November 29, 2010

One of my favorite books is Max Lucado’s little book, Cosmic Christmas. I have used these quotes from that book before, but some things are just worth repeating. Hope you enjoy them as we near the Christmas Season.

Behold the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, God with us. Matthew 1:23

The King walked over and reached for the book. He turned it toward Lucifer and commanded, Come, Deceiver, read the name of the One who will call your bluff. Read the name of the One who will storm your gates. Satan rose slowly off his haunches. Like a wary wolf, he walked a wide circle toward the desk until he stood before the volume and read the word: Immanuel. Immanuel? He muttered to himself, then spoke in a tone of disbelief. God with us? For the first time the hooded head turned squarely toward the face of the Father. No. Not even You would do that. Not even You would go so far.

You've never believed Me, Satan.

But Immanuel? The plan is bizarre! You don't know what it is like on Earth! You don't know how dark I've made it. It's putrid. It's evil. It's...

It is Mine, proclaimed the King. And I will reclaim what is Mine. I will become flesh. I will feel what My creatures feel. I will see what they see.But what of their sin?

I will bring mercy.

What of their death? I will give life. Satan stood speechless. God spoke, I love my children. Love does not take away the beloved's freedom. But love takes away fear. And Immanuel will leave behind a tribe of fearless children. They will not fear you or your hell. Satan stepped back at the thought. His retort was childish.

Th-th-they will too!

I will take away all sin. I will take away death. Without sin and without death, you will have no power.

Around and around in a circle Satan paced, clenching and unclenching his wiry fingers. When he finally stopped, he asked a question that even I (Gabriel) was thinking.

Why? Why would You do this?

The Father's voice was deep and soft. Because I love them.

Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado pages 22-26

Thought for the week: 3 Ways It's All in a Name
If your name is on the building, you're rich; if your name is on your desk, you're middle-class; if your name is on your shirt, you're poor. Rich Hall

Funny for the week: "Ten Commandments"

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five- and six-year-olds.

After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

He’s on to something………Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer:

12. There was snow that First Christmas:

a. Only in Bethlehem

b. All over Israel

c. Nowhere in Israel

d. Somewhere in Israel Mt. Herman is always snow covered

e. Mary and Joseph only “dreamed” of a white Christmas

This week’s question:

13. The wise men stopped in Jerusalem:

a. To inform Herod about Jesus

b. To find out where Jesus was

c. To ask about the star they saw

d. For gas

e. To buy presents for Jesus

November 22, 2010

"Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. Long life is in wisdom's right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Proverbs 3:13, 16-17

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was a young teenager helping my neighbor put up hay. We were going to unload the trailer into a small shed. He was throwing the bails off the trailer and I was to toss them on to the back of the loft. I grabbed the first bail, swung it up behind me to throw it and when I did, it hit the roof of the shed. The bail sailed back on its journey and suddenly searing pain crashed down on my bare back. I had bashed a huge red wasp nest when I hit the roof and soon they were all over my back stinging me. In life we occasionally back into a wasp's nest. It can't be helped. But to take a bail of hay and bash one, well that's dumb. God can help us avoid situations in life that sting us. Other people's quarrels, bitterness, anger, jealousy - why allow them to drag you into it? Be aware that an angry person is an active recruiter. They will try to share their anger with you, to convince you to get on their side. If you give in you'll catch yourself upset over someone else's quarrel that often has nothing to do with you. God can help you be graciously noncommittal. You can be free to serve the Lord and avoid other people’s wasp nest.

Thought for the week: "I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger."

Funny for the week: "You Know You Are Growing Old When…"

..you've come to the annoying realization that your parents were right about almost everything.

..the bag boy volunteers to help load groceries into your car ... in the "ten items or less" lane.

..you've stopped supporting your children, and started supporting your parents.

..you buy "age-defying" makeup and "anti-wrinkle" creams and believe they work.

..you've realized that all those geeky people in Bermuda shorts walking around Disney World include you.

..you've had three opportunities to buy every single Disney Animated Classic "for the last time in a generation."

I’ma getting thar……..Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer:

11. What is a Heavenly Host?

a. Angel at the gate of heaven to welcome us

b. Angel who invites people to Heaven

c. Angel who serves refreshments in Heaven

d. An angel choir

e. An angel army Definition of "Host" is a military term for army.

f. None of the above

This week’s question:

12. There was snow that First Christmas:

a. Only in Bethlehem

b. All over Israel

c. Nowhere in Israel

d. Somewhere in Israel

e. Mary and Joseph only "dreamed" of a white Christmas

November 15, 2010

AFor we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.@ Ephesians 2:10

I am a big fan of self improvement books. My wife and I have benefited greatly from books as we work to make our marriage grow. I love to look at APopular Mechanics@ magazine and other books on how to fix things. But I have come to realize that when it comes to spiritual things, self improvement doesn’t=t work very well. We relentless try every new type of self improvement, hoping we will finally >earn= God=s love or praise. We fail to remember that it was God who gave us our personality, abilities, talents and spiritual gifts. He molded these parts together to make a unique you. Certainly you have imperfections, but why insult your creator? As the verse says, we are HIS workmanship. God made each of us and God don't make no junk. Poor English, great theology!

Thought for the week: The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
-- Thomas Carlyle

Funny for the week: "Didn't See That Coming"

The minister's little six-year-old girl had been so naughty during the week that her mother decided to give her the worst kind of punishment. She told her she couldn't go to the Sunday School Picnic on Saturday.

When the day came, her mother felt she had been too harsh and changed her mind. When she told the little girl she could go to the picnic, the child's reaction was one of gloom and unhappiness.

"What's the matter? I thought you'd be glad to go to the picnic." her mother said.

"It's too late!" the little girl said. "I've already prayed for rain."

Naughty or nice, Santa is coming so you better watch out……… Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer:

10. What did the angels sing”

a. “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”

b. “Alleluia”

c. “Unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given.”

d. “Glory to God in the highest…” etc.

e. “Glory to the Newborn King”

f. “My Sweet Lord”

g. None of the above They were “Saying”. See Luke 2:14

This week’s question:

11. What is a Heavenly Host?

a. Angel at the gate of heaven to welcome us

b. Angel who invites people to Heaven

c. Angel who serves refreshments in Heaven

d. An angel choir

e. An angel army

f. None of the above

November 8, 2010

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

“Prayer which takes the fact that past prayers have not been answered as a reason for languor, has already ceased to be the prayer of faith. To be prayer of faith, the fact that prayers remain unanswered is only evidence that the moment of the answer is so much nearer. From first to last, the lessons and examples of our Lord all tell us that prayer which cannot persevere and urge its plea importunately, and renew itself again and again and gather strength from every past petition, is not the prayer that will prevail.” William Arthur

Thought for the week: Editor: a person employed by a newspaper, whose business it is to separate the wheat from the chaff, and to see that the chaff is printed. -- Elbert Hubbard

Funny for the week: Nun Shopping

The convent had been presented with a new car, a red Mini Metro, the pride of its breed. Sister Lourdes, the only qualified driver, became the chauffer for all and sundry. Every Saturday she would drive Reverend Mother into town for the shopping.

All went well until Bank Holiday weekend when the town was so packed with people and cars that is became evident that there was no earthly place to park.

"Don't worry, Reverend Mother," said Sister Lourdes. "You go into the supermarket and I'll drive around the block until you come out."

Off sped the car, and the Reverend Mother bustled around the store shopping quickly, then rushing back to the curbside.

There she stood for five minutes, ten, twenty. No sign of Sister Lourdes. Where could she be?

Eventually the Reverend Mother approached a patrolling policeman.

"Excuse me, Officer," said she, Have you seen a nun in a red mini?"

"No," replied the officer, "but these days nothing would surprise me!"

He’s been on the beat too long……. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer:

9. What “sign” did the angel tell the shepherds to look for?

a. “This way to baby Jesus”

b. A star over Bethlehem

c. A baby that doesn’t cry

d. A house with a Christmas tree

e. A baby in a stable

f. None of the above See Luke 2:12

This week’s question:

10. What did the angels sing”

a. “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”

b. “Alleluia”

c. “Unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given.”

d. “Glory to God in the highest…” etc.

e. “Glory to the Newborn King”

f. “My Sweet Lord”

g. None of the above

November 1, 2010

“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Gen. 4:7



“How do you react when someone suggests you have done something wrong? Do you move to correct the mistake or do you deny that you need to correct it? Maybe you even attack the person that pointed out your wrong. After Cain’s sacrifice was rejected, God gave him the chance to right his wrong and try again. God even encouraged him to do this. But Cain refused, and the rest of his life is a startling example of what happens to those who refuse to admit their mistakes. (He wandered in the land of Nod [Nod means forever wandering], forever separated from the presence of God) For Cain to master the sin crouching at the entrance to his desires, he would have to give up his jealous anger so that sin would not find a foothold in his life. Like Cain, we will be victims of sin if we do not master it.” (Life Application Bible. Parentheses mine)





Thought for the week: Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. -- Edgar Allan Poe, "Eleonora"





Funny for the week: "Flight Attendant Trivia"

To pass the time while our plane was being de-iced, the flight attendants played a trivia game with the passengers. They asked us to guess the total number of years the three of them had worked for the airlines.

After an attendant collected our estimates, we heard the announcement:

"The correct answer is 26 years. For the two people who came closest with 28 years, we have prizes. And for the passenger in seat 12F who guessed 85 years, would you please step off the plane once we are airborne."



You go girl…….Chaplain Barnes



Last week’s answer:

8. How many Angels spoke to the Shepherds?

a. One See Luke 2:9

b. Three

c. A “multitude”

d. None of the above



This week’s question:

9. What “sign” did the angel tell the shepherds to look for?

a. “This way to baby Jesus”

b. A star over Bethlehem

c. A baby that doesn’t cry

d. A house with a Christmas tree

e. A baby in a stable

f. None of the above