Dedication To A Great Man!

It's amazing to think of those that have recently passed onto the other side. Especially those who have ran the race of glory and came out victorious. What are they seeing? What are they doing? Can you imagine the satisfaction they are feeling?

They are complete in Christ. They are feeling love like we only wish we knew. Our world lost a great man this past week. He wasn't a world leader or a famous actor, but to me he was Superman. I never thought there was no way to take this man out of this world, but God felt it was time.

Our church back home lost a great man and Christian this past week. His name is Bob Cronin, and there is nothing that could keep me from writing about him. He was a definite example of Christ, a leader that made Jesus proud to have him on his team. To me he was one of my finest examples that helped shaped my life. When you would head to National Road Church of Christ you would find him at every service no matter what. I remember Bob from my childhood and remember he always had something to say to me and everyone that walked through those doors. A kind and funny man and a great song leader. I can still see him in the pulpit on many Sunday and Wednesdays giving announcements or doing his favorite thing, singing. I remember playing Church league softball with him and I was just amazed how he could still snag a ball at his age. I'm still amazed to this very day. When I heard he had past away, I thought it couldn't be.

There are people in our lives that make some type of impact in us. Bob was one of many for me. It's hard some times to believe that certain people leave your life and go to a higher place to be with the one that created them. Death is our final destination here, but another life is waiting for those of us who believe in a risen Savior. What a day that will be, to finally find what we have been looking for and have been trying to discover all our days. I heard a quote the other day that really made me think about life. It states, "Death is the only chapter man can not write for himself." It's so true for some. Those who believe in our God have been writing our chapter of life after death. Those of us that are faithful have completely written over the word "death" and have written the word "life." We know what the reality of after death is, we can't see it but we believe it. We don't know what it will look like, but we do know it's there. Complete satisfaction that we have been longing for since the loss of paradise in Eden. Only there, was life complete and satisfactory, until Satan broke the human race out of that dream. Now we only dream of Eden again until it is our time to go to the father.

Many Christians are there with God waiting for all things to be renewed. They are right now comfortable and living in the completeness of God. I believe Bob is there with God and seeing a beauty that we will one day know. No more tears, fears, pain or agony. Just the things our hearts long for, complete happiness.

While there is a hall of fame for every activity in our world. I think there should one created for great Christians. I know of thousands of people who belong in it. Our world would not ever think of creating a shrine like that, but don't worry God has created one that is awesome. It is Heaven!

My heart goes out to the Cronin family as they mourn a great loss, yet rejoice because Bob has gone to be with our Holy Father the safest place to be for all. I want to dedicate this post to those who have gone to be with the Lord and have had a great impact in my life. I want to list their names in remembrance.

John Massey

Bob Cronin

Opal Thomas

Harold Taylor

Vernina Beckett

Lucian Beckett

Bob Riley

These are people that have been a great influence in my life and for our Church back home. They were always people that stood out, and I always noticed how kind and Christ like they all were to me. Isn't it great that God blesses us with great people in life to bring us hope and a smile when we think of them. When I look back in the past I feel I am truly blessed to have been born in such a great community of Christians that reside in Wheeling, WV. Our life can truly be a blessing if you lived it right and have such a gift of people like this to be in our path of vision. It's time we look at life for what it is. If you choose the right way to live and gain God in your life you can truly get the best out of life. Don't complain, just live and find our Heavenly Father waiting at the door for us all. Choose Him and recieve true life, choose the world and all you get is the world, nothing else. Praise God for fine examples of Holy people!

A World At War

This is a picture of a man that was good and then he let his anger get the best of him. This is the guy who dressed as Santa on Christmas eve and took the lives of 9 people, including an 8 year girl. Who was shot in the face as she innocently answered the door. Bruce Pardo we forgive you and so does God.

The book I am reading is called "Waking the Dead," by John Elderedge. In it he talks about this world we live in and how we don't realize we are a world at war. That being against Satan. He is the destroyer of all that is good, and that is his goal. It seems that Satan got to Bruce Pardo really fast. He put all that he had into Bruce and Bruce released it all. Angry from a costly divorce that was finalized last week and then losing his job, Satan put it all out there for him. So Bruce with no past history of violence went ballistic and Satan was cheering him on as he destroyed the lives of 9 innocent people.

Anger is a sinful thing and can be controlled by the right person, but some have no control and just go the distance with it. People need to realize their actions, and realize they need God to control their rage. Their are so many people in this world today that just don't realize what their anger can do. It scares me!

The Bible states "Do not sin in your anger." We need to learn about our tempers and identify how far we can go with our anger. Violence is not the way, God is. Just let it go, and release your issues with our heavenly Father. We were born into a world at war. Yet if you think about it, if we choose God we are on the side of eternal victory!

Christmas 2008

As I write this it's 2 hours before Christmas 2008 arrives. The kids are nestled all snug in their beds, eagerly waiting for Santa. Shannon and I are trying to figure out how were going to get the presents laid out without somebody waking up. Our living room is right next to the bedrooms, so we worry about being noisy. I think we can pull it off though.

I really wish I was home in West Virginia this year for Christmas, we always feel like it's more Christmasy there. But we have had a good night being together with family and each other. It has felt like the evening has just slowly gone by, but now it is time to get things laid out and head to bed. I pray for those children who will wake up to nothing in the morning, and hope next year there will be something there for them. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts with you this year. Merry Christmas!

Is Fear Holding You Back?

I've been reading this book titled "Waking the Dead," by Christian author John Elderedge. This is the second book of his I have read and have really learned a lot from them.

The thing I read this morning was about letting fear hold us back from what we're really meant to do. Our heart is not being free to let God do with it what he wants.

We have abilities we have not yet discovered and God is calling us to open our hearts to him and allow him to get over the fear to lead and do other great things in His name.

There are so many things I want to do for him to further his word, but I don't do them because I allow fear to take over with excuses. Fear keeps us all from receiving our glory from God, we are allowing it to keep us from fully experiencing the great things he has planned for us to do.

In the book He says we are hiding from our real self. We have things in our inner being that we know we have, but were faking it and hiding from people what we really can do. He talks about an experience with a counselor in college. Here's is some of it from the book.

As part of our course requirement, we had to meet with a graduate assistant for an hour each week. This being a Christian program, I thought she would go after my sin. Instead, she went after my glory. No one had ever done that before.

"Why are you holding back?" she asked.

I hesitated, stalled. "I'm not sure what you're talking about." She said, "Yes, you do. You are holding back, playing it safe."

I was squirming. Is this the what Adam felt as he heard the voice of God coming closer to his hiding place in the bushes? Where are you? Now she said to me, "Now you are gifted enough to pull it off, make it look like you're engaged with us. But you are running on only six cylinders; I know you have eight. Come forward and lead us."

It was a more than a little unnerving, I'd been seen; I'd been found out. But not as a disappointment, not as a bad heart exposed. Rather it was my glory that had been seen. My gift needed to come forth.

I like what he wrote about that. That he had been discovered by someone else that he was playing it safe he was fearful of becoming a professional counselor because of fear. He needed to let his gift come forth. Are there things you feel that need to come forth and allow you to lead? Projects, talents that are burning inside you that you really feel you want to be doing. Fear holds us back. It may be the fear of others holding back your dreams. Fearful that they don't believe in you, that you can't do it. So you let those dreams or gifts melt away in your soul and they never come forth.

I like the phrase his counselor says in the book, "Come forward and lead us!" I was hesitant about doing this blog when my cousin John asked if I would do it. I didn't think anybody would want to read a bunch of blabber from me. But I jumped out of my fear and chose to write one and I lost my fear of being afraid of saying the wrong thing and maybe angering somebody. But I chose to not allow others to fear me away from this. I love it, and I think God's words that he writes through me have helped some and have maybe given a little light to those that were in darkness.

I have watched my daughter over the past couple of years and I can already predict her future being in God. She is bold in the things she says and has no fear of anybody. She is very nurturing to her little brother and just has so much love for her little friends at school. She is like me in many ways, I have really never met a stranger, I really have no fear of talking to anybody. But over the past few years I have really started to become a slight introvert. I really didn't think I had a lot in common with people. I kind of feared going to our Bible class party the other night, I just didn't feel I had anything to talk about with anybody. But that all changed when I decided to just walk through the door and let God take over. I had the best time and really had a lot in common with all of them. Shannon and I are just really blessed by our decision to attend College Church and glad we chose the class we did. These are great young people with a Godly desire to love, serve and help one another. Fear is our greatest enemy and Satan knows it's his best weapon. "Come Forth and Lead."

When It Rains It Pours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Christmas came early for me this year. Yesterday as we came back home from Little Rock and our garage door got hung up and would not open at all. So they guy is coming out to fix it today. That will be a nice bill!

Then as I was leaving for work my truck would not start. It must be the starter or the alternator. Another bill! So things seem to be going down hill for us, but I just didn't get mad about it. It's just part of life, and things happen.

Yet things are still great to me. I'm not going to be hampered down by things falling apart in life. God is good and God is great! If things feel like they are falling apart don't get down about them, just go with it and don't blame God for it. He gives good gifts not pain or sorrow. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Does It Feel Like it's Christmas? I'm Not Sure!

To me it just doesn't feel like Christmas. We've had some cold weather, I've sold Trees this year and we have bought all our presents already. I've been listening to Christmas music since November to put me in the mood. But I just don't feel it yet.

I think it's because we are not home in West Virginia this year, it seems so much more like the holidays there. Our house is fully decorated and there are all kinds of houses lit up this year, but I just can't get a hold of the idea that it is already here.

I remember when I was a kid and the time span between Thanksgiving and Christmas felt like an eternity. What happened to all that time? I am usually just a Christmas freak, and just love every minute of it. It just seems as you get older it kind of loses it's magic. I hope I never lose that sense of excitement for this time of the year.

I do believe this the greatest holiday of the year. There is just something about it that just fills us all with something great. I'm not quite as gift hungry as I used to be. About ten years ago all I wanted was my presents, but now I like to give more then receive. Everybody asks me what I want and I just have no answer for them. There is plenty I would like to have, but I just don't want to tell anybody and really feel like I don't need them. I think Shannon has a little to do with that. I will ask her what she wants and she just says don't waste your money. Well that is a trap for any man to fall in, because I just don't know what to do then. But I always find something for her. I had alot of things I was going to get her this year, but that fizzled out when she said, "I just bought my present off the Internet." What????????????

But don't worry I still got her some things.

I think this whole thing with the so called financial crisis has something to do with it. It put us in such a down and fearful mood, that it took the excitement out of the season. The way Walmart was here today I really don't see the crisis, at all. It's just crazy though, maybe it has taught us all a lesson about spending and consumption. I went down stairs tonight and gathered all the stuff together for the kids and just couldn't believe that we actually did spend less on them this year.

We always have went overboard on presents in the past and then in the fall we end up throwing away or giving away most of that stuff because it was never played with. So we just decided to get exactly what they wanted and not buy all the other junk they don't like. I'm glad we did!

I have found that over the years that giving is a great thing and I really enjoy it more than getting. I hope we all can learn to give more than to receive, but it is always nice to get something. Give the gift of God's love and see the results from giving it.

Very Cold Today In Arkansas

It is 15 degrees outside today the coldest it has been in Arkansas for quite some time. I love it! I don't like the heat here in the summer time, so I try to soak up as much cold as I can.

Happy 3rd Birthday Cayden, My Little Angel :)

I can't believe he is three today. Time is definitely flying. This is the sweetest boy ever, he has never been any trouble at all. He has no interest in toys like his older brother does. All he wants for Christmas this year is tools. Play tools of course. I have never seen a child go nuts when he sees tools. Not just play tools, but real tools also. I just can't explain where he gets his interests.

The only people I can think of that he might get his interests from tools is me, his Pappy, his great grandfather and his Uncle Bob. The last two mentioned both worked with tools. My Papaw was furniture repair guy and my Uncle Bob works in the woodworking business. As for me and his Pappy we just like tools, we just haven't found our skill with them yet.

Anyhow I am so thankful for this little boy, he is a wonderful and precious child. Happy Birthday, I love you!

Love, Is What Is Missing!

I don't think I ever heard one of my teachers say they loved their students. This is a thank you note from Brayden's teacher Mrs. Brown a very kind and loving lady and teacher. She loves her students and wants to fill their little spirits and hearts with the love of Christ.

This is what our public schools are missing. Teachers that care and really love their students. It doesn't exist it seems at all. If our public schools would allow Jesus to overtake their buildings things would be better. If we could give the liberal unions and the atheists a huge black eye and tell them to back off, our schools could have loving teachers like Ms. Brown to share her faith and love.

WE have allowed our evil foe to cancel God out of our school systems and allow all Hell to break loose in them. I'm thankful for the love that fills Harding Academy and I pray my children will take advantage of all that love. Thanks you Ms. Brown for your love for my son and all the others lives you have touched. Praise God for love!

My Story

Somebody showed this picture to me the other night, and I really was hoping I would see it for myself. Well we did, Shannon pointed it out to me as we left KJ's where we had lunch. Some people have way to much time on their hands.

Tonight I don't have anything really to write about, but I'm sure something will pop up soon. But I have been thinking about the upcoming holidays. It doesn't really feel like it should be here already, but it flies just the rest of time.

This time last year we were in a major bind. I had no job and my insurance career was on the flops. The only income we had was a Discover card and it was quickly building up. We're still paying off last Christmas, but have paid a lot of it off though. We were not sure if we could afford to go to West Virginia for Christmas, but I really had to get out of Arkansas, quickly. I was too the point of just feeling like I wasn't meant to be here and felt like running away and start over some where else.

Our trip home I just kept praying to our God to let 2008 be a new year, a fresh start. When we had gotten back into town things were the same. I continued to sell insurance but only a few policies and the money wasn't coming until a couple of months down the road. I just had no answers! I hounded Lowe's at least three times a week. It was not working, the person who was hiring was on vacation. Things were lousy, but I just kept faithful and hopeful and kept praying. I have never been in a bind like this ever in my life. Finally after three months into the new year, Lowe's finally called me for an interview. They finally hired me! It was only partime but at least it was something. I was so thankful to the Lord for not allowing the world to bury me. A few months later they promoted me to a full time assistant manager spot in the garden center. I'm so very thankful to this very day.

So when I hear somebody complain and start bashing the personnel about things I tell them my story. Some don't care and some do. But it's my story and my faithfulness that makes it so special. Many are there just for a pay check I'm there because God put me there. From November 2006 till March 2008 I went through a lot. It humbled me and made me pay attention to the world around me. This blog is inspired by my story, I feel like it is where God has led me to. I shall tell you what I learned from those two yucky years and now how awesome things are now and will be in the future. God didn't give me a high paying job he didn't make me rich with great things. He made me rich with his wisdom and his great love and mercy.

Many TV evangelist will tell you if you give this little bit you will come upon great wealth and material things. They lie by their definition of great wealth, their wealthy because people give to their shows. If you pray hard and believe in what you prayed for it will come to you. But it won't come the way you see it, it will come packaged the way God wants it. Open your eyes and see what God has given you and then you will know what you really have been given. Then you will see what's to come in the future.

I was an angered person at everything and especially my surroundings. I was hateful to the manager that let me go from my previous job of two years. I held on to that anger for a couple of months and then God hit me with a bombshell. My former manager found out she had breast cancer, so I let go and sent her a text message and told her I would be praying for her. I believed it released me completely from my bad disposition. Today she is a survivor and I found new faith in God.

Like the song says, "God moves in mysterious way." And He does everyday, He has a marketing team of angels always on the move. Seeking ways to keep us in his loving arms and out the evilness of Satan. So this year I haven't asked for anything just to keep my job, keep my faith growing and for this blog to reach every corner of this world. There are things I want and need, but there not important as reaching for God and his lost children. What do you wish for? Where are you in your spiritual faith? Are you hoping for a new year and a fresh start? I hope so Pray and humble yourself before God and look at what he has given you already and things will pan out, you just have to wait and believe. May God bless us all!

Santa Story

As I played Santa the other day at Lowe's I had some requests that were enormous. But I told the children that Santa could bring anything they wanted. Probably not a good idea. Either I cost the parents alot of money or there may be some very mad kids on Christmas day. I might wake up one morning to an angry mob of kids and parents with torches. LOL!

But I had a few that have stuck in my mind and really wished I could help them. One family had three children and weren't quite well dressed. The mother had asked me if I could pay the mortgage and then asked me if I could bring her some shoes that were warmer and didn't have holes in them. I wish I had their name and address I would give her ten pair of shoes that Macy has never worn, but the mortgage I could provide a little. They still are in my mind and I really wish I knew their names. But I failed and didn't ask. Maybe Santa will provide, I mean the Santa in heaven the real one. God, the giver of all things.

Me As Santa

Me as Santa at Lowe's today.

Me and the kids, they knew it was me.

I am showing the kids how Santa deals with really bad children. I put this one in a half nelson.

Me and my friend Nate.

O' Come Let Us Adore Him

Tis the season where the world adores the baby Jesus. For some this may be the first time they have been to church in a year or more, just because they feel this is the only time to think of Christ.

Many just go to Church because that is how they were raised. They only adore the Christ 2 times a year Christmas and Easter. This way they can put aside their guilt and go adore the Savior of the world. It doesn't make sense to me to only think of Jesus 2 times a year.

I remember growing in a neighborhood of Catholics and they'd tease me because I had to go to Church 3 times a week. Little did they know how those three times made me a better man, a better father, and a better husband. Church has made me a faithful person with little worries about life. I have an answer to everything that goes on in my life. A reason for waking up in the morning and know that each day has been created for me and every other Christian who calls upon our Lord. Each day is a gift not a burden. Every day I come to a new day and adore our Savior, not twice a year.

I do not celebrate Christmas as the official day of the birth of Christ but I am thankful that in the crazy world we live in that a day still exists to adore him and remember his birth. How do you spend your Christmas? Do you spend it in anger because we think other churches are celebrating it as the official day of his birth or do you celebrate it as a day we have set aside to remember our Saviors birth. Nobody knows when Jesus was born or what exact day he died because the Bible does not say. But I believe many of us are guilty of only thinking of his birth during this time of the year. I know I am! I probably haven't really thought about the birth of Christ since this time last year when I blogged about it. So I am guilty but thankful though, for if this time of year did not exist the birth of Christ would probably never run across my mind at all.

Free your minds and remember his birth and try to remember it every day if possible. Come let us adore him.

Loving The Elderly

I often think about those in the nursing homes and pray for them. I pray for their well being and hope that they get the best care. The cub scouts that Brayden joined a few weeks ago went to the nursing home here in Searcy and sang Christmas carols to the patients there. I didn't realize how much they would enjoy it. Many of them strolled in there wheelchairs to the nurses desk and listened to the very good young voices.

It hit me last night how lonely and homesick people are in a nursing home. How a little child's beauty can fill an empty void in their lives. We paused for a few minutes and greeted the older women and men and they were so kind and so much wanted to see youth. Many know there time on earth is coming to a close because of age and sickness. But yet they long for attention, and to see children in their presence makes them feel great and wanted.

The nurse pushed out an elderly lady who looked very frail and not very attentive and Cayden walked up to her and touched her hand and she came alive. It was all she could do to reach over and touch his head and face and she said with a small voice Merry Christmas. God is alive! Tears came to my eyes because I love senior citizens and wonder about their life and what they could tell me about it. I often think of nursing homes as a final resting place of the forgotten and old. I often get angry when children take their parents to the home and run off and forget them because they have their own lives. They have a life because of them, they brought them into existence and now they feel they should leave them be. Not right at all!

The nursing home felt warmth last night because of a handful of Christians came to give them their love. I was very pleased his den did that last night and it gave hope to many who felt they had none left. Let's not forget the elderly this Christmas!

The Sunrise I Saw Today

This is the Christmas set up in Brayden's room this year. Pretty neat! Yet kind of scary with the red lights. He likes it though.

As you know the job loss report came out last week and 533,000 people lost their jobs right before Christmas time. I feel for them, I lost my job at Cingular in 2006 right before Christmas and it is no fun. What a stressful time!!!!!!!!!!!

I will have to say I was amazed by the outstanding come back of the Steelers last night. They played pretty bad until the final 2 minutes of the game to beat the Dallas Cowboys 20 - 13. One the best 4th quarters of Steelers football I had seen in a long time. If you are a Steeler fan we know them all to well. They don't blow out anybody and they will always keep you on the edge of your seat and wear your arm out from swinging the Terrible Towel. Steeler Nation rules!!!!!!

As I woke up this morning I laid on the couch and decided since my throat was sore and I am just exhausted I took one of my sick days. But, as I laid there I witnessed God's beauty. This sunrise was one of the most glorious I have ever seen. The picture doesn't even come close to the real thing though. It just amazes me how an atheist can look at something like this and not believe in a creator. How ignorant! God, I stand in Awe! Have a good day!

Juiced, Finally!

I have thought about the Juice most of the day. I sat there today watching him get sentenced, and of course Shannon and I had our cruel remarks toward him. We both said he was finally getting what he deserved. Then as I thought more about it I'm no better than OJ.

The poor man may have killed his ex-wife and her boyfriend and got away with it, and looked real guilty as he was acquitted. But again there still is that thought maybe he didn't. But this time it was all on video tape and the evidence was clear that he did something wrong. I wonder what has happened with this man? Why has he become so angry over the years? The answer is Satan himself. Satan did all this to him, he caused the anger and the arrogance in this once beloved football player and former actor.

When we do something wrong it's not us behind it, it is Satan. The devil is behind everything that is evil. Satan forged out Hitler's hate and made him one of the most evil men of all time. Satan made Charles Manson crazy and evil. Satan put the ideas behind Jefferey Dahmer to kill and eat all those people. And Satan made the Pharisees kill our King.

I have been reading a book by John Eldridge and it talks about desire in us humans. Our desire can be used for good or evil. Some people have the desire to help others and make themselves to be better. Others follow their evil desires and thrive on them to do evil and harm others to feel satisfaction. Desire is in all of us and sometimes we use it for the wrong reasons. OJ wanted his stuff back so he desired it so much that he did what he did and felt satisfaction in what he did. Now he must feel the wrath of his desire.

Even though I feel good that OJ is behind bars and contained I still feel bad that his legacy has fallen and because of his desire for anger to find satisfaction, he still is one of God creations. It's hard for us to see that point of view, but we all need to look at today and see if we lived a perfect life. Of course we didn't, so how can we condemn OJ and not forgive him when we ourselves in God's eyes are just as guilty as him. A SIN IS A SIN in His eyes. WOW, isn't life just not fair. Trust me one day it will be fair! But only when we can see the way God sees it!

Black Friday Needs To Go!

After hearing about the Walmart employee who died last (Black) Friday, is ridiculous! It's just stupid for stores to cause so much mayhem so people can be the first to get something for a cheap price. I hope that they got all the names of the people in front of that crowd and charge them with murder. Because that is what they did. Walmart will be sued I'm sure and they should be.

Our Walmart here is Searcy had an incident where two women got into a fist fight over bed sheets. How stupid is that. I had to be at Lowe's at 7 that morning to see all the excited bargain shoppers. It wasn't too bad that morning, but our Walmart was packed. I know you are saying I am a party pooper, but people need to realize the safety of others and not be like wild animals so they can save few dollars. Enough said!

Another Video, This One is For Fathers!

This is my third and final post of the night. It's 1 am cst here and I am tired, but I just thought we young fathers needed to see this video. Especially me! So please watch it,it will make you cry a little but very enlightening. Again, click on the green arrow in the title box. Thanks for reading and watching. - Clint

Awesome Video For All Christians To Watch!

I just linked this video that I just found on Godtube.com. Watch it, it's really good. Just click the green arrow box next to the title.

Christian Giving At Christmas

These three bears represent my children every year when I put up the Christmas tree. Always in the way, climbing on the step ladder and wanting to put the ornaments on before there are any lights on the tree.

But their idea of putting out the Christmas stuff is very hectic. My goal is to do one thing at a time and accomplish it first. That is just the way I am, if I start something I want to complete it before I start another project. Well they don't see it that way. They want me at the same time to decorate their rooms while I am leaning over a nine foot tree trying to put the last of the lights on the top. You gotta love them though. They are lucky they have parents who will go out of their way to make every holiday special.

Many children don't have such love like that, they have been abandoned, given up by an ignorant set of adults who only cared about themselves. Every Christmas was a blessing for me and my sister. The house was always decorated to the very best by a Mom that adored Christmas and loved her children very much. Going out of her way to be the best parent any child would die to have. Making the greatest holiday the best day of the year. Even when they didn't have much money to spend they broke the bank to give us what we wanted. We didn't need all that stuff, but it has made me bring such memories to share with my own children.

I have been writing a lot about giving to those children who don't have parents to do such wonderful things. Or children who don't have parents with much money to buy presents. That's where God's children step in and do. We will give what we can to those children who don't have what we have. If there are name tags left on the angel tree and you feel urged to take it, then take it. That urge is God pushing you to do good, to bless a child and give them the hope that someone does care and believes in helping. Santa doesn't really exist, but through kind and giving Christians he really does.

Matthew 25: 35-40 I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me'.

Then the good people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink?' When did we see you alone and away from home, and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?'

Then the King will answer, 'I tell you the truth, anything you did for the least of my people here, you did for me.' - Amen!

Time With My Little Cub Scout!

I have enjoyed every Monday night with Brayden over the past month. He decided to join the cub scouts the Harding Academy den. He has really enjoyed and so have I. I like doing things with him that I didn't do when I was a kid. I did a lot of things when I was little. Brayden and I are surely two different people when it comes to childhood activities. I thought since I loved sports as much as I do he would also. He doesn't really like sports very much.

Recently he has been wanting to throw the football and he does it very well. But I just don't think that will be his direction in life, where it is my addiction. We really have been trying to accomplish a lot of things in his book to get his patches. It's really been quite fun. It's good father/son time.

Fathers today don't spend very much time with their kids anymore. Why is that? I'm sure work has a lot to do with it then some Fathers want peaceful time to themselves. I sometimes wish we had more time together though. I recently have noticed that he follows me around the house a lot wanting my attention. It makes me sad sometimes that I think he really is not getting enough attention from me. It's tough to balance enough time with three children around. With Cayden turning 3 this month it's been a lot easier to have more time with all three. But I have come to see how much our children depend on us not only for their physical needs but for their nurturing needs. There is a great need for us as parents as we need to be filling our children with our love, God and time with each other.

I think about some children who have really had no relationship at all with their father. I don't know what life wold be like to not have a good and loving relationship with my Dad. My Dad called me not to long ago which is rare for him to call. I am usually the one who calls up there, but I think he just wanted to talk to me. I didn't have any time to talk because the kids were screaming and being loud. But I called back a couple days later and we talked about an hour. It was great to talk and share some time with him.

Fathers spend your time with your children and give the nurturing and love they need. I know we are all tired when we get home from work and need our space. But we'll all regret it when they grow and move away and leave the nest, and really want that time back to spend with them. May we love our children as God loves His.