# 38 Joy to the World

This IS the reason for the season! In a time when we seem to have started the Christmas season even before thanksgiving is over, take time this week and remember that Christmas is the birth of our Lord. My prayer for all of you is is a Merry Christmas in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
May you always walk with him living in your heart.


Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa 

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

# 37 Weakness

As we grow older it becomes very apparent that several things that were not a chore a few years ago have become...well more difficult. Many of us have had medical operations that may have altered the original organization of things. Hips, knees, and backs seem to take a little longer to "spring" into action. With this weakness we are reminded to slow down and depend on others at times. Also time to slow down and reflect on our faith and Gods presence in our lives.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
George Washington Carver 

2 Corinthians 12
I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

# 36 Age

Age is just a number. I have the luxury of  being able see what I can become by watching my older brothers. Sixty looked like the end of the road when you were 20! Now that I am in my 50's seventy doesn't look so bad. A few things I have observed will keep you young:
Stay busy     Take care of your health     Enjoy your family every day     Keep learning

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.
Victor Hugo 

Proverbs 20: 16
29 The glory of youths is their strength,
    but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.

# 35 Work

Work provides dignity. We all like to think that we matter in some small way in the world. By working we can measure our contributions to society. I think it is a shame that so many people today are able to work but choose to let someone else take care of them. It is healthy to be productive and complete even a small project. I am pretty sure I will never retire. I may quit working at my present job someday

 but I will continue to work at something...Blogger? Winemaker? Photographer? Speaker?

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas A. Edison 

Proverbs 16: 2-3
2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.