Merry Christmas, my Friends! How are y’all doing this wonderful time of year? I hope and Pray all is well with you and yours through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

I know this time of year can be wonderful for some and difficult for others, depending on where y’all live in the Continental US. For a fair swath of the Upper States, there is already snow on the ground, say from Oklahoma into Canada and from Northern California to Maine. And what a wonderful sight it is to behold, so white and so pure; and it is comprised of nothing more than Snowflakes – frozen water, if you will.

I know the cards are everywhere showing a single snowflake, but do you realize each flake is different from the next one? Now that is something fantastic to consider! It’s sort of like looking at Trees. I have ‘Live Oak Trees’ all around our property, and they are absolutely gorgeous! One thing to note once again: every tree is different and every leaf is different from the others as well. How amazing is that? Our Lord and Savior is genuinely a Fantastic Creator to be able to do this. The question then is, how many are taking this knowledge to heart and enjoying it, as well as showing our Gratitude to HIM?

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and I have been back home before, in February no less. I know that the snow is not something they especially enjoy, being that they have mountains of snow every year. My first experience with snow was in Anchorage as we were flying to join my Dad in the Philippines. Our plane slipped off the runway – one wheel – into the soft ground, and we had to be escorted off the plane and into buses. We were then taken to another plane to continue our 18-hour journey, finally landing at Clark AFB Philippines.

As we left the plane, I remember the wind being so very cold that the snow crunched under our feet. I do not think there was a single person dressed appropriately for this Alaskan weather; yet, under the circumstances, we all pulled together until we were in the warm Terminal.

Every single kid on the plane was so very excited by this short venture in the snow, yet the Parents were scrambling to keep us together and safe. Of course this was back in the mid 1960’s; so many things were different back then, but…what a thrill it was! Never did we ever consider the danger involved with a Plane sliding off the runway. To be honest, most were concerned with our comforts: food, warmth and definitely stretching our legs. 18 hours in planes is a very long time!

Nowadays, I spend a great deal of time considering the Small Things. As I have written in previous articles, words like FEW, also the usage of Is or Like in Hebrew and Greek – it is so strange to me that such small differences in what the Bible says can be totally different because of these small words. It has also inspired me to look at so many other things as well, like snowflakes and the ‘Luminin’ that holds Atomic particles together, shaped like the Cross of Jesus Christ. How odd is that?

We spend far too much time on the bigger and less important things in our lives, as well as forgetting to Praise the Lord for so much of the Blessings we receive. Each and every snowflake is different and so individual from other flakes. Luminin appears to resemble the Cross of Jesus Christ…is this coincidence… or for a more important reason?

So many people say “There is no God,” and yet they never consider how much the Lord presents HIMSELF in the smallest of things. How many take the time to consider the Trees, the snowflakes and the luminin? So very few…sadly. How about all the flowers, people, animals and insects? They resemble others of their species, and yet no two are exactly alike. What was that…’Evolution?’ That makes us appear ignorant to say the least. Creation is the answer!

It is sort of like other things that are in the Word of God, like Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

We need our Doctors and other Medical Professionals, indeed; they assist us in seeing things we could never imagine prior. The question is, why do so many miss the Blessings of the Lord in our everyday lives? Solely because we are too preoccupied with everything else. And then to add Sorrow by never realizing the Lord God loves us and never giving HIM the Praise HE deserves, to include the little things as well. Humans can be so ignorant and self-absorbed most of the time!

Reread the passage of Scripture above, then look around yourself. Take the time, and then be so surprised by it all! The Love for us from the Father in Heaven goes far beyond our ability to comprehend, and yet there is so little recognition of HIM…by so many! We are indeed the Fallen Species. How odd is it that ‘ignorance and arrogance’ are so much alike…am I correct? We are filled to the rim with both. Everything we have is taken from the earth that was created by the Lord God. We humans have never created a single thing! And then we are so arrogant…to what end?

I remember when we arrived in the Philippines, so many flowers and trees – Palms, Banana Trees, Water-filled trees…so many! And yet each was so very beautiful to behold! Everything grew at such an alarming rate; the soil was so very fertile, and the rain was abundant! Tell me once again how humans brought this about? Yes it’s true; bugs and birds and lizards by the billions!

I had never heard about a Gecko before going to the Philippines. Come the dark of night, these little things would come out and almost cover the walls and ceilings in our houses. They would be everywhere, squeaking and chirping. They kept the bugs at bay, and they were so helpful…until one would fall on you in the bed at night! It took a while to get used to them, and they were so funny to watch, scrambling for cover if you turn on a light. Who is responsible for all these things? Who made it such a joy to live with and experience?

I remember when I first got to Thailand. I was sitting outside one early evening, and there was this huge cloud that appeared on the horizon. I thought, well here comes the rain. I was so very surprised that the cloud was totally made up of what they called Mingda. It’s actually a beetle that feeds on rice, but they are at least ten times bigger than a roach! They were everywhere and into everything; no place was safe from them. They were huge, and they looked menacing as well!

After a while I got used to them, and I even made a few bucks off of them. I would get big plastic bags and pick them up, and then I would sell them downtown…the locals loved to eat them. Eeew! Anyways, I could get two Baht for the Pooyings (Larger Females) and one Baht for the Poochi’s (Smaller males). Although it was very rare, I knew one G.I. that got stung by one. Everything requires some level of care to handle.

I also had the opportunity to see in Vietnam a Spider web the size of an ordinary wall. The spider would catch and eat Birds…whew…creeped me out! Yet that was still amazing to behold! I Love the Orient. Okay…Okay, maybe some parts of it; the others were a bit…skin-crawly…to deal with, BUT…the Lord created all these things. HE deserves the Praise!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

So this Christmas season, what are YOU thankful for? Good Health…Good Food…a House over your head… Family and Friends? WHAT? Please remember this:

John 14:5-7 “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

How small is the time that you spend with the Lord in Prayer? Does HE fill your entire being? Do you realize, YOU are still here by the Grace of our Lord? HE gives you the next Breath of air and the next Heartbeat.  Again… “without HIM…ye can do nothing!”

John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

It’s always the little things! Do you remember the last time you were all hot and tired? You picked up that glass of cold water…how refreshing was that first sip…it was exhilarating, wasn’t it? The Lord God did that for you. Give HIM the Praise! HE deserves it…you didn’t create the water…HE did…you didn’t even make it cold…HE did. How GREAT is that? Again…it’s always the small things!

How odd is it…and why should it be this way…to miss the little things…to miss Praising the Lord God for them? Why does it take getting old before you take the time to experience all these little things? And why is it that so FEW thank the Lord God for all HIS Blessings to you and me?

Remember this…you think these are so wonderful here on earth? Wait till you get to Heaven… everything will be more fantastic than you or I could ever imagine…the Bible tells us so. From God’s own lips to your and my ears! Thank you Lord…thank you, thank you, thank you!

Have a very Merry Christmas and great New Year…in the Lord!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

All Passages of Scripture come from the King James Version of the Bible.

All Emphasis is mine.

 

I have been getting some strange questions lately – not bad, but for me, indeed strange. So I decided to write an article to that end. First of all, let me say this…Nothing matters on this earth…except accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Nothing is going to surprise the Lord God. As we already know, HE knows absolutely everything! That being the case, if we belong to HIM, what is there to fear?

Short of being a Witness for the Lord, we could sit back and watch the show! Some of the Lost will come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ; the majority will not…remember that small word…FEW. Suffice it to say, we should be “About our Fathers work,” which is witnessing to the Lost about Jesus Christ!

All the Politicians, Hillary and the Like, will one day stand before Jesus Christ; and they will account for their actions. How many True Born-Again Believers have they hurt? The Lord God knows, and they will answer to HIM for what they have done or not done. Their actions matter to the Lord God and have nothing to do with me…unless I voted them in…then there is a problem for me in that regard. You do understand – they want the Power, the money, etc…etc. Again, a word, “Culpability!”

I truly would not want to be a “Fly on the Wall” or any sort of witness to these getting their collective “Comeuppance.” How sad would that be…right? It truly is “Enough for me” to have the Peace of the Lord…in my days on earth.

I read an article that was talking about, “If we do not learn from History, we are doomed to repeat it.” I could not agree more with that sentiment. What is done for Christ is what matters! Sadly, the Israelites had to learn that the hard way, out in the Wilderness. The point is this: don’t repeat what they did; read the Word of God and know that we need to be better; we need to look to the Lord for HIS Perfect guidance and follow HIM.

I know how everyone feels; they hate what they see on the News. Yet, we need to remember that the Lord already has everything in hand and HE knows the outcome. HIS Plans in this world will always be according to HIS Perfect Will for all of us. Saved or Lost. Problem is, the Lost do not know this! This is where we come in on the deal, so to speak. We have the Wisdom of the Lord; HE told us to ask for it. Therefore, we have our marching orders already.

I remember when I was very young back in the 1960’s, I had the Beatle Haircut – long hair that would sweep down across my forehead. I wore the White shirt with the Bloomer sleeves and long cuffs, and I had the Beatle Oxfords with the tall heel and metal taps! I was way-cool, y’all! Until, that is, I would slip on the freshly waxed floor. HA HA!  So what do we call that sort of thing…a Fad, right? And of course, the fads came and then they went, just like Nero Shirts and bellbottom pants. I am sure you wouldn’t be caught dead in any of those today…am I correct? They are trends and nothing more.

Here’s the problem though. What are the Trends of today? Are they worthy…are they good? Or do they demean the wearer, giving others a bad idea of us? Hey y’all…that’s important, especially for the Born-Again Believer! Are we professing whom we follow? Are we a True Witness of the Lord?

Yes, it is true; I am much older nowadays. So in my old age and as my Grandson likes to tease me about…My Pants are up around my chest, I wear comfortable shoes and the like…again HA HA! Yet, I am Blessed of the Lord! That is what makes my world go round and round today. I Love to sit on my Front Porch and look at all the Trees out front, the unspoiled property, the Birds and all the Lord has created…and I give HIM the Praise for it all! I am content…I am Happy…I am truly Blessed! How many people are able to say that in all truth?

In other words, I am in a different Trend nowadays…my Trend is the Lord God. I Love to close my eyes and bow my head as I Pray and thank HIM. When I am busy Thanking HIM, I no longer have time or place to complain…about anything! I am resting in HIS capable hands; I Belong to HIM and I am safe. That is enough for me. I already know and I look forward to the day that I will be able to rest my forehead on HIS Chest…and sigh in relief! And I will drop to my knees and gratefully Thank HIM for HIS Love and Mercy to me. My Heart will soar like an Eagle!

An Old and well-used verse of Scripture:

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The question now is, where will YOU be? Where is your Eternal Home? Do you belong to Jesus Christ or not? Are you saved to Heaven for Eternity? If you are not…then guess where your Home is? I can’t help it, but I shudder to think of being in that situation…Hell forever! Wow…and they had all the same chances as I had…and yet they chose Hell! Can you imagine…suffering and pain, torment forever and ever? Especially when you could have had Heaven? That is mind-boggling!

You see, there are people that are going to say, “Well…I didn’t know; no one ever told me about all of this.” And yet Jesus Christ will know it to be entirely different; they had their chance and they chose not to accept HIM. It’s that “Same-Old-Same-Old” – a Trend they could have changed, but didn’t!

How strange is it? A sin-filled life without Jesus Christ…is the hard route…the more difficult route! The easiest route is to follow Jesus Christ…to rest in HIS hands…knowing everything will be according to HIS Perfect Plan! An Eternity without Jesus Christ will be Horrible beyond our ability to comprehend! And to think, everyone wants the “Easy Way out.” They want “All the comfort they can find, no worries or problems.” And then they choose NOT to follow Jesus Christ….they choose Hell and then the Lake of Fire? How does that make any sense? It doesn’t y’all!

My Friends, this is the simple truth…WE are the Fallen Species. We Need Jesus Christ; there simply is no other way around it. I often wonder…why is this concept so difficult for them to see or understand?

I am going to simply leave it right there. Short, sweet and simple. Jesus Christ!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“

All Scripture comes from the King James Version of the Bible.

All Emphasis is mine.