What came first, the Easter or the (marshmallow) Eggs?

So it's Easter Sunday.  Most churches will be jam-packed, families will get together, Walgreen's, Rite Aid and CVS will be clearing out the "seasonal aisle" of candy and bunnies to fill it up with flip-flops, sunscreen and patriotic beach and picninc paraphernalia.  There's playoff hockey and basketball, the 2011 baseball and golf seasons are in "full swing".  Ha!  Full Swing, baseball and golf; I kill myself.

Just another Sunday, it seems.  It's too bad.  When I was a kid, some 40+ years ago, pretty much nothing but churches and hotels were open on Easter Sunday.  Heck, remember when banks, stores and shops would close down between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday?  There was something special going on; something that consisted of more than the every day routine, more outwardly focussed versus the self-centered society we've grown into.

Easter has become over the years just another sales tool for marketeers "get your Easter outfits at...."  It has become a chicken-clucking bunny candy commercial, a pastel-fashion advertising fiesta, another Sunday in the rotation of some 52 each year.  Kids soccer games, hockey games, baseball games and the like have overshadowed the sacrifice of about 90 minutes of our time to give thanks.  And, hey!  I realize not everyone is Christian, I get it.  But of those of us who SAY we believe in God, many of us find it hard to commit to excercising our faith on a daily basis.  I find it hard, sometimes, too.  Everyday life is so often in direct opposition to the direction God would have us take that we all stumble.

Today, though, this Easter Sunday, perhaps some reflection is due.  You know, many Christians make fun of the "C and E ers"; those people who show up at church at Christmas and Easter.  My step-dad might have coined the term.  He's the first one I ever heard use it.  But Easter and Christmas offerings sometimes are the big times when missions funding can be completed; when the church can provide more outreach to more people, fix their own leaky roofs and update the facilities.  So I say, "Hooray for the C and E ers."  Thanks for coming.  God loves you every day and is thankful you came today.

Now, there is the "just like any another Sunday" thing.  See, I don't care how good you are (or think you are), you and I are human.  We've done things differently than God would choose us to do, call it sin, call it doing your own thing instead of God's, you label it.  Because we do our own thing, we become splashed with the mud of our own desires, we're kind of soiled.  Lets' describe it as following:

Imagine, for example, if everything I did in life that was opposite of God's desire was gasoline.  Imagine every time I went away from God, gasoline was splashed on me.  One day, I die, and I have to stand in front of a HOLY God.  Now, quick definition of Holy....Above everything, perfect, set apart from all other things...See, God is Holy. Let's make this a bit of a physics lesson, now. 

Imagine further that God is a burning fire.  You, the gasoline soaked person, comes to stand before God for judgement.  Before you can even get to Him, the fumes of the gasoline ignite, destroying you.  Even as it is physically impossible for a gasoline-soaked rag to exsist in the presence of a raging fire, so it is impossible for us with our "sins" hanging on us to stand before a Holy God.  It is physically impossible. Its not so much God WANTS us to perish, it is just physics. 

Now, Easter.  Jesus is God's only son, born of a virgin, one with the Father since the beginning of everything.  Jesus is actually the Word of God made flesh.  So, this flesh-covered Word of God comes to show us how to live perfectly.  As a man, he is vulnerable to everything that we can be tested, tempted or tortured by.  As God, He can avoid making a human's pitfalls.

Jesus lives this sinless life, always doing the will of the Father.  Then, he is arrested because the religious leaders don't like him horning in on their deal.  He's handed over to the Romans in charge of pretty much the whole known world at that time.  Then, he's beaten; this not to show how cruel Romans are, but to show what God's punishment on a sinner (that's me andyou) would be.

Jesus is then crucified; this a horrible, horrible death.  You can google "crucified". But, see, Jesus died as a murderer, thief or a  rapist would.  He died as a sexual deviant, a cheater, a liar would've died.  He, this perfect one, took on the offenses of everyone from the beginning of man and for everyone since then and took the punishment God would hand out in judgement, so we won't have to.

Jesus went to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday knowing that Good Friday was going to be anything but good for him.  But it was good for us.  He willingly took the punishment for my sins on that cross, willingly giving up his life for me.  Then, he took His life back, re-animating himself in a great victory over death, the same victory I can have, and so can you.

See, if you can trust in Jesus, you can cover yourself with Christ.  Then, when your days here are over, you can stand before God even in your gasoline-drenched clothes, because Jesus is covering everything you did opposite the Father's will.  And when God looks down on you, this consuming fire, He is looking at you, but sees His Son.  Easter is the day we celebrate.  WE celebrate because as we trust in Jesus, and use His strength to avoid those "sinful" pitfalls, God only sees His only son when He looks at us.  Cover yourself with Christ today.  Happy Easter.

PBS, PBJ PBR, OMG

I just gotta share this with you. I'm enjoying my second of two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. Sometimes it's just fun and tasty, that's why. Okay, it's not the PBJ I wanted to share, its the following email. It's from a very good friend of mine, who will remain nameless. He works at a PBS affiliate far away from me, and will share fun, witty and, gasp, important stuff. So, this friend of mine, perhaps the most middle of the road of all of us, tolerant of many things that would send me to the top of a clock tower, sends this email. I laughed out loud. It's copied and pasted from the email, so it appears as written, other than one spelling correction at the end.


He begins...
"PBS is constantly being attacked as being biased to the liberal side of the scale right? You would think during these uncertain financial times they would at least TRY to appear somewhat balanced just to defuse some of the debate about PBS federal funding.

For a start, it would be nice to see ONE kids show that featured a nuclear family. I guess you have to go to Japan to see one of those. The closest thing we have is the show Arthur, Dad stays home and runs a catering business, mom is an accountant. The Dad is constantly emasculated, wears an apron, acts like an idiot.

Dinosaur Train, A bunch of pre-school aged dinosaurs who ride around on a train and have stupid adventures. A veiled happy daycare setting.

Cat in the Hat, two kids who run around with a cat and a fish causing all kinds of trouble. There is a mom in the picture but you never see her, no dad.

Curious George, A gay guy who lives with a monkey in New York City. The women featured in this show are always business professionals or scientists. The men are always bakers, or pizza cooks. I think the monkey is gay too or at least curious.

Sid the science kid, No dad in the picture. Mom drops Sid off at daycare, they BOTH sing and dance as he gets dumped off each morning. Correct me if I'm wrong T (another friend of ours in the email) but I don't remember any kids dancing into daycare every morning. Even the kids that liked the daycare always looked like they would rather be in bed when dropped off.

sorry for the rant, the adult programming starts in 10 minutes. don't get me started on that."

I laughed. The Curious George thing killed me. And with my friend, it was not mean-spirited, just an honest evaluation of what he saw. That's who this man is, "tells it like it is". (No, my friend is not Howard Cosell. I do miss Howard, though, and Dandy Don.)

You know, I enjoy some of the concerts on PBS. I've watched some great Austin City Limits shows. I loved Julia Childs before Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live. I enjoyed the frizzy-headed painter guy, a combination of Mr. Rogers and Bernie from Room 222. I have a secret crush on the yoga lady I see in the mornings. How can one woman be so flexible? And she's no spring chicken. Sesame Street, The Electric Company (Rita Moreno, always a fave)and all those old, black and white shows produced by various college programs. Seems like I remember something about making an apple bird somewhere in the past. But my friend has a good point. And this is a guy who at one time in his life was a confirmed Atheist, anti-government, apolitical kind of guy. A "why can't we all just get along?" kind of guy. I think this qualifies as a perfect unbiased comment.

With all the P's in this one, I just had to add PBR. You know, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. And it's cheap cousin Red, White and Blue. I remember an old country song about a guy's patriotism, "...with my red neck, my white socks and my blue ribbon beer." A real country song, real 'Muricun. (American).

Speaking of Real Americans...I met a man today who is 91 years old. He's a WWII vet, wounded in action in Germany. They sent him to France, where the doctors wanted to remove his leg. He told them, "NO. Just put some metal in there and it'll be fine." Then they sent him stateside. They wanted to take off the leg. He told 'em to put more metal in. The leg lasted some 25 years until he was injured in a work accident. Then he fought it as long as he could. Now he's an amputee. He's had a couple of strokes, but what a great guy. The VA is purchasing a lift for him so he can enjoy his basement, and retreat there in time of storms. A neighbor lady looks in on him. His wife died a few years back. This 91 year old stroke victim amputee was as friendly and fun to hang out with as any of my buddies. It only took the VA about 60 years to help him out.

Another man I met today for another VA lift is a Viet Nam Veteran. Agent Orange has attacked his bones. He hasn't worked in years; had to give up his love, his Harley when one day while he was stopped at a light, his leg basically broke and he fell over. Took almost 30 years to get the VA to allow his disability claim. This is a fellow wounded in action in 'Nam. After recovering they sent him to Korea to join a re-formed unit (the others were all killed) and spent time at the North/South Border. 30 years to act on a claim for a wounded veteran, poisoned by Agent Orange. A friend of mine, Denny would tell me, "Ern, that sh#% was everywhere." This man I met now volunteers and raises money for and volunteers his time with veterans in hospital facilities and "old soldier" homes.

You might not agree with war; heck, nobody hopes for war, other than the right wing whackos in motion pictures. But you have to give it to these guys who were drafted, served, sacrificed and then waited patiently for some help. Even the bible speaks of a time for war, a time for peace. There will be wars and rumors of war, etc. It's just something that people will always cause; whether it's a border war, a civil war, "ethnic cleansing" gang and drug wars, there's always a couple of warring factions somewhere. One day, the Prince of Peace will return, and even then there will be a battle before real peace on Earth is realized. Pray for peace, work for peace; but support the men and women who are chosen and now, for those who choose to serve, knowing they are offering even their very lives. There's something bibilcal there, too, huh?

Once this global warming is over (cleverly disguised in Michigan as cold, rainy weather) maybe we'll see spring. You know,back in high school, all the rage was the coming ice age due to GLOBAL COOLING caused by Carbon emissions. This was back in the mid to late 1970's. I don't remember seeing any approaching glaciers, the Great Lakes didn't freeze or overflow and inundate Michigan...Oh well, maybe the next fad will be global temperate, where everywhere it'll always be between 60 and 70 degrees. Not bad, really. See 'ya.

Sheen, Showers and Such

Okay, so Charlie Sheen bombed at my hometown Fox Theatre last night.  Anyone shocked, here?  Are we done now with the Warlock, “Winning!”, Tiger Blood and the Goddesses?

You know if I acted like that I’d lose my job, too.  My wife would probably have me committed and my kids would change their names.  There would be no agent or arena waiting and willing to book me.  Heck, my neighbors would treat me like I had the plague, or was a Libertarian or something.  They’d want my butt right in jail, or an asylum (or maybe on Dr. Drew).  But if Robert Downey Jr. was coming over  my house for dinner there’d be a line around the block to catch a glimpse.

I can’t believe the time national networks have given to this drug-addled buffoon.  Where’s his dad to set him straight, where’s Emilio, where’s anyone who really loves him?  Here’s the thing; I do believe if you’re in the business (Hollywood type) you go nuts after a while.  You’re indulged too much, you indulge too much, people want to hang around your success, maybe a little cash will fall out….

I just hope we’re done now.  You know, I actually am a Two and a Half Men viewer. I’ve laughed out loud (with much guilt) over the antics of those guys.  Who didn’t appreciate Sheen in Wall Street?  Who didn’t like “Wild Thing” in Major League?  I still hope we’re done.  Good luck Chicago and wherever the Torpedo Tour heads.

Anyway, reality is my daughter’s wedding shower.  A couple’s shower arranged by the groom’s Aunt Mindy.  A great time with our small family to connect with the groom’s larger one.  And no silly games, thank you very much.  Just chat, gifts, some Bellinis and lunch at the very hip and environmentally friendly City Flats Hotel in Holland, MI.

Reality is walking the dog in the morning, not so much for the dog but for my heart.  Reality is having to go into work Monday and speak with a troubled employee. Reality is not being able to screw up and be celebrated by even the news arms of the various networks.

Charlie, I don’t give a rats behind about your career or your craziness.  I don’t want to see you on the news, though I will watch the occasional re-run.

My daughter, soon to be son-in-law , my son, some of my friends should be on the news just because they are normal, hard-working people.  They should be the ones celebrated for making it through a normal day’s work, school, family problems without checking out, sparkin’ up or getting hammered.

Here’s to the normal boring people, around the globe.  Go to work, love your family, take care of yourself, have faith in the One who gave you life.  In my mind, the Warlock can’t touch you.  To me the real celebrities are the folks who make the mundane fun, rewarding and anything but mundane. And they do it without making $1,000,000.00 in a lifetime, rather than per show.  See ya’.

A chair named Bruno, padded bras and other stuff

So here I am again, in front of the old laptop. I'm listening, by the way, to Kenny Wayne Shepherd "Live In Chicago", "10 Days Out Blues from the Backroads", Joe Bonamassa, "Live from Nowhere In Particular", and Walter Trout "Common Ground" on the old fashioned 5-disc CD Player. I enjoy music, but as I've aged (more like a stinky cheese than a fine wine, I might add), I have really connected with blues music. From Hubert Sumerlin, Johnny Lee Hooker, Cootie Stark, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Johnson,and more, these old school blues men and the new school face-melting guitar blues of Kenny Wayne, Joe B, Walter Trout, Larry McCray have me hooked.

My son and I checked out Joe Bonamassa a week ago Monday at the DeVos Performance Center in Grand Rapids. Two-hours and twenty minutes of music. I was exhausted, Joe musta been beat. He talked for maybe 2 minutes total and played almost the entire rest of the time. While he has a unique style not necessarily totally blues, the blues are his roots,and he rocks his roots. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is probably the most commercially known here in the States, just an amazing talent. I then took my wife to see Walter Trout, and not only did he melt our faces, he lit our hair on fire, and is an EXTREMELY nice gentleman in person. This aging, pot-bellied blues guitar maestro (looks like an old biker) is a story-teller in song and a spleen-disengaging guitar virtuoso.

Anyway, we saw Walter Trout at a bar in suburban Detroit, Callaghan's. 200 people packed the place for a guy who draws thouands in Europe. For any of us who grew up with the "guitar gods" of the rock era, the new "guitar kings" are screamin the blues. And Walter stayed to greet anyone who wanted to come by and say hello. Cool. Check 'em out on You Tube or on their websites. And have a wet towel handy to put your hair out when it bursts into flames.

So that was the other stuff. The chair named Bruno is actually some of the mobility equipment I sell. This company, started by a parapelegic, the late Mike Bruno Sr. makes lifts to get scooters and wheelchairs in vehciles, turning seats that help people with disabilities enter and exit their vehicles, along with the mobility type equipment; stair lifts and wheelchair lifts.

Anyway, Bruno flew several dealers in from specific areas of the country to check out thier new stairlift prototype to get our feedback. I can't give you any details, of course because I am sworn to secrecy, but they've done a nice job providing help for folks who can't walk up and down the stairs. Mike Bruno Jr. now runs the company, and he has a disabled daughter who also uses the equipment Bruno manufactures.

Padded Bras? Yes, of course I heard the outrage as Abercrombie and Fitch, I believe, once again is encouraging young women to act like porn stars or maybe Courtney Cobain (sp?). They have in their catalog little girl bikinis for the 8 and up set with padded bras. Really? If any mom (include dad and grandma here) buys her daughter this bikini I have to ask, "why?" Lo these many years from the explosion of the feminist movement in the 1970's the biggest issue for women has been their exploitation and being perceived as "nothing but sexual objects"; except for maybe Rosanne Barr and Rosie O'Donnell. Hmmmm, how many other Rosies' are out there?

So, of course feminists won't speak out because it is certainly a woman's choice to pad her bra, even at age 8. We don't want the possibility of some 15 year old dreamy surfer boy walking by our daughters without enticing cleavage exposed to ensure said surfer boy will try to have his hands under that padded bra momentarily. You know, I just don't see why mothers and even more scarily, grandmothers want to "sex up" their children and grandchildren. Quit, already! I'm sure the pageant moms are lining up to get their little pageant princess the new enhanced bikini. Frankly it disgusts and horrifies me.

If you were to look in the Bible, 'cause I'm too lazy to figure out where it is, you would see an entry that talks about women who put on too much make-up and jewelry. The passage compares that to, basically, painting a pig. Are we encouraging our young girls, our young CHILDREN to grow up as painted pigs? Hey mom! Do you measure your make-up in brush strokes or gallons? Just asking.

Think back for one moment, back to when you were a teen. Which girls did the guys look at with lecherous desire? You are correct! The girl with major exposed (and/or enhanced) cleavage, copious amounts of make-up, the shortest skirts, hip-huggiest pants, halter tops and of course, cut-off jean shorts that makes the English term "cheeky" mean something quite entirely different. Is that a good thing? Do you as parents aspire for your daughters a life of being a sex-symbol? Do you want your daughter to be J-Wow or Snooki or Kendra Wilkenson? Is the money and fame more important than self-respect and decency? I'm betting on money and fame with many of you; I would hope deceny and self-respect.

"Bring up our children in the way they should go, and when they are older, they will not wander far from it." That's a Bible thing, too. As Pastor Mike O'Mire would say, "Bring up your children according to their talents, desires and passions, not yours, and they will be happy and productive." I paraphrase both the bible verse and Pastor O'Mire's words, but you get it.

I trust you will let your sons and daughters know they were made in the image of our Heavenly Father. That He has made no "bad people". There are people who let themselves be led off the path. There are those whose parents will encourage such a lifestyle as to really curse their children, basically creating a poisonous lifestyle for their kids to emulate.

You know, it only takes a moment of thought to make a wise decision versus one that is unwise. I truly believe we all have the ability to make the wise decision, every time, if we think, consider, and pray. Here's to parents who, even if they don't believe in God, provide a safe, comfortable, decent, thoughtful household for their children, and God Bless You all. Thanks.

Christmas, Oprah, and Stuff

So it's February and I haven't posted since December. I drive around the State of Michigan a lot and drive by a lot of churches. As January 1 turned into late January, I was irritated by a slew of signs in front of churches.

"Join us for Christmas Eve Services"
"Join us for Advent Services"
"Celebrate Christmas with us"

"All right", I think, "Who is the dumbell in charge of changing the sign? Man it's almost Ground Hog day, and they're still pushing Christmas". So then I remember a story of my own...

Our church is in an area that is close to Woodward Avenue, site of the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, where thousands of classic cars assemble for a week of fun. Actually, it's a single Saturday in August, but lasts about a week or more. So, the church puts on a Cruise Fest party with inflatables, bands, food, games, etc. Well, of course the sign outside the church says, "Join Us for Cruise Fest August.." So, here comes September, and I'm driving by the church, and the August Cruise Fest sign is still up. Now,we've past Labor Day, the kids are back in school and the leaves are beginning to turn....but the August Cruise Fest sign is still up!

I decide, being a good Christian and model congregant, to call the church and say, "Hey! We got three pastors, a couple of secretaries and you think somebody could change the sign?" Except when Pastor Jennifer answered, God spoke for me or something, and what came out was, "Hey, do you guys need help changing the sign out front?" So, from that September until a heart attack a year later, I was the dumbell changing the sign. See it's easy to point out faults, but tough to commit to help fix them. I sure didn't want to do that sign, but it was a way to quietly serve the Lord and our church. No fanfare, no glamour job, just change the sign.

So as I passed another "Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM" in that late January morning, another thought crossed my mind. "I should just call every church that hasn't changed their sign and ask if they need help." So today, I'm changing four dozen church signs regularly around the Detroit Metro area.....NO, I'm not. That's a lie. What did come to mind was how cool it would be if everyone of us would get up every morning and remember Christmas, every day, all year around.

NO,not just the presents,food and stress, but the love of a God who decided to come not in pomp and circumstance, but humbly, to show people His humanity and true nature. Not just figgy pudding and spiked egg nog, but the understanding that each Christmas brings us closer to His return (probably not May 21, 2011 but you never know).

Oh, about Oprah. I was on a sales trip and finished my day a bit early. I turned on the TV in my hotel room, and there's Oprah in Australia handing out some kind of huge pearl necklace to everybody in the audience. They were excited of course. And thenI thought if all these Oprahites would be as excited to see Jesus if he was "only" promising peace, hope, love and eternity in the presence of the Father. Then I wondered if He'd have to give everyone a car, or an Oscar goodie-bag.

Try spreading hope today, a little love and creating peace where you are today....and Merry Christmas.

He's coming when?

So I was reading a Detroit Free Press article about a Christian group announcing that Jesus will return in May, 2011(http://www.freep.com/article/20101204/NEWS05/12040397/1319). Well, as one who not only believes in but trusts in Jesus,I think it's great. However, I see a major flaw in this announcement.

See, Jesus Himself told His disciples that nobody knows the time of His coming except the Father. Jesus also spoke of the time when people would claim that Jesus is over there, or over here, or whatever. He said don't listen to them, because when He does come again, there would be no doubt as to His coming, it will be as visible as lightning is from east to west. There will be no mistaking His coming as swamp gas or a UFO or weather balloon. No doubt.

Jesus also told everyone not to worry so much about when He is coming but to worry about what they were doing in His Name for others. Basically He told everyone to stay busy and do the things Jesus would want them to do, including telling others about His love for them. He wanted them and wants us today to serve others and share the love of God with others.

If I tell you I know when Christ will return, you will know I'm full of...you know. If I tell you I don't know when, but it could be any day and it could be one hundred years, well, then I'm more in line with biblical truth.

All I know is, I won't try to scare anyone into heaven. But I will do my best to love them to Jesus, and let Him take over from there. And when He does come again in person, hopefully it will be to joyously join all those who trust in Him, serve others in His Name, and try their best to be more like Him.

I think Jesus will come when God says "it's time". I would like to be ready, by being obedient to Him. I would like everyone to be ready, trusting in Him, and letting Him show us the Way, the Truth and the Life that He announced Himself to be.

Now,Jesus could well come next May, don't get me wrong. But anyone who claims to know the exact time is fooling you and themselves. Trust in the Lord, not in men. Not even me.

I think some of the problems we have in the US is that many people decide if they're going to follow HLN or Fox and whatever is said on the broadcasts is the truth. Look for the truth, look at both sides, look at what is real versus what is proclaimed. Look to the bible, it will refute what the billboards proclaim. If they're talking about Jesus, they're not speaking for Him. Look to Jesus, He's the truth. See you soon.

Yes, Virginia, there is an Obama Gas

The new picture on the blog is a real gas station in Detroit, Mi. I have no idea if the President gets a piece of the action or if this is just Capitalism at it's best. This is a predominately African American neighborhood. I guess play to your audience, right? I thought it was great, no political comment here. With the movie industry in Michigan, at first I thought it was a movie set. But, no, real gas station. Cool. Insert your own joke, thought,comment, etc.

Speaking of gas; had the best Thanksgiving dinner ever this year. Really, best food I ever had. Cudos to two Brothers-in-Law, a Sister-in-Law and Mother-in-Law. Great work. I cleaned up, both figuratively with dinner and literally after dinner. Good times with my wife's family in Chicago.

Ahh,family. As the years go on, many of us only see family on certain holidays, weddings and funerals. My cousin Marilyn just emailed us because her daughter is getting married. Her surname is from a first marriage. So my cousin thought it important, and rightly so, to "warn" us about an invitation we might not recognize. Families shouldn't have to do that. We should know each other and try to keep our families in our circle of friends.

As the years go on, I find myself drawn more to family. All my aunts and uncles are deceased, save my mom's sisters husband, Uncle Joe. Some of my older cousins have passed away. The heritage, stories and traditions of my mom's and dad's families are fading away and most of us have done a lousy job of making sure our children,grandchildren, etc. get to know their own family history.

My Cousin Charlene has done a genealogy of my Father's side of the family and has contacted many of our relatives I didn't even know we had. My cousin Jari has been in touch with family in Finland, from my Mom's side. I give them great credit in their diligence to history and family. Thank you.

With the Christmas/Chanukkah/Holiday Seasons among us, we always hear how this time of year has more suicides than any other times of the year (with the exception, I believe of the Dancing with the Stars Finale). Many people suffer deep depression and suffer from stress and anxiety disorders either due to feeling of loneliness and loss or trying to be the "perfect holiday host", have the "perfect Christmas" and the like.

I guess there are two things I'd like to pass along. The first is that Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. It's important to know, too, that even as the shepherds and Magi and others rushed to a "barn" to see the coming of the Christ, we now should be celebrating Christmas looking forward to His return. Enjoy the lights, the tree, yes even the gifts. But look to the One who makes this season truly a Holy time, Jesus Christ. If you get to know Him, He will fill that empty spot in your heart, He can heal your physical, mental and spiritual pain and lead you to true peace. (This isn't the hand-shaking "peace be with you" in church peace, this is realPeace of Christ type of stuff).

The second thing is to put less pressure on yourself to make the holidays anything more than a celebration of God and Family. The amount of stuff doesn't matter, the amount of love does. You do realize that Martha Stewart has all kinds of helpers, housekeepers, production assistants and the like to make her house look like a Christmas movie set. You can't do all that yourself. Make this season about love. Jesus loves you, heck, I love you. If you put yourself out there in love, you'll find love back. A phone call, a simple greeting card or your physical presence is better than any store-bought gift, rum cake or gift card.

Don't risk being alone. Keep in touch with family and celebrate your love for each other. At least two of the women in my family are having issues with their adult sons. Even if they don't return your love, let them know you love them by making the calls, sending the cards, being as much a part of their life as they allow. Keep in touch with Jesus, as His love is true and everlasting. If you have Jesus, He can fill your lonely heart or your worried mind, indeed. See, we can only love because God first loved us, that is clear from the bible. He created love, loves you like a favorite child and desires, with arms open,to have you come to Him. God is a gentleman; He won't force Himself on you. But for those who desire Him, "seek and you'll find". He's as close as you want Him to be. And His biggest desire for us is that we come to Him. He, too, is the One who can make what is impossible for man (people) very possible indeed.

Here is to a LOVE-ly Christmas season, a LOVE-ly Chanukkah and whatever else you celebrate. But take time to look for Jesus, His wonderful birth, His redeeming life and death, and His return one day. And, if you're traveling east of the Southfield Freeway on Joy Road in Detroit, check out Obama Gas. What if one day Presidential elections just came down to having all the candidates names on various gas stations. The candidate who's named stations pump the most gas wins. Might be fun....Romney Gas, Palin Gas, Clinton Gas, Paul Gas...