What are you a follower of, Tik-Tok, Twitter (X), Facebook, the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, Jesus Christ or some music group? We have lots of choices of what to follow but the question is how much we are following? 

The options we pick can define who we are. In our present society we can look for the quick fix, the immediate satisfaction option, and become a living microwave organism existing by whatever makes us feel good right now. Those of us who have been through addiction recovery are well aware of the pitfalls of a life lived like this and the emptiness it brings.

We can also be much like the game show Let's Make A Deal. We make decisions on what's behind door #1, door #2 or door #3 and we waffle back and forth with uncertainty looking for the big prize of the day.  In one episode the contestant was asked for her door pick and hers was door #3. When asked why she chose #3 she responded that it was her number and she was sticking with it, that was her trusted option.

Naturally she won the big prize of the day, a trip to Belize, but that wasn't all. She also won a trip to Tuscany, Italy making the deal worth over $21,000. By choosing what she knew would work she was blessed with abundance. So, what if we made God our main option to follow instead of just another option to choose when we are in trouble or despair?

I think, in fact I know that when we do he provides everything we need plus bonuses along the way.  Here's a comparison for you to consider:
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1 Cor 15:10 Bad company corrupts good character.
                                   or
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke to the people again he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life".

On the one hand, success and fulfillment. On the other, temporary success immediately followed by failure.  When we let Jesus Take The Lead the big prize is always behind his door#3!

3 wise men came, 3 men on the crosses, 3 days in the tomb, 3 years of Jesus ministry, 3 days Paul was blinded, 3 days in the whale for Jonah, 33 years Jesus lived. 

It'll only take about 3 minutes to select him as your trusted main option to follow!

If there is one thing we know a ton about at ATB it's donuts. From the time spent at North Atlanta Church in Dunwoody to the meetings at Campus Church in Norcross to the meetings at SLA, WLP, Mary Hall, Another Option and countless other apartment groups, donuts have taken second priority only to God himself.

While in itself there seems to be nothing massively impressive in donuts (except the wonderful taste), what feeling they create is enormous. I have learned that there is much less joy, lack of attention and appreciation in donut-less meetings. When they are present everything perks up and those who come feel even more valued especially knowing they are free, and someone cared enough to feed them.

In the COVID days when we had to do Zoom meetings there were many comments about missing the donuts, so we placed a picture of them on the Zoom to offer comfort. Thus was birthed the famous phrase "Live Donuts" in our current meetings. Seems silly to some but to us it is manna from heaven.

When the Lord said "feed my sheep" to Peter we took it literally. And we learned some valuable lessons along the way. No powdered donuts because we have carpet and they always manage to leave a trail, and most importantly, make sure there is a variety because our audience is so diversified. 

All in all donuts provide food for the body as we attempt to provide food for the soul. It's a combination that helps make our meetings work and enriches the spirit of those who come. Sort of like a Jelly donut that gets better with every bite.

Who knows maybe a future logo may have a donut in it, especially one with a hole in it, that would be the one God is trying to fill!

I was gifted a Max Lucado devotional titled Grace For The Moment which I faithfully read every day because I am always in need of more grace. Today his topic is the topic of this blog which reminded me of how every day really is Christmas.

It was intended to be only the day our savior was born but has since been turned into a holiday that often is dominated by Santa Claus, Christmas trees and gift exchanges. These are all inherently good things but it takes away from the true meaning of that day. In a remote location, in a very poor setting, and with not much fanfare except a star pointing the way for the wise men, God came down to earth.

In so doing he demonstrated the radical love he has for us and the examples of how to live by following the life of Jesus. Plus he changed so called religion into a spiritual awakening, including that redemption can be freely received by acceptance of him and making him our Lord.

Thus, if we do, we are living Christmas every day because we have received the gifts of forgiveness, grace, mercy, hope and a knowing that our future is secure. They were all wrapped up in that baby in the manger and unwrapped through the cross and resurrection. Every day we walk and talk as men and women who should become living gifts to others by our walk and testimony because of him.

That way, as he planned it, we spread the cheer, spread the news that Santa has already visited us and he keeps coming back with his mighty "reign dear" as the Lord and redeemer of our lives.

That's all the gifts we really need that bring Christmas to our house every day!