Macy on the big screen!

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Christmas Pajamas

 

Who was Jesus?

So the fact that Jesus lived is well received here in America. It's a hard fact to get past considering the whole bc/ad thing.

But who was He? Why do we celebrate his birth?

It would be odd to celebrate a baby who was born in a manger in my opinion. Odder still to celebrate a man who died the worst death imaginable. Why in the world would we rejoice about a man who was betrayed by virtually everyone, sentenced to death and humiliated?

Good question. It doesn't make sense. He was just a man right? There have been other good leaders, other revolutionaries. There have been other people that have lead hundreds of thousands of people. And many of them died a NOBLE death.

Well, there's the miracles, but those were myths right? Things that men just wrote about to justify their religious efforts to be good men and put down other religions, right?

But did He raise from the dead? That's the $64,000 question isn't it? If He rose from the dead, then that probably settles a lot of the debate and questions. In fact, that probably settles the biggest questions you could ever think of. If He rose from the dead, He's one of a kind, who He said He was, and the greatest "man" to ever walk on this earth. I think that would pretty much justify celebrating the birth of a baby in my mind. Oh yeah, and that would mean the culmination of the huge list of prophecies that were made about him.

But did He? How can we know? That was a long time ago.

Let's consider what happened after His death. Those men that betrayed Him and deserted Him at his death... What did they do? Did the finally give up their blind following of a great leader? Did they retreat in defeat in one of the saddest moments ever imaginable? They had just seen Him beaten to a pulp, hung on a cross with nails in His hands and feet, a crown of thorns stuck in His head. They saw people spit on Him, hit Him in the face, mock Him and finally put a spear in His side. They saw him dead. Gone. They saw him taken to a grave. He was dead. He was gone.

Those men, who saw how He died, went on to proclaim that Jesus rose from the dead. That might be somewhat plausible to some people. But what about the many disciples who actually were so strong in their conviction that they were willing to die on a cross for their beliefs. Have you seen "The Passion Of The Christ"? If someone asked you to stick up for what you believe or you will die on a cross as depicted in that movie, would you continue to state what you believe? Many of Christ's followers died horrible martyr's deaths. Peter, who Christ chose to lead the beginning church, told his executioners that he was not worthy to die like Jesus did. He requested to be crucified upside down instead.

I'm a pretty resolute person. I like to stand up for what I believe. But if there was a huge nail about to be nailed into my hands for something that I knew in my heart was not true, I can guarantee you that I would choose that moment to come clean. My attempt to justify my life with lies would end at that moment.

But it didn't end. Those men died because they had seen Jesus. Even Thomas, who doubted like all of us probably would have, felt the holes in the hands of Jesus.

No other man claimed to be what Jesus was. Jesus claimed that he could forgive sins. He claimed to have come from heaven and be the fullness of God's glory. He claimed to be God! He claimed that he would raise from the dead. No other religious leader in history made such claims. There is no comparison.

So did He raise from the dead? Seems like at this time of the year, that should be the biggest question on any person's mind.

Insert Cute Triplet Title Here

 

Christmas Hats 2

 

Christmas hats

 

McKenney Christmas

We've put out calls and talked to people and I think the consensus is that we will be celebrating the McKenney Christmas on Saturday night the 23rd at Josh and Kristi's house.  Soo...without hearing any opposition to that plan I assume that it is a go with everyone.  In light of that, I am making it official.

 

 

 

You Are Invited

 

 

What:  A Christmas Celebration

 

Where:  The Home of Josh and Kristi

 

When:  Saturday evening the 23rd of December

 

Time:  5:00 PM

 

Why:  To celebrate Christ's birth and be together as a family

 

What to bring:  John and Donna please bring chili, Jay and Allison please bring a dessert/cookies, Dave and Shelley please bring an appitizer, Josh and Kristi...I will make cornbread and a dessert.  Also please bring the children's $5 book exchange and the adult $5 gift exchange present. 

 

Activities:  I have figured out a way to actually make graham cracker houses hold together so I thought having the kids decorate mini houses would be a fun project.  I will provide the assembled graham cracker houses, frosting, round peppermint candies, some large candy canes, hershey kisses, mini marshmallows etc.  Please could everyone bring small bag or two of candy to decorate with.  Oh and let me know if any adults want to do a house, I might make one for me to do too!

 

Plan:  I thought to start with the kids decorating the houses.  Then we can get that cleaned up and serve the food.  After the food is eaten, we can start with the kids' book exchange.  The kids can then retire to the family room =) and watch a special Christmas movie.  Meanwhile the grown-ups can do our present exchange.  One thing I've always wanted to do with our family is have a singing time.  Since we have so many talented musicians in our family, would one of you be willing to organize some songs and maybe John could play the guitar for us?  (And Jay too if he wants...I haven't heard him play yet.)  Just a thought.  That would be a nice way to end the evening with the kids. 

$mywife = JOY; echo ':)';

For those of you who don't understand the title of this post, you don't deserve a sweatshirt like the one my wife got for me for our 8 year anniversary. Yes it's true, I've finally come clean. I, Josh McKenney am white and Nerdy. A few things about my wife that I love: - She smiles a lot! - She laughs a lot - She has an amazing attitude about just about everything in life - She likes to be around me even though I'm white and nerdy - She's hot - She has an extremely cute dimple on her cheek - She has amazing hands - She has beautiful eyes - She has a lot of other incredible attributes... *blush* - She is an amazing mother! Of 5! In a 3 bedroom house! - She is extremely motivated - She forces me to dream big - She is an amazing cook! - She likes most of the same movies and tv shows I like - She supports me in everything I do - She stands with me and beside me - She loves Jesus - She loves my sons and daughters - I could keep going, for a very long time. My wife is the biggest blessing that God has given me on this earth apart from the death of his Son Jesus Christ. I love her more every single day. No way to segway... But to explain the white and nerdy sweatshirt, you must watch the below movie...

Fun, fun, fun