Okay, so it's been a long time

I was going to start a new blog over on Word Press but they make it so hard, I decided to come back to this one.  Expect a lot of posts in the next few days ... 

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah and Blessed Christmas.

Silent Monks Sing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus

Christmas Canon -- Trans-Siberian Orchestra

It's a bit early for Christmas music, but this is so beautiful, I am sharing it with you.

This night
We pray
Our lives
Will show

This dream
He had
Each child
Still knows

We are waiting
We have not forgotten

A Soldier's Letter to a friend says it best

Merry Christmas my friends.

To fill you guys in on a few things, I am like a dog with a command word. I can joke here, make you laugh, talk computers, post funny pictures, and bash the politician of the day. But when it comes to what I do over here, you can bet I don't flinch. I have absolutely no emotion, no hesitation, and no issues carrying out my work. I don't think I am ruthless, I just do not care one bit for anything that gets in the way of our interests.

1. America
2. Everything else.

That's how I see things.

Today Americans say MERRY CHRISTMAS and a few are bothered that stores say happy holidays. But we still have the option to worship or not, as we choose.

Today Americans get upset that we PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH and that Spanish is on the rise. Well at least it's not Pashto or Arabic.

Today Americans are sad that their sons and daughters are fighting battles overseas, far away from home. Well at least the battles are not between your home and the office, or on your child's school grounds, and no bombs go off in your neighborhood at night.

Today Americans are excited that they got iPods, cameras, cell phones, cars, boats, radios, and maybe a piano or two. All of which are illegal under the regime that wanted to control us.

Today Americans worry about gas prices next summer, what Santa will do next year to top this year, and how they are going to pay for all this stuff. Isn't it great to know that you are going to live another year?

Today Americans joke about all the Triptofan in their turkeys and how it puts you to sleep, where cranberry sauce shaped like the can really comes from, and who will eat all the dessert. I hope you never have to eat a Turkey MRE in your life.

Today Americans debate who they should choose for their next leader. Wow, that one needs no explanation. Isn't that a great thing!

Today Americans are free, because they want to be, and consider it important enough to fight for it.

God Bless You America. Thank you for allowing me to humbly serve in your defenses. It is the highest honor of my life.

Boxing Day (if you're a Brit)

Today is traditionally "Boxing Day" in Britain and Canada and perhaps other Anglophile Countries). And in the USofA, many Christmas gifts are also being re-boxed and taken back to the store of purchase (or local chain) to be exchanged for a different size, different color, or different item.

That aside, I've looked at my posts over the past year and have decided that today will be Politics Free (although you can Google up the latest if you're so inclined). I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the sad news. I'm tired of reading about auto accidents, murders, suicides, deaths of the famous and infamous, how poorly the stock market is doing, reduced construction, foreclosures, the housing market, and on and on and on.

Why can't we have GOOD news reported once in a while? Here's my suggested list:

In the past year:

How many people did not die tragically?

How many people did not get a traffic ticket for DUI or DWI?

How many people did not get drunk and do something stupid?

How many people did not take any illicit drugs?

How many people did not go into foreclosure?

How many people did not suffer from any form of Cancer?

How many people welcomed a newborn (or adopted child) into their household?

How many people bought a new car (and can make the payments)?

How many people got married?

How many people graduated from High School and went on to College?

How many people applied for a US Passport?

How many people are working at the job they always dreamed about?

How many people volunteered at a social service agency?

How many people got a flu shot?

How many people were not rushed to the hospital or ER?

How many people applied for "green cards" to enter the USofA legally?

How many people used a computer to shop for gifts?

How many people laughed at least once a day?

How many people adopted a new pet?

How many people visited close relatives and enjoyed the visit?

How many people say prayers when they get up in the morning and when they go to sleep at night?

How many people did not say one curse word or take God's Name in vain?

How many people smiled at strangers they met?

How many people developed a new hobby?

How many people gave a hug when a hug was needed?

How many people donated money online?

How many people told or emailed a truly funny joke or story?

How many people can think of many more "good news items" to add to my list?

This is not an inclusive list, just some things off the top of my head. Please feel free to add your list to the comments section.

And today, think about all the goodness in your world and in the world at large. Yes, there are wars and genocide and hate-mongering, and political correctness gone awry. Yet, through it all, there are kind people and kind actions and thoughtfulness and love.

May the 12 Days of Christmas (through January 6, the Epiphany of our Lord) be a time of reflection upon good news in your life this past year.

God Bless!

Merry Christmas 2007

God our Father, every year we rejoice as we look forward to this feast of our salvation. May we welcome Christ as our Redeemer, and meet him with confidence when he comes to be our judge, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, 5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

6 And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: 11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. 15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.

16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. 18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Eve 2007

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David, 5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

Come Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage to your people who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to the joy of your kingdom, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On this holiest of nights, let us take time to pray for Peace in our time and Peace in our hearts. God Bless you.