On this Terrestrial Ball

As an American celebrating Christmas in a foreign country, it’s a unique experience.  Visiting Thailand, I do see some Christmas decorations in the malls.  Aluminum Christmas trees of all sizes and colors.  I hear the traditional Christmas music (in English) playing over the speakers in the malls.  So yes, there’s a nod to “Christmas” in Thailand.  But that’s about it.  There’s no Christmas vibe, though.  Usually at this time of year you can tell when people are excitedly shopping for Christmas presents for their loved ones.   And when I drive away from the malls, there are no houses decorated with Christmas lights. Outside of the mall and its commercialized nod to Christmas, you would never know it’s Christmas time here.  And of course, the hot and humid weather with bright sunny days is about as far away from a winter wonderland as you can get.  Though I admit, I am from the southwest part of America where there was little to no s...

Okay, I’m going to rant and complain for a bit.  I actually have nothing to complain about though.  I’m healthy, have a roof over my head and all I need to live.  I have the most awesome wife.  I have Jesus in my life and know in my heart the assurance of Christ’s love and have the promise of one day being in paradise with him.  But that’s the thing with us humans, isn’t it?  We’re never happy.  Always complaining about something even when we really have nothing to complain about.  I think about the verse in the Bible: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15) . That’s that sinful nature in us that we cannot shake without the help of God’s grace.   But it’s such a bummer.  For example, here I am living in a beautiful country in a nice home with my awesome wife. Half the time I find myself complaining about the heat and humidity, poor construction standards, awful traffic an...