False education, false standards, false environment had developed her into a woman who imagined she must feed her body on the milk and honey of indulgence.”
              –Zane Grey  (The Call of the Canyon)

       “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
              –Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
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Who or what can you trust these days?  It used to be thought that the major folks who lied were lawyers and used car salesmen.  Now there’s a slew of folks.  Can you trust the media to report the truth?  No.  There are few politicians, people in leadership that can be trusted, and they are the ones who are supposed to guide us.  Dare to trust a liar to guide you along the way?  No.  In fact, those people and their ally, the media, oppose truth-tellers.  Hmmm, take a look at what Jesus had to say.

         “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.”
              –John 8:43-45 (NKJV)

   Jesus said that there were those out there, in this case religious and political leaders, who were born of the devil.  He was a deceiver–a liar–from the beginning.  It started in the Garden when he lied to Adam and Eve and he has continued to do so since then and his followers go right along with him.  People do not want to believe the truth–they are fools.  Let me pass along to you some words from Joseph Parker who wrote about liars from Matthew 28:11-13.

         “The liar takes away the character of other men easily because he has first taken away his own.  He who familiarizes himself with suicide of a moral kind falls easily into murder of a moral nature.  Expect no justice from the liar.  Do not imagine that the liar will become a truthful man on purpose to serve your interests and to promote your good fortune and happy progress.  The liar will use you; the false man will tear down all that is sacred in your name, tender in your family, and holy in your household.  Falsehood is bad through and through; to it there is nothing sacred.  It owns no altar; it respects no oath; it abides by no sacramental bond.  It will drink to your health and stab you under the fifth rib; it will smile upon you and plunder not your property but your soul.  Do not therefore let us give way to the ever-damaging notion that a man may speak lies in one direction and be quite truthful in another.  No such anomalies exist in God’s moral creation.  He who can deliberately tell one lie will tell a thousand if he has anything to gain by the deluge of falsehood.”

    The devil is the father of lies.  Do not be deceived by him or his followers.  And who are they?  Liars.  Deceivers.  Those who do the devil’s bidding in destroying you.  They may do this to destroy for their gain.  They may do it to assassinate your character because of their agenda, bitterness, or hatred.
    Parker says that the liar has already committed “spiritual suicide” for he has killed his own moral character through his lies.  If that is true, why would he do less with you?   These people have hardened their hearts to the truth and unless they allow the Holy Spirit to bring Truth to them, and they accept it they are lost to believing the lies of “their father.”
    This person–the liar–is habitually evil.  Their insidious smile tries to fool you, but all the while they are working to destroy you, your family, your work.  They will speak partial truth, which then is in fact a lie.  They will use all means to promote themselves all the while lying while doing so.  
    Beware of such people.  Paul warns us to have nothing to do with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).  Do not call it your friend, do not follow in its footsteps, do not listen to its words.  “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, NKJV).  If you think you can walk with the ungodly then you have already bought into their lies.  Stop, repent, and walk in the light of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”
              –Washington Irving

    “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
              –Luke 2:7 (NKJV)
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With all of the movies out there, and the commotion that will soon be on the rooftops, perhaps a little history lesson might be in order for Christmas.  The way we hear people bickering about Christmas; maybe if we knew a little more about some of the symbols we might not get so upset.  A word of caution is always necessary though–use discretion and do not avoid the truth.  Growing up I really didn’t give too much thought to Santa Claus, one reason being that we didn’t have a chimney, only a stovepipe, and I never could in my wildest imagination picture someone with the girth of Santa making it down that stovepipe, not to mention flying reindeer or making it around the world to every house in one night.  It just wasn’t sensible or logical in my mind, but there is something to the person/legend of that man in the red suit.
    According to tradition, Nicholas was born in the ancient Lycian seaport city of Patara, and, when young, he traveled to Palestine and Egypt.  He became bishop of Myra soon after returning to Lycia.  While in that position he was placed in prison under the Roman emperor Diocletian, but was released under Constantine.  He was an attendee of the first Council of Nicaea (323).  After his death he was buried in his church at Myra, and by the sixth century his shrine was well known.  The remains of Nicholas were stolen in 1807 by Italian sailors and merchants took them to Bari, Italy.  This will add to his popularity in Europe and Bari became one of the most crowded pilgrimage centers.  The relics of Nicholas remain enshrined in the 11th century basilica of San Nicola, Bari.
    Good ol’ St. Nik, or properly, Nicholas.  He was know for his generosity, kindness, and miracles, especially to those who were poor.  He gave marriage dowries of gold to poverty-stricken girls who would have gone into prostitution.  He is said to have restored life to three children who were butchered and put in a brine tub.  He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece and many organizations, and who said that man in the red suit was only a myth?
    The Dutch brought the idea of their version of St. Nik to New Amsterdam in the early days of the American colonies.  This man was known as Sinterklass.  Sinterklass was in turn adopted by the colonies’ English-speaking people under the name of Santa Claus and his legend was then tied into the Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents.
    We could add the stories of a certain Kris Kringle, but most of our ideas today come from the writings of Clement Moore.  In 1822, he wrote a story for his family, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”  From then on Santa was the stuff of legends and was enhanced by the drawings and advertisements by Thomas Nast and Haddon Sundblom.  And we must not, cannot forget the infamous letter that indeed, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” and even the court system recognized him in “A Miracle of 34th Street.”  Personally, I will never forget the Christmas when my Grandpa Jones, a rather rotund man, dressed as Santa Claus and passed out presents to all of the family.  Oh, and by the way, the red and white suit came from St. Nicholas.
    In all of this remember that Santa, Kris, or Nik all represent the spirit of giving.  They give presents as the wise men gave presents to the King of Kings.  Giving is the important thing at Christmas.  Remembering and knowing that this is the day we celebrate the greatest gift of the heavenly Father giving His Son.  One more thing, notice that the Child was given to a family to nourish, nurture, and train.  Family is vital to the Christmas story.  I like what Burton Hillis wrote, “The best gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
    So, from ol’ Ira and his family to yours — a very Merry Christmas!

Ax handle busted.  Woodpile low.
     Ain’t got much fire tonight.
     The drifts have knocked some fence lines down,
     I trust you’re all right.
     My pot of beans boiled dry,
     and scorched while I was out today.
     Them cows are driftin’ awful,
     Merry Christmas anyway!”
              –S. Omar Barker

    “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
              –2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)
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I’ve spent many a day walking in a winter wonderland.  Some of it was work, but much was so I could get out in God’s wonderful creation.  I remember one time, when living on the north side of Colorado Springs I spotted a herd of antelope.  They were down in a little ravine.  I donned my old white hat, put on some painter’s white coveralls, and headed out to see if I could get close to them.  When they spotted me, they took off eastward, out toward the prairie–I decided to follow.  I moved slowly through the ravine, then as I came to a rise that would take me out, I moved to my knees and slowly moved forward.  The antelope had joined a larger herd, but there was one acting like a sentinel watching.  It was a great experience, and I realized that I had been gone just shy of three hours.
    It was cold, there was snow, but I was happy.  Of course it was nice to get back to the apartment to warm up.  I see that so many people worry about the “weather.”  I’m not just talking about the snow, rain, or heat, but they worry about almost anything and if they didn’t have anything to worry about they’d make it up.  Of course now, we have the media to make up things for folks to worry about.
    Listen!  The agenda to destroy Christianity has not changed.  The devil will do his utmost to bring havoc and confusion.  He will allow people to be his pawns in the attempt.  He has used political correctness, now he is adding to that fear, and says that you must not travel, or gather together.  Hmmm, what were the words of that old man?  “Bah–humbug!”
    This time of year we should take time to understand the benefit that Christmas brings to us.  The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is primary, but there are other things presented.  Look at the lights!  Our downtown square is decorated beautifully this year.  Listen to the carols, and for that you might have to find your own.  There is “Christmas music” that has taken away the place of those wonderful carols/hymns that tell the story of the Incarnation.  Ahhh, enjoy the smells, just the thought makes me hungry, but back in the day there was also the smell of a real tree in the living room.  There are smiles, if you can see them through a mask, there is laughter–or there should be.  Enjoy the season!
    Christmas is given to us to remember to enjoy life.  One of the great joys of Christmas is to prevent the remorse of memory.  Take time, now, to enjoy life.  Take time, now, to value the present.  Live in the present with thanksgiving, wonder, and awe this time of year brings.  Christmas teaches that we need to thank God for the things of the day; live in the present by giving thanks, that in turn will put in place pleasant memories.  When God offers us a flower should we not take time to look at it and enjoy its beauty and fragrance?
    Often people become despondent and depressed and the devil would use this time of year to attack in such a way.  The choice is ours.  Sure there are “bad” memories, but we too often forget that there is also a cup of gladness.  We take life for granted, thinking that blessings are owed us, but this Christmas dare to drink and ponder the cup of gladness that Christmas brings to us.
    Listen to the sounds of Christmas, the bells.  Look at the lights, and then at a child’s face when they see them.  Rejoice in the star (Jupiter/Saturn) and then remember that “Star” long ago that shone down on the “Light of the world” lying in a manger.  Think about how someone would think enough of you and take the time to wrap and give you a present.  They put it under the tree simply because they care for you.  Then as you sit at the table that represents all of the bounty that the Lord has given, think a minute before diving into the turkey and dressing of all the happiness that the Lord has given you and how this time of the year represents His Gift.

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things—not the great occasions—give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
              –Bob Hope

    “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'”
              –Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)
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What are you thinking about this Christmas season?  Is your mind filled with the wonder or the season or are you frought with fear because of the virus?  Do you get angry that you have to wear a mask, or do you get angry at those who spurn the use of masks?  The devil will do anything to destroy your joy, to get your mind off the Babe in the manger.
    Are you thinking of hope?  Hope that there is a vaccine from the pestilence that fills the land, or hope in the Son of God, that He was sent from the heavenly Father to redeem mankind?  Hope that there is a soon returning of those who have accepted His sacrifice and look forward to His second advent?
    Does the season fill your heart with peace?  Perhaps anxiety seems to rule.  If so, rebuke the devourer, and turn your eyes to the Savior.  Peace is upon those who have placed Him in their heart.  Are you guided by His Word, then you should have peace, knowing that He has everything under control.
    There has been much ado regarding the “merging” of Saturn and Jupiter tonight.  It is something that doesn’t happen very often, and we are told to look for signs in the skies, but our hope is not to be put in signs.  Turn the eyes of your thinking back to that “Star” centuries ago.  The magi followed the Star with hope; hope that they would find the newborn king.  As they had hope that first Christmas in seeking the king, so should we have hope in the return of the King.

          “Oh Beautiful Star the hope of light
           Guiding the pilgrims through the night
           Over the mountains till the break of dawn
           Into the light of perfect day
           It will give out a lovely ray
           Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem shine on.”
                      –R. Fisher Boyce

    Seek the King.  Seek Him and He will fill your heart with hope and peace.  In the midst of these trying times; times of pestilence, terror, riots, hatred, and bitterness, turn your eyes to the Hope of the world.  Let Him fill your heart.
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I also want to remember those in our military, whether at home or abroad, but all those who are serving; those who are sacrificing in protection of this wonderful nation.  Ponder the prayer by Eddie Rickenbacker as he found himself in an ordeal of being lost at sea for twenty-four days.

         “O Lord, I thank thee for the strength and blessings thou has given me, and even though I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I feared no evil, for thy rod and thy staff comforted me even unto the four corners of the world.  I have sinned, O Lord, but through thy mercy thou hast shown me the light of thy saving grace.
         “In thy care we are entrusting our boys and girls in the Services scattered throughout the entire world, and we know that in thee they are finding their haven of hope.  Be with our leaders, O Lord; give them wisdom to lead us to a spiritual victory, as well as a physical one.  And until that day, be with those at home–strengthen them for whatever may lie ahead…  In Jesus’ name I ask it.  Amen”

    This was a prayer in the midst of World War II.  The world situation has changed, leaders have come and gone, but the truth of this prayer is still valid.  Turn our eyes to the Lord–let Him strengthen us for the days ahead.