Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (St. Luke 2).

I don't know how I'd ever be able to navigate this life if it wasn't for the babe in the manger those many years ago. Babies are cute, wonderful, and grow into adults, many of which are wonderful, and a few cute. Jesus was not one of those. He grew into an adult that was the Savior of the world. A man that knew the full extent of being a human. A God that loved His creation so much that He came down, so that we could be up with Him one day.

It is typical to spend the time between now and New Year's pondering the year that is ending and looking forward to the year that is about to begin. As I look back I see a roller coaster. A few totally amazing things happened this year, and a few totally devastating things as well. You know what else I see? I see God. I see His hand guiding my steps. I see Him taking me in His arms and telling me that He is in control, and He loves me. That I will be able to wake up the next day. Throughout the events of the year I see God.

How do people navigate this life without God? I know some do a very awful job at it, and yet others seem to be living satisfying lives without God. They seem content, no debt, lots of friends, a family they love, a fulfilling career, a nice home, hobbies, etc. These are the people I pray for the most. The people that on the outside don't seem to need God.

It is easy to pray for people on the street, getting divorced, alcoholics, in debt, in the hospital, injured, troubled, the train wrecks on tv. We know that those people need the Lord, it is quite evident. It is the people that do not know they need the Lord, and that other people see are doing just fine. These are some people I hurt for the most. Who is going to share Christ with them? Just because a person is traveling on a flat road does not mean that they don't need help. All people need help. All people need Christ. ALL fall short of the glory of God.

This year has not been easy, but it has been a year, 365 days full of opportunities to grow stronger and more mature in Christ, and to share my Savior with others. 365 days where I can tell my friends and family that I love them.

All in all, I am one very blessed individual. I live the most precious country in the world, I have a nice home with heat/ac, electricity, cable, internet, nice furnishing, a wonderful cat, friends, family, a great seminary where I am growing in my knowledge and walk with Christ. I have a car that runs economically, and many wonderful books and knicknacks. I am mostly healthy (a migraine here and there, a few other problems, but overall mostly healthy), I am well fed, and very blessed. Life is mostly good. It is such a blessing to live in America. It would take me hours to say why, so I won't (for now)!

"May the road rise to meet you..."
May you see God in the sunshine,
And the work of the Lord in the rain.
May a friend always be by your side,
And wisdom and prayer be your two guides.
May the one, true God be the One you call "Lord".

That is all that it takes to be able to be blessed. Just remember this "Life on earth may be expensive, but it does include free trips around the sun." (don't remember who said that).

Merry Christmas 2007 and Happy Boxing Day!!!