Baby NewYear, done growed up!

 I remember as a kid watching the Christmas specials year after year as if it was the first time I had ever seen them. From the miser brothers to Ralphie, it was like visiting old friends. There was one specific cartoon Christmas show that starred the emphamis baby new year who wore his diaper, a top hat which covered his very large ears. Baby new year ran away because people were making fun of him every time his hat came off. But it wasn't until later in life that i began to see the irony in this new year running away because of his being made fun of and in the end everyone rallying around him to encourage him that we needed him to start the new year. At the time I neglected to see the encouragement as being self serving. After all who wants to get stuck in 2020 for another year? 

The reality is that 2020 was what we made of it. Good times, bad times, it all comes back to your response and how you dealt with the challenges and blessings. As a Christ follower, we know that God works all things to the good of those who love Him, but through out our trials and challenges it is easy to forget that. For instance maybe you lost your job and blame 2020 when in reality it was a series of events that stemmed from bad decisions, cut backs or hundreds of other things until it came to pass. These events were undoubtedly rooted in the past, maybe just a few days or weeks but could be as far back as years. The same is true when you think of a new job. It didn't just come about one day, it took someone losing thier job, quitting or retiring or maybe a new position was created, they went through the resume and interviewing process and then you are offered a job. So we credit 2020 as the year of the job blessing. What we need to consider is regardless of a new year, mid year, or anywhere in between, God was still moving people, working the plan so that when the time came you got the job, or in some cases you lost your job. What seems like a crisis at the time will undoubtedly yield new opportunities in the future for those who stick to thier faith and find thier security in Christ.

What I want to tell you on the threshold of this new year is to not use this as an opportunity to classify a year as good or bad solely on the basis of how your life went. Rather it would be prudent to see the timeless hand of God who orchestrates all things together for His glory. That doesn't mean that God caused you to lose your job, but certainly He will provide another and who knows it could just be the best thing you have never asked for. This year as you look into the new year, take a moment and reflect on the past and the consequences they have had on your present status. The future is promising and if you will take on the right attitude you will find thankfulness in the most unusual things. Why not leave a comment for others to see just how God sees us through from year to year? That is how baby new year grows up.

Till next time

P.M.

Christmas time is quickly approaching

 Hard to believe that 2020 is almost complete and we are down to the final weeks before Christmas. For many of us 2020 has brought unexpected changes and unprecedented challenges. Although the year, according to our calendars, is about to expire and we welcome a new year with renewed hope, it is more than likely that our current situations will once again be there on January 1st. I don't say that as a discouragement, but rather as an encouragement. Let me explain. When we start a new year we say we will lose weight, exercise more, quite smoking, be a better person, start going to church, etc. and we all know that these goals fizzle and fall flat by February 1st. We falter and get discouraged or pick a new starting point down the road a bit and before you know it another year has whizzed by. You and I both know that it doesn't take a new year for a new start and honestly why wouldn't we use Christmas if we wanted a fresh start on a calendar date? The celebration of hope, the recognition that our creator came to live among us that He might die in our place, having done nothing wrong. If you think about it the entire season is messed up with deception and misgivings. I have been preparing my Christmas series for preaching and I told my wife at lunch the other day that its like you celebrate Independence day 364 days out of the year and then the last day is a day to celebrate America. Isn't it kind of the same thing just a specific day set aside where we can get out of work, eat a lot of food, enjoy family and friends and exchange gifts? I am no way undermining the importance of celebrating Christmas, just challenging the priorities this time of year. Boxes and bowes, ribbon and glitter, trees and pointsettias, lights and stars, manger scenes, office parties, huge spread of food, gift getting and giving, new dresses, and suits, where does it stop? And what does it have to do with the birth of Christ? We can expect excuses to explain away our behavior but God know our hearts. The excitement the children get when they wake up and see santa has been there, instead of Jesus. By the way anyone else find it creepy that we convince our kids an old fat guy has access to our houses where everyone else is locked out and we are ok with it? And in addition he won't come unless your asleep. On the flip side, you don't have to wait till Jan. 1st or until your in deep sleep to get a new beginning. Jesus is only a prayer away, nothing creepy or disturbing about it, unless you consider why He would be there for us after all we have done to dishonor Him. 2nd Corinthians 6:2 says this; for He says at the acceptable time I listened to you and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation." That my friends is the reason for the season. Till next time

P.M.