HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

       In watching New Year’s Rockin’ Eve last night and taking in all the sights and sounds of the festive occasion, it made me think of how many people may wish to have last night wiped from their life-slate.  Choices were made by millions of people.  I wonder how many are regretting them right now.  All our choices come with consequences.  Think before you speak, think before you act.  Sometimes there is no second chance.  God forgives, but pain and sorrow can be averted if wise choices are made in the first place.  Seek God's guidance in all life decisions and reap the benefits of being obedient. rlkeller

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

       A new year is fast approaching.  New Year's resolutions begin to creep into our minds.  What do we want to change about ourselves this coming year?  For believers shouldn't it be to behave more like Christ in our daily lives?  That is my daily prayer.  To become more and more like Christ knowing full well I don't have a snow balls chance of achieving it.  Should that stop me?  Not at all. Striving for something that is so righteous and might I say, necessary for our lives is never a wasted endeavor when are heart is in the right place; that being seeking to please God.  rlkeller

ATLANTIC CITY

          We went to Atlantic City last night to see the Christmas light show.  While there I never fail to see the eyes of lost people all around me, trying to be something they are not.  Young girls wearing dresses so tight that when they walk they inch up leaving very little to the imagination.  Guys with their hot babe on their arm.  What an empty existence.  Tomorrow they will wake up to the same problems they had the day before, no closer to a solution, unless they hit it big on the gaming tables.  But even that is only a temporary solution.  

       I like to go to AC to take in the sights and sounds.  The old people furiously playing their favorite slot machine with the endless hope of hitting the right combination with each push of the button.  The waitresses in the push up bras bringing mixed drinks to the patrons.  The mind numbing noises from all the machinery; bells, whirling sounds, clanging, hooting and hollering, laughing, groaning ... just some of the sounds of a casino.  I take in the scene and wonder how one would reach these people.  To preach at them is useless.  They would not listen. At least not in this environment.  Perhaps praying for them would be the answer.  That God would reveal Himself to each one of them in a personal way somewhere when the time was right.  God would know, I can only hope to know.  rlkeller

CHRISTMAS, GREAT WEATHER & HOCKEY

          Another Christmas is past and I survived it!  I am off work thru this coming Sunday and couldn't be happier.  Today will involve a trip with the pups to Cape May for the day.  There is a free petting zoo that we'll be checking out.  It's a beautiful day today!! Temps will be around 50, sunny skies ... perfect for a day trip!!  Not hardly December weather for NJ, but who's complaining?  Got a Triple Play ticket pack for 3 Devils games for Christmas.  Seeing the Flyers, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs between Jan 3rd and early February.  I do love my hockey!!  Devs are not scoring (again) for they are losing (again). Not doing well.  They'll snap out of it sooner or later.  Hope it's sooner ... . Have a blessed day!! rlkeller

A WEEK TO GO / VIENNA BOYS CHOIR / TSO

          A week to go until Christmas.  I still don't have my gifts bought.  I'm pretty much of a last second shopper.  Crazy ...  yeah.  Hey, during my first marriage I used to buy all my gifts for my wife on Christmas Eve.  Four hours at the mall covered it all.  With my crazy work hours lately I haven't had time to do ANY shopping at all.  No time to write.  Just time to do my devo.  I only have the time to write on this blog a couple times a week.  Oh well, that's the way things go.  Everything in God's good time.
          By the way, the Vienna Boys Choir (Monday, Dec 15 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ) was really good.  The Choir was started around 1898 in Austria.  Today they have approximately 100 boys ranging from ages 10-14 who are mainly from Austria.  That 100 is broken down into 4 groups of 25 who are tours groups that travel the globe singing.  They sang mostly Austrian classical and folk songs, but closed the show with a few American Christmas carols.  Of the 23 boys that sang, one was from South Korea, one from Japan, one from Slovakia, one from Mexico and one from America.  The rest were native sons of Austria.  It was a cultural experience to be sure and we enjoyed it immensely.
          This Sunday, the Tran-Siberian Orchestra at The Rock, in Newark, NJ.  rlkeller

CORRECTION / also CONCERT

          I stand corrected.  As I have continued to listen to the HOLLY station on Sirius XM radio I have now been hearing spiritually based songs with the name of Jesus.  They are now playing familiar carols in addition to the current pop Christmas songs.  I have no problem with that.  I can now wholeheartedly recommend HOLLY (17 on Sirius XM radio ... normally the LOVE SONG station when not playing Christmas music).  I was mistaken regarding my original take re: their programing.  While the world is definitely doing it's best to remove God from the public arena, this station doesn't appear to be a part of that.
          Took today off.  Going to Red Bank to hear the Vienna Boys Choir sing a Christmas program at the Count Basie Theatre.  I'm excited to hear them.  They are world class singers.  I love Christmas!  rlkeller

WORK / CHRISTMAS

          In light of all the scuttlebutt about layoffs, I received confirmation from the 2nd shift Asst Operations Mgr that I was part of the core people who will remain working even after the layoffs are done.  The temps are the first to go, naturally.  Perhaps one or two OHL workers will be let go, but for the most part the OHL direct hires, of which I am one, will remain as the core to continue on with the Uniqlo E-Commerce account.  God has seen me through the roughest patch. We have reached the time when we are going to be working our regular shift.  After this Sunday, we will have our full weekends off.  Thank You Lord.  

          Christmas is right around the corner and I am awaiting my next paycheck to buy some gifts.  Things are expensive, however, there are also many sales.  I have found that buying online preserves ones sanity.  I do it as often as possible.  (lol)  Have an awesomely blessed day!! rlkeller