I have to confess that I feel like an aggie I heard about who stood behind his wife's car to tell her whether her turn signal was working or not.  "Yes, it is.  No, it's not. Yes, it is.  No, it's not.  Yes,...", he said.  You get the idea.  I feel that way with my christmas outdoor lights.  As I escorted guests to the our front door upon leaving last night, I was saying, "Imagine what this would look like if those trees were lighted, not merely strung with lights..."  Seems like Christmas always brings something challenging - glad I got the lights up early.  Now my neighbors are simply wondering, Why did he put those lights up in order to turn them off the closer we get to Christmas?"  They probably just chalk it up to another "weird preacher" thing.

This Sunday at Kingwood First Baptist we'll be talking about why the Angels sing and about what the message is to us.  It may be different than what you think and is what everyone seems to be talking about in Christmas marketing this year.  See you there!

I'm glad to be my age in life as I drive past Toys-R-Us and see the parking lot jammed at 2:30 in the afternoon on a workday.  Got to be fun on those aisles and behind the register.  A quick prayer for everybody going through that!

Our daughter got one of those "cannot be had by anyone" gifts when she was young and wanted a "Cabbage Patch" doll.  She didn't realize we could only find a boy doll (no surprise they weren't first choice with little girls).  Quick thinking changed his name to "Briana" from the original name (drop the "a") and she was happy (though not yet literate to our relief).  She found out a couple of years ago and has regularly threatened child abuse charges, but hasn't done anything yet - I think it's gone into my "save for the nursing home decision" file.

It's going to be a great Christmas season, God willing!  May He bless you with patience for the buying and provision for the gathering and joy in the sharing with every life you touch - giving as He has given to us, with love much more than we deserve.

If you're wondering what to add to your "I'm grateful..." list, try this - "I'm grateful to live in a community that makes it necessary to wear Sunglasses this time of year - even if it IS just sitting in traffic!"

Thank you, Lord - you've blessed us and I believe what has been done I Jesus is enough and what is yet to be will truly thrill my every hope!

Expectantly,

Kevin