Something Fun To Close Out The Year With.

 After the year we have had I thought it would be good to close out 2020 with something fun. I want to thank Dennis Cunningham for posting this on his Facebook page.

It’s good to laugh. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 (CSB) “A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken Spirit dries up the bones”. Some people are so dried up if they smiled they may crack. Let’s relax and start enjoying life.  I hope you enjoy this. 

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

Here are 12 things to consider as we get closer to closing the door on one of the most horrible years of our lifetime.

1. The dumbest thing I ever bought was a 2020 planner.

2. I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to  someone.  He asked me what I was wearing.

3. 2019:  Stay away from negative people.  2020:  Stay away from positive people.

4. The world has turned upsidedown.  Old folks are sneaking out of the house & their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!

5. This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her dog.  It was obvious she thought her dog understood her.  I came into my house & told my cat.  We laughed a lot. 

6. Every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit.  Pajamas will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.

7. Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands? 

8. This virus has done what no woman has been able to do.  Cancel sports, shut down all bars keep men at home! 

9. I never thought the comment, “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a 6-foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are! 

10. I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator. 

11. I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to the Backyard.  I’m getting tired of the Living Room.

12. Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask and ask for money.

 

What Is Your Favorite Thing About Christmas?

When you ask people what their favorite thing about Christmas is you get a variety of answers. Some will say seeing family they don't have the opportunity to see often as one of their favorite things about Christmas. Some say its the fellowship you have visiting with and sharing stories with one another. Some say it's the food. There always seems to be a big meal on Christmas. Others say its the presents or gifts that they enjoy the most. 

While there is certainly nothing wrong with any of these responses it is important to acknowledge the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day is the day that has been set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world. Everything else is secondary.

You see, we give and receive gifts in honor of God giving His Son, Jesus, to all of mankind. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. It's so important that we understand and acknowledge this. 

I want to encourage you, as we enter Christmas week, to keep the Main Thing the main thing. Keep Jesus central in your life and Christmas celebrations. In the midst of the business of the season make time for Jesus. Read the story of the birth of Jesus. It truly is the greatest story ever told.   

I also want to take this opportunity to wish my family, friends and anyone else who reads my blog a very Merry Christmas! You are loved and appreciated. 

May God's blessings be upon you as you celebrate the true meaning of the season. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

The Greatest Gift Ever

Today we find ourselves nearing the end of the busiest shopping days of the year. Yes, we are in the midst of the Christmas season. 

People are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the shopping season. Some enjoy the whole "shop 'til you drop" mentality. They thrive on that. Christmas music is played in nearly every store. In fact, in many cases its been playing for months. The bargains. The deals. People are looking for that "perfect" gift for their loved ones or friends.

The reality is there has only been one perfect gift. That gift was Jesus. There has been no greater gift ever given. 

The bible tells us in 1 John 4:14 "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."  

People spend all that time searching for the perfect gift for their loved one only to see it eventually swept aside, put under the bed or in the closet to be forgotten. 

Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. He saves (salvation, deliverance, healing) us. He keeps us, giving us assurance of our salvation. He will take us through troubled times. He will be with us during the storms of life. He's there holding our hand as we pass through the valleys. At times He even carries us. He empowers us through the Holy Spirit. He leads, guides and directs us. 

Jesus never becomes irrelevant, Himself. However, believers sometimes push Him aside. We get too busy with the cares of this life. We put Jesus on the back burner of our lives. We want to only pull Him out when we need Him. In essence, He becomes like that "perfect" gift we give that eventually gets tossed aside. 

I want to encourage you to keep Jesus at the forefront of your life. Remember the reason we celebrate this season. Give Him preeminence in your life. Make Him count in your life. Let Him be the Savior He desires to be for you. He will bless you beyond measure. Or...as I sometimes say, 
He will bless your socks off!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

Santa’s Prayer

Many of you may know that I am Santa Claus during the Christmas season. I love doing what I do. The excitement and joy that I am able to bring to children, as well as adults, is humbling. 

For those who may disagree with me doing this please don’t bother to send me messages telling me how wrong I am. They will fall on deaf ears  

I do know and acknowledge the true meaning for this season. Jesus was born of a virgin to enter this world. While He had an impact in His earthly ministry, His ultimate purpose for taking the physical form of a human was to die for the sins of the world.  

As Santa, I often have the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas. What a joy this is. Who better to tell the true story of Christmas than Santa? The children listen to Santa. I share the story in an interactive way getting them involved.

I have always liked the picture of Santa kneeling before baby Jesus. It gives it perspective for me.

Today, a friend posted on another social media site the picture below along with Santa’s Prayer. I think that sums things up very well. I pray it blesses you.

Let’s keep the Main Thing the main thing not only at Christmas time but all year long. 

Santa’s prayer.... ❤️ ❤️

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place,

I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace.

People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true;

But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do.

Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;

But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound.

I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;

But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.

I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;

But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame.

I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;

But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.

You may find several of me in town or at a mall;

But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call.

And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;

To worship and adore you on this, your holy birthday.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com