Relatively Difficult

Ugh.

Ever feel like that?

I often feel bad when I complain about problems that other people would love to have. My "problems" are not real problems.

I burnt my tongue on my coffee! I don't have enough food to feed my family.
I had a tough day at work. I've been out of work for months now.
I have to get my car fixed again! I have to take the bus everywhere because I can't afford a car.

I have always felt that everything is relative to the situation you're in... but what does that mean? Does that mean that my problems are big for me because I do have food, a job and a car? Or does that mean that my problems are nothing in comparison to others?

I try to tell myself that my problems are small compared to others, but it doesn't take the weight off my chest... nor does it make me feel less hopeless.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:30 (NIV), "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The Message puts it this way: "I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly".

Another principle of Jesus that is just what I need.... but difficult to implement. I can say I'm letting go, but if I still feel stressed... am I letting go?

Today my world is "heavy" and "ill-fitting"... I wish I could change into something more comfortable.

How about you? Are you holding on too? If so the "yoke" is on you...

Bad yoke.. I mean joke. :) But you get my point.

I want Christmas back...

I want to SAY Merry Christmas without fear of being "offensive".

I want to HEAR Merry Christmas from the stores where I do my "Christmas" shopping.

I want to SEE a Christmas Tree up in cities all over America, not Holiday trees.

I want it to FEEL like Christmas.

We're taking Christmas back... and we're taking it back for good.

Why does this country cater to those in the minority? Because they're louder than we are. In the D.C. Talk song, "Like it, Love it, Gotta Have it" there is a line that says, "he who complains the loudest, wears the fattest crown".

We're too quiet. We don't want to offend. We don't want to ruffle feathers.

Why is it bad to offend those in the minority on an issue, but it is OK to offend the majority?

It's not OK. It is time to make some noise. It is time to stop worrying about offending others while we have our freedoms taken away.

It is time to take Christmas back!

Before I get comments or emails from angry folks who think I'm saying that only certain people can enjoy this time of year... or that we want to do away with other Holidays... let me stop you right there.

I don't want to get rid of Hanukkah or any other holiday. It is your right to celebrate these holidays. I also do not wish to force Christmas upon those that do not wish to celebrate it. Lastly, I want to make it clear that EVERYONE that wants to celebrate Christmas should be able to freely do so; Christian, atheist, etc.

If you don't celebrate Christmas, that's fine. It is your choice. However, those of us that do celebrate Christmas should never be made to feel like we're inconveniencing you.... or that we're being offensive. If someone tells you "Merry Christmas" and you don't celebrate it... just don't say it back!

The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas... so why are we SO afraid to offend those that don't?

Let's take Christmas back for us, for our children and their children.

Merry Christmas!

Yay/Nay of the Day for 11/21-11/23

Yay: Maleah and Alex took FANTASTIC pictures this weekend. It was a world of difference from last year's ordeal with Maleah. This is a picture from their awesome photo session!

Yay: Good football weekend. Buckeyes beat Michigan and the Browns have a pulse. I'm glad they lost because a) I don't want Brady Quinn being a hero, b) they didn't deserve it, and c) we get a higher draft pick if we lose out. :)

Yay: Both of my fantasy football teams did well, but....

Nay: I don't like playing Miranda. I always want her to do well and it is hard to be the one that does well against her. Not bragging at all... she beat me down last time we played. :)

Nay: I've let the entire fall season go by and have only eaten ONE pumpkin pie blizzard from Dairy Queen. I'm so ashamed!

Yay/Nay of the Day for 11/20

Yay: The Buckeyes are going to the Rose Bowl, but we have to stop by Ann Arbor to exterminate some Wolverines first. That's always fun to watch!

Yay: We have ALL of our Christmas decorations up! Inside and out! I just love Christmas.... and before you make a comment, no it is not too early! :)

Yay: I love Brownie the Elf (pictured left). My favorite sports logo. Here's a little background for you. As if you care. :)

Nay: The Senate is trying to rush to a vote tomorrow on the horrible Health Care bill that Harry Reid has presented. In addition to an estimated cost of $849 billion over ten years (it is actually $2.5 trillion when they include the first 4 years of the plan) the bill in its current form will pay for abortions. This is after the House version included an amendment to completely ban federal funds from paying for abortions (see: Stupak/Pitts Amendment).

Almost a Month

It has been nearly a month since my last blog post.  I've prided myself on keeping this updated.  I was previously posting at least a few times a week.

Anyhow, I'll attempt to regain that status with the return of Yay/Nay of the Day.  I'll be posting daily and maybe that will get me jump starting in posting other blogs again.

Anyhow, thanks for reading my blog! :)