New Blog Header

How do you like the new header? If any of the six people who read this know anything about HTML, I could use your help. I would like the header to be BIGGER, but I don't know how to do it. Increasing the size in photo editor does not work.

I'm working on ways to be more intentional in 2010 and plan to post them tomorrow. Resolutions are too vague. You have to make intentional choices every day, and hopefully the choices made will improve your faith, financial situation, relationships, health, and work. One example might be I am going to spend more time with my family today, so I am not going to get on Facebook or use the internet at all today. (I think everyone can relate to that one.)

See you in 2010!!!!

In Case You Were Wondering...

... we are still here. I did finally get our Christmas cards mailed so that is one thing I can check off the list. Many things still on the calendar as the one-week-till-Christmas countdown begins. Looking forward to a visit from Grammy and Pawpaw R. in a few days, and Grammy and Grandpa D. will be coming after Christmas (and Buddy and Casey and possibly Pony Boy.)

My Celine Dion Christmas CD was MIA for the last month. Luckily, I found it. Joyous!! Let the loud music blare throughout the house.

I made the playoffs for fantasy football, but I lost in the first round by four lousy points.

All for now, gotta watch the Monk finale on hulu.

Drummer Boy 2009

In case you are looking for something to do this Christmas season, come see Drummer Boy at Grace Church in St. Louis. Our church has been putting this on every year for the past several years, and it continues to grow in popularity. It is AWESOME!! And, it is FREE!!! Here is a sneak peek...

Christmas Treasures

The article below is from my daily email devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries. It was written by Rachel Olsen. Some people are so blessed with the gift of words and writing. (I am not one of those people.) It's a great message for the Christmas season...

"For where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

It was 38 degrees when I woke the day after Thanksgiving. Yet, willing to brave chilly temps and frenzied crowds in search of crazy deals, I headed out shopping.

As I walked the aisles past slick gadgets, plush robes, and animated toys, one thought kept coming to my mind: The gifts we long for—the ones we ask for, save for, shop for, and wrap up in shiny paper with bows—will disappoint, eventually. They will age, wear, scratch, stain, fade or break. They may even get lost or stolen. Not long after the shiny newness wears off, the realization sets in that these objects don't provide the lasting happiness we'd hoped they would.

Am I a Christmas scrooge? Not at all! Beneath my tree sits several lovely gifts I look forward to giving my family. And I'm hoping one will appear there for me before Christmas Eve. But this thought, this realistic view of the contents of those packages, helps me keep the material aspects of this holiday in perspective — eternal perspective.

It's so easy to get caught up in the commercial fervor that is Christmas. It's easy to think we must show our love through bought gifts. But often a warm hug and some relaxed hospitality, time spent together on a hobby, or a letter detailing your appreciation would mean so much more than another coffee mug or gift basket. And for those of us facing hard financial times this year, that's welcome news.

If I could give you one fantastic gift today, I'd take your hand and cause us both to travel back in time some 33 years after the birth of Christ. We'd sit together on the hillside and listen to Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount. We would hear our Savior say , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

Perhaps hearing it from the Savior's lips would help us believe that it's important what we treasure. It's important where our heart is. And to remember that the objects we ask for, give, and receive are temporary, just like the pleasure they bring.

God, however, gives gifts that are eternal. They never age, fade, deteriorate or fail to delight. He gave the gift of love with a baby in a manger. He gave the gift of truth through the teaching of Rabbi Jesus. And He gave the gift of eternal life in the form of the crucified and risen Christ. God gives the best gifts!

I found a few good deals at the mall that early Friday morning, but no thing like the deal I found at a little church almost two decades ago when I met this risen Lord and exchanged my sins for His grace.

In the days of the Bible, times of great joy were frequently accompanied by the giving of gifts (e.g. Nehemiah 8:10; Esther 9:22; Revelation 11:10). This ancient custom, practiced in all nations throughout history, finds its greatest expression today at Christmas. As we participate in gift-giving this year, let's follow God's lead and look for ways to also share love, truth and the path to eternal life with those we care about. Perhaps we can help another to find the greatest gift of all, or to treasure it rightly.

Dear God, thank You for the treasures of Christ, the gift of grace, and the blessings of eternal light and life. Show me opportunities to share them with those around me this month. Help me keep my heart set on You as the only lasting source of delight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.