We hear of it, we prophesy of it and then it happens. As a prophetic person I see things all the time. I find that my take on life is “colored” by my function or gift mix. Each person has a bend or a bent like that. And when we get to employ it, it is what we call being in the groove. We could not miss for trying. We need the gifts or the functions to work together and introduce the world to the risen Christ.
I said yesterday morning, “Despise not small beginnings. There is something new and something getting ready to happen.” I arrived at our church fellowship like any other Sunday. But I kept having this “nagging” feeling like something was happening. But our monthly family gathering of my 5 children and their children was overshadowing it a little. I was not cued in. But, I kept thinking of it, like “what was I missing”. Continue reading The Opening Of The Presents→
Yesterday while taking a day off, a friend and I connected. We agreed to grab lunch. We have been friends for a long time but with my new job, there are not the times to get together there once was.
We got there and sat down. Our conversation was all over the place and focused. But at one point we began to talk about my writing and my blog.I asked him straight up his thoughts and he provided them. Some I understood, others I had no clue and still others I had to get clarification on. Continue reading Willing To Change→
Everybody has a list of things mom did, but I have a short list of things mom didn’t do, as well.
My mom never took sass from any of us kids. The only issue she had with 4 kids was whether she could get the majority of us for what we did. (Pretty sure it was my brother David’s fault any ways!!!) I probably need to say “thanks” for the things she didn’t do first.! Continue reading Mothers Day-A Day of Thankful Remembrance→
Each year my parents would buy our family one “major” gift. As children we would be up sometime around 5AM and head towards the living room door. We were not allowed “in” the living room, so looking over at the gifts that were not there the night before in the hallway light was just “painful.”
Our family traditions were simple on so many levels. Once our parents were up we were allowed to open handmade stockings from our grandmothers. They contained gold coin chocolate, tangerines and walnuts, as well as one or two special smaller gifts. Then off to breakfast, to return to open the larger gifts. Continue reading Christmas Day In The Morning→
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. Continue reading Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag→
Merry Christmas! (Well today is actually Christmas Adam, tomorrow being Christmas Eve.
Today I am trying to clear the final decks so that I can begin cooking in
order to be ready for friends and family. I took Jordan out to get his
haircut followed by his first Starbucks hot chocolate. He thought it was
awesome.
Well, the Christmas season is in full swing. And even if the use of the word Christmas is politically incorrect, I am still enjoying a lot of it. It is less than a week until Christmas. As I have said in the past I would be lying if I was to tell you I am not excited. The idea of having all my children and grandchildren and maybe a friend or two over is so cool to me. This year we have “let up” on the presents except for the grandchildren to help out some other folks and that is just fine with me. I also broke the “Ann Lander’s rule on Christmas letters” to my clients and readers. So, far ALL the letters were thanking me for being a voice, not listening to Ann Landers and thinking about them. Besides no one would ever take me to be PC (politically correct) anyway.
As I write this I am listening to Christmas carols. The fire is going in “my mind” and the Christmas lights are going. The only thing missing tonight is the voices of the grandchildren. And maybe a hot chocolate with my wife.
Last night I visited some awesome lights!
I am thankful for those who have written me and said “I was going to skip the… tree, Christmas, etc., but you have inspired me.” YAY! Continue reading The Christmas Past→
A young parent. Or perhaps even more difficult, a single mom or dad. Tough enough, but then throw in the Christmas holiday and it can often be a tumultuous time.
While pastoring, I watched many a family go through the holiday meltdown of “I need more presents.” Parents would sit in my office and ask “what am I going to do?” Communities would come together with meals and gifts as well as many church folks would sow into lives. (And I am not even talking about the greed that comes into place when they find out one or more organizations have opportunities!) Continue reading Your Children Need Your Love→
So many are talking about the commercialism of the holidays. They tie it to Black Friday, August Christmas ads and now “black Thanksgiving!” People are working on holidays. On some levels they are two different things. People are working because a company has asked them to with the hopes that people will come shopping. And the commercialism or cheapening of the holiday.
It is one thing to talk about commercialism and the holidays. It is another to just get through the holidays! So many bemoan the commercialism of the season and miss out on the coolness of it. I remember a young pastor one year talking about the unbeliever and how the lights of the season might be the closest understanding of heaven for them. I sat there thinking about that for days. I get it. Not everyone celebrates the same way. Continue reading Crowds Or Family? Your Call→
I know we have not made it through Halloween but when you have family in different states, married children with new families you learn to make plans. And seeing my first Christmas lights, well, it excited me.
The holidays! Yippee! Break out the lights! As I have said in previous columns I am a huge fan of the holidays. Over the years my wife and I have used this opportunity to open our home to many. We have had people out of prison, off the streets and folks who were “worse” off than us. We have had as many as 25 people in our living room sharing our meal. This year is somewhat different as we are “displaced” on some levels with our home, but our children and grandchildren will still be with us and who knows, maybe someone who needs company. Over the last year or so, I have lost a few friends. I am sure their spouses would appreciate the company of others. Nothing can replace the life lost, but healing is a process and it often begins with friends and family. Continue reading The Trinity Of The Holidays Nears→
