Traditions

Christmas traditions...culture would have us spend too much, eat too much, drink too much and make it all about Santa and eggnog. We really don't do a lot at our house but the few things we do are special. Christmas eve we bake and decorate cookies, my baby girl....now 23.... and I have done this together since she was old enough. We have 20 or so years of baking and cookie pictures. This year we we have actually planned our grand son's first Christmas so they will be here Christmas eve and we can have our tradition. More recently, I would say for the past 7 years we have a new tradition. We have a spike about 6 inches long that hangs from a red ribbon. It represents the nails that hung Jesus on the cross. When we first put up the tree, before anything else is done, we hang the nail on a limb close to the trunk in remembrance of what Christmas is all about.
Peace and Love
Jeff

A Moment in Time

As I ponder this weeks blog........... it has me looking back at many"Moments in Time." The death of my father, mom re-married, the birth of my daughter, the day of my sobriety, my first real marriage, the day I was ordained, surgeries, the day I realized my stable career was over, G.E.D. graduation, starting college, the birth of my grandson; all of these are "mile stones" or moments in time that changed my life. All of these have had a major influence on my life.If I have to pick one moment that surpasses the next it would be unfair and very difficult. The one thing I do know for sure......in February 2002 when I decided to turn my will and my life back over to Jesus was the day everything changed and transformation began. That small moment of clarity that surpassed everything else when I realized Jeff's way wouldn't work and His way was the only way....That's my true "Moment in Time." All of my past moment's and all of my future moment's are dependent on Jesus truly being Lord of my life...........not me; as I often still try to make it !!! Looking through my Jesus glasses all my past,present and future moments are beautiful....
Peace and Love
Jeff

Enemy

One thing about what we do is for sure....not everyone will receive the truth without being offended. When we speak the truth in love we are bound to encounter some enemies. I have past "friends" that do not like me just because I don't do what I used to do. I have heard through the grapevine that people have said I was hateful to them because of what I said. All I can say is sometimes the truth hurts......but the truth also shall set you free. Most of us are so lost and lacking maturity that we get offended when we hear the truth....at first. My prayer is that when we do finally get something, that person who offended us will come to mind and we can forgive them realizing they were speaking the truth all along. Past enemies will become friends.
Peace and Love
Jeff