Advice to Brandon

Brandon came over last night after he got back from Christmas in Nebraska. He was REALLY wound up!! He was talking up a storm and laughing - oh I love his laugh!!!

Brandon loved his gift cards which provide two very important things for him - gas for his car and food for his belly!! He was especially excited that he could eat at places other than Bueno. Not that Bueno is bad but he likes a little variety. Bueno is good but most importantly - CHEAP!!!

I told Brandon that later in life when he is married, I hope his wife gets a Christmas present like Danna got this year. Brandon asked "Gas logs?????".

I told him about my office Christmas party. Not long after we got there, I was introducing Danna to one of our managers whom she had not met before. Alisha had just recently returned from her honeymoon. Alisha told Danna it was very nice to meet her. She then told Danna that I talk about her a lot at the office. Then came the Christmas present. Alisha told Danna "He loves you so much!!"

I do hope and pray that Brandon is able to give presents like this to his wife. Even though teenagers don't often listen, you know they hear. Often, things stick in their brains and you don't even know it. We talk often about God and what he is doing in our lives. I pray that Brandon gives the same kind of present to God that I am praying for him to give to his future wife.

Early Christmas Present

I had a rough conversation with B on Thursday. He told me at the end of the conversation that he wasn't going to go to dinner with us on Friday, as planned. He uses his lack of presence as a means to punish me.

On Friday while Danna and I were playing golf, Nan called and said a lady came by See's. Nan asked if she could help her. The lady said no but mentioned that one of her employees from the store at the mall said his grandparents were working so she just stopped to say hello.

It made Nan's day. I could tell she was just beaming even though I was only on the phone.

I called Brandon and left him a message telling him how much it meant to Nan and Don and that I was very proud of him.

He did meet us for dinner.

Money, Muslims and Christians

I recently participated in several conversations about a Muslim man who made a generous gift to an organization with Christian goals and ideals.

One of several comments made was how in years past, a gift like this would have been refused by many (most?) Christian religious organizations. I see this position as ludicrous!! When we talk about our money not being ours but God's, I guess that doesn't apply to other people's money? It seems to me we are refusing God's money!!

What if someone won the lottery or made money from a "gentleman's club" or whatever and wanted to give that money to church? Why would any church refuse it? I know there would be plenty of talk if they did!!! In my opinion, if we refuse that type of a gift, we are in effect saying that our money is more holy than others. Even though God loves them, it is OK if we don't.

Another comment that really caused me to think was that Muslims want to change the world. They are all committed to eliminating the infidel. I really don't believe that.

Many non-Christians believe all Christians are the same - they want to change the world. I KNOW that is not true. It struck me that it is sad that we are not the same in that we are not always trying to make a difference in this world in the name of Jesus.

I guess I am sad that all Christians are not what we ought to be (especially me!!). I am thankful that God is patient. I wonder if I talk about God's patience when he is really disgusted with me?

I am grateful that not all Muslims are committed to destroying anyone they refer to as infidels. I am grateful there are different kinds of Muslims at the same time I know there shouldn't be different kinds of Christians.

I pray that I will be more bold and all Christians will be more bold in speaking and showing Jesus. I pray our love of others, including Muslims, will be so evident that they will have to find out why we are able to love that way - that they will find Jesus through us.

I Listened - Well, at least once.

After church today, I saw a lady who had just buried her Mom right before Thanksgiving.

As I walked past her while she was talking to a couple, I noticed her eyes first and how tired and hurt they looked. Her eyes were surrounded by a face that was waving the white flag.

I stopped, turned around and went back. I didn't say anything as I walked up and intruded in the little group of three that were talking. I just gave her a hug. As I started to hug her, she said "Thank you, I needed that." I just kept hugging her. As I could sense her starting to tear up, I teared up as well. I finally looked at her and said just a few words. I told her I was sorry.

I was taught by many people after my Dad died that no one has the words to say. We often don't approach someone for fear we will say the wrong thing. Sometimes, when we do approach them, we walk away wondering why we said something so stupid.

Communication is so much more than words. Why do we so often insist on using them?