Monthly Archives: December 2024

A Charlie Brown Christmas…

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Charles Schulz, Sparky, wrote the Charlie Brown series. He was an avid Christian. In his early years, he had applied at the Disney Studios but was told his drawings were too primitive. Charles always said that he was Charlie Brown growing up. His comic strip became very successful. In 1965, Sparky produced a television show, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The show is about Charlie Brown being depressed about Christmas and the commercialism. At first, the television executives didn’t want to air the show, but they didn’t have anything to put in it’s place. A Charlie Brown Christmas show aired on CBS on December 9th, 1965 in prime time.

During the show, Charlie Brown asked if anybody knew what Christmas was all about. His friend Linus began to quote Luke 2:8-14, the Christmas story.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Several things happened that night, 50% of all television viewers were watching the Charlie Brown Christmas show. This was the first time it ever happened on television. The show was the first cartoon show to preach the gospel and it has aired on television ever since. Charles Schulz knew that Jesus was why we celebrate Christmas. And he was able to preach the gospel in his own way. So if you are depressed about Christmas watch the Charlie Brown Christmas show and see what he discovered. It is the Jesus is life itself and we don’t need to be depressed about our lives. For God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What do You see?

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In high school, my professor teased us saying that we had myopia, near sightedness, for not seeing or understanding what he was talking about. It’s Christmas time again and we are singing Christmas carols. Just like the angels sang to the shepherds watching the sheep in the fields around Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. I want to ask you a question, what did they see? Then when Gabriel announced Jesus and told the shepherds to go to Bethlehem, what did they see? When Mary, Joseph and Jesus stayed in Bethlehem and the Magi (Wise Men) came and found Jesus, what did they see? When John and Andrew heard John the Baptist point at Jesus and say, behold the Lamb of God that takes the sins of the world away, what did they see? When Jesus called Peter to ask if they had fish. Peter said that they didn’t have anything. Jesus said to throw their net over the side and it filled with fish. Then Peter jump over the side and swam to Jesus. When he did, what did he see?

When the Roman Centurion who had crucified Jesus and watch Him die, said truly this is the Son of God. What did he see? After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the Apostles and spoke to Thomas, saying place your hand in My side and in My hand. What did he see?

Now it’s over 2000 years later and the world is rolling along. We look at this world and wonder how long before it all blows up in our face. You look and look, then I ask you, what do you see? The bible says that you must first believe, then you will see. And if you see the truth of God, what are you going to do about it?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What do You know?

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As most of you know that I have lived a long time. I have seen things come and go. And have recognized many patterns to life. Some of them are good and some well, they come and go. I have see things that are good go by the wayside. And some things couldn’t leave too soon. When I graduated from high school, my parents and I bought the ugliest suit you have ever seen. It’s was a graduation gift. Now the wing tip shoes they brought with the suit, I liked. I don’t think the shoes ever went out of style. I have seen many men wear them throughout my life. I never wore polyester shirts or bell bottom jeans. But I did have crew cut hair that I put Dippety Do hair gel into it. That was quite a sight.

I have served in war and seen my sons go off to war. I seen my babies born and held them for the first time and cried. My wife had them all Caesarean section. And I was even in the operating room. And now they have babies. Growing up my family would gather at one of our houses for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. That was a blessed time, but I didn’t realize it at the time. Then my family began to die. My grandmother and her sister first. Then my parents went. My aunts and uncles then passed on. My older and younger brother have since died. And I now find myself the patriarch of my family and feel alone. My early years with my family call to me and I remember those times.

Christmas is a special time of year for families. If you neglect your family during this time, you are doing damage to yourself and your family and friends. Sometimes this damage can’t be reversed. I have had to swallow my pride and reach out to my family just not to be alone. Even if they were wrong. I have never been perfect. I have tried to a decent life for my sake and others. But Christmas sometimes overwhelms me with memories. Press through the loneliness and reach out to your family, because one day they will be the patriarch of the family and remember the good times and the bad.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Pearl Harbor Day – What does it take to go to war?

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I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam war. I went to basic training like everyone else. I went on to advanced training school. Then I was assigned to my post. I left home not knowing what to expect. Even when I was at my post, I still did not understand what it took to go to war. The basic training I received was just that. It was the basic knowledge of being in the military. Training for war was more of advanced than that. Also the knowledge of war or the understanding of that knowledge had to be experienced. I was stationed state-side for my tour in the Air Force. Three of my sons served in the Iraqi and Afghanistan war. Two came back with PTSD. They all understood what it took to go to war. They had experienced the trauma of war. It’s been 15 years since they served and are coping with the understanding of war.

War is not natural to man. It goes against everything that we are. It takes a little bit by bit of our heart each time anyone serves in the front lines. But it is a conscious decision on our part to go to war. It is not surprising that many people choose not to go to war. There are cost to war. The bible says that before a king goes to war, he sits down and counts the cost. To see if he is able to wage the war and win. If not he sues for peace. This comes from an understanding of war.

Jesus calls us to be good soldiers to put on the armor of God to fight the enemy. Many people when they first start with God are on fire and press against the enemy. I have watched them falter and stop their fight with the enemy. The cost became to high for them. They saw and understood the cost of war. Jesus fought the fight everyday. He did not stop just because the devil was pressing in on Him. People say He is God and can do that. Jesus proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that man can live righteously on this earth. He was a man was all the frailties. The bible says that Jesus learned obedience by things which He suffered. God’s call to man comes with many promises. These promises can be had if we stand up and press into God. It all depends on what you decide to do. Whether to go to war and follow Jesus or not. Yes it does cost us everything we have, our life. But once you have given your life, what else can the enemy take from you? He can’t take anything from you because God has promised.

I saluted all the men and women who have served their country with honor. Some paid the ultimate price. But all gave their lives to serve with duty and honor. God bless you all.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com