This world

Those less fortunate struggle to survive.

It doesn't matter where you lie.

From one end of the planet to the other.

If you don't have money, you don't matter.

This world is upside down, no one cares.

It's not about who you are.

It's about what you wear.

Designer clothes and fast cars.

Lots of money makes who you are.

Don't get sick, contract some disease.

You'll die for sure, unless you have the green.

Something seems wrong, it's not the way it should be.

Where's the compassion, the mercy, for you and me.

He came as a poor infant.

He died on a tree.

It won't be long now, He's coming for thee.

He's setting things right, as they should be.

The first will be last and the last shall be free.

The beginning of the fall of Materialism

For as long as we have been together, "black Friday" as meant joy and excitement for one, pain and contempt for the other. You guess which one is which.

This "black Friday" however is different. How you may ask. The alarm didn't go off at 4 am as has been the norm, but it did not come without pain.

I watch and mourned as my wife struggled with the onset of this shopping season. You see we have no money. None that can be spent at least not to the extravagance it has been in the past and after completing a study in how God wants us to steward the finance He has blessed us with, we couldn't, with a clear conscience, simply charge the impending exchange of gifts either. As, she cried and struggle with her desire to shop, I could do nothing but hold her and try to enter into the pain she was and is feeling.

Is this the beginning of the fall of materialism in our lives? I don't know, but it is both a sad and joyous time. It is different from years past, we desperately want to honor God more than we want to honor Macy's, Walmart, or Target. That's certainly different.

I am both thankful and awe struck at how God can move in the hearts of men and women. There is definitely Hope for the future found in Him.

Richard.

Confession and Prayer

How strange, yet how wonderful this life You have brought me into. In the middle of confusion and disarray there is a peace, a contentment that I can not fully explain. I feel confident and so sure of You as life spins out of control. I am so very grateful that You are in control and have afforded me the faith to rest in Your arms as this fallen world crumble around me. By Your hand and Your design this faith comes alive, while I can see no chance of life maintaining it's present coarse.

I have been struggling to resurrect a dead marriage, to lead my wife and family by Your example, only to discovery that I can't. I have been relying on my own strength and my own will to re-direct this life You have brought me into. I couldn't revive my own life, I don't know why I would think that I could revive my family life. I was dead, had no life in me, had never lived at all, yet You have taken this rotting corpse and breathed new life into it. I should know better.

I'm turning to you. I'm way in over my head. Every day I should realize more than the day before my need for You, my Savior. Take this broken, dead marriage and make it what You you will, by Your Will. I've trusted you, I'm trusting you. You are the only One.

Teach me to pray, to follow Your lead, to rest in Your arms, to do Your Will. Lord, I'm weak, and wounded, and defiled my sin. You are my only hope. Thank You for all You have given me so far, if there is no more I am already the luckiest man that every walk this earth.