A Christmas Past

 As I sit and reminisce of Christmas' when I was a child, I can't help but think how simple it was.  There was no crazy shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  That day was set aside to help to put the Christmas tree up.  Christmas lists were picked out of the Sears Christmas catalog, not an entire wish list in Amazon cart.  Kids seemed happy to open their one gift and then get their LifeSavers book in their stocking.  Christmas parties were celebrated with family, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day.

The world is too busy.  We shop at stores; we shop online.  We schedule too many Christmas parties that you don't have time to visit with those that are most important.  Worrying about getting enough gifts for all those people in your life.

I think my dad was on to something.  Ever since I can remember, whenever we would ask Dad what he wanted for Christmas, the answer was always the same, "I don't want anything you can buy.  I just want time with my family."  Here as I sit, I find myself telling my kids that same answer more and more for holidays, birthdays, etc.  I will always pick up the tab to have all my family sitting at the same table.  It doesn't matter what we are wearing or how fancy it is.  All that wastes too much time that could be spent together.

So then 2020 throws us the Covid Christmas.  Legislators and leaders are telling us not to meet, but that's just what this world needs more of.  We need to invest in the relationships of those important to us.  We need to spend time, virtually or in-person.  It doesn't matter.  Life's too short and it may be the last holiday with one of those important people.  I have been there, not knowing from one Christmas to the next, who would be with us at the table.

As we embark on this Christmas season, do something different than we have now been trained to do.  Stop shopping long enough to reach someone you love.  Stop overfilling schedules and spend the time,  quality time with those that are in for the long haul.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  And when you are thinking about all the things you "want," ask yourself what someone else needs.

I love you all, and Merry Christmas!!!

The Valley

So it appears that we have hit another valley, with a big mountain on the other side.  Challenges that some never wanted to face, yet others doubt that they have the energy to get through.  It causes doubt, and makes people desparate, wanting immediate change.  But haven't we been told that we get better, stronger during these challenges.  In James 1:12, we are told "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

Eric Thomas tells us, "You gotta grind."  When times are tough, you gotta grind.  When you are tired, you gotta grind.  When facing a new challenge, you gotta grind.  Even when things aren't so bad, you gotta grind to make yourself better.  Most of our growth is done when we are going through the tough times.   

For some of us, we are going through those valleys of challenges ourselves.  We feel the struggle, and sometimes our own mindset drags us backwards or knocks us down.  We have to resist those times to go backwards though.  We need to keep moving forward, whether it's one inch, one foot or even miles, keep moving forward.  

Ironically, our stories have already been written.  And our challenges have already been defeated.  So set your compasses to get you out of that valley even if the biggest mountain is in front of you.  Our compass has already given us direction and is leading us there.  "The Lord directs the steps of the Godly.  He delights in every step of their lives." (Psalm 37:23). 

When you get to that mountain, figure out the best group to help you get to the top.  Then figure out how you can best help them to get there.  Don't settle for halfway, don't settle for mediocre.  Getting to the top is not easy, and there may be valleys along the way, but become the best version that you can be.  As for Tami and I, we are coming out of that valley.  We both have committed to things that we have not done ever or in at least ten years.  A valley doesn't have to have negative consequences.  A valley can be the start of something great.  

What if the Cloud is Coming?

What if the Cloud is Coming?

Twenty-twenty. You have caused so much heartache, pain, and distortion.  People have died, others have fought.  But the time has come to end all that.  I have friends that have had dreams, or maybe even prophecies of the days we are in.  So, tonight, I put my head down and prayed.  Tears welled my eyes for the relationships that were once so treasured in our world are now being separated by politics, illness, and even hate. 

It was then that the question popped into my head, feeling like it hit me like a bolt of lightning.  Kind of an awakening.  One thing is certain.  We cannot rest in the pursuit of Jesus Christ.  Through Him we can be saved, sanctified, and healed before He comes again.  What if this is it?  What if He is in route?  Now is the time.  

Matthew chapter 24 reminds us that “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.”  But we can be assured because Jesus has already won.  

What if that Cloud is coming? What if the judgement is more near than ever before?  Have you done all that you need to?  Time is deceptive in terms of the Bible.  But rather than concern us with exactly when Jesus will be among us, let’s try to live so that we will be ready when He arrives.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God that we should no longer deny.  For if we deny God, then it is we that will be denied ourselves.  

And yet, don’t be troubled.  Don’t fret or fear the Second Coming because we are told that these times will come to pass also.  The best we can do is to live our lives as close to the example Jesus taught us by living Himself among us.  The best we can do is be the absolute version of ourselves that God created us for.  

The truth will come and that is not our judgement.  As a matter of fact, it is not even the court’s judgement that will matter.  There is only One that can judge. So in the meantime, do what you can to not deny God and to be the perfect image of God that He created only for you.  What if the Cloud is coming?

A World like I have never Seen it

It's March 2020.  The world feels as if it is falling apart.  People are scared.  But there is hope.  In my life, I cannot remember a time when the world, this country was scrambling as they are right now.  But there is hope.  Schools closing. Major events cancelled.

I can't tell you if I will get sick.  I can't tell you if anyone in my family will get sick.  But I can tell you that I am not going to live in fear.  I refuse to allow this pandemic to keep me from living with a hope of a better tomorrow, even a better later today.  I refuse to let this cause me to live in fear.  I refuse to let this stop me from helping and serving others.  And I refuse to let this stop me from serving a God that is much bigger than any virus or illness we will face. 

So what do we do....

We pray.  When we hit our knees and pray to a great God, miracles can take place.  Matthew 26:41 (NLT) says, "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”  Avoid the temptation of feeding into the scare that is taking this world by storm.  But do pay attention.  It may make us tired and feel weak hearing all of the bad things that come with this.  But keep praying!  Keep the Spirit close.  The Spirit is ready and willing to keep guard while the body is tired.

We fall forward.  When I was coaching, I like to say that times will be tough, but we must keep going.  There is an old saying that says, "If you fall seven times, get up eight."  But sometimes it just is not that easy.  But what you can do is fall forward, and that is just what we need to do.  We need to fall forward, and keep moving forward, crawling, digging, whatever we can to just keep moving forward until we can get back up.  It is the only way that we can make progress, individually or all of us as a whole. 

We must stay positive. Times may get tough, but you're not alone, and you need to find a way to stay positive.  Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) indicates, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Positive thinking provides an opportunity to get a jump start on healing.  But just as Proverbs says a crushed spirit is succumbing to whatever it is that is bringing you down.  A positive attitude is contagious.  It helps your immune system. And it just makes you feel better.

We must serve and help others.  Even if I come down with this illness, to keep it in perspective, I will be better off than some of the people I have served and visited with.  It is important that we take care of ourselves, but it as Paul say in Philippians 2:4 (ESV), "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  There are some that cannot take care of themselves.  Should we turn a blind eye to them and not help them.  No, it is important we take care of each other and those in need as well. 

We must choose faith and not fear.  We need to keep in mind that we serve a God that all powerful, can do anything whenever He chooses to, and can perform miracles through us and in us.  Don't doubt that and don't avoid telling others that.  But where do we find faith?  "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."  (Romans 10:17 ESV) If you are living in fear or have some fears, find some strength by sitting down and pulling out the Bible and reading.  But when you read, listen, be vulnerable enough to let God speak to you through the Word.  "When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you."  (Psalm 56:3, ESV). Fear is a real emotion that causes reaction.  We can react be putting our trust in our faith.

So, yes, these crazy times are upon us. How will you respond?  I choose to pray, fall forward, stay positive, serve others, and be faithful.