Echoes From the Campfire

Me, I’ve never seen that years made a man smart, for simply getting older doesn’t mean much unless a man learns something meanwhile.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)

“And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
–Romans 5:4 (NLT)
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Greed, get it while you can and by any means you can, seems to be the creed of the day. Christmas is the season for giving and yet many around us are still seeking to gain more and more materially. Remember, the fool trusts in the wrong treasure.
This Christmas do not be stingy. Now, I don’t mean to be foolish with your money for we are to always be good stewards of that which the Lord has given us, but this is the time of the year to give just a little more. In other words, use common sense in your giving. Do not want what the rich man has to offer, for in the end you’ll end up paying more than it’s worth. Real gifts have more than monetary value; they also have meaning.
One other warning: do not be envious of the rich; do not begin to envy their lifestyle. If we do we may begin to overindulge and overspend using that dreaded piece of plastic to be like someone we’re not. Live within your means and thank the Lord for that. Remember, “as ambassadors of Christ, we are called to humility and service, to modesty and good manners, to simplicity and to truth.” (Bob Beasley)
A little note of humor here. Someone said, oh for the good old days when people quit spending when they ran out of money.
In regard to the above, read Proverbs 23:1-8.
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Christmas Thought:
“The earth has grown old with its burden of care,
But at Christmas it always is young.”
–Phillips Brooks

The world, the media, the scandals, the terror, and a myriad other things would have you get your mind off the Christ-child and Christmas. They will do what they can from mockery to chicanery to get you to groan with a burden during this wondrous time of year. Did you see where at one Nativity that Mary has been replaced with the figure of a man? The scorning doesn’t end, but though it may anger you, they are the ones with the serious problem. Don’t let them burden you with their problems and issues!
This is the time of year to celebrate, no matter the world’s condition, no matter the nation’s condition, no matter one’s personal condition. This is the time when God sent His only Son to earth. This is the beginning of the hope of mankind, don’t let the news taint your Christmas. Become young again.