We just finished opening Santa's presents with the grand children.
The gratitude & excitement from the younger set is always so refreshing. Whether the present is large or small, expensive or inexpensive, the receiving joy is there. In so many ways, children should be our role models. To often, however, we (I) forget to look, listen and emulate them and loose their message of joy, forgiveness and acceptance/
Thanks kids where ever you are. Oh, how much we can learn from you.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Lord's Christmas letter to Christians (author unknown)
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now having said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks is. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know. They tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms, and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past, and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line. They talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas," that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't), buy some food and a few gifts, and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, or some other charity that believes in Me. They will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.
P. S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me, and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above, and get to work. Time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU.
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now having said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks is. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know. They tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms, and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past, and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line. They talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas," that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't), buy some food and a few gifts, and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, or some other charity that believes in Me. They will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.
P. S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me, and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above, and get to work. Time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU.
Let the Light In
Whatever we do, however we share, we mark the time,
the season, the feast as a place of light and love. And
in so doing, the gift of the Baby under the star has a
chance to transform our world into a bright oasis of
grace and mercy.
So as you gather today, whether with friends or even
by yourself, mark the time. Mark the day. Mark the
feast. And let the light of Christ come into the world.
the season, the feast as a place of light and love. And
in so doing, the gift of the Baby under the star has a
chance to transform our world into a bright oasis of
grace and mercy.
So as you gather today, whether with friends or even
by yourself, mark the time. Mark the day. Mark the
feast. And let the light of Christ come into the world.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Blessed are the cracked! Thats us. (author unknown)
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it is the cracks and flaws we have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. Just take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
Remember, blessed are the cracked for it is they who let in the light.
Remember, blessed are the cracked for it is they who let in the light.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas is.....
Christmas is not just a season,
Christmas is not just a day,
Christmas is more than a reason
For parties, presents and play.
Christmas is truly the essence
Of joy that the Saviour brings;
Christmas is surely the presence
Of Jesus, the King of Kings!
Christmas is not just a day,
Christmas is more than a reason
For parties, presents and play.
Christmas is truly the essence
Of joy that the Saviour brings;
Christmas is surely the presence
Of Jesus, the King of Kings!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
We're number 1
Last night the Richmond football team played Montana in the National Championships (Division 1AA) and won. I am so happy for our players who have worked so hard and so pleased for our coach. He is such a wonderful human being, family man, Christian and coach.
This is the first time in the Universities history that we have had a national championship. Happy holidays guys. This was a great gift to our Institution and to all of our constituents.
Go Spiders!
This is the first time in the Universities history that we have had a national championship. Happy holidays guys. This was a great gift to our Institution and to all of our constituents.
Go Spiders!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Prayer from Billy Graham concerning the values of today
>
>
> 'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
> seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who
> call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our
> spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited
> the poor and called
> it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have
> killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists
> and called it
> justifiable. We ha ve neglected to discipline our children and called it
> building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have
> coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have
> polluted the air
> with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have
> ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it
> enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today;
> cleanse us from every sin
> and Set us free. Amen!'
>
> 'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
> seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who
> call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our
> spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited
> the poor and called
> it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have
> killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists
> and called it
> justifiable. We ha ve neglected to discipline our children and called it
> building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have
> coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have
> polluted the air
> with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have
> ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it
> enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today;
> cleanse us from every sin
> and Set us free. Amen!'
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