Merry Christmas!

First, let me say to all, "Merry Christmas". We didn't get to send the annual "Qualls" family Christmas card this year. It is sort of my fault....could never quite find the right photo, but I promise to do better next year.

I absolutely love this picture! Thomas Kinkade is awesome and is very gifted. We have a few of his paintings in our home that are beautiful. I especially love this one of the church covered with snow in the countryside. Notice the lights burning bright inside the church and the horse carriage out in front.

I am not going to get all theological on you here.....but I pray that our light shines brightly this Christmas and new year. That others will see the difference Jesus makes in our lives...that we will take that light out into the world....that we will step out of comfort zones...that we will prioritize our marriages...that we will be better moms and dads...that we will be better spenders of money.....etc....

Enjoy this time with your family.....Here is wishing for that "White Christmas"! Merry Christmas and God bless!

"Crazy Love", Part II

Continuing with the thoughts about "lukewarm" people, here are the next 4 descriptions:

1. Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers.

2. Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.

3. Lukewarm people gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren't are as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street.

4. Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.


Wow! Again, very strong and in my face. Don't dismiss these so quickly! Is it possible that one or some these are you? It is hard to look in the mirror, isn't it?

Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." God sees what is truly in the mirror!

The Melting Pot review

Whoa- Now , those of you who know me, know that I love food and know good places to find it. There are a few occasions a year that Kim and I will drop a little money on some "fine dining" establishments. This Christmas we went out with some friends to a new place called, "The Melting Pot" in Charlotte. I had heard of it before, but had never placed it on the priority list. Especially when I heard you pay like $100 and have to cook your own food. Come on now - not this guy!

I won't go into great detail of how it works....but it is really neat how you cook right on your table fondue style. We dipped into some melted cheese and cooked all kinds of meats including my favorite, "lobster", and then the best was saved for last...the CHOCOLATE fondue. Oh my goodness~! I really believe they will serve this in heaven!!! Awesome!!!!

It was a great meal - I look forward to maybe celebrating my next birthday there soon...Guys - this is the real deal restaurant to take your wife too!

Merry Christmas and don't forget to enjoy the special moments each day!

Thoughts from book, "Crazy Love" part I

I am in the process of reading a new book by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love". Very interesting read - Here are a few quotes of interest - Chan is describing two different kinds of people - those that are totally in love with Jesus Christ and those that are "lukewarm". Here are a few descriptions of a lukewarm person -

Lukewarm people:

(1) attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go.

(2) give money to charity and to the church --- as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right?

(3) tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.

(4) don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they are merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one.

Wow! Those are strong, especially the last one. Do any of those descriptions hit home? Revelation 3 gives a clear description of what Jesus thinks about the lukewarm person or church. May we fight the urge to be lukewarm and completely live a life that is controlled by Jesus.

Please share some comments or thoughts on the above....I will post a few more "lukewarm" descriptions in a few days.