Welcome 2011- another year closer to Glory

2011 came quietly at my house. We opened a bottle of sparkling grape juice and toasted its beginning....No banging of pans accompanied this as in previous years. I guess we relished the quiet, which in past years would have been hard to come by. I understand now why we didn't really celebrate the coming of the new year. Quiet reflection has its place, I know. It had its place here, but not for long.

I fear that the quiet will be short lived, as the blanket of evil smothers the good all around it. Even now my ears ring with what will come. Even now my eyes smart and tear with what will come. I can't breathe for the oppressive energy dancing from the heavens. I feel its tingle on my bare skin, and shiver in anticipation. The signs are everywhere you look. Signs that the Lord will be back very soon. Will I be ready for his return? I don't know. My fears and doubts assail me. I long to see the one who saved me from myself, yet I worry that he will reject me. That is my greatest fear.

They tell me time is short, and I should make the most of every day. Yet they don't know what I go through. Am I a fool to want to see the Lord in all his glory now? Am I cowardly not to want to go through the great tribulation? No. The Lord is the master of time and space. He holds it all in his hands. We need to make the most of every day.

Reflections of the past year

When I think back on this past year, I can't help thinking about all the things I thought I would accomplish but didn't. I know if you are like me, then you probably tell yourself that you are going to do this or that. Yet you don't do it. You get too caught up in the rush of events that you don't take the time to do what really matters to you. Then there is the fact that it takes courage to come out of your comfort zone, and you let things slide until something happens to shake your world.

I have had my share of surprises this past year, but I have also been blessed beyond my comprehension. Getting out of the comfort zone is hard. You expect things to be a certain way, and get irritated when they are not that way. You learn that you need to let go, and let the people around you do the work they need to do. As much as you might like for time to go backwards or at least slow down, you need to accept that it won't.

I recall when it seemed as if time dragged. Now it seems more and more that time is going faster and faster. I guess part of it because I'm getting older. Time doesn't seem as plentiful as it was when I was young. I am still learning to cherish the time I do have, and do the things I say I'm going to do before time runs out.

So, these are my goals for the coming year: To take care of myself more, and stop stressing out about things I can't change. God is in control, and I have to relinquish control. To listen more to others, and stop interfering unless asked to do so. To learn more and be open to new opportunities to learn. To love as Jesus loves. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me for the tasks ahead.

Christmas time-a time for hope and reflection

My thoughts during this time of year often wander towards a small baby in a manager over two thousand years ago. I ponder the miracle of one child whose destiny was to die for us all, and the fact that with his birth he provided a way for us to connect with God in a way that hasn't been done before. My mind gets "blown away" by the fact that God chose to come down to Earth as a baby so that he could bring us back to himself. He didn't have to do that. He could have left us and started over with another creation.

There is hope with God. He came to be near us. He came to redeem us and to free us from the tyranny of sin and death. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV) Life, not death....Oh, why do we focus in on the decay all around us when the Lord says that he has come to bring us life? I think we're afraid to let go. I think we're afraid that he won't do as he promised. Fools! If we could only understand the sacrifice God made to send his Son to die for us, then we would set aside our fears and embrace the message the God gave us when he sent his Son.

The signs are all around us now. We just need to be open to them.

Unusual times and seasons

Often we don't realize the impact of our actions until it is too late. We try to blame others for what we should have known. We can rationalize, and then tell ourselves that we'll do better next time. Really? Who are we kidding? We live in unusual times, times that sometimes try our souls. We are fools to think that there are not consequences for our actions or that we can borrow and spend like there's no tomorrow.

God knows. His timing is perfect. We see his handiwork all around us, and take too much for granted. In this season, we need to reflect on his first coming and the unusual circumstances surrounding his birth. Then we can fully understand the unusual times and seasons we now live in. We can also let go, hard as it is, of the cherished memories of a simpler time.

I realize as I grow older that my destiny is in God's hands. I admittedly still struggle as I recall the many times he walked me through dark valleys. My heart sometimes still aches as I recall the last time I saw my grandmother lying in that coffin. I then think back and praise God for her.

Old and new friends

I sent my annual Christmas letter today. I like to keep in touch with the people I worked with at the various jobs I've held. I know some will probably throw my letter away without reading it. I don't mind that. I understand that for some, it might seem as if I was being too crass talking about myself. I'm guilty. I know some that look forward to my Christmas letter, not many, I grant you,.but some. I use my Christmas letter as a witness of my love for them, and to share God's love with them.

I recall, with some sadness, the two people that I connected with through the letters who died. I thank God that I was able in a small way to witness to them through the letters before they died. I can't dwell too long on the faces of the people that made their mark on my life and died before I could thank them. When I do, I pray for their families who are still dealing with grief and sadness. I thank God that he allowed them to come into my life and enrich it. Will they be like jewels in the crown I throw at the Lord's feet? I don't know. I'm anxious for that time. Will I be worthy? I know I'm not. So I thank God for his grace.

Post holiday reflections of Thanksgiving

Now that I've stuffed myself and enjoyed having the family around me, I can now begin to reflect on what it all means. Being thankful should be an everyday occurrence. It shouldn't be just the one day. Yet often when we go back towards the rush of getting things ready for Christmas, we forget to be thankful. We run out of time. We tell ourselves that we can think about being thankful some other time. Most times we don't really stop and consider all that God has granted us. We take too much for granted. I know. I am that way. I forget what the Lord is doing and what he has done for me.

There are too many things to be thankful for, we often lament or too little. I guess I'm a fool for thinking that we should be thankful for all things. I believe that all things work out for the best, and that's why I'll continue to be thankful every day.

Thanksgiving-a time to give thanks

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, a day to reflect on all the many blessings in our lives. I am thankful for so many things, such as family and friends. I realize as time goes on that these precious times that we have with our family shouldn't be taken for granted. Instead we need to cherish them and thank God for them. I do thank God. I know that I would be lost without him. Yes, I may complain every once in awhile, wondering why the Lord allows some things to happen. Yes, I may wonder about the things I have no control over....that would be most things. I'm glad God is in control.

When I reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving, I realize that the key to celebrating Thanksgiving is not the big meal. Many in this country don't have the means to have any Thanksgiving celebration. The key to celebrating Thanksgiving is an open heart to the people around you. This is very hard. I walk past at least 2 or 3 homeless people every day. I would help, but am afraid. You say that I shouldn't be afraid, that I should stand up to my fears. It's difficult. I know what I should do, but I don't do it. I see the Lord's frown every time I pass them by. I want to scream, but hold it in. I tell myself that there is nothing I can do. Have I convinced myself? No....