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 Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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Who Started Christmas? This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children; after many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year - overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card. Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot." From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry. We already crucified him."For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
TGBTG
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
Twas the night before Jesus came, and all through the house.
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!
© 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL
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Rank: King Joined: 6/6/2008 Posts: 2,167
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Beautiful Win. Henrietta sent me something on the same order. She should post it also. david
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Rank: King  Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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Cenb has been posting some awesome Christmas stories in her thread. I read this one in particular and thought it appropriate to put it here. Christmas holiday will come and go but our actions of Love and coming together under God is ongoing. That's why I decided to repost it here. Thanks Win! A CANDLE IN THE DARKNESS Legend has it that lights were introduced to the world by Martin Luther. One December night Luther was awed by the shimmer of starlight reflecting off icy tree branches. HE cut down a small fir and tied candles to its boughs as a reminder of the sparkling reflection of the heavenly lights. It became a symbol of Jesus—the heavenly light—come down to earth. Like its head, the church of Jesus Christ is called to be a light in a dark world. And that's what it was literally—no legend this time—three years ago in Timisoarar, Romania. As I tell it in my new book, The Body, the story began when Lazlo Tokes became pastor of Timisoarar's small Hungarian Reformed Church. Tokes preached the Gospel boldly, and within two years membership had swelled to 5,000. But success can be dangerous in a Communist country. Authorities stationed police officers in front of the church on Sundays, cradling machine guns. They hired thugs to attack Pastor Tokes. They confiscated his ration book so he couldn't buy food or fuel. Finally, in December 1989, they decided to send him into exile. But when police arrived to hustle Pastor Tokes away, they were stopped cold. Around the entrance to the church stood a wall of humanity. Members of other churches—Baptist, Adventist, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic—had joined together to protest. Though police tried to disperse the crowd, the people held their post all day and into the night. Then, just after midnight, a 19 year old Baptist student named Daniel Gavara pulled out a packet of candles. He lit one and passed it to his neighbor. Then he lit another. One by one the burning candles were passed out among the crowd. Soon the darkness of the December night was pierced by the light of hundreds of candles. When Tokes peered out the window, he was struck by the warm glow reflecting off hundreds of faces. That moment, he said later, was the "turning point in my life." His religious prejudices evaporated. Here were members of the body of Christ, completely disregarding denominational divisions, joining hands in his defense. It was a moving testimony to Christian unity. The Crowd stayed all through the night—and the next night. Finally police broke through. They bashed in the church door, bloodied Pastor Tokes's face, then paraded him and his wife through the crowd and out into the night. But that was not the end. No, the religious protest led—as it always does—to political protest. The people streamed to the city square and began a full scale demonstration against the Communist government. Again Daniel passed out his candles. First they had burned for Christian unity, now they burned for freedom. This was more than the government could tolerate. It brought in troops and ordered them to open fire on the crowd. Hundreds were shot. Young Daniel felt a searing pain as his leg was blown off. But the people of Timisoara stood bravely against the barrage of bullets. And by their example they inspired the entire population of Romania. Within days the nation had risen up and the bloody dictator Ceausecu was gone. For the first time in half a century, Romanians celebrated Christmas in freedom. Daniel celebrated in the hospital, where he was learning to walk on crutches. His pastor came to offer sympathy, but Daniel wasn't looking for sympathy. "Pastor, I don't mind so much the loss of a leg." he said. "After all, it was I who lit the first candle." The candle that was to light up the entire country. What a powerful image for us as we celebrate Christmas this year in the United States—the picture of a black December night when the darkness was lit up by a glowing testimony to unity and freedom. Perhaps 500 years from now the true story of Timisoara and its candles will have outlived the legend of Martin Luther. It's a story that calls our minds away from the tinsel and glitter of the season and reminds us of the heavenly light that shines in the world whenever the church is truly the church; when we act as a single, unified body, standing steadfast against evil, prepared to give our limbs—and even our lives to light a candle in the darkness. The church in Timisoara INSPIRED the entire population of ROMANIA Chuck Coulson, Prison Fellowship chairman and "BreakPoint radio commentator "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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Nic, I'm honored that you felt the Romanian Story worthy of sharing, Win - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "CHRISTMAS"- It's All About "The Gift!" Into the Manger - Onto the Cross - Out of the Tomb - Coming Again Soon!
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Rank: King Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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Just curious: Has anyone ever read "The Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary Kathryn Baxter? If so what are your thoughts? "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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The Missing Christ Child It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco. The pastor of the church was looking over the crèche when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures. He hurried outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus.
So he walked up to the boy and said, "Well, where did you get your passenger, my fine friend?"
The little boy replied, "I got Him at church." "And why did you take Him?"
The boy explained, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told Him if He would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give Him a ride around the block in it."MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!
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Rank: King Joined: 3/25/2007 Posts: 2,635 Location: Heaven Bound
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"Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture. That is why Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to be: “What does Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30; Acts 17:11). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
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Rank: King Joined: 6/6/2008 Posts: 2,167
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THAT WAS PRECIOUS WINNIE. I must pass that on in emails. david
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Rank: King Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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kspletzer wrote: "Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture. That is why Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to be: “What does Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30; Acts 17:11). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
I like this a lot better. Not only do I like it but I can respect it. Tradition provides dicipline and stability in most cases....but it is better than calling others devil worshippers and cultists. Very good save! Now I'm officially going to miss you. "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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Rank: King Joined: 3/25/2007 Posts: 2,635 Location: Heaven Bound
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Thank you-- I really WILL miss you and others here.
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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This one's for you Sally! By an act of Congress we have Thanksgiving.
~
But by an Act of God's grace we have Christmas!
Win Hall 12/09
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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cfirebird65 wrote:<blockquote><b>Quote: </b><i> Originally posted by LauraFletcher on 04 March 2008 How adorable is Pepito !!!! Animals are such good therapy for the sick......If only <b>people</b> could show such unconditional love, the world would be such a better place.<hr></blockquote><br> <br> I agree, Laura, human beings have a hard time with unconditional love. Pepito belonged to my son-in-law who developed allergies and had to give him away. My life was too busy to even think of getting a dog, but I couldn’t bear the thought of Pepito going to a stranger. I give him an all-natural diet but have to make sure the protein content is not too high. Other than that, he is more joy than any other problems. My grandson said he wants Pepito back when his other dog goes back to God. <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley14.gif"> <br> <br> <img border="0" src= "http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii228/spiceball/RacedAheadofYa.jpg"> Fiona, I was looking back some old posts and came across the one you posted with the picture of Pepito. He looks like a Cairn Terrier. I have one just like him. His name is Shiloh.
Do you still have Pepito? How is his health now?
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and Pepito too!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE FORWARD QUOTE SHOWN ABOVE SHOWS HOW THE NEW FORUM SOFTWARE DOESN'T ALLOW THE ARCHIVAL POST TO COME FORWARD TO BE CLEANLY REPRODUCED.
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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GEMINI, I found this post of the past which you shared and thought it a good time of the
year for others to see it. Win
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SALVATION posted by GEMINI CU pages 142 & 143
Someday you will stand before God. You must have his righteousness. Eternity depends on it!
Dear Souls,
The Bible declares that one day you will die and then stand face to face with God to be judged. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). Nothing in your entire life could be more important than being ready for that day, because it will determine whether you will spend eternity in heaven or in hell.
This judgment will be based on a person's righteousness, which means to be absolutely perfect and without sin. The Bible says, "...he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained..." (Acts 17:31). The man spoken of in this verse is Jesus Christ. This means that your righteousness must match that of Jesus Christ. Can you make it through your entire life without committing one single sin? Jesus Christ did, and He is the one that you will be compared with at your judgment.
None have it! No one other than Jesus Christ could ever lead a life without one single sin. Nobody but Jesus Christ is that righteous. The Bible says, "...There is none righteous, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:10, 23). If you claim to be righteous, you are only deceiving yourself and making God a liar. The Bible says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar..." (1 John 1:8, 10).
Without God's righteousness, you go to hell! The Bible says, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" (1 Corinthians 6:9a). If you're not going to heaven, that leaves one other place. "The wicked shall be turned into hell..." (Psalm 9:17).
You cannot work for it!!! The Bible says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." (Titus 3:5). If you could earn the righteousness of God, then Jesus Christ would not have had to die on the cross. The Bible says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21).
Dear Souls,
You cannot earn the righteousness of God by good deeds, church membership, sacraments, baptism, or anything that YOU do. If you do something for it, then it is self-righteousness.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to get God's righteousness. Faith, is a COMPLETE trust or dependency upon someone. The Bible says that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins and purchase the righteousness of God for you. You must stop trying to EARN it; instead, place your complete faith in Jesus Christ to receive it. The Bible says, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5). "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe..." (Romans 3:22). Then you will not have to fear your judgment day, because in your heart you know that you will "...be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3:9).
Will you trust completely in Jesus Christ to save you?
Dear Souls,
Jesus Christ has already paid for eternal life, you need only to receive it as a gift by putting your faith in Him. The Bible says, "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23). God cannot lie, and He has promised to give you eternal life. The Bible says, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2). Right now, will you believe God's promise? The Bible says, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15). Will you stop trusting YOUR righteousness, and put all your faith in Jesus Christ and receive HIS righteousness? If you will call on Jesus Christ and put all your faith in Him, He will save you right now. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).
Eternity is real, and hell is real. Jesus stated in John 12:48, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." You have read God's Word. Please receive Him today. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness." (Psalm 31:1).
(Written by myself with help from quotes from the Fellowship Tract League - Tract123)
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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Christmas Greetings in the name of Emmanuel! To the gentlemen of the forum may the Holy Spirit of God help you to possess the dedication and obedience displayed by Joseph toward You Lord; and toward his betrothed, the blessed Mary. In Joseph's example may we each exhibit the example of this dedication toward our spouses. This is true love. "Men, love your wives as Christ loved the Church."And to the ladies of the forum, may you this year experience the obedience to God in your heart, that Mary so humbly modeled. May this be your Christmas treasure. May all of the blessings of the manger be yours.
And may all of the love you've ever given away,
return to each of you this Christmas day.
Merry Christmas to all, Winston Hall
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Rank: King Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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Weenie, Sally, David, Moose, Cavage, Jerry, Em, Henni, Weez, M, Fia, Gojo, Star, Lyris, Cenb, Martin I know you're reading this too! Everybody else: BUON NATALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND KEEP YOU CLOSE TO HIM. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT!!!! AMEN!!!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!! OVER 2000 YEARS OLD AND DONT LOOK A DAY OVER 33!!!!! "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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THE KING IS BORN - HALLELUJAH!
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Rank: King Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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Anyways, no one replied to my post either way. Have any of you read "The Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary Kathryn Baxter? "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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Rank: King Joined: 3/5/2008 Posts: 1,083
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nicolini wrote:Anyways, no one replied to my post either way. Have any of you read "The Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary Kathryn Baxter? Sorry Nic. I have not. Have you? What have you heard about it? Win
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Rank: King Joined: 10/7/2009 Posts: 1,931 Location: Purgatory
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Check it out, Win and let me know your thoughts. It's a good read. I'm half tempted to write her and check a few things. "I'm not here. Leave a message!"
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