Wow! This entry is my last blog for the year! I can't believe I kept it up for this long! Normally, I'm not one that looks back for long periods of time analyzing where my life was and where it is now. I just try to take a day at a time and learn from each day's lesson. I think God uses that way the most for times of growth. Sometimes, it takes Him several days to get it through my thick skull!
With that being said, however, I looked back briefly on my 2008 this past week and discovered some things that I will endeavor to correct in order to grow closer to my Savior. One is using more wisdom in certain areas of my life where I have a tendency to let my heart overrule my brain. The second is that I still continue to learn to not get uptight over most things in life. God is still in control and knows exactly how the whole quilt will look in the end. No matter how much one rants, fusses, gripes, and complains, the world will continue on until our Savior returns. Nothing at all escapes God's notice.
However, some things won't change. I will still continue to spoil my niece and nephew, make sure Kellie cooks at least 2 times in one year, see to it that my parents get a break in their daily lives, and try not to go over a day without eating chocolate. I will also continue to try to educate the masses (One must prevail against the glassy-eyed stares!) one person at a time. The all-too-common indifference to the ignorance drives me insane!
Well, it's been fun to keep up with this blog. I knew I could never match the level of my verbose sister, but I will try to keep plugging a long in the new year. I want to thank everybody for reading, laughing, disagreeing, commenting, and thinking about my rants and rambles. Here's to a brand new 2009!
Have a Blessed New Year!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Yesterday’s sermon at church was about the visit from The Magi to the Infant Jesus. One of the points presented was about their three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. By these three gifts, we can learn how we should still honor our Savior today.
Gold is an obvious gift for the future King of kings. How can we give gold to God today? We can do that simply by giving Him all the nuggets of our faith. Faith in our salvation. Faith in our day-to-day activities. Faith in the care of our loved ones. Faith in everything we do. When we give our faith back to Him by trusting Him for our care and needs, we are giving Him golden nuggets of our lives.
Frankincense was and is used for incense and perfumes. Because incense was thought to convey prayers to heaven, it was a fitting gift for the future High Priest. How can we give frankincense to God today? Pray. When we offer up our prayers to God, they are a sweet-smelling savor to Him. He delights in our prayers to Him and desires a constant, open communication between us and Him.
Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and was always associated with death. It was a fitting gift for the future Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. How can we offer the gift of myrrh to God today? By dying to self. When we deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow His will for our lives, our lives show the world how to live a life overflowing with abundant eternal blessings.
Over 2000 years ago, The Magi gave three precious gifts to the Infant Lord Jesus. Today, we can still offer the same gifts through our lives and bring honor and glory to our Savior’s name.
Have a blessed day!
Gold is an obvious gift for the future King of kings. How can we give gold to God today? We can do that simply by giving Him all the nuggets of our faith. Faith in our salvation. Faith in our day-to-day activities. Faith in the care of our loved ones. Faith in everything we do. When we give our faith back to Him by trusting Him for our care and needs, we are giving Him golden nuggets of our lives.
Frankincense was and is used for incense and perfumes. Because incense was thought to convey prayers to heaven, it was a fitting gift for the future High Priest. How can we give frankincense to God today? Pray. When we offer up our prayers to God, they are a sweet-smelling savor to Him. He delights in our prayers to Him and desires a constant, open communication between us and Him.
Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and was always associated with death. It was a fitting gift for the future Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. How can we offer the gift of myrrh to God today? By dying to self. When we deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow His will for our lives, our lives show the world how to live a life overflowing with abundant eternal blessings.
Over 2000 years ago, The Magi gave three precious gifts to the Infant Lord Jesus. Today, we can still offer the same gifts through our lives and bring honor and glory to our Savior’s name.
Have a blessed day!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Consolidation
I guess every company goes through a time of cutting back and finding ways to streamline production. Now it's my company's turn. As of Wednesday last week, we are now the "proud" center for, not just our local DC, but another one from another state. And in the coming months, more and more DCs will be turning their customer service over to us. I find myself in the less than enviable position of being the only special order person for what will be a total of 12 DCs. Will I crash and burn? No, I don't believe I will, but it will not be easy at times, especially during the peak season. Can I get a "yee haa!"?
So far, the consolidating process has been relatively calm and without too much hassle, but then again, it's the slow time of the year. Naturally, the people that think up such grandiose plans for change and growth are never the ones that experience the growing pains. They have never worked in the customer service department and have no clue has to what it actually takes to be successful with each customer.
That being said, there are several areas that are not without their problems. One is how to use the online special order system. When the system was created, it was made to be used by each DC for their own customers. There is no way to order for all the DCs only from one local DC except by using the "back door" that the system support created for their own needs. It's a hassle because I will have to keep closing down the windows and resigning back in to a specific DC whenever I have to place an order for them. Brilliant planning, don't you think? Also, we have to email/fax any paperwork back to the original DC at the end of each day so that they will be able to keep up with what their customers are needing and ordering. Makes a lot of sense, right?
Now don't get me wrong. I am very thankful that we are not the ones that are closing down because that would mean I would be out of a job. But it would be better if the Dream Chasers would actually consult the Ditch Diggers before making a drastic change in the way business is operated. Most of the bumps in the road, train wrecks, and stalled cars would have been avoided with a little more consulting of the people that are actually sweating it out in the trenches. But I am just John Q. Worker. I don't have any ideas or opinions. :-)
Have a blessed day!
So far, the consolidating process has been relatively calm and without too much hassle, but then again, it's the slow time of the year. Naturally, the people that think up such grandiose plans for change and growth are never the ones that experience the growing pains. They have never worked in the customer service department and have no clue has to what it actually takes to be successful with each customer.
That being said, there are several areas that are not without their problems. One is how to use the online special order system. When the system was created, it was made to be used by each DC for their own customers. There is no way to order for all the DCs only from one local DC except by using the "back door" that the system support created for their own needs. It's a hassle because I will have to keep closing down the windows and resigning back in to a specific DC whenever I have to place an order for them. Brilliant planning, don't you think? Also, we have to email/fax any paperwork back to the original DC at the end of each day so that they will be able to keep up with what their customers are needing and ordering. Makes a lot of sense, right?
Now don't get me wrong. I am very thankful that we are not the ones that are closing down because that would mean I would be out of a job. But it would be better if the Dream Chasers would actually consult the Ditch Diggers before making a drastic change in the way business is operated. Most of the bumps in the road, train wrecks, and stalled cars would have been avoided with a little more consulting of the people that are actually sweating it out in the trenches. But I am just John Q. Worker. I don't have any ideas or opinions. :-)
Have a blessed day!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Boxed In
Humans tend to compartmentalize everything into neat, little boxes in order to remember and understand. Classification of life, organized closets, etc all speak to our propensity for dividing life into small compartments. Some people have such a “boxed-in” personality that they miss out on certain things in life. Hence the exhortation to “think outside the box”. However, there are some things in life that defy compartmentalization. One of them is God Himself. He is way bigger than any box our minds could conceive.
Oprah Winfrey is one of the latest in a long line of people that has decided that God isn’t the God for them because of some mental box in which they have placed Him. When some new “revelation” about Him comes to light, they dismiss Him or the idea as bunk because it doesn’t fit into their preconceived ideas. She has now formed her own “religion” because she says that she can’t worship a God that is jealous. How silly is that? God is indeed a jealous God as is any human is in a loving relationship where the spouse goes astray. Why would God be any different? He loves us with an unfailing love and the natural response, albeit without sin, to the spurning of that love would be jealousy. Who are we to question how God feels?
Another way humans compartmentalize God is by expecting Him to grant their wish like Aladdin’s genie. His plan for each human life and Creation as a whole is on a much higher plane than we as humans can ever hope to comprehend on this side of eternity. When we don’t get our way, we shake our fists at God, pout like a 2-year old, and blame Him for our woes, trials, and tribulations. Many times, the choices we make land us in a predicament that we don’t like. Other times, life itself is to “blame” for our circumstances. Whatever the reason for the situation, God already knew where we would be at that particular time in life and has a plan to lead us through if we only allow Him to lead. When we don’t try to place God inside the “box” that we think is the solution, blessings beyond measure will flow our way.
God is above our earthly box-mentality. Placing God in a box is not only minimizing God and His ability, but also is damaging to our spiritual growth. When we try to place God in a box, we ourselves become boxed in. But when we allow Him to work in our lives as He wants, we will not only receive His free gift of salvation, but we will grow daily in Him and become more Christ-like as the days pass by.
Have a blessed day!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas Memories
This time of the year always brings times of reflection and turning back the years to gaze upon old memories. For me, memories are like the glue that connects the present to the past. We are able to look back and to see where we were and how far we have come in the intervening years. Memories are our “living” history because we can remember them as opposed to learning facts from a book. Below are some of my fondest Christmas memories...
1) Kellie’s Santa hat and blue robe combination--Christmas morning has never been quite the same since she retired the ensemble.
2) Christmas brunches--We have gone from the traditional ham/sausage/bacon/eggs to somewhat of a modern twist. But they have always been a welcome respite from the hard work of opening the presents Santa left under the tree.
3) Annual TV specials--a) Charlie Brown Christmas. Who doesn’t love the parental “wah wah wah wah” talk and recitation of Luke 2 by Linus?
b) Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer--Rudolph’s glowing-red nose!
c) Santa Claus is Coming to Town--Who can forget Burgermeister Meisterburger? And what about Warlock/Winter? All together now! “Put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking out the door-or-or...”
4) Waking up bleary-eyed on Christmas morning (as an adult) and wondering how you had the energy when younger and where the twins get the energy today but still having a sense of excitement and suspense under the obviously very subdued exterior.
5) Watching a loved one open the presents you have given him/her with an expectant hope that it will be loved and then seeing the expression when it’s revealed--Steve’s wide-eyed look upon discovering a banjo in the large gift bag and Kellie’s slack-jawed expression when they uncovered the fish tank and accessories are definite standouts.
6) Dad’s “HO-HO-HO-HO” and crazy antics/poses right from the beginning of each Christmas morning. Christmas would not be the same without them.
7) Christmas Eve oyster soup at Aunt Ree’s house. Mmmm mmm good!!!
8) Sitting under the glow of the Christmas tree lights and listening to Christmas music over and over.
9) Attending the local production of A Christmas Carol. I never know what to expect each year.
10) The twins first clueless years of Christmas and now to see how they have changed through the years.
Have a Christmas-memory-filled day!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Religious Reindeer
Quick! Hand me my gun! I’m heading out to the North Pole to hunt down the most dastardly creature of all--Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Because of the well-known song written about him and his life story, a woman was offended that her kindergarten-age child would sing the song at a school Christmas show because the word Christmas is in the lyrics. How dare he allow the use such a word? Doesn’t he know that that word is a foul stench in the nostrils of many people living today?
The New Hanover County woman objected to the "religious overtones" in the song. Religious overtones?? In a song about Santa and a red-nosed reindeer leading a sleigh of flying reindeer?? What's religious about that? Please spare me all of these politically correct histrionics! If people would just listen to what they are actually saying, they would wonder to where their senses have fled!
In this modern world, it seems that Satan's grip is getting tighter and tighter. He has blinded the vast majority of humans and nothing but the Light of God will be able to break through the darkness. Sadly, it will only get worse.
Now, where's my gun?? I have a varmit to kill before he offends any other poor soul!
Have a blessed day!
The New Hanover County woman objected to the "religious overtones" in the song. Religious overtones?? In a song about Santa and a red-nosed reindeer leading a sleigh of flying reindeer?? What's religious about that? Please spare me all of these politically correct histrionics! If people would just listen to what they are actually saying, they would wonder to where their senses have fled!
In this modern world, it seems that Satan's grip is getting tighter and tighter. He has blinded the vast majority of humans and nothing but the Light of God will be able to break through the darkness. Sadly, it will only get worse.
Now, where's my gun?? I have a varmit to kill before he offends any other poor soul!
Have a blessed day!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas Poem
I found this poem and thought it was very fitting for the modern era. The author is unknown. Let's be like the person at the end.
T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.
The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.
Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap
When what from the TV
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.
So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash
Buying things on credit
and others with cash!
And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.
Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?
To pray to the Savior
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"
On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's
From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!
And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.
Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!
So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!
Merry Christmas, my friends!
Have a Christ-centered day!
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.
The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.
Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap
When what from the TV
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.
So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash
Buying things on credit
and others with cash!
And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.
Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?
To pray to the Savior
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"
On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's
From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!
And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.
Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!
So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!
Merry Christmas, my friends!
Have a Christ-centered day!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Freedom
There has always been a lot of talk in the western world about freedom. Different peoples the world over are struggling to be free from oppressive regimes. Independent countries fight to maintain their freedom. And now more than ever, the talk is about personal freedom to do whatever one wants. But sometimes I wonder if, deep down, we really want it. When I look around, I don’t see as much freedom as people believe there is.
One of the areas in which I see a lack of freedom is in the job. Many people are tied to their job all the time with no downtime or break. The All-mighty Dollar is controlling their lives and they are in bondage to their work and to greed.
Another area is fashion. Everybody wants to be their own person but they end up looking like everyone else. The latest styles and the latest fads drive this sameness that keeps everyone imprisoned in the Fashion Jail with a full sense of self.
People are also enslaved by addictions. Drugs, alcohol, food, etc. all keep people in their clutches. Many of these today are called "diseases" but they are really Satan sinking his evil claws in a person's weakness and exploiting it to their ultimate end.
With all this lack of freedom, can one really be free? The answer is a resounding YES! The only freedom can be found in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross of Calvary. When one puts his trust in the finished work of Jesus, he is now free from sin and all of the consequences that come in its wake. Why would anyone want to live in bondage to sin and destruction when he could have all the liberty ever wanted in Christ? The simple answer is that men really don't want to be free. Until the Light of Christ illuminates their darkened craving for bondage, men will continue to be satisfied to live as a slave while under the illusion of being "free".
Are you free?
One of the areas in which I see a lack of freedom is in the job. Many people are tied to their job all the time with no downtime or break. The All-mighty Dollar is controlling their lives and they are in bondage to their work and to greed.
Another area is fashion. Everybody wants to be their own person but they end up looking like everyone else. The latest styles and the latest fads drive this sameness that keeps everyone imprisoned in the Fashion Jail with a full sense of self.
People are also enslaved by addictions. Drugs, alcohol, food, etc. all keep people in their clutches. Many of these today are called "diseases" but they are really Satan sinking his evil claws in a person's weakness and exploiting it to their ultimate end.
With all this lack of freedom, can one really be free? The answer is a resounding YES! The only freedom can be found in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross of Calvary. When one puts his trust in the finished work of Jesus, he is now free from sin and all of the consequences that come in its wake. Why would anyone want to live in bondage to sin and destruction when he could have all the liberty ever wanted in Christ? The simple answer is that men really don't want to be free. Until the Light of Christ illuminates their darkened craving for bondage, men will continue to be satisfied to live as a slave while under the illusion of being "free".
Are you free?
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