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Posted on 11/30/2011 10:24:07 PM PST by JustAmy
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Hi JC It sounds like you have a great crew to help you...You and I are blessed that way...Everyone helps clean up the basement when they are ready to go home. I don’t have to go up and down the stairs, they take whatever leftover food they want.(there is usually a lot) and my DIL is a compulsive cleaner and the kitchen is spice and span by the time they are ready to leave....Happy Christmas and Happy coming new year to you and yours.....GG
If you really want to get folks upset, threaten their economy.
A bad economic picture gets politicians voted out of office, and the threat of a downturn nearly got the apostle Paul kicked out of Ephesus.
Here’s what happened. Paul came to town and started “reasoning and persuading concerning . . . the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). For more than 2 years he shared the gospel, and many began following Jesus.
Because Paul was so successful in getting people to see that there is only one true God, many Ephesians stopped worshiping the goddess Diana. This was bad news for the local silversmiths, who made their living creating and selling Diana statuettes. If enough people stopped believing in her, business would dry up. A commotion and an uproar broke out when the craftsmen figured this out.
This Ephesus incident can remind us to evaluate our reasons for worshiping God. The silversmiths wanted to protect their worship as a way of protecting their prosperity, but may that never be said of us. Don’t ever let your worship of God become an avenue to good fortune.
We worship God because of His love for us and because of who He is, not because loving Him can help our bottom line. Let’s worship God the right way.
Now is the time ... it is always NOW.
Paul's instruction “to pray without ceasing,” comes to mind. I understand it to mean, ... to have a constant connection with our God and to know and understand we are never separate from Him, Ever.
When we fail to honor his word by being disobedient, God calls it hate. I heard a sermon once that said every time we fail to honor and obey God's instruction it was blasphemy. WOW! If we believed that wouldn't we we be more circumspect and observant of our own behavior?
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King James Version (KJV)
1 Thessalonians 5
“1.But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2.For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3.For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4.But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5.Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6.Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7.For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8.But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9.For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10.Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11.Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12.And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13.And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14.Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15.See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16.Rejoice evermore.
17.Pray without ceasing.
18.In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19.Quench not the Spirit.
20.Despise not prophesyings.
21.Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22.Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23.And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24.Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
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our church has a living nativity scene for three nights, each year, angels, wise men, shepherds, sheep and goats,hay, etc.
out of doors in the weather ... under a sort of a tent,
Excellent!
They are out in the cold and holding positions for several hours. All live except the baby Jesus.
I don't believe I have ever seen a living one anywhere I've ever been. Must be quite an attraction!
It has become a tradition here for the church. Care is taken for the authentic materials and costumes of the people participating in the nativity scene.
We are building a new sanctuary and it is in the midst of construction, so we did have to move the location this year, only about a block. It always has a wonderful turn out of viewers. Many bring their children to see it. I imagine they will always remember seeing it.
It's very sad how a nativity scene (or anything religious) has become so 'unwelcome' in so many places!
Satan at work. We stand silent. Again and again.
Let our light shine for the LORD1
Satan at work. We stand silent. Again and again.
Let our light shine for the LORD!
One of our local Methodist churches has a live Nativity.
For me, it really draws me closer to Him when I stand and view the true meaning of Christmas. Can’t help but pray that others will experience the same.
Amen and Amen!
Thank you all!
Do they do it every year? If so, let me know where it is and when I’m down that way next year I’ll check it out!
Today going well for you? Relaxing a bit?
Sorry you couldn't be around much but 'real' life does take a priority! Hope you and the family had a wonderful CHRISTmas!
I haven’t done a whole lot....my sinuses are acting up and it can zap you.
Going to my son’s for chili tonight. After Christmas, its nice to get back to the stuff we love. One of my gal friends always wanted a hot dog after Christmas was over. I had hot clam chowder (Campbell’s Select) for lunch. it was pretty good. Its been chilly today in the house.
Hope you’re having a gooood day!
~Have A Magical Monday~
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