Christmas celebrations have been around for a lot longer than
any of us have.  It's both historical and traditional, which means
it happened and then folks thought it was significant enough
to warrant it's own holiday.  Whether or not it is a spiritual
 "Holy Day" depends on each individual who participates in
 the celebration.  The fact that folks today want to replace
 the baby Jesus with a Santa suit makes me sad, but that
 is their celebration, not mine.

  From what I understand, many years ago,  some pagan
 folks threw a big party celebrating whatever they believe.
 The Christians watched,  thinking,"That looks like fun but
 we don't believe like they do. We would like to have a
 party but what do we Christians have to be joyful over?"
 Some one mentioned that we have quite a bit.  How
 about Christ's birth, to begin with?  So, then it was settled!

I agree with the early Christians.  Christmas to me is about
 the Son Of God taking on human flesh.  It is about a baby
 born in a manger who would later take on some pretty
 heavy stuff.  The Son Of God took on human pain and
 suffering.   But that is only half of it. He also took on the
 ultimate trauma; God laid the sins of us all, on Him.  That
 is a different kind of torture that I will not have to know
 because Jesus went there for me. He is my Savior ....
 and my Champion!

The world has many champions. You have to do something
 pretty special though to gain that title.  Like, winning the
 Super Bowl.  Everybody loves a winning football team!
 My Champion didn't carry a football though. He carried me.
Jesus carried me and my sins all the way down the field,
right past the devil and on through all of his best players;
over the finish line, we went.  There was no cheering or out-
ward expression of glory for Him though.  Instead of fame,
He got shame.  Few even knew what He was doing.  Heaven's
scoreboard lit up though and that was what mattered most.

The stories of a kind and jolly old elf named Santa Claus
amuse me.  Reindeer,  decorations, presents and cookies;
of course they make us smile. But what happens when the
presents are all opened, the cookies are eaten and the rest
of the Christmas Turkey is in the freezer?

Life goes on, three hundred and sixty five days a year.
Happiness fades and "business as usual",  takes over again.
Unless of course, you remember that the baby in the manger
didn't stay there.  He grew and lived out the rest of His earthly
life with one plan.  Making a way to reconnect fallen man with
his Creator, God. 

Unlike happiness, joy remains throughout the hardest of times.
It is God's gift and a promise that He will hold us up and even
carry us if need be.   His Word is alive.  God's Word became flesh,
and dwelt among us.  His name was and still is Jesus.

Yes, God did celebrate with a light show in the sky and angel chorus.
He even sent invitations out to visitors who came from near and far.
Sadly though, His Son's birth was more of a spiritual celebration, as
we all know.  He came to offer Himself up as a living sacrifice for
all who would believe.

That intimidating old hill of Golgotha, they called The Skull,
was chosen by God years before Jesus' killers were even born.
It simply did it's job and held tightly to the cross that day when
God's Champion, always in control, spread out his arms and spoke
this word: "Tetelestai", which means, "It is finished.   And it was!

The rock could not hold Him.  The Grave could not keep Him.
And I will never forget what He has done for me.  Celebrating His
birth is a pleasure.  What day that celebration falls on matters not to
 me.  He was born.  He lived.  He died and He rose again. Today, He
sits at the right hand of His and my Father, ever to make intercession
for me and you.  Knowing that, is the only thing I believe I need to
know to get it right.

Wow, with every moment that passes ....

Each time we reach a crossroad and need to make a choice,
if we could only realize just how very precious and powerful that moment is
and understand it's ability to change our lives for the better!

Then, we would also understand that we are
constantly reaching these crossroads every day ....
all day long and learn to pause and think about what we are doing,
how our future will be affected and hopefully care enough
to start making better decisions.

Gotta work on that caring part .....

Just finished watching and listening to "The Messiah".

When the Hallelujah Chorus began I was sitting

but every hair on my head was standing straight up;

So, I had to stand up too.

It's like a  practice Rapture each time, The Hallelujah Chorus plays.

I can only imagine it will be like that, only better,

when Christ actually arrives!

I am sure that this chorus is the National Anthem of Heaven.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords ....

who could sit through that?

Just thinking ....... 

We live in a society divided by many things. We all hold strong opinions and tend to think that we are right. That's ok. It's our freedom and right to do so. But when someone else disagrees, don't write them off. Friends don't try to manipulate and control each other.

Like iron sharpens iron, we benefit from our diverse friendships. When you can listen to someone relay their convictions, even when they go contrary to your own and still welcome their friendship, well, to me at least, that's the truest definition of a friend.

It seems that both sides of the equation, being equal .... we both want the same things. We just have different ways of achieving it.  That's how I see it anyway.

I will add, this was not a randomly inspired post.  I just realized that a person who I valued as a good friend, defriended me after the elections.  She was very sure of a Hillary Victory and devastated by the loss.

We obviously were on different poles when it came to the elections but had much to agree and work together on when it came to other things.

Today we all want to be heard, but are not such good listeners.    We demand respect but are not so good at giving it. We are quick to judge and walk away from those we do not understand.  

 

A new day is a clean slate.

 The awesome thing about a clean slate

 is handing it over to God;

  Asking HIM to set your schedule.

  Trusting God with your day.....

 What a plan!

God can turn doors ..... into doorways.

But only if it is right for you.

Some doors may seem restrictive.

They won't open and this makes us unhappy.

We pray and they still won't open.

This is really frustrating!

Some doors were placed in our lives, to stop us.

Some doors were placed to teach us patience,

Until the right time and circumstances arrive.

These doors are placed there for our protection.

We don't always know that though,

So, we get upset and begin to doubt God.

Some of these doors will never open.

We may not understand why, but God does.

Some doors will remain closed, until an appointed time.

A time which He, in His infinite wisdom has chosen.

Here is a suggestion for while you wait: Listen.

Jesus says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock ..."

Answer His knock. 

He will either lead you through the doorway Himself,

Or re direct you to a place which is better.

Stop banging and listen or you might just miss Him.

Just be still and know that He is God.

Trust Him.

Today we live by the Tarnished Aluminum Rule:

 "Do whatever you want.

  If you can get away with it,

 that means it is alright."  

~ Trading  Precious Truth for a lie.. ~

Deja Vu ..... 

 There used to be a challenge of how many college students could fit in a volkswagon beetle or a telephone booth.  I think we have a new one now in Washington D.C.  "How many skeletons can a politician fit in a single closet and still be able to close the door?  Sadly, their response is to just build a bigger closet to accommodate more..... )O:

The Ancient Of Days

  sits upon His  

 throne.

His dominion is

an everlasting dominion  

and His kingdom will never pass,   

  or be destroyed. Blessing, honor, glory

 and power be unto the Ancient of Days.

 Every  nation,  all of creation,  bow before the 

Ancient of Days.  Every tongue in heaven and

earth will declare your glory. Every knee shall  

bow at your throne in worship.  My Lord, Your     

 kingdom shall reign over all the earth.  I Sing 

to The Ancient of Days.  None can compare.   

  None can compare. For none can compare

  to your matchless worth! Sing church  

sing. Sing to the Ancient of Days!

You will be exalted Oh God,

 and your kingdom, shall

  not pass away, Oh

 Ancient of 

 Days.  Oh

Ancient

of Days.

Sing unto

 the Ancient of

 Days.  Oh sing unto

The Ancient Of Days. 

From everlasting to everlasting,

You are God.  Psalm Ninety: Two




This is a wonderful song, so credits go to the writer and musician.  I
only played around with it and made it into the the shape of a vase.
I did have to make adjustments however to make it all come together.

    A Trump campaign mailing is sitting on my counter top. It could just as well be a Bernie or Hillary flyer. None of them represent me. In a few short monthes, we will see a Donald, a Bernie or a Hillary as the face of our political parties though.
　
    A presidential candidate needs to demonstrate self control in his own life, if HE expects us to think he can handle the disciplines of the Oval Office. A presidential candidate also needs to set the standard for truth and integrity if SHE expects us to believe she can honestly lead our nation. Having a self described socialist living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't agree with me either. Even if HE claims his form of socialism is the basic, mild, "vanilla flavored" form.

    We need a strong leader in the white house.  One who is full of character.  Not one who is full of himself.  Humility is a noble trait, it's not easy and only the strong can handle it.  


　Webster's Dictionary defines socialism as the form of society where government owns and controls all major industries. It also adds that according to Marxist Theory, socialism is the transitional stage between capitalism and communism. Yes and once you get your foot in the door, you are halfway in. That's all it takes to bring the other foot around.

    According to Forbes Opinion:  The Majority of Danish politicians intuitively believe that, "capitalists are an unpleasant necessity to generate the revenues to fund the social welfare state."  Capitalists were a minority that simply should be tolerted for their contributions....  Denmark, by the way, has the highest total tax pressure in the world.
　
    Anybody that is old enough to have followed the Clinton's escapades throughout the years, knows that they are no stranger to controversy. They want power and they have built up a group around them who can be "paid off" to keep their secrets. One of these days, " Them bones are going to rise again ...." Hopefully they will not take up new residence in the white house. I am sure though,  there would be a grand reunion take place with those that were left behind ...
　
    God help us all. Give us wisdom in the way we vote, or don't. Whoever You allow, give them understanding and let them know that YOU will personally hold them accountable. Teach them that fearing the people is one thing. Fearing YOU is another.  




　

I do not like Miss Hillary,

I did not like, Sir Billary.

I do not think LIFE is a joke ...

Another's CHOICE or "facebook poke".



I like our soldiers, they are strong

To not respond with help was wrong.

Why were our soldier's left alone?

Why could they get no help from home?



Alone they drew their final breath,

ALONE THEY DIED A HERO'S DEATH.

Nope, I do not like Miss Hillary

Her actions make no sense to me



I do not like her health care plan

I think it is a SCREWED UP SCAM.

I'd like it better if she would agree

To have the save coverage as you and me.



Who can define what it means to be poor?

DOES IT MEAN I AM POOR JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE?

What is a want? What is a need?

Do I need all I want, when does want become greed?


This is where you are in err,

If you think I do not care.

You do not know all that I give,

You do not know just how I live.


I do not like your Plan, NOPE, NOPE ....

I find it a deceptive slope.







Many Hillary supporters would say that our willingness to vote for Trump shows a lack of integrity. But, integrity is not something that Hillary seems to care about. Who was it that said, "Folks who live in glass houses should not throw stones? I say, "Folks who support folks who live in glass houses should put away their rock collections as well."


We are all sucking in air full of political propaganda right now.   You, me and the next person.  Let's all admit we could all be wrong.  You say Trump is evil.  I say Hillary is evil.  Evil is evil whether it's wearing lipstick or a tuxeo.  We all have a lot of thinking and soul searching to do.  Enough said.