ADDENDUM TO "WHO MINISTERS TO MINISTERS"

 TRY SLIPPING MONEY INTO HIS/HER HAND WHEN IN THE LINE AFTER CHURCH SERVICE. 

BE SURE, TO, COMMENT, HOPEFULLY POSITIVE, ON THE SERMON JUST GIVEN.

THINK ABOUT "HOUSESITTING", OR HAVE THE CHURCH BOARD INSTALL A SECURITY INTO THE REVEREND'S HOME, WHICH ISN'T "ETERNALLY SECURE", HAHA.

LET HER/HIM KNOW THAT YOU'RE PRAYING FOR THEM.  IT'S REASSURING TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ALONE IN THE EFFORT TO ADVANCE GOD'S KINGDOM.

BACK ANY EFFORT TO SEND THEM (AND THEIR FAMILY) TO A SPIRITUAL RETREAT, SUCH AS "THE COVE" IN NORTH CAROLINA, SPONSORED BY THE BILLY GRAHAM ORGANIZATION.

ASK TO ACCOMPANY YOU TO GOLF, BOWL, FISH, OR WHATEVER LEISURE ACTIVITY MAY THE TWO (OR MORE) OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN.

VACATIONING OR TAKING TRIPS OF WHATEVER SIZE MAY WELL HELP TO CREATE AND STRENGTHEN THE BOND BETWEEN CLERGY AND LAITY.  TALK ABOUT IT.

FINALLY (FOR NOW), LAY HANDS ON THEM OFTEN, WITH PRAYER, TO HELP KEEP THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FRESH IN THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS.

PRAYING FOR YOU, YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER, AND THE INCREASE OF THE FLOCK IN WHICH YOU ALL ARE A PART OF IN GOD'S CORNER OF THE WORLD WHERE YOU ARE.

WHO MINISTERS TO THE MINISTERS?

 PASTORS, TEACHERS, MISSIONARIES, OFFICIALS, ETC. ARE HUMANS, ALL BEARING  NEEDS THE SAME AS WE LAY PEOPLE DO.  THEY BECOME TIRED, LONELY, AND DISCOURAGED, SICK, ETC. JUST WE AS YOU AND I DO.

WHERE DO THEY TURN TO FOR BOLSTERING?  TO WHOM MAY THEY TURN?

WE NEED TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT CHRISTIAN WORKERS ARE IN NEED OF SOME SOLACE, BOLSTERING, ENCOURAGMENT, SYMPATHY, EMPATHY, AND PHYSICAL REST.

YES, EVEN AS PEOPLE IN THE PEW, THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE CAN OFFER THESE JUST-AS-HUMANS AS WE ARE.

PROVIDE A MEAL, WHETHER IN YOUR HOME OR AT A RESTAURANT.  OR, IF POSSIBLE, HAVE A MEAL DELIVERED TO THEIR HOME, ESPECIALLY IF ONE OF THEM IS ILL.

GIVE SOME MONEY TO ASSIST THEM WHEN TRAVELING OR ON VACATION, INCLUDING GOING TO NATIONAL OR REGIONAL CONFERENCE OR MEETING.

REWARD THEM FOR SPECIAL HOLIDAYS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, CHRISTMAS, EASTER FOR EXAMPLE.  TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY LIKE OR NEED FOR A GIFT.

A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A CAR REPAIR PLACE, OR FOR NEW TIRES, OIL CHANGES, TUNEUPS OR ELSE.  CAR WASHES, TIRE ROTATION, WAX JOBS!

HOW ABOUT OFFERING TO COVER FOR NEW CLOTHES/OUTFITS!  I ONCE PREACHED IN MY "BIRTHDAY SUIT", A GIFT FROM PARISHIONERS!

CHILD CARE OR BABYSITTING WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.  WHAT ABOUT LAWN CARE?  LEAF RAKING?  WINDOW WASHING?  PAINTING, INSIDE OR OUT?

GAS CARDS?  PREPAID CREDIT CARDS SO THEY CAN BUY WHAT THEY WANT OR NEED?

BOOKS OR TAPES?  STUDY BOOKS OR REFERENCES, SUCH AS "CRUDEN'S"?

THE LIST SEEMS ENDLESS.  GOD EXPECTS US TO TAKE CARE OF HIS "UNDERSHEPHERDS", HIS GIFT TO US FOR OUR GROWTH AND UNDERSTANGING OF THE BIBLE, HISTORY, THE "SIGNS OF THE TIMES" AND MORE.

IN SUMMATION:  TAKE CARE OF YOUR PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADERS, WHETHER YOU 

"LIKE THEM" OR UNDERSTAND THEM, OR NOT.  THEY HAVE BEEN CALLED, HOPEFULLY, TO SERVE THE CHURCH, THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND................ YOU!!

  

 ABORTION ?  TO ABORT OR TO VALUE LIFE?  (PART 2)

I BELIEVE "PLANNED PARENTHOOD" WILL ANSWER TO GOD FOR THEIR 

PARTS IN DESTROYING/REMOVING HIS MARVELOUS CREATION IN THE WOMB.

I CAN SEE IT OKAY IF THE CHILD IS STILLBORN OR EVEN IF HE DIES BEFORE 

EXITING THE WOMB, BUT TO PREMATURELY END HER LIFE BY KILLING 

WHILE STILL VIABLE AND ALIVE, IS A SIN OF ENORMOUS MEASURE.

TO DECIDE TO YANK THE CHILD OUT TO "ADVANCE SCIENCE" IS WRONG!

TO GO AGAINST GOD IS A DANGEROUS THING TO DO, AND MAY RESULT 

IN SPENDING ETERNITY IN HELL!!

LET ME ADDRESS THE PERSONS INVOLVED IN INITIATING PREGNANCY.

THERE IS NO SANE OR SACRED PURPOSE IN GIVING A CHILD LIFE 

WITHOUT ALL THE NECESSARY MEANS OF PROVIDING FOR THE CHILD, 

INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY GRANTING HER/HIM THE NECESSARY 

ELEMENTS OF HAVING A MOTHER AND A FATHER!

THOSE MEN WHO "CAN'T CONTROL THEIR PASSIONS" NEED TO GIVE 

THEIR DRIVES OVER TO JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SQUASH 

THE "NEED" TO RISK PROCREATION.  IS CASTRATION A POSSIBILITY?

WHAT ABOUT A VASECTOMY?  

SHOULD THE WOMEN HAVE THEIR TUBES TIED, OR BE STERILIZED?

IS "THE MORNING AFTER PILL" VIABLE OR PRESCRIBED?

THE PLAGUE OF UNPLANNED AND UNWANTED PREGNANCIES IS A 

SCOURGE ON MANKIND.  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ANIMALS EVEN 

TURN TO SUCH LOW EXTREMES AS TO KILL THEIR UNWANTED OFFSPRINGS!?

PARENTS, REAR YOUR CHILDREN TO RESPECT LIFE, AND TO REMAIN 

CHASTE UNTIL AFTER THEIR NUPTIALS ARE PERFORMED.  GOD IS 

WATCHING AND TAKING RECORDS!!  LET'S LIVE OUR LIVES HIS WAY. 

 

 ABORTION - THE "HOT TOPIC" OF TODAY AND FOR DECADES.

I'VE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE BEFORE, BUT IT WON'T GO AWAY.

GO FIGURE.  SINCE THE FALL OF MANKIND, OUR RACE HAS CONTINUALLY 

SOUGHT WAYS TO GO AGAINST OUR CREATOR'S DESIGN AND DESIRE.

"WHY" DO PEOPLE, WOMEN MOSTLY, I BELIEVE, WANT/SEEK/NEED(?) ABORTION?

SOME SAY IT'S FOR "ECONOMIC REASONS".

OTHERS DECLARE IT'S "FOR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER".

STILL, SOME PROPOSE IT'S "BECAUSE OF RAPE".  YES, I AM SYMPATHETIC.

MANY RAPES MAY BE AVOIDED BY MEN AND WOMEN ACTING APPROPRIATELY.

IF THE VICTIM OF SUCH SIN, PRAY AND CONSIDER ADOPTING OUT THE CHILD.

WHY DO WOMEN GET PREGNANT, IF THEY DON'T INTEND TO BEAR AND 

MAINTAIN, AND REAR (BRING UP) THE HUMAN BEING IN THEIR WOMB?

WHY DO MEN PUT WOMEN IN COMPROMISING POSITIONS AND TAKE 

ADVANTAGE OF THEIR POSSIBLE WEAK AND EMOTIONAL STATES?

I ONCE POSED THE QUERY, "WHAT IF THE VIRGIN MARY HAD ABORTED?".

IT PROBABLY WAS NEVER A THOUGHT IN HER OR JOSEPH'S MIND, THANKFULLY.

THE "FALL OF MAN"/"ORIGINAL SIN" WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF OUR 

RACE PURPOSING TO DO THINGS "OUR WAY", DESPITE JEHOVAH'S MANY 

PLEAS AND ATTEMPTS TO HELP US "RIGHT THE SHIP".

THE FAILURE AND REFUSAL OF COUPLES TO PRACTICE CAUTION, DESPITE 

THE POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE "CONSEQUENCES" IS A GRAVE SIN IN GOD'S EYES.

WHY SPITE YOUR MAKER?  WHY INSIST ON HAVING YOUR WAY WHEN IT MAY 

VERY WELL CREATE A CHILD THAT YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART OF HEARTS 

THAT YOU DON'T WANT AND WILL NOT PROPERLY MOTHER/FATHER HIM,HER?

YES, I'M ONE OF THOSE WHO SAY ABORTION IS WRONG.  ABORTION IS SIN. 

SEX/INTIMACY IS INTENDED FOR MARRIED COUPLES, AS EVIDENCED AND 

PROVEN IN MANY STORIED ILLUSTRATIONS IN HOLY SCRIPTURE (BIBLE).

ONE OF THE DANGERS OF LIVING PROMISCUOSLY IS BEARING A HUMAN BEING, 

LET ALONE THE MANY INFECTIONS POSSIBLY PASSED ON TO YOUR PARTNER.

AGAIN, YOUR DISDAIN FOR THE HUMAN WITHIN YOU MAY WELL GIVE 

EVIDENCE OF YOUR GENERAL HATRED FOR OTHER HUMANS/LIVES.

WHERE WILL IT STOP?

HOMICIDE?

GENOCIDE?

HITLERESQUE ACTIONS TO "REMOVE THE WEAK AND SICK"?

"GIVING UP" ON SENIORS/MATURE INDIVIDUALS, CAUSING THEIR DEATHS?

I HAVE FAILED YOU.

YOUR RELIGION HAS FAILED YOU. 

YOUR ANCESTORS HAVE FAILED YOU. 

 SOCIETY HAS FAILED YOU.

"MEDICALS" HAVE FAILED YOU, THE ONES WHO OFFER AND PERFORM ABORTIONS.

BUT YOU ARE WRONG PLACING THE BLAME ON OTHERS WITHOUT ACCEPTING 

YOUR PART/PARTICIPATION IN THE MURDER OF DEVELOPING HUMAN BEINGS.

"ROE V. WADE" IS WRONG.

LIBERALISM IS WRONG IN SUPPORTING KILLING BABIES.

THE MATTER SHOULD NEVER HAVE BECOME AN ISSUE.

TURN TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, AND WHO WANTS TO BE 

YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD.  ALLOW HIM TO FILL YOU WITH HIS LOVE AND 

SPIRIT, AND LIVE A LIFE OF CLEANLINESS, SINLESSNESS, AND HOLINESS.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THOSE WHO ARE CARELESS AND "THROW CAUTION 

TO THE WIND" (THE UNBORN WITH IT) WILL STAND BEFORE GOD IMMEDIATELY 

AFTER THEY BREATHE THEIR LAST HERE ON EARTH, AND GOD WILL DEMAND 

AN ANSWER AS TO "WHY DID YOU DESPISE AND DESTROY" MY CREATIVE PLAN?

A HARD APPROACH?  WITH JEHOVAH GOD, THERE ARE NO "GREY AREAS" OR 

"SHADOWY APPROACHES" TO LIFE, LIVING, AND DEATH.

MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL, AND HELP KEEP US FROM DESPISING HIM.

SHEKINAH!!!

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED "THE SHEKINAH GLORY" OF GOD?
Both Old Testament and New Testament record occasional instances when
Jehovah God "lowered Himself", and came into His creations' lives.

MOSES experienced such an event up on the mountain, when God visited him, having first hidden him in "the cleft of the rock" until God started to
go away, allowing Moses to "see His hindside"!

MOSES'S face "shone with the glory of God" when he descended the mountain with the Ten Commandments which God wrote with His finger,
etching them on stone tablets for time immemorial for the Israelites to
have guidance for their lives, especially to "walk uprightly" before the Lord!

MOVING ON - God chose to "show Himself" to the Israelites as they
traversed the wilderness, with "A CLOUD BY DAY, AND A PILLAR
OF FIRE BY NIGHT"!  God's "chosen" had a constant, 24-hour
reminder of His presence, His blessing, and His guidance throughout
their "wanderings", after their escape from Egypt and Pharaoh!

MY FAVORITE PASSAGE on this topic is recorded in I Kings, chapter 8,
verses 10 & 11:  "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the
holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, SO THAT THE PRIESTS COULD NOT CONTINUE MINISTERING BECAUSE OF THE CLOUD; FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE HOUSE OF
THE LORD."

A SIMILAR HAPPENING TOOK PLACE ON "THE MOUNT OF
TRANSFIGURATION"!  Remember?  Jesus took three of His closest
disciples with him to a hilltop, and after leaving them off a few paces,
He "interfaced" with His Heavenly Father, and two of the Old Testament
"heroes of faith" appeared unto Him there!  The sight was so awe-
inspiring that Peter suggested "building a tabernacle" to each of the three!


SCRIPTURE RECORDS THAT JESUS' FACE "SHONE LIKE THE SUN", AND HIS CLOTHING WAS "AS WHITE AS THE LIGHT",
giving us to believe that God's (and His) GLORY was all over Jesus'
person! 

MY INSPIRATION for writing on this topic came about yesterday
morning as I participated in worship at church.  While much of our
typical worship music is "trendy", fast-paced, and what is generally
considered "charismatic", I was longing for some that was a bit more
reverential and deep.  THIS IS NOT AN INDICTMENT AGAINST
THE MUSIC DIRECTOR'S OR SONGLEADER'S CHOICES - but
rather a heartfelt desire for sensing a more worshipful time, rather than
a "celebratory" atmosphere!

We have at times, sung some of the "old hymns", which generally are
full of doctrine, truth, and Scripture, but some seem to consider those
treatises as "generational".  I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE DIVINELY-
INSPIRED, and intended to "draw us higher" - and CLOSER!

I PRAY THAT I'M MAKING SENSE, AND MAKING MYSELF
UNDERSTOOD.

Have you ever been in a church service in which the "glory and presence
of God" was so "heavy" and obvious that the congregants and the
leadership were "stopped in their tracks", so to speak, because of the
HOLY AWARENESS OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD?

I HAVE.  Many times.  No, I'm not talking about a forced, hypnotic-like
trance in which the saints are transfixed by the power of suggestion, or
anything the like, but rather, THE HEARTFELT AND SOULFELT
manifestation of God, desiring to make Himself not only "felt", but
KNOWN to all in the gathering in the sanctuary!!!

WORDS FALL SO SHORT OF DESCRIBING THESE RARE, BUT
SPECIAL "DIVINE" OCCASIONS.

Suffice to say that, THE OVERWHELMING "CLOUD" OR "FIRE"
OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD moves all in the meeting to either
REPENT, BE HEALED, INCREASE IN FAITH, HUMBLE THEMSELVES, OR MARVEL AT THE MAJESTY OF JEHOVAH!!
Some stand and raise their hands in worship and surrender!  Others fall
to their knees in reverence and submission!  Some cry.  Others shout.
Still others pray.  Some have even "danced"!  THE RESPONSE TO
GOD'S PRESENCE is not to be judged, but rather ENJOYED AND
UTILIZED - FOR HIS PURPOSES!!

I have sat in such meetings/services, and been led by the Holy Spirit,
in a position of leadership, to allow "the flow" of The Spirit, setting
aside all of the best-intentioned plans for that time of worship and
preaching/teaching.  IT'S "HEAVEN COME DOWN"!!

FANATICAL?  IMPOSSIBLE?  IRRELEVANT?  FANTASY?

Only to those who have not "been there".  No, I'm not saying in the
least that the participants in such worship experiences are necessarily
"more holy" or "more spiritual", just that WHEN GOD DEEMS TO
MAKE HIMSELF AND HIS PRESENCE KNOWN in such a manner,
there's nothing like it on earth!! 

IT'S A "TASTE OF HEAVEN" which all of us who are "blood-bought"
and "Spirit-filled" are looking forward to when we "get home"!!  AND
WHAT'S EVEN BETTER - IT WILL BE THAT WAY ALL THE TIME
AS WE REVEL IN HIS GLORY FOR ETERNITY, while enjoying our
"reward", which Jesus paid for on Calvary!!!

For a "spiritual leader" to CONTRIVE such an experience, would be,
I believe, wrong, and maybe even sinful!  BUT, when God chooses to
VISIT HIS PEOPLE, we best "be in the spirit" and ALLOW HIM TO
MOVE AND SHOW HIMSELF STRONG!!   

A HEART FULL OF EMOTION FOR MY SON'S WEDDING!

Congratulations, Son, upon your pending nuptials a week from today!  It's an exciting time for you, I know, but it's also a very exciting time for me!

We've been through a lot together, travelling as we have down life's road
from Menasha to Roseville, to Canonsburg, to Slovan.  While much of it
has been a wonderful experience, we've had our "bumps in the road" as well.

The early years were blessed with your mother's presence, a young lady
who loved her children almost as much as she loved her Saviour!  Her
positive influence in your life is obvious, as she taught you and your
sister so much while I was out of the home working.  Thank God for
her and for the precious memories we have of her!

Some of my fondest memories included teaching you to play sports,
tennis and basketball, in particular.  While I was never an accomplished
athlete, I thoroughly enjoyed watching you play soccer, basketball, and
then baseball through your junior high and high school years.  That
State Championship soccer year was thrilling and chilling!  Yes, we
covered a lot of miles going to games and tournaments, but I would do
it all over again for the pride and excitement of watching you participate.

Losing your Mom to Heaven was a shock to the three of us, and needless
to say, our lives took a "sharp turn".  While I needed God's help to be both
mother and father, I trust that my mentorship and friendship meant some-
thing to you both, and that it still does.  Things weren't always "rosy", but
we made the most of it, and LOOK AT YOU NOW!

I am so grateful that you pursued your education and graduated from
Messiah College with multiple degrees, especially since the school is one
of the more prestigious institutions of higher learning in the country.  No
doubt you had your struggles and questioned your choice at times, but
LOOK AT YOU NOW!  Working toward your Master's degree from
Temple University!  WOW!  You cannot know how utterly humbled,
proud, and thankful I am for your dedication and industriousness!!

ENTER THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE!  We both prayed for "God's choice"
for your life's mate, and now here she is!  I believe that she is perfect for
you, as you are for her!  Not even one of those "dating websites" could
have matched you two any more ideally than our Lord did!

Forgive me if "I'm not myself" next Saturday, as I'll probably be in tears
throughout the entire ceremony and afterward.  Can't help it.  I'm tearful
already, just typing this letter to you.  Knowing "the road you've been
down", and how you persisted in being successful, spiritually as well
as all other ways, I can't stop the emotions from welling up inside me.

I will always be your Father and Friend!  Counsel, prayers, camaraderie,
and anything else that I can provide will always be available.  I'm as
close as a phone call, and can be closer if you need me to be!

LOOK AT YOU NOW!  I couldn't be prouder!  I couldn't be happier
for you!  With your "faithmate" and "soulmate" at your side for the
rest of your lives, "nothing is impossible with Christ" as the head of
your household and marriage!  Be sure to keep Jesus as Lord of your
heart and life, and the "keystone" of your relationship with each other.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  It will be my joy and pleasure to hear you
two exchanging your vows next Saturday, promising your "alls" to each
other for "life and eternity"! 

Thanks for being the person that you are.  I couldn't want a better son
to know and watch grow in every way, as you have.  I am blessed that
you are in my life, not just as an offspring, but as a friend.

LOOK AT YOU NOW!!  God bless you both in your new life together.
 

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!!