Not a Phony

     This morning we needed to get to church early to make coffee, so I was outside with the dog in the dark. I heard a familiar "hooting" sound that comes from our local Great White Owls, but this was louder than normal. I looked up to find one of the owls perched on the peak of our roof! He did not see us right away so I tried imitating his "hooting." His head started twisting this way and that trying to locate my "bird" call. Then he looked down, spotted me and spread his huge wings to fly off.
     He knew a phony when he heard and saw one! As a believer in the One true God, I need to twist and turn my head and look around to make sure the voices I hear and the things I see are not from phony "servants of God" or even others with "good" intentions, but not God intentions. This time of year is full of people trying to deceive others with scams and off-beat programs.
     Take some time during this Christmas season to be still and listen for the voice of the One who calls us by name, formed us in our mothers' wombs, and died so that we could join Him in heaven one day. All the hype of Christmas is a distraction from its true meaning: love, joy, and peace come at a price. Jesus Christ paid that price for us. He is not a phony.

   John 10:25-30

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.