The "Tea" on Tea

A few years ago I posted my thoughts on the best iced tea available in our area of Ohio.  That post had more interaction and feedback personally than anything I had every written (which says a lot, which I don't want to think about).

Today, I feel the need to update that post, as teas have unfortunately changed, and the quality is different than what is once was.

Apparently, according to my teen daughter, when someone shares "what's going on concerning a person or topic," it is called getting the "tea".  So, today I will give the Tea on Tea.

What is our tea judged by?  Well, we talked about this in great detail.  First, and most importantly, is the taste.  It must taste good.  It cannot have that "coffee ground" taste to it.  It should be pleasant to the pallet.  Then, we decided that the cup is of great importance.  What your tea is served in is of great importance.  You want a cup that holds enough to satisfy your tea desire, but that also can keep the tea ice cold.  As your ice melts, your tea becomes watered down.  The amount of ice is important too.  There is nothing worse than a tea that is luke warm that should be iced!  We also judge tea by its "smoothness."  Some teas just are "smooth" as it enters the mouth and travels down the throat leaving a pleasantness in your mouth and mind.  My wife, for all you sugar people, judges her tea by how much sugar is added.  There is a right balance that must be achieved.   Their is also the eye test.  A cloudy tea equals a bitter tea. The tea must be brewed-freshly.  A fountain tea was created after the fall of man and is part of the curse of sin. The final criteria is consistency.  By this I mean, when you go to this place and order the tea, can you count on it being good every time?  That said, here is our top 10 teas based upon these credentials.

10. WENDYS:  Cracking the top 10 this year is Wendy's.  Wendy's tea used to be disgusting, but they have come a very long way!  The taste is good, and it is brewed fresh.  The color is pleasant.  The cup is that thin plastic cup, which is less than desirable, allowing the ice to melt way to clip and condensation building up on the outside as well.  The condensation runs down the cup and leaves moisture on your desk or in the cupholder of your car-which usually has a small piece of paper in it, which then gets soggy and is virtually impossible to then get out without making  bigger mess.  Having said all that-well done Wendy's, you are getting better!

9. PANERA BREAD:  Not the most manly place to eat; but when dieting, you sure can get a good amount of food that is tasty and low on calories.  On Stacey's list for sweet tea, not that good.  On my list for unsweetened, pretty good.  You control the ice to tea ratio.  The "smooth" factor is very good!  The cups are too small and flimsy and allow quick melting of ice.  There are options for the tea in flavors without the sugar, so I do appreciate it that as well!  Consistency is there.  Overall, you won't go wrong.  Problem is, I like my tea to be there all day.  A Panera Bread tea will last through lunch.  Thirty minutes later, it is a "Laodicean" mess.

8. WHITE CASTLE:  White Castle was a solid 2 on this list before, but has dropped way down. White Castle used to use the ConTea brand, but has switched brands now.  The result, a much poorer taste.  The consistency is not there anymore. The cups are the plastic cups. The size of the cups is better than most options out there, but it just isn't what it used to be.  Being a huge White Castle guy (not a fat reference), I am disappointed. If White Castle reads this, go back to ConTea! Overall, it is o.k., but not what it once was.

7. SKYLINE:  If you are not from Cincinnati and you do not know what Skyline is, I am seriously sorry.  Now for all you Cincinnatians, Skyline tea is decent. The sweet is VERY sweet if you are into that.  The unsweet is pretty good.  The color is always a little cloudy.  We both feel at times the tea has sat in that large tub a little too long.  They never put enough ice in the tea, and should you get a large, you are dealing with a plastic, condensating, decorated cup.  It's good. It's too expensive for what you are getting.  If you are ever driving down the road and you just want a tea, you can find better places; but don't fear, if eating in, in ordering one of these teas.  They made the top 10, but could do better.


6. SONIC:  Now to some, you may have expected Sonic tea to be higher on the list.  First of all, all the fancy flavors do not interest us as we stick to sweet or unsweet.  On my personal list, it would have been higher, but on Stacey's list it is a lot lower.  So, we give it a 6 rating.  The pros are that the cup is by far the best!  You can get a tea from Sonic and have enough to sip on till you go to bed.  I recommend going early and ordering your .99 cent Route 44.  It's the only way to go!  Then the ice, by far the best of anyone else.  You just can't beat the small crushed Sonic ice.  Where Sonic falls is the taste.  For unsweet drinkers, it is fair.  At times, the unsweet has no taste at all, almost like water.  For sweet drinkers, the tea just isn't that good.  Consistency is poor too.  Sometimes, you get a good one, other times you are sure that tea has sat there in a pot for a couple of days.  Always a danger for the coffee ground taste at Sonic.  Not real smooth ever. So, the cup and ice are off the chart good.  The tea is fair.  In the morning, it is my tea of choice; for my wife, she'd pass every time.


5. McDONALDS:  Yes, we are loving it, just not as much!  McDonalds tea came a long way from what it once was.  Quite frankly, we believe McDonalds is the first fast food chain to start the quality iced tea movement (if there is such a thing).  You just never saw a fast food chain push their iced tea until McDonalds.  In 2008, McDonalds rolled out their Sweet Tea and it all took off.  Why a number 5 rating?  Well, the cups have changed. No more styrofoam cups.  Truly a disaster. They say it is for the planets health.  Seriously, since when is McDonald's concerned about anyone or anything's health?  That is not why we come there you crazy clown!  Consistency is not what it once was.  It is nice to know that pretty much anywhere in the country you go you can count of a pretty good iced tea from McDonalds.  Occasionally you will get that coffee ground flavor in a McD's tea, but over all its trustworthy.  The sweet tea is above average.  The sugar ratio is good for most sweet tea drinkers (if you like Kool-aid.  There is a pretty good smoothness to their tea.  The color not so good. It probably is the tea we drink the most, mainly because of convenience and price.

4. STARBUCKS:  Cracking the top 10 this year and pretty high.  I find myself coming here more often for the tea these days.  First, please don't give me all the "you are a Christian, you shouldn't support Starbucks."  If you only want to support company's that agree with our stands, well, prepare to produce everything at home.  I go on....here is why they climbed the chart so quick: Taste!  Absolutely one of the best teas you will drink. They use the Tazo tea brand, which is above average good. When I order, I get a Trenta Black Unsweetened Iced Tea.  I don't do all those flavors and add-ins.  I keep it simple.  The ice to tea ratio is pretty good.  The cups are those clear plastic, but acceptable.  The main draw back is the price.  Like everything at Starbucks, it cost too many bucks. Truly, it is a very good tea. I highly recommend it and your driving through to get one.

3. CHICK-FIL-A:  Moving up one spot this year in the top 10!  No, the "Christian" friendliness has nothing to do with this selection.  We only are judging by the tea.  The tea is very good here.  It has a good taste.  The tea always has a smoothness about it.  The tea is is very consistent.  We have never gone to Chick-fil-a and received a bad tasting tea.  The cups are insulated and large enough.  Stacey agrees that the sweet tea is consistently good as well.  The problem here (and it is a big one) is that Chick-Fil-A puts WAY TOO MUCH ICE in their cups.  You can order a large tea (and the cup is plenty big) and drink it all in about four drinks.  Now when dining in, those super nice employees are ready "to serve you" and refill those teas; but drive thru and carry out just doesn't work in the tea area.  Great tea! Great consistency! Good smoothness! Great cups!  Just back off the ice! This review was MY PLEASURE.

2. MIAMI MARKET: Miami Market is a carry out located on St. Rt. 131 in Day Heights near Milford.  If you  have not discovered this hidden gym of tastefulness, you need to do so today.  The food and sandwiches are the biggest and the tastiest around.  Their hot plates are delicious and plentiful.  Their brownies are to die for....but back to the topic at hand.  Behind the cooler near the deli, hidden almost, is freshly brewed iced tea, both sweet and unsweet.  The tea (just as the food) is wonderful!  The color is perfect.  The cups are styrofoam and large, keeping your drink cold and plenteous all day.  I have never gotten a bad tea from Miami Market.  Truly, you must stop there...frequently.  The staff is awesome and I promise it will be the largest bologna sandwich you have ever eaten, if you are into those like me!  Anyways, cracking the top 10 and landing at number 2 is Miami Market!

Are you ready for it?

The Number 1 Tea of choice on our list?

We should first state that also receiving consideration were the following:  Zaxbys, Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, and more.  Did you know that last year America spent over 8 billion dollars in Iced Tea at Fast Food chains?  This is serious!!!

OK...her it is...the number ONE choice of Travis and Stacey when it comes to Iced Teas is...

1. McALISTER'S DELI:  Still number 1!!  What makes this tea stand out?  Well first and foremost,
the taste is just out of this world.  There is a crisp taste to this tea.  It has tea
flavor that is perfection.  It is by far, the best tasting tea, both sweet and unsweet, that is out there.  This is a fine, high quality iced tea.  When it comes to smoothness, no other tea can compare.  It is the standard of taste and smoothness for all other teas.  Consistency is absolute perfection.  To have such a great tasting tea, that is perfectly smooth, and it be that way every time you purchase one is quite impressive.  The tea to ice ration is always perfect.  You can order this tea and eat lunch and sit and talk for 30 minutes and you will still be able to sip that extraordinary tea.  The cups are the perfect size for tea drinkers.  The only not perfect score this tea gets is the cup.  While the size is perfect, the plastic will allow ice meltage on a hot summer day.  But, in our minds, its way worth the cup to drink that delicious tea!    By far, the best!

Well, there you go.  I know everyone was wondering and now you know what teas Stacey and I drink.  So now when you are out there driving around and get that hunkering for a good iced Tea, you finally got something to go by.  I love my wife, and I am glad she loves iced tea too.  Enjoy my friends!

Created For His Pleasure

Revelation 4:11 reads, "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
This passage of Scripture clearly teaches that all things were created by God. Further, all things were created for God's pleasure.  The word pleasure there is the Greek word thelema,  meaning "what one wishes or determines to be done."

Part of the "all things created" is us.  You and I were created for His pleasure.  At first, our minds go to some king or dictator seeing us as some jester or slave, but that is not reality.  God does not treat us that way; yet, we were created for His pleasure.

There are many things created for our pleasure.  A White Castle cheeseburger can be created for my pleasure.  When it is, it is totally in my hands, soon in my mouth, and I am greatly pleased.  The cheeseburger has no say in what happens, for it was created for my pleasure.

A teenager will turn on his playstation, which has been created for his pleasure.  The playstation will play and do whatever the young man tells it to; for it was designed for his pleasure.

We were designed for God's pleasure; yet, He doesn't make me do anything.  God doesn't make me wear certain clothes or listen to certain music.  God doesn't make me go to church or force me to tithe.  He has the power to do so and the right to do so; yet, He doesn't make me.  Too many Christians do these things, along with many more, trying to earn God's pleasure.  If those things were the zenith of His pleasure, He would force us to do them.  But, they are not.

So what is His pleasure?  We were created for His pleasure, that is our purpose in life!  If you are reading this and you have said (or are saying), "I have no purpose," or "What is my purpose?", I am about to share it.

You were created for His pleasure!  So....what is His pleasure?  He doesn't make you do a thing.   God's pleasure is to have a relationship with us, and us allowing Him to be our pleasure!  Let me explain.  God gets pleasure in being our God!  He desires to have a relationship with us (through salvation) and then to be the God we need Him to be.

Stop and think Who God is to you.  Seriously, think of a one word answer to "Who is God to you?"



Got it?




Keep Scrolling....



Think on it.




Stop!  Before you go on.  I want to answer it for you.  If you are saved and have answered this question, here is your answer:  He is what you needed Him to be.   For the person having grown up in a broken home, He is your Father.  For the person who faced the hardest of times, He is your Strength.  For the person who needed deliverance, He is your Salvation.  For the person who was weak and almost done, He is your strength.  For the pastor, He is your Life.  For the addict, He is your Deliverer.  I could go on, but you see, we were created for His pleasure; and His pleasure is to be our God...just the God we need.  What a God!!!

How does this make me respond?  I love Him, because He first loved me.  I want to serve Him, because He gave all for me.  I want to be holy, because He is holy.  I choose to dress the way I do and listen to what I listen to, because...How could I not?  I just want to please Him....and I and God get to share in His pleasure!

Not The Place

With today's social media, we all have so many outlets to share our opinions...too many outlets. My grandpa always said, "Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them and most of them stink."  While we all have opinions, many that would read this and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram also have preferences and we all have convictions!  Daily, I find great joy in reading through my friends posts.  I love being challenged by the math questions, finding the hidden objects, laughing at someone falling in a video, and then nearly every time you find it!  What is it that seemingly shows up daily on my "friends" pages?  A controversial statement.  As soon as I read it, my emotions start kicking in, my thoughts start racing, my "wisdom" starts to pour forth, and before you know it, I am typing and correcting the world....well, I used to.   You see, I stopped.

Now, before you start calling me a coward and a compromiser and tearing down statues of me, let me explain.   I will start with a story.  Once upon a time, quite a few years ago now, I was commenting on every one's blogs trying to make my point, I was writing weekly my own blog begging people to comment and challenge me, and I was ready with my 120 words a minute typing skills to correct my brothers and sisters who needed correcting.  There are many illustrations I could point to, but the bottom line is, I was wrong. I was not wrong in my stand, I was not usually wrong in my thinking, and I was about 50/50 on the deep stuff, but I was wrong in trying to correct everyone through social media.

On my Facebook page, I try to pretty much share a good quote every so often, pictures for my family, and brag on my God and the church He allows me to serve in.  Every once in a while, I will share my opinion on something, but you will notice something below those opinions...NO COMMENTS.  There were comments made, but I hide them, because social media is not the place for spiritual debates.

For one, the Lord gave us some simple instructions in Matthew 7:6:

"Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again to rend you."

My, how this Scripture is applicable!  In case you don't know, Facebook, Twitter, and whatever ".com" you go to, is not Christian.  You may have Christian "Friends", but it's not a Christian setting. When we take matters of spiritual debate to social media to exchange Sword blows, it is ALWAYS rooted in pride.

What ends up happening is described in the above verse.  We take what is precious and let "swine" handle it.  How often are debates "hi-jacked" by some reformed, Calvinist, compromising, antagonist, agnostic, liberal, or worse-a know it all Baptist who then twists, distorts, misinterprets, and abuses Scriptures to make their point?

Who wins these debates?  How often do you ever read the final comment as "well brethren, I am so glad we all could humbly discuss this and all come to the same Scriptural conclusion"?  Normally, we end up with "I'm blocking you," "brother, I appreciate you, but can't agree on this," or the best lets still be friends comment, "I suppose we will agree to disagree."  No one ever wins on social media, except the swine.  There are those who mock the Lord, Christianity, and His Word who watch all of this and laugh.  While a world is supposed to view a John 13:35:

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Instead, they see the arguing, tempers, and emotions being shared and are not being drawn to Christ, for sure.  That which is  precious is then trampled under feet with all the "traffic" and the end result is those "turn again to rend you."

Now, don't get me wrong, use every outlet you have to share the Truth.  Matter of fact, share your convictions, your preferences, and even your opinions; just reconsider allowing or participating in a debate on social media.  Remember, it's your page, your tweet, your space (lol) and you can share what you want; just keep in mind others.

I know the Scriptures teach rebuking, correcting, and teaching; but it also is pretty clear when and how to do this. Paul had an issue with Peter and he withstood him to the face. (Gal. 2:11).  In other passages, the rebuking is done either by "going to the brother" or handling it in a church setting.  Going on social media is not "going to a brother."

Here is a novel idea, talk to people.  Go and see them as Paul did and how the Bible instructs. You can visit, call, FaceTime, Skype, email, text, private message (need I go on?), but stop and think before you cast pearls before swine.

Face to face or voice to voice is preferable and most Scriptural.  Why? Because writing keeps a wall up.  When you write (type), you are most often more comfortable in sharing things you would not at first say.  Most of us wrote, "I love you" before we said it to our honey.  We will type things at first, we normally would not say face to face.  Then, emotions get involved. When participating in an online social media debate, you have time to read, get mad, develop your point, and then scathe the other.  Words are much more harsh when hiding behind a keyboard.

I know some are probably still fuming and ready to correct me, but stop and think first.  God gave us a gift to handle spiritual matters and debates, it is called a local church. The church is still the "pillar and ground of Truth." (1 Tim. 3:15)-not social media.  If you have questions, concerns, and disagreements, handle them within your local church.

I know, I know, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." (1 Tim. 5:20).  But those instructions are for a local assembly dealing with corrupt elders.  I hate to bust the bubble of all our "spiritual watchdogs" out there that are caring for all us and warning all of us about all the heathen and heretics and compromisers out there, but...that's why God gave us a local church.  I have no problem warning the flock that God has placed me as the under shepherd of whoever and whatever is wrong out there, but it really isn't my business what other church's are doing.  I think we can trust God to handle His churches.

One last thing to consider is the spiritually weak.  The Bible warns about offending the little ones.  Children, definitely, but also the young in the faith.  As a pastor, I have other pastors and spiritually mature people who are my "friends" on social media; but I also have new converts and lost people who are becoming wise unto salvation.  We have to be careful about hindering the work of God with our words and debates on social media outlets.  They are watching.  Paul gives us a thought on this in 1 Cor. 8:9:

"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak."

So there you go, something to think on. I will post this, I will share this, but I will not debate this on social media.  Feel free to contact me personally if you like.  May others see Christ in us, the love of God, and read and hear only Truth spoken in that love.

Snow

Today here at home, we are enjoying a beautiful snow. It really is our first good snow of the year. As I drove in this morning and looked at the snow, I thought of some Scriptures about snow. Snow gives us some beautiful pictures in the Word of God:

1. Forgiveness of Christ: Psalm 51:7 describes the forgiveness of God as making us “Whiter” than snow. There isn’t much more “white” than a field of untouched snow, but our forgiveness in Christ makes us “Whiter” than snow. If you look close enough in any snow, you will find contaminants, but in the forgiveness of Christ, ALL is forgiven. Is. 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall e as white as snow...”

2. Refreshing of the Word: Proverbs 25:13 states, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” In the harvest time men are working hard and pouring themselves out to reap all they can. It is hard work. In those days, there was no ice machines, but rarely and at great expense, one could be sent to the top of a nearby mountain and obtain snow and then hurry back to the men working. By then there was offered to the laborers an ice cold drink of pure water. That snow represented the refreshing power of the faithful messenger. A faithful messenger these days is rare, but for those laboring in the field, nothing refreshes the soul like the Word of God.

3. Folly of a Fool: Proverbs 26:1 reads, “As snow in summer....so honour is not seemly for a fool.” The thought of seeing what I am seeing in my front yard in July is ludicrous. So, the Bible teaches, is honor for the fool. It is time we quit trying to give honor to those who live ungodly lives. It is the fool that says in their heart there is no God, and may we add to that, it is a greater fool who says there is a God, but they will not serve Him.

4. Face of God: Rev. 1:14 gives us an eye witness of our God: “His head and his hairs were white look wool, as white as snow...” What a day, when we get to behold with our eyes the pure, righteous, holy face of our God!

Thank the Lord for snow.

Why Our Girls Do Not Play Basketball

The picture to the right is that of our church's academy's girls volleyball team.  This was them displaying their trophy after volleyball tournaments.  We are very thankful for our young ladies. After volleyball season begins basketball season.  I schedule our academy's games, and each year I am asked if we have a girl's basketball team.  Each year I answer "no."  They usually ask why, and I usually answer with a vague response like "it's just not something we do."  It's an acceptable answer, but I know I didn't answer anyone's question.  I've never really given an answer.  I know there are parents who wonder the same thing.  To be honest, we would probably be pretty good after some practices, but still...no thank you.
The reason we do not have a girl's basketball team are quite simple. Now, let me make clear, I am NOT saying that others are wrong and in sin if they have a girls team.  I am NOT saying that girls should not play basketball.  What I am saying is that I chose for our girls not to based upon the following reasons.
 First, and foremost, the Lord just doesn't give me liberty to do so.  I have prayed about it, and if I were to have one at this time, I would be going against what I know God has told me not to do.  As a pastor, I try to be sensitive to the Lord's leading.  Second, I don't care for what most often is produced.  To be a "good" basketball team, your team must hustle, run, be aggressive, fight for the ball, box out, be strong, and dive for the loose ball.  Growing up, most schools I went to had a girl's basketball team.  When we first started CBA, we had a girl's basketball team.  The "good" basketball players carried these characteristics with them off the court.  Most of them were "jocks" with aggressive spirits.  When I read the Bible about young ladies and Biblical ladies, the ideas of diving on floors in front of men, fighting, boxing out, and being physically dominant is just not found.  The reality is, most who were "good" girl basketball players did not end up being sweet, modest ladies.

Third, and sorry for the awkwardness, it just many times is not modest for ladies to run up and down the court and occasionally diving to the ground for a loose ball.  Most time the shorts and culottes ride high above the knee when running down the court.  My understanding and conviction is that above the knee is nakedness as defined in Scripture (Ex. 28:42; Is. 47:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:9).  For this same reason, our boy's basketball team wears long pants.  Also, a modesty issue is the cut off sleeves along with the running up and down a court for a lady as designed by God.   You may think I am being too strict, foolish, or a sexist, but just watch most men's eyes when a lady is jogging by.

Titus 2 gives us our Biblical goals for our young ladies.  The Scriptures demand they be taught to be sober, love their husbands, be discreet, be chaste, a keeper of the home, good, and obedient to their own husband (submissive).  Playing on a basketball team helps in none of these areas in my opinion.  Rather, it teaches them to be emotional (just watch a game and hear the screams and watch the tears), strong willed, in your face, hustle at all cost, be at practices away from home, be dominant, and modesty not prioritized.  This just isn't what I desire for our young ladies.

Again, any one else can do what ever they feel the Lord will have them do.  It is none of my business and I do not write this to correct anyone, but to explain why we do not participate.  Do as the Lord leads you; just make sure you have asked the Lord what He thinks about it.

An Open Letter to the Struggling

My name doesn't matter, but I represent those who go to church every week, get out of the car with our smiling family, sing the songs with a smile on our faces, and "amen" when the preacher is preaching.  I represent those who go back to church on Sunday night and the mid-week service and spend an hour or two on visitation every week.  I represent those who dress with standards, and call other Christians brother and sister each time I meet them.  I represent-the Church people.

First, trust me, we all have our problems.  Even though the above paragraph truly does represent me and my family most every weekend, we have our own struggles.  We all have our past, we all have our besetting sins we must guard against and often repent of, we all have days of tears.  Yet, there we are each week enjoying the presence of God in the presence of our brothers and sisters.

The reason I write this is because we get a bad rap most often.  A quick "google" and you can find plenty of open letters to us church people from those who have struggles reminding us that we are not perfect and how we don't understand and how we need to quit judging and how we are pushing you away.  Well, as a representative of many of these "church people," let me just answer that we know we are not perfect.  Probably, we know that more than you understand.  We are so far from perfect.  Matter of the fact, we make ourselves sick when we look at ourselves, and that's why we are so happy!  You see, I know how bad I am, but despite me and my flesh, the Lord has saved me and forgiven me!  Because of His great mercy, I get to go to Heaven!  What a miracle!  How can I not be happy?  I have given all my sin and guilt and unrighteousness to God, and in exchange He gave to me His Son's righteousness!  All this, by repenting of my sin and trusting in Jesus Christ as my Saviour!  Even after that experience, I have failed so many times.  Yet, time and time again, I confess my sin and turn from it and He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse EVERY TIME!  No wonder I smile a lot.  I know we are not perfect.

The accusation that we don't understand just isn't applicable either.  I do understand.  I am a sinner.  I have sinned and done things I so bad regret.  Our sins may be different, but we are both sinners the same.  Even if there are some sins I may have never participated in that possibly you find yourself entangled in, doesn't mean I don't understand.   All sin is addictive.  All sin is powerful.  All sin can take over your life.  I do understand what it is like to be under the power of sin.

Then there is the whole judging thing.  I speak for the great majority here, "no one is judging you."  How could someone who knows how wicked they are and how powerful sin is think they are better than someone else struggling with the same thing they struggle with?  No, we are not judgmental and no, we do not think we are better.  Matter of fact, we care even more.  We understand and we reach out our hand to help you with the Truth.  That hand out reached is not a hand pushing you away, but a hand to offer you help.  A hand to help you get up.  A hand to help you overcome.  A hand to help stabilize you.  The devil tries to get you to duck when we reach out that hand, but he is lying to you.  That hand is one that is just there to offer help.  The reason we do that is because someone reached out a hand just like that to us in our life.  Each of us have needed that hand, and we still do.  That's why we spend so much time together with our brothers and sisters.  We need each other!

The problem is many times, that the person struggling doesn't want help.  Now that statement may upset you and you may think "here he goes again being judgmental," but please let me try to explain.  We all are often like little children in the sight of God.  We all fall at times.  Then, just like I have done both physically as a child and spiritually too often, we lie there and cry because we have fallen.  What we want is for someone to lie there next to us and cry with us.  We want people to wallow in our sorrow with us and feel like no one understands what it is like to have fallen.  Reality is, we all have fallen.  Some have harder falls than others, but we all have fallen.  What did we need when we fell?  We didn't need our parent to lie on the ground and cry with us, we needed a strong and loving hand to lift us up and help us get on our feet again.  We needed a stabilizing hand to just "be there" in case we began to fall again.  It wasn't long, until that fall was behind us and we weren't even thinking about it anymore...because we let someone help us get up.

How does this work?  That "rhetoric" you hear from us ("let the Lord help you," "you must repent and turn from your sin" "you must take hold of God's hand" "you need to come to church and be faithful to services" "quit going to those places that offer temptation") is not judging, it's experience.  Those are words that we were told that helped us get up and get on our feet.  You see, we don't  think less of you because of sin, because we are right there with you as sinners.  We just have experienced the forgiveness and restoration of God and the necessity of fellowshipping with our church for strength and stabilizing.

The good news is that there is hope!  The Lord will help!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:10, 13

 It's not just words, the Lord truly will help and strengthen you.  His hand is mighty.  Victory comes when you are willing to get the sin out and the Lord help you up.  And I promise, we will be there offering our hand too, for that's all we know to do, because that is what the Lord and others did for us.  We love you!

What It's All About

Well, another holiday season is about to pass us by.  Again, it has been crazy busy and filled with the hustle and bustle that seemingly never ends.  Last year, we did not go Black Friday shopping due to the fact that all the stores opened so early on Thursday, we refused to leave our families on Thanksgiving.  This year, the stores opened even earlier, and we again stayed home with our families.  But this year, we decided to just spend the evening out shopping after all the "crazy people" had gone home.  It was a good choice, and we met late that Thursday and shopped until the wee hours of the night.
This year, the group consisted of myself, Chrystal, Rachel, Rick and Jerrica.  We met at Walmart and began our night.  It was crowded, but not as much as we were used to.  In many ways, it was sort of more enjoyable that way.  We purchased a few items and headed for the check out.  It was then I looked up and almost passed out.  Let's just say it was a classically dressed walmart shopper.  The lady had nude colored pants on and I was almost sure she was without bottoms on.  I was wrong, thankfully, but the group didn't let me hear the end of that.  So, when we got to the check out lane, I spoke to the cashier.  I encouraged her to check the lady behind me really good as she was just released from jail for shoplifting.  I admitted she was my sister, but didn't want her to go back to jail and to please understand she was a kleptomaniac.  By the time I was done cashing out, my sister had heard our conversation.  The cashier was checking out everything Chrystal was buying and her cart to make sure nothing was being stolen.  Chrystal finally "admitted to the cashier" she had a problem, but assured her it was under control.  When my sister Rachel walked by who had cashed out at another lane, she spoke out and said, "Chrystal, you didn't steal anything did you?"  The cashier was a little nervous, but thankfully Chrystal didn't steal.  Well, then again, maybe she did.  While we were shopping, she saw a toy that her daughter really wanted, but they were out of.  It was in another person's cart.  Now that person was looking at clothes and left her cart in the aisle.  I don't want to say anything, but Lici did love that toy!
We then went out to the car.  We were all going to ride around in Rick and Rachel's car.  We put a few items in my trunk and headed to the car.  It was then that I saved Jerrica's life (maybe a little over dramatic here).  She was walking between cars when a speeding car came flying by.  Let's just leave it at a close call.   We then went Eastgate and went to Toys R Us and Kohls.  The lines were still pretty large and I again was able to convince Chrystal to spend more of her money (it is always a goal of mine).  We got a few good deals and then Chrystal swore she was done being talked into buying things by me.  It was in line that I saw some awesome Charlie Brown Christmas glasses.  Her family, on Christmas, were going to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas movie, so I encouraged her to get them.  She refused, swearing she would not give in.  I was disappointed I was unable to convince her to do so...that is, until two days ago when I saw this picture on her Instagram account:

Yeah, those are the cups and yes she admitted she went back and got them.  We then headed back to Milford to go to Target.  First, we had to stop at a UDF for a soda to keep us going.  I got a Diet Mountain Dew (the nectar of life) and then we were able to continue.  We took a trip to target where I got a great deal on some candles (don't ask, it is a fetish of mine).   We then all agreed to go back to Eastgate to check out a new store.  When we got there Chrystal couldn't believe we were back at Eastgate...though we had just agreed to go there.  A little too tired maybe?
Now this new store was pretty awesome.  They had a little bit of everything.  I didn't buy anything, but they had some odd things.  It was there I found a little gem.  I took this little gem and put it on and hid in an aisle I knew my sister Chrystal was coming to.  It worked to perfection!  It really woke her up!
We then headed out and back to the car.  Other than a useless stop at Meijer, there isn't much more to report.  It was a good night filled with lots of laughs.
After a few busy weeks at school and church, Christmas finally arrived.  I love Christmas.  This year seemed to have a theme to it.  It was an unplanned theme, but one definitely developed.  I call it a nostalgic Christmas for me.
You see, it started on Christmas day.  After a lovely Christmas Eve at my in-laws with gifts, food, and a Garfield Christmas special, we spent Christmas at home-as we always do.  It was a wonderful day of family time.  To me, one of the most important parts of the holiday season is TRADITION.  We woke up that morning, but no one can get out of bed until 8.  We read the Scriptures and had prayer and then opened gifts.  Oh, how I love to see the kids excitement as they do so.  We then played some games.  I lost at Trouble, I lost at Sorry, I lost at Pie in the Face, and then lost to Alex in baseball on his new game system.  I hate losing, even to my kids; but Christmas is different.  It's ok for that one day.  Then, my friend Matt dropped off a gift.  I could not believe what he gave me.  There in the package was my hat.  You see, when we were teenagers, I always wore the same hat.  I had a black Boston Celtics hat with Larry Bird embroidered signature on the front and his name and number on the back.  When I was about 16 or 17, we were at an amusement park and while riding the roller coaster, my precious hat flew off.  We tried to jump a fence to get it...no luck.  We tried to talk a worker to getting it for me...no luck.  I sadly had to leave my hat.  For years, we both joked about losing my hat that day and I swore I would one day get it back.  Well, Matt found the exact hat on the internet and brought it to me.  I couldn't believe it.  It brought back a lot of memories. I so appreciate it Bro. Matt!
The next day, we went to my parents.  It was such a joyous time.  My dad again put on his Christmas hat and read the Christmas Story to all us kids and now his grandkids.  Dad again cried during prayer (and this year his dog decided to bark through the prayer-demonic I believe).  We then all opened gifts.  Dad always starts with stockings.  I replaced my stocking a few years ago with a better one.   It was again awesome to watch the kids and us adults open our stockings.  Rachel got her make up, Chrystal got her nail stuff, and I got my chocolate peanuts and another present we shall leave anonymous dad gets me each year.    We then started opening gifts.  This year, my sisters got me two special gifts.
First, they got me a pack of M.U.S.C.L.E. men!  I absolutely loved these as a kid.  They were my favorite toy growing up.  They even got me rubber bands to go with them.

I couldn't believe they found these.  Again, so many memories.  Then my sisters got me a polar bear.  You see, when I was growing up, I had a favorite stuffed animal.  Obviously it was a polar bear.  His name was Dan.  Even though I grew out of the "sleep with a stuffed animal" stage of life, I kept Dan. He was that one stuffed toy I always liked keeping.  Dan went everywhere with us.  We moved a lot, and Dan was taken each time.  It was while I was away at college my freshman year that my family moved again.  That time, my dad decided to throw away Dan.    He was always brought up when we spoke of bitterness in our house and I am glad that Dan II has now arrived at our home. 

We spent the rest of the day playing games (we loved pie in the face-see Chrystal Snell's Facebook page for videos).  We laughed and shared stories and watched the kids play.  We just enjoyed it all.  Then, we had not even gotten all back home, before we all were texting each other and sharing how we so much appreciate each other and the love we can share.  I told them "I am glad that all our children see it as normal that family get together and enjoy each other's company, laugh, cry, and love."  I want that to be the normal for them someday.  I want them to have traditions, good traditions.  While watching the Garfield Christmas special Christmas Eve, I think that Garfield said it best: "Christmas, it's not the getting or the giving; it's the loving."  That is what it's all about.