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.

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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.

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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?

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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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