Welcome to today's issue of the Inspired Buffalo
If you would like to contribute your favorite inspiration send it to:
Inspired@lighthouse
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www.buffalosjokes.
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From Malladi
"Don't be deceived," James warns...
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father...who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:16-17).
Some are deceived into thinking that temporary gratification of sin
is a "good and perfect gift." The pleasures of adultery are
undeniable. Revenge can bring quick and cheap gratification. Crushing
another's feelings by cruel words and gossip can bring a warped kind
of pleasure.
But they are not gifts from above. They are not "good and perfect
gifts." They are tainted, tarnished and temporary.
Then there are those blessings that don't immediately appear to be
blessings. James has already pointed out how trials can bring
blessings such as faith and perseverance and spiritual maturity (1:3-
4).
The gift of loneliness makes us seek the fellowship of God.
The gift of failure makes us more understanding of those who fail.
The gift of erring (think about this one a moment, now) gives us the
ability to forgive those who err against us.
The gift of sorrow makes us better qualified to sympathize with those
who grieve.
Not every gift looks like one. Don't be deceived. Trust the Father,
who is not capricious, who does not lash out because "he's having a
bad day." He doesn't, and even heartache may be a gift of love.
(Stan Mitchell)
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Today's Story
SANTA'S LOVE
By,
Kathleene S. Baker
Older folks tend to astound me with their wit and wisdom, and inspire
me with their determination to live life to its fullest. As my own
Dad ages he never ceases to knock my socks off, and last Christmas he
did just that!
The first few years after Mother's death, I made sure Dad did not
spend the holiday in his own home for fear he might dwell on years
past and find no joy in the season whatsoever.
Then finally Dad offered up an invitation to once again come home for
Christmas. He even promised me it would snow in Kansas! That's when
I knew how badly he wanted to host the celebration in his own home;
we assured him we would be there with jingle bells on. I prepared
several dishes that would freeze for traveling, with plans to cook
side by side with Dad for the rest of the holiday feast.
On December 22nd we loaded up the dogs, food items, gifts, and headed
north. The temperature dropped considerably the farther north we
drove and I found myself getting excited even though I was
apprehensive. I just couldn't fathom Dad opening the door alone upon
our arrival.
We rounded the corner of Dad's street and my mouth fell open. Dusk
had fallen and I could see new outdoor decorations. We pulled into
the driveway and were greeted by a herd of twinkling, mechanical
reindeer! I could not believe a man 88 years of age would be buying
new décor, not to mention climbing a ladder to hang lights on the
eaves of his house. The deer were whimsical, but I was ready to
scold him about ladder climbing—after a recent "knee replacement.
Mercy!
Actually, I forgot to scold him! No sooner did we enter the house
than my mouth fell open again! There stood a beautiful, new 6 foot-
tall Christmas tree, with ornaments spaced perfectly. I wondered how
many days he had worked at that. Guess he knew if they weren't
perfect, I'd be puttering around with them. "Gee, Dad, you have a
beautiful new tree! But, what was wrong with your other one?" I was
baffled.
"Oh, I never did like that other tree and Mom said we didn't need a
new one at our ages." His eyes danced and he continued with details
of finding the perfect tree and getting a bargain to boot.
The dining room table was decked out with fine linen; a task I had
assumed would be left for me. I commented on how nice it looked—plus
the fact he had already "dressed the table."
"Thanks," he grumbled, "but didn't you even notice my new candle
holders?"
Oh no! I had hurt his feelings—I made a record-setting, split-second
apology. I still don't know why he needed new ones when there were
several sets in the china cabinet.
Everywhere I looked was a new decoration, or an old favorite from
years gone by, and Christmas CD's played in the background. I was
amazed! How did he do all of this, and how long did it take? Even
though he's still young at heart, his arthritic back is a source of
pure torture. Still, he had somehow managed to create a picture-
perfect holiday happening.
We finally hauled our luggage to the guestroom only to discover
electric candles in the windows and a floral Christmas arrangement
atop the makeup stand. I giggled aloud and wondered if there might
be bright red sheets under the bedspread!
I was almost afraid to check the guest bathroom for fear he'd
purchased some lovely holiday print toilet paper! Whew, just a
couple of candles…the stores must have been out of the cheerful
tissue or I'm sure he'd have bought some just for kicks.
The desserts displayed in the kitchen reminded me of a Martha Stewart
segment on TV. Cookies, cakes, and pies, all made from scratch, and
several kinds of homemade candy beckoned from kitchen countertops.
He had been cooking up a storm! In addition, Christmas candles,
holiday hand towels and such were scattered here, there, and
everywhere.
My head spun as I gawked around the house. No sooner had I plopped
down on the couch to catch my breath than the dogs began begging to
go outside. I opened the backdoor and was nearly blinded by the
light—Dad had decorated the deck! It was dazzling with numerous
strings of flickering lights draped around the railings. "Oh my
gosh, Dad! You've never decorated the back of your house—have you
lost your mind, or what?"
I've never seen such a smug look on anyone's face in my entire
life. "Well, I figured the doggies would enjoy it when they went
outside." His eyes sparkled nearly as brightly as the deck lights.
The next day friends and neighbors began dropping by to visit.
Without fail, they each asked what I thought of Dad's preparations,
and they all reported he had been on a "mission" to surprise the
dickens out of me. It seemed nearly everyone in town knew what he'd
been up to. As for surprised? You bet I was!
Just as when I was a child, this now-older Santa had made Christmas
as special as possible for his now-older, little girl. Never in my
life had I felt Santa's love quite so deeply…
©2005 Kathleene S. Baker
Lnstrlady@aol.
www.txyellowrose.
Do you have a story to share? Submit it to
Inspired@lighthouse
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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From Roger
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful
experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the
precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of
Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter
Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of
the presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes
early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the
room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class,
accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then,
each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun,
commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes
and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was
slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by
one, to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up
the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each
child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,
"Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her;
a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside
down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little
one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she
stood tall, proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it
together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we
celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and
clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Prayer Request
I want to thank each and every one who prayed and requested prayer
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