(December 6, 2009)

God stretches us. We need to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Do you remember the first time you raised your hand during worship? Only the Jesus Freaks do that, right? We don't take ourselves seriously, but we take God very seriously. By stretching ourselves for God, we are moving closer to Him.

During the holiday season, women dominate the Christmas shopping from Black Friday through December 23. However, men are the largest percentage of buyers on Christmas Eve. Even though guys get a bad rap, remember that the people who brought the gifts on the first Christmas were men and they were wise!

1. When you are looking for gifts, avoid selfish and generic gifts. Don't buy hockey season tickets or camo for your wife for Christmas! Make sure its about the other person. Baskets of spa stuff, perfume sets and beefstick & cheese kits are not good gifts, guys. If you make it personalized, you are more likely to make it something unselfish and not generic.

2. Make sure its something thoughtful. It better be something that the person can use. Ask yourself: is this something that your spouse will use or will appreciate? A wooden toilet seat, a pink silk sleep mask, the Buckmaster™: all of these things are not good gifts.

3. Make sure it fits. Beware! Especially if its clothes, be careful of size and style. Better yet, don't buy clothes.

4. Make sure it will last. Tonka trucks last. Vibrating football won't.

5. Wrap it. Just rolling paper around it a thousand times doesn't make it wrapped.

6. Make sure it's paid for. Either have it paid in cash or have a good plan to have it paid for quickly. How about this awesome invention, guys: The Gift Bag!

- Jon Bruney