Reflections…

Reflections...
It is interesting to me how “reflective” people seem to get around the end of every year. We look back and assess, then comment on what the year was like from our vantage point. One may say that the year was “good”, another may say it was “bad” or “both good and bad”. When I sign a birthday card, I often note that I hope the year ahead is “good” for them, fully realizing that it may not be. I suppose that this is normal, and yet a favorite verse for many Christians is Romans 8:28, “All things work together for the good of those who love Him.”


Living by faith, we must always be reminded that our vantage point is extremely limited and short-sighted. That being said, I hope that this past year God was glorified through my life, and that in the coming year my life will be “good” for Him.

All the Preparations…

During the Christmas season I am always amazed at all the preparations that have to get done to make such wonderful impressions. From the big Christmas productions and neighborhood yard displays to the small samples of secret family recipes shared with a select few of special friends. As “busy” as we all seem to be these days… we manage to find a way to make sure certain things happen or else, “It just wouldn’t be ‘Christmas’!”

I am more amazed at all the preparations the Lord manages to get done to make sure certain wonderful things happen. Sometimes I need to be better at “giving”; and other times I need to be better at “receiving” what others give. With God, I believe we all need to get better at both giving to Him, and receiving His gifts (not only at this season, but all through our lives.)

Thinking about Jesus...

This time of year, so many more are thinking more about Jesus. (I wish more were thinking LIKE Jesus). How did Jesus think? He thought about other People. He thought that the most important things in life were not “things”, but relationships with others. I want to think more LIKE Jesus (not just about Him). What could we do to think more like Jesus to the people we work with, or go to school with, to our co-workers, to our family, even to our church family?

Philippians 2:1-5 (CEV) “Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”

Thanksgiving (In the Midwest)

The weather was cold and the reception was warm. It was good to be with family from both sides. Yet…it was difficult. (Not just the 2 days driving time each way.) It was hard to see my father in such poor health (5+ heart attacks will do that.) All my life he seemed like nothing ever got to him. One of our elders reminded me to “say everything I needed to say”, and I believe I have (to my father). But those words reminded me to connect with some other important people in my life and let them know how thankful I was for them. Relationships are our most valued treasures, and it is always good to be reminded of that. I am better for the trip, and hopefully others are as well.
Well, it is December in Houston, and I’m off today. (I need to mow the yard one more time!) Texas is my home, and I love living here. This is where I belong, and it is good to be “home”.