December 14
According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, both male female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year. Males drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, while females keep theirs until the spring. Therefore, according to everything we've seen, every one of those reindeer on Santa's team is FEMALE. "We should have known this when they were able to find their way."
In the good times and in the bad times _ Jesus is Lord.
The Bible is the only book where the Author is always present.
Perhaps the merriest season's greeting of all time was given by the angels when they announced Christ's birth: "Unto you is born this day a Savior..."
• "Unto you".......That is personal!
• "Is born this day".......That is present!
• "A Savior"........That is precious!
Christmas is a gift from God. He gave His light to pierce the darkness of our souls, His love to thaw the coldness of our hearts, His truth to break the chains of our bondage, His peace to quiet the voices of our guilt, His Son to pay the price for our eternal salvation. --D. Valentine
An interoffice softball game was held every year between the marketing and support staff of one company.
The support staff whipped the marketing department soundly. To show just "how" the marketing department earns their keep, they posted this memo on the bulletin board after the game:
"The Marketing Department is pleased to announce that for this Softball Season, we came in 2nd place, having lost but one game all year. The Support Department, however, had a rather dismal season, as they won only one game."
"So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied." -- Helen Keller
"No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves." -- Dwight Eisenhower
"A leader, once convinced a particular course of action is the right one, must have the determination to stick with it and be undaunted when the going gets rough." -- Ronald Reagan
"The devil is content that people should excel in good works, provided he can but make them proud of them." -- William Law
"A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life." -- William A. Ward
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." -- Unknown
"It is not what you say you believe that is important, but what you model, encourage, reward and let happen." -- Patricia Fripp
"Companies with clear written statements of values and principles are more dynamic and profitable than those without. People, too." -- Brian Tracy
JOY 10
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson
Lost Donations Due to Economic Downturn
A new survey from The Barna Group shows that more than 150 million Americans said they have been affected by the economic turbulence, and are now passing on their financial pain to churches and other non-profit organizations by cutting back substantially on their giving during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Barna reports that two out of every three families — 68 percent — have been noticeably affected by the financial setbacks in America. Nearly one out of every four (22%) said they have been impacted in a "major way." Interestingly, the people least affected have been those under 30 years of age — perhaps because relatively few of them have substantial retirement funds — as well as Asian households and those who describe themselves as mostly conservative on social and political issues.
During the past three months, one of the ways that adults have adjusted to their financial hardships has been by reducing their charitable giving. In total, one out of every five households (20%) has decreased its giving to churches or other religious centers.
The degree of reduction in giving is significant for churches. Among people who have decreased giving to churches and religious centers, 29 percent dropped their giving by as much as 20 percent, five percent decreased their generosity by 21 percent to 49 percent, 17 percent reduced their giving by half, and 11 percent sliced their provision by more than half. In addition, 22 percent said they had stopped their giving altogether.
The Economy
Much has been written and said about the state of the economy. Pastor Roger Kruger, writing in the November 2008 issue of "Fireflies" offers the following helpful suggestions for congregations:
The mission of the church is not survival but service. For those who look, there will be many opportunities to serve in hard times..Now is the time to begin planning ways to meet the needs of people.
But what can congregations do? I suspect that if congregational leaders are asked to think about it, they can come up with a variety of creative ministries suited to their community.
Think, talk, teach, and preach about faith. If this really has a lot to do with fear, then people need to constantly be reminded of God's faithfulness.
There is good reason to believe that if congregations are seen as making a difference, they will also be supported even in hard times.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." -- Mother Teresa
In one hand I have a dream, and in the other I have an obstacle. Tell me, which one grabs your attention? Henry Parks
Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish. Jean de la Fontaine (1621-1695) Poet
"Jews and Christians are different in a lot of ways. Some Christian people will actually have religious bumper stickers on their cars. Like 'Jesus is King', 'The Lord Saves'. Jews don't do that. You'll never see, 'Honk If You Love Moses.'" - Gregg Rogell
Flee temptation and don't leave a forwarding address.
Some kid’s misunderstood lyrics to songs:
Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay
O come, froggy faithful
You'll tell Carol, "Be a skunk, I require"
Good tidings we bring to you and your kid
Gloria. . . . in a raunchy stable.
"While shepherds washed their socks at night"
Gracie Allen's Classic Recipe for Roast Beef
1 large Roast of beef
1 small Roast of beef
Take the two roasts and put them in the oven. When the little one burns, the big one is done
I watched a movie about a baby hen, it was a real chick flick.
"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." -- Calvin Coolidge
"The message of Christmas is not about the proclamation of a holiday or the declaration of a season. It is about the proclamation of a Person and the declaration of Salvation. The birth of the child in the manger was an event that prophets had written about, the people of Israel had spoken about, the patriarchs of old had wondered about, and the angels of God shouted about on that glorious night when Christ was born." -- Roy Lessin,
Top Ten Things Wives Don't Want to Hear Their Husbands Say on Christmas Day
10. "You like it, hon? Almost look like real diamonds, don't they?"
9. "That cheese ball was for later?"
8. "I never imagined a deep-fried turkey would flame up like that."
7. "Timmy, why is Mommy's present hissing?"
6. "It's the thought that counts, right?"
5. "Hey, the game's about to start!"
4. "That's right, hon. Your own subscription to "Guns & Ammo."
3. "Wow, thanks, Uncle Ted. Bagpipes!"
2. "It's two sizes smaller, darling- - you know, for motivation."
1. "Well, if it isn't Roy and Angela and their seven kids - - with suitcases! What a pleasant surprise!"
Life Is a Choice "Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming. It's about the choices you've just made, and the ones you're about to make, it's about the things you choose to say--today. It's about what you're going to do after you finish reading this." -- Mike Dooley
"The message of Christmas is not about the proclamation of a holiday or the declaration of a season. It is about the proclamation of a Person and the declaration of Salvation. The birth of the child in the manger was an event that prophets had written about, the people of Israel had spoken about, the patriarchs of old had wondered about, and the angels of God shouted about on that glorious night when Christ was born." -- Roy Lessin,
In a survey, 71 percent of Christians admitted that their "understanding of faith was fundamentally shaped by childhood religious experiences." Yet, only 48 percent see it as their responsibility as Christians to share their faith with children. At the same time, 71 percent said they like seeing a child understand how the Bible relates to daily life and 69 percent said they want to be part of a child's spiritual development.
When the message was first given it was given not to religious priests, but to shepherds, men of action who were fulfilling their ordinary duties. This put the message into the stream of ordinary life, instead of into the line of dry-as-dust speculation and religious rituals. Had it come to the priests, they would have searched sacred texts to see if it were valid according to the past. -- E. Stanley Jones
In the good times and in the bad times _ Jesus is Lord.
The Bible is the only book where the Author is always present.
Perhaps the merriest season's greeting of all time was given by the angels when they announced Christ's birth: "Unto you is born this day a Savior..."
• "Unto you".......That is personal!
• "Is born this day".......That is present!
• "A Savior"........That is precious!
Christmas is a gift from God. He gave His light to pierce the darkness of our souls, His love to thaw the coldness of our hearts, His truth to break the chains of our bondage, His peace to quiet the voices of our guilt, His Son to pay the price for our eternal salvation. --D. Valentine
An interoffice softball game was held every year between the marketing and support staff of one company.
The support staff whipped the marketing department soundly. To show just "how" the marketing department earns their keep, they posted this memo on the bulletin board after the game:
"The Marketing Department is pleased to announce that for this Softball Season, we came in 2nd place, having lost but one game all year. The Support Department, however, had a rather dismal season, as they won only one game."
"So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied." -- Helen Keller
"No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves." -- Dwight Eisenhower
"A leader, once convinced a particular course of action is the right one, must have the determination to stick with it and be undaunted when the going gets rough." -- Ronald Reagan
"The devil is content that people should excel in good works, provided he can but make them proud of them." -- William Law
"A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life." -- William A. Ward
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." -- Unknown
"It is not what you say you believe that is important, but what you model, encourage, reward and let happen." -- Patricia Fripp
"Companies with clear written statements of values and principles are more dynamic and profitable than those without. People, too." -- Brian Tracy
JOY 10
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson
Lost Donations Due to Economic Downturn
A new survey from The Barna Group shows that more than 150 million Americans said they have been affected by the economic turbulence, and are now passing on their financial pain to churches and other non-profit organizations by cutting back substantially on their giving during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Barna reports that two out of every three families — 68 percent — have been noticeably affected by the financial setbacks in America. Nearly one out of every four (22%) said they have been impacted in a "major way." Interestingly, the people least affected have been those under 30 years of age — perhaps because relatively few of them have substantial retirement funds — as well as Asian households and those who describe themselves as mostly conservative on social and political issues.
During the past three months, one of the ways that adults have adjusted to their financial hardships has been by reducing their charitable giving. In total, one out of every five households (20%) has decreased its giving to churches or other religious centers.
The degree of reduction in giving is significant for churches. Among people who have decreased giving to churches and religious centers, 29 percent dropped their giving by as much as 20 percent, five percent decreased their generosity by 21 percent to 49 percent, 17 percent reduced their giving by half, and 11 percent sliced their provision by more than half. In addition, 22 percent said they had stopped their giving altogether.
The Economy
Much has been written and said about the state of the economy. Pastor Roger Kruger, writing in the November 2008 issue of "Fireflies" offers the following helpful suggestions for congregations:
The mission of the church is not survival but service. For those who look, there will be many opportunities to serve in hard times..Now is the time to begin planning ways to meet the needs of people.
But what can congregations do? I suspect that if congregational leaders are asked to think about it, they can come up with a variety of creative ministries suited to their community.
Think, talk, teach, and preach about faith. If this really has a lot to do with fear, then people need to constantly be reminded of God's faithfulness.
There is good reason to believe that if congregations are seen as making a difference, they will also be supported even in hard times.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." -- Mother Teresa
In one hand I have a dream, and in the other I have an obstacle. Tell me, which one grabs your attention? Henry Parks
Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish. Jean de la Fontaine (1621-1695) Poet
"Jews and Christians are different in a lot of ways. Some Christian people will actually have religious bumper stickers on their cars. Like 'Jesus is King', 'The Lord Saves'. Jews don't do that. You'll never see, 'Honk If You Love Moses.'" - Gregg Rogell
Flee temptation and don't leave a forwarding address.
Some kid’s misunderstood lyrics to songs:
Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay
O come, froggy faithful
You'll tell Carol, "Be a skunk, I require"
Good tidings we bring to you and your kid
Gloria. . . . in a raunchy stable.
"While shepherds washed their socks at night"
Gracie Allen's Classic Recipe for Roast Beef
1 large Roast of beef
1 small Roast of beef
Take the two roasts and put them in the oven. When the little one burns, the big one is done
I watched a movie about a baby hen, it was a real chick flick.
"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." -- Calvin Coolidge
"The message of Christmas is not about the proclamation of a holiday or the declaration of a season. It is about the proclamation of a Person and the declaration of Salvation. The birth of the child in the manger was an event that prophets had written about, the people of Israel had spoken about, the patriarchs of old had wondered about, and the angels of God shouted about on that glorious night when Christ was born." -- Roy Lessin,
Top Ten Things Wives Don't Want to Hear Their Husbands Say on Christmas Day
10. "You like it, hon? Almost look like real diamonds, don't they?"
9. "That cheese ball was for later?"
8. "I never imagined a deep-fried turkey would flame up like that."
7. "Timmy, why is Mommy's present hissing?"
6. "It's the thought that counts, right?"
5. "Hey, the game's about to start!"
4. "That's right, hon. Your own subscription to "Guns & Ammo."
3. "Wow, thanks, Uncle Ted. Bagpipes!"
2. "It's two sizes smaller, darling- - you know, for motivation."
1. "Well, if it isn't Roy and Angela and their seven kids - - with suitcases! What a pleasant surprise!"
Life Is a Choice "Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming. It's about the choices you've just made, and the ones you're about to make, it's about the things you choose to say--today. It's about what you're going to do after you finish reading this." -- Mike Dooley
"The message of Christmas is not about the proclamation of a holiday or the declaration of a season. It is about the proclamation of a Person and the declaration of Salvation. The birth of the child in the manger was an event that prophets had written about, the people of Israel had spoken about, the patriarchs of old had wondered about, and the angels of God shouted about on that glorious night when Christ was born." -- Roy Lessin,
In a survey, 71 percent of Christians admitted that their "understanding of faith was fundamentally shaped by childhood religious experiences." Yet, only 48 percent see it as their responsibility as Christians to share their faith with children. At the same time, 71 percent said they like seeing a child understand how the Bible relates to daily life and 69 percent said they want to be part of a child's spiritual development.
When the message was first given it was given not to religious priests, but to shepherds, men of action who were fulfilling their ordinary duties. This put the message into the stream of ordinary life, instead of into the line of dry-as-dust speculation and religious rituals. Had it come to the priests, they would have searched sacred texts to see if it were valid according to the past. -- E. Stanley Jones
posted by joypastordon at 9:42 PM
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