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Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Special

 I find myself in a predicament, that quite frankly, I never thought I would be caught up with. You see, I just rated this Christmas Day, yesterday, as I write this, as my very best Christmas ever.

 As with most married couples, we have to split our time with family for this wonderful holiday between hers, and mine.

 After thirty four years, the routine remains the same. Christmas eve day is spent with my family, and Christmas Day is spent with her side of the family. Don't get me wrong in reading this, I consider either side as MY family. There is a difference, but only in bloodlines.

 Christmas eve was really good, and I was able to spend time with each member of my family that was able to show for the gathering. Hugs, kisses, and laughter galore were there to be soaked in, and everyone did.

 The Christmas Day part of this holiday really was something special. A long lost member of our family, that we were not allowed to have any relationship with, joined us via video chat, and the emotions overflowed.

 It had been well over 30 years since Granny, or Paw-Paw had seen this young man, their oldest grandchild. He was forcefully removed from their lives, because of a divorce, and they had not seen their Grandson, since he was 4 years old.

I can not help but rank this Christmas as my most special of all, thanks to GOD.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas



I hope that each of you has a wonderful and Merry Christmas. God Bless each of you.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The simplicity of it all...

 
In the New Testament book of Luke, and chapter 11 we find this parable...

  1. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  2. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
  3. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
  4. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
The editor function will not allow me to change those numbers, they actually start at verse #33.

If we apply this to our lives today, we see that the simple actions we take will show the world our true beliefs. We know that the actual light from the candle is the wick burning with a flame, that shows it's self as a light.
What a tremendous analogy this is for use to use in every aspect of our lives. You see, the wick is the "core" of the candle. Much like we use the word "core" as the center, or foundation of our existence. If our "core" is then matched with a burning desire to be one with Jesus, we will be a light unto the world around us.
Jesus said that "no man who lighteth a candle, hides it under a bushel". In other words, don't keep your faith in God a secret. Let it shine!

GOD BLESS!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Troubling Times in College Football

 It's not a secret. Most of you know that I am a college football fan. More than any other, college sports are the embodiment of ideals like team, passion, and all for one. Which breaks my heart to little bitty pieces when stories like the alleged sexual abuse at Penn State, by one of it's coaches, surfaces.

Let us not forget that the accused is innocent, until proven guilty, in our court systems. The media frenzy surrounding this news, is enormous, and there will be many story lines that simply are not true. Do not fall for false headlines, and trap titles by the news media.

If these accusations are true, we can turn to the Bible for answers. Jesus Christ, while talking with his disciples told them of these things. He tells us all not to dwell on the actual acts of these sick individuals, and that it would have been better for a millstone to have been hung around the neck of the perpetrator, and he be tossed into the ocean. In other words, there will be hell to pay for these kinds of acts.

Making matters worse are the reports that the Athletic Director, and University Senior Vice President lied to a Federal Grand Jury in an attempt to cover up the accusations. These are adults with a higher education level than many others in the public, and still they didn't comprehend the troubles they were bringing down on themselves, and their employer, Penn State University.

Today, there are many thousands of PSU alumni that are angered, hurt, and confused as to how this sort of thing can happen. They are not alone.

God Bless all of you.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Time Is At Hand

 During the stay in Bethlehem, Mary's appointed time had come, and she gave birth to a son. His name was called Jesus, and he was the Holy Son of God.

 While happy that the birth happened, as the angel had told her it would, there were some strange things beginning to happen. There were stories of a star hanging over the Inn. Though Mary was yet unable to get out and see this star that shone above them, many visitors started coming to the manger at the Inn, to see what had happened.

  Shepherds from the fields, visited and told stories of a great visitation from a host Angels, and how the Angel instructed them where to go, to see the new born. Even more surprising, was the fact that a heavenly host with good tidings, was calling this newborn, a King!

Sometime soon after more visitors arrived from out of town. They had traveled far from different countries, and even visited the royalty of that country, and informed Herod of their purpose, and the reason of their journey.

Mary could not understand the reason that three Kings from another part of the world, would travel so far to see her child. Trusting in God, she kept the sayings of these noble travelers close to her heart. They came with gifts, and wisdom in the form of another heavenly visitation, where the three wise men, were told to leave this country in another direction, and avoid Herod, who was evil.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Welcome to Bethlehem

 After their incredibly long journey to the city of Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph started looking for a place to stay the night. Beaten down, tired and weary from the trek across the rough terrain, all in the name of paying the King's taxes, and taking part in the first census of mankind. Mary and Joseph finally arrive at Bethlehem.
 Everyone that had been born in the City of David, was back in town for the required census.
 They found out real quick, there was only one Inn for the town, and it was full.
 His wife, filled with the time of child, needed a place to lay down, so Joseph begged the Inn keeper to let them stay in the manger. The Inn keeper had compassion on them, and opened the manger for  Mary and Joseph.
A manger is where the animals of the guests would be kept, watered, and fed. Like what most of us call a barn. There would be hay, and water for the beasts of burden, also there would be very little in the way of sanitation.
Stop and think of the smells, the sounds of the different animals, and the complete lack of comfort that would await you there.
continued.....

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Long Arduous Journey

On this day, over two thousand and eleven years ago, a woman was traveling with her husband. Not just any woman, the chosen hand maiden of GOD.
Her comfort level was non existent by today's standard. Traveling on a colt donkey, with scarcely a woven blanket to cushion the movements of the animals stride, this very special lady was being led to the "City of David" by her Lord. To have his son, our Savior.
Approximately three weeks travel time on the back of an animal.
What are your complaints about today?

to be continued....