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that goes with it, we need to pause... Pray for all those who are in need this year,
it has been a bad year for many, and our thoughts need to be about how we as Christians
can help or even change some of the circumstances in the lives of folks we know.
Have we reached out? Have we helped those in need? For some it may be that
you can pray for them, for others it may be that you can help them financially,
but what ever God calls on you to do, obey him, and he will definitely bless you.
Christmas is the season for giving, and who better as an example than our Jesus.
Let's strive to be more like him in all our ways, and especially giving.
We think of Christmas and the birth of our Saviour, oh as we all well know this in not his birthday, but long, long,long ago they choose December 25Th to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Luke gives such a vivid explanation of the whole birth of Christ, leading up to, and after,
if you have never read that complete account of the birth of Christ do so, your heart
will be blessed when you see how our Lord God almighty came to dwell among us,
in the flesh, and how God the Spirit protected him and cared for him, until it was his time to lay
down his life for you and I.
Luke 2:13 Tells us there was an angel and a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward all men.
Do we still get excited to think of his birth, do we praise God daily for giving Jesus dying
in our place? The only reason America has been blessed by God the father is because we
continue bless Israel, and we honor the Lord Jesus Christ. If we ever stop either,
all the curses he told us about will come upon us just like they have other godless Nations.
Let us always praise God to the highest, and tell all about the man called Jesus,
who came and was born of a virgin, in a lowly manger, then wrapped in swaddling cloth
(that is burial cloth in case you did not know) because there was no room for him.
Let me ask you now, is there room for Jesus in your life? Do you put him first in all you do?
Oh if you do not give him presidence over all your life, please make today the day you
choose to follow and obey him, you will never regret it, the path I choose over 30 years ago,
is still the path I chose today, to walk in the footprints of my Jesus,
and eventually they will lead me home. I hope this has given you food for thought,
we can always do better, and we can always do more to help others to understand just what
this man called Jesus has come for, and the true meaning of why he was born of a virgin,
in a lowly stable, and why he went to go to the cross of Calvary to pay my sin debt,
and yours, he is the only man draped in flesh that never sinned,
he was the only one who could pay the debt of sin, he was the only one.
Now he is the only one I choose to serve, I ask daily for him to give me a servants heart,
and to make me available to him for whatever he chooses to do in my life.
Let that be the earnest prayer for all of us as we start a new year... Have a very blessed Christmas.
Remember to Keep Christ In Christmas, if you omit him all you have left is a mas, (mess)
"From The Manger To The Cross"
It was not quiet on the hill that day,
With Joseph and Mary’s cries.
The laughter, the gambling of the Roman guards
As they waited for Jesus to die.
Imagine Joseph and Mary’s thoughts that day
Seeing their son nailed to the cross,
There could be no heartache, no sorrow, ever,
To compare with their feelings, their loss.
This was the baby Mary had sang to sleep
And had nursed and cared for, for years.
Now, this was the man who hung from the cross
Though she could barely see Him because of the tears.
From the manger to the cross
Her son had healed and loved, from year to year.
She could not understand, who would have thought,
His paths would lead Him here.
They were killing a man, the "King of the Jews"
Who had caused no one any pain.
They were sure His death would put an end to His deeds,
But, they didn’t know their hate was in vain.
He was sent to accomplish a mission
Through suffering and pain, at all cost.
Accomplish His mission He certainly did,
All the way from the manger to the cross.
This was composed by Charlene West on Easter, 1985.
Courtesy of Lora Cox Belle's Place
"A Different Christmas Poem"
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate
these festivities in a free Country. Let's try in this small way
to
pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed
themselves for us.
So much has been paid for our freedom.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
I hope and pray that the time spent with me will be blessed.
Back to:
Barbara's Blessings HOME
Please vote here to help others find us!
THANK YOU!!
With Joseph and Mary’s cries.
The laughter, the gambling of the Roman guards
As they waited for Jesus to die.
Imagine Joseph and Mary’s thoughts that day
Seeing their son nailed to the cross,
There could be no heartache, no sorrow, ever,
To compare with their feelings, their loss.
This was the baby Mary had sang to sleep
And had nursed and cared for, for years.
Now, this was the man who hung from the cross
From the manger to the cross
She could not understand, who would have thought,
They were killing a man, the "King of the Jews"
Who had caused no one any pain.
They were sure His death would put an end to His deeds,
But, they didn’t know their hate was in vain.
He was sent to accomplish a mission
Through suffering and pain, at all cost.
Accomplish His mission He certainly did,
All the way from the manger to the cross.
This was composed by Charlene West on Easter, 1985.
Courtesy of Lora Cox Belle's Place
"A Different Christmas Poem"
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate
these festivities in a free Country. Let's try in this small way
to
pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed
themselves for us.
So much has been paid for our freedom.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
I hope and pray that the time spent with me will be blessed.
Back to:
Barbara's Blessings HOME
Please vote here to help others find us!
THANK YOU!!
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate
these festivities in a free Country. Let's try in this small way
to
pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed
themselves for us.
So much has been paid for our freedom.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
I hope and pray that the time spent with me will be blessed.
Back to:
Barbara's Blessings HOME
Please vote here to help others find us!
THANK YOU!!