Alternative to "Black Thursday"

It seems that the love of money has overtaken Sears-unlike other stores which at least are closed Thanksgiving morning and afternoon to give their employees a break to spend with their families, Sears has decided to be open all day Thursday. So it seems now we have "Black Thursday" joining "Black Friday" as days where people are encouraged to spend whatever money they have left in their pockets for Christmas gifts....

Well how about something a little different....something like Project Angel Tree. Remember there will be some who won't have a Christmas with their family, because a member of their family is shut away in prison. But we can help their families remember what the real reason for the season is by being a Christ-like example in giving to help these families...you can go to http://www.angeltree.org/deliverlove and donate there or and this is something that is new this year, you can help to be a fundraiser to help Angel Tree be able to give to families where they don't have a church that is helping Angel Tree this year at http://www.firstgiving.com/angeltree

Let's remind Sears and all these other stores where it seems that the love of money has overtaken love of family and love for others what this season should be about.....

Diabetes Awareness Month

When I was in the hospital the first time (Feb. 2008-pre appendix burst), I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes...This month is Diabetes Awareness Month and I am putting in a link to an earlier blog entry and asking to test yourself in case you might think you have diabetes.....

http://1ncisfan.blogspot.com/2010/03/diabetes-awareness-day.html

Also Here is the link for the American Diabetes Association:
http://www.diabetes.org/

Thanksgiving

In 1 Thessalonians 5 we are given three commands:

1. Rejoice always (v.16)
2. Pray without ceasing (I like the way Chuck Swindoll paraphrased this once "Pray with the frequency of a hacking cough") (v.17)
3. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (v.18)

In one week, we celebrate the occasion of Thanksgiving and as I wrote in the previous entry, let us gain a different perspective on this day. So step away from the turkey, the mashed potatoes and stuffing, throw away the notion of this day (or weekend) of something that has to be endured and let us look at Thanksgiving from a different point of view.

• Have family that come over and annoy you? Be thankful that you have family. Remember all those who are alone this day and those who serve us overseas that wish they could be with family.
• Thinking that you may not have "enough"? Be thankful that you have. Remember those who do not have and have to go to an event (like the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving here in San Antonio, or the Salvation Army) in order to even have something to eat.
• What about your home...you do have one, right? What about those who are homeless-we may not "publicize" them as much as we used to, but they're still there...
• Transportation that doesn't involve your own two legs?
• What about the fact that we have a day to celebrate by eating and drinking and being with other people (no matter how obnoxious and bratty they are)....in other countries having a day to give thanks, or having food would be something that they would be extremely thankful for? And the food that we are whining and complaining about having for "leftovers" would be a feast for them....

Have you bothered to thank God for what He HAS blessed you with?

Two years ago, I was spending Thanksgiving with JP tubes and a colostomy bag sticking out of me. Two years ago, I had to spend the better part of 2 1/2 months not being able to eat or drink because when my appendix blew, it spread the poisons throughout my midsection and that had to be cleaned out. Two years ago, my living quarters consisted of a hospital room. Two years ago, I couldn't go to the bathroom or take a shower by myself....

So if you don't think that I'm thankful to have a whole body, being able to eat, having a family and being at home, all the "little things" that we usually take for granted, you are sadly mistaken...

So instead of glibly "thanking" God for the "surplus" that He has given you, TRULY think about what you have been given beginning with the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. Remember God was not obligated to give these things to us because we are Americans, or that we are better than anyone else (remember we are ALL sinners) but He CHOSE to give these things to us because we are His children and He loves us. Remember He could have chosen to give these blessings to another nation, another people....So be thankful and use this as a time to teach those who will be with you next Thursday to be thankful as well.

Holiday marathon or not?

In the next two months, there will be five holidays that will happen in rapid succession: Veteran's Day on the 11th, Thanksgiving two weeks after that, then Hanukkah (and my friend Chad Elliott had a wonderful piece he wrote on the differences between Hanukkah and Christmas that if he doesn't put up-I'll put it here) in early December, then Christmas and New Year's Eve.

The reason that I call it a marathon is that it if not viewed properly, this time seems like a long race that has to be endured. And that is the key...viewing things in the proper prospective. The word "perspective" is defined as " the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivity: " http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perspective. So seeing these days in the right point of view should make these days not only endurable, but something to look forward to.

The first day is Veteran's Day, where we honor those who have served our country to defend it from our enemies or those who wish to destroy it. This day is one that is close to me, because my brother served in the Army during Desert Storm in 1991. We also have to remember that not only did they serve our country, they saw things and went through things that people cannot comprehend. So when we honor our veterans of all wars, let us remember that "above and beyond the call of duty" is not just words to them, but an attitude...the same attitude that Jesus talked about in John 15: 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. And the same attitude that Jesus showed in giving HIS life for our sins...

So on Veteran's Day, let us honor the men and women who showed the attitude of Jesus and honor them for following His example....