's lives. However, it left me wishing I could do more -- wishing I could be there for them, help them, wishing I could introduce them to the lasting answer -- Jesus Christ.
The number one requested item was Peace! One young boy even said he would give up all his Christmas presents if he could have peace. We, as Christians, have the answer for those who are looking for peace! I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the world wants peace. Romans 3:17, talking about those who don't know God, says, "The way of peace have they not known." But the Bible has much to say about peace. Isn't that the message of Christmas? The angels told the shepherds, Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:11-14). We have the answer. Oh Lord, let us share it before it is too late.
Some key verses from the Bible on peace:
2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ro 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ro 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Lu 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Went to the mall Saturday. I enjoy malls, because there's so many interesting and creative things to do (and shopping is not one of them).
So, a few of us took a survey. We asked one simple question:
"If you could have one thing for Christmas - anything in the world - what would it be?"
We had some very interesting responses. The biggest thing we noticed is that people didn't know. They took a long time to think, said "I don't know" a lot, and just generally, it was hard to come up with an answer.
Some of the best answers were:
"For God to change His mind"
and those couple of guys that said "for my wife to stop shopping at the mall!"
The best, however, was "a new tie."
We interviewed 42 people. We had some very interesting results.
22 (52.4%) people asked for non-material things.
19 (45.2%) people asked for material things. (1 person said "nothing")
Now, look at these results. We were in a mall in Lexington, KY. I would assume that people here would be in a more materialistic mood than usual. And yet, the majority still asked for non-material things. I'm interested to know how it would compare to just asking people on the street.
The top three items on the list were
1. Peace (8, 19%)
2. New Car (6, 14.3%)
3. Health (5, 12%)
It quickly became of time of some really neat opportunities. We had the opportunity to pray with several people. All of them were very appreciative. Even those that were surprised that we asked, not only allowed us, but thanked us. I felt we were able to touch some people's lives. However, it left me wishing I could do more -- wishing I could be there for them, help them, wishing I could introduce them to the lasting answer -- Jesus Christ.
The number one requested item was Peace! One young boy even said he would give up all his Christmas presents if he could have peace. We, as Christians, have the answer for those who are looking for peace! I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the world wants peace. Romans 3:17, talking about those who don't know God, says, "The way of peace have they not known." But the Bible has much to say about peace. Isn't that the message of Christmas? The angels told the shepherds, Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:11-14). We have the answer. Oh Lord, let us share it before it is too late.
Some key verses from the Bible on peace:
2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ro 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ro 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Lu 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
