It starts with a Dream. "Visualize your Dream and make a commitment. Having a Dream is what makes life exciting. Never underestimate the power of a Dream. It will change your life. A Dream gives you the ability to determine your future." [1]
—Rudy Ruettiger

The power of a dream is giving someone hope. You know that's the most powerful thing you could give someone is hope. You know it's worth it: all this hard work. It was worth it even when it looked the darkest.
—Rudy Ruettiger

The story of Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger is of the little underdog defying the odds, and conquering formidable obstacles to achieve and live a dream. Rudy's story is was one of defying the odds in the face of constant critics, naysayers, and defeatists who said he could never measure up. Young Rudy being just 5'7" and 165 pounds played high school football. He was not an accomplished student in high school having struggled with a learning disability, namely dyslexia. Yet he was driven by a desire not only to goto the University of Notre Dame, but also to play football for the Fighting Irish. Against all obstacles he tried tirelessly to get accepted to Notre Dame, eventually transferring his junior year. Thereafter, he labored two seasons on the Notre Dame football team, on the practice squad for a shot at just one game in uniform in Notre Dame stadium. Coach Dan Devine selected Ruettiger to play against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975 with the persuassion of two other players. Rudy recorded a sack against the quarterback with clock winding down and that is all his Notre Dame stat line has ever shown. Ruettiger was carried off the field by his teammates following the game, and remains to date the last Notre Dame player to be carried off the field. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1976. His story is illustrative of what one can accomplish through hard work, determination, perseverance, and willingness to defy the odds in the face of adversity.

"You are whatever you resolve to be."
—Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

"We're going inside of ‘em, we're going outside of ‘em — inside of ‘em! outside of ‘em! — and when we get them on the run once, we're going to keep ‘em on the run... But don't forget, men — we're gonna get ‘em on the run, we're gonna go, go, go, go! — and we aren't going to stop until we go over that goal line! And don't forget, men — today is the day we're gonna win. They can't lick us — and that's how it goes... The first platoon men — go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men!"
—Knute Rockne

"Never, never, never give up."
—Winston Churchill

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."
—General George S. Patton

I had a dream once... should I let go of it? I graduated with a pre-law degree from Liberty University, and attended as law student at Regent Law, but lamentably I couldn't finance my education and fell apart emotionally and financially and withdrew with relutance in 2004. Yeah, I originally hoped to goto Notre Dame Law but didn't get accepted. I not only wanted to be an attorney, I wanted to be an advocate first and foremost, and an advocate for those who geniunely need and deserve help. I was blissfilly idealistic. My interests were constitutional law and appellate advocacy. I wanted to argue and win a case before the United States Supreme Court.

Perhaps not all dreams come to fruition. Perhaps some dreams were never meant to be. But in the absence of dreams, life would be less lively and less exciting. It's better to have dreamed, and sought after a dream, then to have never dreamed or tried at all. In the face of setback, we can pick up the pieces of our broken dream, dust ourselves off, pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep chasing after that dream or perhaps a new one.

I wish everyone reading a very Merry Christmas! As a Christian, I am mindful about what really matters: it's not the man-made pomp, ceremony, and traditions surrounding "Christmas," but rather the life and ministry of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. Please don't lose sight of what matters. For some, "Christmas" is just about materialism and self, and it's just a continuance of the worldly culture.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
—2 Corinthians 5:18-19

We're reconciled to God the Father through our mediator Christ Jesus, and how much more should brethren be reconciled to one another?

Why Forgive? by R.C. Sproul

And do not be conformed to this world, but be trans- formed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
—Romans 12:2

What does the Pauline admonition in Romans 12:2 really mean in the life of the believer? (Rom. 12:1-2) Our sanctification is an on-going effort, and we have to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit that we might bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness. We can succomb and falter to the flesh, and simply suffer from a bad attitude. (1 Cor. 1:29-31) But as we grow, we can partake of a peace that comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit even in the midst of trials and affliction, or wrongs committed against us by others (Gal. 5:22-23; Jas. 3:17-18).

Being not conformed to the world means never treating grace as license. Being not conformed to the world entails not making an idol out of anything: whether it is: material things and earthly possessions; entertainment, sports and popular culture; ideological causes; or even other people near and dear to us. It means eschewing the way of the world and renouncing all earthly attachments for the Kingdom of Christ. Being not conformed to the world means trust God to judge the wicked, and simply forgiving and never paying evil for evil. The Christian should trust God to judge and make recompense to those who wrong us. When all is forgiven of us, how can we not forgive our brothers? Our Lord Jesus tells us not only to bless our neighbors but those who wrong us and hurt us as well. Everything comes back to the Crosswork of Christ. In the face of life's trials, we can set our sights on the promises of God.

I sincerely hope that more people would come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I hope too more opportunities to personally witness to the lost and likewise restore the fallen brethren in Christ.

I sincerely hope to grow in grace, and become a more faithful ambassador of Jesus Christ. Where I fall short of His glory, I look to His abundant grace. I am a sinner and I look to the tender mercies of my blessed Lord Jesus Christ. I have nothing to boast in but the Cross. Please pray for me.