Holiday Songs To Buy By

12) What Shop Is This?

11) Oh Little Toy Of Billy Bob

10) Joy To The World, The Stuff Has Come

9) Grandma Got Run Over By A Shopper

8) I Saw Mommy Buying Tons Of Stuff

7) Little Shopper Boy

6) Stuff The Malls With Scores Of Items

5) I'm Beginning To Buy A Lot For Stuffmas

4) Mary Did You Buy For Your Baby Boy?

3) Noisy Mall, Crowded Mall, Shoppers Run To Buy It All

2) Have Yourself A Very Costly Stuffmas

1) Stuff Nuts Shopping In An Open Mall

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? Why does it matter what we call it if there is no room in the stuff for Christ? Perhaps "Stuffmas" would be a more appropriate name for a holiday based on the religion of consumerism -- "Stuffianity".

But how much stuff can we accumulate? Our houses, our garages, and our rented storage spaces are stuffed with stuff. And still we are not satisfied. The relentless search for more stuff continues. The one who dies with the most toys wins, so they say.

Surrounded by stuff, we crave for more and miss the essence of life. What do you want for "Stuffmas"?

When your way looks blocked and the " I-can't-do-its" are shouting in your head, press forward for one more step -- one more day. Others have made it, so will you -- if you don't quit.

Things look bad, like there is no way through; but there is a way -- find it! By the mile it might be hard, but inch by inch your victory is a cinch -- moment by moment, day by day.

Things are not as they now seem to you. You only see one point of view. There are other sides to your story where the sunshine is now breaking through. Look the obstacles are fading. Can't you see there is a way through the mess. Oh glory, you don't have to stay in distress!

So attack your obstacle illusions, don't let them hold you back. Make a positive effort every single day to overcome the images, the ideas, the circumstances, the emotions, the thoughts that keep you down. Your weakest daily efforts, if they indeed be daily, will far surpass the efforts of an every-now-and-then Hercules.

Do something every day to make your life better! Don't settle for passively sitting on the bench of regret or fear -- and other illusions that steal your cheer. Get up. Get going. Today!

Something happened in our prayer walk yesterday morning that hasn't happened in our previous 9 months of prayer walking. We were invited into someone's home to pray from him.

As many of you know, my wife and I and a few other people have been prayer walking on Friday mornings around the Salvation Army Magness Potter Community Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Yesterday two of the men (Kevin and Philip) from the Salvation Army Rehab, where I am the chaplain, joined us in our walk. We also had Peter who volunteers at the rehab and is recovering with four and a half years clean time. And we had Jeannie and Linda who have walked with us from the beginning.

Yesterday we were praying at the intersection of Grace and Lische Streets when Jeannie said: "Kevin wants us to in that house and pray for his friend." So we all piled into Jeff's living room with the big Salvation Army flag that we carry on our walks. Jeff has glaucoma and is losing his vision. We all joined hands and prayed for Jeff and his family and for a miracle healing for his eyes. It was really great to be invited into someone's home. Kevin was thrilled to be able to minister to an old friend.

Peter yesterday was carrying the flag and after awhile he said: "I am amazed that no one looks at me funny for carrying this big flag. They act like it's normal." We told him that they are used to it because they have been seeing it every Friday for months.

A man was staggering down the street under the influence. Philip asked him if we could pray for him and he said no and kept walking. Suddenly Peter yells, "Larry! Larry! Is that you, Larry?" The man stopped and recognized Peter and they embraced. Peter said Larry used to be his barber and they have known each other for 20 years. Larry was glad for us to pray for him. Then he staggered away.

Peter said: "Most people don't know it, but Larry used to be doing well as a barber and was married. Then his wife was killed by one of his family members and he has been drinking heave every since." We just don't know what other people have gone through and what has driven them to act the way they do.

Please pray for those who live in the neighborhood around the Magness Potter Center. And please pray and show God's love to those who are struggling in your city.

Do you want to have a great year next year? 2007 will be good for those who make it good! The quality of your life depends on the quality of what you think, say, do, see, hear, read, watch.

So think, say, do, see, hear, read, and watch those things that will produce good in your life. And avoid all the things that will produce harm or negativity in your life. A good 2007 is that simple and it is your choice.

Begin this very moment to make 2007 your best year yet by controlling what you think, say, do, see, hear, read, and watch.