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Tag: Savior

Bought the Farm

Bought the Farm

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Bought the farm-a large farm with house, barns, and other buildingsThe Nature Conservancy bought the farm that belonged to the Hall family in South Central Kentucky. That purchase marked the end of family traditions but the beginning of public traditions.

The Homeplace on Green River has become an outdoor classroom. It hosts events throughout the year. According to its website, it offers:

  • Immersive educational programs
  • Community festivals
  • Event rentals
  • Hiking trails
  • Crop land leasing
  • Lab and conservation programs
  • And more

If we have bought the farm, we have died.

Family members and friends grieve the loss of life and past family traditions. Yet, life goes on, and new traditions begin.

We find possible origins for this expression at The Phrase Finder.

Numerous expressions describe death.

We find other expressions for death at Kick the Bucket.

When we have bought the farm, our life on earth ends.

However, our eternal home begins. If we accept Jesus as personal Savior and Lord, we have the promise of a home in heaven with Him.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24 NIV).

Thanks to Diana Flegal for the suggestion

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Make Groceries

Make Groceries

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Make Groceries-vegetablesHave you ever made groceries? I have many times. However, I did not know it until recently.

To make groceries means to shop for groceries.

 I have been to the grocery store all my life. I would never have called that trip making groceries. Yet, the expression is common in New Orleans.

According to New Orleans.com, “Old-timers in New Orleans ‘make groceries’ at the store. This is another one that has French origins, as a rough translation from “faire son marché,” which means to do one’s grocery shopping. Since ‘faire’ means both ‘to do’ and ‘to make,’ making groceries came from a slight error in translation from French to English.”

Whatever we call it, we need food.

If we have never been hungry for long periods of time, we are richer than many. Millions have nothing or slim pickings. If we say we are starving, we usually mean only that we hunger. Yet, starvation remains a harsh reality for our world.

When we make meals after we make groceries, let’s give thanks.

  • Thank the farmers who grow the food.
  • Thank the stores that stock the food.
  • Thank the cooks who prepare the food.
  • Thank our Creator and Savior, the everlasting Bread of Life.

Then, let’s put feet to our prayers.

  • Share with others in need.
  • Donate food or money to local food pantries.
  • Give to reliable agencies that help feed the world.

A little food for thought.

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35 NIV).

If you have been to New Orleans or have heard this expression, I would love to hear from you. Please comment.

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion. Image by Gabe Raggio from Pixabay

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Under Wraps

Under Wraps

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Under Wraps--gifts under a Christmas treeDuring Christmas, we keep a lot of things under wraps. We hide gifts in closets and under beds. When no one is looking, we wrap our gifts with paper and bows. Once under the tree, everyone wants to know what those packages contain.

If we keep anything under wraps, we keep it a secret.

We don’t want others to know our information. Our secret usually lasts a short time. Examples, other than Christmas presents, include:

  • News reports
  • An engagement
  • Whether a baby will be a boy or girl

We don’t want others to know what is under wraps until the right time.

If people spill the beans, they ruin our plans. Therefore, we tell them to bite their tongues – to stay quiet.

Not everything we wrap is under wraps.

We want to share most good news.

The greatest gift came wrapped in strips of cloth.

When Jesus was born, angels announced His birth to shepherds. The shepherds found Jesus lying in a manger. Afterwards, they told others what they had heard and seen.

Let’s not keep the good news of Jesus under wraps.

Instead, let’s share with the world what the angels proclaimed.

“A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NIV).

Thanks to Joy S. Taylor for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Deck the Halls

Deck the Halls

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Deck the Halls, Christmas villageDeck the Halls is a traditional Christmas and New Year’s song.

As sung in this video, the original version was Deck the Hall (not Halls).

However we sing it, the message remains the same: Tis the season of joy.  Therefore, we decorate with signs of the season. We also celebrate with:

  • Music
  • Gifts
  • Church services
  • Visits with family and friends
  • Parties
  • Food
  • Santa Claus
  • Elves and reindeer
  • Helping people in need

We deck the halls, but so much more.

 Trees, lights, and other Christmas symbols decorate our:

  • Houses
  • Businesses
  • Parks
  • Churches
  • Bridges
  • Everywhere we look for weeks before and after Christmas

Why Bother?

What’s the big deal about Christmas anyway?

We get so busy decking halls, we sometimes forget the reason why. And it is a big deal.

Jesus came, God to earth, in the form of a baby.

Jesus came as our Savior, to die for our sins. His gift to all who accept Him: a personal relationship with God and a home in heaven.

We can deck the halls and more, if we wish. We can keep our decorations simple, if we wish. However we celebrate this special time of year, may we always remember why.

Merry Christmas!

“A child shall be born to a virgin! And she shall call him Immanuel (meaning, “God is with us”)” (Isaiah 7:14 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Bear Our Cross

Bear Our Cross

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Bear Our Cross: a cross with crown of thornsTo bear our cross means to carry a burden.

Similar expressions include:

  • Carry our cross
  • Cross to bear
  • Cross to carry

All mean we live with difficulty. We often carry our burden alone.

Burdens or responsibilities may include:

  • Illness
  • Financial problems
  • Difficult relationships

We may sometimes joke about small burdens, such as:

  • Chores we don’t like (for example, cooking and cleaning)
  • Busybody neighbors
  • Active children

To bear our cross comes from the Bible.

Before Jesus was crucified, soldiers beat Him. Then Jesus had to carry His cross. When Jesus became too weak, soldiers forced another man to carry Jesus’ cross for Him.

Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He loves us that much.

Yet, after three days, Jesus rose from the dead. He won the battle against sin and death. If we accept Jesus as Savior, He forgives our sins and promises us eternal life. He gives us a fresh start. That is the promise of Easter.

Jesus told His followers to count the cost and take up our cross.

That means we:

  • Choose Jesus above everything.
  • Give God control of our lives.
  • Follow God’s will wherever that leads and whatever the cost.

Taking up our cross for Jesus is not always easy. It is always worth it.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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