Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping yet? Have you bought that special gift for that special someone? It always makes you feel good when you know what you are going to buy for that special someone, and then you go out and get it, of course it always helps when they give you a lot of hints. The best is a list written out and given to you, it’s only fair, that’s what they want from you. Of course if you wait until December 24th it’s a lot easier, you just pick up whatever is left. The selection isn’t as vast, but the decisions are easier, “Do I get her a snow shovel or a water hose, ice melt or a skateboard, mittens or flip-flops? Snow shovel, ice melt and mittens, then she will be all set for….” Maybe this isn’t the best way to do it but when you wait until the last day, this is what you get, trust me I know. It’s times like this that you really push that “it’s the thought that counts” thing. Maybe we should put a little more thought, a little bit earlier into it. Of course if you are like me, I go to buy Becky that special gift that will just make her day, and I go to the store, and since I don’t have a list, I forget what it is (snow shovel, ice melt, no no that’s not it, now what was it). But those times when I do come through it makes me feel great to know that I did good.
Of course when you do buy that special gift that you know she will just go crazy over, you want to give it right away because you want to see that look on her face. Don't you just hate having to wait to give that gift, I wish that I had enough money to give her a special gift every day of December, but I don't, and even if I did I don't have enough ideas. To think of one makes my brain hurt. But Christmas will be here soon and then we can all give that special gift to that special someone.
So what is the most special gift that you have ever given someone? Let me know.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE INFAMY
"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
……..
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
These were the words spoken by President Roosevelt on December 8, 1941. This is the event that propelled us into World War II. We need to learn about this important date and remember it. Just as we were attacked on September 11, 2001, we were also attacked on December 7, 1941. we were not at war before, but we were after. Pray for our men and women who fight to keep us free.The attack on Pearl Harbor was not an isolated incident, but was rather one thrust of an overall Japanese offensive in the Pacific. Ninety minutes before the first bombs were dropped in Hawaii, Japanese forces invaded British Malaya, which is today the country of Malaysia. Hong Kong was attacked eight hours later, as were the Philippines. At peace the day before, the United States now found herself on the defensive in a war she was not prepared to fight.
Also did you know that on On December 8, 1941, at 12:35 P.M., 196 Japanese Navy bombers and fighters crippled the largest force of B-17 four-engine bombers outside the United States and also decimated their protective P-40 interceptors. The sudden blow allowed the Japanese to rule the skies over the Philippines, removing the only effective barrier that stood between them and their conquest of Southeast Asia. This event has been called "one of the blackest days in American military history."
If we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. We did repeat it on September 11, 2001, we did not attack, but we were attacked, we were not at war, but we are now. Pray for our men and women in the military, pray for our nation.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
SILVER BELLS
Christmas makes you feel emotional
it may bring parties or thoughts devotional
whatever happens or what may be
this is what Christmas time means to me;
Silver Bells, silver bells
it’s Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Which Christmas song do you hear that takes you back to that special time in your life, that time when Christmas was still magical and it took forever to get here? When you hoped and hoped that you would get what you wanted, and you rip the presents open and you got clothes.
Now that you are all grown up, Christmas seems to come around a lot more often than it used to. And you hope at Christmas that you will get clothes that fit. But most of all you hope to just have everyone together, safe and sound.
Christmas is a time when you can feel emotional, thinking of years gone by and loved ones gone on. But we need to remember to live in the present, not the past. These are the days that are making memories for others. Let’s do our best to make them special.
it may bring parties or thoughts devotional
whatever happens or what may be
this is what Christmas time means to me;
Silver Bells, silver bells
it’s Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Which Christmas song do you hear that takes you back to that special time in your life, that time when Christmas was still magical and it took forever to get here? When you hoped and hoped that you would get what you wanted, and you rip the presents open and you got clothes.
Now that you are all grown up, Christmas seems to come around a lot more often than it used to. And you hope at Christmas that you will get clothes that fit. But most of all you hope to just have everyone together, safe and sound.
Christmas is a time when you can feel emotional, thinking of years gone by and loved ones gone on. But we need to remember to live in the present, not the past. These are the days that are making memories for others. Let’s do our best to make them special.
Monday, November 24, 2008
An ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? I didn’t ask what are you thankful for, or what Thanksgiving do you remember most? But what does Thanksgiving mean to you?
In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is now known as the first Thanksgiving. While cooking methods and table etiquette have changed as the holiday has evolved, the meal is still consumed today with the same spirit of celebration and overindulgence. The first feast wasn't repeated, so it wasn't the beginning of a tradition. In fact, the colonists didn't even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, a thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle.
All of this is well and good, but what does Thanksgiving mean to you? Is it just a day of family, eating and football? Or is it something more? We should be giving thanks every day, not just one day a year.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB)
We need to remember to always give thanks, even when we don’t feel like it, even when we don’t understand, even when we are mad or sad, give thanks.
We need to be careful what we say, a heart of gratitude shows up in the mouth.
Psalms 35:28 says, “And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.” (HCSB)
Psalms 107:1-3 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe
3 and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.” (HCSB)
This Thanksgiving, let’s all try to have an attitude of gratitude, let God hear it, let man hear it, let yourself hear it.
In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is now known as the first Thanksgiving. While cooking methods and table etiquette have changed as the holiday has evolved, the meal is still consumed today with the same spirit of celebration and overindulgence. The first feast wasn't repeated, so it wasn't the beginning of a tradition. In fact, the colonists didn't even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, a thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle.
All of this is well and good, but what does Thanksgiving mean to you? Is it just a day of family, eating and football? Or is it something more? We should be giving thanks every day, not just one day a year.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB)
We need to remember to always give thanks, even when we don’t feel like it, even when we don’t understand, even when we are mad or sad, give thanks.
We need to be careful what we say, a heart of gratitude shows up in the mouth.
Psalms 35:28 says, “And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.” (HCSB)
Psalms 107:1-3 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe
3 and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.” (HCSB)
This Thanksgiving, let’s all try to have an attitude of gratitude, let God hear it, let man hear it, let yourself hear it.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
HARVEST PARTY 08 Pictures
This is part 2 of the Harvest Party, I had trouble loading pictures last time. So here are some pics. This could be the best turn-out we have ever had.If you missed it, you missed a great one.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A NEW PRESIDENT!!
Well, we have a new president in our nation tonight, President Elect Obama. For better or worse, if you voted for him or not, it is what it is. What's in store for our nation? I don't know, I hope and pray for the best and fear the worst. One thing I do know, we must pray for him as we have for President Bush, more than we have for President Bush. And we must continue to pray for President Bush, his days in office are not up yet. There are those who have made threats against Obama if he was elected, pray for his safety. When a president is shot, it is always bad, no matter who it is. In my lifetime I have seen two presidents shot. Reagan who recovered, and Kennedy who didn't. It is never good for our nation when a president is shot, pray for his safety, pray that God will draw Obama close to Him and give him wisdom to do our country no harm.
Always remember that no matter who sits in the White House, we know who sits on the throne. It is God's throne, always has been and always will be. Pray for our nation as never before, I feel that time is short and Jesus will return soon. We need to be an active witness for Him who set us free.
Always remember that no matter who sits in the White House, we know who sits on the throne. It is God's throne, always has been and always will be. Pray for our nation as never before, I feel that time is short and Jesus will return soon. We need to be an active witness for Him who set us free.
HARVEST PARTY 08
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….about a month after Thanksgiving, which is almost a month away. But if you go into Wal-Mart you can go from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas in about 2 isles. You can decide what kind of Halloween candy (it’s on sale now), which Thanksgiving decorations and what size Christmas tree to buy in just a few steps. Amazing isn’t it? I keep looking for the Easter eggs on the next isle, but that won’t come out until they have made all they can on Christmas.
Wow, did you come to our annual Harvest Party? I believe that this may have been one of our best. All of the booths were great and all of them were busy the whole night, we had a church full of kids and everyone had fun. Did you try your hand at the basketball shoot, or the cake walk, or the pin the nose on the pumpkin, or the ring toss, the cup stack, pick up ducks, tug of war or the drag races? Or any of the other 4 or 5 or 6 booths that I didn’t even mention? Like the target shoot, or the ball toss or...well you just had to be here.
Did you know that we had drag races inside the church, one of the booths was drag racing. It was a two person team, one pulling the sheet and their partner riding on the sheet (drag racing...get it?). We had some great races with the kids, youth and adults. We even had a monster pull, I know that it was because we had two wives pulling their husbands (monster being pulled). It was a great night.
Why do we do the Harvest Party every year? This is a great way to minister to kids and parents. We had several adults here that do not go to our church, some that I talked to don’t go to church at all. But they all got an invitation from me and I hope from you also to come to church here. You see they got to see us having fun, and they realize that we are just people like they are. Sometimes the unchurched look at us like we are something strange or like we don’t want to associate with them. Something like the harvest party puts us side by side with them, loving on their kids. It works.
Wow, did you come to our annual Harvest Party? I believe that this may have been one of our best. All of the booths were great and all of them were busy the whole night, we had a church full of kids and everyone had fun. Did you try your hand at the basketball shoot, or the cake walk, or the pin the nose on the pumpkin, or the ring toss, the cup stack, pick up ducks, tug of war or the drag races? Or any of the other 4 or 5 or 6 booths that I didn’t even mention? Like the target shoot, or the ball toss or...well you just had to be here.
Did you know that we had drag races inside the church, one of the booths was drag racing. It was a two person team, one pulling the sheet and their partner riding on the sheet (drag racing...get it?). We had some great races with the kids, youth and adults. We even had a monster pull, I know that it was because we had two wives pulling their husbands (monster being pulled). It was a great night.
Why do we do the Harvest Party every year? This is a great way to minister to kids and parents. We had several adults here that do not go to our church, some that I talked to don’t go to church at all. But they all got an invitation from me and I hope from you also to come to church here. You see they got to see us having fun, and they realize that we are just people like they are. Sometimes the unchurched look at us like we are something strange or like we don’t want to associate with them. Something like the harvest party puts us side by side with them, loving on their kids. It works.
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