Caribou Coffe--mmmmmmmmmmmm

On this the morning after Christmas Day there is but one thing on my mind at the moment--Spicy, Heavy Caribou Coffee (Thanks to whoever bequeathed it to me anonymously this Christmas). If it were not for this coffee on my desk I would be sleeping right now. Christmas celebrations were grand, but they have taken a toll as I'm sure your celebrations have. Saturday we enjoyed Christmas celebrations with extended family in Madison. Sunday we worshipped together with our church and then visited with family in town. Yesterday we had a wonderful time retelling our Savior's birth, singing hymns and opening presents with our little family at home. Then it was on to the Christmas dinner at our church where we were able to share both physical food and spiritual food with folks in need. Finally we celebrated with my wife's family last night. Much eggnog, turkey, cookies and other goodies have been consumed. Many presents have been opened.
So now what? As we catch our breath and prepare for the New Year I have one thought on my mind-- clarity of focus. May God give us all clear thinking to pause for a moment and consider what God has given to us and consider how we might offer it back to Him as a sweet smelling sacrifice of service. Moses' reflections are helpful at this point:

Psalm 90 A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man back into dust And say, "Return, O children of men." For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades and withers away. For we have been consumed by Your anger And by Your wrath we have been dismayed. You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days have declined in Your fury; We have finished our years like a sigh. As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Do return, O Lord; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants. O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.NASB95