Benjamin Franklin put forth a lot of sayings in his time. I believe he was trying to help people as he saw the world. I also think that he had a greater understanding of the world around him than most people. He wasn’t a handsome man, nor was he very wealthy. But he learned early that charm goes a long way. I am sure that he got quite a jolt of electricity when lightning struck the kite he was flying. His power of observation was very great. And he was persistent in all of his endeavors. He was an interesting man in a time that changed the world. And he played his part in this change. How many times has the world changed around us? And how many times did the opportunity come to you to be part of that change? And I will ask one more question. How many times did you let it go by because of fear? Facing this world is one of the most frightening things we can do. But if we don’t do anything, the world will change around us and leave us out wondering why. Whether or not life works out just like we think. It doesn’t matter. The world will change anyway. The most interesting man in the world isn’t one that drinks beer. He is the one that is evolved in the events of this world. So, step out of yourself and be someone that leads from the front. Everyone has an opinion. Let people speak and then get involved. If you want someone to change their opinion, let them see someone who is involved in this world in a positive way. A person who cares about people and events. So, let your fears go and fall away from you by getting involved. buon Natale e Felice Anno nuovo.

www.joseph1637.com

jospeh1637@juno.com

When I was little, I couldn’t wait until my birthday rolled around. It meant cake and ice cream and presents. I have pictures of different birthday parties. They were always a joyous event. Over the years, my desire for the cake and ice cream has just about gone away. I still like to get presents, but at different times of the year. I still like being recognized as the birthday boy. But I yearn for the joy of the event. It has become all most matter of fact. I enjoy more going to a young person’s birthday party than counting my own. I am more aware of how time has creeped up on me. Also, I am more aware that most of my birthday parties are behind me. I am grateful for all the time that I have had to watch my family grow up. And wish for the patter of little feet running down the hallway. My day is planned out. I work this morning. Then we, my family and I, will go to a Christmas play. After that they will take me out to eat at a fine restaurant. I not sure how men and women made it to 500 years old. How they keep the joy of life all that time? One man lived to 932 years. I know that I am closer to going home to heaven. I am excited about that. That joy excites me more than anything else. But it is a mixed blessing. When I finish my time here on earth, I will have to leave my family and friends. You see today is my birthday. And I am another year older. Feliz navidad.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Many promises have been made to us by many people. Some have come true and others well. They just fade away like into the sunset. Hope is a good thing. We need it to face life as it is. Sometimes our hope is misplaced in people and things. It doesn’t mean that hope is a bad thing. It is just that we need to make better choices. God anointed David as king of Israel over everyone else. He was just a teenager. But God had promised him that he wouldn’t die until he had an heir. God promised David that from him would come the Messiah of Israel. After he had killed Goliath, King Saul eventually made David his general. All the men of Israel trusted David because God was with him and he was fearless in battle. He would lead them into battle from the front. The scripture says that David ran into the middle of the battle and fought his way out. The people became to sing songs about David. The song would say that he would run through a troop and leap over a wall. The song also said that David would kill his 10,000’s and Saul his 1000’s. That is when Saul knew that David was the next king and tried to kill David. But David lived to a ripe old age and went home in peace. All because of the promises of God. You see the promises of God are yea and amen. It is that they are true and everlasting. Jesus is one of God’s promises. If you will be still and listen, you will hear God calling us home. And all we have to do is answer Him.  joyeux Noël.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

I have written about this before. Why is there so much fear going around? People are afraid to look at each other. If you smile too much they think you’re crazy. Here’s one. Last Monday, it was cold and raining hard. I wore a ball cap, a hoodie jacket and a jacket on top of that. People were afraid to come near me, until I smiled at them. It is almost like the world has gone to hell in a hand basket. I was at the most famous breakfast place. There was a new employee taking my order. She wasn’t smiling and not talking very much. She was afraid. It must have been her first job. There was a manager buzzing around her to get her to open up. But she had a stone face. I don’t know if she will last. Fear will make you do strange things. Things you wouldn’t normally do. With the Christmas season in full swing, everybody is running around with things to do. And most of all, people are spending more money than they generally have. Courtesy is needed more than ever. I know people don’t usually smile after spending their hard-earned cash. But if we smile and hold doors open for people, it will make a difference. It will definitely make a difference in other people’s lives and yours. And that is what Christmas is about. We do this by being kind and generous to each other. Christmas didn’t start out by spending all your money. It was sharing a meal and your home with someone who needed it. we are the gifts of Christmas, not the trinkets we buy. God gave His Son, because He love the world and wanted us to come home. God wants all His children to come home and share in the banquet planned for us. I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Two people together are better than one alone. We were designed as social beings. Where we need to be with people to fulfill our destiny. The hardest thing we will ever do is to live alone. People will fill their lives with whatever not to be alone. Pets are a substitute for human companionship. Pets are wonderful but they can’t take the place of another human being. Yes, there is always the risks associated with a relationship with another person. But there are great rewards also. We learn by association. We mimic other people. We followed our parents and have many of their traits. Although we don’t always want to claim that we do. People think that with children, they are the teachers. It is quite the opposite. Our children are our teachers. We can’t be whole person until we have children. Why do you think this is so? Why do we need people in our lives? Who put that desire in us? It is as they say, all part of the grand design. We were designed to need people, so that we would need the One who created us. Yes, our heart searches for a real relationship with our Creator. Knowing that God loves us without any reservations, we search for that relationship. It is unfortunate that some people make it and some don’t. I found a warm place in my home with my Father. And it is yours for the asking.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Looking at social media, a young person express their hurt and anger. The next picture was another young person with sad eyes. It is disturbing that there is so much unhappiness. This time of year, can bring feelings of sadness for the loss of love ones. I miss my family that has gone on, but I have a family here. When Jesus came into this world, it was in horrible shape. But He came to give hope of a better future. With hope, you can endure almost anything. And in enduring, you can have joy as you walk through this world. It is never depending on your circumstances. It is all about what you believe. You see hope and belief go hand in hand. This time of year, focuses on the hope for all nations, Jesus. For those who know Him, it is a joyous time. But those who don’t, it is a reminder of where they are in life. We have all heard the stories of people who did miraculous things. They did things far beyond their abilities or talents. God gave us these examples to give us hope of that better life. If you want to do something positive for people. Smile at them and wish them a merry Christmas. Be kind to one another. Open doors and smile. Let your heart shine through. Because hope and joy are contagious. Spread the joy this Christmas season.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

A thunderstorm came through the other night. It rained with plenty of lightning and thunder. We have two big dogs in the house, golden retriever and a pit bull. I stayed up late doing stuff and the golden retriever went to sleep on my bed. When the thunder got loud and noisy, the pit bull got up from his bed and came and sat next to me. He was terrified by the thunder. His sad eyes looked at me as if to ask for help. I began talking to him and praying for him. Fear is a hard thing to deal with. If you don’t know how to deal with it, it can drive you to bizarre behavior. It even effects animals. My son’s Yorkshire terrier will shake uncontrollably when the lightning strikes. My cat will sit next to the Yorkshire terrier until she calms down. Fear is real and very present in our lives. It will change our beliefs and behavior until we deal with it. The bible says that we are bound up by the fear of death until God releases us from it. The storm didn’t move off too fast. But I reassured my dog with close contact and a gentle word. When God gives us the His word and remains in close contact with us, fear has no place in our lives. So when a thunderstorm comes through your life, peace of God will come by a His gentle word and close contact.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

In the bible, it says in Mark 10:46 “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.” Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was coming down the street. He began to cry out for Jesus to have mercy on him. The people around him, told him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus cried even louder. He cried so loud that Jesus heard him and called for him. He was brought to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted and Bartimaeus asked for his sight to be restored. His sight was restored and the story says he followed Jesus. It is interesting what the man asked for the first time he met Jesus. I know what I asked for. Besides salvation, I asked Jesus for wisdom to understand the world around me. I didn’t know how the world worked and I wanted to know. He gave me more than I asked for. I understand things far beyond me. I see things before they happen, just by looking at them. I have a question for you, what will you ask for or did ask for? Did it change your life completely? Do you even understand what it was that you asked for or will ask for? It is interesting what God has placed in our hearts to ask for. And many times, we don’t even know it. But God is in control of the universe. Despite what we think or believe. God is sovereign. Thank God, He loves us more than anything. So, what will you ask God?

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

One of the scariest things in our lives is the unknown. Having to step into the realm where we have never been before. You can relate to this, when moved from grammar school to high school. Then when we moved into college or to the real world. Making our way in life is something we strive for. But not knowing which way to go or if we will be successful. This is why we try to control our lives and what happens around us. But that is no guarantee that it will go the right way. The unknown will make us do things that we really don’t want to. Then we look back and think if only we had done it differently. I have always admired people who would run into the unknown head first. I always wanted the courage to do the same. Then came the opportunity for me to venture into the unknown. And I knew that it was the right way and I was afraid. I need boldness to go into this realm. I bit my lip and walked into the unknown. And I have never regretted it since. It doesn’t mean I am not afraid, but I run into the unknown. You see this realm is the kingdom of God. It is based on trust and faith. Two intangible things that move worlds. I can understand why people are afraid. But I have never been alone since I enter this realm. And I have seen miracles happen in front of me. My transformation is the biggest miracle in my life. And I don’t have any regrets.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Disasters seems to strike everywhere. There are fires in the Smokey Mountains. And now they are saying it might be the work of an arsonists. 10 or 11 people are dead and at least 50 some odd people are injured. This person needs to be caught and imprisoned. People who would do that are insane. But that isn’t the end of the trouble. You would think people would be kinder toward each other because it is Christmas season. I wonder how long it will take people to open their eyes and see why all this trouble has come to America. I have been tracking, not particularly trouble, but events in the country. I have been watching for over 40 years. There are many cause and effects that have happened in this country. After the Vietnam War, people were as angry as they are today. And they blamed God for their troubles just like today. But it wasn’t God that caused all the trouble. It seems that man doesn’t need any help causing trouble in this world. Jesus came into a world that was torn apart by wars, hatred, anger, guilt, confusion and selfishness. He offered one thing the world didn’t have, that was real peace. Then He said something unusual. He said, those that have ears to hear, let them hear. And those who have eyes to see, let them see.

www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com