Author: admin

The excitement of all the kids on our block was opening our curtains, rolling up our blinds or shades, and discovering white-blanketed streets! It mattered little if our apartments had heat, or not; or if we had eaten. Getting out was the most important thing on our minds! Everyone wanted a piece of the action. We’d grab our coats, gloves, hats, boots, and scarves, if we had one, and head outside! If the guys weren’t out, we’d yell them out. They’d rush to their windows and once they saw white, they knew what to do!
I remember one day going downstairs and actually being like the last kid there! I couldn’t believe I had missed it! We had had a blizzard and kids were on boards, panels, on just about anything they could slide on. Snowballs were flying left and right. I joined right in. Age didn’t matter. In fact, no one thought about it. There was the snow, and we headed straight for it.
Snow can be so white it can be blinding! That’s especially so when the sun hits it. Sometimes, we want to be the first to dive into it or to leave our footprints in it. When snow gets dirty, though, it doesn’t look too good. The thrill goes.
We want our lives to be pure and white like clean snow, but we know our lives can feel dirty. Sin makes us like that. It’s what separates us from God’s holiness. Standing before His presence no man feels clean. His pureness is such that all else falls short. Sin and holiness clash. His glory and our gloom, don’t mix; but it doesn’t have to be that way! He’s got cleansing power! “His blood (sacrifice) cleanses us from all sin…and from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:7b,9). Your life will be white as snow when the Son shines on it!
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18b)
So, put on your gear and dive right in! Leave your footprints!
You’re clean as wool before His eyes!

God bless!

Sam

Looking back at Christmas from yesteryear, I can relate to Stevie Wonder’s title-hit, Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday. Particularly, the line: “What happened to, the world we knew?” We all can agree with Bob Dylan’s famous line, “Times A-Changing.”
Back, when I was around 8, I can see myself on the floor face down coloring with my older brother Vincent. On a particular day, my parents were getting ready to leave. I immediately shot up asking where they were going. It seems Vincent knew what was up, since he didn’t budge. My parents told me they were on their way to see Santa. “Well, if that’s the case, get on outa here,” I thought! Upon their return, I remember my mom telling me that a certain toy car we wanted, could not be found. Santa showed them all the lists he had; one after another, but it didn’t appear anywhere. That was a real bummer!
However, he found it under a different name!
Growing up, my memories of Christmas, just like my wife’s, were characterized by certain events: Our parents always played their typical Christmas songs. Those songs, in Spanish, originated in the mountains. They dealt with the hardships of the Jibaro (The ‘J’ has an ‘h’ sound in Spanish). The jibaro was a person who worked the land growing crops and tending animals.
Our parents would play songs by a famous singer, Ramito, as they worked hard in the kitchen making ‘Pasteles’-a typical food made with green bananas, taro root, etc. [For more info on this delicacy, go to ‘Pasteles de Masa’ (Puerto Rican Taro Root & Plantain Pork Pockets) thenoshery.com)]. They had to grind meat, add olives, etc. then wrap them in either banana leaves or in a special type of paper made exclusively for them. They took hours and days to make. Once done, they were tied with string and placed in a large pot to cook. Most pasteles were five to six inches in length, like a burrito, but my dad made his twice as big. My cousin, Rosin, called them 747s! This being back in the mid-60s, the title was appropriate!

While things were being cooked, including Budin De Pan (Bread Pudding) & Arroz con Dulce (Coconut Rice pudding), the aromas flooding the air, and music playing in the background, we kids would usually put on a sweater and went outside to the hallway to play as quietly as possible. We’d run back and forth, played bowling, played checkers, catch, etc. Y-a-y!! The season was here!
Even though my wife and I didn’t grow up together, in comparing notes, we have found these events were typical of most of the families in our neighborhoods.
Those were the Christmases where almost every kid on the block usually received a blue and black Tommy (machine) Gun which sold for between $1-2.00, a good-quality pinball set $.19 for a small one, $.39. for a medium one, $.59 for a large one, or $.89 for an extra-large one. Another thing most of us used to get, like my brother Vincent, was a hand-held, either deep blue or bright red, 1963 Kenner, Give A Show 50-slide-Show projector with lots of Yogi Bear or Huckleberry Hound cartoon slides. We’d add the six large D batteries and show it on the walls or ceilings.
Under our trees, there were usually gifts that included guitars as well as train sets. Of course, most everyone received a huge net-like Christmas stocking stuffed with small toys, small games, and lots of candy. Once in a while we were asked what we’d like, but mostly we received whatever came our way.
Christmas can be about toys and games, though not always. More than gifts, it’s about time spent with those we love, like when my five older brothers with their wives or girlfriends visited for dinner. Along with them was my cousin Rosin and some of her eleven brothers & sisters.
The smell of roasted pork (pernil), yellow rice with pigeon peas (arroz con gandules), and pasteles permeated the small apartment where young and old alike, gathered to celebrate the most important of all holidays.
“And unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Looking ahead some fifty-plus years later, occasionally, we might hear someone playing some of those old typical songs, and our minds will automatically race to those settings; settings of long-ago. Christmases of yester-me, yester-you, and yesterday where families gathered together inside working on family traditions, songs of old were listened to, the radiator pipes clanged as the ‘steam’ rose fogging our windows. Meanwhile, kids played in hallways without fear of danger. The holiday seemed to last forever.
Remember, giving love, lending a hand, or making time, as when my wife set aside days and moments and baked cookies and cakes with our three kids as they were growing, and taught our daughter to cook at age seven; or when she’s baked with our grandkids, are priceless. Those moments have been so special to her. For both of us, these memories have been the greatest gifts of all, and they’re sure to last a lifetime.
This Christmas you too can create special moments and special gifts with those you love.
**As I was writing this piece, I received a text from my good friend Ray, on the other side of this planet, asking if we knew how to make ‘pasteles’ so we could mail some to him! I referred him to this blog and site, since, unfortunately, we don’t know how to make them!

Merry Christmas!

Sam

At about age ten or eleven, I remember going with my little brother and our parents to buy some toys.  Not far from home was one of the best stores to shop at.  It was a tall, 2-3 story warehouse building on the corner of Broadway Ave. in Brooklyn near the El.

It was easy to get to walking, but for this occasion we had to take our car because my parents would be buying lots of stuff. The minute you stepped in the store, you were taken aback due to its height and volume. It was huge! We loved it! After being closed down for several years, it had recently opened-and we were glad! What impressed me most was the number of toys and games.  They were stacked really high.  I remember seeing what just about every kid wanted: a Johnny Eagle hunting toy rifle/gun combination. The boxes must’ve been stacked at least 15’ high.  One could choose from the Magumba, The Red River, or The Lieutenant.  I got the Magumba-it didn’t come with the gun, but it was nice, and I still have it! That was over fifty years ago! I still have the toy bullets that go with it. My brother and I had to stay put in one place once my parents began getting more and more toys.  It was easier to leave them with us while they shopped.  I doubt there were shopping carts back then, at least in that store. Besides, the store was packed.  Something else I received that year was a Lionel Train set! What kid doesn’t love a classic train?

I remember leaving the store around 9:30-10:30 p.m.  We dashed home!

Almost everyone loves shopping! We love going to see what’s out there. And Christmastime, with all its lights, mechanical decorations and lights, appeals to us all.

God wants us to shop!  He’s into shopping too!  Isaiah 55:1 tells us: “Ho, come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

Wine and milk speak of the anointing and spiritual growth in a believer.  “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37).  He’s out to satisfy our thirst for all things spiritual.  He is Living Waters. If you’ve been running from religion to religion, or from humanistic emptiness; or from anything that’s full of promises, promises but has left you empty, you need Jesus in your life.  The difference? Only a round peg fits in a round hole.  Likewise, only Jesus can fill the emptiness in the human heart meant to house God.  Only He can fill the void-any void.           

 He even hands out free samples!  “O taste and see that the LORD (Yahweh) is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him” (Psalm 34:8).  When we’ve gone from fountain to fountain, that is, from one source to another seeking thrills or frills to fill our wills, and find that nothing does, try God. And not all the crazy rules and objections that man might impose, but give yourself to Him. Wrap yourself in His forgiveness.  Tie a bow of His love around yourself and say, “Here I am God, please accept me.” And He will!  Now place yourself under the tree. Afterall, your name’s already there! When Jesus died on the tree (Acts 5:30), it was for you that He died. He was thinking of you.  He nailed your name there with all your sins, and all your shortcomings! Amazing!

Who says God can’t relate to us?!  He went shopping for us all: “You were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (1Corinthians 6:20 NIV).  Only, His shopping wasn’t with money or credit cards, not even Bitcoin or checks; but with His life. With His precious blood.  This Christmas season let’s honor God in all we do.

God Bless!
Sam

In the movie Ink Heart, words and stories come alive. A man and his daughter have the power to breathe life into story characters. These characters materialize before their eyes. While we can’t do that, our words can come to life depending on how we use them. Granted, no genie will pop out of a lamp, unless you have the right one! “Send me not $99. nor $69. but for a limited time…” (commercials always get in the way)! …neither will cash flow from your wallet regardless of what words you chant or repeat! However, Proverbs 18:21 reads: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue; they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” With our words we can give hope and life to others through compliments and praise just as easily as we can tear them down with our negative or hurtful words.
Words are mighty and important. Our voices are special to God.
Just before Jesus made His appearance on this earth, His forerunner, John the Baptist said the words that were penned some 700 years before his birth by the prophet Isaiah: “A voice crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3). Even more amazing and astounding are these facts found in Psalm 33:4-9: “For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. The LORD merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathes the word, and all the stars were born. He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let the whole earth fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command” Now that’s having power with words! God spoke what was in His heart.
Today, share His words! Let your comforting words bring reassurance to those in hurt and pain or suffering. Bring life to them. Give hope to the hopeless, give kindness to those who don’t have it, or to those who don’t seem to deserve it. Share His heart! Be His voice!
God Bless!
Sam

Ever been singing a song forever only to learn you were mouthing the lyrics incorrectly? What about resting assure you know the meaning of a song only to learn it meant something else all along?  For sure, that was me! Some thirty years after having listened to, and sung a song, I learned what its true meaning was; and I was way off! Again, back in the 70s I would hear Bread’s song, Everything I Own. I thought it dealt with some kind of romance between a guy and his girlfriend. A few years ago, I learned that the song was from a son, David Gates, to his recently deceased father.  The line, “You taught me how to love, what it’s of, what it’s of” refers to his dad teaching him about love. Furthermore, the line, “I would give everything I own, give up my life, my heart, my home just to have you once again, just to touch you once again,” confirms the author’s heartfelt desire wishing to have been present more often in his dad’s life, or to have made it in time for his dad’s last days sooner.

If we look at the story of God and man in the Garden of Eden, we’ll see the same thing. in a nutshell, God gave man and woman the keys to everything on earth. The couple was placed in the garden to take care of it and to have fellowship (communion) with Him. He commanded them to take dominion over animals, nature, and all there was.  They were not to mess things up by disobeying Him.  But they did big time, and turned everything God had given them over to Satan. The communion was broken.  The fellowship was no more.  Sin now had dominion over mankind, the animal kingdom, and the entire earth and creation.  God was not taken by surprise. Nothing ever surprises Him.  He’s all-knowing, and He had a plan. Overall, He longed for the fellowship He had enjoyed with the highest of His creation, man.

Basically, His heart’s song for you was, “Everything I Own.” He wanted to give up everything just to have you back again, just to touch you once again.”

And so, he did! Scripture tells us (He) “Who didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God, the Father, emptied himself (Philippians 2:7).” Meaning, He set aside His riches, the glory He had eternally shared with the Father, and sought that which was lost (humanity).  Everything He set aside was with the purpose of coming to earth as a child to restore fellowship between mankind and the Father.  After laying His life bare (actually, naked) for all to see, and dying, as well as rising from the dead for us, He once again restored mankind to God. Sin was dealt with. Jesus nailed it all to the cross (Colossians 2:14). That’s like taking all your outstanding debts and having someone pay them off.  He took the debts of all humanity to the cross. He cancelled them! Declared them, “Paid In Full.”

This very week, someone very close to us was finally able to pay off an outstanding student loan! The thrill to receive a cancellation notice showing ‘0’ where $20,000 once registered, was shared by us all.

As we await that glorious day when we’ll go home, Jesus is still singing to us, “Just to have you back again, just to touch you once again.”

Are you willing to give your heavenly Father anything and everything you own?  Can you sing it to Him?

Back in the early 90s I was working as a paraprofessional, a teacher helper in NYC. I was young, well-dressed, and looking good! There was another ‘para,’ an African-American girl who was always hitting on me.  “Hey Cruz…” she would say every time she saw me. “Nice shirt” or “nice pants,” she’d say. Once, after our Spring break she saw me and said, “I see you got married over the break.” I looked at her wondering what she was talking about. She said, “The ring.  I see you’re wearing one now.” I told her I had been married for 8 years. She had never noticed my ring but I assured her it never came off. 

One day, she says, “See, Cruz, you’re not the only well-dressed guy here now” as she pointed to a new worker.  He was a younger-than-me, good-looking, well-dressed African-American guy working as a para, who was also very friendly. I was glad for her! Got her off my back! One day, not too long after that, as we were leaving for the day, I saw him and said, “Good night, see you tomorrow.” He waved smiling and we were gone.

The next morning, I walked in the office and as I wished a good morning to the payroll secretary, I noticed a woman standing before her speaking in hush tones. I thought it strange but headed to my room. During the day, some news came about.

The previous day, the young man had told the payroll secretary and the teacher he worked with that he would be absent the next day to take care of some things. At about 1:30 a.m. as he was involved in a hobby of his, communicating through a ham-radio, he got electrocuted.  It was his wife in the office that morning sharing the terrible news.  It almost seemed as if he knew he wouldn’t be returning.

About two days later, I walked in to the teachers’ lounge and a teacher there said, “Oh my God, it’s you, you’re alive!” I looked around wondering who she was talking to. It then hit me. She said that it had been reported that the young, well-dressed ‘para’ who worked with Ms. Rivera had died leaving behind his wife and small kids. That would’ve been me. She was so glad to see me, that she hugged me. The difference was that the other guy worked for a Ms. Riviera.  Obviously, the name was mispronounced.  It was very sad that the guy died at such an early age.

Years ago, I read an interesting book, Mistaken Identity by Van Ryn, Cerak, Tabb about a similar situation where two almost-look-alike girls died.  Can you imagine burying a child thinking she was yours, only to learn yours is still alive? Or thinking the child before you, is actually yours, only to learn she isn’t, and you never had the chance to say your goodbyes? Some stories are definitely stranger than fiction.

As sad and heartbreaking as some stories go, there’s one thing you can be confident of: whether your name is spelled Schwartz, Schwarz, Schwartze, Swartz, (or other variants of the name), or Juan Rodriguez, or Jose Rivera (Most common names amongst Hispanics), God never mistakes you for someone else. That’s good and bad. On the plus side, if you serve Him, you’ll be getting your just rewards.  On the negative side, if you don’t serve Him, you’ll be getting your just reward too.  There’s no escaping Him.  You won’t be getting blamed for someone else’s deeds. And surely, no one will be able to say to The Great I AM, “Do you know who I am?” Or, “Do you know who you’re messing with?” Trying to cause Him to think He’s made a mistake, or trying to impress Him with their credentials. The Eternal God makes no mistakes.  “…For before I formed you in the belly, I knew you…”(Jeremiah 1:5a).

“I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14a NIV)

God Bless!
Sam

In a home, there may be some glamorous rooms, regular-looking rooms, as well as empty rooms.  In general, empty rooms aren’t difficult to fill; apply paint color, maybe some area rugs, furniture, and some artwork.  Sometimes, however, some empty rooms can’t be filled.

For four years we had our two grandsons living with us, ages 3 and 4.  Overall, we had great times together. I built them a mini workshop, got them mini tools, they’d spend hours in the pool, my wife would read them nighttime stories, and they’d bake cakes with her.  We laughed, cried, danced to music and crazy songs, and watched hours of Huckleberry Hound and Yogi-Bear. But they moved far away beyond our reach. Now there’s an empty room, both in the house and more importantly, in our hearts.  Some rooms are difficult to fill. Maybe you have one of your own, one you’re longing to fill.

Back in the 70’s, It Don’t Matter to Me was the title to a great song by David Gates and the group, Bread. All that mattered was the girl’s happiness because there would always be an empty room in his heart waiting for her.

On the other spectrum, there are people with empty rooms they don’t care to fill.  In fact, they don’t care about a lot of things.  Lots of people live under the words and concept that nothing matters to them. Whether it’s hurting others, getting their own feelings hurt, failing someone, or bailing out on others, it doesn’t matter. It’s a way to cop out; a way not to bare responsibility for actions or inactions. We can carry those sentiments into other aspects of our lives. Things like pride, indifference, intolerance, impatience, etc. can come as result of our uncaring feelings.  But, when does it matter?

When parents kick you out? When the boss lets you go? When the wifey kicks you to the curb? When your kids don’t want to know about you?  When you’ve got the ‘anti-Midas’ touch and all you touch goes downhill?  When the doctor brings you bad news?

Most people don’t realize that when this life is over, they’ll be heading straight into another one; an eternal life.  Back in Genesis 2:7, when God formed man of the dust and breathed into his nostrils, he became a living soul. As far as I know, the soul never dies. It’s eternal.  As the late singer, Keith Green, once wrote: “Some people won’t find out ‘til it’s too late, that they have another life to live.” That other life, the eternal one, the one that’ll outlast your current one, can be with or without God. That’s up to you, and it’s up to us; not circumstance.  As Erwin W. Lutzer writes in his book, One Minute After You Die: “One minute after you slip behind the parted curtain, you will either be enjoying a personal welcome from Christ or catching your first glimpse of gloom as you have never known it.  Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable” (page 9, Introduction).

I’m guaranteeing that that’s when it’ll matter to everyone.  Regardless of who you are or what you do, or don’t do, when we can understand that we won’t be in control of anything anymore and everything that surrounds us will occur as a result of our past doings. The wretchedness and wickedness of an unchangeable and unknown future away from God, is a ‘deadly’ responsibility that all who don’t serve God have while living. That reality is ever-looming over us as long as we walk apart from God.  Sadly, not everyone gets a last-minute chance to repent, change their ways, confess their sins, and call upon God when death knocks at the door.

The time to make it matter, is now. Just as singer/writer David Gates wrote, “Cause they’ll always be an empty room waiting for you.” Jesus wrote in John 14:2, “In my Fathers’ house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus made room (space) for you some 2000 years ago when He went to the cross. That means He was thinking of you as He was dying.  Scripture says He blotted out the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had not obeyed.  He took this list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it to (Christ’s) cross (Colossians 2:14 LB).             

 Additionally, He is making a room just for you with your name on it and just the way you like it.  Now it’s time to make things in your life matter.  Are you preparing room in your heart for Him?  Give Him all your empty rooms.  In fact, trade them for the room He’s prepared for you.  No, He’s not David Gates, and no, He didn’t sing for Bread, but He is The Bread of Life (John 6:48-51), the One who can sustain you.

God Bless!

Sam

Back in the late 60s my little brother, who was very good at board games, received the game, Pull the Rug Out. We had fun using the provided spinner to learn what weird items we were commanded to pile on top of others and then attempt to pull out the rug without any items toppling over! While most of us playing would fail, he was often very successful!
Later, in the early 90s a few times a year, my wife and I would head to BJs Wholesale Club for groceries. As things were cheaper back then, money would go a lot further than it does today. We usually took one child to help keep an eye on the cart while we zipped-by filling it with much-needed goodies. I’m great at organizing and packing things. I’ll look at a space, then at the items, and I’ll know how to pack and make everything fit. My wife, on the other hand, will look into the fridge & say, “There’s no more room.” I’ll have her pass me bags of items and it’ll all go in usually with room to spare.
This one time, we took our oldest daughter shopping with us. I packed our Dodge station wagon like a can of sardines with close to $600 worth of food. Our daughter was by the back, fold- down door. When that door was shut, she became part of the sardines! Her face was stuck to the glass with nowhere to move! She didn’t mind and actually, enjoyed being part of something bigger! As we drove down the highway, some drivers pointed at her and laughed at her appearance! I wanted to shout out the window, “We got her on sale!”
Like a can of sardines, or better yet, the hilarious Crowded Cabin ship scene in the Marx Brothers movie, A Night at the Opera, when everyone flies out the room when the door gets opened at the end, that’s how our daughter rolled out when that hatch was opened at home!
We all know life can be like that: We can be loved by everyone. We can get hugs and high-fives any day, anytime. We can be thrilled running into our friends and acquaintances, for they ‘make our day.’ Sometimes though, without explanation, life will pull the rug out from underneath our feet knocking us over. We’ll scratch our heads wondering what happened, and how. Friends may no longer greet us, and the hugs and high-fives might be gone. That’s when it’s time to rise to our feet, dust ourselves, recompose, find new perspective, and start anew. Be comforted and strengthened in the words of Jesus: “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). Besides, He knows how to pull the rug out and leave us standing.
God Bless,
Sam

It isn’t always easy to be thankful. Thousands of families here in Puerto Rico still have blue tarps over their roofs (me included) since hurricane Maria made landfall in September, 2017.  Though millions of dollars were allocated for repairs and for assistance, most of those funds ‘disappeared’ through the hands of government channels. This past year, we began the year with a series of earthquakes and tremors (January 7^th) on the south side of the island.  Homeowners there are still waiting for their assistance. Just a little over two months later, the pandemic struck, and we’re still in hurricane season.

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 virus. Thousands have lost their parents, siblings, their children, or friends. Life has been exceptionally tough for all of us.  Yet, as long as we have breath, we’re commanded to praise God. Psalm 150 verse 6 reads: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD (Yah). Praise ye the LORD.”                         For all that’s happened this year, this is the time more than ever, to be thankful.

God is worthy of all praise and honor, and that is independent of our situation.  It has been said there are two times when we ought to praise God: When we feel like it and when we don’t. There are thousands of Christians worldwide suffering and others being tortured for their belief in the one true living God.  Hundreds of thousands have little to eat, some have nowhere to sleep, while others have little to wear. 

Some among the elderly in particular, live in Siberia where winters are brutal and they’re expected to survive on less than $100.00 monthly, some only on $30.00. The worst is living all alone. If you’re alone, know that God said (to Joshua), “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5). That applies to us as well. Are you finding yourself far and distant from God as if He doesn’t hear you or even exist?” Be reassured that He is there! In the Bible, a man named Job (Job 23:8-10) experienced a similar feeling.  Read his words: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand that I cannot see him:  But he knows the way I should take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  God is a God who hides, yet he’s always there though we may not see Him.  He knows what’s best for you, follow Him.

 But, how do I open a line of communication, you ask? Romans 10:13 tells us: “whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” So go on, call Him and ask Him to put His arms around you.  Ask Him to envelop you with His warmth and with His love.  Guaranteed you’ll feel His presence!

 We are to be thankful not because we may have lost a loved one or because of hardship. But in spite of those situation. Unfortunately, those things will happen. God knows those things cause us pain and heartbreak. He understands our pain and sorrows.  Which is why He’s chosen a date and time in the which He shall return to make ALL things right; and He will! He hasn’t revealed that info to anyone, so don’t be fooled by those who claim to know. It’ll be here before you know it.  The thing is to be ready!

So, in the midst of hardship and uncertainty, may you all have a great and blessed day of Thanksgiving-whether or not you have health, have food, have a job, have a home, companionship, or have suffered loss or gain. God is above all things.  Christ is all, and in all (Colossians 3:11b).
Sam

Back when I was in the fourth grade there were whispers amongst our teachers concerning a relatively new book that had made its way to our library, the book was Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls by William Rossa Cole and Tomi Ungerer. It was about mischievous things boys did to girls, and vice-versa! Since that was a different era, teachers didn’t really want to give us new ideas…though we were probably doing them anyway! It was beastly!

In a ghastly way, or should I say, ghostly way, Halloween will be soon upon us-sort of, restrictions due to Covid19.  When it rolls around, kids dress up in all types of costumes. Some are of nice & sweet characters while others can be on the terrifying side. Some are of monsters and beastly creatures.  I remember trick-a-treating when I was 10 years old with my little brother.  As we were steps from our building, we waved at my brother & sister-in-law and at that exact instant, an older guy, Mike, was up on the roof of a four-story building and with great precision, poured a bucket of water right on us! What a beastly thing to do!!! We were aghast as well as wet and scarier-looking than before!  Life is like that: beasts and critters all around us waiting for the right moment to pounce on us!

Some of us have internal beasts to deal with. Our son usually says, “Don’t cause the monster within me to come forth!” Beasts, can present themselves in various forms, such as anger, jealousy, resentment, indifference, hatred, bitterness, vengeance, and others. They’re not pretty! Ghastly!

However, the Word of God speaks of a different type of beast, one that’s very unlike any character we’ve seen.  One that’s worse and more horrific than any monster on any movie ever seen!  He’s very near and coming with lots of charisma and probably good looks which will appeal to many. He’ll have a foul mouth and will speak blasphemies against God. This Beast will be nothing in comparison to the characters that we may allow our kids to imitate on Halloween, or the ‘beastly’ pranks played on siblings. His beauty is raw ugliness.  It’s satanic; hellish. This beast’s ultimate accomplishments will make past world leaders like Hitler and Stalin seem like good, innocent school kids.

Revelation 13:4B-6 tells us, “…And they worshipped the beast saying,” Who is like the beast?  Who is able to wage war against him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Escape the Beast that’s soon to appear on this planet.  He’s practically around the corner!  Turn your life to God and seek Him.  We may be living in tough and dire days, but this is nothing compared to what’s to come!! God has called us to sainthood, to godliness, and to be imitators (followers) of Him (Ephesians 5:1).  No amount of water will quench the beast’s temper or hinder his plans!

God Bless!