How was your Christmas?

It's a question one can expect to hear often for the next few weeks. "How was your Christmas?" You will be expected to say that yours was good or great and it is probably true. Mine was very good. We did everything we were supposed to do: gifts, eating with relatives, time with the kids, the whole thing. Yet somethings not quite right. Almost, but not quite. I think with all the wrapping and cooking and even relaxing that I just did not pay enough attention to Jesus. I did not ignore Him at all. I even read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2 and also read some Old Testament passages predicting the birth, life and death of the Christ but it just wasn't enough.

You know, I don't think the Devil gets too worried when we go to church. I am sure he would rather we didn't but how many times have you been to church and your mind been a million miles away?

What about Bible-reading? Important, yes, but still I don't think Satan gets too concerned when we read scripture. I am probably not the only one who gets lost and confused by the words, old-timey customs and meaning of some of the stories in the Bible.

But I know what does scare the Devil. It is something I believe one cannot do half-hearted and do it right. That's the problem. Unlike going to church and reading my Bible, I find it impossible to truly pray and do anything else. Sure I pray when I am driving or at work and I pray before meals and I pray lots of "God help me" prayers but when I really pray, whether it's on my knees or walking around or sitting in a chair, it doesn't matter, I really have to concentrate and that is the part that I know scares Satan more than anything. Not because I am thinking it or because I am sincere or anything that I do or don't do.

James 5:16 says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. I love that verse. The first time I read it I thought "Well, now if I could just find a righteous man!" but I realized that God, because of what His son Jesus did, considers me to be righteous! So my prayers are more than sweet words meant to comfort myself and others. They are a powerful tool. The King James version uses the word "fervent prayer" and when I researched further that word "fervent" has the same meaning as a horse jumping over a fence or a baseball player stretched out to catch a ball. It takes some effort but the rewards are huge.

My Dad told me one time that he asked my Grandfather about how prayer works. My grandfather said he didn't know how prayer worked but he knew it did. That's interesting to me for several reasons. Both Godly men, both very smart and well-educated and both proving time after time their belief in something they did not know much about. That makes me feel better to know I am not the only one who does not understand prayer but it also concerns me. You see, I know upon reflection that the thing that was missing this Christmas for me was not something under the tree or on the dinner table but my own fervent prayer to the reason for this season. So, how was your Christmas?

The Eagles Ain't Country

OK, so what's the big deal with these guys? Have they just been around long enough that they have good connections? Is there a cult following underground somewhere? The Eagles were on the Country Music Awards the other day with Vince Gill gushing all over them like a chubby little schoolboy. They were singing their latest single about well...I don't know what it was about but the song held no attraction for me nor did the band. Now I'm not against the Eagles. They were good back in the day. Back in the 70's. I can appreciate Hotel California as much as the next guy. It's just that they aren't country. Vince Gill supposedly said the Eagles have done more for country music than Ernest Tubb. Exactly what have the Eagles ever done for country music Vince, you deep dish has-been? Get off the crack pipe and go buy a George Strait cd or Brooks and Dunn or Allan Jackson-all of whom were at this award show--not to mention the Tubbs, Waggoners, Williams and Cashs who are turning over in their graves thinking about the state of country music.

It could have been worse!

I heard Barbara Streisand once and thought I was going to die.

http://wcbstv.com/watercooler/gunsnroses.scares.teacher.2.610016.html

Why men are happier...

I never forward emails but this is pretty good. Ever since I was a little boy I have been glad to be male.

Your last name stays put.The garage is all yours.Wedding plans take care of themselves.Chocolate is just another snack.You can be President.You can never be pregnant.You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.You can wear NO shirt to a water park.Car mechanics tell you the truth.You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.Wrinkles add character. Graying hair adds attraction.Wedding dress~$5000. Tux rental~$100.People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.You know stuff about tanks.A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public.You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.No wonder men are happier.

Senator Joe Biden

Senator Biden, how many times a day...is that a...What is that on your fingertip?

Terrorists are funny!

http://www.imao.us/archives/cat_lolterizt.html

Mike Huckabee

Hey, Mike, how many times a day do you and your friends read this blog?! Also, what is the chance in a million that you will get the Republican nomination?!

How offensive!

As most know by now, Gillian Gibbons, a volunteer schoolteacher in Sudan, was sentenced to jail but pardoned today for the crime of letting her seven year old students name the class teddy bear "Mohammed". Evidently the "real" Mohammed was offended by this and many of his followers wanted Gibbons to die for the crime. I am shocked at her lack of political correctness as is my dog Bohammed.