ABC's

A mother and father speak proudly about how smart there twin son and daughter are. The are young and still in elementary school.   They can read well and do math, above expected level.  Both will most likely graduate high school early and enter college while friends are still thinking about Winter formal dances and proms.

"We let them be creative and make his own decisions even express themselves. That's why we never tell them no."
 ..You're impressed.

"Before we eat," The Mother proudly says;  "Show us all your math tests from school"
 "No!  I don't want to!"
She whispers to you;  " All A's."

"Okay, show Pastor how you can read."
" NOOOOOOO!!!"
 (they don't say no,  the kids do. Hmm).
 "Do you want to go on the computer?"
 "Yes."

They say: "Well, that went well."
You say: "Yes it did.  They really enjoy that computer."

Donald's Dynasty

Fourteen Things You Shouldn’t Say to Your Pastor from Thom Rainer

Fourteen Things You Shouldn’t Say to Your Pastor

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Bing Crosby

"I'll Be Home for Christmas."

Army basic training in the 70's was all you hoped and feared it to be.  Christmas came and they sent us home.  Whether you were thrown out of the house and told to go join the military or if you enjoyed a great family growing up, you were homesick and looking forward to new family memories.

While on a day off before the Holiday leave, I was at a USO , where a band played that song:"I'll be home for Christmas." I became very homesick and knew I would go crazy if they had kept us away from  family and friends, ham and fudge.

 I can remember as a boy, watching ol' Bob Hope's military Christmas special during the Viet Nam "conflict." It would be hauntingly quiet when someone sang that part: "I'll be home for Christmas."

This Christmas is no different with Sons and daughters, moms and dads, husband or wives, in harms way!  I suppose many a recent letter or phone call ended with "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams".  Remember those in prayer.

Cats and Dogs

The saying goes it is raining "cats and dogs" meaning it is raining hard and might make travel or standing on the porch difficult. Tradition says that cats and dogs are always fighting . Old cartoons verify this.

It is also known that the Church (I was raised in church and am a Christ follower) sometimes fight like cats and dogs.  It apparently has been discovered, some church goers relate to God like cats and dogs relate to their human masters.

Not to long ago I read that, some Christians are like dogs and some are like cats. "Dog Christians" love their masters and wait eagerly for them to return from being away. These dogike worshippers say "You feed me, you must be God".  The "Cat Christians" are finnicky and act like they can take it or leave it and say "You feed me, I must be God."

I f this comparison were true, I wonder which one am I. Which one are you?

Why Am I here?

1. EXALT.  We are to love and worship God. He is worthy of our worship of lifestyle and singing.

2. EQUIP.    We are to teach/learn the actions and teaching of Christ, Making disciples.

3. ENCOURAGE.  we are to go along side building each other up using the gifts God gave us.

4  ENGAGE.   The follower of Christ is commissioned into the neighborhood and show and tell of God's love. 

The Bible says we are to Love God and love others!

What Jesus wants for Christmas

Another blog of lists?!  Sorry.

What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?

1. You to become a follower.
2. Our Worship.
3. Your Trust.
4. Your Life.
5. Your Love
6. Us to love others.
7. your "Dirty Laundry".
8. Our Broken hearts.
9. Us to tell others the good news about Him
10. A relationship with You!

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. Galatians 4:4,5.

                                                                    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love and peace train.

A few People around the world are reading this.  I think that is awesome.  We have an opportunity to speak peacefully and in unity.

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The internet is a dangerous yet amazing venue for getting on board the peace train.  Peace not war, just communicating about personal interest and differences in personality. It does not matter where in the world you are.  You are my neighbor!

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I know that faith in Christ is the answer. Jesus said that He gave his followers peace.  Not the peace the world gives but His peace!


                                             God loves you and so do I.  Peace!

A LIST OF THINGS I DON'T WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!

A few weeks ago I wrote a "List of things I don't want at the grocery store".  We usually write a list of things, we want for Christmas. Here is a Christmas list of things I don't want :

1. A piece of coal.
2. A Cowsills record.
3. dinner cooked by me.
4. dinner bought by me 
5. Your laundry.
6. Chia Pet.
7. A certain tree knocked over
8. A blizzard
9. A novelty Baseball cap.
10. War (Afghanistan or living room)

     May Everyone Get What is on Your Christmas wish List.  It IS the most happiest Season of All!

MEMORIES AND TRADITIONS

There is an order of  life.  We develop while in our family nest, then we are to fly and begin new lives.  Some form another family, while other chose to live alone.  Whatever the life choice,  the idea is to mature and see a progression of growing physically, mentally and spiritually. Our circle of early life, creates many fond memories and traditions, that can be infused into our new personal families and  friends, as we also experience new traditions and form new memories. These thoughts of a past holiday or vacation place can be stepping stones into a positive and healthy personal plan for the grown children and their family or friends.

As is the case with anything, we see unhealthy family relationships.  While others want absolutely  nothing to do with the immediate family they grew up in, some never leave or many suffer from (or enjoy) Dependent Personality Disorder.  I'm not speaking about difficult times; finances etc.  I am talking; Manipulating the plans and control of conversations that keeps the little birdie warm in the nest.

 Matter of fact Mom loved being a mother and made all the sacrifices but now might be a time for resting or parachuting out of an airplane. In some cases she's still raising adult children and like never before, in both rural or an urban setting, she's raising grand children.

When this happens, memories and traditions; slow down? stop? Why? You are always in the present. Occasionally nothing is special or creating a magical memory.  This idea of memories and traditions transforms into;  you "wore out your welcome" years ago.  It could be true: absence does make the heart grow fonder. No matter the age or even if the "child" has a family of their own, a short in the circuit happens and  the above normal progression of moving on, is in the dark and powerless, while growth of an entire family community is stunted.

"GO WEST YOUNG MAN"!

The United States would not have been discovered or developed from Plymouth Rock to San Fransisco if we were to stay in the immediate homestead or nest.

The family community to create community was ordained by GOD:
"Therefore a MAN shall LEAVE his FATHER and MOTHER and be JOINED to his WIFE and they shall become one flesh".

As I try to learn from the mistakes you and I have made, I say:
Go. enjoy life!  as you (sometime without knowing), create new memories and  traditions.

A COLD CHRISTMAS!

It's December before Christmas and I don't want to peak on the first few days and get brain freeze on The Eve of Christ's birthday celebration.  But I've witnessed actions and attitudes already that would just break the heart of ol' Scrooge.

It becomes near to impossible for a church or any community organization to be of service for a lack of volunteers.  One person, no matter how loving or having charisma has ability or strength to carry the load single handed.  It could possibly be handed over to a church or organization with a deeper bench and a better... why.

We pray for open doors to share the Gospel and aid those who less fortunate.  (Those who are at no  fault of their own).

MAYBE WE ARE PACING OURSELVES

I have seen help rushed to different victims of recent weather disasters. I salute and brag on them.  Think about the freezing people on the street, under a bridge. Trolls as far as some are concerned.  Like everything else it is the small minority that comes to the aid of the helpless.  The birthday of Jesus yet no one tells about it, never bringing up His death. This Savior and gift that God has sacrificially given to the world. We look upon the daily unfortunate ones as business as usual  or inconveniences to deal with. We are to busy with our "holiday" plans and menu.  There is the Cantata "Go tell it on the Mountain" after all and we have to practice!

"Are there no prisons?  "and the union workhouses"? "I wish to be left alone...Since you asked me what I wish, that is my answer."  "If they had rather die they had better do it and decrease the surplus population."
"It's not my business. It's enough for a man to understand his own. Mine occupies me constantly."-Scrooge.

"Others Lord others,
let this my motto be.
Others Lord others,
 that I may be like thee!"

Better to Give...

'Tis the season to be jolly.  This time of year carries that spirit of joy and in the middle of our chaotic globe a peaceful feeling.  We begin to look back as well as, plan for the New Year ahead. We have our lists of presents we want and millions go with that list in hand to do combat.

My advice is to keep the receipts.  So if your "gift" isn't just right, the receiving millions can go back to return for a refund and nullify the economy boost of black Friday.   Christmas shopping lines will be long but it will give them time to stare at the paisley print jeans or the giant "sad clown" painting  for the wall , and standing there,  filled with the Spirit of Christmas shouting : "They'll Love it"!

 Christmas day has dwindled down to resemble a "birthday party for me!"

There will be people and cities where it won't  be "Christmas" at all.  No food, gifts or parties.  Just dysfunction, drinking to forget the season,

in some places?  car bombs or an abused women shelter.

"For God So loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever BELIEVES in Him Shall not perish but have everlasting life"!  It is the Birthday of Christ the one who gives true peace.  The best gift of all.  We say by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone.  Have you received that gift. Are we going to share the gift so others might hear and trust in Christ as their only hope to spend eternity with God.  When we do believe, we receive peace with God and then the peace of God.  

We are to share bread for life (Wonder Bread) and the Bread of Life (Jesus Christ).

Here's a good Christmas list::

1. Love Alive International
2. World Vision
3. Salvation Army/Red Cross
4. Boys and Girls club
5. Homeless Shelters/Pacific Garden Mission.
6. Feed the Children
7. you pick a family/person
8. Angel Tree
9. Operation Christmas child/Samaritans Purse
10. Senior Citizens

"GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN AND PEACE ON EARTH."

FWF the Family Wrestling Federation

Man this fight is going the distance . In this corner mommy and daddy and in the other corner the kids.  It resembles a pro wrestling match more than boxing.  One tag team is cheating and the other contestants are the good guys that everyone cheers for but the kids pick up a folding chair and send the parents running back the same way they came in.

It's a traveling battle and the arena is a store, school, church and a home near you.  The kids are rookies now but what happens when they get 13 to 16 years experience.  It all ends up in a lose, lose scenario where the kids win for a few years but  (like the "bad guy" wrestler no one enjoys to see them coming).  The parents lose for a few years and no one enjoys to see them coming either!

The fans might suggest a referee. Maybe the family could get action figures so others can play without the embarrassment.  Also  A good idea is to rehearse at home before you take the contest to the public.