A White Christmas!

Hey Everybody,

I've been wanting to have time to sit down and have a leisurely time to write to you for some time about this.... But you know how it is with me....and you've heard it all before, so I won't bore you with all of it again! But the difference is that the enemy has been extremely hot and heavy on my trail these past few weeks like never before...but I will not be defeated!! God said,"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." Psalms 105:15. "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans, 8:31. Halleluyah, Amen! I'm getting ready to shout here, y'all! Watch out!

You ever have one of those days where you just want to get on the rooftops and shout the magnificence of the Lord, so that the world may know...well maybe your neighbors, anyway?! (If they don't have you carted off in a strait jacket first :-)

Sometimes it's kinda frustrating to me (cuz I wanna share it, tell it, spread it, be it!) cuz when I try to share something spiritually exciting, and I see that the person I am talking to is just sitting there looking at me blinking.....in silence...with nothing but the crickets in the background....LOL!

I just wanna spread the joy, the excitement of God's wonderful love. Sigh! Each person has to experience God for him/her self. Nothing I can do, say or show anyone can do really do justice to anything about Him...It's all in His perfect timing, and their heart being ready to be open and receptive to the Spirit. So I will have to be content being a seed planter, spreading the joy. It will all come back to their remembrance when they have the "Holy Spirit understanding!" Amen!

I have been floating around in a wonderful stupor....completely speechless....all over the magnificently beautiful Word of God that I have been soaking up. Today was a case in point. My Pastor painted such a lovely picture of God's protective covering over us, that I have to share a small portion of the message with you. The message was very simple, yet very profound. I did not have the opportunity to buy the CD today, so unfortunately, this recounting of the message will be from memory, my handout notes, in addition to scriptures Pastor did not use, as the Spirit brought to mind for me as I listened.

The message was entitled, "A White Christmas."

Pastor Doolin started off recanting memories of things we associate with a white Christmas. Movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Frosty the Snowman," songs like "I'm Dreaming of a White Chirstmas," and of course the picture is not complete without a blanket of white snow on the ground. (He let a woman in the congregation try her hand at singing a line of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" (that girl has got moxy!...Pastor even sang a couple of lines too- My church is so much fun, yet we are serious about the Word!)

Okay, I'm back on track:

Pastor talked at length about how snow creates a slow measured supply of water to underground water reservoirs. Snow does more for the water table than rain, because rain has a tendency to run off, whereas snow slowly seeps deep down to the natural wells underground.

Analogy:

1. The Word, like snow, creates underground reservoirs (or reserves).
2. The Word once deep down in my Spirit is my reserve.
3. Since I read my Bible regularly, I can reach deep down and tap into the reserves, to the Word stored my spirit. I can call upon this Word stored in my spirit, in times of trouble, or even in times of joy.
4. The Word has to be deep within me to know the healing and peace of God for myself.
5. The Word will abound forth, but only according to what I have stored there. So if I don't feed myself and partake of the Word on a regular basis, therefore putting myself into a self imposed spiritual drought, what do I have to pull upon from deep within my spirit in times of trouble? Absolutely nothing!
6. Just like a car when the reserve tank is empty...sputter, sputter, cough, cough, nothing....that car is not moving until you put gas into it's tank...it's the same with us and the Word. We are not going anywhere spiritually without a constant source of energy and life, a constant diet of the Holy Word-which is living water for the soul, food for the spirit.

Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Psalms 119:105
"Thy Word is lamp unto my heart and a light unto my path."

John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Jeremiah 29:13
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

John 7:38
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Isaiah 55:10-11
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

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Pastor related in detail how snow cover insulates the ground during the cold weather. It can be up to 20 degrees warmer under a blanket of snow than just exposed out in the open air.

Analogy:

1. Like the snow blankets the earth, when we are covered in the Word, it keeps us warm like a blanket in cold times, difficult times, and tough times. My mind, spirit and soul, need to be covered in the Spirit. The Word of God blankets me like a protective, comforter. One reason I don't like to spend time overnight away from home is because I don't have my own comforter with me. My comforter is not too heavy or too light, but like the little bear of the Goldilocks story, my comforter is just right for me to make me comfortable to sleep well.
2. And the Holy Spirit is my own personal Comforter! To me the 23rd chapter of Psalms speaks of comfort in the Lord.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

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Pastor explained how when snow comes down through the sky, it purifies the air. I guess that makes sense if you think about it, because as it comes down it must collect different particles in the air, that you can actually see in the snow if you examine a cupful. (Hmm...that combined with whatever was in the water that formed the snow in the first place? Hmmph! No more snow ice cream for me! LOL!)

Analogy:

1. Just as the snow purifies the air, the Word purifies us. God's Holy Word does not go out and return to Him void. The Word is poured into me by hearing the Word of God, and by reading the Bible, spending time before God in prayer, in worship. The Word of God does its work in me without me ever having to consciously even think about it.
2. I am purified by the blood that was shed for me, and by the washing of the Word. Jesus was the Word who was made flesh. Being immersed in the Word is like bathing in righteousness. I wonder about the origin of the saying, 'cleanliness being next to Godliness'.
3. If I am drinking in the Word on a regular basis, that is like just sitting down one on one with Him, gleaning knowledge and biblical secrets from Him. Actually there aren't any secrets hidden from any of us...It just seems that way because more things are revealed to you, as you spend more time with Him.

Psalm 51:7
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

John 15:3
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. "

Ephesians 5:25- 27
"...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

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Pastor talked about something that I still find hard to believe: That every single snow flake is different and uniquely shaped. There is not another one like it and will not be another one like it. God's intricate handiwork is on display.

Analogy:

1. We are all different and unique- special to Him, as if there were only one of us to love.
2. Even those of us who share the same parents have different talents and gifts, different personalities, different experiences, different outlooks.
3. In "The Purpose Driven Life," author Rick Warren spoke of our unique "shapes" designed by God that determined how we could be best used by Him.
4. All of these things make us uniquely special to be used by God in different ways in different situations.

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Going back to the White Christmas theme:

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are covered by the blood, and covered by the Word, just as snow blankets the earth for a 'white Christmas'. While snow has the appearance of purity, it is not actually pure, as it collects the defilements in the air on its way to earth.

By contrast, in Jesus, we are actually purified and made sinless- by acceptance of the gift of salvation through Jesus. Our sins lose the label of crimson and scarlet, and become like the color that is symbolic of purity- white.

So our 'white Christmas' has nothing to do with the snow on the ground, or the movies, or the other things we associate with a 'white Christmas.' It is all about the purification of our sins. We are born again of God, fortifed by the reserves, the wellsprings of life, tucked away deep down in our spirits, accrued from spending time with God through the Word, prayer and worship.

John10:27
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

Christmas is our celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ...the beginning of the story of our salvation. Don't let the Christmas story stop there with the little baby in the manger. Accept the responsibility to learn about God's provision for our salvation, through the crucifixion of His only Son. Get to know the One who by God's grace and mercy, freely gave His life for our cleansing, salvation. Jesus came to reverse the curse!

This season make a resolution within yourself to get to KNOW your Saviour, or get to know Him even better...Jesus was the Word made flesh....you still can get to know Him through the Word.

Because of this message, I will never again perceive the words 'white Christmas' in the same light. A 'white Christmas', truly goes much deeper than just surface snow. It speaks to the core of our salvation, the cleansing of our sins. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

John 14:6
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 10:14, 15
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep."

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Everyday we should celebrate the birth, life, sacrifice, and promises of our Savior, not just in the month of December. "Jesus is the reason for the Season....everyday!"

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD..." Jeremiah 29:13, 14

\o/ Halleluyah, Halleluyah, Halleluyah!

If you'd like to purchase a copy of the original message by Pastor Doolin, just write and let me know.

100 Points to get into Heaven!!

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says," I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." "That's wonderful," says St.Peter, "that's worth three points!"

"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St.Peter. "That's certainly worth a point." "One point!?!!"

"I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.

"Two points!?!! "Exasperated, the man cries. "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."

"Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"

We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape, but God did it all with a nail. \0/

Author Unknown. Sent to me by my dear friend Lucy- Lucy get well soon!

Seasons of Life

A dear friend sent this to me. I'd like to share it with you.

The following pictures are of the same place but taken in different seasons... Be sure to read lessons below:

Lessons on Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral lessons: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season.

\0/

Author Unknown

It's About Time For My Birthday!!

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited...I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face ... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor! At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements...

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters, in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when everything is ready you will be part of my great party. See you soon.

I Love you!

Jesus \0/

PS. Tell your friends to be on the lookout for their invitations too.

Author Unknown