Saturday we had our men’s night out.  We went to Chili’s and then over to the bowling alley for some good friendly competition.  The bowling was a load of fun, but quite humbling as us young guys were beaten by the older ones.  Top score for the night went to Mac, who is the oldest of the group, he knocked the socks off us “kids”.  He was gracious though.  He didn’t brag or talk trash.  That duty was left to Lance and I.  I think if we would have talked less, we might have bowled better.

Over all is was a great time fellowshipping and getting to know one another better.

Today was our annual picture with Santa.  Hannah told him she wanted a Buzz Lightyear, Woody and a Doll House.  We will have to see what Daddy Claus brings her:) 

By the way, what do (did) you tell your kids about Santa?  Would love to hear your take on old Kris Kringle.

The last couple of weeks our youth have been working hard to put together a float for the Rogers Christmas Parade.  They have used alot of their talents and time to design a Charlie Brown Christmas Float.

Monday night, in the terribly cold weather, they were one of the 100 floats in this year’s parade.  The float looked great and they did a fantastic job putting it all together.

I am always amazed at the generosity that springs up in December.  People seem to have more compassion for the needy when the holidays come around.  There is something within most people  that urges them to respond to those less fortunate.  This is why we get more volunteers to feed the hungry or to provide presents for those who have little.  I am thankful for this type of compassion.

There is, however, a place we can grow and that is in year-round compassion.  I overheard a conversation between a director of a local nursing home in which it was said, “At Christmas we are overwhelmed with volunteers, but we need people all year long.”  That struck a chord with me.  Perhaps, we should find a way to serve others in January and June and September. 

I agree that there are more ways to have compassion in the holiday season.  There are alot of organizations that are doing these things and it is easier to work with them.  I am challenged that we must find a way to serve others every month of the year, not just Christmas.

Just a thought!

Today we pause to remember that fateful day that FDR said would go down in infamy.  It was the day that the United States was attacked by our enemies and thrust us into World War 2.  December 7th, 1941: Pearl Harbor Day.

Many thousands of our servicemen died in the attacks by kamikazes as they used their planes to destroy our ships at Pearl Harbor.  It was a day that would change our nation forever. 

Our prayers are with our military men and woman that have served in past wars as well as the ones who serve today.  We are ever mindful that we are free because of their sacrifice.

God bless our troops and God bless America!

I just read an interesting article at www.ichilly.com about the old Christmas song, 12 Days of Christmas.  This song has always intrigued me, because I wonder who could write such a song.  Took some creativity and, well, the song just doesn’t seem to have presents that most people would want.  I don’t know about you, but if somebody gave me ten lords leaping, I would ask them to take it back and get me a 50” plasma.  12 drummers might be cool for a couple of hours, but 12 drummers would get old by day 2.

Ichilly.com gave the history of this song and then it all made sense.  Enjoy the background of this song:

“From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

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1. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5. Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the  Old Testament (aka Pentateuch).
6. Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit– Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8. Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5).
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit – Love, Joy, 12 Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10. Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The  Apostles Creed.”

Just uploaded our latest podcast for growthhelps.com.

It is a discussion on Servant Leadership and what it means to lead with others.  Check it out here.

I have always been one to bring work home.  It is one of those things that I have tried to cut back over the last couple of years.  Home time is not meant to be a carry over from work, although sometimes it is inevitable. 

But ladies, it could always be worse.  This cartoon reveals the ultimate workaholic:)