Today's Verse: Philippians 2:5, 7-8

Christianity is not for wimps or the faint-hearted. Our example is described by words like: "made himself nothing... taking the very nature of a servant... humbled himself... and became obedient to death - even on a cross!" That's tough stuff. What's more, he is our example of how to live and sacrifice for others. The story of Jesus may begin with a sweet child, a tender virgin girl, and a loving, strong man who protected her. But it also starts with his crib being the trough where animals ate their food while an evil king plotted to murder him. While it may be powerful and precious, it is not saccharine and fake sentiment. It is about the price paid to redeem and the people who are different because they know their Redeemer.