I think it’s good to have your kids have a regular routine of chores. It teaches them responsibility and consequences.

If they’re old enough to cook and it’s their night to cook dinner, everyone is counting on them.

The men and women who serve in the armed forces have a duty to our country. Most will look at it as an opportunity to serve.

As a Christian, we need to be living by God’s standards. We shouldn’t feel like it’s just a duty, but an opportunity.

There are so many opportunities to serve, to live as Jesus lived, while He was here on earth.

Everyone seems so busy these days. Their calendars are booked several weeks or months ahead.

Start penciling in visits to nursing homes, find out when your local mission feed the homeless. Offer baby-sitting services to single moms who can’t afford it.

It is our duty as Christians to live and love as Jesus does.

I look at it as opportunities to show others love, with no conditions.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

If you could re-live one Christmas, which would it be? I think for me, I would want to redo a Christmas when my dad was alive. I honestly can’t remember a Christmas with him.

I know I can’t get that Christmas back, but I do know that I’ll see him again some day.

So many people have wished for so many things in the last few days. Kids are wishing for that perfect gift that they’ve been wanting for a while. Adults may be wishing for that new car, or house they’ve been wanting. And then, there’s others, who just wish for something to eat this Christmas.

I don’t care where you live, you can’t ignore that there is hunger in this world we live in. It doesn’t take a scholar to see the people in your city who have very little, whether it’s Christmas or not.

I was a part of feeding the homeless recently and received so much more than what I gave. I gave an afternoon of my time to serve others. There were heartbreaking moments and moments of joy. These people may not have much, but a smile is worth so much. I saw some bow their heads in prayer before eating, thankful for the meal they were eating.

Serving others less fortunate, in whatever capacity keeps me where I need to be. The compassion I feel for these people and the people in Peru keeps me going, keeps me doing what I’m doing. It’s all for the kingdom.

I wish there was no hunger in the world, no wars, no crime. But, that’s not reality. While we’re here on this earth, all of this is possible.

But, we can be the change the world needs. Serve others, give your time and money to those in need.

My biggest wish is for peace and joy to everyone. My wish has come true do me. I’m at peace and I have joy, in the midst of the chaos of the world.

How about you? What’s your wish?

John 15:7 - “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

A sheep is a mammal, typically used as livestock.

Fun fact: sheep have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of hearing.

Because of this fact, most consider the sheep as dumb animals.

I’ve heard stories of them leaving their flock and walking off a cliff, or walking into a den of wolves.

But, they know their master’s voice. They hear the shepherd calling and they immediately go to where he is.

This same scenario is related to Christians. Without a shepherd, those sheep would be as good as dead. We are all like sheep, waiting to be slaughtered, to be taken out by Satan. But if we know our shepherd’s (Jesus) voice, we can avoid danger in our lives.

Unless you give your life to Christ, you’re open game for the devil.

Matthew 9:36 - “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus explains in the verse above that we’re all like sheep, helpless and harassed.

The good news is there is a shepherd that can help you, that can protect you from the snares of Satan.

Jesus!

Satan’s waiting and watching you get restless, leave the flock. The devil can ensnare us and God will even allow it at times. But, know this: Satan can’t take your life.

Stick to the good shepherd. He knows my name. When He speaks, I move. When He leads, I follow.

Don’t be a dumb sheep. Give your life to Jesus today.

Luke 15:4-7 - “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

I do love the seasons of Kentucky. Even though the climate is ever changing, there’s nothing like an early summer rain. It usually starts as a fine mist, building into a soft rain, maybe with a slight glimpse of the sun. But when the day heats up and the winds roar, you can see the storm on the horizon. You know it’s coming, but rest in the calm before the storm.

Then, all of a sudden, the crack of thunder awakens your senses. The atmosphere has changed and you settle into the storm’s fury.

Sin can be analogous to storms. Sin can start out being a passive habit. It’s not hurting anyone and you get comfortable in the pace.

Sin sneaks up on you. The habit consumes your day; that’s all you can think about, then bam!

What started as a small blameless concept has blossomed into a full-blown act against God.

God will start to convict you; causing you to question your motives.

You can circumvent the storms in your life, if you will put your faith and trust in God. God may not be able to stop the storm, but He does promise to give you shelter during it.

Rest in the rainy seasons of life.

God is good; a shelter in the storm.

Matthew 8:26 - “He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

Have you ever pursued someone that didn’t pursue you? You just knew that if this person got to know you that they would love you. You kept it up, day after day, trying different methods, to no avail.

I imagine this is how God feels when He’s pursuing us. He tries to get our attention, but we ignore Him. We think we’re just fine on our own. You get in this self-perpetual bubble that puts you into seclusion.

I spent many years running from God - telling myself that I was fine on my own. Things would happen in my life that I didn’t understand. People would come and go like the seasons.

Until one season when God did something miraculous. I didn’t understand it; my family thought I was crazy. God took me from my home, and put me right in the middle of the United States. He got my attention. That’s when my life started turning around, for the better.

I started going to church again. I started seeing my life through a new lens. I was as close to God as I had ever been.

I thank God for never giving up on me; for pursuing me, when I didn’t want to be pursued.

God is my life. I live and breathe with His name on my lips.

I keep pursuing God and yearn to be even closer than I am today.

Zephaniah 3:17 - “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Attitude is everything. If you meet someone who is unkind or rude, you realize quickly they have a bad attitude. You may not know why they’re angry but their attitude speaks volumes.

Attitudes are often changed by circumstances. You get into a fender/bender on the way to work and your whole day is ruined. Your child has a temper tantrum at breakfast and throws orange juice in your face (this actually happened to me…lol).

I was the worst at letting my circumstances dictate my persona and the way I treated others.

God started convicting me of this and I’m glad He corrects His children when they’re out of line.

I look at circumstances in a whole new way now. When something happens that I don’t understand, my first instinct is to get angry and say, “why me?” But, God makes me realize that His plans for me are for every day and nothing happens that He hasn’t already foreseen. This gives me comfort. This tells Him I trust whatever is happening in my life.

I hope others see me as a genuine caring person.

You have a choice with your attitude each day. It’s one of your most valuable assets. Keep a positive attitude!

Philippians 4:8-9 - “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

There are billions of dollars spent on gift cards each year during the holiday season. I have mixed emotions about gift cards. I do like to receive them, because they are usually to a good restaurant I like, or to my favorite ice cream shop.

In a way, gift cards are a way of saying, “I’d like to get you a gift, but will give you the money instead so you can get what you want.

I’m also conflicted this time of year about gifts. I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to buy me a gift just because it’s Christmas. I would rather watch the grandkids opening their gifts; that brings me joy.

No one can top the greatest gift I’ve ever received, the gift of life. When I gave my life to Christ at 16 years old, my life changed forever.

I no longer desire the things of this world; they just don’t satisfy me.

I’m praying this Christmas that my family and friends and many that are reading this, are blessed, and if you don’t know of the greatest gift of all (eternal life), that you’ll receive it this year.

Gifts are free; you don’t have to pay for a gift.

Accept the gift of eternal life - Jesus, He paid it all for each of us; His gift to you.

Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I can remember when my daughter was younger and wanted a guinea pig as a pet. I can’t remember how long we had it, but I can remember her wanting to carry it around. Most kids like to carry their new puppy or kitten around like it was a baby.

Isn’t this the way we treat anger at times? We carry it around like a baby kitten, stewing about how someone wronged us or angry that we didn’t get the job we wanted or the promotion we deserved. Anger can eat at your insides, making you physically sick at times.

When you’re hurt and hang onto resentment or betrayal, you’ll find yourself mad at God. How could God let this happen to me? Why me? Being angry isn’t a sin, but being controlled by it is. God may allow things to alter your course, make you upset, but know this: God is there, amongst all the pain and hurt.

I’ve found out that the best thing to do in these situations is to not carry around this anger all day, but give it to God. Pray for the other person that hurt you. Most times they don’t realize they did hurt you, or even care that it upset you.

It’s okay to be angry about something that hurt you, but don’t dwell on it. It’s circumstances, history that we can’t control now or in the future.

Satan wants us to dwell on the hurt. He wants you to get even with the other person. This only shows them that you’re just like them, and no different than the average person.

Let the anger go. Don’t hold onto it. It will only make you bitter and resentful.

James 1:19-20 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”