During the Christmas holidays, you get a chance to be with family a little bit more...I really enjoyed being with my family over the past few days and am looking forward to visting Jeanine's family in Ga next week (I am also looking forward to the cold weather... hopefully see some snow somewhere up there!).
Which leads me to other things to be grateful for... I was reminded today that Jesus is not the reason for the season, He is the reason for LIFE! I am thankful that we have a relationship with God through the saving work of His Son in our world...and I am thankful that He has allowed me to follow Him!
(Here is where the post gets really long!) I came across an email that I was sent around Thanksgiving day that has to do with being grateful... supposedly, it was written by Jay Leno, but the point is bigger then who wrote it... here it is...
"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some
poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source,
right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with
the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is
unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the
citizenry just isn't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so
unhappy about?''
the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is
unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the
citizenry just isn't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so
unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer
and heating in the winter?
a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer
and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and
see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from
around the world is just not good enough.
see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from
around the world is just not good enough.
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move
through each state?
Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move
through each state?
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You
may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group
of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment
to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a
burglar or prowler or intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest
will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group
of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment
to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a
burglar or prowler or intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest
will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias
raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of
teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we
enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of
teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we
enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the
world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain
for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in
the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what
we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the
world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain
for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in
the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what
we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has
no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval
rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark
days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of
recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in
the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe
from terrorist attacks?
no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval
rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark
days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of
recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in
the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe
from terrorist attacks?
The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there
defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk
show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take
a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.
defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk
show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take
a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general''
discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case
scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off
the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your
bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is
exponentially more good than bad.
discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case
scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off
the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your
bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is
exponentially more good than bad.
We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God
several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative."
Jay Leno
several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative."
Jay Leno
2007
