CHRISTMAS - IS IT ALL ABOUT THE GIFTS?

YOU'D HAVE TO LIVE UNDER A ROCK OR IN A CAVE NOT TO KNOW THAT THIS IS THE SEASON OF "RETAILERS' DREAMS"!!

FULL-PAGE NEWSPAPER ADS, FULL-COLORED INSERTS, RADIO AND TV BLARING "SONGS OF THE SEASON" AS EARLY AS THANKSGIVING - ALL INTENDED TO HELP YOU PART WITH YOUR MONEY, IN THE GUISE OF "MAKING OTHERS HAPPY"!

"WHY" DO WE SO INDULGE OURSELVES IN THIS HURRY AND SCURRY FRANTIC PACE TO SHOP, FIND THE BEST DEALS, GET THE "BLACK FRIDAY BARGAINS",  ALL IN THE GUISE OF "LETTING PEOPLE KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM"?

HUH?  THE MORE YOU SPEND THE MORE YOU LOVE SOMEONE?

THINK ABOUT IT.  THERE ARE 364 OR 365 OTHER DAYS OF THE YEAR TO EXPRESS OUR TRUE FEELINGS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND DO WE "GIFT THEM LAVISHLY" ON THOSE DAYS?

WHY, THEN, AT CHRISTMAS?

IS IT AN EXERCISE OF OUR "FAITH"?
IS IT HOW WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR BLESSINGS?
IS IT BECAUSE IF WE GIVE - WE'LL ALSO GET?

MORE AND MORE IN OUR WORLD, AND ESPECIALLY IN AMERICA'S ECONOMY, THERE IS LESS AND LESS "DISPOSABLE INCOME" TO BE DOLING OUT FOR PRESENTS, AS YOU PROBABLY WELL KNOW.  THEN WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?

SADLY, SOME OF US WILL GO FURTHER INTO DEBT TO SHOW OUR FEELINGS FOR OTHERS.  IS THAT SMART?  IS THAT HOW WE SHOULD BE EXPRESSING OUR LOVE, GRATITUDE, OR APPRECIATION?

THE POST-CHRISTMAS BLUES IS A MALADY THAT NONE OF US REALLY WANT, BUT IF WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO GET CARRIED AWAY BY THE PRESSURES OF RETAILERS' ADS, THE EXPECTATIONS OF FAMILY MEMBERS, OR WANTING TO IMPRESS COWORKERS OR FRIENDS - THEN WE'RE MISSING THE MARK!!

IT'S LIKE A "PLANNED CONTAGION"! 

PERSONALLY, THERE IS NOTHING THAT I WANT OR NEED AS A GIFT AT CHRISTMAS - OR ANY OTHER TIME!  I HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TIES AND SHIRTS.  I'VE GOT PLENTY OF SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR.  AND IF I NEED ANY OF THOSE THINGS, I'LL PICK THEM UP WHEN I DO.

AFTER SHAVE?  GOT IT.  DEODORANT?  GOT IT.  HATS AND GLOVES AND SCARFS?  IN GOOD SUPPLY.  CANDY, COOKIES, OTHER SWEETS?  ALWAYS GOT MY STASH.

MY POINT HERE IS THIS - LITTLE TOKENS OF LOVE OR "LIKE" ARE FINE, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO GO OVERBOARD - FOR ANYBODY, UNLESS WE'RE TRYING TO WIN THEIR AFFECTION, THEN WE'RE SETTING A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT!

MY SUGGESTION:  LIMIT GIFT-GIVING TO CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, ETC.  SOME FAMILIES HAVE GOTTEN SO LARGE THAT THEY DO A "NAME-EXCHANGE", TO PREVENT FEELING THAT EVERYBODY HAS TO BUY SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.  WHEW!  EXPENSIVE!  AND UNNECESSARY.

NOW, IF THE "RIGHT" OR "WRONG" PEOPLE READ THIS, I'LL PROBABLY GET "ZERO, ZILCH, NADA" FOR CHRISTMAS!?  THAT WOULD BE FINE, REALLY!  I'LL SETTLE FOR PHONE CALLS, VISITS, HAVING THE CHILDREN IN FOR DINNER, MAYBE EVEN A CARD THAT SAYS "THINKING OF YOU".

LET'S REMEMBER WHAT THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THIS HOLIDAY REALLY IS - "IT'S JESUS' BIRTHDAY"!!  "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD (YOU AND ME) THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON"!!

WE CAN'T MATCH OUR CREATOR'S LARGESS, AND WE SHOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO.  LET'S SETTLE OUR EXPECTATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS TO SMALLER TOKENS OF "HIS LOVE" AND OUR LOVE. 

THEN CHRISTMAS WILL BE WHAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE - "A CELEBRATION OF THE GIFT THAT GOD GAVE EACH OF US" - SALVATION THROUGH HIS PRECIOUS SON, JESUS CHRIST!!     

OUR NEW CHURCH FRIEND, MISS MARGARET!

For a few weeks now, my wife and I have enjoyed eating brunch in the church cafeteria, after service on Sunday mornings.  They have a delicious assortment of items on the buffet, with eggs, potatoes, grits, sausages, bacon, and sausage gravy over biscuits, as well as croissant sandwiches made-to-order!  And the prices are "unreasonably" reasonable!!

A few weeks back we sat at a table where a lovely "young" lady was
sitting alone, and introduced ourselves to each other, beginning a friendly
conversation and developing a friendship with "Miss Margaret"!

Miss Margaret has 6 children scattered about the country, but she manages
to take the bus to church every Sunday, and back, enjoying not only the
services, but the fellowship and - THE FOOD!  As we all have been doing.

Having spent numerous brunches enjoying each other's company, Miss Margaret and we have kinda "adopted each other" - looking to see if each
other is present, and making a beeline to enjoy our meals together.

In my wife's words, Miss Margaret "is a 'hoot'"!  AND SHE IS!
I'm not sure yet if she has appointed herself as my "humbling angel", or "guardian angel", or "adopted son", but she sure does enjoy "putting me
through my paces while we're conversing!  WHEW!  My Mrs. laughed
so hard today, and had such a good time with Miss Margaret's and my
"tete-a-tete" that she almost was tearful!  IT WAS HILARIOUS!  Even
though most of it was at my expense.  Sigh.

So from now on, our Sunday highlights will include going to service, visiting with friends we know, then heading downstairs to "fellowship" and "fence" with Miss Margaret!!

Oh yes, I must add, that Miss Margaret is "so full of the joy of the Lord",
that she is always in a "divine mood"!  So pleasant, and happy, and
fun to be around.  Hope I don't be naughty and upset her - don't know if
I could find another "friend" like her!    

"QUIET TIME"

This is a term that I believe most parents and
youngsters are quite familiar with.  Remember?

When a child would get out of hand, or just get
into the way, then Mom or Dad would prescribe
"quiet time".

Why?  What purpose did "quiet time" serve?
First of all it GAVE THE PARENT(S) "quiet time"
to be free of noise, boisterousness, misbehaviour,
and just having a break from constant parenting.

Secondly, it gave the youngster (you?) time to
"think" about what he/she did to be put out of
circulation for a while.

Thirdly, it gave the child time to plan the next
"move" of either obedience or disobedience!

Fourthly, "quiet time" ideally had the purpose
of having the offender resolve NOT TO ENGAGE
in "the offense" again - at least not any time soon.

There may well be other "redeeming values" to
"quiet time", but these will suffice for today's
purpose(s).

HOW NOISE-FREE AND COMMOTION-FREE
is your life?  Too much to do?  Always cleaning,
shopping, catching up on the phone, working,
playing chauffeur, being referee, packing lunches,
preparing meals, attending meetings and church,
business conventions, sales conferences, etc.?

YOU NEED A "QUIET TIME"!!

It's not for just the "disobedient" anymore.  Ha-Ha.
Quiet time is GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
Quiet time is GOOD FOR THE MIND!
Quiet time is GOOD FOR THE BODY!
Quiet time benefits your employer, spouse, friends,
and the whole family unit you're a part of!

I'm not necessarily endorsing Yoga, or TM, or
practices like them, as I'm sure they have some
benefit for the participants.

What I am suggesting is that WE TOO OFTEN
GET TOO BUSY THAT WE NEGLECT OUR
"QUIET TIME" WITH OUR LORD!!

That doesn't mean that you must "pray", or
"read your Bible", or cite Scripture, or even
hum or whistle or sing hymns or choruses.
The Bible says "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT
I AM GOD"!  

When you were "dating", or now if you're "dating",
weren't some of the best times when you just
SAT STILL AND ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S
PRESENCE?!  No words were needed, right? 

SO IT IS WITH GOD!
He said that He would "keep him in PERFECT PEACE,
whose mind is STAYED (fixed/set) on Him"!!

Too busy?  Too committed?  Too many memberships?
Too many obligations, whether real or imposed upon
yourself?  Busy simply for the purpose of being busy?

TAKE "QUIET TIME", my friend, as often as you
can, whether you feel the need for it or not, but
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FEEL LIFE AND
THE WORLD CLOSING IN ON YOU!!

It's good to sing positive/constructive tunes.
It's good to meditate on Bible verses.
It's good to think about God's goodness.
It's good to "count your blessings".
It's good to "soak" in the Holy Spirit.
It's good to relax by repeating the name "Jesus"!
It's good to recount His many names and
     their meanings/ministries to your soul.
BASK IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!
IMAGINE YOURSELF BEFORE HIS THRONE!!

BUT SOMETIMES IT'S VERY GOOD TO
JUST "BE STILL", AND HAVE "QUIET TIME"!
It'll "recharge your battery", whether for being
a good parent, a good employee or employer,
for serving your community or church, for
teaching, preaching, or witnessing for your Saviour!
ETC., ETC., ETC.

QUIET TIME has recuperative, restoring qualities,
for every part of your being!

"Go to your corner", Friend, and shut the world
out behind you.  Think about the events in your
life for the last 24 hours.  Think how God has
been there for you.  Think about how you maybe
"missed Him" by not allowing yourself to be
conscious of His nearness.  TAKE HIM INTO
YOUR PRIVATE "CORNER" WITH YOU!!

THE BIBLE OR THE KORAN (QURAN) - CHRISTIANITY OR ISLAM?

With all of the rhetoric and news lately about
"religions", and "Which religion is right?", I
feel it's time to compare the teachings of the
sacred books of 2 of the major schools of thought
as far as ideology and faith is concerned.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS.  Compare some of
the major tenets of Christianity and Islam, and
DECIDE FOR YOURSELF which you prefer
to believe and follow in your lifestyle. 

THE DIFFERENCES ARE STARK, to put it
mildly, but you have to know which is best
for you.  The choice is obvious to me, but
here are some of the comparisons:

THE BIBLE teaches us to LOVE everybody.
THE KORAN teaches HATE.

THE BIBLE tells us to FORGIVE.
THE KORAN preaches REVENGE.

THE BIBLE says to PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES.
THE KORAN says it's okay to KILL THOSE WHO
       DISAGREE WITH YOU.

THE BIBLE puts a HIGH VALUE ON LIFE.
THE KORAN believes that DEATH IS VIRTUOUS.

THE BIBLE says that JESUS CHRIST IS GOD/LORD.
THE KORAN follows the lifestyle of Mohammed.

THE BIBLE tells us to HONOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
THE KORAN puts NO VALUE ON THEIR DIGNITY.

THE BIBLE provides GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
     FOR ALL SINNERS.
THE KORAN says to HANG HOMOSEXUALS.

THE BIBLE commands that WE DO NOT STEAL.
THE KORAN teaches that EVERYBODY'S PROPERTY
     IS ISLAM'S.

THE BIBLE says WE SHALL NOT KILL.
THE KORAN permits BEHEADINGS & HANGINGS.

THE BIBLE records that JEHOVAH/YAHWEH IS GOD.
THE KORAN talks about "ALLAH".

THE BIBLE says we ought to RAISE CHILDREN IN GOD'S WAYS.
THE KORAN allows its adherents to MARRY & ABUSE CHILDREN.

THE BIBLE allows us to HAVE ONLY ONE HUSBAND/WIFE.
THE KORAN tells its followers POLYGAMY IS OKAY.

THE BIBLE (and our U.S. Constitution) says that ALL OF
     HUMANITY IS "CREATED EQUAL".
THE KORAN teaches the DIMINISHING OF WOMEN.

THE BIBLE states that we should RESPECT GOVERNMENT.
THE KORAN says it's OKAY TO SUBVERT GOVERNMENTS.

THE BIBLE teaches us to HAVE THE PEACE OF GOD, AND
     TO BE AT PEACE WITH ALL MEN.
THE KORAN's followers ENGAGE IN HATRED, WARFARE, ETC.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS.  WHICH SOUNDS LIKE THE
"RIGHT LIFESTYLE" AND FAITH FOR YOU?

There will probably be at least 1 more treatise on this
subject, but I want to get you to thinking and comparing.
As I stated earlier, the choice, to me, is obvious.

GOD BLESS YOU.