Someone said that if you ask ten people to describe Christmas, you will receive eleven different answers. It seems that Christmas has become what each person wants it to be. To one it is therapeutic, another describes it mainly in religious terms while still another bypasses religion altogether. So, what is Christmas? How would you describe Christmas? One Facebook reader said it was all about family and warm feelings. Another reader said, "Santa Claus, that's what Christmas is all about." Still another reader said, "Christmas is all about spending time at home, decorating a tree and generally enjoying 'me' time." While all of these descriptions have some validity in describing Christmas, the main element is missing. We talk about Christmas in terms of spending time with family, belief in Santa, and just stopping for some 'me' time. If this is all that Christmas means, it seems that something is still lacking in our Christmas celebration...

  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” This slogan was probably one of your stock phrases for dealing with bullies. Perhaps you remember…the local bully pushes you, then makes a face at you, and finally says something particularly nasty. Your response most likely was drilled into you by a teacher, parent or even a friend…”Sticks and stones…” Sadly, sticks and stones do break bones, however, words hurt even worse than sticks, stones, boulders or a punch in the face! The body is an amazing healing apparatus; wounds do miraculously heal over time, but words, spoken in spite and cruelty can crush our spirits for a lifetime! “The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” Proverbs 18:14 We live in a world where harsh words are common on Facebook. Tongue lashings happen while driving, pushing a cart in the local grocery store or even in dealing with our own children. How can we move away from language that tears down and...

  Storage units make money when you and I go to the store. Upon purchasing needed items, we soon discover that room for all of our items is at a premium and we must find alternate quarters for some of our stuff. This is where storage units enter. “Store your stuff with us,” is a frequent sales pitch. Another pitch is, “If you’ve got the stuff, we’ve got the space.” A well-known storage facility called “Life Storage.” is brightly colored with many windows and just looks “homey.” The company keeps the property clean, cleared, and desirable. Perhaps you are wondering why I am discussing “Life Storage?” Believe it or not, it reminds me of a parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30. An employer gave bags of gold to three employees. One received 5 bags, another 2 bags, and the last received 1 bag. The first two immediately went to work and doubled their investment.   According to Jesus’ parable, “the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid hi...

“You are next in line for a heart replacement,” was the long-awaited promise from the heart surgeon. My friend had waited two years for a stronger, newer heart. Finally, his hopes were about to be fulfilled. Saul was the tallest man in Israel. In fact, the Prophet Samuel said that he “was the most handsome man in Israel, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.” Saul was gifted with winning looks and a basketball   player physique, perhaps the envy of every man in the land of Israel. Saul’s fortune was about to gain even more ground. While on a trip searching for the family donkeys, Saul met the Prophet Samuel who gave him exciting news; He would meet a group of traveling prophets. “At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you…and you will be changed into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6 All of these events came to pass. “As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day.” 1 Samuel...

The Fountain of Youth is a mythical spring that is said to restore youth to anyone who drinks from these waters. Ponce de Leon is credited with discovering this magic fountain in St. Augustine, Florida. My family visited this site, and we all tried a cup of the supposed magic waters. I am currently a 70-something male who wonders where the vigor of that cup of magic went. A company recently posted this advertisement, “You were made to grow younger.” My immediate thoughts were drawn to the previously mentioned Fountain of Youth. Perhaps this company had tapped into the magic of youth restoration. Youth! Everyone desires it, yet we live in a world of aging individuals. The gyms are full of people wanting to retain a youthful lifestyle and strong body, yet the natural course of life is one of aging. We are told that aging gracefully is possible with a certain food or drug. Another piece of sage advice is, “age is just a number.” Well, my number is getting higher each year, and with...

  The Masters Golf tournament features the best golfers in the world playing to win…a green jacket. Actually, it is much more.  The winner receives a large monetary check, a trophy, gold medal, an invitation to play in the tournament each year hereafter, and the honor of the choosing the menu for the champions dinner next year. Don’t forget the coveted green jacket. Playing golf involves much more than chasing a ball around a golf course. Professional golfers are trained athletes. Their tools are a set of golf clubs, a golf ball, and good shoes. The goal is to tee off or hit the ball from a designated starting point, aimed toward an ending point or hole on the green. Between the starting and ending points lie many difficulties, such as rolling hills, trees, bushes, sand traps and long distances. The player must negotiate each of these situations in order to get the ball into the hole. In addition to these issues, the player who wins must get the ball into the hole with few...