Christmas Memories
Here is one of my old Christmas blog post, hope that you will enjoy
Christmas memories…
I am having a difficult day today! I really am! I am thinking about Christmas when I really should be thinking about sermons that I need to study, and trips that I need to plan, but Christmas is in the air! The Radio stations are playing Christmas music; all of the main streets in our little town are decked out in full Christmas regalia. Today after our rain there was even a slight chill in the air. Christmas is more than a day, it is a season, a life style, Christmastime has a way of consuming your thoughts, building your hopes and allow to dream! Even living and Florida, I can dream of a white Christmas! Christmas for me is memories and family. I love to think back about our Christmas in Carolina and our first Christmas’ in Orange Park. Our girls were little and so wonderful. I have decided that I love experiencing Christmas through the life of a child! I will never forget my daughter Ashley when she would sing the Alabama Christmas song “Christmas Memories” she would always say “now it don’t take a lot of money, to know what britches are” and we would roll! Christmas memories, we all have them, feelings of good friends, and family; a season of hope…
When reading the Christmas story I cannot help but wonder about the Shepherds. Here they are keeping watch over their flocks by night. On guard looking for something out of the ordinary, a blade of grass moving or activity on the road. These trained men knew the importance of keeping a vigilant watch over their flocks. Some scholars might have you to think that they did not have anything important to do, except sit and watch. Dangers were around every rock so constant attention to detail was needed to insure the safety of the flock. These men had spent hundreds of nights just like this one. I can imagine them looking into the heavens when what appears before them but an angel of the Lord. These sheep farmers had most likely never seen a Heavenly Host, so they did exactly what you or I would do in a similar situation; they fell to the face, scared to death.
And the Angel speaks, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the City of David…” I’ll bet the Shepherds needed some good news. “Don’t be afraid, listen we are here to tell you the best news that you have ever heard. This news is not only for Kings and Royalty, this news is not only for the middle class and blue collar workers, this news is not only for black people, white people, Jews or Greeks, it is for everyone! Even you Shepherds. Even you who think no body even knows of my existence.” I know that on that first Christmas night, a memory was made. I’ll bet those Shepherds never got over the Angel, the Heavenly Choir or the Star. I’ll bet those tough Shepherds never got over the Baby they found wrapped snugly in cloth and placed in a feeding trough. Christmas memories, the promise of Peace and Hope! I want to encourage you during this Christmas season to make some memories…I love you all <><
Good morning World
I love the early morning. I love to wake up when it is still dark and still outside. I find that on most mornings I usually wake up around 2 minutes before my clock actually goes off. The first thing that I do as my feet hit the floor is to quickly survey the outside. In my bedroom there are three large sliding doors and I love to stare out into the darkness. I do this in anticipation of the prize. From my morning routine, I have realized that If the timing is right, I will have just enough time to grab my phone (for pictures) and a hot cup of coffee and head out to the docks to assume the position in my favorite and special spot. I have learned that on most mornings the opportunity cost of rising early pays spectacular benefits. So I patiently await the wonderful prize that I just know I am getting ready to receive. The anticipation is often palpable. I find my self waiting and wondering…sitting and thinking…praying and pondering. Some times my thoughts are just simply…will I be rewarded for my diligence? Living on the St. Johns river in North Florida is a wonderful experience, because most mornings I am not at all disappointed. I get to experience the splendor of God as He paints the sky with light. The Sun slowly rises on the eastern horizon and watching it rise…never gets old. I have taken thousands of pictures of the Florida Sunrise and some have ask me why. The reason is that people who are my friends on facebook from all over the world are counting on me…waiting for the picture, they are soldiers in Afghanistan, seminary students in North Carolina, sister’s in Tennessee, friends in California and Nevada. I try not to disappoint so I enjoy waiting and posting. But this is not the only reason that I do this…I love the morning…I believe that God is the greatest artist ever and as I watch Him paint the sky with light, I feel very close to Him. So enjoy the sunrise, I will continue posting and I hope and pray that you enjoy them. Peace!
Is Obama for real….I suggest that we Occupy America
Is Obama for real…this is a question being ask more and more by average Americans as we barrel down the path to his (Obama’s) supposed hope and change. As we approach the 2012 presidential election it is blatantly apparent that we as a nation need to turn back to God and to pray. We need reform and change if we are going to survive as a nation. Never before in the 235 year history of our great nation have as we been so politically polarized. Elected officials cannot work out differences, they are unwilling to work together for solutions, putting their political party and personal aspirations above that of the people of the great country that has elected them. One of the major problems is that we as a people have stopped demanding excellence and holding these people that we put into office accountable. We have become a nation of consumers…we build very little and the little that we do not ship overseas to be mass produced most Americans could not even fathom what it would be like to afford the purchase any way. We have also become a nation of rebellion and protest without cause. In the 60′s and 70′s when people protested, they could at least articulate the reason they were protesting. The occupy movement prevalent today has stirred up “the 99%” and most of these folks have no idea why or what they are even protesting. They some how feel oppressed because they cannot understand why some are wealthy and they are not. Can I suggest that the people that have made lots of money have been willing to work hard and spend the time that it takes to accomplish this. Most people today are unwilling to work and earn, they are upset because no one is willing to give them their part of the American dream. I know that many will most likely be upset by reading this blog and for this I am truly sorry. I believe that someone needs to say these things and my hope is to stimulate thought. We the people, still matter and our voice and vote still counts. We each have a vote which means we have a voice in the process. These occupier’s are looking to Obama to supply them with his hope and change. Obama’s hope and change comes at a huge cost and frankly he cannot and will not provide this. Face the facts, he does not know how to bring hope or change. Are the American people really ready to throw in the towel and accept his socialistic ideals? Are we ready to give up to him this country on a platter or are we going to continue allowing him to spend us into oblivion? It seems that his administration is out to destroy all the values that mean the most to the average American. Who are the average American, people who work hard, raise families and love this great country. It is simply amazing at how Obama’s actions have greatly affected our country. When will it stop? Can I encourage you to stop and pray…let us take our country back, let us rebel at the ballot box…I wish there were a way there were away to allow us to make a clean sweep and start from scratch. It is time that we hold these people accountable. I would love to see people in office who hold this country in deep regard, not some political hack who is not smart enough to make it in the real world. I would love to see the best and brightest in our country be encouraged and serve our great nation. I have the privilege of working with a very smart group of college students who have no desire to hold public office and this troubles me. We as a nation need to ask the hard questions…why are they not willing to serve? It is because the machine that has become government no longer looks to the good of country…it has become a series of failed programs and policies. We are broken and need to restore the values once held near and dear to our hearts. Hope and change can take place, but it is going to be at the ballot box. We are electing a President as well as key congressional and senate seats. These are up for grab in November. Get Active, get out and find out about the candidates, ask the tough questions, make demands…we can be many voices, let us take our great country back…I would love to hear from you. Let me know how you feel. Peace, let us strike back and Occupy America!
Christmas time on Bearwallow
Here is one of my old post about my fond memories of Christmastime on Bearwallow Road, Ashland City, Tennessee
Cold, brown, bleak…dampness
The smell of wet leaves, wood smoke, coal soot
Trees…the bare branches moving in the cool air
Frost on the windows…behind the windows soft lights from lamps on end tables
Warmth from a gas stove…warm socks on wood floors…a ten year old’s dream
Wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen…iron beds…mattresses to soft…wardrobes with secret drawers. A pocket knife, colored lights on a fresh cut cedar that does not fit well in the stand…simple ornaments, each one having a specific and special meaning…conjuring thoughts of Christmas’ past
The here and now…grand children…children…family and friends, a season of joy, a season of hope! A love for God and a love for people…memories that transport you back to a place and a season…Christmastime on Bearwallow…
Major Camping Equipment Fail
One of the favorite things to do with my family is to spend time in the great out doors camping. My entire family loves to camp. We enjoy spending time with our grown daughters and their husbands and we really love having all the grandkids around. Because our family is growing and leaving home, my wife and I have developed several camping scenarios. Normally, for camping trips of less than three days we leave our Coachman travel trailer at the house and go old school by camping in our Coleman six man tent. Camping in tents can be fun and the major advantage is that tent camping is easier and cheaper. As my wife and I grow older with grace, we understand the importance of a good nights sleep…this is where my disappointment begins. We have accumulated a variety of camping equipment over the years and I look for bargains and quality gear. Over the years I have bought many air mattresses of various sizes. We learned early on in our camping experience, to steer clear of most store brand mattresses (Ozark Trail, etc..) because the quality is just not there and they will not hold up. I am normally a big fan of Coleman camping equipment but recent mattress failures have caused me to have to reconsider. I am disappointed because the last three Coleman air mattresses that I have purchased have failed prematurely. They have failed under gentle use. I take care of my equipment and use it in the way that it supposed to be used. LIke I said, I am a huge fan of Coleman equipment, but the new equipment being produced should not have (in my opinion) the great mans name on the goods. I have a Coleman Stove from 1960 that works wonderfully, I have a Coleman “Sunshine of the Night” Lantern from 1980 which is very high quality and has lit our family camp sites for years. I am disappointed in these air mattresses so I would not suggest that anyone purchase one because they will fail after gentle use. I am currently looking at the AeroBed and will probably make the purchase very soon. I did find a handy web site, that reviews different mattresses at this link. http://bestairmattressreviews.com/ Happy camping…:)
Let me know what your air mattress recommendations are or your air mattress failures…
Cultural Christianity
Cultural Christianity…this is a term being thrown around a lot today as believers constantly search for significance in a digital world. And what truly is amazing to me about this term is that 20 years ago, this statement would have never been vocalized or discussed. It is almost as if the 21st century believer is trying to find ways to fit into modern culture. This is a difficult dilemma, because modern culture often is in stark contrast to what the church believes. The modern culture that I am writing about is very much anti Christian. The church many times struggles at finding ways that will allow them to better fit into their communities. When this happens they forget that scripture teaches that we are not to conform to the patterns of this world. The 21st century church needs to stop looking for the God they want and start seeking the God who is. Think about it, His word does not change. The Church has been set apart for the work of God. We are to seek His perfect will not acceptance from community. God demands our excellence. Anything less brings no honor to Him. He is God and He is sovereign. He still is in control and we need never forget this. Why do people join the church today? Is it for cultural reasons, I pray not. The Church is not a bed and breakfast; it is a hospital seeking those who desire a transformed life! The Church is an army that is equipping the current generation to share the life changing good news of Jesus Christ. I hope that you are ready for battle. I love you all.
