As I said in an earlier post Christmas is all about family, friends, and faith. It has always been a special time when the whole family could get together. Now our grand kids have grown into young adults and scheduling is sometimes an issue. I know it will get more difficult as time passes, so it is important to cherish the times we are together and the memories we can make.

The Christmas of 2005 was special because it snowed about 6″ on Christmas Eve. We were at my wife’s parents house so I got up early Christmas morning, walked out the back door and all the way around the house to get this photograph before any footprints appeared or snowmen were built. It is a family favorite image.

We have lived in three homes during our thirty-five years in Northwest Arkansas and I have decorated everyone with lights for the holidays. I may get them installed the first week of November but, like this marathon, the lights don’t come on until Thanksgiving.

A special memory from 2001 is that our youngest grand daughter played the part of Jesus in the Church Christmas program. Lexi was only a month old when this photo was take and her parents, our daughter and son-in-law were Mary and Joseph. It was a family affair.

We really have no concept of the struggles that Mary and Joseph endured leading up to the birth of Christ. An angel of the Lord named Gabriel appeared to this teen aged girl and told her that she had been chosen by God Almighty to bring the Messiah into this world. Mary didn’t understand how she could give birth to a child when she was still a virgin. Gabriel reminded the teen that with God, nothing is impossible to which Mary replied, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary’s obedience to the Lord caused her much hardship. She was seen by some as a harlot. Her betrothed, Joseph, was advised to walk away from the bride in waiting but an angel of the Lord appeared to him and revealed to the young groom to be that Mary was carrying a child conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The nation of Israel had been pleading for the Messiah to come for centuries. He was born in Bethlehem, just like the prophets said. In His own words, He has come to save this world, not to condemn it. But Christ came to save us individually. He enters the heart when we open the door. Open the door and say, “Come Oh Come Emmanuel.”

Christmas at our house is all about family, memories, and traditions. One tradition is that the grandkids always get matching PJ’s. Now they are all grown up and one is married, so her husband has joined the festivities. You will see other images of matching pajamas throughout the marathon. Everyone be nice because Santa Claus is coming to town.

The whole family gathered for Thanksgiving and it is always something to be truly thankful for. The whole family is doing well. Here you see myself, my wife, our daugher, our oldest grand daughter and her husband. The back row is the youngest granddaughter, grandson and son-in-law. We will also get to spend time together at Christmas…something else to be thankful for.

It is no secret to most people who know me and those who have seen my posts on Monday’s Music Moves Me meme that Linda Ronstadt is my all time favorite female vocalist. I don’t believe I have ever featured her in my Christmas Music Marathon. Well, that changes today. Enjoy.

Are you a day dreamer? Do you catch yourself dreaming about trips, grand events, how things would be different if you were in charge. If you were given the task of providing this sinful world with a path to eternal life in paradise by paying the price for the sins of this world, what would your plan look like? As God, would you step down from heaven, enter this world as an innocent infant, live a sinless life, then sacrifice your life as the only acceptable payment for the sin of everyone who will ever live and call on your name for forgiveness? The Old Testament tells us this is what God had determined He would do and the New Testament gives us the account of how He accomplished the task.

Who could have dreamed such a night? God does things that only God can do.

Because of that night and the plan that God put in place, I can begin each day by singing, “Good Morning Mercy.”

This Christmas Music Marathon will feature a new post every day through Christmas. Have a blessed holiday season.

It seems that the world is crying out for peace, but no one is willing to work at it. We live in a violent time we often feel surrounded by danger. Fear is a most common visitor to our homes, schools, and places of business. We long for peace. God’s people have always endured some form of turmoil. Many of our problems are due to our own decisions to ignore or rebel against the things of God.

The minor prophets in the Bible warned Israel & Judah, the northern and southern kingdoms of the Jewish nation that judgment was coming their way because of their turning away from the Creator. But some of these prophets also reminded Gods people that a healing was coming in the form of a Savior. Micah even told us where that Savior was coming from. Micah 5:2 states that the ruler for everlasting will come from Bethlehem 700 years before the birth of Christ. One day He’s coming back and peace will reign forever.

Welcome the the Lucky thirteenth annual installment of my Christmas Music Marathon. Thank you to all of those who have followed this adventure over the years and a special tip of the hat to any newcomers that might be joining us. The purpose of this marathon is to slow the holiday season down a little and take time to focus on the true reason for the celebration.

Christmas is a time of giving. We spend hours, days even weeks making gift decisions for friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, charities, or anyone that we hold in special regard. Sometimes we forget that this all started with the most special gift ever given. The Bible tells us in the book of John that God so loved the world, He gave His only Son and whoever believes in Him shall be saved. Salvation includes the gift of eternal life from a loving God and it was purchased with the blood of Christ.

The Book of Luke tells us how the gift of the God, Jesus Christ entered this world. God stepped out of heaven in the form of an infant, lived a sinless life and sacrifices Himself for everyone of us. Christ was born in the city of Bethlehem. Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to take a walk through Bethlehem during the life of Christ? Take a few minutes to think how that must have felt.

A new image or two along with a video will be posted each day until Christmas Day, so come back often, settle in and celebrate the Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Alpha & Omega. Merry Christmas y’all!!!

High school and college football are ending or nearing the end of their regular seasons. Thanksgiving is tomorrow!!! Do you know what Friday is? Well, yes it is Black Friday, the largest retail sales day of the year, but it’s also the beginning of my thirteenth annual Christmas Music Marathon. You are cordially invited to join me to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and listen to some old, new, and new-to-you and me music. Each day I will be posting a photo, a little commentary, and at least one music video that celebrates the birth of a Savior. See you Friday morning.

Automotive Jewelry

Aww…some Monday

It’s high school basketball season! high school football is in the play-off rounds and the local team has one the regular season conference championship and has a first round bye in the playoffs. They will also have home field advantage for the first two games. The finals are always in Little Rock, so that will be a travel game, if they advance that far.

I went to the girls first home basketball game last week and the future looks pretty good for them. They lost a lot of seniors from last years team, but there is still some talent emerging from the next group of girls. Here are a couple of images from the game. High school sports are Aww…some and the cheapest entertainment in town. Get out there an support your local team. You’ll be glad you did.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme at 4M this week is thankful. The music that expresses thankfulness for me is gospel music. My every thought of our Creator begins with “Thank You”. I have been blessed far beyond anything I deserve. The very blessing of being born in the greatest nation on earth and raised by parents who loved me makes my heart tremble. The fact that I went to Vietnam and came home without a wound, physically or mentally, is a blessing that brings a tear to my eye. The blessing of a marriage that is closing in on 49 years is a blessing that few couples will know. Being able to live in the town with my grandchildren and witness every little league baseball game, soccer match, and dance recital is a blessing that few grandparents experience. All I can say is, “Thank You Lord”. Have a blessed week.

Christmas Music Marathon – Sneak Preview

Those of you who may read this blog on a regular basis know that I post a Christmas Music Marathon every year. This year will mark the thirteenth edition of my annual event. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, I will post a photo, an inspirational thought, and one or more Christmas music videos. The purpose is to take our minds off of the the commercial holiday and bring the focus back to the manger in Bethlehem. You will hear songs that are familiar by some of your favorite artists and there will be new tunes by artists you may not of heard before. So, mark your calendars for November 25th and the first installment of my thirteenth annual Christmas Music Marathon. Here is a musical preview.