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.

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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.

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In the beginning, man has had to work for his bread. There is no way to get out of it. Our culture was mostly agrarian. Then people moved to the cities. And life became harder. Man has always tried to quote improve his life by making things easier. But it seems that the easy way is always the hard way. Life hasn’t become easier just more complicated. And the more complicated your life becomes, the more stressful it is. It is unfortunate how many people die young because of the stress in their lives. People yearn for the simple life. How many people are buying organic products? They believe that they a better because they are simply grown. How many people are growing gardens in their backyard? Because they want simple again. Simple doesn’t mean stupid. It means uncomplicated. And an uncomplicated life is a life worth living. Yet it seems that people can’t find this uncomplicated life to save themselves. And all the time that life has been staring them in the face. It is more of people not wanting to live a life that is different from everybody else. A simple life is a different path than most people. And someone might turn and laugh or ridicule you for being different. You see the Christian life has never been easy. But it has always been simple.

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All my life I have heard, the more everything changes, the more it remains the same. All you have to do is look in the mirror and you will see the changes. Time doesn’t stop for anyone. Young or old, time will change us into the person we really are. It’s being who we really are that sometimes takes getting used to. We all wanted to be super heroes, important and powerful people. But for the most part, we have become average citizens with families, friends and mortgages. This isn’t a bad thing. It is just something unexpected. We all have high hopes of adventure and romance. And sometimes it really does happen. After the Vietnam War, I took a year and traveled all over the country. I lived in several places and enjoyed the journey. But in the end, I got homesick and came back home. That is one thing that doesn’t change. Home is where your heart is. People will come and go. Some will remain friends all your life. But family is a constant in our lives. We grow up and have babies. They grow up and have babies. It is a cycle that keeps repeating itself with every generation. We will work to provide for our family. We will raise children and so on. We are all different people who do the same thing. You see we are a large family, even though we don’t believe that we all speak the same language. That language is family. The basic unit of life that God gave to us. Despite, all the differences, we will be joined together as a family in the end. No one is left out. Everyone is invited to come back home. it is all up to us what we do. But can’t you hear our Father calling us to come home.

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I was just looking a story of a young boy about 10 years old, who makes teddy bears. He makes them to give to children in the hospital. They said he has made over a thousand of them. His dad had a recurring cancer which got worse with stress. The young boy made a bear for his dad. The man has been in remission for a year. The power of love is nothing new. It has been here since the beginning of time. God gave us certain things that are powerful. Loving with our heart is one of them. We can reach people that are unreachable with our heart. Change situations that no one could through force with the power of heart-felt love. It requires all of us. To love that way, we have to be all in, not just superficially. It is funny that people can see that kind of love a mile off. And people know whether or not it is real. So many people don’t want to love that way because who you are shows through. There is no hiding when you love with your whole heart. It is a way of life. And I wish more people were like that. Because this world would be a better place to live in. You see that kind of love is from God. It comes from knowing God. Why, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. And there is no hiding it. It is meant to be shown to the world.

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Thanksgiving is over. We have officially entered into the Christmas Season. Black Friday started on Wednesday afternoon and will end when all the retailers sell all the stuff they bought for Christmas. Today is called Cyber Monday. Because there is some droid somewhere making deals. I wonder what people are going to be like by Christmas, since most were angry for Thanksgiving. My email address is loaded with deals from everywhere. Every retailer that I looked at their site, has sent me an email. One retailer, I ordered 2 things and they sent me 6. Even on my social media page, retailers are sending me deals. I am making Christmas gifts this year. I am making Satsuma jelly. A satsuma is an orange that is in season now. I would rather be personal with the gift, then buy a gift card for someone. My grandmother showed me this years ago. She would make clothing or crafts or food for gifts. She could crochet better that anyone I knew. Then she could make lace doilies for furniture. It was a gift that out lasted the season. The purpose of giving gifts is to do something constructive for the person. It isn’t just to give money or to show off. It’s about 4 weeks to Christmas. What are you going to do with your gift giving? Are you going to try and empty your bank account or is it going to be a real gift? The Christmas season is here. Make it worthwhile for your family and friends.

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From the beginning of time the basic unit has been the family. It is the most important unit in our lives. Not only does that unit provide for our physical needs but our spiritual as well. Every other unit in the world is based off the family unit. It is the building block of life itself. When that unit is, disturbed or broken, the rest of the entire unit is broken. God created the family unit from the beginning. When He said that a man shall leave his family and shall be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh. Then He said what God has joined together let no man put asunder. Divorce wasn’t God’s plan. It was man’s. Children are supposed to be the result of marriage. Because children are a part of the heritage of God. And abortion is the result of man’s attempt to subvert God’s plan. I pity the people who have to stand before God and answer for abortion. Not only are children a heritage from God, they are sent to teach us about life itself. They are here to teach how to act toward man and God. And without them we can never be whole. The holidays give us an opportunity to strengthen our family ties. We need to take advantage of this opportunity. Because once it passes, it won’t come again. Take time and give the gift that binds the world together including our family. It is the love for one another and the love of God.

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For each new day brings hope for a better life. Hope springs eternal. It’s funny how our hearts seek out hope. Wanting to believe there is a new and better way to live. And we will go to great lengths to find hope in something. Unfortunately, many people turn to silly or ridiculous things to obtain hope. Why is there such a drive in us? What do we want to accomplish when we find this hope? I have seen people despair because they didn’t find hope in their pursuit. There is nothing created that will satisfy that need in your heart and especially something manmade. It is the Creator that give us hope, not the creature. And when you mention the name of God, people run or criticize you. Man, has no power to change a thing, especially to give you hope. And if you find someone inspirational, it isn’t by their own power. We are the creature not the Creator. What I am trying to do is get people to hope and then believe and trust in God. Everyone strives to improve themselves through every kind of way possible. But there is only one way to have hope that last for an eternity. It is through faith in God. This is believing and trusting in God Himself. Then you will have hope that springs eternal. Because each new day bring new hope for a better life.

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Time is relentless. And time stops for no man. God put it into motion and time does its job. I can remember my brothers and I in our one bedroom getting ready to go to sleep. My younger brother would sing a song as we fell asleep. I can see the new house we moved into when I was 12 years old. All the holidays we spent at our house. When I graduated from high school, I moved 2 blocks away from home to go college. Just close enough to go home for a meal and to wash clothes. I remember my first girlfriend in college. Then joining the military after college. Then my life changed when I met the Lord. I remember the first time I met my wife. Then holding my sons for the first time in our home. I remember when my 4 sons thought they were big enough to take me for fun. And I held them off until my wife jumped on my back. I remember when each of my sons went off to war. And the day they came back. As each son left home to make their way in the world. I remember when my grandson was born. The day my parents died. And the day my younger brother died. Time waits for no man. It is here to help us tell the season in our life. But there is a constant in this every changing world. That constant is God. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I miss my family that has gone on, but I know that I will see them again. Because God has promised and He isn’t a man that He should lie. So, time marches on.

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I was watching the evening news looking at all the people who are traveling this holiday. The airlines can’t catch up to the demand. There is a snow storm from Georgia to New York state. There were so many cancelled flights. The trains and buses are full and traffic is backed up from here to there. By the time most of these people get where they are going, it will be time to go back home. There is a different mood this year in America. For most of my life I have watched people intensely from November to January. And the bad mood most people are in doesn’t happen until they begin to spend serious money for Christmas. But it is more than just a bad mood. Most people are glad the presidential election in over. But it is more like people have been beaten up and they are tired and wounded. It is an unsettling predicament. Thanksgiving is here. There will be food, family, friends, football and naps, not necessarily in that order. I know that I will try to make the best of it for my family. I am truly thankful for our health, wealth and spiritual prosperity. If you are among the wounded, it’s time to count your blessings. To see what you have and are grateful for. And I tell you that things won’t look as bad if you do. Then you can have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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