"It Has Begun!"

The Turkey has been consumed, as was the dressing, Green Bean Casserole and Pumpkin Pie. Football games have been watched (go Cowboys!). Like Eisenhower planning for the invasion at Normandy, Amanda was strategically planning her "Black Friday" shopping trip. From the wee small hours of the morning after Thanksgiving she embarked on her crusade to conquer the Christmas list. Her success would only be thwarted by exhaustion. By the time she came home, she was just that, exhausted! While she was engulfed in the conflict, we (me and the Kids (moslty me)) began to fortify our Christmas head quarters with the elements of Christmas traditions (i.e. lights, and inflatable Santa).

I said I love Christmas! If we're not careful, we misplace our Christmas allegiance, and fail the true test of Christmas. We nee to remember to start the season off right. If we don't put Christ first the it really does become "Xmas". Only with Christ being at the forefront of everything we do this season can it truly be called Christmas. Christmas must begin with Christ or it doesn't really begin at all. So, put Christ first, and your holiday season will be filled with Joy, Peace and Love.

Being Thankful

The last few days God has made me aware of a lot of things I have not said thank you for. I gotta practice what I preach, right. When I stop and think of all the things, lately, that God has blessed me with, I have to stop and say "thank you, Lord". The problem we tend to run into, is that we express thankfulness when it's something big, and forget God in the small stuff, the everyday stuff. We need to be as grateful for the everyday things as we are the big blessings. Start looking at the little things that you think are insignificant and praise God for them. When we can show our gratitude in those moments, we will be begin to live a more thankful and content lifestyle. Begin by thanking God for putting you on this journey.

New Day, New Mercy

Lamentations 3:23 says "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." The Bible speaks a lot about taking each day one at a time. and in this passage it tells us we get to start fresh, with "new mercy" every day. What a great promise. God wants you to approach each day in a new light, maybe even a new perspective. Repent of and forget the failures of the previous day, and let God begin to work in you anew. What an awesome God we serve!

Another way to look at it is like this; These aren't the same mercies He showed you yesterday, they are new. It would be like some one giving you a brand new pair of clothes for you to wear each day. You don't have to get rid of the old ones, they are there for remembrance, but the new ones, wow. Who doesn't like to put on a new set of clothes. That's exactly the attitude this verse should bring to our attention, a new fresh start.

Get out and let God make it happen in you today. I hope you enjoy your Journey this week

The Right Foot

Being a righty affords me a lot of advantages. Most everything that is made is made for right handed people. Now my son, Logan, is left handed, but only when he writes. When he plays baseball he bats right and throws left. That would be confusing to me, like deciding which foot to start off with. I usually push off with my right foot, because it's my dominate foot. I get going a little faster using my dominate foot. The Christian life is much the same, if I don't get started right things don't seem to go right. Most every morning I begin my work day by reading my Bible and devotional book. After a time of prayer I am ready to begin the day. Those days seem to be more productive than others. As well, my attitude and demeanor are better. Often I get attacked the moment I walk in the door, and I miss that precious time with God. It's important to get off on the right foot, and start the day with God. You will need Him sometime during the day, so start it off right. Have a great Journey this week!