When We Think of Christmas

When we think of Christmas, we think of a tree that we as a family would go to the woodlot and pick the very best, cut it down and bring it home, and set it up in the honorary corner. The tree that we lovingly adorned with everything from a feather to a stocking. Then came the most treasured adornment. The star, that was stored the year round in a secret place in the attic. Each Christmas Dad would go and bring it down, and we would all cheer, and wait impatiently for one of us to be chosen to be the one to place that silver star on the top most spike. Then on the night before Christmas we would lie awake, trying to hear the gliding of Santa’s sleigh through the frosty air, or listen breathlessly to try and catch the sound of the reindeer. It was all quite a pleasant time full of awesome memories, the special time of year.  As I think back on it, I think it was the time when we were all the happiest. I even remember the time when my brother told me that santa only brought gifts for the good little boys and girls.  He told me that because he had helped wash the dishes every evening for a whole month that santa was going to bring him everything he wished for. I watched him write that letter, sign it and give it to my Dad who would with a smile on his face say that only they knew the secret address to santa. We really believed then that santa was real, and that the red nosed reindeer really did lead his team, and that Mrs. Santa really did make those gingerbread cookies, or that the elves really were tiny little dwarves who lived in little underground mansions deep in the Artic wilderness.  But now that I have grown up from those youngster days, I now know where all those pleading letters went. But during those times, It was actually fun believing that he was real, and that he really did have a deep voice, and a white beard, and that he really had those deep blue eyes, as clear as an Artic spring.  The idea that santa was real was what woke us up in the morning on Christmas day before daybreak to see what he had left in our stockings.  But I think what was the most special was how Christmas really started. It didn’t start with the first mention of santa, it really started a long time before that. With the birth of a little boy in a manger. That baby boy was Jesus and he would grow up to become the Savior of the world. The story that Dad would read to us around the fireplace on Christmas was as real to me as anything, even realer than the thought of Santa. Santa really didn’t do anything to change the world, he really is only an idea. On the other hand Jesus lived and died for us. Now that really meant something to a young mind like me. The hardest question of all was how in the world could someone send his own son down from heaven to die on a tree for me. After what I’d done. No I wasn’t a really bad boy, but I had done some things I wasn’t proud of. Like steal a couple nickels from my brother’s piggy bank, or stuff all my clothes underneath my bed when my mom told me to clean my room. No that wasn’t no great sin, but it was still a sin.  I knew that I was a sinner, and that night on Christmas eve, when  I knelt by that small window, and watched the clouds sail across that frosty moon, the extent of what Jesus had done for me really became a reality.  It wasn’t no great lightning bolt across the sky, but it was a peace, the kind of peace that passeth all understanding.  As each Christmas we shop for all the little trinkets that we think we need, and see that scene with Jesus in the manger, it really doesn’t do justice to the real meaning of Christmas, not even a tiny bit. If we forget what Christmas really represents, then we’ve really put a disgrace on the one person who we really should be celebrating. Anyways, Happy holidays, and a blessed New Year!

A Change of Plans

 Ok guys, just do you know I didn't write this, so all credit goes to the anynomous author. I thought this was a very good description of me, for all of you wondering what it's like being me!                                            


                                                  

                                                        A Change Of Plans



I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly.

 This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it.

 I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip. "

I got tickets to fly there on "WISHIHAD" airlines. It was an extremely short flight. 

I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been. 

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.

 

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. 

I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there. 

First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have.

 Then came the I Had family.

 You probably know ol' Wish and his clan.

 Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost.

 he biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. 

Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and appearance.

 And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.





 Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed.

 But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME!

I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed. 

One thing kept going through my mind, I can't change yesterday, but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day. 

I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address.

 Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no physical way to undo them.



 So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting Again. 

I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.

 God bless you in finding this great town. 

If you can find it — it's in your own heart — please look me up.

I live on ICANDOALLTHROUGHJESUS street. 

“I can't change yesterday, but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day.” --

Live. Love. Laugh. Learn Trust Hope Faith Forgiveness

The Coming Future

What do we say when you see our country going in what you believe is the wrong direction?  What do we do when we see our president passing laws that limit our freedoms in every direction? More importantly what do you see in our future as a nation?  Some see it as the coming apocalyptic end to the world as we know it, others see a future of change, still others see it as a chance for the people to rise up and take back the country which once was free.  I think one of the important things that we must decide is what is our role in all of this.  What really would be the right thing to do?

                  Recently a Texas Judge by the name of Tom Head was interveiwed on Fox News for his comments regarding this next election. This sums up what he said.

“One of the things is he’s going to try to give the sovereignty of the United States away to the United Nations. What do you think the public is going to do when that happens? We are talking civil unrest, civil disobedience, possibly, possibly civil war.  Now what is going to happen then?  The President will in U.N troops to end the civil disobedience” Lubbock County Judge Tom Head said Tuesday on FOX 34.  He also said.  "Will this kind of thing happen? Probably not”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80037.html#ixzz25vOViKg3 Tom  also said that if such a thing were to happen he would want experienced battle trained proffesional soldiers to back him up.  He also warned that the state of Texas will remove itself from the union, and no longer be one of the  'States of America'.  This is not a threat that was made lightly, in so much as some have already came out and called him a  lunatic for saying what he did.  Democrats all across the board are calling for him to be kicked out of office, but the reality of the matter is is that he is so well loved by the people of his jurisdiction that there is no way that they will not vote for him again.  And I think that this is very well said.  If we believe in what someone in office says and stands for then we should by all manner stand beside him/or her.  Now some of you might already be thinking about  the certain sherriff of said certain town who was said by the judge that he the sherriff said out of his own mouth he would stand beside him if any of the said predictions should come to fruit.  Now this said sherriff came out on the same news channel and said that no such thing was discussed between him and the judge! Now what in the world, that is a total contradiction from what the jude said.  Could it be that the jude or the sherriff is lying about what went on behind closed doors .  I won't even try to tell you what i think is the truth because truthfully i don't know.  And right now I don't need to know.  The important thing is, and what I am saying right now is the fact that the two stories don't line up.  If the sherriff really did say he would back the judge up, and now when confronted by national news he won't admit it?  Now that thought just really does not set well with me or with the rest of you Southern gentlemen and ladies who have the moral set well in our heart that if we say we're going to stand by anothers side, we're going to do it even if it makes us a few enemies on the other side of the fence.  Now was the sherriff really telling the truth about what he said?  Or is he trying to paint his public image in a color that would make him look good?   When I read the story and listened to the interveiws I came back with the picture of the sherriff not wanting to admit that he stood with the judge, who right at this very moment is on the recieving end of some very bad public comments all over the internet, especially in the blogosphere. Now you can say and think whatever you want about what I just said, but that is my personal opinion on the matter, and if you think i'm wrong then feel free to comment.  And I admit, first impressions aren't always correct, and in the future I may change my stance, but right now I am with the Judge.  Even putting all of this aside, and looking at his place of authority as a county judge.  What do we see in so many other judges?  They are getting messed up in scandals of all sorts.  And here we have in the Great State of Texas, one judge, in one county of Texas, threatening that the State of Texas will remove itself from the Union if Obama is reelected.  Why are the Democrats working themselves so hard over what on man says who really is a nobody in polotics?  Could it be that Tom might have a legitimate point here?  Could this country be on the verge of another civil war?  If you think about it, we are really already involved in a cold civil war.

If this country would start a civil war in the near future, or whenever, where would you stand?  Would you publicly stand with someone who you know is right, or would you sit home and do nothing, relying on some false notion that God is going to do everything for you?  I know, and I fully agree that this countries main problem is not with the leadership or with the goverment, but rather it is with 'We the People', and if we want  change for our country then we need to look at our own lives and at the way in which we might have screwed up.  The truth is if Me, and You, and the rest of y'all were doing what we needed to be doing,  Obama would no longer be in office. Take what I just said any way you want too, but that is the plain simple truth. If you're on welfare, and you are very able to work, and you're family is barely surviving, then you need to get your hind end off the couch and go find something that will bring in even a buck or two.  Now, before some of you get all in a huff.  I know there is a lot of you out there who are in a bad situation with work and you're spending every waking second working to keep your family afloat.  I appluad and give you a high five.  And remember success isn't always about how much money you have, but rather it's about how joyful you are in your present situation.  Here is another thought.  You're success is not determined by how well the goverment is spending our money, or what Obama is doing, or is wanting to do.  You're success and my success is determined by what you do, and what i do on a daily basis.  One of the not so main reasons why our country is not going the way it shoud be is because people like you and me are just sitting at home, praying, and saying  what ever happens is God's Will.                                    

                                                                                                                          -Willy Wonka

Hey y'all!!

Hey y’all I just wanted to catch you up on a new feature that I am going to be adding to my blog.  First off, I have friend who goes by the name Willy Wonka!    He has a good reputation I think as being someone who is Funny, Honest, and Responsible.  I invited him to write a short piece about something that you might find interesting.  He agreed, so I will be posting at least once weekly something that he has written.  Thank you all for your continued support of my blog, and have an awesome day!!

                                                                                                                                      

  -Spybot

If My People Rally *Highlights*

A Soldiers Love

It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again.

Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark’s need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn’t working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry-how would she react?

Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. “I’m blind!,” she responded bitterly. “How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you’re abandoning me.”

Mark’s heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.

Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday… Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself.

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, “Boy, I sure do envy you.” Susan wasn’t sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, “Why do you say that you envy me?” The driver responded, “It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are.”

Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, “What do you mean?”

The driver answered, “You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady.”

Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks. For although she couldn’t physically see him, she had always felt Mark’s presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn’t need to see to believe-the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.

Author Unknown

Sports Picnic 2012