A "Rags To Riches" Goes Bust

If you are a regular reader of "His Ways and My Thoughts" you know that on occassion I like to publish a "Rags To Riches" story. (Random Acts of Generous Service) Several of you have admitted that you have wanted to attempt such an act of generosity, but have had a hard time recognizing the opportunity. Well, I thought I would include this "RAGS" story just to show you that given the opportunity it doesn't always go the way you planned. This was sent to me from a member of DBBC.

"Today, I went to lunch with a friend from work. It was raining when we left the office, so we both had umbrellas with us. He was driving through a rough part of town and, as we neared the restaurant, we saw an older lady sitting beside the street, in the rain, in her power wheelchair. We both commented on how pitiful her situation was. I asked my friend to stop so I could talk to the lady and offer her my umbrella. He reminded me that we were in a dangerous part of town. I told him it would be okay and I reached back to get my umbrella as I got out of the car. As soon as she saw me getting out of the car, she put that wheelchair into high and got out of there.
We both had a good laugh about her reaction to us stopping to talk to her. While WE felt we were the ones in a dangerous situation, she apparently perceived that we were somehow dangerous."

This lends new meaning to "the one that got away" story. Keep looking for those God ordained chances to be a blessing to someone less fortunate. And keep sending them my way. Even the ones that don't work out the way you planned.
In His Shadow,
Pastor Ken

Toe To Toe With Saint Nick

It’s getting near that day again. You know, December 25th, Christmas is a month and a week away. It has already begun; the battle between the secular and the sacred; the grudge match between baby Jesus and the jolly old elf. So as a Baptist preacher you would expect me to charge the center of the ring and throw an uppercut for the sacred right into the old boy’s rosy red cheeks. Well, you would be wrong. I have no animosity toward Santa. I used to read “The Night Before Christmas” to the boys when they were little. I still watch “Rudolph” and “Frosty the Snowman” during December or I feel like I been deprived of a little holiday joy. The most treasured memory I have of Christmas was the wreath that was hung on my bedroom window as a boy. It was about 8 inches across and made of red cellophane. In the center was a plastic Santa face that burned bright with an old Christmas bulb. I look in vain through boxes and shelves of antique stores and flea markets every year for this elusive holiday decoration, but always to no avail. Even EBay has let me down. So you see I have no problem with Santa playing a distant second fiddle to the real meaning of Christmas. My mom used to encourage me to “be good” or I might get stiffed at Christmas. Although I never got much, I figured it was commensurate with my less than perfect behavior. I never confused Santa with the birth of Jesus. I never forgot that the real center of the holiday was in Bethlehem not the North Pole. While in the back of my mind I often doubted Santa’s one night whirlwind tour of the globe, I never doubted that Jesus was willing to leave the throne room of heaven for a manger full of hay. So no, I’ll not be battling the big guy the season intended to foster peace and good will toward men.
I will, however, take on the big box stores. What right have they to take the name of Christ from Christmas? I have been watching with horror as the news has reported stores that have exchanged “Merry Christmas” for “Happy Holidays”. Are you kidding me? It is not a holiday tree, it’s a Christmas tree! I won’t accept a holiday present under my Christmas tree. Only Christmas presents please. I’m not going out of my way to offend anyone, but if I greet you during this time of year it will be with “Merry Christmas”. As a matter of fact, I have a plan. I am making a list and checking it twice and I’m going to find out what stores have been naughty or nice. In other words, I am going to find out exactly what stores are prohibited from using Christmas in their advertising or allowing their sales force to say Merry Christmas. Then I am going to make sure that no member of my family spends any money in their establishments all Christmas shopping season long. However, I am going to visit them. I want to personally wish each person I meet with a “Happy Holidays” name tag and wish them a Merry Christmas. Then I’m going to tell them that my Christmas green cash is going to visit Wal-Mart who learned their lesson last year. After a year of poor “happy holiday” sales they have decided to return to Christmas this year. The spirit of "unhappy stockholders yet to come" must have visited the CEO.
This year, as a believer in the Christ of Christmas, stand your ground. Patronize merchants who aren’t afraid to be politically incorrect. Greet people you meet with a smile and a Merry Christmas. Let’s take back this holy time of year. Don’t give Santa the boot just give Jesus first place in your life and the life of your family. And in the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us everyone!”

Standing ‘neath the mistletoe,
Pastor Ken