Monday, December 19, 2011

What a paradox...



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...that a babe in a manger

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should be called mighty!

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Yet even as a babe, Jesus Christ was the center of power.

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His birth affected the heavens

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and caused a dazzling star to appear.

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Midnight became midday

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as the glory of the Lord

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appeared to men.

--Warren Wiersbe

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

What do you do with your kids' old toys?

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At this time of year there's an obvious answer, right?
Gotta make room for the new ones.

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But you can't get rid of the favorites!
That's why it's good to have a three year old come and play now and then.

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Because when you get the toys out for them

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they will be rediscovered by their original owners

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who can now do things like physics experiments with them.

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Seriously--

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what better way to pass a dark winter day?

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Getting our craft on

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Bethany has been dying to make some gifts for the relatives.
Today I found her some supplies.

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I had picked up a box of clear bulbs on a whim for $1 a couple of years ago,
knowing it would one day serve a purpose.

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Voila!

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

December Moments


Oh holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.

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It's one of those months

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where everything runs together

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in a blur.

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It's almost all good,

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especially if we take it as it comes,

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determined to enjoy, not to make perfect.

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Like this ice for example.

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The rink was flooded.

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Kind of.

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Several layers more will help.

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But my kids?

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Determined to enjoy.

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There is more,

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that I lived but did not photograph.

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This is some of the best.

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You know what?

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This is our Jesse Tree. So far.

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For a variety of reasons, it is, shall we say, incomplete.

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We are behind. Behind with Advent.

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I am happy to say, I am not fighting it.

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After all, Jesus came to earth once the people could see
that their rituals did not bring him closer.

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Not that the rituals were inherently bad.

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They just weren't the point.

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This year, I've welcomed the gift of letting him find me.

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Wherever I am.

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To show me how amazing he is

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right here in my own little world.

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We hear the Christmas angel the great glad tidings tell;
Oh come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

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