Helping Others

The thing about this time of the year there is a great need to help others. Actually it is something we should be doing all year long and those of us living our life of purpose are doing so.

During the holiday season the need is being recognized more. If there is a place we want to be plugged in all year long this is a good time to start. We can enjoy whatever it is that we plan to do. I feel the people are more important than what we probably doing for them and I am sure they feel the same way.

Again this year at the end of the month right after Thanksgiving I will being helping  the youth of my church to sell Christmas trees. My main job is to show the families buying the tree the best one for them to purchase and then load the tree on the top of their car or truck. I enjoy spending time with the youth, adult volunteers and the families buying  the trees. I find it satisfaction in doing so for several hours on a weekend.

Whatever time you have whether a lot or little go out and find yourself helping others during this holiday season.

Peace On Earth

A number of the standard Christmas songs have peace on earth included in. At least at the birth of Christ there was peace on earth for a moment.

Often when a pageant contestant and others in similar situations they are asked what they want most of all the answer is more often “peace on earth”.

I am sure we all want to have peace on earth however it could be still awhile for it to happen. All we can do in our place in the world is to show peace to others and with a miracle it will happen.

Right now though with most people being greedy it will not happen across the globe; only situations like the fires in California right now people show their humanity though can be short lived.

In our lives right now people disagree on politics and often shout at each other.  I know there are those who will disagree with my politics and it is ok. The important thing is to share what we agree on and not what we don’t agree on. A reason I don’t share politics here or any social media because I figure what is the point. Most likely we won’t change others beliefs or opinions. Something new comes to light or we can share without making things personal than it is good to do so. Other words a good debate.

Until next time may peace be in your heart today.

Mild November

It still amazes me how mild the weather here in Western Washington has become the last several years. Not as much snow during the winter and hotter in the summer.

Right now we should be in the raining season and we have had less than inch of rain in November so far. The average rainfall is seven inches in November. Of course there is plenty of time for it still too happen however will it is the question. We have rain forecasted for today (Wednesday) and again on Friday. How much we are expected I am not sure.

It is nice to see the sun out more regular than normal for November but it is weird at the same time. The temperatures have been on the cool side ranging from freezing in the morning up to the middle fifties during the day. At least it is around the history average.

I guess our perspective is to enjoy this weather long as it lasts and like the weather we can change as well. We can become more mild as well (chuckle).

World Be Kind Day

Today (Tuesday) is considered world be kind day. It seems to me they now have a special day everyday now and this is what Tuesday November 13 is.

Actually being kind to others is not a bad idea every single day of our lives. We likely live longer or at least have less stress anyway. Also it is one of the great ways for us to live out our life of purpose as well.

I always hear where it is told that dogs are man’s best friend. I am sure dogs are very kind and it is a reason they are man’s best friend so let’s do what dogs do. I think to that many people like dogs more than other human beings but I prefer to like people more than dogs though there isn’t anything wrong with dogs I just see a lot more people. Yes I know that I am being sarcastic but why not still go this way.

So even though you may not always be kind make every effort to be kind to everyone today even those who make it hard to please. Who knows you may gain a new friend and you will have less stress as well. Doesn’t that make it worthwhile? Until next time enjoy the time being kind.

Joy to the World

I have to say once again one of my favorite Christmas songs is “Joy to the World”.

For me it is more than the words in this case it is the tune of the song. It sounds very victorious to me and I am sure it was the point by the writer of the music.

I have mentioned before there is how great to have joy in our lives and often we have to make the choice to do so because life isn’t always easy.

I believe it is important to sing songs of joy as well. The first verse of the song goes as this:

Joy to the world

Joy to the world

Joy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

If you have the time enjoy singing this song this week. Amen!

Veterans Day!

Here in United States today November 11 is Veterans Day. A day we celebrate those who have fought and served our country. There is not a high purpose for someone to do so allowing freedom to continue in this land.

In Europe and other countries they called it “Armistice Day” or ‘’Remembrance Day”. This day is chosen because the end of World War 1 where the opposition surrendered at the 11^th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918. So this means to us celebrate the 100^th anniversary to the end of the Great War.

Again we thank you all for serving your country. Amen!

Fall On Your Knees

This is the third line in verse two and three of Oh Holy Night. There really is something about us to fall on our knees. The purpose is to honor God.

While we are on our knees we can lift our hands to praise God and give him adoration. Also a way for us to surrender ourselves to our Mighty God.

Many churches do this a lot during their services however a good thing to remember and acknowledge during the Christmas season.

Falling on our knees allows us to humble ourselves as well. We will think less of us and more of God along with our fellow man.

To honor God, worship him and humble ourselves are good steps in living a life of purpose. We were created for these reasons.

I know it may feel too early to think of the Christmas season though some do so at the beginning of November it is a real way to put our lives together. I am not into singing or hearing a lot of Christmas songs yet but there are some like Oh Holy Night we can do so right now. Enjoy your weekend and be blessed.

Oh Holy Night

One of my favorite Christmas Songs; it is so moving to hear and sing. Being a Christian it gives us hope knowing how important Christ was born. He came to be our Savior to lay his life down for us all and to rid of us all of our sins.

At the time of his birth though the Jews were looking for a different kind of Savior; they were looking for the Messiah to be their king. Except those who recognized Jesus Christ as the Savior the rest didn’t see him as the Messiah. They are still waiting for him to come however the good news someday they will recognize him too.  

A very good reason why we are created and we have a true purpose in this life. Not only to share Christ with others, hope and love. We have a purpose only meant for ourselves and it is good news as well. 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

This is the last two lines in the first verse of Silent Night to sleep in heavenly peace.

I have to say there is nothing greater thing we can do when we go to bed at night to sleep in heavenly peace. I believe often we do so. This allows us to wake up the next morning refreshed and to begin a new wonderful day no matter how yesterday had turned out. Indeed every morning is new and the past is just a memory.

I believe it is exciting to think about these holiday and Christmas songs the words that go with them. Of course some of the songs are just fun and not a lot of meaning to them however there are those have such wonderful words to them just like Silent Night. I look forward to sharing them this season for us to receive meanings that can be personal for each of us. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season beyond whatever you have had in the past. Amen!

All is Calm All is Bright

The second line of Silent Night which gives us hope things can be calm and bright regardless what has happened in our lives.

We can be calm in circumstances that we shouldn’t think would happen. We can have life moving on when things don’t seem possible. This can be an area where we can use our purpose to bring out the best; what makes this time of the year so special and great for all mankind.

Being silent can bring things together as calm and bright. It is through this we can have hope, peace and love. Something for us to remember not only this time of the year but all year long. Amen!

Silent Night

One of my favorite songs at Christmas time; it could be a song we sing all year long.

I remember once going to church on Christmas Eve with my dad sitting next to me. Mom was singing in the choir. I heard dad had been a pretty good singer however he became ill then never sang again. I was very small at the time so I had never heard him sing. Anyway during Silent Night dad decided to sing. It was only time I heard him ever sing. I thought he had a wonderful voice. Made me cry hearing him sing and I had to let my brothers and sister know I heard him sing. An experience I will never forget.

In our lives we need to rest and have a silent night to reflect on what has gone on in our lives. Often we get so much clutter in our minds it is important to think about the positive things in our lives. Let it be.

Fa La La La

Have you ever wondered what fa la la la really means? Until now I never really thought about it I was just singing a Christmas Carole.

I am not here to put great meaning into it. I decided to do a search to find out what it means and I find out it means almost nothing or nothing at all. The madrigal composers in the day decided to add onto a song when they did know what to say or I like the idea of them adding on for just fun.

So what we can do while walking down the street or wherever we want to sing and don’t know the words or for the fun of it just sing fa la la la.

Another idea I have is if you want to tell a joke but you don’t know what the joke is just say fa la la la or shorten to fa la or la la la.

One of the funniest things I have seen is the Smothers Brothers singing deck the halls and when comes to the fa la la la Tom Smothers really butchers it and makes fun. His brother Dick is totally annoyed with him. If you can find the video of this you should see it.

So the next time you are talking to someone and giving some advice but you lose your train of thought throw in the fa la la la.  Have yourself a great week fa la la la.  

To Be Jolly

This is the time of the year we should make the effort to have a lot of laughter. Not any easy task for us all however we can make the choice to do so.

Laughter is good medicine and hopefully allows us to stick around longer in this life.  Showing laughter as much as possible will rub off on others. It doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time because circumstances happen when laughter can be hard to come by however it is good to release the disappoints that come to us at times.

Let this be a jolly and fun holiday season this year. Let us continue to remember the reason for this season. Take the time to show others love too. Amen!