Thursday, December 24, 2015

A Lot Like Christmas


Yes, the kids are excited
Lights are twinkling
The nutcrackers are standing silent vigil
All decorations are standing ready
Final presents are in place
Ornaments peak from their posts on the tree
And angelic eyes watch over us
Family, friends and neighbors brought wonderful packages
It's a scene worthy of "A Christmas Story"
The countdown nears its end
This is an exciting moment
God has been faithful and always generous
Our nutcracker ornaments have brought comfort to me this year
They seem are a wonderful family tradition
Our living room is so cheery just now
Our nutcracker from Busch Gardens is a welcome addition to our army
I like the nutcracker chefs
Don't you?
The light over our dinner table is decked out for Christmas too
Here's the view from the dinning room into the living room
Classic ornaments
This fellow is offering his candy cane with a smile
Merry Christmas every one


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Christmas Cookies

Sometimes comfort comes in sweet packages
This year it surely did
We always have fun decorating and just being in each others company
Gabby keeps reminding me of the daily count down to Christmas
In the mean time we eat cookies
and build forts in the freshly fallen snow


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Book Ends

Seasons can go out with a flair
This fall seems to be leaving that way
The decorations have been comforting to me this year
Putting them up with the kids was particularly wonderful
This year ends with great difficulty for us
Somehow I feel the family warmth from these things
Like a person warming himself in front of the fire I bask in the family that's still with me
They're not just gifts...they're God given treasures
Family sustains me just now more than ever
These things never freeze in cold nor melt in the heat
Our love for each other stands vigil in rough times
A burning candle in a dark room
We are not alone
Though we feel alone many times there's a cloud of witnesses cheering us on


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Many Are Called, Few Chosen

How does one retain chosen status
What sets us apart
Life marks us all
Even similar situations doesn't guarantee similar responses from us necessarily
Some become bitter and give up
while other chose a more positive course
Scars of life don't have to make you ugly
Life's storms we weather make us who we are
but even more accepting God's course...ah, that defines us
Will we become emotionally leathery and hard to touch
Or will we chose a higher path
All of us go through things someone else has suffered
But will we transform under God's grace
or simply wither and fade

Tribulation often feels isolating
But everyone goes through it
You might say it's a beautiful struggle
Each triumph and lost effects us
Humanity is shaped by this eternal struggle
We cling to this mortal coil
and how we respond shapes the outcome of so many things
What's our role
On the tree of life are we unique
The Bible says to be holy as He is holy...but the choice is yours