One of my favorite things to do in my home decorating is to "shop" my own house. As I perused around the place, my eyes landed on an almost forgotten little end table that is in our sitting room. What in the world was in that little cabinet? I hadn't opened it in years! So I went to investigate. What I unearthed occupied the rest of my evening because this cabinet had apparently been moved here twenty-two years ago and basically forgotten.

Christmas spirit. You hear it talked about a lot this time of year, but what exactly do we mean?

I learned something recently. Leprosy, although extremely rare, still exists and is now better known as Hansen's disease in the medical field. It is easily cured with a series of antibiotics and 95% of the population is naturally immune to it. So I don't think we need to be concerned.

God is not to be thought of as a genie in a magic lamp that, if I have enough faith, will grant my every wish. And although some preach the power of positive thinking as the key to getting what we want, that seems to put more faith in our own will than in God's. This "positive thinking" kind of prayer seems to me as meaningless as saying you will send someone "positive vibes". (I've never understood what that was supposed to do.) It's almost an understatement to acknowledge that there have been times when, despite the fervent prayers of many very devoted and faithful followers, the answers did not…

You may be a fellow retiree or perhaps it is still far off, but it will quickly approach. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, be sure to firmly identify yourself as a child of God first and foremost. That will never change and your job description is permanent.

The other day I was driving into our neighborhood and a squirrel shot across the road in front of me. Now this particular squirrel was quick and spasmodic in his movement as most squirrels are, but also pretty flighty. He was completely beside himself in an attempt to decide which way to go. He darted back and forth probably half a dozen times within a two to three foot area just ahead of my approaching tires.

Finishing up my gardening that day, I was reminded of the fact that my heart has sometimes been rocky or thorny soil. It's a daily pursuit to maintain a soft heart that is receptive to the Holy Spirit.