Archive for December, 2008
Christmas Wrap-Up (or Unwrapping!)…
December 31st, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
I guess these photos show more of an unwrapping than a “wrap-up”, but this was Christmas morning at our house…
These certainly aren’t the greatest photos we’ve ever taken, but hey… our house was busy to say the least. The kids obviously had a blast!
It’s the End…
December 30th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » In the News..., Just For Fun...
For some reason, after I read this article, I can’t help but get a certain R.E.M. song out of my head…
It’s the end of the world as we know it.
It’s the end of the world as we know it.
It’s the end of the world as we know it…
And I feel fine.
Yes, you read it here (er, there), folks… the United States will cease to exist as a nation in 2010.
Gotta love the new map. Missouri will be part of Canada!
Better start working on my accent, eh?
Jesus… the Perfect Gift
December 25th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies
Today is Christmas. As we celebrate the holiday with presents, family gatherings, food, and many other things, don’t forget the reason we do all of this… Jesus.
Without Him, Christmas wouldn’t exist. Without Him, it would be devoid of any real meaning. Without Him… so are we.
As you reflect on the birth of our Savior, allow thoughts of the scene to float through your mind… baby Jesus, sleeping peacefully in a manger, being cuddled by His mother Mary, or cooing at His earthly dad Joseph… or perhaps the smile of the Christ-child as strange-looking magi from the east arrive bearing precious gifts.
As you think about all of this, don’t allow yourself to forget that this same child, this same Jesus… He took nails in his palms because of us. Because we needed forgiveness for our sins. Because atonement could only be granted through a perfect sacrifice. Because we needed a Savior. Because God so loved the world.
Because Jesus so loved us.
He is our perfect Christmas gift.
May you have a wonderful Christmas, and may the reality of Christ’s birth affect your life in a profound way.
The Stage is Set…
December 24th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
Santa Claus has made his appearance at the Stickley household, and the stage is now set for the kids to wake up at some amazingly early time tomorrow morning to tear into presents.
I can’t wait to see the joy on their faces!
Javier’s Christmas Wish
December 24th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » In the News..., Worth Reading
ESPN has been a treasure trove of touching stories the past couple days.
Here’s another one, where Don Barone shares his experience in taking a 12-year-old boy named Javier fishing: “Christmas for Javier”.
Now most of us have a wish-list for Christmas… we want a new gadget, some new clothes, maybe some tools or toys of some sort. Our lists are shallow and short-sighted in light of Javi’s Christmas wish.
Why?
All he wants for Christmas is a family.
You’ll want to read this story. Check it out here.
Hope… at a Football Game
December 23rd, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » God at Work, In the News..., Worth Reading
This is one of the most awesome sports stories I’ve ever read: “Outpouring of Faith” (chronicling this year’s Gainesville State / Grapevine Faith high school football matchup in Texas). God was clearly working in the middle of this game.
Check it out when you get a chance. It’s DEFINITELY worth the time to read.
Oh, and one other thing… you may need a kleenex.
Nativity Stories… Kid Style
December 13th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Just For Fun..., My Life / Family, Pictures
You know the nativity story… the virgin birth of Christ, in a manger (no room at the inn), angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus, shepherds coming to worship him, the magi coming to visit, King Herod wanting to kill the newborn Jesus, the escape to Egypt. Well, for my kids, the story apparently isn’t rich enough already.
I shared a post a couple weeks back entitled, “Who is This Guy?”, recounting Jenna’s telling of the story (apparently King Herod not only wanted to find and kill baby Jesus, he wanted to EAT him as well)… well, the story has grown even more now, thanks to my son Jeffrey.
Apparently, when Mary and Joseph heard of King Herod and his baby-eating ways, they took baby Jesus and the animals to Egypt to escape. Via Jeep.
Check it out…
