AND ANOTHER HOLIDAY IS OVER!

So - here it is Jesus's birthday, right? Aren't we supposed to be saying "I hate to see this holiday over, I love celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

All I can think of, is if i see another piece of candy, cookie, or meal of any kind, I may commit harry-carry! Too many events, too much food, too tired to climb on the scale, but it has got to be bad. Why am I even focusing on that? I sat up straight in the bed last night as I thought about 9 more events and get togethers. We won't be done or I won't be done until January 9th. Oh, that's right, I have choices don't I?" Dang, I could have been making better choices. How are you at choices? I failed.

Well, anyway, it was a nice holiday all in all. But, I am committing to celebrating Jesus every day, changing my self control issues January 2nd, and turning over many new leaves that same day. January 3rd, you will find me in my office and I will be seeking God for some real direction. How about you? Are you asking yourself questions about 2010 and how 2011 should be better on so many levels.

Pray you enjoyed your family, and are in good emotional and physical health.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

As you can see above, we have had our family Christmas. Family has shrunk a little in size, but my goodness Jordan and Em have grown so much taller. We won't talk about which direction I went.

Merry Christmas means - have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He didn't even flinch at such a sacrifice that certainly would be on the journey ahead. He is our real hope for each and every day. Have a great holiday.

CHRISTMAS MEANS WHAT?

Two weeks from today - we will all be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus in some one way or another. Some of us have already celebrated with family due to schedules and the complexities of family expansion these days.

My grandchildren have at some point over the next two weeks seven places to be for the Holidays. Can you grasp that? We read the story of Christ's birth and I love the solitary - quiet - musical - almost magical, if you will, beauty of the worship. The Three Kings, Shepherds, Joseph and Mary themselves. Wouldn't you love to reenact that. To think about going seven places so deludes what this season is about. How much would I love to take them and go to that quiet still midnight hour with only a candle in my hand. We approach the barn and you would believe no one was there. As we get closer, we see that there are other candles, and the reflection from a bright star in the east shining through the doorway. There are animals, but they make no noise. There are the Three Kings on their knees, but they make no noise. And, there nestled in blankets and hay, is the most awesome King ever to grace our presence. . .Little Baby Jesus! And, Joesph and Mary gazing at his GLOW! Not a pin do we hear drop as we come closer and closer. One is rendered speechless as we look upon what Christmas really means!

There are no gifts to open, no buffet, no cookies, pie, or candy. No one fighting over toys, or wondering - is this all you got me?

We JUST know that we have the greatest gift of all times. A baby came in the flesh from our God, His Son. His Son became Uncompromisingly Righteous for our freedom from sin. He died on a terrible cross so we could reach eternity.

So what does Christmas mean to you? What to take a magic carpet ride back in time?

I sure would.

My commitment this Holiday - to study the Uncompromisingly Righteous way we should always have for the Baby - the King Jesus - who chose each one of us as a gift to Himself.

PERFECT DAY FOR A CHRISTMAS CONCERT!

It is snowing and a lazy Sunday. Perfect to kick-off Christmas season with a Choir Concert at County Line church - this evening at 6:30 p.m. I like this year, for some reason. There is less shopping and more celebrations of the reason for our season. When I look back at all the company Christmas parties that were held at Orchard Ridge, Summitt Club and even the Coliseum, I am amazed I survived. I remember those times as too much shopping, lunches every week, at least 6 Christmas parties, and that didn't even count the family Christmas get together's, which numbered four. It was maddening, and I usually came down with a sinus infection, cold, or the flu. I always wondered what it would be like to focus and think about the sacrifice our God made when He sent His only Son to gift us with freedom from sin. We had no idea. We still don't get it, do you think?

Thirty-Seven Years ago Christmas Eve, I came face to face with that Jesus Christ. It was a series of events too long to go in right now, but I finally decided I needed Him in my life. And, between the Holidays and March, I gave Him my entire being. Yet, each Christmas I still got so caught up in all that "stuff". I love that the stuff is NOT so much right now, and I look forward to this evening by closing my eyes and taking in the music of Christmas worship. Absorbing it into my entire being and praising God for the greatest gift ever documented in time.

My prayer for you, is that you will take a moment and absorb the reality of this Gift!