It's almost 2009! I'm not one to rush away time but I for one am generally always happy to see the end of one year because it means the beginning of another, should God carry us forward throughout that last day of the year.

If I look back on 2008, so much has happened in our world.

1. We, the US, are still at war. Now, Israel is fighting Hamas.
2. We are in an economic recession. The global economy isn't faring much better.
3. We are less spiritual as a nation than we have ever been - mixing the carnal with spiritual to suit our own interests.
4. We are lovers of the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed, gluttony and lust. I know you don't need an explanation for that one - just look around.

There has been so much publicity about those who have chosen the wrong path. Corrupt and dishonest people looking out for themselves. Those who try to demean the legislative process of this nation and those who simply don't care anymore about what is right and what is wrong.

But as I look over 2008, I don't just see where the enemy has ravaged and devoured some willing hearts. I see where people have held on to their faith and fought the good fight against evil - and they are winning!

1. In the midst of his pain, a widow at my church still does much good for the community. I have been a recipient.
2. In the midst of darkness, when doctors have called in the family to say their good-byes, God is still performing miracles - healing and restoring. I've seen this personally.
3. Even in the midst of this big debate on global warming, each and every one of us is still drawing in the breath of life.
4. You don't have to look far to see God in the small things. That's a blessing - He's not hiding from us.
5. As long as we are here, we still have an opportunity to witness and share the good news of the gospel message, to save a generation and a people who know Him less and less over time, replacing Him with silly things and idols that cannot save their souls.

We could go on and on with listing the good things that God does for us - the chances that we have to win souls and share our faith - the opportunity afforded to us with every day that we receive. We can focus on the negative or we can focus on the now, realizing that God is in each moment and with Him, all things are possible.

God willing, I am going forward into 2009 with this one thing on my mind: All things are possible to him that believes. This has always been true, but for me, it is my personal focus for this year. I believe God. I've staked my life on it. He can change the unsavory and make them palatable again. I believe God. He can and He will.

What will you go into the new year believing?

My visit to the Christkindlesmarkt 2008 in Nuremberg: 

Here I am! 

I'm still traveling and haven't done my Christmas shopping. Do you think the folks that usually get a gift from me will accept a simple "Merry Christmas" without the gift?

It may just come down to that.

I'm not a shopper. I don't care much for the crowds either. I will usually only buy things that are on sale - I think it's fiscally responsible to look first at the sale items and then see what else is in the store. I buy nice things - when they go on sale. I'm hardly ever in any rush to pay full price. I know - I have a very different shopping style. In fact, when I go shopping with my sister and mother, I drive separately. I bore easily with shopping.

As you may guess, I'm no fashionista. But, I made do with what I do have - happily.

So, time is running out for me and I'm beginning to feel the pressure.

If only we would remember that the true gift has already been given...

What will you do to save money?

That is a question on the minds of many these days while the global recession marches forward. Some fiscally responsible people have a game plan in mind knowing exactly where they can “cut the fat” out of their budgets. Some others, whose, as my dad would say “money slips through their fingers” are finding it a bit harder to know where to cut because they did not learn first to save.

What will you do to save money?

Some people are shopping more wisely, purchasing sale items and clipping coupons. Some others are not purchasing anything at all.

What will you do to save money?

I have a suggestion. Instead of spending time wondering the halls of a local mall, save the money spent in gas, effort and time – (calculate your opportunity cost), and ultimately your purchases and make a better investment. Save wordly cash and get spiritually rich by spending time alone with God in His Word. The investment you make now will reap unspeakable riches later.

God is God everywhere.

Yes, I know that sounds elementary. I’m just saying it because I have reconfirmed that it is still true. The same God that I pray to in the USA is the same God in the Cayman Islands and is the same God in Germany.

I’ve experienced Him in all three locations recently. In the USA, I was worshipping Him and felt His presence corporately and individually. In the Cayman Islands, I felt the flood of His presence while Assistant Pastor Robinson was preaching. In my hotel room in Germany, while I was praising Him in song, I felt His powerful presence once more. Each opportunity was unique and special and I thank God for letting me know that He is ever present with me no matter where I go.

Which brings me to a point – I cannot travel with my physical prayer closet but this post should encourage you to know that with your prayers comes the possibility for His presence. You don’t have to be in the exact same place all the time to feel Him or to know that He is there. He’s everywhere all the time. He’s God!

Now, before you get too comfy, I am not saying that you can forsake fellowship with other believers and camp out at your house since God is the same everywhere. If there is a chance for fellowship then you should take it and commune with other believers. However, if you are in a place where you cannot worship at the same time because of say…your travels…then know that God is with you wherever you go and you can worship Him – He’ll see your effort and He will commune with you. He is the Omnipresent One.

Have you ever felt like you were the only one?

The only one to not know what’s going on…
The only one to not know the answer…
The only one left…
The only one that does not speak the language…
The only one that cares…
The only one that cleans…
The only one listening…
The only one!

Depending on the situation, it can cause a bit of emotional distress to be the only one. But when you are feeling low and can’t fathom going on because of your “only one” status, I’ve got a suggestion.

Why not tell the Lord Jesus about it? Lean and depend on Him. If anyone knows about being the only one – it’s Him.

He is the only One – the Son of God.
He is the only One – who did not sin.
He is the only One – who, in diety, became flesh.
He is the only One – that died for your sins.
He is the only One – that can reconcile us to the Father.
He is the only One!

I’ve recently had the opportunity to experience the difference between fare classes on a Transatlantic flight. And, let me tell you, having now experienced both, there is quite a contrast. Even in things that are provided to both fare classes, the higher fare has a higher quality product – even down to the type of toothbrush. Seriously.

In the main cabin – economy class, there are lots of people. We are herded in like cattle in cramped quarters. Our food, served on and in plastic, is light on extravagance and heavy on salt. The flight attendant’s goal is simply to distribute the goods quickly and move on to the next awaiting customer. Ah, but in the higher fare class, well, that’s another story. The food is tasty, consisting of multiple courses. It is served on real plates with real glassware and real flatware with a linen tablecloth. The flight attendant’s goal is to serve the food attending to your every request. The cabin is much less crowded and the flight attendant-to-customer ratio is much, much lower, ensuring personalized attention. Yes, in this cabin, they call you by your surname – Mr. So-and-so, and Ms. So-and-so.

We are all traveling to the same destination but how you get there can make a difference in your journey. I rested better in that reclined chair with a footrest much more so that I did basically sitting up, only reclining a few degrees in the economy cabin. I also have to say that I prefer the larger down pillow much better than that small cotton one…

Of course, I got to thinking about the spiritual application and this is my conclusion. Living in the world without Jesus as your Lord and Savior is like traveling economy class. We all have an appointed time to live and to die and unless the Lord comes back before our death, everyone will experience death. The paths that we take on this mutual destination makes a difference in where you will spend your eternity.

In the World, you are not treated with the special attention that comes with being a child of the King. Instead, you are like the rest of the world, getting by on plastic goods – not the real stuff. The enemy loves to serve you “plastic” hoping you will never experience the real life that is available to you when you accept the Lord Jesus. Life is in Christ. He’s the real thing.

The enemy wants to keep you surrounded with those who are enjoying the “plastic things” without knowledge and/or desire of the other things. He wants to keep you in the dark about what’s going on beyond the curtain that separates the fare differences. He doesn’t want you to taste the abundant life that’s available to you in Christ. But, oh, there’s a difference.

I’ve noticed in my own life that when I gave my life to Christ, a good number of my “plastic loving” friends fell away. I lost the “crowd” – but I had more individualized attention from God. My life had a higher quality to it when I accepted the Lord. In fact, if you’ll work with me on this analogy, accepting the Lord was like being moved up to the higher fare class – without paying the price. Jesus took care of that on Calvary.

So in exchange for worldly “plastic”, I received a finer quality of life. I now get to eat at the King’s table, being served multiple portions of grace and mercy, with the “real” things of life, and adorned with the finest of linens – afterall, I’m clothed in His righteousness. And, because now I have a relationship with Him, I’m assured personalized attention when I meet with Him in my prayer closet and throughout the day.

I hope that you can agree with me or at least see the comparisons between the life that we have apart from Christ and the life that is available to us when we give Him ours. It’s quite a contrast.

I am always interested in what people say when they talk about their personal faith.
I like to hear the testimonies of how they came to the faith and how they stay connected. So, as I was preparing to go to sleep, I was suprised to see President Bush on Nightline with Cynthia McFadden discussing his faith. Here is the link to the ABC page that has his interview. If you missed Nightline and would like to know what the President shared concerning his personal faith, access this link: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Politics/story?id=6417361&page=1 (copy and paste in your browser).

Let us all pray that the believers of Christ mature and grow strong in Him that is able to keep us. Let us pray that as believers we are able to accurately articulate our faith according to the written Word of God.

Be Blessed!

Life can hand you some hard knocks. There have been pointed times in my life where I felt like I was all alone and that no one cared for me. There have been times in my life when I wondered why I existed and what my purpose was. There have been times in my life when every breath that I breathed felt like some cruel joke because all I wanted to do was to die. Life can hand you some hard knocks.

But, thanks be to God, I got to know the Creator.

I found out that although my life has had some trying times, that God knows, and He cares. I found out that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I found out that from the beginning of time, He has known me. I found out just how much He loves me and that even on my worst day, having an opportunity to praise Him makes life worth living.

The Holiday season can bring about depression in some people who don't have "Hallmark" or "Cosby" family and friends. Whatever circumstance brought you to the point where you feel alone and isolated, I want to tell you today that you are not alone. You are worthy in God's sight. You were uniquely formed and created by the Master. And, whether or not you have someone to share your life's details with, God loves you. He knows all about you and He cares for you.

So, approach this season thinking about what you have and not about what you don't have. Think about the fact that this is the day that the Lord has made and you have another opportunity to worship Him.

No One does creation like God. I've had the opportunity to explore the Grand Cayman Islands this week. I've been in Pirate Caves, on sandy beaches, swimming in choppy, yet beautiful seas (okay, the water was shallow), fellowshiped with real believers that are growing in their love for one another and for Christ, and I've been to the now infamous Turtle Farm. I'm tired - but in a good way!

I have had the opportunity to see how God has taken a volcano and made it inhabitable. I've seen beautiful rains and beautiful sunrises. I've heard roosters calling out early in the morning. I've felt the mild breeze kiss me all over. No One does creation like God.

I've seen all types of animals and smelled all kinds of smells. I've even eaten some food that I'm not quite sure what it was! No One does creation like God.

From the coconut trees, palms, flowers, insects, and the baby lizard that got in the house...No One does creation like God. (Don't worry, we got the lizard out unharmed).

So, as I make preparation to go back home soon, I know in my heart that I will always appreciate the creation that is Grand Cayman Islands because No One does Creation like God!

Do you remember School House Rock?

I loved watching School House Rock on Saturday mornings when I was a kid. And, now, I have the pleasure - no, it's sheer JOY - of watching it again. Apparently there is a School House Rock DVD that needs to become part of my collection.

My littlest friend, (he's 2), is a fan of said DVD and we watch it some mornings. This morning, we watched ... wait for it ... Conjuction Junction!!! OH it took me back y'all! (you know I'm southern).

I was smiling from ear to ear ... and singing ... conjunction junction what's your function?.... "I'm Just a Bill" is on this collection too, but lest I get too much excitement in one day, I'll be watching that one tomorrow. YAY! Knowledge is power!

I think this collection should be under every Christmas tree!

I have two little friends that don't do anything fast. And when I mean that they don't do anything fast, that's exactly what I mean. In fact, whenever I want them to do something by a certain time, I give them 45 minutes to an hour before its due. For instance, if I want to leave the house by 9:00am, then I tell them to get ready to leave by 8:15. They move that slow. Plus I have to tell them the same things multiple times. It seems the first few time, they really didn't "hear" me.

I, on the other hand move really fast. I zip from one thing to the other and by the end of the day, I have accomplished a mass amount of things - all well done, of course... I value efficiency. I want to move in and get the job done and then move on to the next thing and the next thing. I want to feel like I've accomplished something at the end of the day. I rest better that way.

So, I imagine this week that God has really gotten a kick out of watching me relate to these little friends of mine. They are little. I cannot expect them to move with speed and agility like me. They are accustomed to moving ever so slowly - so in a week's time, I cannot expect them to value efficiency. No, I just have to adapt.

So, I've been adapting. My first full day of adaptation meant I slept past the call of the roosters (literally). And, now I'm in a rhythm. It's different from what I'm used to but for this week, it will work.

And, that's the way that it is sometimes. I've been talking about trying something new and this is indeed something new. It's a much, much, much slower pace than what I'm used to but that doesn't make it bad - instead it gives me fresh perspective. And, who can quarrel with that?

Are you recovering from all of that Thanksgiving turkey?

This year, I did something different. Instead of my tried and true tradition, I celebrated Thanksgiving at three airports, finally eating my long sought after turkey around 7:30pm. It was great! I can still remember the savory taste and enjoying my food.

I like to eat my Thanksgiving dinner, savoring every bite, only talking when I have to. I would much prefer to reflect over the goodness of the Lord with every morsel. I know that I should do this anyway at every meal, but something about Thanksgiving makes me more appreciative. I want to reflect - remember - give thanks!

I also like the fellowship that comes with Thanksgiving. I like how everyone anticipates the food and the conversations that follow and I like how everyone is soooo full after eating that we're ready to unbutton jeans and fall into some type of turkey-coma.

I like all of those things. But doing it different this year has given me an appreciation for how everyone may do things a little differently. And, that's cool too. The end result is the same - we all end up needing some time to recover from all of that turkey!

So, how's it coming? Are you recovering?