Yesterday was a very full day. I was getting so many things ready in preparation for the appearance of family and friends. Whether it was taking one of my grandsons for a haircut, heading to the store or just trying to think through the logistics of the days to come.

Today I will begin the food preparations, take my granddaughter Mariah out for a special time and do a thing or two with Jacob today. My plan is to be all said and done by 3 or so today. Then off to be with friends and family at our church Christmas Eve service  this evening.I am pretty fortunate I think heading into my 58^th Christmas. (For a child who wanted out by 21, I have done okay. “Live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse.”) I am thankful that while my parents are not around my brothers and sister are. My sister Liz is helping build homes in Nicarauga. My brother Larry, though recently being hospitalized for a collapsed lung will be home and hopefully have a restoration of phone and electric services, as they just endured a major ice storm. He lives in Bar Harbor Maine. My youngest brother is sending his book to publication ICU To Marathon despite his heart attack of a few years ago.

My children are seeing the world more and more like Jesus this year. Despite stresses and strains, they and their children are doing well.

I would rather be the prophet who misses the occasional word and has a family walking with God than the one who never had a word fall to the ground and lost his children. 1 Samuel 3:19

Dream about Christmas

In the dream I was finding myself in so many places helping so many. In one circumstance I would be asked for milk and milk would miraculous come out of this small bag that I carried. In another circumstance a mortgage payment would help someone. Reaching into the bag money would come out. And as I looked around others began to take a bag and go meet others. They would have a need for healing and the body part was in the bag. Some carried suitcases and briefcases. Others carried duffle bags and knapsacks. One small child was walking around with a plastic shopping bag.

People were shocked. People were pleased. “Who are you” they would often ask. “Why” was another popular question they asked of us.

I awoke from the dream and so many thoughts ran through my head. Fresh revelation of being made in His image, being His “carbon copy” and having His purpose were bouncing around my mind.

Whether you are a fan of the Pay It Forward life or just want to have fun and be like Him, He is available.

In the story of Jesus and events surrounding His birth we see angels appearing with a declaration of “peace on earth, good will towards men.” Wise men bring gifts and adore Him. Today, after the cross we are the gifts He left behind (Ephesians 4:11) and have had Him bestow upon us gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:28) The purpose in each case is to establish peace, making heaven here on earth. For one who loves the decorations and lights of the Christmas holiday, decorating with what is heaven is very high on my list!

I spent time with the Lord on this. Here are my thoughts on this Christmas Eve day.

• Be benevolent-give to others. Acts 20:35
• Be an individual in your walk with Jesus. You don’t have to be like someone else. You just have to be you. Psalm 37:23
• Trouble may come but He has empowered us to change the world. John 14:27
• Your bag is not necessarily my bag. Ephesians 4:8
• Where you go I do not have to go. Acts 1:8
• You can make a difference. Acts 3:6
• Size is not always important. 1 Samuel 9:21
• You don’t need a big bag. Matthew 11:30
• Anyone can join and be like Jesus. Matthew 25:31-46)
• We need leaders.  Ephesians 4:12
• Make an opening for God. 2 Kings 4:1-7
  (The widow did.)

While many think it is a bible verse “many hands make light work” it is not. Anyone can make a difference. (As I said yesterday, “what is under my Christmas tree is not all that is in my heart.”)

I read with great interest about the man (Who was just identified last night Paypal Vice President, Jack Selby.) who leaves amazing tips with men and women, marking the slip, “Tips For Jesus.” I have followed this story for over a year. I think it is starting a phenomenon. It just takes one person to start a movement forward. So many are in need.

Let me say this. Food is still be multiplied, people are being healed and made whole, favor is being given and the world is a better place because of Jesus and His birth on the this earth. But for those who believe, He dwells within us and has desired not to just occupy space, or make us a habitation, but He is looking to “get out.” To be birthed once again in the earth, this time through you.

As you come into this Christmas Day, my prayer for you is that you will have your eyes opened to the greatness of our God and His desire to be “born again” into the earth.