No More Same Ole, Same Ole

I was reading an excerpt from an e-mail that a minister friend of mine received a couple of days ago and it sickened me. The person that sent it attacked him and all ministers in general and made it appear that we all are good for nothing. The implication was that we only worked on "Wednesdays and Sundays", drew a big salary, and were just plain lazy. The email also said that we get the churches we pastor into debt and then leave them for a big promotion. It also said in their day that ministers would work the fields and preach part-time and that's the way it ought to be today.

I started not to write this, but then I said this is my blog and I can say what I want to, because I am tired of the same ole same ole. You know that stuff that people who either have a problem with the church or with God always throw up about pastors and preachers. So in my last blog of 2010 I decided it was time to vent because I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I don't think that I am an exception to the rule, because most pastors that I know have the same work ethic. Christmas week I spent over 25 hours in hospitals, visited a family with a death, performed a wedding, checked on sick folks, contacted over 25 absentees and did over 15 hours just in general church maintenance and labor. That's not counting the time I spent in study and prayer for my church and services. I got to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family. I don't have a lot of downtime. Christmas Day was the first full day I took off in December. Again, I'm sure that I am not an exception to the rule.

It's amazing to me that the people that fuss about pastors the most are those that don't need them until they get in trouble. My friend did not deserve the email he got nor do any pastors that care about their flock. I never made full salary and benefits until I was 42 years old from the ministry and I always gave more back to the church than anyone else in the congregation. I have been a bi-vocational pastor before. I know the sacrifices that I had to make for my family and grew up in a pastor's home. Unless you have been there you have no right to crticize or complain.

Oh and by the way a promotion for a pastor from one church to another doesn't always mean more money or benefits. Most of the time it means just dealing with more problems and more situations that you didn't start or create. It's not like you get to go home and forget about the stuff at the office. Who ever started that notion has never walked in a pastor's shoes.

So in 2011 no more same ole, same ole. If you don't need a pastor, don't call him when you get sick, go in the hospital, have a death, have marriage problems, your daughter gets pregnant out of wedlock, your son goes to jail, your husband beats you or is running around on you, your grandchild gets in trouble, etc. If he is not necessary then just leave him alone. Then your complaints may have some validity. But if you need him, pray for him, support him, and lift him up. Because you know what-he might just be there when you need him, even if he has to take time off from his family to fulfill his calling to help yours.

'Nuff said!

Tired Of Getting The Blame

I shared with my congregation last night that 2011 would be the year that we had to have the courage to change. One of the things that I pointed out was that you have to accept responsibility for your own actions and not try to pass the blame for your failures off on somebody else. I have made up my mind that this New Year I will no longer accept the blame for people's sins, wrongs, and other things that they do that are against the church teachings or the Bible. In fact, I'm tired of getting the blame for things that I did not do, say, or have a part in. In fact, I am sickened by people who always want to blame the pastor, preacher, teacher, leader for every thing that is wrong in their life.

Apparently they have not read the scripture that Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

What that means is that a person is responsible for their own actions and their own souls. Any changes, good or bad, are a result of your own actions and decisions. The problem within the church today and even in Christiandom is that it's always somebody else who causes this or that and no one wants to take responsibility.

I will help anybody that will let me help them, but I cannot change any person that doesn't want to change. I cannot and will not condone sin in any area, but I will forgive and assist in restoration. I will admit that I'm not perfect and that I have my flaws, but I will not take the blame ever again for things that I did not participate in.

If I have something to say to any person, I will say it to their face. I don't hide behind anybody or anything. I am responsible for my actions and will readily admit that. But don't blame me, the church, or God for messes that you created for whatever reason. For too long pastors have rolled over and played dead when it came to standing up for their rights and for the rights of the church. I believe if we are to hear from heaven in 2011 we must get our houses and lives in order and accept responsibility for our own actions. If we don't the pastor and the church will never break the cycle of the blame game and the Spirit of God cannot bless as He desires.

I for one say again I'm tired of getting the blame for things that go wrong in people's lives. I know the solution and I know the cure, but they've got to want it to receive it.

Where do you stand?

You Know You're Getting Older....

- When your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.
- When your doctor doesn't give you x-rays anymore but just holds you up to the light.
- When you remember when the Dead Sea was only sick.
- When you don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.
- You and your teeth don't sleep together.
- Your back goes out, but you stay home.
- You wake up, looking like your driver's license picture.
- It takes two tries to get up from the couch.
- Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
- Happy hour is a nap.
- When you step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure that the street is still there.
- Your idea of weight lifting is standing up.
- It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.
- Your memory is shorter and your complaining is longer.
- The pharmacist has become you new best friend.
- It takes twice as long to look half as good.
- The twinkle in your eye is only the reflection of the sun on your bifocals.
- You look for your glasses for a half an hour, and then find that they were on your head all the time.
- You get two invitations to go out on the same night, and you pick the one that gets you home the earliest.
- You give up all your bad habits and you still don't feel good.
- You have more patience; but actually, it's just that you don't care any more.
- You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.
- You confuse having a clear conscience with having a bad memory.
- You wonder how you could be over the hill when you don't even remember being on top of it.
- You don't know real embarrassment until your hip sets off a metal detector.
- Let's face it, traveling just isn't as much fun when all the historical sites are younger than you are.
- Every time you suck in your gut, your ankles swell.
- You're suffering from Mallzheimer's disease. You go to the mall and forget where I parked my car.
- Age always corresponds inversely to the size of your multi-vitamin.
- Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
- People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
- Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
- Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
- Your eyes won't get much worse.
- Adult diapers are actually kind of convenient.
- Things you buy now won't wear out.
- No one expects you to run into a burning building.
- There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
- Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.
- In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
- You're sitting on a park bench, and a Boy Scout comes up and helps you cross your legs.
- You light the candles on your birthday cake, and a group of campers form a circle and start singing "Kumbaya."
- Someone compliments you on your layered look.... and you're wearing a bikini.
- You start video taping daytime game shows.
- You wonder why you waited so long to take up macramé.
- At cafeterias, you complain that the gelatin is too tough.
- Your new easy chair has more options than your car.
- Conversations with people your own age often turn into "dueling ailments."
- It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump.
- You're on a TV game show and you decide to risk it all and go for the rocker.
- You find yourself beginning to like accordion music.
- You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..."
- You run out of breath walking DOWN a flight of stairs.
- You look both ways before crossing a room.
- You come to the conclusion that your worst enemy is gravity.
- You frequently find yourself telling people what a loaf of bread USED to cost.
- You realize that a stamp today costs more than a picture show did when you were growing up.
- Your childhood toys are now in a museum.
- Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
- The clothes you've put away until they come back in style... come back in style.
- All of your favorite movies are now re-released in color.
- The car that you bought brand new becomes an antique.
- You're asleep, but others worry that you're dead.
- Your back goes out more than you do.
- You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
- You buy a compass for the dash of your car.
- You are proud of your lawn mower.
- Your best friend is dating someone half their age and isn't breaking any laws.
- Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
- You sing along with the elevator music.
- You would rather go to work than stay home sick.
- You constantly talk about the price of gasoline.
- You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
- You consider coffee one of the most important things in life.
- You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
- Neighbors borrow your tools.
- People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
- You have a dream about prunes.
- You send money to PBS.
- The end of your tie doesn't come anywhere near the top of your pants.
- You take a metal detector to the beach.
- You wear black socks with sandals.
- You know what the word "equity" means.
- You can't remember the last time you laid on the floor to watch television.
- Your ears are hairier than your head.
- You talk about "good grass" and you're referring to someone's lawn.
- You get into a heated argument about pension plans.
- You got cable for the weather channel.
- You can go bowling without drinking.
- You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
- Everything that works hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.
- You feel like the morning after, and you haven't been anywhere.
- Your little black book only contains names ending in M.D.
- Your children are beginning to look middle-aged.
- Your mind makes contracts your body can't keep.
- You look forward to a dull evening.
- Your knees buckle and your belt won't.
- You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.
- You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions.
- You don't remember when your wild oats turned to prunes and all bran.
- You finally got your head together, now your body is falling apart.
- You don't remember being absent minded.
- "Getting a little action" means you don't need to take a laxative.
- Getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
- Tying one on means fastening your Medic Alert bracelet.

Two Boys

It has been said that a simple smile can change a person’s life. It has been said that a single kind word can spread throughout the whole world and change history. I was thinking of these sayings recently when I remembered a story I had once heard about two boys.

Both of these boys were born in the late eighteen hundreds. The first boy was the son of a poor cobbler and had contracted smallpox as a child. This left his face scarred and caused him to face teasing from the other boys. He sought solace by dreaming of a career in the church. His first job was as an altar boy but he was sharply criticized by the priest when he made a mistake during a service. This boy later abandoned the seminary as a young adult. The second boy was sickly as a child too contracting tuberculosis as a baby. He also felt drawn to a career in the church. He too had his first experience in church as an altar boy. And he as well made several mistakes once during a service. The difference was he was forgiven and encouraged to keep trying by the kindhearted priest there.

The first of these boys grew up to become Joseph Stalin, the dictator of the Soviet Union, who slaughtered untold millions of his own people to maintain his power and control over his country. The second boy grew up to become Bishop Fulton J. Sheen who touched millions of lives and brought joy to millions of hearts by sharing God’s message through his television show "Life is Worth Living" in the nineteen fifties.

This story reminded me of how much power God gives us to change lives in this world. Every smile we share is important. Every kind word we speak is essential. Every loving act we do can encircle this entire world. May we always use this power wisely. May we always give every little boy or girl the same love our Heavenly Father gives us.

21 Days To Change

As we close out the old year and look to the new one, I wanted to share some things that might help you set your path for the year to come. The first thing that I want to address is how to break bad habits.

Breaking bad habits takes at least 21 days. Of course, in difficult cases, it can take as long as a year. Here's an example of the process of how to change an unhealthy habit to a healthy habit. Suppose you've decided that coffee is not good for you and right now, you drink coffee with sugar daily. The new habit you would like to institute is to drink herbal tea without sugar.

At first, it may be challenging to break the bad habit of drinking coffee. You will have to use self-discipline for the first few weeks but gradually it will get easier. Once you are able to change the old habit to a new healthier one, it will serve you very well. Habits are remarkable because they don't require thinking. You just "do it" for years until you find yourself changing the habit again.

Here are 5 easy steps for changing habits:
1. Awareness: You must become aware of your habits. What is this habit exactly? How is this bad habit or group of bad habits affecting you? How is this habit affecting others? For example, smoking often has negative effects on others as well as on you.

2. Wanting to Change: As someone with a health problem, you must decide that breaking bad habits through a conscious effort is a worthy goal. You must convince yourself that the change in the habit is worth the effort involved.

3. Commitment: You must be determined to do whatever it takes for breaking bad habits so that you can better control your life. You make a decision that "no matter what" you will change the habit. You do the work required to stop. Here are some examples of habits you might want to change: Smoking, eating too much, eating processed foods, not exercising, drinking coffee or other beverages with caffeine in them, eating too much sugar or fat, drinking alcohol, procrastinating, etc.

4. Consistent Action: It is important to focus on changing just one habit at a time. Then, take consistent daily actions for breaking the bad habit that has been causing problems and take the actions to develop a new one. We suggest doing this process one step at a time rather than trying to do it all at once. Sometimes changing a habit can be done "cold turkey" like smoking and sometimes it works better to make a gradual change.

Be sure to give yourself positive rewards often for taking small actions toward changing a bad habit. Continual day-by-day actions are what are critical. This is NOT about an occasional action or step. It is about being consistent every day.

5. Perseverance: There will be times when you question whether it is all worth it. You'll say to yourself that breaking these bad habits is too difficult; that you are too "weak" to change. Your old self, often so comfortable living with the bad habits, is trying to hold on. Breaking your old patterns may require meditation and prayer.

Visualize regularly the rewards for following through and the costs of not following through on breaking the bad habits and especially the value to your future of building new better habits.

No More Christmas

Man, I don't know how people stay out of church on Sunday morning. We had to today due to snow and ice and it's about to drive me crazy! I miss the fellowship and the time of worship with people of like faith, plus I also have to be concerned about all the other aspects of missing a Sunday as well. But God knows best, and the snow and ice are out of my hands.

For many December 26 means simply "No more Christmas". I will guarantee you before the day is out, snow or no snow, over 50% of the people who celebrated Christmas yesterday will have their decorations down and ready to pack up for another year. The other 50% will be trying to figure out how to get the mall or shopping center to exchange that crazy gift they got or find a bargain. They wouldn't come to church in the snow, but man they'll trip over ice, snow, whatever to get that shopping done. When it's all over they will sigh a sigh of relief saying to themselves, "No more Christmas!"

My prayer is that we will keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the remainder of the year and for the rest of our lives. In the last seven years I have learned that every day is precious and that none should be taken for granted. The greatest gift we have is the life that God gave us and we can either waste it on self indulgence and pity or we can share it with those that we love and those that are in need. If we do the latter it will never be no more Christmas to us, but it will be like Christmas everyday.

So please make up your mind today. Don't let things, people, circumstances, or even personal speed bumps slow you down. Don't get the "No more Christmas" attitude about life. Let it be Christmas everyday and see the difference that it makes. God bless.

Christmas is for Kids

Well, I feel like a kid again. Last night Hannah, Gracie, and I got to play Santa Claus to a 3 year old and a 5 year old. If you could have seen their eyes when we brought in their presents it would change your whole perspective about giving at Christmas time. I wanted to teach my grandgirls the joy of giving at Christmas and they gave up part of what I would have spent on them and helped me share Christmas with another family. I believe it was a lesson well learned that I myself will never forget and neither will they.

We came back home and opened gifts and my son had bought me a Playstation 3. I've always wanted one, but just never could find the extra money to get one. Well Santa Shane surprised me big time and I also got Madden Football with it so I am elated. Man, I feel like a kid again!

Then of course when the kids opeedn their presents and we start putting things together. Last night I flew a hovercraft, drove a car up and around a wall, had an ariel dog-fight with two jet planes, danced with Mickey Mouse, petted Go-Go, saw seven Princesses, and attended Monster High. Whew! Now we're getting ready to go to Shane's for the Christmas Morning Santa Blitz and festivities with family and friends all day.

One of the reasons I believe Christmas is for kids is because of the reason we celebrate the season. Don't just celebrate His birth today, but make up your mind to celebrate His life 365 days of the year. That will keep you young even when you get old and help you to enjoy the life God has blessed you with.

Merry Christmas everybody...I hope you feel like a kid today.

Would You Know Jesus?

I often wonder if Jesus had been born tonight what the world's reaction would be-Would they know Jesus?

-Would the angels appear on CNN or Fox News and declare the wonderful proclaimation that the Chirst child was about to be born?

-Would three astrologists or scientists travel from the east following a star to find the house where the child was? And would it take them 24 months or just a matter of hours with a GPS, helicopter, or vertical jet?

-Would anyone believe the story that a virgin could be impregnated by the Holy Spirit or would the Daily Globe say it was an alien?

-Would the gifts brought to the Christ child be stocks, bonds, and money market accounts?

All of this sounds kind of strange doesn't it? And yes, it would be hard to believe even for us today.

Yet some people still have a hard time accepting Jesus in the greatest love story ever told. The love story that God had for mankind for all of eternity. He loved us so much that His only begotten son took on the form of flesh in the poorest of conditions to come and live among us. His only purpose was to bridge the gap that existed between us and eternity with Him and He successfully did just that.

The Christmas story of Matthew and Luke is still real today. I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I asked HIm to come into my heart and He did. It's not fiction-it is real. And on this Christmas Eve I'm glad I know Him. How about you? Do you know Jesus?

For Unto Us

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." (Isaiah 9:6)

I wonder which "us" that means?

-Is it the us that is so caught up in finding the perfect gift that the only perfect gift is forgotten?

-Is it the us that wraps the gifts at the last minute and forgets the eternal nature of the Christmas gift given so long ago?

-Is it the us that tries so hard to accommodate everyone and fit it all into their schedule yet still makes no room for the one that came to make everyone feel equal?

-Is it the us that must always must have an appeasing appearance with the seasonal displays yet fails to understand the significance of the simplicity of this season with rags and a feeding troth?

-Is it the us that always wants the biggest and the best, or the us that understands the power of giving over receiving?

Big, little, short, tall, skinny, fat, any color, any race, any creed-that's the us He was born for and the us He died for. Because of Him I exist-because of Him I overcome-because of Him I am victorious! Thank God the us He was given unto is you and me.

Remember that 365 days of the year and it just might make your Christmas a little brighter.

My Best Christmas Gifts

Whoever said that grandchildren were a special gift from God was absolutely right! 11 1/2 years ago we were blessed with the birth of our first grand, Hannah. 7 years later came Gracie, and then 2 1/2 years ago came my little man, Hayden. My daughter-in-law had a death in her family over the weekend so we had to keep Gracie and Hayden while she, Shane, and Hannah went to be with the family in Atlanta for the services on Monday and Tuesday.

Bed time is still a chore for those two. Gracie likes to sleep with the TV on all night and Hayden (at our house) doesn't know how to wind down. Gracie crashed at about 11:15 Monday night but Hayden waited until about 3 a.m. When I got up to go to the gym the next morning, he was asleep right next to the presents under the Christmas tree.

All three of them are such a blessing to Becky and I as we grow older. Hannah is beautiful like her mother and is developing some of the same vocal talents that she has as well. She also is taking interest in piano just like her mom, Mimi, and Popee. Gracie, who by the way lives with the middle child syndrome, loves attention and is quite a very proper little lady. She loves to dress up and has a big old smile that will catch your attention when you meet her. Hayden is all boy all the time with more energy than his Mimi, which is saying a lot. He never seems to slow down and loves to play and explore.

All three are different, not only age wise but in personality as well. Yet one thing I will always remember with all of them. I experienced it again last night. From the time all of them were little the greatest joy I ever had was just to lay back in the recliner with them laying on my chest and them taking a nap. Hayden weighs around 45 pounds so he's a pretty big little guy, but he will still crawl up in the chair with me, lay his head on my shoulder, and make himself a bed right then and there.

My dad didn't get to experience much with the majority of his grands. The Lord took him to heaven before most of them were born. I guess this is why they are some of the best gifts I could have ever received from the Lord. My health has declined over the past few years as a result of an accident and it's been a struggle sometimes to recover from the various surgeries I've gone through. But it's those 3 gifts-Hannah, Gracie, and Hayden- that give me the desire to keep pushing forward and not to give in or give up. They are worth everything to me and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to enjoy them. Their love is worth more than anything that money could buy.

This Christmas season if you are a grandparent, take time to thank God for the best Christmas gifts you could ever receive-young or old-your grands. They will keep your legacy alive and hopefully share the emotions you do for them with their children as well. As a dear friend of mine reminds me constantly during this season, "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a child or children!" Amen to that!

I Met Jesus At The Gym

I don't want to sound sacreligious, but it's true. Just a few days ago while working out on a Saturday morning, I saw Jesus walk into the gym. He was about 6' 2" tall and looked just like the Jesus we see in paintings and portraits. The only problem was, he wasn't real. He was just an ordianary person who was playing a role in a local Christmas production, who had let his hair grow long and grew a beard so he could look like what we think Jesus looks like. Man, what a let down!

Just kidding. None of us know what Jesus really looked like. Isaiah tries to describe Him as an ordinary man with ordinary features. He was no fashion model, nor perfectly dressed individual. He was just a carpenter for most of His adult life. I joke frequently that most people wouldn't know Jesus if He walked right up to them because they are looking for the guy in the pictures.

But you know I meet Jesus everyday. Not just at the gym, but in the mall, in Walmart, and in other places where people gather. I meet Him in the smiles of people who seem to really care about others. I meet Him in those who offer assistance to those who are in need. Yes, I even meet Him in the gym when I hear someone give God a testimony of praise for His faithfulness. In fact if you have a relationship with Him, people will meet Him through you. What a great way for people to know and see Jesus simply by the life that you live!

This Christmas season where will you meet Jesus? In the gym? In the mall? Or just maybe in your heart? One last thing, if you already know introduce Him to someone who doesn't. I promise, you'll be glad that you did.

What A Difference A Year Makes

Ten months ago on December 19th I was sitting in the parsonage at Union planning for our Christmas activities the next day at church. Becky and I were planning to leave out on Monday and come to our house on the campground for a week with the family. Here I am today on December 20th living in my home on the Campground, having just finished our Christmas Celebration at church just a few hours ago. None of us knew or planned these things, but God got into the arrangements and worked things out.

This was our first Christmas celebration in 14 years that wasn't at the Union Church of God. I still catch myself writing my old address down every once in awhile and I still think about dear friends gone on to glory that I pastored for so many years there. But you know what, this Christmas celebration was just as special and wonderful as any of those that I celebrated with the UCOG family. In fact, this Christmas will always be special because of new friends and a new church family that welcomed and accepted us here at DCOG during this past year.

What a difference a year makes. I can explain it in just a few simple lines:
-Some people that loved me last year in Union got mad at me because I left. They thought I was leaving for a promotion and not in the will of God.
-Some people last year knew that I was greatly burdened in my spirit and prayed for God to show me what to do concerning my future and my ministry.
-Some folks didn't know what to expect when they got me, but they received me and allowed me to lead them as the Lord directs me to do so.

Who knows what changes will take place in this coming year if the Lord holds off His return.

There are three things that I can truthfully say that I believe will make a difference this year in my life and ministry.
(1) God has rekindled my passion for ministry. With His help I believe this will be the year that God returns DCOG to it's full potential. I am praising Him now in this season of celebration for what He is going to do in our midst.

(2) I know I am in the center of God's plan for my life. It was time for Becky and I to leave Union. We knew it and so did God. We had to let go and we did. God has blessed the church there with another good pastor. As I told that congregation many times in the past I was not one that couldn't be replaced. In fact they would have probably gotten rid of me many a time but they would have lost Becky in the process (that's an inside joke).

(3) I believe that this year I will see the difference God can make in other people's lives become a greater reality. I am expecting, believing, and trusting for the greatest harvest of my ministry in 2011.

Well, this is what you get from a pastor who is pumped up after a great day of worship. What a difference from last week, what a difference from last year, and what a difference this coming year will bring.

Take time to enjoy this Christmas season with your loved ones and remember-it could be different next year.

Tips For A Debt-Free Holiday

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the state, consumers were worried, for their debt was so great.

The shoppers, they lie tense in their beds, as visions of credit cards danced through their heads.

They bought goodies and gifts without any plan, now they lie wakeful, wondering how things got so out of hand.

With no money to spare, and presents under the tree, all they can think of is 'Oh, woe is me!'

Then comes the thought as they lie wide-eyed nervous... 'I should have taken the advice of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.'

They told me to budget. They suggested I save. Instead I just spent and continually gave.

I gave them my Visa, Master Card, my American Express. Oh, why did I go to such an excess?

They said, 'Set a spending limit.' for each person I knew, and when using credit cards, 'Use just a few.'

They wanted me to shop while rested, and do at a leisurely pace, But I waited 'til the last minute. It seemed like a race.

They said 'Exchange names between family and friends. Start new traditions so excessive gift giving ends.'

They suggested I make gifts rather than buy. Now I'm in debt. I just want to cry.

A lesson can be learned from the tale told here. Start saving and plan early for next year!

God Has A Purpose In All Things

It was this week last year that I called our Administrative Bishop and asked to have my name considered at Donaldson Church of God in January 2010. It was probably one of the hardest things that I had ever done as a pastor because Becky and I had pastored the Union Church of God for 13 years. I prayed and questioned the Lord several times about leaving Union before I pursued any other venture because I wanted the Lord's Will in my life. When I made the call to the Overseer I knew I had done the right thing.

The last two years of my ministry have probably been the hardest for me. I can explain that statement in just a few sentances. First, it is always hard to leave a place that you are comfortable at. Becky and I were involved in so many things in church and throughout the community in Union that it was just second nature. There were no adjustments that had to be made because we knew everybody and they knew us. Second, the transition back to a larger city was great, but learning new people and the nuances of a new church were some things we hadn't had to do in 13 years so it was a little more difficult than I expected at age 57.

After the transition some thing begin to reveal themselves that really caused us both great hurt. Some folks that we really loved in our former church attacked us verbally and said things that were hurtful and not true because we had moved. They said that we had abandoned them. Man, I couldn't believe that those people would do such a thing because we had always been there when they needed us. To make it even worse I have had to deal with more problems and situations that I did not cause at DCOG than I ever expected. In fact the other day I just shook my head and said, "God what in the world are You doing to me? I'm too old for this!"

But the Lord has a purpose in all things. He did not speak to me out loud or send a huge demonstration my way, but in a simple way He let me know that if I were not in the center of His Will that the enemy would not be attacking me so much. He also proved to me that He is the Lord of the church and reminded me that He would seperate the chaff from the wheat and that when He was done it would be His church. All that I could do is just humble myself in His presence and believe.

So these are some things that I have learned and can express this Christmas season that I couldn't really say last year at this time and mean it:

-Regardless of what people do or say God is still good and will never leave me nor forsake me.
-Regardless of my failures He is strong in my weaknesses and will never let me down.
-Regardless of what others do God will provide and make a way where there is no way.

This Christmas season I am glad for my family, my church, my life; but most of all that I know I'm in the center of God's Will. And guess what? that's enough for me!

Yes, Santa Is A Guy

There is absolutely NO way Santa is female.   Here's why:

• First, Christmas would be late every year. The line at the department store would never move because Santa would feel the need to "bond" with every kid that sat on her lap. The elves would never get any toys made because they'd be too busy telling her, "No Santa, those red pants do not make you look fat."
  
• What woman would be caught dead in a chimney? Gosh, she might break a nail in there. Also, men don't care if they would get covered with ashes and soot while sliding down the chimney.
  
• And what about Santa's beard? I'm sure you'll agree that most women look significantly better without facial hair. Besides, a She-Santa would not go out without makeup.
  
• If Santa was female, she sure wouldn't have white hair. And she would never wear a hat because it would mess up her hair.
  
• The tradition is for cookies and milk to be left for Santa on Christmas Eve. If Santa were a woman, the tradition would be chocolates and Latte's. Also, a male Santa would judiciously take a bite from each cookie to prove he was there. If Santa was a woman, the whole darn box of Snackwells would be devoured and there'd be a sea of empty Ben & Jerry's containers all over the kitchen floor.
  
• Santa doesn't need to ask directions. A female Santa would get her directions from landmarks. Up in the sky there are no landmarks and no place to ask directions. Besides, a She-Santa would never go out driving in the snow and rain at night. She would make Mr. Claus do it, and then complain about the way he drove.
  
• A She-Santa would never say "HO HO HO". She would analyze it too much and think it was somehow demeaning.
  
• Would any self respecting female Santa really be seen wearing the SAME outfit year after year? No, she would have to have a new outfit each year. And red would not be the color. It would be more like pink or purple.
  
• A She-Santa would not clean up the mess that the rain-deer make. Like you are going to force the rain-deer to wait until they get back to the North Pole? Men have years of training and walking dogs; regardless of the weather.
  

Yup, Santa's a guy alright!

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S!

Who is this Child?

The Bible calls Him

          1. The son of David

          2. The son of Mary

          3. The son of Man

          4. The Son of God

I want to look at those four titles, of which variations are given in

scripture, and point out four different aspects of the Christ-child.

 -AS THE SON OF DAVID, HE WAS THE SOVEREIGN CHILD

Matthew 1:1 "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

Luke 1:31-33 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

A. He was the rightful king!

B. He was the rejected king!

C. He is the returning king!

 -AS THE SON OF MARY, HE WAS THE SUPERNATURAL CHILD

Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

A. This birth was seemingly impossible

B. This birth was stedfastly investigated

        1. By Joseph

        2. By the shepherds

        3. By the wise men

        4. By Herod

        5. By angels

        6. By the devil

        7. By God Almighty

C. This birth was supremely important

-AS THE SON OF MAN, HE WAS THE SERVANT CHILD

Matthew 9:6 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion

as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

As the servant child, the Lord Jesus Christ

A. Shared the problems of the flesh

        1. Physical weariness

        2. Hunger and thirst

        3. Physical pain

        4. However, He never sinned!

B. Submitted to the purpose of the Father

C. Showed a pattern for us to follow

        1. Obedience

        2. Patience

        3. Ministry to others

-AS THE SON OF GOD, HE WAS THE SAVIOR CHILD

Matthew 27:54 "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

As the Son of God

 A. He was the only sinless man who ever lived

 B. He was the only sacrifice that could take away sins

 C. He is the only Savior who can take you to heaven -John 14:6

The Christmas Card

The tradition of sending Christmas cards begun in 1843 – about the same time as the first Christmas seal was published. The first Christmas card was produced in England, and the idea was well-received, because the following year, more than 25,000 Christmas cards were sold. However, the first Christmas card provoked controversy in certain circles in England, because the Christmas card pictured a company of people touching glasses and saying “Merry Christmas”. Putting alcohol and holy Christmas in one picture did not please the English citizens then.
For more than thirty years, Americans had to import greeting cards from England. In 1875, German immigrant to the U.S. Louis Prang, opened a lithographic shop with $250, and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards. His initial creations featured birds and flowers, unrelated to the Xmas scene. By 1881, Prang was producing more than 5 million Christmas cards per year.

Today, Christmas cards come in all shapes and sizes -- from small and simple to big and colorful. The big American producer of Christmas cards, Hallmark, employs a whole army of Christmas card designers who produce new Christmas cards every season. The most popular cards are the old fashioned and nostalgic ones with sledges and pixies, and a big, chubby Santa Clause in a red and white coat.
Since the Internet became widespread in the middle of the 90’s, sending electronic Christmas cards became the trend.

Many homepages offer easy-to-use digital cards which simple require the user to write an email address, a traditional Christmas greeting wishing for many nice Christmas presents, and finish by clicking “send”. The card arrives in the receiver’s inbox, and the old Christmas greeting tradition is carried on albeit in a modern way.

Did you know that…

In 2004, the German post office gave away 20 million scented stickers for free to make Christmas cards smell like a fir Christmas tree, cinnamon, gingerbread, or a honey-wax candle.
A surge in Christmas cards came in the 1940s, courtesy of World War II. Friends and family, far away fighting, received cards with patriotic messages and symbols, like Uncle Sam.
Many organizations produce special Christmas cards as a fundraising tool. The most famous of these enterprises is probably the UNICEF Christmas card program, launched in 1949.
An average household in America will mail out 28 Christmas cards each year and see 28 cards arrive in their place.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The legend of the Poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties.

The two children loved Christmas but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing. One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene.

Of course other children teased them when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright blood red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers, just like we see them today.

Stop Being Somebody's Victim

The late US syndicated columnist Sydney J. Harris accompanied his friend George to his favorite newsstand. George greeted the man selling the newspapers courteously, but in return he received gruff service. He barely acknowledged his customer and never even looked up at him when he requested the late night edition. Accepting the newspaper, which was shoved rudely in his direction, George politely smiled and wished the newsman a pleasant weekend. The proprietor grunted an indiscernible sound and seemed relieved that the two men had completed their transaction.

As the two friends walked down the street the columnist asked, "Does he always treat you so rudely?" "Yes, unfortunately, he does," George responded. "And are you always so kind and friendly to him?" "Yes, I am!" George continued as they turned a corner. "Why are you so nice when he is so unfriendly to you?" With a look of deep contemplation, George explained, "Because I don't want him to decide how I am going to act."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who decides how you are going to act? Is it your circumstances or the difficult people in your life that determine your responses? When we allow our conflicts to control us, we behave as though getting rid of our predicaments is our only priority. Therefore, it doesn't really matter how we treat one another.

For example, we say, "This person is causing me distress right now so I don't care about exercising patience, self-control, and loving kindness. Instead, I want to let them to know how angry I am because of their actions."

We forget our trials will eventually subside. But the way we handle conflicts will influence our lives for a long time. Will you only respond to the momentary crisis or will you be more concerned about the enduring value of what kind of person you are becoming? Who decides how you will act when the pressure is on?

Weakness

This is a story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the Sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the Sensei intervened. "No," the Sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the Sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

 The boy's greatest weakness had become his greatest strength.

The Christmas Scout

Sam Bogan shares this story:
In spite of the fun and laughter, 13-year-old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was true he had received all the presents he wanted. And he enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve reunions with relatives for the purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes. But, Frank was not happy because this was his first Christmas without his brother, Steve, who during the year, had been killed by a reckless driver.

Frank missed his brother and the close companionship they had together. Frank said good-bye to his relatives and explained to his parents that he was leaving a little early to see a friend; and from there he could walk home. Since it was cold outside, Frank put on his new plaid jacket. It was his FAVORITE gift. He placed the other presents on his new sled. Then Frank headed out, hoping to find the patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop. Frank always felt understood by him. Though rich in wisdom, he lived in the Flats, the section of town where most of the poor lived, and his patrol leader did odd jobs to help support his family.

To Frank's disappointment, his friend was not at home. As Frank hiked down the street toward home, he caught glimpses of trees and decorations in many of the small houses. Then, through one front window, he glimpsed a shabby room with limp stockings hanging over an empty fireplace. A woman was seated nearby . . . weeping. The stockings reminded him of the way he and his brother had always hung theirs side by side. The next morning, they would be bursting with presents.

A sudden thought struck Frank -- he had not done his "good deed" for the day. Before the impulse passed, he knocked on the door. "Yes?" the sad voice of the woman asked. "May I come in?" asked Frank. "You are very welcome," she said, seeing his sled full of gifts, and assuming he was making a collection, "but I have no food or gifts for you. I have nothing for my own children."

"That's not why I am here," Frank replied. "Please choose whatever presents you would like for your children from the sled."

"Why, God bless you!" the amazed woman answered gratefully. She selected some candies, a game, the toy airplane and a puzzle. When she took the Scout flashlight, Frank almost cried out. Finally, the stockings were full.

"Won't you tell me your name?" she asked, as Frank was leaving.

"Just call me the Christmas Scout," he replied.

The visit left Frank touched, and with an unexpected flicker of joy in his heart. He understood that his sorrow was not the only sorrow in the world. Before he left the Flats, he had given away the remainder of his gifts. The plaid jacket had gone to a shivering boy.

Now Frank trudged homeward, cold and uneasy. How could he explain to his parents that he had given his presents away? "Where are your presents, son?" asked his father as Frank entered the house.

Frank answered, "I gave them away."

"The airplane from Aunt Susan? Your coat from Grandma? Your flashlight? We thought you were happy with your gifts."

"I was -- very happy," the boy answered quietly.

"But Frank, how could you be so impulsive?" his mother asked. "How will we explain to the relatives who spent so much time and gave so much love shopping for you?"

His father was firm. "You made your choice, Frank. We cannot afford any more presents."

With his brother gone, and his family disappointed in him, Frank suddenly felt dreadfully alone. He had not expected a reward for his generosity, for he knew that a good deed always should be its own reward. It would be tarnished otherwise. So he did not want his gifts back; however he wondered if he would ever again truly recapture joy in his life. He thought he had this evening, but it had been fleeting. Frank thought of his brother, and sobbed himself to sleep.

The next morning, he came downstairs to find his parents listening to Christmas music on the radio. Then the announcer spoke: "Merry Christmas, everybody! The nicest Christmas story we have this morning comes from the Flats. A crippled boy down there has a new sled this morning, another youngster has a fine plaid jacket, and several families report that their children were made happy last night by gifts from a teenage boy who simply called himself the Christmas Scout. No one could identify him, but the children of the Flats claim that the Christmas Scout was a personal representative of old Santa Claus himself."

Frank felt his father's arms go around his shoulders, and he saw his mother smiling through her tears. "Why didn't you tell us? We didn't understand. We are so proud of you, son."

The carols came over the air again filling the room with music: ". . .Praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on Earth."

The Christmas Scout's sacrifice gives us a little peek at the sacrifice of the Father when He gave up His Best, His Son to be born to die to pay for our sins on the cross, to save His needy people from their sinful poverty of righteousness.

"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'."   Acts 20:35

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."   Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV)

The Story of Silent Night

Father Joseph Mohr sat at the old organ. His fingers stretched over the keys, forming the notes of a chord. He took a deep breath and pressed down. Nothing. He lifted his fingers and tried again. Silence echoed through the church.

Father Joseph shook his head. It was no use. The pipes were rusted, the bellows mildewed. The organ had been wheezing and growing quieter for months, and Father Joseph had been hoping it would hold together until the organ builder arrived to repair it in the spring. But now, on December 23, 1818, the organ had finally given out. St. Nicholas Church would have no music for Christmas.

Father Joseph sighed. Maybe a brisk walk would make him feel better. He pulled on his overcoat and stepped out into the night. His white breath puffed out before him. Moonlight sparkled off the snow-crusted trees and houses in the village of Oberndorf. Father Joseph crunched through the snowy streets to the edge of the little Austrian town and climbed the path leading up the mountain.

From high above Oberndorf, Father Joseph watched the Salzach River ripple past St. Nicholas Church. In the spring, when melting snow flowed down the mountains and the river swelled in its banks, water lapped at the foundation of the church. It was moisture from the flooding river that had caused the organ to mildew and rust.

Father Joseph looked out over the Austrian Alps. Stars shone above in the still and silent night.

Silent night? Father Joseph stopped. Of course! "Silent Night!" He had written a poem a few years before, when he had first become a priest, and he had given it that very title. "Silent Night."

Father Joseph scrambled down the mountain. Suddenly he knew how to bring music to the church.
The next morning, Father Joseph set out on another walk. This time he carried his poem. And this time he knew exactly where he was going -- to see his friend Franz Gruber, the organist for St. Nicholas, who lived in the next village.

Franz Gruber was surprised to see the priest so far from home on Christmas Eve, and even more surprised when Father Joseph handed him the poem.

That night Father Joseph and Franz Gruber stood at the altar of St. Nicholas Church. Father Joseph held his guitar. He could see members of the congregation giving each other puzzled looks. They had never heard a guitar played in church before, and certainly not during midnight mass on Christmas Eve, the holiest night of the year.

Father Joseph picked out a few notes on the guitar, and he and Franz Gruber began to sing. Their two voices rang out, joined by the church choir on the chorus. Franz Gruber's melody matched the simplicity and honesty of Father Joseph's words.

When the last notes faded into the night, the congregation remained still for a moment, then began to clap their hands. Applause filled the church. The villagers of Oberndorf loved the song! Father Joseph's plan to bring music to St. Nicholas Church had worked.

A few months later, the organ builder arrived in Oberndorf and found the words and music to "Silent Night" lying on the organ. The song enchanted him, and when he left, he took a copy of it with him.

The organ builder gave the song to two families of traveling singers who lived near his home. The traveling singers performed "Silent Night" in concerts all over Europe, and soon the song spread throughout the world.

Today, cathedral choirs and carolers from New York to New Zealand sing the simple song that was first played in a mountain church in Austria on Christmas Eve nearly 200 years ago.

That's A Christmas Song?

Sometimes the kids don't always understand the titles or words to a Christmas carol or song. These are the ones that I have heard get a little mixed up over the years:

1. We three kings of porridge and tar.
2. On the first day of Christmas, my tulip gave to me.
3. Sleep in heavenly peas.
4. He's making a list, chicken and rice.
5. You'll go down in Listerine.
6. Noel, Noel, Barney's the King of Israel.
7. Olive, the other reindeer...
8. Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf, I say.
9. Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay.
10. In the meadow we can build a snowman; then pretend that he is sparse and brown.
11. Come, froggy faithful.
12. Deck the halls with Buddy Holly.

What Does A Christmas Angel Look Like?

What Does The Christmas Angel Look Like?

• Angels come in all shapes and sizes; all ages and skin types.
• For example, the little old lady who returned your purse last week.
• They come disguised as enemies, teachers, students, even fools.
• Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world, when you smile.
• They don't take life too seriously, they travel light.
• Remember the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.
• An angel leaves no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return.
• Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.
• Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you believe.
• Remember the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your way.
• Think back to the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one.
• Some cherubs have freckles, some have dimples, think of some with wrinkles, some without.
• They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, but when you choose to see, angels are everywhere you look.
• So, open your eyes and count all your Angels; for you are truly blessed.

A Few Good Christmas Ideas

Here are a few ideas to help sort out the consumer lust this season brings.

First, if it’s a great idea today, it will be a great idea tomorrow. Don’t make any impulsive purchase. Decide if it is a need or want, and look at the checkbook before going any further. If it’s a real need, you will not care what the credit card or bank ledger says after the purchase. If it is a want, wait a day or two, and then go for it if you still feel the desire you felt at the store that first day.

Second, don’t buy anything just to make you feel better. You will always come back to your ‘emotional center’, and if your not happy with yourself, you won’t be happy after any particular purchase for long.

Third, don’t go shopping without a list of ‘who’ you are shopping for and ‘what’ you are need to get. In addition, a rough budget for gifts can help when you need more help making a decision.

Fourth, take inventory of how much you have. We must search to find a balance between what we have and what we want. Take a look at the following article, and realize you are probably very blessed right now. Then go into the Malls and have a great time. Giving is fun, knowing you thought it through before you stepped out the door.

Senior Version of Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, this I know Though my hair is white as snow Though my sight is growing dim Still He bids me trust in him.
(chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me Yes. Jesus loves me the bible tells me so. Though my steps are oh, so slow. With my hand in his I'll go On through life, let come what may He'll be there too lead the way (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me Yes. Jesus loves me the bible tells me so. Though I am no longer young, I have much which he's begun Let me serve Christ with a smile. Go with other's the" extra mile (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me Yes. Jesus loves me the bible tells me so. When the nights are dark and long, In my heart he puts a song, Telling me in words so clear, "Have not fear, for I am near." (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me Yes. Jesus loves me the bible tells me so. When my work on earth is done, And life's vic'tries have been won He will take me home above, Then I'll understand his love (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me Yes. Jesus loves me the bible tells me so. I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told Him so? Jesus loves to hear me say That I love him every day.

The Value of Time

• To realize the value of ten years:
  Ask a newly divorced couple.
  
• To realize the value of four years:
  Ask a graduate.
  
• To realize the value of one year:
  Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
  
• To realize the value of nine months:
  Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.
  
• To realize the value of one month:
  Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
  
• To realize the value of one week:
  Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
  
• To realize the value of one hour:
  Ask lovers who are waiting to meet.
  
• To realize the value of one minute:
  Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
  
• To realize the value of one second:
  Ask a person who has survived an accident.
  
• To realize the value of one millisecond:
  Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.
  
• To realize the value of a friend:
  Lose one.

Time waits for no one.  Treasure every moment you have.

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

Christmas Love

I shared this story this past Wednesday night in my message. This is from Candy Chand's book entitled "Christmas Love" available from her website or on Amazon.com. If this doesn't touch you nothing will.

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. But once again, despite my plans, chaos prevailed. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and yes, even the all American pastime, overspending. Yet, still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and, of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old filled with hopes, dreams and laughter. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.

Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, just as I promised, on the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment -- songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. The melodies were fun, cute and lighthearted, but nowhere to be found was even the hint of an innocent babe, a manger, or Christ’s sacred gift of hope and joy. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love", I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row -- center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her -- a small, quiet girl in the front row who was holding the letter "M" upside down. She was entirely unaware, that reversed, her letter "M" appeared as a "W." Fidgeting from side to side, she soon moved entirely away from her mark.

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at the little one's mistake. But in her innocence, she had no idea they were laughing at her as she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

One can only imagine the difficulty in calming an audience of young, giggling students. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood -- the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

CHRIST WAS LOVE

And, I believe, He still is.

~ Candy Chand ~

A Bigger Frying Pan

Two men went fishing. One man was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back. The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.

The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small. We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way

The Little Shepherd Boy

The green hills of Judea echoed with the plaintive melody of a shepherd's pipe as young Aram nestled onto his mat for the night. His father was out there somewhere, along with Aram's two uncles, tending the flocks. Aram wished he could be with them, but that was impossible. His right arm was withered from birth and had little strength. So he stayed in the cave that his father and uncles had hacked into the white stone that lay just below the soil, and helped his mother whenever he could.

The chill night of the Winter Solstice drifted through the cave. Aram raised up on his good arm and looked across the valley to Bethlehem. He knew the town was filled with people from all over Judea and Galilee -- even from Egypt -- ordered there by Caesar to be counted in the census. Aram could see the white stone buildings clearly, even though there was no moon. A very bright star had risen for the first time the night before, hung directly over Bethlehem, and was nearly as brilliant as a full moon. His father worried about the star. Could it be a sign of a coming calamity? Such things had happened before, he told Aram.

Aram was almost asleep when he heard a sudden commotion outside the cave. He looked out and saw his father and uncles hurrying down the path. Something terrible must have happened! Aram jumped up, threw his cloak over his shoulders, and ran to meet them.

"What is wrong, Father?" he shouted. "Where are you going?"

"To Bethlehem," came the breathless reply. "Where is your mother?"

"Asleep, I think," Aram answered. Then he asked, "Why are you going to Bethlehem. Where are the flocks?"

The three men paused a moment. "Back in the hills," his father said. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was distracted by two more shepherds running up a second path towards them. They both had wild looks in their eyes. Aram's father spoke. "So you have seen them, too?"

"Angels," one of the men answered breathlessly. "A host of angels came out of the sky. We saw this with our own eyes."

"So did we," Aram's father replied. "So we were not dreaming."

"Angels?" Aram asked.

"Yes, my son. Angels just appeared to us and said that the long-awaited Messiah had just been born in Bethlehem."

"In a stable in Bethlehem!" one of the strangers shouted in disbelief. "Why would a Savior be born in a place like Bethlehem?"

"Do you not remember the words of the prophet Micah?" answered Aram's father. "'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.' We are going to Bethlehem now to see this thing which has happened."

Aram was beside himself with excitement. "Can I go too, Father?"

"Yes. Come with us. We will all go to see this child."

Bethlehem, basking in the silvery light of the bright star overhead, was even more crowded than Aram had imagined. Travelers were sleeping in every available space, their cloaks pulled up over their chins to ward off the biting air. The shepherds had to walk carefully lest they accidentally step on someone.

They asked a few people if they knew of a woman who had a new baby that night. Aram had been to Bethlehem once or twice in the past year. He knew that shepherds were held in low regard by the people. Shepherds were nomadic and had no roots. Furthermore, most of them were as dirty as their sheep. So most of his father's questions were answered by curt replies. One man, sitting outside a crowded hostel, began cursing when Aram's father asked about the child.

"Get away from me you filthy pigs," he shouted, disturbing the other sleepers. "Go back to your sheep. They're the only ones who can stand the stink of you!"

The commotion brought out the innkeeper's wife. "What is this?" she asked angrily.

Aram's father calmly explained they were looking for a woman who had just had a baby.

"There was a couple here earlier -- from Galilee, I think," the innkeeper's wife replied tartly. "We had no room for them so we sent the pair to a small cave that we use as a stable. You can find it if you follow the path behind the inn." Then she waved her hands in the air. "Now go, so our guests can get some sleep."

The shepherds hurried to the rear of the inn where they easily found the well-worn path. A hundred feet later, they came to an opening -- a man-made cave hollowed into the side of the hill -- just like Aram's home. A young man stood at the entrance and watched them as they approached.

"A thousand pardons for disturbing you, sir," Aram's father said, bowing low in the custom of Jews when intruding. "We seek a new born baby. We were in the fields with our flock when angels appeared and told us that the long-awaited Messiah had been born in the City of David."

The young man did not seem surprised at the news. In fact, he acted like he had expected their visit. "I am Joseph of Nazareth," he said quietly. "My wife Mary is inside, and she has just delivered a son."

"May we see the child?" Aram's father asked. "We wouldn't ask otherwise, but angels sent us here."

"Just a moment," Joseph said as he disappeared into the cave. In a instant he returned, holding out his hand in welcome.

~~~~~~~

Inside the cave a flickering oil lamp cast a yellow pall over the interior. The smell of sweet straw mingled with the earthy odors of animals in their stalls. Beside the lamp sat a young woman with long, dark hair, who could not have been more than 14 or 15 years old. She smiled at the visitors.

"The child you seek is in the manger," Joseph said.

Aram was thrilled beyond words. If this was the Messiah that God had promised Israel, he would be among the first to see him -- poor little Aram, the shepherd boy with the withered arm, was about to see a king.

The shepherds moved closer to the manger, a crude wooden box with chips and dents in the side where the animals had chewed on it. Mary stood up and reached into the manger, pulling back a mass of swaddling cloths to reveal a wrinkled, red little face. Aram and the rest of the shepherds fell down on their knees to worship the new king, but Aram remained standing. He was transfixed by the baby. Mary said nothing. Instead she reached into the manger and tenderly lifted her child. He held it to her breast for a moment, smiling at Aram. Then, to his amazement, she held it out for him to take.

Aram's father saw what was happening. "Sir," he said, addressing Joseph because it would be unseemly to talk directly to his wife. "Do not allow your wife to let my son Aram hold the child. He has a withered arm and will drop the baby."

Joseph glanced nervously at his wife who only smiled and continued holding the child out to Aram. Everyone held their breath. It would have been bad manners to protest further. Aram reached over and took the infant, being careful to support his head. To the amazement of all, he held the child securely. Aram smiled at the sleeping infant in his arms. Then he asked Mary, "What is his name?"

"Jesus," she replied softly. "The child's name is Jesus."

~~~~~~~

A few moments later, the shepherds bid their goodbyes to the family and left the cave. At the top of the hill, they turned right and headed out of Bethlehem, toward their flocks still grazing in the hills. They had not worried about the animals straying. Surely God would tend to them while they were on their mission. Instead of worrying about their animals, they shouted and praised God for his goodness and mercy toward all mankind.

As they walked toward the Judean hills, Aram's father also marveled at what he had seen, but admitted that he had had a nervous moment when the woman had given Aram the baby to hold. "I did not think you had such strength in that arm," he said.

"Have you not noticed?" one of the others said.

"Noticed?"

"Yes, your son's arm. Am I the only one of us, including Aram, that has actually seen what has happened? Take a close look."

Aram's father fell to his knees and squinted at the arm through the darkness. Then he let out a little cry of joy and praised God. The withered arm had been healed.