I've Been Making Rather Merry

As you can probably tell, I've been watching Dicken's "Christmas Carol" - the George C. Scott and The Muppet versions. I've also seen Christmas Vacation, Christmas in Connecticut, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Carol ("An official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock...), White Christmas, Elf and of course, It's a Wonderful Life.
We've hosted 5 parties in 8 days (2 on the same evening) made more Christmas goodies than we can EVER eat AND have enjoyed every second of it. I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I love celebrating CHRIST.
A lot of people talk about the commercialism in Christmas; those that agree with Scrooge when he said, "If I had my way, every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart." I just love it that people say CHRIST every time they say Christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. Enjoy the time. Enjoy the season. Enjoy the food, movies, decorations, music. Revel in the fact that Christ came to us!
I think the best way to put it would be to borrow a Spanish word and say, "ENJOY CHRIST MAS"

P.S. Cindy just reminded me we also watched "Miracle on 34th Street (new and old) and "The Bishop's Wife". Thanks honey.

I'm Going To Miss My Friend

I just received news that my good friend, Nick Pino, passed away. He had been battling cancer for a few years. My first instinct was to say that he lost the battle, but when you think about it, the only loss is to us. Nick just won the “eternal reward”. No more pain. No more medicine. Best of all – with Jesus!!

 

Look at these words.

We'll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things …everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!

Who got the last word, oh, Death?

Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening… But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three — sin, guilt, death — are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! (1 Corinthians 15:52-57 The Message)

 

For the family, I pray for God’s comfort to do a good work in you - He always has, always will. I know you’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss my friend. But, one day, soon, we’ll be back together. Can’t wait.

ASK FAST

I've started something that might seem a little bit odd to some - an ASK FAST. "Do you not eat dinner or what" you might ask. I'm fasting [for 21 days] from ASKING. OK, I know the verses, "Ask and you will receive" "You have not because you don't ask" and so on. BUT, the elevator version is this: Is God senile to the point that we have to remind Him? Obviously not. So why continue to ask? Is it really a reminder for us to trust in God and not ourselves? I can only speak for myself, but there is a tendency to focus on the what I need over and over. So, why not just trust Him in simple faith knowing that "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matt 6:32 NLT). How about focusing on praise instead (Acts 16). I'm going to flesh this out tomorrow in my sermon. Interested? Go to the podcast or comment here. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts!!!

See ya'

B3

Don't Worry - Be Happy

There was a hit song in 1988 sung by Bobby McFerrin called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. I have always liked the song, mainly for the a cappella efforts of McFerrin – INCREDIBLE! The theme is also one that I agree with – DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY.

I was glancing over Yahoo news and just listen to these headlines: “Largest Bank Failure Ever”, “Chaos, Pandemonium at White House”, “Bailout deal Breaks Down”. WOW! This is enough to make a person afraid.

            Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Ben, right in the middle of this you expect me to 1) not worry AND 2) be happy?” Envelope please. The answer is YES. HUH?!? In John 16:33, Jesus spoke some encouraging but difficult words; “I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

Here’s the bottom line: trouble is going to keep coming our way but God has everything under control. Nothing slips through His fingers. He never panics or is taken by surprise. He has a plan for everything. Our response? Yeah, you got it. DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY. J

 

Don't Worry, I Didn't Get Stuck In Vegas

WOW! I just glanced at my blog and it’s been almost 1 month since I made an entry. I had someone call me and see if I got lost in Vegas. No, unfortunately. (That sounds a little odd). Since Cindy and I got back home, it’s been crazy. We had a few days before school started and that’s always a little hectic. The first week of school I was in Florida doing a BootCamp with some of the greatest people.

            I guess the biggest thing has been our fairly comprehensive makeover at church. That has been huge; really good but HUGE. We’re almost done. YIPPEEEEEEEEE!

            Just to let everyone know, the Café is almost done. We’re putting in a loft. The proprietors (Jill [my daughter], Josh and Anna) are calling it the VIP loungeJ. We have about 1 more week of work. (We’ll post some pics so you can see it).

            I think I’m ready for another little trip. Where to? Hummmm, let me think.

See ya’!

B3

Day 2 on Vacation

Hello again. Cindy and I are having a blast. We've been walking around a lot. We went to a 4 story M&M store. We went to a music store/gallery with albums and pictures, all with original signatures. The Beatles, U2, Louie Armstrong, and a lot more. It also had movie posters with signatures: Pirates of the Carribean, Star Wars, etc
Afterwards we went to this incredible Italian restaurant - Trevi. WOW! It's located in Caesars shopping area. It was fantastic.
Well, it's time to go. The pool is RELENTLESS. It just keeps calling and calling and...
B3

1st Day of Vacation

Cindy and I were told to get out of town for a week AND we are in Vegas baby. (I guess the lingo grows on you.) I thought I would just keep you informed with our endeavors.
Yesterday, our biggest decision was whether to eat at Wolfgang Puck's or Emeril's. What a choice. We ended up at a deli and had a hot pastrami. Those other guys are REALLY proud of their food.
Well, that's all for now. I don't know if you can hear it in El Paso, but the pool is calling me.
See you later.
B3