What to do at Christmas?

I have spent too many days on the run.  My wife and I raised 5 kids and that will keep you busy, especially at Christmas.  So many stores to visit, so many gifts to get, so many parties to attend.  The only thing we run out of quicker than money at Christmas, is time.  So what can you do this year?  Here is some well earned wisdom.  Just slow down.  Take more time to visit, and listen to what is happening in the lives all around you.  Everyone has a story to tell, but not enough listeners to go around.  Years from now, when we all look back we won't remember those who were too busy, but we will remember those who slowed down enough to listen, and visit, and care.  The most deeply satisfying times in my life are always the times when I have taken enough time to really connect with people.  So this Christmas do something very different from the rest of the American world all around you.  Slow down.

Family

The older I get, the more I appreciate family.  My heart grows larger as I see my children moving forward in life.  One of my sons makes great commercials, and one of them gave my my first grandson.  He's an incredible kid, and smart as a whip. He is a blast to hang out with...One of my son's leads worship at the Rock, and my daughter is getting ready to style hair on an mtv reality tv show.  My youngest son is graduating from college in a few weeks, and preparing for grad school. Do I sound like I'm overly impressed with my own kids?  Maybe I am, but they are my family and I get great joy out of each of them.  My brothers, my sister, my cousins.  Lot's of great memories.  Nothing brings me more joy than family.  Last Sunday I ate lunch with my church family.  These are my peeps, and I love them all.  Lot's of great stories to tell about people who love each other, and love the kingdom of God.  They often work together at loving people outside the family, and it makes me proud to be related to them.  The greatest joy I experience in life comes from family.  This thanksgiving while I'm giving thanks to my God, I'll be thankful for family.  How about you?

Sexual Revolution?

Revolution...to make or bring about sudden change for the better.  We had a sexual revolution in the 60's.  The idea was to get people to let go of their sexual inhibitions, and to embrace free love and all that stuff.  But was this really a revolution, or was it really an illusion that led to pollution?  I believe that this question is worth a few minutes thought.  A lot of us grew up with the idea that sex was something that is dirty, but that is not innately true.  God gave us the gift of sex before sin ever entered this world.  That's right it was before.  Hugh Hefner didn't discover sexuality and the playboy channel won't make you a better lover.  In fact time there will plant bombs deep in your heart that will eventually explode with destructive results.  The world says "just do it".  Do it as often as you can, with whoever you can, wherever you can, but is this really good advice? No, it's not.  A real man is not someone who can have sex with 30 different women.  A real man is someone who can have sex with one woman for thirty years, and loves her well.  Here's a different thought.  Maybe the sexual revolution has left us in need of a sexual revolution.

Do yourself a favor!

I am spending a week driving through New England and enjoying the wonderful landscape covered with a beautiful array of different colored leaves.  This was not my first choice of great vacations, but it was something that my wife really wanted to do.  So I just took a deep breath and did it.  Guess what?  In the middle of doing something to bless someone else I have found a deeper joy in her friendship than I have enjoyed in a while, and a level of refreshing that is great.  The message I bring is simple, and powerful.  Do yourself a favor, love your wife.

Adventure is your food!

I love to ride my horse, Arizona.  Riding through the woods, streams, and hills is exciting, and it feeds my heart.  My son's have done some crazy things.  One of them drove a four wheel drive Jeep into a ravine one night, and broke his nose.  I was grateful he wasn't hurt more.  One of them went rock jumping a few years ago, in the mountains.  My grandson's biggest thrill so far is to drive his little tractor in my yard.  We climb too high, swim too far, and just generally push the limits in nearly everything we do.  Why do we cross oceans, climb mountains, and dive deep into oceans.  It's because adventure has been programmed into our hearts by our creator.  The reason that the wright brothers flew at kittyhawk was because there was something inside that drove them to fly.  I am driving through New England this week and standing on the edge of the ocean on some very large rocks.  Standing there on the edge feeds something in my soul, because I was made for adventure.  Every man was made for adventure, but sometimes we have to search for it.  If you haven't found what feeds your soul, then keep looking for it.  You were made for adventure.

Reject fear.

Many of the people I talk with aren't living an adventurous life simply because of fear.  They are afraid to try, afraid to launch out, afraid to attempt.  What if you don't succeed?  What if you fail, or fall?  What if you go broke?...but what if you succeed?  How glorious would it be if another business idea blossomed?  What if a powerful new ministry was launched?  Everything great that is happening in this world started somewhere.  Why not let it start with you.  God understands the suffocating hands of fear that have you gripped around the neck.  II Timothy 1:7  God hasn't given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.  A fearful mind is not healthy.  Way too many Americans are trying to medicate their fears.  You don't need more drugs, you need more of God.  You can trust in God and succeed.  Too many people just get used to fear until it becomes their constant companion.  Don't get used to fear.   We must rage against fear in every form.  Reject fear, it doesn't come from God.  He loves you and wants good things for your life and your future.  David ran toward Goliath and overcame a giant.  Quit running from things, and start running toward your giants.  Faith will bring you victory.

Lift up your eyes.

Do not say, there are four months still and then the harvest comes.  Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, they are white unto harvest.  John 4:35  Everywhere you turn we hear bad news.  No one sees any new jobs on the horizon.  All that I hear is predictions of poverty and lack, but Jesus said that we should see beyond what is to see what could be.  Harvest was four months away, but he said that there was a harvest of souls that was right around the corner.  In the OT David said to "lift up your eyes to the hills where your help comes from."  It's time for us to change our focus, and lift up our eyes.  Don't keep looking down at the mud.  Don't keep looking at every obstacle.  Lift up your eyes.  Adjust your vision upward.  There are days of abundance that will come to those who are looking for them.  During the last recession (80's)  a couple of techies started Microsoft.  Bill Gates was looking beyond what was to what could be.  The challenge today is to lift up your eyes and see a positive future.