Pray for peace, and watch for the signs!

Psalm 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you.
Egypt is all over the news this weekend, and all I can see is turmoil in the mideast.  The turmoil makes this a very dangerous neighborhood to live in, and that is where God's people (the jewish nation) live.  I am praying for supernatural protection in Jerusalem, and I hope that you are joining me.  The mideast is a timeclock to tell the world that time is running out.
   Jesus said, "when you see those things know that it is near (His coming). Matthew 24:33.  Fox news, CNN, NBC?  Do you know what you are seeing?  These are signs that the end is nearer than most think.  I believe that the message of this hour is "pray for peace, and watch for the signs."  Are you praying, and watching?  I would really love to read your comment.

Time to ponder.

This week of snow has presented me with some extra thinking time, and that is a good thing.  Proverbs 4:26 encourages us to "ponder the path of your feet, and let your ways be established."  Most often we run into problems because either we don't ponder enough, or we ignore obvious warning signs on the road of life.  I have suffered some pain recently because of some warning signs were ignored.  I decided what I wanted to do and just plunged ahead, so I'm spending some ponder time this week...Of course God's Word had good advice there all along, but wise counsel ignored is worthless.  Are you pondering your path, or plunging ahead.

Possibilities?

We are starting a new year and as we leave the old one behind of leaving those life crippling habits in the rear view mirror.  The Bible says that "His mercies are new every morning," so there is no reason to continue to live in the past.  It's a new year.  It's a book filled with blank pages.  The possibilities are endless.  You can take a new direction in life.  You can find a whole new set of friends who are a positive influence and will encourage you to make positive decisions.  If your problem has been negative relationships you may have to visit some new places to do your friend shopping.  If you keep going to the same places you'll keep finding the same kind of people.  Find people who are already going where you want to go with the Lord, in their family, or in business  and get to know them. I meet a lot of people who know way too many people who aren't going anywhere good, and they discover that misery is contagious.  The good news is that success is also contagious.  As we start this new year you will either catch success or failure, but it's a choice you have to make. 365 days from now your life will be better or it will be worse, and it all depends on the choices you make during those days.  If you choose to study, you'll enjoy better grades.  If you choose to get up early, you'll have time for God, and be on time for the day.  At the end of this next year you won't be a victim of anything but your own choices.  It's a brand new year, so let's determine to make different choices so that we don't end up with the same old life.

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.