Year's end random thoughts ...approaching 2017, while reflecting back. Of course, we should not miss the moment!!

For you Bible scholars, does this picture represent them going to Bethlehem, or leaving Bethlehem for Egypt??

It is much more than a postage stamp on a postcard, greeting card, or letter ...when I say, "Merry Christmas to each & every one!!!

Though not politically correct in everyone's mind ...and as the song goes, "Peace on Earth!" is it peace in a limited fashion, and what is peace??

It is certainly not about me making peace ...as I am a sinner, who makes many mistakes. But, my greatest hope is that people don't make the biggest mistake in not realizing why Jesus was born.

Jesus wasn't born to guarantee that my sins were covered as in not discovered ...but, rather I am covered as in forgiven. And that is not achieved by me selecting the proper festive stamp for the appropriate time of year. 

Whether your family chooses to celebrate untraditionally, or not ....unconditionally is how He loves us.

Yet, His love is not just a stamp on us. People place labels on us, and we place labels on ourselves ....good and bad, neither being without its problems. But, though God's love is out there, it's not realized nor sufficiently useful unless we make it real on the inside.

No matter what the weather is outside, it is whether we view things in one light or another ...or perhaps in darkness.  It is not the weather that matters, but how we dress ourselves ...or address others, being the climate we create.

Recently, I heard a complaint that has seemed to be a traditional way of thinking ...in reference to Climate Change. The current traditional thought is that people who don't believe in the importance of Climate Change are dangerous thinkers ...and I just heard this again yesterday. 

                                 
                                           *********************

Posted by James Hall

Date: November 28, 2016 ---"Any political ideology finds itself up against this context. Therefore, promoting division and extreme dislike between groups and among varied political orientations is a key and necessary element in preserving the elitist controlled organism of collective perception."

 

"The goal is to train the public to accept that only government or mainstream institutions can offer provisional solutions.  Reality is much different from the popular version of current events or prominent issues. Yet the typical person is unequipped to accept that their worldview is usually a result of psychological indoctrination, peer pressure and mass media distortion. The reason why people act foolishly, often against their own best self-interest, rests upon a deception of deliberate delusion, which permeates every layer of their politically correct society." --- James Hall.

                                         
                                ***********************

What about spiritual correctness?? I think this time of year is a good time to focus again on what we really believe. Do we believe in Jesus?? Do we believe in the Bible?? I believe that God created our earth, that He will handle how long it will last, and that it will last not as long as we protect it ...but, for as long as we cherish His Word.

I believe in the six actual days mentioned in the first Chapter of Genesis ...and I also believe in the Book of Revelation, where we are told that God is going to send us a new earth ...in His time, not our doing.

So, back to the question of whether we believe in Jesus ...and by what source is our belief based upon??

I guess people can say they have Jesus in their mind and in their heart ...but, unless their source is the Bible, it may be that they just swallowed a stamp. In that case, it would be postage due ...and no amount of postage would get you where you'd really like to go.

With climate change, I could always relocate ...but when I did, I'd be more concerned that I'd be able to locate my Bible.

Well, that was no postcard, nor your typical greeting card ...more like a letter. The Bible is God's love letter to us. That being said, I want to say that I wholeheartedly wish you all a blessed & joyous Christmas!!!

And with Jesus ....in another manner of speaking, it at least does say it's a 'Forever' stamp ...no matter who tries to cancel it out!!

I was reminded of a story often heard in church growing up, about a man who drowned in a flood after rejecting help from boat and helicopter saying God would save him.

Yes, I've heard that story many times too. I've had boat rides, so may have waited for the thrill of a helicopter myself. But, the helicopter burns gas ...which causes pollution, so I might catch heat from certain people on that one, though I'd be in a climate where it would be very pleasant (certainly not hot).

And I am all for clean water and clean air ...we recycle, don't put weed killer on our yard, I made a mouse trap out of a milk jug (so I could later release it in the woods ....to work its way to someone else's house?? ---something perhaps a bit embarrassing to a family of hunters), and I try to capture ladybugs inside the house so I can release them outside (probably letting a half dozen more in when I open the door to let the one out). Aside from the clean water and air ...I don't get overexcited if others don't do those other things. 

Yet, I just think it is way overstated when Global Warming has to be changed to Climate Change because someone else is predicting another ice age. We in Michigan just tend to laugh ...and wish everyone else would just 'chill' out. The kids want to go sledding tomorrow ...and I am the one who will likely freeze, if anyone does. Even Yoopers loose some circulation ability upon getting older.  

Yet, upon getting 'older' ...perhaps I can glean a little of the 'wiser' too.  

The wise men didn't exactly know what they were following ...yet, they committed to the fact that it was something very special.  It was worth abandoning all else at that time to follow.  

Though people do commit to abandoning most everything, often including family ...to drinking or gambling, and other unhealthy things, I contend that wise men still seek Jesus.  The difference is, we know who we are seeking ...and are seeking to know Him better.

Sometimes people say my comments are absurd ....and often that is intentional. I like to establish common ground ...something we can both agree upon (as being absurd).

The fact is, I often think some of your comments are absurd ...so I string out the absurdities, and if you cannot connect the dots, then I will pray for you. The truth is, that offends some people ...thinking that I would insinuate that you reason wrongly, while you think I am the one who needs help or prayer.

I personally feel we all need help ...because we all sin.

Each day we are consumed by the world around us, so don't be offended, as it is just 'in-(the)sin-(yo)u-ate'. And in what I eat ...not literal food, but food for thought. The Bible is best for us to digest. We all need God's help ...whether we admit it, or not!!

One of the absurd things that people gravitate to is this concept of climate change. If a polar bear feels his ice is shrinking around him ...he usually realizes this has happened before in his lifetime.

And he deals with it ...he doesn't consider going to Antarctica where there's always ice, because he's not bipolar.

And variations in a polar bear's floaties does not mean he needs cataract surgery ...nor does it mean our clean water or clean air will be affected, which I also care about. But, how arrogant is it to think we can save the earth?? In Iraq, because we have not done enough to stop ISIS, they are setting oil fields on fire. How far back does that set you on climate change?? I feel God has that under control. If we read the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, God says He will give us a new heaven and a new earth. I'm not going to tell God, "No thanks ...I got this one! You can just relax!"

This began as a message appropriate for this time of year ...being now, December 19th.  I was reading the news, and just happened to come across the 'complaint of the day' .  There are those who want to take the 'Christ' out of Christmas ...and by the way, 'Christ' means the 'Anointed One', anointed by God.  Next will the word 'holiday' be contested because it has the word 'holy' in it??  Oh, wait, we've already did much to take the holy out!

I have to post a warning. What many of you refer to as the 'Holiday' ...like I said, often seems less than 'holy', and we know people also feel stress this time of year, so I'm just warning everyone that the increased magnitude of my humor (or perceived lack of it) may seem to fall into that category. If you feel I've reached a critical state, you may call to make an appointment for me to get help ...but, all others, who likely have already been infected, please read on:

 It has become a concern of mine ...that the air pollution has hit a crisis level, so much so, that the dirty air has caused storks to cough. You can see where this is going, but as it pains me to continue, I must expose the danger.  The coughing causes the stork to open its mouth, therefore losing its grip on the baby bundle. And even if the stork can refrain from coughing, the slimy soot alone can cause the bundle of joy to slip from its beak. 

Now, if you say you don't believe that storks deliver babies, I'm not going to respond by saying, "What!! You mean to tell me you don't care about air pollution?" 

Nor am I going to accuse you, "What!! You don't care about babies!?!" 

There are so many things to focus on that I think are important (inclusive of focusing on the degree to which we believe in Jesus) ...and I was just citing an example, as I heard it that day.  How dare I say it ...but, here goes, "Personally I don't fear Climate Change."  I can think of three main responses to what I've just admitted: #1) You can join me in realizing that it all has to do with what data and which scientists (or politicians) we listen to.  #2) You can be outraged by my perceived insensitivity, coupled with my heightened ignorance on the subject ...at which point you may feel I have to be immediately corrected.

  Or 

#3) You assumed the second response as being true, yet you are not outraged, nor are you even mildly agitated, as you feel I am merely deprived of clear understanding. 

It seems that over and over again, when I mention my view on Climate Change ...what is asked of me, is whether I'm against clean water and clean air. 

Many assumptions can be drawn, but let's clear the air and not water down what is really being said ...and that statement is way more relevant when it comes to how we view the Bible. Things were being watered down, and that's the reason God caused a Flood during Noah's time. And over a couple thousand years later, when things were once again very problematic, the air was filled with angelic praise to announce the birth of Jesus, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward mankind!!" Do we stand merely by a political agenda? 

No, we do not!!  

And I appreciate all the contributions, not for my campaign (because I don't have one, as it is not my victory ...though I do benefit greatly from the victory, and also the benefit is not mine alone), but for the contributions to an important conversation, I thank you. Businesses use terms like agenda, and appointments ...and it can be rather cumbersome and a drudgery.  Yet, God means business ...and it is a joy to certainly celebrate the victory Jesus won for us.

It's great that we can focus foremost on what God stands for (whether our politicians do, or not)??

Truth is not a matter of perspective ...but, our attitude is. 

The truth is, I was thinking how poorly the road crews were doing with plowing the side roads in my area. Then I realized how smoothly my ride was, down a road that was recently filled with potholes. They were now filled with snow ...and I was thankful for the roads crews not plowing the road. 

I don't always understand God either, and there are moments I lose focus and don't appear as thankful as I could be. I know those who feel God isn't really currently doing anything in our lives ...but would they also assume the devil isn't impacting our world. I pray to God, and even when I feel like that flake in a hole ...when I pray, my life goes smoother.  

If others observe me as only a smooth talker, and to ride with me is rather bumpy ...well, I realize it is not always smooth, but imagine how bumpy it could be if not for a healthy perspective.  And seeking out God in prayer makes my understanding and coping smoother.

We all need God's help ...whether we admit it, or not!!

And seeking out God, includes setting aside time to consider what the day has in store for us, and asking Him ...in prayer.

A Nazi searchlight was something prisoners wanted to avoid, especially if they were involved in covert operations.

Yes, some have tried to survive the best they can, trapped within the confines of a communist regime ...that they perhaps believe is not the most ideal.

Others have fought wars to help free those who found no hope within themselves.  
Okay, reflections also on last year ...and as that time of year comes around again this year ...this year, Dad having had his 90th birthday. Thank you so much for serving, Dad!!! I'm glad God had it so you came back, married Mom, and had us six. So thankful for Uncles, cousins, and friends who have served. And so many whom we don't know, and they all served those they mostly don't know ...a very deep sense of patriotism, and a dream for a future for those they mostly will never see. If we only see a part of the heart of those who serve, we would be forever grateful ...and I am.

On the other hand, there are those who live by and within the shadows ...developing a comradery. It is not a mutual benefit, as it seems the shadows don't need anyone ...though many feel they need the shadows. Shadows help conceal that which some feel is best hidden ...for their benefit alone. Some of us refer to this as criminal activity.

          

Yes, some good people may attempt to avoid the light ...as cited in the example of the Nazi searchlight. Or like a bug drawn to an electrified light ...not good if you are a bug.

Other lights, as is the case with a lighthouse, are meant to protect. 

Yes, more frequent are the occasions we should be thankful for, and allow ourselves to be drawn to it. This is the case of the Light ...speaking of God's provision.

It is central to the story of the wise men a couple thousand years ago ...who were drawn to what they felt was significantly worthy of their attention.

And I contend He is worthy of our attention too.