Top Dog

I just blew in from Atlanta where the Christian Booksellers Association had its humongous, yearly convention.All the current "Who's Who" of Christendom were there. I got to chat with Carol Kent, hang with Babbie Mason for an entire evening and I was even dared to give Chuck Norris a little karate chop when he walked by. In case you're wondering why I was there- hey, someone has to pour coffee and carry the luggage for all the important people.

It's easy to get a little star struck. I have to admit to at least a little bit of drool when I saw Gloria Gaither, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. There were crowds of people around Andy Stanley, Steven Curtis Chapman and Kirk Cameron. But would you like to know who the big hit was? Everyone went completely gah-gah over BENJI! Yes, the dog. Sort of a "top dog," I guess. Who would have thought that the hairiest creature there would be the "big name" attraction at the convention? I guess it's all about perspective.

Here's real perspective: the all-time, big name- The Biggest Name- belongs to our Almighty God. And it's that very God who has chosen to make us His own- adopted us as sons and daughters. Amazing! First Samuel 12:22 says, "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own." (NIV) He loves us as his precious children and through Jesus he adopts us into his eternal family. "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son." (Ephesians 1:4-5, The Message)

I'm infinitely more "Son struck" than "star struck." Jesus Christ is THE Star. He tells us in Revelation 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." (NIV)

If you've allowed the Morning Star to shine His forgiveness into your life, God the Father has made you His very own. Because of the Father's love for you and because of the sacrifice of the bright Morning Star, you've been lavishly gifted with new hope and a new future. Did you know that makes you a "big name" personality? Yes, you're a big name personality in the biggest, best way!

But don't worry I promise if we happen to run into each other, I'll do my best to keep my karate chops to myself.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

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Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site at: www.rhondarhea.net.