T'was The Night After Christmas

The kids slept after Christmas all at Grandmas house,
not a creature was stirring not even a keyboard mouse.
Grandmas ugly Christmas sweater put away with a tear.
She won the contest with Grandma got ran over by a reindeer
Down thru the hallway there arose such a clatter.
Grandpa had knocked down a picture, Christmas cookies had made him fatter.
"Why is the Christmas tree smashed in that box?"
"Where are the Christmas decorations and socks?"
They hugged in terror when GiGi picked up the robot St. Nick
 placed him in the plastic tub & locked the lid; click,click, click.
dash away, dash away, dash away all!
The gift pile next year... will be very small.

                                                         Ho! Ho! Ho!

T'was The Night Before Christmas.....

  The great memories I often mention, are still alive, some in black and white, some color.  The Christmas recollections are as if they happened yesterday.  The sounds and colors, church, people, school, home, Christmas T.V. shows and  popular music of the day

Christmas Eve included a family get together and  food.  Usually we could open a gift before we left for the party.  Usually I would be hoping for a toy!  Usually it was the shirt my mother bought and wanted me to wear to the Christmas celebration.

Before going to bed and trying to sleep, the night would be topped off with Andy Williams special and late night: "The Christmas Carol" followed by, "It's a Wonderful Life"  movies on television.  Preceded by a month of Christmas sermons, plays at church. I went to sleep with the proper perspective about Christmas (later in life, at least).

My poor parents would have to stay up or awaken early to put together bikes or just sit out a microscope set or a doll for my sister as well as all the wrapped gifts under the tree.  "Mom! Dad!  You should see what Santa brought!" I remember them one time, looking at each other and now realize it was the look of; "mission accomplished, we made "Christmas" real again."  My night before Christmas was spent dreaming about reindeer on the roof.  For my parents it was some unselfish speed and effort in order that someone else could enjoy the season and create a special event for the family.

 I remember knowing that Christmas was all about the birth of Jesus, (I still do) that He came to live a Holy life and even die a sacrificial death. It wasn't as a martyr, but as a savior to pay for sins, in order that believers would be reconciled to God. A gift from God in that He "so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son that whoever Believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life!"   Merry Christmas!

"And to all a good night!"

Christmas 24/7

It is sad, there are only a few weeks out of the year that we all treat others with kindness and compassion. There is that "Spirit" during the Christmas Holiday that enters the minds and hearts of children and adult alike.

Never forget the story about Christmas in "no mans land" in World War one even in Part two where enemies stopped shooting at one another and joined together in "Silent Night."  This season can bring the worse out of people (can you say Tickle me Elmo doll).  It is famous for softening the heart and and the transformation of Scrooges everywhere.

The birthday of Jesus actually shows us that this spirit and attitude could/should carry through, all year long. God gave us a gift .."For God so loved the world that He gave..."  This Christ child in the manger came to live and die for the sins of the world.  "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." For the believer and follower of Jesus Christ, every day is Easter and Christmas 24/7!!

We've heard of Christmas in July.  Don't let the light the season brings, flicker out. let's celebrate it all year long.  Maybe a church group, even an office at work can wrap and give someone gifts throughout the year. (E mail me in August and wish me a Merry Christmas). Most of all, we can share the good news of Jesus being born to die sacrificially for our sins and that those who believe will not perish but have everlasting life!  Love God. Love Others.

"Come let us adore Him"

 GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE ON EARTH !

Spiritual Combat

The battle rages
devil stages war
ambushed your trail
efforts fail
self help loses
pleasure cruises
battleship tosses
count the losses
Call in the  big gun
 sin you shun
in the foxhole you pray
Holy Spirit power
comes your way
Love and power within
Christ has got the win.
                                                

         

Connect, Celebrate, Community!

In that famous scripture, about the Church in Act 2: 40-47, we see connection, celebration and community. I believe, that should be the description and heart of the Church today!

We can connect to God through prayer and His Word.  "Seek me and you will find me, when you seek me with all of your heart."  We also connect with other believers during worship, dinners and care.

We celebrate what God has done and who He is.  It says they praised God.  We are to do the same with our lips, heart and actions!

They of course went to the community to evangelize and service.  In there persecution, though they lived  in the culture, they were not of the culture, rather they (like Christ) lived for the culture.  Jesus said:  "When you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me."

We can be all about;  Connection, Celebration and Community!

⁴⁰ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” ⁴¹ Then those who gladly^[a] received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church^[b] daily those who were being saved.

A Well Amongst the Flowers.

Sitting still with memories.
A well amongst the flowers,
containing thoughts of a family drawing
life giving water.
Containing cold drink
for a passing stranger.
Children dropping stones
to hear the echo,
while they picnic nearby.

When the family moved on,
Ol' well cried 'til it was dry.
Farm house is gone now,
once in a while the children visit,
speaking, while the well.. echoes
their hello's and goodbyes.

To you and I,
it's just a well amongst the flowers.
To some it's buckets full of memories.

Perhaps you and I have been useful
to provide God's comfort even gave others...
memories and will leave a legacy.
Allow the Lord to develop you
into a well amongst the flowers.

Preaching the Word

                                     Back after knee replacement.  It won't be business as usual!