Question:

       What is it that drives us?  What keeps us going?   Why do we continue on, knowing that pain is coming?  Sure we expect good times.  We know that there will be seasons and even just mere moments of pure happiness.  To sit back and look at our lives and evaluate.  Is life a collage of disturbing, horrid gut-wrenching agony?  I wonder how many sit in their rooms at night, thinking, musing, and contemplating the things we face as human beings.  We suffer.  We go through unspeakable atrocities of mind, body, and spirit throughout our short existence on earth.  We feel physical pain. We grieve loss of those we love and endure with family even when the anguish is not ours to bare.  We let people give into addiction, self-mutilation, and suicide.  We hurt those we love, sometimes by accident, often on purpose.  We watch and laugh at the humiliation of others.  We manipulate, antagonize, and dismiss in order to feel better about ourselves.  We cheapen love and substitute intimacy.  We murder, lie, torture and abuse.  We scream in silent agony when someone rejects us.  We bury our past, and gamble our future.  We let apathy dictate our priorities.  We control and seduce, break hearts and crush dreams.  We are selfish, arrogant, petty, and sinister.  We let fear guide our steps.  We use hate to push others away so we don't have to be accountable for our actions.  We are weak, impatient, short-tempered, and small.


SO, WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR US?


The answer is simple.  So simple that it's hard to believe.  There is one Hope for us.  Only one.  But one is enough.   

Jesus.

    "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
    And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."
   
(Revelation 21:3-6 ESV)

You Might be Anti-social if....

blog

  [blawg, blog] noun, verb, blogged, blog·ging.

noun

1.

a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites.(dictionary.com)

I find it really interesting that this idea and phenomenon of "blogging" has been increasingly sweeping the world.  And if in fact if you are reading this, you are participating.  But think about it... blogs are designed so individuals or groups can "express" something.  Perhaps an opinion on some socially debated issue, or the sharing of an experience...or  just a collage of pictures people view and comment on...This is the simple concept behind the almighty blog.  

Now, think about the social implications of this form of communication.  Well, let me ask this question...is blogging an outlet for the people who are just really boring in person to person conversation?  Am I so dull that people would rather read my ideas, or see some picture I posted, so they don't have to go through the grueling process of watching my lips move, and act interested? 

OR

Perhaps blogging is designed for those people who are socially awkward (I can say this because I am blogging...).. Maybe I'm to weird to socialize with "normal" people.  Maybe the fact that I even type out my thoughts so others can read them makes me an outcast.

The question remains: Are we becoming isolationists in our society due to technology and the "benefits" therein?  Probably.  

Consider:  Dating websites, Facebook, Twitter, Online shopping(groceries too!), Youtube, Vimeo, Google plus etc.... The Internet has made it possible for us to live our entire lives without interacting with another human!  Tsk, tsk... And here comes the irony...ready for it?

YOU'RE READING MY BLOG!!  Ha!  In this blog I have accomplished two things.  Number 1: I have expressed propaganda against the rise of technology.  And number two (which nullifies number 1) I have used said technology to do it!  Man I'm a hypocrite!     

Uh oh!  Someone is coming up to talk to me face to face!  Gotta bolt!   

The War Unseen

We strive and wage a war unseen

And through this fight we long to glean

A bit of hope for which we brave

This silent evil whose lies enslave

With cuts and groans and tired hands

We grasp our sword and take our stand

A battle cry we shout the name

Whom others fear and hide in shame

 We shout again and plunge our sword

 A deadly blow to this unholy horde

This mighty name which rights all wrong

 Is uttered now, with love, in song

A melody so rich, so deep

We fall face down and begin to weep

This name that brought such swift defeat

Brings healing now in song so sweet

It rises up and fills the skies

And others hear and turn their eyes

To gaze upon a Father’s face

Full of love, of peace, and grace

For we used to be like those we fight

Until our hearts beheld the light

And from our eyes the scales fell

We drank in deep His living well

 And now to be like Him, whose name

Our dying breath we will proclaim.

"Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire"

Sometimes the thing that I want to say is already eloquently expressed in a beautiful hymn.  Enjoy.

"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire.

Unuttered or expressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,

When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach

The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice.

Returning from his ways,

While angels in their song rejoice

And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air.

His watchword at the gates of death; 

He enters heaven with prayer.

O Thou, by whom we come to God,

The Life, the Truth, the Way;

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:

Lord, teach us how to pray!"

-James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Confessions of a Coff-a-holic

ad·dic·tion

 /əˈdɪkʃən/ Show Spelled[uh-dik-shuhn]

–noun

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

"Hi, my name is Mike, and I'm addicted to coffee."
"Hi Mike!"

So they say that admitting you have a problem is the first step on that long road to recovery.  I admit that I didn't admit I had a problem.  But then this morning I realized that I have become just another statistic, joining the ranks of those who confess to having a chemical dependency.  


It went like this:


The time was 6a.m.  The place was a men's Bible study.  I had no reason to think anything was going to be out of the ordinary.  Everything seemed as it always did on a typical  Thursday morning.  There was the typical circle of chairs where all the men sat and discussed various topics.  There was the typical greeting from the one we call the "Facilitator."  All was calm; all was right; ALL was about to change...


As I greeted the man I will refer to as Jim(as that is his name), I was blissfully unaware of what was about to be uttered.  I smiled...and then Jim said,


"Is it ok if we don't have coffee this morning? All the coffee pots are gone."


*Cue dramatic music, with a close up to my face*


Of course this was not ok!  Why does "Jim" even think I got up at the crack of dawn?  Doesn't he know how this day is supposed to begin?  To feel that cylindrical paper cup.  To waft the aroma of a beautifully strained, black bean.  To experience the comforting warmth of a beverage so enticing, that if temptation could be tempted, this would be it's kryptonite for sure. I needed to say something.  To let this man know that he was killing happiness personified!  So with righteous anger I turned to Jim, looked him in the eye and said:


"Oh that's fine."


Hi.
I'm Mike.
And I'm addicted to coffee.

 

You sicken me

   

Other than Nathan Lane's big break, I think this commercial illustrates a great truth.   Have you ever noticed that when you feel the worst, everyone wants to have nothing to do with you?  It's true!  Maybe you have experienced a conversation like this:

"How are you?"

"Well, actually I'm feeling sick..."

"What?! (holds up fingers in the shape of an X) Don't come near me!  I don't want to catch it!"

It's interesting that upon our darkest hour of need for care and healing, our family and closest friends treat us as though we have ushered in "Black Death."  

Now to be fair I have been on the receiving end of a sneeze and have not been so gracious.  I mean no one wants to get sick.  But why is it our gut reaction is to put a bell around the neck of someone who is ill and yell, "Leper!"

Perhaps I'm looking at it the wrong way.  Maybe it's incredibly insensitive for a person to even interact with humanity when sick.  We who fall victim to disease should remain in bed enveloped by darkness until released from said anguish.  This would of course prevent outbreak.  Sure the death rate might increase, but at least those of us lucky enough to avoid "the plague" could breath fresh, uncontaminated air.  

WRONG!  

I think the issue here is consideration.  On both ends.  If we considered others above ourselves we might be courteous enough as sick people to keep distance; and as well people treat the other with some compassion.  Is this too much to ask?  Apparently.  

EPIC FAILURE!

"There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him."-C.S. Lewis

I know that I have been pretty serious  in my blogging as of late...this cannot be helped, it's a serious time.  My life is an emotional roller coaster these days and the only thing that keeps me grounded is Jesus.  This is truth.  If it was up to me, I would be curled up in the fetal position rocking back and forth.  But God is faithful.

So to the topic...


I have noticed that I have a great propensity for evil.  I am "bad to the bone."  Literally.  It's easy to say when things are going great that I "feel" like I'm a good Christian.  "Man I am a Godly guy!  I'm pretty awesome!"  


And then...


EPIC FAILURE!  Truly Epic!  I am humbled very quickly. And whether it be my attitude or my circumstances, I see myself for who I am without Christ.  It's a dark place.  We, as lovers of Jesus, can get caught up in a whirlwind of "being tossed to and fro like a wave."  


I guess I realized that the only good in me is Christ.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal. 2:20 

I always have the capacity to make a sinful choice, to believe a lie over truth, to judge someone.  Only God is good.  Someday I will be like Him, but till that day, I need to seek His face, and trust that He is good.

I guess a blog can be a glorified diary.  I posted on my FB music page yesterday, "When stumbling around in the dark, don't forget to turn on the light(hint: the light is God's word)."  I noticed that when I go through a particularly hard time(or day) there is much sorrow and crying out to God...but do I pick up the Bible and fill my mind and heart with truth?  NO!  How ridiculous is that?!  It's right there!  "God help me!"  I say, but do I fill myself with His word and so doing position myself to be changed by Him?  Again no.  This is a window into my "faith-o-meter."  I want God to change my heart without actually seeking Him.  Just pull up to the drive-thru and speak into the clown's face, "Yeah, I'll take some peace, and satisfaction...oh can I get a side of endurance with that?  Thanks!" 

My faith is dead if I don't act on it. I believe this is true when seeking Jesus.  Do I trust Him?   I say I do, but do I pick up The Book that is so easily accessible in our country...for which they now have an app?

I know that tough times come, and I'm not saying that I will never be in despair, or believe a lie, or fall into temptation.  But, I know that the only saving grace is God's goodness and favor in my life.  He IS good.  Hang on to Jesus friend.  Stay close to Him, even in failure! 

Chuck S.

The following is a devotional from Charles Spurgeon.  I hope it encourages you.

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you." - joh 15:9

"As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves his people. What is that divine method  He loved him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves his members. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ, but his love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity. God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ's love to those who rest in him. Yesterday you were on Tabor's top, and you said, "He loves me:" to-day you are in the valley of humiliation, but he loves you still the same. On the hill Mizar, and among the Hermons, you heard his voice, which spake so sweetly with the turtle-notes of love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all his waves and billows go over you, his heart is faithful to his ancient choice. The Father loves the Son without any end, and thus does the Son love his people. Saint, thou needest not fear the loosing of the silver cord, for his love for thee will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave Christ will go with you, and that up again from it he will be your guide to the celestial hills. Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon his chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to his people. He "loved us and gave himself for us." His is a love which passeth knowledge. Ah! we have indeed an immutable Saviour, a precious Saviour, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end, even as the Father loves him! There is much food here for those who know how to digest it. May the Holy Ghost lead us into its marrow and fatness!"

I shouldn't be writing this...

Well I should be writing an essay for a college application right now, but I am blogging instead.  It seems that the theme of my life lately(and not so lately) has been "His mercies are new every morning."  I write songs about it, I've written poems about it, I've blogged about it, and I've posted videos on my FB page about it...Now, when am I actually going to believe it?!

I realize that we are a sinful group(group referring to all of humanity).  And we are in need of a Savior.  It just so happens that Jesus provided us with saving grace.  We as Christians have little trouble with this...I rarely question my salvation.  But how often do I live as though I have been snatched from doom and destruction?   Hardly ever!   I try to live an honest life.  I hate hypocrisy and "Acting Christian."  Ironically, these are two areas I think I struggle with the most.  I want to actually live what I say I believe.  I say Christ is all and that abiding in Him is everything.  But I find it the most challenging to live this way.  Maybe you understand what I'm saying.  But in any case, the world has enough people living like Hell and saying they belong to Christ.

I believe the key to overcoming this seemingly inevitable lifestyle lies in what I mentioned earlier.  When we open our eyes in the morning.  What is the truth?  The TRUTH is that Jesus has made me clean and new! And the moment we wake up the Enemy of our souls whispers a lie into our ear .  The very second we awaken from the unconsciousness of slumber, he is crouched at our bedside hissing in our ear a dirty lie about our Creator and about who we are and what we've done(or not done).  At the same time, the Holy Spirit of God who lives inside of us affirms His truth.  And we can either fight off Satan or choose to walk in deception.  It is simple...so simple, but so difficult.  Why?  Because it's human nature to believe the lie.  Our flesh wants to do what our Spirit hates.

I want to encourage you my friend that even though it might seem hopeless remember one thing:  GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!  This is it!  In our weakness He is strong.  So what needs to happen every single morning?  We wake up realizing that if we don't surrender to God and say "Lord I can't do it!  I don't even want to!  But You are more powerful than my humanity!"

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." Matt. 5:3


The question we have to ask ourselves(I have to ask myself) is do I really believe what God says in His word?  Do we?  Because the true test of whether or not we have faith is when we have to put it into practice.  Are we living?  Actually LIVING?  Or simply existing with an identifying belief system.  Trust Jesus! He's worth it!

We need a miracle...

You ever find yourself in a state of utter discontent?  You don't know how to move forward, but you can't go back?  It's a tough state to be in.  Life is a bloody punch in the face, and it feels like there's little we can do to stop the gush of our proverbial wound.

I don't mean to sound fatalistic.  But the reality is that we all go through crisis of belief and burden laden experiences.  It's good to be honest and not sugar coat a hard existence.

Sometimes we want to give up.  Sometimes we don't want to exist at all.  Sometimes we feel trapped. And sometimes we can't see past our own self pity.

So what of it?  What's the answer(if there even is one)?  Do we recite our favorite verse and push on...do we send up a quick prayer and give God a high five?  Well, these are options of course...however, it seems there might be another approach.

We are Christians.  We are supposed to be there for one another.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Rom. 12:15


The Bible is the only map I have to know what to do.  Period.  I can't go to a person, they fail me.  I can't look within, I end up betraying myself...so by default, if for no other reason, I look to God's word. EVEN WHEN I ABSOLUTELY DON'T WANT TO!! This is me being honest.   If  we are honest with ourselves we don't have it all together.  We don't have all the answers.  We don't even get it right when given the answers.  In essence, humanity is pretty pathetic(using myself as the ultimate example).  If we don't get down on our knees, and I don't mean figuratively, we will not be able to look up!  I am so self-everything...self self self self!  It's not all about me!  It's about Jesus.  How can we be joy filled, or even experience happiness without Him.  It says all good things come from God.  That includes my attitude(if it's good).  So how do I(we) maintain this perspective?  Simply put:

"Abide In Christ!"

What the heck does that mean?  Good question. I have no idea!  What...  Not the answer you were looking for?  Yeah, me neither.  But that's the point isn't it?  If we knew what it meant to completely "abide" we wouldn't need to be told to do it by Jesus(Jn.15).  WE DON'T SEEK HIM ANYMORE! We want a quick "pep" verse for the day so we can get in there and succeed in life.  I hate to break it to you(me)...We are not here to succeed.  We exist for Him.  And Him alone.   Sorry peeps.  I'll give you a min..this is quite a blow...

Ok, so the point is, the only solution I have when feeling hopeless, down, sad, angry, pitiful, and complacent is to CRY OUT to Jesus.  Cause if I believe He is who He says He is, then I need to act on that faith and surrender to God.  And surrender is simply looking up and saying, "Help, I can't...."

Believe God for a miracle. Ironically, this song was playing while I was writing...

Oh cold and sleepless night

Where is thine end?

Is the shadow to consume me,

or does this wound begin to mend?

Is it darkest before the dawn?

Is there hope amidst my pain?

Will night in vengeance take me?

Will tears leave lasting stain?

Be far from me oh darkness.

never to return,

leave nothing to remember,

expelled by sunlight's burn.

Be it ever morning.

Let singing fill the air

And with it sweet surrender

My melody, my prayer.

This is insane!

The following is an excerpt from the The American Journal of Psychiatry  released in 1842.

“Mr. ___, aged 48, had uniformly enjoyed good health until the summer of 1842, when he complained some of not feeling well, was weak and dyspeptic, and in November had what was supposed to be a slight paralytic attack. For this and severe pain of the head he was bled seven or eight times, took cathartic medicines and was blistered largely. He remained dull and disinclined to exercise for five or six weeks, when he became suddenly deranged…”(http://cantonasylumforinsaneindians.com/history_blog/tag/case-studies-of-insanity)

The subject of insanity is intriguing to say the least.  I mean what could cause a completely normal man to abandon all reason and become "deranged?"  What is at the root of what claims so many men and women these days as casualties of the mind?  Is it all in the mind?  Are there spiritual implications to what makes someone "bonkers?"  Well, I do of course have my own opinion regarding the matter, but I am curious as to what you(as the reader)thinks.  So what I will do in the next few paragraphs is to try to "lay out" the arguments and then leave it up to you.

While it is perhaps easy to identify certain mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder etc), it is more difficult to identify the cause of these disorders.  In fact it seems that almost every problem we face these days stems from some form of disorder.  Nevertheless, I am more interested in the acute cases of insanity.  So lets dive in...

According to Web MD  there are many factors that may cause mental illness some of which could be physical.  This list includes: genetics, infections, brain defects or injury, prenatal damage, substance abuse, and a category of "other factors" which include toxins.  Now I believe that certain elements such as infection could play a role in brain chemistry.  But isn't it it interesting that the first cause listed(other than biological factors) is genetics?  So can insanity be passed down to our kids?  Rather frightening thought.  

There was a man in the mid 1800s named Richard Patterson who had this to say on the subject:

"mental derangement always depends upon either functional or organic diseases of the brain, and without such disease we see no derangement of the mind. The causes of this cerebral disease may be either physical or moral."(http://www.in.gov/icpr/2701.htm)

Interesting!  So it is more than the biological...morality rears its ugly head.  He goes on to argue that social and cultural influences play a part in this epidemic.  

Then there is the argument for the spiritual.  A question was asked on gracethrufaith.com on how to know the difference between mental illness and demonic oppression.  While the answer to this question goes on to say that it's arguable that some of these disorders are due to a lack of vitamin intake, the first sentence is this:

"There are people with legitimate mental disorders and no doubt some of those are of demonic origin."(http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/mental-illness-or-demonic-oppression/)

It seems that a popular view in churches today is that mental illness might be more "spiritual" in origin than physical.  

As I have said, I do have an opinion about this subject...be it uneducated or not...however, I would love to hear your feedback especially because I give my input all too often(as this is MY blog).  

Your thoughts.. 

What if...

Ok, so now it is time to delve into something completely serious.  The other day I was in a "pondering" mood and I thought of something that, if implemented, could change society as we know it.  You ready?

What if stealing from a store was only legal if you could get away with it?

I'll give you a moment to process that one...okay now, let me give you a rundown of how this might work.  First of all it is important to note that stealing, in and of itself, would not be legal.  For example: it would not be legal to take a car from a dealership.  It would also be an infraction to take another human being(even though this would technically be considered  kidnapping, I can see some zealots misinterpreting the law).  Secondly, all establishments that allowed customers to freely take their merchandise, without consequence, would be required to adorn proper signage stating that this is permitted.

Now I know that there is much to this idea in regards to moral obligation, as well as a vast number of other issues.  However, don't you think that it would make shopping that much more exciting.  Some would not have to change their "M.O" at all.  They are already acting as if this law does in fact exist.  On the other hand some would take the opportunity to add some much needed "spice" to their vanilla life.  I know what your thinking, "what exactly would the consequences be if I did get caught stealing?"  Good question.  Here is what could happen if you don't make it our the front door with your spoils:

1. Of course you would have to give the merch back.  You couldn't just make a mad dash for the door...well I guess you could, but then you would definitely be considered a "perp."

2.   Depending on what the product you were trying to "boost" was, would determine the severity of the punishment.  Personally I think it would be more interesting if it was up to the store owner as to what these consequences were.  For example a sign might read:

Attention Consumer:

If you are caught stealing at this establishment the following may result:

 1. If merchandise is between $0.10-$10 you will be required to pay for said merchandise and then do ten push ups while making a ridiculous face.

2. If merchandise is between $10.01-$50 you will be required to pay, as well as have a pie of your choosing thrown in your face.

3. If merchandise is between $50.01-$100 you will be required to pay, as well as chauffeur the owner of the store to work for 1 week .

Well, you get the idea.  At any rate this would of course provide more jobs for the downed economy as these stores would be forced to hire security to present a united front against grandma taking some denture cream without paying for it.  

It would make grocery shopping something to look forward to if for no other reason you went and watched as someone yells, "CODE YELLOW!!" and takes down the petty thief.  I know my Saturdays would be more entertaining.  

 

It's a new day!

I love the morning! Now, ironically, I am not a "morning person."  However, when I do manage to wake up early, I really appreciate the beginning of a new day.

So I choose to write on the subject of MORNING.  This is my favorite part of the day.  Unfortunately we associate morning with "work" and all is spoiled henceforth.  But I do want to give Daybreak its due as it were.

Daybreak:

–noun

the first appearance of daylight in the morning; dawn.

Simple huh? I was thinking of this word and how significant it is.  For only light penetrates darkness.  You notice that it's never the other way around.  Night doesn't invade day.  Darkness is the absence of light, so when day "breaks" it's expelling evening.  If you are in a dark cave and you light even a simple match, your whole surroundings are illuminated.  How sweet is that?!

I used to love night best but the older I get the more treasures and hope and joy I find in mornings.  ~Terri Guillemets 

Morning brings with it the idea of new beginnings.  Sunrise signifies new birth and a fresh start.  I love the image of nightfall being eliminated by the coming sun.  No matter what we did yesterday, today is a new day! We get to start over.  Interestingly, the book in the Bible that would seem to be the most depressing gives us some of the best hope in two verses:

 "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness." Lam. 3:22-23

In the midst of this lament there is hope!  God ushers in His mercy through the rising sun.  What joy that should give us.  Each day is an opportunity to start anew, to wake up and surrender our lives to Jesus.  It's almost like we get to "reset" ourselves.  We fall asleep and dream, then our eyes open and we instantly have a choice: "Do I live for myself today and what I can get out of it?"  OR, "Do I live for Jesus and draw on His grace and mercy?"  I confess I don't make the right choice as often as I like, or even acknowledge that there is a choice at all.  I live under the illusion of "self" and ignore God's voice completely.  It says that Jesus got up early in the morning to go off and pray.  He was intentional with the beginning of His day!  Just remember that there IS hope today!  And technically it's still morning as I write this-

So...

let the mercy of God wash over you this day! 

 

Goodbye Christmas Cheer...

I don't know about you, but during the holiday season I always feel like I should be just a little more patient and a little nicer to the average Joe, or the sales clerk.   It seems like humanity is magically filled with "Christmas Cheer" come December(or perhaps as early as the end of November).  A man will hold the door open at a retail store for the woman carrying armfuls of packages.  Someone passing by the homeless guy holding the sign at the freeway exit may stop and give a needed donation.  There seems to be Peace and Goodwill toward men during this time of year.

However....

Have you noticed, that at the end of the holidays, mankind still remains man, but is inevitability  less kind?  It is truly a sad commentary on society when we have compassion and kindness one month a year.  What is it that changes in us during the last month on the calender, driving us to treat others with respect and care?

Is it, do you suppose, a last attempt, before the dawn of the New Year, to "rack up" some good deeds?  Or perhaps the Scrooge in all of us is suppressed during Christmas time.   

As a Christ follower, my goal is to be cheerful and gracious all year round, but during the holidays (I guess because everyone else is doing it) I tend to at least notice the "Christmas Spirit" is more alive.  I can't say that I have a solution for the rest of humanity, but as for me... I would like to make it a habit.

J.R.R. Tolkien said, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world". 

Maybe he hit the nail on the head.  Maybe we take life, and ourselves, too seriously.  I know that I am extremely self absorbed...perhaps the reason for my blogging(harhar).  I need to think about the guy next to me... and I don't mean a thought like, "'why is that guy looking at me that way, what a jerk, he has no right looking at me at all!"  We need to "consider others better than ourselves"(Philippians).



Do I think this is going to happen?  Doubtful...do I think it would work?  Most definitely.  Not to be negative, but we are a selfish people.  But, I can change my habits.  That's all I can control (and frankly, all I can handle...sorry people, you're on your own.).