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. 

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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.

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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

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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

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Thank God Every Day

I thought I would publish this post about Thanksgiving today instead of waiting until Friday or Saturday when I normally post new blog posts. 

I know things are hectic with people cooking meals and getting things ready for family and/or friends for the big meal. I also acknowledge many will not be gathering together due to the coronavirus pandemic that we are in the midst of.

Then there is the big shopping day on Friday that tends to extend into the weekend. Then there is Cyber Monday. Things just take off from here through the end of the year. 

I did want to make a post on my blog about Thanksgiving. As I contemplate Thanksgiving Day I have seen posts on social media with people giving thanks in various ways. I have seen posts with people wishing their family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving. 

As we enter the thanksgiving season, we turn our thoughts toward being thankful to God for His many blessings upon our lives, and that of our family's, in so many varied ways. Too often we take for granted things in our lives that are there daily and consistently. We don't often stop to give God the praise and thanks He deserves.

For example, how many of us really take time out to thank God for our families, the opportunity to worship with others, our jobs, our homes as well as all the other material blessings that God has so graciously blessed us with? Too often we take these things for granted, just knowing they will always be there when we want or need them. We often get to the point in our lives where we think we are self-sufficient. We have the things we have because we have earned them or we have worked hard for them. Who gave us the good health or the ability to achieve our goals and dreams?

If we neglect to give thanks for the tangible things in our lives, how much more do we neglect to give thanks for our spiritual heritage? If we're not careful, we will find ourselves making a mockery of thanksgiving and what its all about. 

Celebrating thanksgiving and giving thanks to God is more than a once a year ritual. It should be to the Christian, especially, a very vital and normal part of our lives - something we do on a daily basis. Attempting to exhaust our thanks only on Thanksgiving Day makes giving God thanks a mockery. We are admonished in Scripture, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). Notice he said everything - not just the good things, but everything! That can be a bit difficult to do from time to time. 

Another thing that comes to mind that would make giving thanks to God a mockery is thanks-giving without thank-living. Are we being pious for just one day of the year? Are we putting on a front so as to show others how "spiritual" we are? Are we just playing a role or are we living what we are saying? Think about it. 

The true thanksgiving spirit may be found in these words, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord" (Psalm 116:12-13). Let's make giving thanks to God a way of life. 

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.

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Where Is Your Faith?

Here in Illinois it looks as though we are heading for another stay at home order and non-essential business shut down in the near future. People are beginning to panic. Toilet paper and paper towels are, once again, beginning to disappear from the shelves of the stores. 

Many are stressed about how they will make it. I can, perhaps, understand why an unbeliever would be stressed, worried and full of anxiety regarding how they will pay the bills, put food on the table and otherwise provide for their family. 

I do not understand how a believer can be so stressed and worried about these things. I say this with all sincerity. It's not my intent to put anyone down so please don't take me wrong. It's simply that I don't understand. 

For the Christian, it's a faith walk. We know if we are going to please God we will need to have faith. The writer of the Book of Hebrews stated in Hebrews 11:6 (CSB) "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him."

I guess a good question to ask is, "What is faith?" To get a good definition of faith let's go back to the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the reality (assurance) of what is hoped for, the proof (conviction) of what is not seen."  Faith says, I know it's a done deal even though I don't know how. I believe God for it. 

I can personally attest to how God is meeting our needs during this time. We have lost literally thousands of dollars of income the past eight months since we are not able to sing as we were. Yet God has met every need we have had. All bills are paid. To be certain, we had to do our part and make some adjustments on our end, but what we did was certainly not enough to meet the bills we have. I give all thanks and praise to God for meeting these needs. I have faith that He will continue to meet the needs we have. He hasn't failed us yet why should I think He will now?

Here is a passage of Scripture that will be a help to those who find themselves worrying during these times. These are the red words - the words of Jesus. 

Matthew 6:25-34 CSB

[25] "Therefore I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? [26] Consider the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? [27] Can any of you add one moment to his life-span by worrying? [28] And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don't labor or spin thread. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. [30] If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't he do much more for you-you of little faith? [31] So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' [32] For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. [34] Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I pray these words will be a blessing and and encouragement to you. I encourage you to activate your faith and believe God!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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Everything Is Better With Bacon

Given how picky of an eater I am it may or may not surprise you that I like bacon. I not only like bacon, I like bacon real well. It's my opinion that everything is better with bacon.

I remember my grandmother would have a container she saved bacon grease in. When she was cooking a meal she would often add some bacon grease to it. Why? Because everything is better with bacon. Grandma knew best!

I remember cooking myself breakfast many times while Cindy was working. I fried some bacon and left all the grease in the skillet. Then I scrambled some eggs and dumped them into the skillet - bacon grease and all. I'm not saying it was healthy, but it sure was good! Why? Because everything is better with bacon - even bacon grease. 

There is a recipe I would like to try that includes bacon. I like the food I would be cooking just like it is. But everything is better with bacon so I can't wait to try it with bacon grease cooked into the meal. It sounds scrumptious to me. 

Now, let's consider our journey through life. Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns - good times as well as bad times. Let me say everything is better with Jesus! 

Perhaps your life has been relatively good. Things have gone well for you overall. I want to assure you your life will be even better with Jesus. In fact, I guarantee it.

Maybe your life has been filled with struggle after struggle. About the time you think things are looking up something happens that brings you down. Life seems unfair to you. I want you to know with full assurance that life is better with Jesus. No doubt about it. 

Let me say that just because you have believed on Jesus and are a Christian that you will never have another issue. In all reality nothing could be further from the truth. Read the New Testament and you will see the struggles some of the early Christians had. Their struggles were real. The pain was real. Many were deserted by other Christians. The loneliness must have been extreme at times. If they could speak to us today on this topic, they would tell us everything is better with Jesus. 

Following Jesus is tough at times. Serving and following Jesus really is like a beautiful rose garden though. Keep in mind in that rose garden are lots of thorns that can scratch you to the point of drawing blood. Even in those tough times, everything is better with Jesus.  

I've had many ups and downs in my own journey. I've drifted away from Jesus in my younger years. I've had my share of sorrows and heartaches. I've been betrayed by brothers and sisters in the Lord I truly loved. I truly understand these things. That is why I can loudly proclaim everything is better with Jesus!

If, on your journey, you are finding things are not the way they used to be between you and Jesus it's time to do some self examination. If Jesus seems far from you take a wild guess at who moved. The Bible tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us. Be honest and ask yourself how much time you spend reading the Bible and praying. Have you allowed Him to permeate your spirit. Are you growing spiritually? Are the Fruits of the Spirit being produced in your life? If you are lacking in one or more of these areas then take the necessary corrective actions and you, too, will find everything is better with Jesus. 

I'm going to continue to enjoy my journey with Jesus...and eat bacon.

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