It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, it's Christmas time and the world is buzzing with all kinds of sounds and activities and meetings and rehearsals and deadlines parties and shopping trips and visa bills and schedules and....aaarrrgghh!

Amidst the hustle and bustle, don't let the busy-ness of the season keep you from enjoying "the season." Take a break, stop and smell the freshly cut Christmas trees and sing your favorite Christmas song (some of you need to sing that song by yourselves in your car with the windows rolled, but sing it nonetheless!).

God has given us a wonderful gift - His son! Celebrate His coming to earth this year. Don't get caught up in the gifts and stuff and miss Him!

hey!

I haven't done much blogging lately so I thought I'd throw some thoughts down. Here goes: Read Steve's blog!

Priorities Wake Up Call

God has a way of helping us put things into perspective. Sometimes it comes in the front door and other times through the window. Today my came through an email and a blog. Terry Morris, a high school friend, fellow pastor and father of 12 (that's right, 12) lost one of his beautiful children. After battling illness, Joel went home to be with Jesus. I haven't connected with Terry and Cindy for years, probably 15 at least but my heart still hurts for them. Please pray for them as they deal with this tremendous loss.

As I said earlier God has a way of helping us reassess our priorities. What's important? What really matters? After reading Terry's blog, all of my trivial life issues became very small and insignificant.

My trip to the dentist and how to take care of the bill - not that big a deal.

My son's car possibly needs to be replaced - pales in comparison.

The cold weather in North Jersey - who really cares.

Later today, as my wife, Wendy heads out of town for the weekend and I kiss her goodbye, I will remember how short our lives really are and I will cherish that moment and that kiss more than ever before because as far as I know it could be our last. When I meet my son to take his car to the repair shop I will look at our time together with new appreciation and relish the moments rather than take them and him for granted. This evening when I pick up my daughter from basketball practice, I will take notice of her face and her smile and laugh and realize how precious she is to me.

Terry, I love you man. My heart breaks for you and Cindy and your children. Your loss is Heaven's gain! Your situation is God's tool in my life.

Wake up, Warren! Time is fleeting. What's really important?

The Blogosphere has been warned!

Well blogosphere, here I am! This is your first and last warning. From this point on there will be no stopping me. A blogging force with which to be reckoned and I mean it!

Nah, just kidding. I'm only blogging because of peer pressure. Two of my good friends and fellow ministry mates now have blogs. Well not to be outdone, I have one too. I know it sounds petty but hey, I'm a competitive person. Ask my kids. They've played enough board games with me to know (sorry kids - I'll pay for the counseling sessions).

Here's the nitty-gritty, the 411, the down-low (I'm so hip it's frightening). My blogs for the most part will not be epics that challenge civilization to greater heights. They will be more along the lines of whatever rattles through my middle aged mind and an occasional current event or personal happening (Isn't that really all blogging is anyway?) mostly bloviation. BUT, there may be an occsaional eyebrow-raising thought, a controversial subject matter or feisty exchange (global warming comes to mind). For the most part it'll just be some blogalicious fun in cyberspace.

So, if you want something unimportant to read or you have some time to kill or would like to engage in some lively or not-so-lively banter, sign on and enjoy.

Blogoshpere you are now put on notice - or not.