I’m taking some time off. From the blog, from BlogTalkRadio, from the ‘net.

Nothing against you, my dear readers, but I need a little time away.

In the meanwhile:

Merry Christmas to All!

Sometimes, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is very short, ar at least seems that way. Like this year.

Yesterday, after church, the Praise and Worship leader asked those of us who sing what we wanted to do for the Christmas program. After all, we only have one day a week when everyone is available for rehearsal (Sunday evening) and there are only two more of those before Christmas… so we decided to brush up on Carol of the Bells along with the traditional songs.

With that in mind, and the closeness of Christmas getting more prounounced every day, I offer these two messages:

First, to my friends on the right, who adhere to the mantra “Common Sense, Please”:

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

And, to those who wander in here from the left-leaning areas of the world, where common sense isn’t:

Best wishes for a stress-free, non-addictive, gender-neutral, socially responsible and environmentally conscious winter solstice holiday. These wishes are sent without regard to race, gender, religion, creed, color or economic strata. The wish granting party, hereinafter referred to as “I” does grant the wish receiver, hereinafter referred to as “you” the freedom to accept or reject these wishes as determined by you on your own terms; that is, with regard to how you practice your religious or non-religious traditions of this time of year with the proviso that your practices are not to interfere with or abrogate the traditions of those around you who may or may not share the same traditions as you. Also, it is understood that these wishes are not an implicit permission to force others to share your religion, nor is it permission to allow others to share their religion (or lack thereof) with you. Additionally, these wishes are extended insofar that a fiscally successful, medically uncomplicated and personally fulfilling recognition of the generally accepted calendar year of 2009 would be enjoyed by you, but not without realizing that not all people recognize the same calendar and certainly not without recognizing the contributions of other cultures and societies as they have contributed to the time-measurement device known as the “Judeao-Christian Calendar System” which generally accounts for a one-year term involving twelve individual and inherently different months grouped in a repeating pattern for traditional reasons. (Disclaimer to note: This greeting and the additional wishes are subject to clarification or withdrawal, depending on the recipients’ attitude. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes, nor does it require the wish recipient to actively engage in the fulfillment of said wishes. The wisher assumes no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings and/or wishes may or may not have incurred upon those who are not caught up in the spirit of the holiday or, for whatever reason, simply do not celebrate this time, other than to tell you to put a band-aid on your owie and call a waaaahmbulance. Losers.)

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

This says it all!

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Tissue Warning

I saw this over at Gawfer‘s place.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Listen, then read:

We have had a lot of requests to replay the phone call that Pastor Mike shared during our church service on Sunday, Nov. 11th, 2007.

Here you’ll find the video clip that was created just for you. We’ve placed the video on YouTube so that you can watch it and share with family and friends.

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Since airing the audio of the phone call and now the making of the video clip, it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world. We encourage you to share the love of Christ with anyone you can.

May this Christmas season find you in good health, with family nearby, and in the company of His grace.

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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 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 were. 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.

7. Instead of nit picking 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.

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, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and 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.

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 who you love, and remember:

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!