Warming Thoughts

Seems like forever since I posted here.  I get focused on Facebook and forget to post here ... and this was the first site I had.  So don't forget to ring my bell when I get too lazy.  Christmas was great. This was the 4th year of doing the Advent Conspiracy.  I am not the focus of the Season, Christ is ... so honor him with gifts not me.  Most of the kids were at the Christmas Eve communion service.  That really made me happy and while I wish that could happen every Sunday, I recognize it can not for various reasons.  Thank you Jessie, Traci, Michael and Aiden for being there.  Matt gets a kudo for doing babysitting duty. Hopefully, next year Vincent will be old enough to attend and then Matt can be there too!  Christmas Day was special with most of our traditions being continued.  People stopping by even without a gift, Breakfast Casserole, Bowls of Fruit Salad, presents for the kids and the joy of watching them, Sitting around and just being together, Christmas dinner with ham and all the fixins, finally, that cup of coffee as we unwound and decompressed from another great and Happy Holiday Season.

I missed being with Mom and hope next year to have her here to experience the fun and elevated activity levels.  Of course, I missed Missy, Lou and Serenity.  Of course, having to share them with their Dad was expected but I still missed them.  This weekend we will celebrate with them and for a short time relive the joy of Christmas.

Just over a month to the next cruise.  We can't wait.  Still hoping we could find a roommate for Mom so she could go ... but alas, everyone has other plans or no passport.  Gee, free trip to the Caribbean and no takers!  Right on the heels of that vacation is the train ride to Reno for my 23 consecutive Bowling Tournament.  Looks like I will be travelling alone this year.  In 2015, there will be a group going as we celebrate my 25th consecutive tournament in El Paso Texas.  We will turn that one into an extended vacation.

Work at the Radio Station is the same.  I keep hoping for change and it keeps eluding me.  That is better than the alternative of no job.  My prayer and hopes that the joy returns.

The Church is going through a tough time as we make some tough decisions of our direction in the future.   I understand the dynamics of the process but feel we fall short in addressing the problems that got us there in the first place.  Unless we fix the problems, we are just delaying the inevitable.  Keeping the doors open and hoping for a change is not enough.  We must make the choices with God's guidance to correct the problems and create a vibrant worship experience.  We need to stop looking outside so much and start looking inside.  Kind of like in the Book of Acts, we just need to come and worship with out heart, soul, and mind and let Christ add to our numbers according to his purpose.  I believe Jesus was the only one ever asked to give of themselves till they died.  We are asked to give of ourselves so we might live more abundantly ... in Jesus. That early church was successful because their hearts were filled with joy, for they were at peace with God and men. They were happy, for they loved God and one another. Such a joyful community attracts people, just as a beautiful flower garden attracts butterflies and bees. Such a church grows daily, naturally and without much conscious effort.