The Most Priceless Possession On Earth

     The sun has set on the last day of 2011, and with the setting the door closed on dreams and plans that once leaped within the hearts of individuals, at least for this year.  Hopefully, tomorrow will dawn, not only a new day but a new year.  I am so afraid that most people have not even tried to determine what life is all about and why they idly procrastinate while time, seemingly, comes and leaves us behind.
     In the dawning of the new year we would be better prepared to face the new year if we would take an inventory of the past year and see what, if anything, we have done that would make the world better for some of the folks we come in contact with.  The average person begins to offer an alibi for their shortcomings by pointing out the absence of things in their life that others have--if I had more I could do more.  To do this shows that we do not have a clue as to the most priceless possession we have- time.
     Time is the great equalizer.  Ultimately, the prince and the pauper reach the same point in their life, in which time has run out.  But, until we approach that moment, we are all the same.  The octogenarian and the baby have the same amount of time--the ever present moment.  Neither can accomplish a single thing, tomorrow, the next hour or even the next minute.  We are bound by the moment at hand.  Somewhere there is a young man entering college, a drug-addict trying to quit, a young couple planning their marriage, a godly saint waiting on the moment to cross over;  all live in the ever-present now.
     God has been gracious to allow me to be upon this earth for seventy-four of the New Years.  Along the way, I had thoughts as I suppose everyone does--"How much time do I have?"  There was the "now" of my graduaton from highschool, graduation from college, marriage to Doris, birth of our children, joys, pains, deaths they all had their now. Let me assure you, it is no small comfort to realize that I have as much time as I ever had--just now.  The obvious consideration for 2012 is how can I be of value to my God, my family, my community and my country?
Without comprehending the essence of time and the purpose of life, it matters not how many New Years your ever present now allows you to see.  It all will be in vain.  If you value life, don't squander time for that is the fiber of life.

I'm Dreaming Of A Right Christmas!

     The onslaught against Christians in general and Christmas in particular continues.  More and more stores are only showing advertisements with "Happy Holidays", no mention of Christmas.  Latest word is that the senators and representatives can not put the words, "Merry Christmas," on their mail.  We have no one to blame but ourselves.  To use a previously published phrase,  the opossum, Pogo, said, "We have found the enemy, and it is us.  Take a stand, now.  Let businesses know that if they are against Christmas, we are against them.  I'm dreaming of a right Christmas.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas in a land where it is normal for a family to not lock the door when they leave the house.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas in which parents are not afraid for their children to play outside unsupervised.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas when the simplest of gifts are deeply appreciated.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas where even adults believe in the spirit of Santa Claus.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas where Christ is the central theme of Christmas.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas where unknown people can meet on the streets and say, without fear of hurting some one's feelings, "Have a merry Christmas!"  After all, it's Christmas and has been for hundreds of years.  Those who are offended knew this was the custom before they came here.  They are free to go back.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas where everyone understands, that in Algebra,  an X stands for an unknown, and Christ takes the place in Xmas.  Perhaps, in that context X is appropriate for many who do not know the Christ of Christmas.
     I am dreaming of a Christmas where our president is unashamed to beseech the blessings of God upon our great nation instead of bowing to those who would wipe the  name of Christ from Christmas.
     If you are new to America or under thirty or forty years of age you are probably thinking, that is an impossible dream.  But it is not an idle dream; it is a recollection of Christmas' past in which many of us today still remember.  God do it again!