I'LL TELL MY DAD! by Ray Eddy

The story is told of two boys who were always fighting. Neither one ever won any of the fights except on one occasion when one boy threw a lucky punch and knocked the other boy to the ground. The boy lay on the ground with a stunned look on his face as though he couldn’t believe what had just happened. He was so amazed that he jumped up and ran away. As he left, the other boy could hear him saying, ‘I’m going to tell my dad!’

Well he told his dad and his dad talked with the other boy’s dad and he in turn talked to his son. By the time all of this had taken place, both boys were the best of friends again, and they never fought again. The talk with dad settled the issues that brought about the fight in the first place.

When you think about it, we sometimes lose the fight when it comes to our spiritual battles; we get ‘knocked to the ground.’ That’s when we know that it’s time to have a talk with Dad. An old chorus refrain comes to mind, ‘Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.’ When you talk to your heavenly Father and listen to His answer, you will find that He will resolve the issues and turn your defeat to victory. So, when you find yourself in a spiritual battle, Just go tell Dad!

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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS... by Ray Eddy

I could be like the soon-to-be crowned Miss America and say “World Peace.” But being a Christian, I know that’s not going to happen until Christ comes to rule and reign on earth. When you’ve been married over 50 years and have lived in your only house for almost 50 years, it becomes a difficult question to answer when someone asks, “What do you want for Christmas?”

In the past few years I have been given gifts that I greatly appreciated. Things like Gift Cards to one of my favorite restaurants or shopping places. This year, when my daughter asked me what I wanted, I said “I would like a word etymology book that would be a good resource for my Blogs and “From the Heart writings.” (I think that’s what I’m getting.) Beyond that, I can think of little I need or have a desire for. Realizing that I may have to downsize and move into a more manageable living space, my wife and I have been trying to get rid of the things one tends to accumulate over the years and the last thing I need is more ‘things.’

The best Christmas gift I can think of is simply having friends and family gatherings over the Holidays. These gatherings are pleasant and comforting whenever they occur, but it seems they have a special meaning during the Christmas Season.

And after all, Christmas isn’t about gifts; it’s about the gift of God’s Son to the World – the greatest Gift of all.

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IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS by Ray Eddy

It’s almost Christmas, time to think about the gifts you will be giving to others and perhaps about the gifts others will give to you. Why do you give gifts? Do you give because you know you’re going to receive, making it an obligation? Do you give because you want to impress someone with your generous and costly gift?

Or do you give because you genuinely love someone and want to bless them at Christmas time? Do you give a gift that will have significant meaning to the one receiving it because they know you put a lot of thought into their gift?

Have you ever received a gift from someone and thought to yourself, “What were they thinking?” Have you ever received a gift and responded to the giver, “Oh, it’s just what I wanted” when all the time you’re wondering what in the world you’re going to do with it.

All of the above serve as examples that in giving or receiving a gift, it’s the thought that counts. It matters not if the gift is great or small, if it is expensive or inexpensive, if it’s useful or ornamental, as long as you know the thought behind the gift was an expression of love.

God’s gift to us of eternal life through the giving of His Son as a sacrifice for sin was a gift that cost God and Jesus a great deal. But what makes it of such great value is the thought behind it. “God so loved…”

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LIFE IS BUT A MOMENT! by Ray Eddy

When we think about the years God has allotted for us to live here on earth, which according to Psalm 90:10, are few, “The days of our livers are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years.” And if we consider what II Peter 3:8 says, “But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” We begin to realize how each moment of our time is precious.

Using the above data, the person who is eighty years old where 1000 years = I day, has lived 29,200,000 years (80 years x365 days x 1000). An eighty year old, where I day = 1,000 years, has only lived 29.2 days of Gods 1,000 years (80×365 divided by 1,000). At 29.2 days, in God’s eyes, each moment must be lived to the fullest. If we are to live life moment by moment, then here are some things to consider:
-IN THE HAPPY MOMENT…PRAISE GOD.
-IN THE DIFFICULT MOMENT…SEEK GOD.
-IN THE QUIET MOMENT…WORSHIP GOD.
-IN THE PAINFUL MOMENT…TRUST GOD.
-IN EVERY MOMENT…THANK GOD.

Psalm 90:12, tells us, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Live each moment with God, it’s the wise thing to do!

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CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH? by Ray Eddy

In the film “A few Good Men” Tom Cruise is told, “You can’t handle the truth!” There are two aspects of truth that people find difficult to handle. The first is truth that is heard through the ear. Our decisions about truth may be based on several things, i.e. how reliable the person is who is telling you, and what supporting evidence is available to you, or what your own disposition is to receive what you are hearing as truth.

Truth must be responded to either by believing or rejecting. Responding to truth can put tremendous pressures on an individual. Truth forces us to make a decision. Do I believe it and respond, or do I ignore it? It can be as dangerous to ignore truth as it is to ignore a “Warning” sign. Our human nature makes us hesitate to believe warning signs, i.e. “Wet Paint.” It can be fatal if we ignore the truth that is found in God’s Word, the truth about Sin and Salvation. That truth will set you free. (John. 8:32)

The second aspect of truth that is hard to handle is that which we speak. Many people who say, “To tell the truth…” are really not telling the truth. Being truthful is not easy. We struggle with it even as a child when we fail to take responsibility for our actions. Telling the truth can bring painful consequences, but lying is not justified. Always “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:14, 15a)

Looking for Churches in Santa Clarita? Check out Heart of the Canyons.