What is it about Christmastime that brings with it the expectation and desire to slow down? Everybody talks about the hectic-ness of the Christmas season, with Christmas parties, presents to wrap, cookies to bake, etc. But deep inside of us all we want to pause. We want to enjoy the season with family and friends but the stress of getting everything perfect keeps us "to busy" to chill, to focus on what is really important.
The first Christmas, and the reason we should all celebrate the season, was pretty amazing. But it didn't happen in what we would call a "perfect" way (referencing stable, manger, hay, farm animals). The house wasn't decorated, cookies weren't baked, but the Savior still came. He wasn't worried about the decorations or the treats, He came for you. He came with you in mind, to spend time here with and for His children.
This season is a great time to remember, not everything has to be perfect. We need to remember people. Remember those friendships you used to have, but haven't focused on lately? Remember those people that are truly special to your life but you haven't told them lately? Take time this season to reconnect with those lost relationships, to drop words of encouragement to the person who helped you get where you are today, to hug your family, to worship your Savior.
Sorry for my Christmas ramblings today, but ultimately stuff will pass and perfection is different for all. So instead of worrying and running around to make everything perfect, focus on the people that mean something to you. Stuff passes... people matter. Make the most of this season. Share your time, talents and treasure on those close to you. The memories you create will be remembered long after the fruitcake has gone bad (wait....does fruitcake go bad?).
Let's remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and share it with those close to us. Let's make that phone call to a friend we haven't talked to in a while. Let's send a note to that parent, teacher, coach that had an impact in our lives. Let's tell our family of our love for them. Let's hug those close to us everyday. Let's love those around us and show the true meaning of Christmas to all we come in contact with.
Peace
Merry CHRISTmas
B
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wow! So true, so true
Proverbs 8....
BOOM!
BOOM!
Proverbs 8
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Well Said!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
....no matter what God's word helps (2)
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Where do you place you assurance?
What do you do for peace?
What gives you security?
Whom should you trust?
Answers are all in the most sold, (and also) the most stolen book of all time.
The Bible
....no matter what God's word helps
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Eat Mor Chikin - Chick-Fil-A
Well it's August 1st and "Chick-Fil-A appreciation day". A friend of mine says Chick-Fil-a appreciation day is every day at lunchtime (except Sunday's of course). But, why the "official" day?
Because the pot called the kettle black.
Yep. It is the American double standard. If we are a liberal group, we get this protection, we need tolerance, free speech, blah blah blah.
But if a Christian man who runs a restaurant (some would call it a Christian business) decides to say
"I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,' and I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."
...everybody gets in a huff.
So the same people who "preach" tolerance and acceptance have a problem with this, because it is not how they feel. So what happens...Hate, cries of boycott (see Chicago, Boston and NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Bob Beckel, etc).
So what happened to free speech? Where are we again... Communist China? Didn't think so.
All I have to say to those who are upset...Grow up. Not everybody is like you, nor do they want to be like you. We are a diverse Nation filled with many differing views, take it like a man or woman or ____ and move on.
I don't like Chinese food because it messes with my stomach, do i protest? do i sue? nope. I choose to stay away. But i don't stand out front with a sign...i dont eat the food.
So while the owners of the different Chick-Fil-A's appreciate this attention and the August revenue goals being met on August 1st, I would just merely suggest the best way to protest is to not buy the best Chicken sandwich ever made.
(By the way, the quote says nothing about you. Just talks about God's definition of marriage. So unless you have a conscience and feel guilty by the comment, it shouldn't affect you at all.)
America how far have we fallen?
Peace
B
Because the pot called the kettle black.
Yep. It is the American double standard. If we are a liberal group, we get this protection, we need tolerance, free speech, blah blah blah.
But if a Christian man who runs a restaurant (some would call it a Christian business) decides to say
"I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,' and I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."
...everybody gets in a huff.
So the same people who "preach" tolerance and acceptance have a problem with this, because it is not how they feel. So what happens...Hate, cries of boycott (see Chicago, Boston and NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Bob Beckel, etc).
So what happened to free speech? Where are we again... Communist China? Didn't think so.
All I have to say to those who are upset...Grow up. Not everybody is like you, nor do they want to be like you. We are a diverse Nation filled with many differing views, take it like a man or woman or ____ and move on.
I don't like Chinese food because it messes with my stomach, do i protest? do i sue? nope. I choose to stay away. But i don't stand out front with a sign...i dont eat the food.
So while the owners of the different Chick-Fil-A's appreciate this attention and the August revenue goals being met on August 1st, I would just merely suggest the best way to protest is to not buy the best Chicken sandwich ever made.
(By the way, the quote says nothing about you. Just talks about God's definition of marriage. So unless you have a conscience and feel guilty by the comment, it shouldn't affect you at all.)
America how far have we fallen?
Peace
B
Sunday, January 8, 2012
NYR 2012
New Year's Resolutions for 2012
Have you made your resolutions yet? I suppose theoretically you are suppose to have these in place by January 1st, but seriously does it matter? As long as you set resolutions, goals (or whatever you choose to call them) and write them down you are ahead of most the people around you.
Statistics say that somewhere between 15-20% of people actually make New Year's Resolutions and even a smaller percentage actually write them down.
Writing them down gives you a shopping list, a "to-do" list if you will. It also provides some accountability. Somewhere it is written what your plan is/was, that is your word (and it matters because our word is supposed to mean something -integrity).
So What are your goals, what are your resolutions?
I believe our resolutions should tie in with our priorities in life. So we first have to assess what are our priorities in life? What do we care most about?
For example, my general list of priorities are:
1. God
2. Wife
3. Kids
4. Friends
5. Job
So those are general, but all involve a large quantity of time investment. If I want to have a great relationship with 1-4, I have to be willing to invest time (time management). If I want to be successful at my job, I have to do the things that are required of me to help my company (organization or place of business) move up to the next level. This also requires time. If I'm not healthy, it cuts into my focus and quality time.
So the point is, are your resolutions pushing you toward your priorities?
If not are your resolutions good for you?
Goals are good, we should all set them. But let's make sure our goals are "others focused as well".
So my list (some are re-occurring yearly):
1. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with God.
2. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my wife.
3. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my children.
4. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my friends.
5. Devour the Word (the Bible). Read it for fun, wisdom, and because i have the freedom to do so, to garner God's wisdom for my life. (M'Cheyne One Year reading plan - YouVersion)
6. Pray more with my wife.
7. Hold hands with my wife...Everyday.
8. Hug and kiss my kids everyday.
9. No pop, soda, coke. Call it what you want if it has carbonation, it is a no-no for me.
10. Read a book a month (constructive and helpful book, not talking Cat in the Hat).
*U.S. Department of Labor and Yahoo!, business people who read at least seven business books a year earn 2.3 times more than those who read only one book per year.
Whelp, there they are. Nothing special. They will be a daily challenge and will take discipline to accomplish. I will have to focus each day when I awake to focus on Christ. With Him in first place, everything else will fall into place.
I hope that you have goals/resolutions as well. I hope that you are moving towards the prize. My prayer for you this year will be challenged to be "what" and "where" God needs them, focusing each day on mirroring Him to a lost and dying world.
Peace and love
B
Have you made your resolutions yet? I suppose theoretically you are suppose to have these in place by January 1st, but seriously does it matter? As long as you set resolutions, goals (or whatever you choose to call them) and write them down you are ahead of most the people around you.
Statistics say that somewhere between 15-20% of people actually make New Year's Resolutions and even a smaller percentage actually write them down.
Writing them down gives you a shopping list, a "to-do" list if you will. It also provides some accountability. Somewhere it is written what your plan is/was, that is your word (and it matters because our word is supposed to mean something -integrity).
So What are your goals, what are your resolutions?
I believe our resolutions should tie in with our priorities in life. So we first have to assess what are our priorities in life? What do we care most about?
For example, my general list of priorities are:
1. God
2. Wife
3. Kids
4. Friends
5. Job
So those are general, but all involve a large quantity of time investment. If I want to have a great relationship with 1-4, I have to be willing to invest time (time management). If I want to be successful at my job, I have to do the things that are required of me to help my company (organization or place of business) move up to the next level. This also requires time. If I'm not healthy, it cuts into my focus and quality time.
So the point is, are your resolutions pushing you toward your priorities?
If not are your resolutions good for you?
Goals are good, we should all set them. But let's make sure our goals are "others focused as well".
So my list (some are re-occurring yearly):
1. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with God.
2. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my wife.
3. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my children.
4. Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my friends.
5. Devour the Word (the Bible). Read it for fun, wisdom, and because i have the freedom to do so, to garner God's wisdom for my life. (M'Cheyne One Year reading plan - YouVersion)
6. Pray more with my wife.
7. Hold hands with my wife...Everyday.
8. Hug and kiss my kids everyday.
9. No pop, soda, coke. Call it what you want if it has carbonation, it is a no-no for me.
10. Read a book a month (constructive and helpful book, not talking Cat in the Hat).
*U.S. Department of Labor and Yahoo!, business people who read at least seven business books a year earn 2.3 times more than those who read only one book per year.
Whelp, there they are. Nothing special. They will be a daily challenge and will take discipline to accomplish. I will have to focus each day when I awake to focus on Christ. With Him in first place, everything else will fall into place.
I hope that you have goals/resolutions as well. I hope that you are moving towards the prize. My prayer for you this year will be challenged to be "what" and "where" God needs them, focusing each day on mirroring Him to a lost and dying world.
Peace and love
B
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