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Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2128 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 9:56 am: | |
To all my special friends I have made on this forum, I am wishing you a very Merry, Happy, Christ filled Christmas. Each of you are very special to me and I do appreciate you very much. Your Sister in Christ. Diana |
Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2132 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 10:51 am: | |
I temporarily forgot my spelling. Could that be a senior moment??? I see I had it right in the message. Diana |
Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3108 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 3:15 pm: | |
Thank you, Diana! Sometimes when I think of the people here on the forum and realize that God has placed all of us here, interacting with each other, I get a bit emotional with gratitude and thankfulness to Him and for all of you. Merry Christmas to all of you! I praise God for you and for His work in our lives. Colleen |
Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl
Post Number: 124 Registered: 6-2005
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 6:28 pm: | |
Diana, I didnt really think you were putting "Mary" ahead of "Christ" That would be for a different forum I think. . Have a wonderful and Blessed Christmas all, Ive enjoyed the friends I have made here along THE WAY. Hugs All, JavaGirl |
Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne
Post Number: 157 Registered: 10-2005
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 6:53 pm: | |
Diana, This is going to be my best Christmas. I never felt the peace that I feel now. I'm so grateful God brought me to former adventists on the net. I was awakened thinking of John 15 - That I don't want to depart from the vine. The Holy Spirit just embraced me with that thought. Another great thought here - The birth of our Saviour and knowing I am saved. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas also. Lynne
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Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz
Post Number: 1126 Registered: 3-2005
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 9:12 am: | |
Diana, maybe your spelling of marry was not a senior moment, but a Christmas wish?, or what they call a freudian slip? (smiley) Here are a couple of great Christmas poems that I loved and will link them here at www.theologica.blogspot.com/2005/12/christ-king.html One poem is from Martin Luther and the other one is especially good. I wish everyone a happy and blessed Christmas, and thanks all for a great year of great dialogue on this forum. Stan |
Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 376 Registered: 8-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 10:05 am: | |
What a wonderful time Christmas is! A time to pause and reflect, a time to share joyously the good news of Salvation, a time to rejoice that our Salvation is secure! Last night in the car "Mary Did You Know?" came on the Christian Radio station. What a song! I've loved the music as long as I've known it, but seemed to hear the words for the first time: Mary Did You Know That your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new; the child that you delivered will soon deliver you? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God! Oh Mary did you know? Oh Mary did you know? The blind will see, the deaf will hear the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb. Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb? The sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am! Mary did you know? By Mark Lowry (Just realised who wrote this song! If I'd known that at the beginning who wrote it I would have expected a comedy or spoof or something - just goes to show that prejudice makes us miss some good things some times!) I was enjoying the song and just singing along as the words, when it came to the words, "When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God!" Then it hit me. Yes, this was God that Mary was holding. This was truely our Creator in this creature's arms, dependant on her for His every need. I cried. What love! What an amazing choice! The Great I AM born in a stable and placed in the manger (what better place for the Bread of Life than a feeding trough?). Angels of God sent to tell the shepherds that a new little Lamb was born - who would make one of the big reasons for their livelihood disappear for good! What a God we serve! How much He has done for us! What a joy to know that HE who began a good work in us WILL BE FAITHFUL to complete it! Merry Christmas! Blessings, Mary PS: on an email group I'm a member of someone sent us this link: http://www.soon.org.uk/stories/tifton.htm I thought it a good story with an excellent point. So are we 'Tiftons', or merely 'celebrating a holiday'? |
Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2136 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 10:49 am: | |
Stan, I laughed as I read you comment. Who knows??? I really like it when some one feels comfortable with me to tease me. Thanks for the web site with the comments by Luther and the poem. What an awesome God we have. He is beyond understanding and that is fine with me as my salvation is not based on how well I understand God. Thank you Jesus. I like the story of the Tiftons and I am a Tifton, Thank you God. You drew me away gently, starting so long ago and I thank you. Diana |
Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 11:25 am: | |
Helovesme2, What a nice song. Thank you. I, too, wish everyone a Christ-filled Christmas. Gilbert |
Bb Registered user Username: Bb
Post Number: 113 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 1:13 pm: | |
Mary, I just love that song! And the new version that is on Christian radio is by Clay Aiken, or at least that is on the new WOW Christmas CD. He sings is beautifully!!! It tells the gospel so plainly too. Did anyone see Jim Carey on Conan O'Brien? I know he is crazy but he really gave it to Conan for saying "Happy Holidays". Jim Carey responded "Oh, do you mean MERRY CHRISTMAS?" and then he said something to the effect of "I'm going to have a "Christ-ee" Christ-ee Christmas." "I am going to go up into the Canadian woods and have a mass to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ while you are down here celebrating the separation of church and state!" I know it sounds irreverant, but I think he was getting across how ridiculous it is to be afraid of saying Merry Christmas and including Jesus in the season. Bb |
Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg
Post Number: 91 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 6:12 pm: | |
Dear friends, Merry Christmas to you all, and thank-you for sharing this journey of Hope and Discovery with me. God Bless each of you, Randy |
Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis
Post Number: 531 Registered: 4-2000
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 6:12 pm: | |
Merry Christmas to all! I just returned from the 5 pm Christmas Eve service at our church. We ended with a beautiful candlelight service singing "Silent Night." As one of the greeters, it was very special to see many faces (both guests and regulars) and to shake their hands while wishing them a "Merry Christmas." Undoubtedly, I received the greater blessing by welcoming each person, young and old. My name tag clipped unto a lanyard has the following message under my name, "Here to Serve." May this phrase also be our mission statement, as former Adventists, in exposing the captors and setting the captives free. Let us never forget to return the favor, of those before us, who prayed for us and communicated with us unceasingly. May 2006 be the best year ever in evangelizing the enslaved. In awe of the Baby that everybody wanted, Dennis Fischer |
Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis
Post Number: 532 Registered: 4-2000
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 7:05 pm: | |
Merry Christmas to all! I just returned from the 5 pm Christmas Eve service at our church. We ended with a beautiful candlelight service singing "Silent Night." As one of the greeters, it was very special to see many faces (both guests and regulars) and to shake their hands while wishing them a "Merry Christmas." Undoubtedly, I received the greater blessing by welcoming each person, young and old. My name tag clipped unto a lanyard has the following message under my name, "Here to Serve." May this phrase also be our mission statement, as former Adventists, in exposing the captors and setting the captives free. Let us never forget to return the favor, of those before us, who prayed and communicated with us unceasingly. In awe of Bethlehem's manger, Dennis Fischer |
Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis
Post Number: 533 Registered: 4-2000
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 7:09 pm: | |
PS: Sorry about the double posting while talking by phone with one of my daughters. DJF |
Derrell Registered user Username: Derrell
Post Number: 140 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 7:38 pm: | |
Today I went to church and listened to the traditional Christmas exhortations, the fine music, and looked at the decorations and the beautiful clothes. Christ was not in them. His name was lavishly used as backs were slapped and toothy smiles exchanged, but He was conspicuously absent. Where was He? Christ was languishing in prison, drowning his sorrow at the local watering hole, trying to get a small present for his children at the dollar store, layed up in a healthcare facility, weeping in solitude. Christ was a stoic little kid living in abject squallor, a young girl making the decision that could end the life of her unborn baby, an elderly person whose children don't care. Gifts are exchanged tonight, and good Christians piously say that it is better to give than to receive. Millions of dollars are spent in celebration of the greatest gift while the Christ we celebrate stands cold, and hungry in a prison cell. When I stand before Jesus and He asks me why I didn't feed Him when He was hungry and couldn't afford a meal, why I didn't clothe Him when He was shivering in the December cold, why I didn't visit Him in the juvenile detention center where he wept alone in his little cell, what can I say? "I was busy celebrating Christ Mass with a great sermon, fine music, beautiful clothes, and many gifts under the tree. I was putting Christ back into Christmas. I was making sure that people heard me say 'Merry Christmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays.' This is what I was busy with, Christ." Ah, yes, we put our offerings in the Salvation Army pot, and we might even donate some cans to the church pantry, but is this the best we can do for Jesus? After all, each of those miserable people is Jesus. What we do for them, we do for Him. Our pompous Christmas church service was doing nothing for Christ. Nothing! For me, Christmas can never be the same after today. In despair, I walked out during the offering being taken up for Conference Evangelism, and determined that henceforth my Christmas must be a year long celebration of feeding, clothing, and visiting Christ. |
Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2140 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 8:08 pm: | |
Derrell, Congratulations. I know your new year will be an adventurous journey with Christ. And on this journey He will be in lead spot. Jesus, Thank you for your birth as a baby many years ago. Thank you for coming to this earth that we might have eternal life. Thank you for your resurrection. You are continuously awesome. Diana |
Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz
Post Number: 1128 Registered: 3-2005
| Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 10:05 am: | |
There are some great new Christmas carols being composed every year. Here is one just composed by Philip Ryken, pastor of the famous 10th Presbyterian church in Philadelphia (former pastors Donald Barnhouse and James Boice), but this one really inspired me this AM as I was starting my day rounding on sick hospital patients. This one is called "Grace Carol". Here is the link www.theologica.blogspot.com/2005/12/grace-carol.html Merry Christmas to all, Stan |
Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew
Post Number: 829 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 10:20 am: | |
Merry Christmas to one and all. Precious is the knowledge that we celebrate God incarnate on this day, and thus rejoice that by His coming to us, we are reconciled to Him. |
Jtree Registered user Username: Jtree
Post Number: 209 Registered: 5-2000
| Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 2:36 pm: | |
Merry Christmas Here is my "present" to all. I miss you..Here in my city in China, you could hear Silent Night everywhere. http://www.wrensworld.com/marydiduknow.htm |
Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2143 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 7:56 pm: | |
Jtree, I received that one from another friend. I really like the words of the song. I almost envy Mary because she was privileged to care for Jesus as a child. She got to kiss his "owies" and tell him stories as He sat in her lap. I am so thankful for Jesus and what He did, it is difficult to say how thankful I am as my words are so inadequate. He is so awesome. Diana |
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