Karate Kid

I got to thinking the other day about life and all of the curve balls it throws you.  I looked at all of the struggles this past year and by the grace of God I was able say we made it through most of them. I started thinking about the life lessons a simple movie like the Karate Kid could teach us and I was amazed by what I came up with.  Bear with me and it will all make sense I promise.  There are at least 4 examples how this movie could apply to us right now.
1-  You are being trained right now for battles you will deal with later.
Daniel knew he needed training to deal with the bullies he was facing.  That training proved valuable in defeating his bullies.  The things you are learning today and even in the past could prove useful in the future. Look back over the years to the life lessons that taught you something you were able to use in future situations.
2- You don't even realize that you are learning the skills you will need.
Daniel thought he was performing every day mundane task until Miagi  showed him what he had learned.   It doesn't seem like much at the time of distress but you will learn something.  Sometime in the future you will be shown what was learned and how to use it and you will be amazed.
3- You will prevail
You remember the Crane Kick and how Daniel won the tournament?  You will get through your circumstances with your own signature move. It might be prayer, patience or mental toughness. Maybe it will be all of the afore mentioned. Only you know what you have learned from past experiences and how to use it to your advantage.
4- the curve balls keep coming.
Remember life will continue to challenge you. There was more than just the one Karate Kid. There were sequels. You have to keep learning and fighting through life because it keeps coming.
Just a few thought as we set sail on another year. We do not know what it holds but we know we have the tools to get through whatever it throws our way. Happy New Year. Live a blessed life. It all starts with a positive attitude.  God Bless
Kenney Big Skinny Pope.
  

Merry Christmas

It's almost time for the celebration. The tree is up with the decorations and the house is decorated. I can't help but be reminded of the Christmas days from my childhood. You could feel the Christmas spirit in the air. It was a different time. As I look at the tree I have to say I feel absolutely nothing. It's become just another day.  I start trying to put my finger on it and figure out where the Christmas spirit went. Is it it because my mom is no longer here with us? She did make it special.  Is it the corporate greed from all of the retailers that has spoiled it for me? Is it that we seem to live in a materialistic society? Could it be the me first world we live in? While all of these things definitely contribute to the downfall of Christmas,  a light came on last night and it showed me what was missing. While watching a program on TV last night, there was a church scene that really spoke to me. It reminded me of all that was missing in my life. It showed a little church  with a preacher giving an  altar call. The people were responding by walking to the altar and kneeling to pray. My eyes filled with tears because that was what made Christmas special.  It is hard to celebrate a birthday when the guest of honor is not present.  It becomes just another day. That is exactly how I felt. It was just another day.  Jesus Christ is truly the reason for the season. I hope if you are reading this you have the light come on for you.  I have struggled with writing this and putting it into words. I have been trying to write this for 2 weeks. I did not have the answer until last night. I woke this morning feeling more positive than I can remember in years.  It's amazing what happens when you put things in perspective.
God Bless and Merry CHRISTmas.