Welcome to Friday -12.29.2017

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. ~ Luke 2:7 NLT

Welcome to Friday!

They took me to a musical!  Of all things, a musical at 10 o'clock at night.  Sydney was asking to go see a movie for the past few months.  She kept telling me about the upcoming movie about P.T. Barnum and I told her I would see.  So, after reading a leadership article at work based on lessons learned from the movies, specifically "The Greatest Showman", I told Sydney we should go.  Little did I know, the movie was actually a musical.  I should have known something was funny when I agreed to go to the show and Sydney started smirking and the rest of the girls were like, "Really?".  Apparently they all knew.  So, after getting inside and finding our recliner seats, yes the new theater has recliners for seats, we waited for the movie to start.  It opened with a word from the director and lead actor.  And then... it happened.   Somewhere after a few minutes of the movie, a song.  And then another one.  And then another one.  The jig was up.  I turned to Sydney with an incredulous stare, "You brought me to a musical?  You know I despise musicals."  She smiled, gave me a fist bump and then smirked every single time the story line broke into a song.  Nearly 2 hours later we emerged from the show, and I will have to admit it was a great movie.  Despite the songs that popped up every two or three minutes, the movie was awesome.  I really enjoyed it and so did the girls.  We laughed and joked and then made our way to Wal-mart and then the house.  Welcome to Friday!

So, how are you doing?  How are things going with you and in your world?  Tell me about your Christmas?  How were things at your house for Christmas?  Did "Santa" come by and stuff your stockings and put something special under the tree?  Where you "Santa" again this year?  More than thinking about "Santa", how did you make time to remember the birth of the Savior during Christmas day.  I'd love to know about your family traditions, what kind of things you did to make the Christmas holiday merry, bright and meaningful.  I hope your day wasn't too busy and I definitely pray that you had ample time to consider the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace who came in a manger.  I know first hand that it takes extra effort to stay focused on Christ - especially when the stores are busy, the roads are packed, and so many retail  vendors try to drown us in stuff, instead of inviting us into a relationship with the Son of God.  Thank goodness I have Trish, who finds a way to make sure that we read the birth announcement, do some form of a morning devotional (this year was one from LifeWay Christian bookstore), and read some scripture verses before we got into the busyness of the morning.  Well, if I didn't say it before:

Merry Christmas!

NOTE: You are about halfway through today's letter.

We had a great Christmas holiday.  For me it started well before Christmas day.  Despite some rough days and some frustrations in traffic and in crowded stores, we all got our Christmas joy going on Saturday night.  We wrapped some last minute gifts, and then talked and joked about the upcoming White Elephant gift exchange.  Sunday night we had our gift exchange.  It was too funny.  Ava bought a fidget spinner for the exchange, Paige bought a stuffed unicorn, I bought a VR headset and also re-gifted a $10 gift card.  Cassarra put in a gift card (per Ava's memory), Gabbi put in some makeup, Sydney put in a nice warm blanket, and Emma wrapped up a small toy featuring the characters from Frozen.  I believe Trish actually had one of the best gifts, even though it didn't get picked.  Ava couldn't wait to start, and right before the gift exchange she leans over to me and says, "After this, I'll have two fidget spinners."  I had to pick first.  I reached for the safest option on the table, the gift card.  But, Trish told me I had to pick something that I didn't buy and something that I didn't know what it was.  You guessed it!  I opened the makeup.  The girls all laughed.  I was secretly praying someone would take it from me.  I couldn't believe my luck.  I joked that if someone didn't pick it from me, I was going to put on the eyelash stuff.  Paige opened her own gift before mom could catch her.  Then, mom had to lay down a no plotting rule, as big sister Cassarra was tyring to convince Ava, who was next to take the makeup.  Once the rule was made, Ava quickly reached into the middle of the gifts, grabbed her present and opened her own gift.  The rest of the exchange had only one moment of drama.  Cassarra and Gabbi jockeyed for the makeup with Cassarra winning and agreeing to share with Gabbi.  Emma opened her Frozen dolls and Trish unwrapped the blanket - which all of us have been sharing since then.  Sydney was the least enthused when she opened the virtual reality (VR) headset.  I was sure that it was going to be the best gift of the night, sadly I was wrong.  It wasn't until Gabbi tried the headset that it actually became popular enough for Sydney to stop pouting.  

One of the best parts of Christmas was spending time with Trish putting together a huge doll house.  I'm not as handy as my dad, and for that matter I'm not even as handy as Trish, so sometimes these joint assembly projects can be tricky.  This time it was fun - even if we didn't get finished until almost 2am.  There were a ton of pieces, a lot of screws, and mostly pictures without words guiding the way.  And not even good pictures.  There were at least four pictures that confused the heck out of me.  On top of that, the power screw driver's batteries died and I couldn't find new ones that night.  Despite all of this, Trish was a trooper.  She kept the project moving, put up with my deep sighs, and I'm sure she prayed as much as I did that it would all go well.  I'm telling you, I enjoyed the time we spent together building the doll house.  We talked about the projects we've done, laughed about how tough it was, reminisced about Christmas over the years, and fell asleep exhausted.  By 6:30am the girls were up and we were back in business.  The girls checked out their "Santa" toys.  Most of them were chill.  Ava was the only one who had this one lament, she remarked that she didn't get anything on her "Santa" list.  Less than an hour later, as we opened our gifts, Ava got a remote control car that she was asking for (and so she could stop taking mine), and she had a blast playing with it.  I think she forgot all about the "Santa" list. I'm pretty sure she did.  She even cleaned off her dresser top so she could start her own collection of remote control cars like her dad.  I smiled.  You'll have to ask the rest of them about their favorite gifts.  I know that "Santa", as well as mom and dad did a great job this year.  Especially mom!  She really out did herself with getting unique things for each of the girls.

We made it to Georgetown to finish out the night.  We visited both houses and had a lot of good food, good fun, and fellowship.  At my mother-in-law's house we had a big dinner.   We had turkey, dressing, ham, macaroni, and Chocolate Delight.  We opened more gifts, caught up on what's been going on, and then took the post dinner naps.  When we hit my parents house, Trish took a ton of great family photos.  Some of the kids (my parent's grandkids), some of all of us (parents, kids, spouses, and grandkids), and some of random collections (kids and grandkids and spouses).  We used daddy's tractor and the barn for a background.  I've seen a few of the final shots and they are so cool.  The fact that Trish managed to get all of us in a photo shoot, with the sun going down, and the temperature following it, was nothing short of amazing.  The light was fading, the temperature dropping, and not everyone was a willing participant - but she did it!  Not only that, after the outside photos, we moved inside, she lined up a number of indoor photos and even agreed to take some glamour shots.  She has some amazing photos.  Just one more reason why Trish is amazing!  I had some more Chocolate Delight after we opened presents, and then I managed to find the barbecue.  Oh how I wished I wasn't so full.  I only managed a few shreds of barbecue and a small slice of ham before I felt like I would pop.  At least the next morning I was able to get some more of both in the morning.  

Well, I could keep going, but I'm sure if you've read this far you are nearly exhausted.  I've got so much more to talk about like:

• How the kids thought I was lame for getting so excited over the label maker Trish gave to me.  It was perfect.  I've already put my name on the remote.
  
• How the same group got a huge laugh over Trish being equally as excited over the gift of a car wash gift card that I have her.
  
• Getting a new journal and a calendar from mom.
  
• Seeing the creativity of gifts given this year
  
• Watching my nephew Ben play with his Thomas the Train and toy tractor
  
• Time off from work
  
• Dinner on Christmas Eve - non-traditional pinwheels, Philly subs, and popcorn
• Dinner with a round table on what life lessons you've learned in 2017
  • Not everyone who says they are your friend is your friend - Gabbi
  • It's okay to go it alone, be alone, and not be in the crowd - Cassarra
  • Keep your word - Paige
  • Forgive people... - Trish
  • Life falls apart without God - Cassius
  • Don't take anything for granted, nothing is a given - Sydney
  • Don't be afraid - Ava
  • Don't fight - Emma
• Ava, Emma and I trying to go to the movies only to find out it was sold out.  As we got out of the line Emma said, "It's not fair.  It's not fair that we don't get to go to the movies!"  I told her it wasn't my fault.  But, she wasn't hearing it.  "We should have left earlier," she continued.  "It was your fault dad," Ava chimed in.  Maybe tomorrow!

Welcome to Friday!  I hope that you have had and will continue to have a wonderful, peaceful, and Christ-filled Christmas holiday.  I am also praying that you will have a joy filled, beautiful, boldly blessed and favor filled New Year.  May the God of all joy give you joy and peace, today and always.  And as always,

Welcome to Friday!

I am thankful for:

• Trish
  
• The girls
  
• Movies
  
• Christ
  
• Christmas
  
• Fun
  
• Family
  
• Photos
  
• Memories
  
• Gifts
  
• laughter
  
• time off
  
• Christmas decorations
• Dinner
• Chocolate delight
• parents and siblings
• YMCA workouts
• Health and strength
• coffee
• Date night

--- Cassius Rhue 

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)"

"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)"

 

Welcome to Friday - 12.22.2017

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me!  Psalm 51:30

Welcome to Friday!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... How are you doing?  How was your week and how were things going with you as the Christmas holiday draws near?  Have you done all your shopping and wrapping all of your gifts?  Have you decorated and pulled out the Christmas sweaters, turned on the Nat King Cole, and poured the first of one too many cups of Egg Nog?  I hope that you are doing well and that you are excited for the spirit of Christmas; unbridled hope, God with us, unconditional love, and grace...  God came near!  I hope that the commercial hype doesn't spoil the wonder, majesty and moments of the real season.  

Our tree is taking its final shape with an array of gifts to family and friends. We did a ginger bread village building competition on Saturday.  It was a lot of fun, and my team (Ava, Emma, Sydney and Paige) was clearly winning the early build off.  Yes, I know I'm biased, but trust me... we were in the lead.  The other team (Trish, Cassarra, and Gabbi) had a big hole in their house because someone turned a wall panel the wrong way.  We even had our own custom icing, courtesy of Sydney.   That's right.  Who needs the cheap, plain icing when you have a pastry wiz on your team who can whip up a batch of creme cheese icing for the ginger bread chalet.  Our walls were solid.  The icing was thick and rich.  Except for a few team members eating the supplies, it was all going well for us.  But, then I started to feel a little sick and had to rest.  Once I laid down, the chaos ensued.  I heard what happened when I left wasn't pretty.  Icing started to spend more time on spoons and fingers than the house.  Gum drops and other candy buttons found their way into bellies and then dumped in heaps on the roof top.  Funniest of all, the once sturdy house collapsed under the prying and pulling fingertips of two building associates.   You'll have to ask Trish to see the video one day. 

Well, my last day of work before the holidays was Thursday.   I definitely needed the break from work.  It has been a busy and frustrating two weeks.  We've had some "stuff" going on that was challenging, mind numbing and frustrating.  The break will do me good.  The girls have been out of school all week, and now that we are all over the stomach virus that ran through the house, they are doing well.  Emma and Ava are enjoying their mornings of watching "My Little Pony" and the afternoons of Christmas candy and Christmas movies.  Cassarra is home and soaking up time with the girls, rest, and some hours at work.  Gabbi and Sydney are taking advantage of the lazy mornings - Paige is taking advantage of the late nights.  All in all they are well.  

I'm excited.  I'm almost ready for Christmas... now if only we could get snow!  Trish is out this morning doing some more shopping.  I went to the Y to get myself ready to eat all that sweet potato pie, as well as a few scoops of chocolate delight.  I'm looking forward to playing the "White Elephant Gift Exchange" at home with Trish and the girls.  Rumor has it that there is one really, really good present in this year's stash and one very terrible gift..  I'm also looking forward to giving gifts this year, spending time with family, and laughing.

I pray that you will have a wonderful weekend and a Merry Christmas.  I hope your weekend is filled with love, family and rest.  I hope your Christmas holiday is filled with family, food, fellowship and love.  And, okay, I guess a few presents won't hurt either.  Have a great day and as always, 

Welcome to Friday!    

I am thankful for:

• Trish 
  • being a wonderful wife
  • an amazing woman
  • a great best friend
  • an amazingly great mother
  • taking care of all 5 of us when we got sick this past weekend.  A lot of care taking took place.  And we discovered that Sydney has taken the lead as the worst patient, with Emma in second.  Cassarra is the grumpiest patient.
• The girls
  
• Gabbi's induction into the National Honor Society of Dance Arts (2 weeks ago)
  
• Date night
  
• The girls
  
• Paige's holiday concert (2 weeks ago)
  
• Birthdays
  
• free lunch
  
• free lunch at work
  
• pizza night
  
• cake and ice cream
  
• Office Christmas party
  
• Gift cards
  
• life
  
• cars
  
• time off from work
  
• shopping
  
• blankets
  
• the fire place
  
• laughter
  
• comics
  
• Christmas!!!

May the love of Christ that was compelled to come to the manager and go to the cross, and the hope that rose in the resurrection be with you in this Christmas season.  May the comfort of Christ, bring you comfort.  May the Wonder of heaven make your Christmas season a moment after moment masterpiece of wonder and joy.  Merry Christmas and welcome to Friday!

--- Cassius Rhue 

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)"

"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)"

 

That much... that deep....

If we can we count the grains of sand in the oceans, or number the ones on the seashore...  If we Can measure the depths of the ocean or stretch a line to the furthest star... If we can see all the far reaches of the galaxy and number all of its planets and stars... only then would we have a tiny glimpse of the magnitude of the blessings of our God toward, and for, us.

The grace and love of God is more numerous than the sands of the sea, deeper than the depths, higher than the heavens, and more plentiful than the stars of the galaxies. His love for you and me is infinite, eternal and indescribable!

Have a happy Monday and a great week! Love you

Betrayed? Broken? Alone? There's a God big enough for that!

Sometimes we become afraid, discouraged, depressed and even question the worth of life and living. Sometimes we "feel abused, betrayed, misunderstood and mistreated."  We even feel alone; "isolated and alone in our place of work, our own family and even in our own neighbourhood."

But, we are not alone. We are not isolated. We do not have to despair of life and give up on hope.  Why not?

Because He is alive!  Christ is alive, and that means that even the deepest depths and darkness are no match for the power of God.

Because, we have the promise and presence of God (who will never leave us or forsake us, and He is with us always).

Matthew 28:20  "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:5 "because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

Because, "when we come together (for example on a Sundays as a church)," or bow to pray (at night or even right now), we are connected to a rich, vibrant and faithful family (both physically living and spiritual saints in heaven) and this too "reminds us that we are not alone," that this earth is not our home, and this pain and brokenness will be wiped away in the end.

May "the living God, who hears" our cries and "catches our tears, act on our behalf" to bring rest, renewal, life abundantly and deep healing for our souls. Till He wipes away all our tears, and ends all sickness and death (Rev 21:4), hope in Him and cling ever tighter at all times - especially now!

In love and triumph, Cassius

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Even though... even now... you are God

[Job said,] "the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

- Job 1:21 (NRSV)

Over seven years ago, I still remember it like it was yesterday, I drove down the highway reciting this verse to myself over and over.  I didn't know why this verse would have popped into my mind instead of the others that I have memorized.  I wondered, why not verses about the blessing of the Lord, the goodness of God, or verses about God's blessings or favor, His mercy, or His protection from bad and loss. 

The entire ride blew by me until at last I arrived to my wife's side and realized why this verse and why this moment.  Children are a gift from God, and for us, my wife and I, this time we would not hear the sound of a newborn's first cry, hold a small baby, or even coo at him or her.  Instead, we watched as the nurse panicked and the doctor's face grew grim and then hope gave way to hurt.  

At that moment, when despair and anger threatened to derail life, joy, peace, hope and all the measures of strength, I prayed, "The LORD gives, the LORD takes away, blessed be the name of the LORD."

We may never understand why God choose to take this child from us, but four years later I can praise Him because He is still worthy of all our praise. 

Stop living life scared.  Start being awesome! 

What is the greatest Word ever...

Jesus is the greatest Word ever spoken!

Which way do you pray?

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:9‭-‬14 ESV

I like this reminder from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel:
"If we compare ourselves with others, we may become like the Pharisee, thanking God that we are not like other people – ‘robbers, evildoers, adulterers’ (Luke 18.11). The Pharisee was ‘confident of his own righteousness’ (v.9)." 

But, if we stay focused on God, and if in fact "our lives are truly God-centred (our consciences quickened by his holiness), we will compare ourselves only with Him and all we can say is, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’ (Luke 18v.13).  The truth is that we are all sinners, and we are all in need of God’s mercy."

Nicky and Pippa Gumbel sum it up that we all, all too often, "find it very easy to read this passage and to thank God that we are not like the Pharisee. But by doing so I fall into the very trap that Jesus is describing."

Isn't it scary and humbling how quickly we can fall into the wrong thought and prayer life – "thinking I am more righteous than others," not at all realizing and "recognizing my own sin and my own desperate need for the Savior."

So, how do you pray?  Do you pray exactly like the Pharisee. Or, do you pray: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016.
Gospel of Luke, ESV Version

Stay close

"Whether you are in a period of battle or a period of blessing... stay close to the Lord.

When storms make us wonder, "Is God still with us...?"

Sometimes, the storm makes us wonder, " Is God still with us?"  We believe, wrongly, that if the Lord is with us we will have no storms, no misunderstandings with our spouse, experience no injustice and lose nothing - ever. 

But the truth is, "the fact that the Lord is with you does not stop you from facing  temptations," setbacks, injustice, hurt, trials and troubles.  Sometimes, the fact that we are His seems to increase the odds that trials will fall upon us. 

He is still God and He is still Emmanuel.

Sure, "your circumstances may not be ideal."   Maybe you're "in prison – literally in prison," confined to a space and a life that seem as bleak as the paint on the block windowless walls.  Maybe your prison isn't four walls, wires and wardens, but you feel "confined like a prisoner in your job, a health issue, a difficult relationship or some other faith shaking circumstances."  In these hard places our sense of Him is jarred and, but we must hold on!  "In the midst of all this," the faithful God, is with you. 

His holy, and sweet presence is "with you, His favour in the sight of others, and His blessing on your life" are with you.  God's plans and promises for our good, salvation and triumph are not quenched, thwarted or defeated .  "Even in the worst circumstances, God" is at work in  our lives and He will see to it that all works out according to His good purposes.  He promised to never leave... He promised to be with us always.  Feelings aside... He is the Promise and the Promise-Keeper and He is still with us.

Remember, no matter how long it takes.... we triumph  —

Presence in hot pursuit

Sharing this powerful and hopefully life changing word of encouragement from the Daily Devotion excerpt:  "Where Is God in the Darkness?"
by David Bowden, from "When God Isn't There"

Here is the part not to miss.  David says,

You may think that you have put too much distance between yourself and God over the years, but that is impossible. There is nowhere you can flee where God is not already present.

No matter how long it has been since you’ve pulled into the church parking lot. No matter how many times you’ve turned your back on Jesus. No matter how often you drop your cross to pick up old habits. No matter how far gone you think you are from God’s will. No matter how dark the night of your soul may be. You cannot run from heaven’s hound.

Your flight from God and His demand on your life is just as vain as Jonah’s flight to the ships sailing far from Nineveh. All your  life you may have thought it was you who was pursuing God, but all along it has been God pursuing you. So no matter how long it has been since you have looked toward the Father, no matter how absent you believe God is, neither the steps of your feet nor the sin of your life can move you one inch away from God’s love ... It may feel like absence now, but Presence is hot on your trail — even though it may come upon you like a storm.

The Lord God is my Strength

— adapted from Dennis Rainey

"Our joy and contentment doesn't have to be taken away by the bleak clouds of winter", or the trying winds and thunderous roar of life's storms, "or the long wait until our next vacation." As beloved and loved and highly favored children of God, our well-being and joy are radically independent of our current, past and future circumstances.

"Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength" (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

God is there with us every day of the year. His love is both unconditional and inescapable!  May we be washed and anointed with the oil of gladness.

Unsavory characters - like me

"The Bible tells us that Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Matt 11:18)."
In fact the Scriptures frequently describe that He hung out with many "unsavory characters."  Thankfully, I am one of those unsavory characters saved by His bold audacious grace.

Being grateful

May we find time this week to be grateful for and enjoy the "unexplainable mysteries" and undeserved grace of God.

May we each "not obsess over what we don't have," but rather joyfully and deliberately treasure the "breath of life given to us by an all-wise God who has chosen to share His life" and joy with us.

May our "Creator, who breathed His own life into our handful of earth," continue to share with us His eternal existence, His unconditional love, and His unending joy.

May we recall with fondness and gratitude the love of Christ Jesus, who came to our rescue and offered us a restored relationship with Him through the cross. And may we abide in His "salvation and grace as it come to us each day with its offering of hope," thrills, joy — and a life of freeing forgiveness and relentless love.

Adapted from Mart DeHaan

Desperately needed

We are desperately poor, utterly dependent on grace, and God, the Lord Almighty, has taken notice of us.