December 19, 2009

 

Was wishing for snow last night, maybe tonight.  Looking forward to the Saints game tonight with grandson and J.C.

Have a good evening…

Jim

December 18, 2009

 

Starting out a cool rainy morning at the coffee shop.  I could sit here and work for hours but other things are calling.

I just read a weather warning on channel 5 that said there was a good chance of snow tonight.  Grandson Kevin is here this weekend so I started thinking about what all we might do in the snow should we get enough to play in.

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As I think about Christmas and all the joy of the Christmas season, I have also been reminded that life goes on with all the emotions known to people.  Surely the same thing was the case with Mary and Joseph.  We think how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, but we don’t think about the emotions of the moment and how uneasy and uncomfortable that trip would have been.

We think how neat and cozy the stable was where Jesus was born but I don’t think any woman alive would consider that place as cozy as we see it.  In short, there would have been sadness, fear, helplessness, worry, concern, and a host of other things on their minds.

But when the little one came all the emotions would take a back seat to the moment, and Mary and Joseph could think about how Jesus would grow up, and they could wonder how all the angel told them would take place.

So as we go through all that we go through in the days leading up to Christmas morning, aim our sights on the little one of the manger.  Remember that angels told Mary and Joseph that their Son would be special, and special he still is.

During all that we do, allow our minds to be transformed by the knowledge of Jesus.  And realize that all the emotions that steal our joy are subject to Jesus…just as were the emotions of Mary and Joseph.

Life goes on and does not stop during this season, so it is with the love and concern from our Lord.

Peace

Jim

December 17, 2009

 

This week has been a sad one.  But overshadowing the sadness is the promise of life forever-after in the presence of God.

Peace

Jim

December 15, 2009

Have you ever wondered what Mary and Joseph thought each year when Jesus’ birthday rolled around?  Did they celebrate?  And did they think back to what the angel told them before he was conceived?  Surely they remembered the night he was born, that would have been very memorable.

As you pray through the Christmas season this year, allow your mind to wander back to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.  Think about how the birth of the Christ was so important that God sent angels to light up the night sky just to say that a baby had been born.

Peace

Jim

December 14, 2009

 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Alvin and the Chipmunks.

December 13, 2009

Each year there are all sorts of reminders that the Christmas season is here…cookies on my desk, fudge, all sorts of baked things.  And all of these remind me of the love in the hearts of friends and family.

This morning I even found mistletoe on my desk.  Hummmm….

Enjoy the season.  Take some time to express to your family what they mean to you.  I don’t mean just give them presents, but tell them how much you love them.

Need a little snow for Christmas?

Peace

Jim

December 11, 2009

 

Sometimes in the midst of whatever, God gives us glimpses of his beauty.

Wednesday evening sunset

Peace

Jim

December 10, 2009

So much, with so many emotions, is going on in the life of the church.  It’s difficult to change gears sometimes from sadness to joy in literally a matter of minutes.

However, God is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help…(Psalm 46:1).

Peace

Jim

December 9, 2009

As the new parents settled into the evening with their new baby boy, imagine the joy in their hearts as they thought about what all might take place in his life.

I imagine thoughts of becoming like dear ole dad, a carpenter.  But then they would have remembered what the angel said, that he would be called the Son of the Most High, the very Son of God even.  What exactly did that mean?

Not knowing but trusting in God, the evening would settle down in peace…that is until these shepherds came in telling about what happened to them out on the hillsides…

Even though you know it, read the story in Luke chapter two.

Peace

Jim

December 7, 2009

Each time December 7th comes along, I automatically hear in my mind Roosevelt saying, “December 7, 1941…a day that will live in infamy.”

As I think about what transpired 68 years ago I am reminded of the loss of so many families and how the day affected the entire nation.  The attack on Pearl Harbor inspired many sons and daughters to enlist in the service of their country, and many would die through their efforts.  I do not personally know a family that does not have memory of that war in their family history.

A heartfelt sense of honor goes to each person whose family history was altered because of December 7, 1941.

PEACE

Jim