A More Excellent Way

I mentioned to you in my last blog post about a popular display in light shows called a “Mega Tree”. We have 2 of them in our show. I love them because you can do a variety of things, and they make a “m-e-g-a” impact. 😜 Anyway, as much as I love them for the show – they were a nightmare last year to build. 😫

Many who know me will tell you that sometimes I may find the cheapest way to do things. That kind of attitude last year had the boys and I in the back of pick-up truck, standing on a ladder, trying to place a 50-pound, top-heavy 10 foot pole on top of another 10 foot pole – and – That. Was. Terrible! It was terrible for all involved to the point that I have no words to truly describe it. However, I vowed last year that I was going to find a better way to put up these trees for the sake of my entire family, and I have made it happen.

2 ASAP Poles

I don’t remember how we survived before the internet; but, because of it, I was able to find how to make these life savers - two ASAP Poles and Portable Holes. ASAP stands for “A Strap And Pole”. Anyone interested, just click on the links below. Great instructions on how to make both.

ASAP Pole – ASAP Instructions pages (magicchristmasnews.org)

Portable Hole – portable_hole_ii_copy_2.pdf (magicchristmas.org)

ASAP Pole Extended

Key point, with a little effort, I was able to find and build a better way. Grant it, there were probably a thousand ways better than what I did last year, but what’s the saying. . . “Its always better late than never”. . .right?

Closing Thoughts

In his discussions with the Corinthians concerning spiritual gifts, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:31 – “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Wow. In the context of discussing the unity of the church and the gifts the Spirit provided to spread God’s word – like the ability to perform miracles, heal people, speak in tongues, and interpret (vs. 30) – he says there is still “a more excellent way.” Chapter 13 tells us all about it. The chapter starts with the following:

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

God makes it clear that no matter what we do – it must be accompanied with Love. Love is the key to truly being able to serve God and others the way He intends. Many scholars claimed that the Old Law contained over 600 specific commands; but when Jesus was asked which was the most important, He summarized them down to two (Mark 12:29-31):

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I may have found a “more excellent way” to put up my Mega Trees this year, but I hope we all realize and utilize the “more excellent way” to have a Mega Impact for the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Thanks for taking a moment to read this blog and supporting us as we continue Fostering the Holidays.