January 1st, 2009

Happy New Year!

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Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is a mystery

but today is a gift

that's why it is called the present.

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Do not boast about tomorrow,

for you do not know what a day may bring forth. - Proverbs 27:1

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Well the year 2008 is rapdily coming to a close and God willing I will be blessed with seeing the sunrise tomorrow morning on January 1st, 2009. Another sunrise, another hour, another day, another month, another year....another opportunity to choose to be the man of God I am called to be.

I hope and pray that I choose wisely.
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Whose Watching?

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Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matt 2:1-2

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I am always struck by the account in Matthew's gospel which includes the "magi from the east". This word "magi" which in the original Greek is magos and according to Strongs holds the meaning of a Magian, that is, an Oriental scientist; by implication a magician: - sorcerer, wise man. These magi were attentive enough to notice a change in the stars and interpret the meaning of the birth of the King of the Jews and then act by leaving for Judea to worship Him.
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What are you paying attention to?

Humble Beginings

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But the angel said to the shepherds "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
-Luke 2:10-16

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Never the Same Again

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Arlington National Cemetery 2008

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As you celebrate this Christmas Season with your families and loved ones take a moment to pause and consider the famlies of those servicemen and women whose Christmas will never be the same.

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Sneaux Tigers!

Well last night and this morning a very rare snowfall in south Louisiana left the area covered in a couple inches of snow which actually stayed around most of the day. I suspect quite a few pretty good memories were made for some kids and adultsa today.

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Mike the Tiger

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LSU's Tiger Stadium

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A New Orleans Street car

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Tis the Season....to worry?

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As we enter into the 2008 Advent Season there seems to be quite a bit of anxiousness in many of the people around me. I hear people talking about their economic concerns, job concerns, political concerns, health concerns, and relationship concerns to name a few. Most people, myself included, like certainty and stability in our lives and we tend to get uncomfortable when our perception of our circumstance or environment become unstable and uncertain. For many people their anxious concerns can easily turn to worries and worrying in most cases is not helpful and many ways is destructive to our lives. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying people should not be concerned about the things listed above but should we be worried? Now then, once we have done all that we can do with what we have individual control over we must try conciously to not worry and exercise our faith.

Most followers of Christ have read Matthew 6:24-34 and intellectually know that Christ taught his followers to not worry but it still seems to be a struggle for most. So what do you worry about? I have heard Andy Stanley mention that "People tend to worry about what they are devoted to." When you think about what you worry about do you see it as something you are devoted to?

As followers of Christ what are we called to be devoted to? What are we actually seeking most with our lives? As we enter this Advent Season I encourage you to take a couple minutes and spend it quietly reflecting on what you worry about in your life, what you are concerned about and then reflect on the hope that came into this world through a small child born in Bethlehem about 2000 years ago.

Grace & Peace

CAS