Merry Christmas Coming

All Is Well

Read: Psalm 46:1-3

I will never leave you nor forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5

Recently, my husband and I were reacquainted with a young man we had known as a child many years ago. We fondly reminisced about a Christmas program when Matthew had sung —in a perfect boy soprano— the song “All Is Well” by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith. It was a wonderful memory of a song beautifully sung.

‘All is well, all is well; ’
‘Lift up your voice and sing. ’
‘Born is now Emmanuel, ’
‘Born is our Lord and Savior. ’
‘Sing Alleluia, sing Alleluia, all is well. ’

To hear the words of that song at Christmastime is comforting to many. But some people are unable to absorb the message because their lives are in turmoil. They’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, persistent unemployment, a serious illness, or depression that will not go away. Their hearts loudly cry out, “All is ‘not’ well—not for ‘me’!”

But for those of us who celebrate the birth of our Savior—despite the dark night of the soul we may experience—all ‘is’ well because of Christ. We are not alone in our pain. God is beside us and promises never to leave (Heb. 13:5). He promises that His grace will be sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). He promises to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). And He promises us the amazing gift of eternal life (John 10:27-28).

As we review God’s promises, we can agree with the poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who wrote, “Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well.” —Cindy Hess Kasper

God’s peace pillows the head when God’s promises calm the heart.

Offered by:  Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Protect your wealth now:
A step-by-step guide anyone can follow

Thursday, December 22, 2011
Text Size:

From Terry Coxon, Senior Economist, Casey Research:

... Americans, by and large, run all their affairs within the confines of the U.S. The U.S. economy is so large and so varied that it's easy to assume that everything you want to do with your wealth can be done without crossing any borders. And people in the U.S., like people anywhere, live with the habits and attitudes developed over generations. They're only human. In the case of Americans, those habits grew out of long experience with a government that was small and that generally practiced the rare virtue of following its own laws. In a happy exception to mankind's experience with rulers, there was little to fear from it.

Stay at home is still the norm for Americans, but it's a norm that is slowly fading. Every billion-dollar tick of the government debt clock, every expansion of the government's regulatory apparatus, every overreaching judicial decision made in the name of a compelling public need, every inversion of protection for citizens into license for the state and every intellectually tortured discovery of a new meaning in the Constitution's 4,400 old words leaves a few thousand more people wondering how prudent it is to consign all their eggs to a single national basket. Encounters with high-handed IRS agents and eager TSA gropers do nothing to ease that concern. And for those who listen thoughtfully, the messages from our designated leaders and their would-be replacements only hurry the dawning sense of unease.

Specific worries include...

Read full article...

More on building and protecting wealth:

Six reasons your bank is not safe

The one lesson everyone should learn from Warren Buffett

How to become financially independent in three years or less

FOR THOSE NOT A US CITIZEN YOU STILL SHOULD APPRECIATE THIS YOUNG WOMAN’S POINT OF VIEW.  This was written by a 21 yr old female who gets it.� It's her future she�s worried about and this is how she feels about the social welfare big government state that she�s being forced to live in!� These solutions are just common sense in her opinion.

This was in the Waco Tribune Herald, Waco , TX Nov 18, 2010� Put me in charge . . .� Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.� Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tats and piercings, then get a job.� Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military barracks? You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair. Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your own place.� In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the �common good..�� Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules.. Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.� If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.� AND While you are on Gov�t subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov�t welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.

"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them."

Friday, December 23, 2011

DINARS INTEL - THIS IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 8:38 PM
Subject: RV INFORMATION

HI DINARIANS:

WELL, DAN OF PTR HAD A SHORT CALL EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON, AND NOW I AM ON THE PEOPLES INVESTED CALL WITH  FRISH AND WANG DANG. 

THEY HAVE STATED THAT AS SOON AS MALIKI ANNOUNCES THAT HE HAS SIGNED A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE GOI AND ALAWI, ETC. THAT THE RV CAN BECOME OFFICIAL.  WELL, A CALLER JUST CAME ON THAT CALL AND SAID THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ANNOUNCED.  ALSO, IN JUST CHECKING WITH THE MIG WEBSITE CHATROOM, SOMEONE IN THERE POSTED THAT THE POWER SHARING AGREEMTN (ERBIL AGREEMENT) HAS BEEN ANNOUCED.  SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

HERE IS WHY THEY ARE SAYING THINGS COMING TOGETHER QUICKLY:  GENERAL PATREAUS, WESLEY CLARK, JOE BIDEN, (I THINK) AND I BELIEVE ONE OTHER OF OUR DIPLOMATS WERE SENT TO IRAQ TO TELL MALIKI TO EITHER GET THE JOB DONE (NOW) OR ELSE !!!!  NO ONE SAID WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, BUT THE FEELING IS THAT PATREAUS DID NOT GO OVER THERE FOR A TEA PARTY.  I GUESS HE GRABBED MALIKI BY THE SCRUFF OF HIS NECK AND TOLD HIM LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE.  NO CIVIL WAR, YOU WILL HAVE POWER SHARING, AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE A DICTATOR.  IF YOU DON'T SIGN ALL THE PAPERS NOW AND PUSH THE RV BUTTON, HERE IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.  (THAT IN A NUTSHELL IS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE SAYING IT MAY GAVE GONE DOWN.).  MAKES SENSE TO ME.

ALSO, ABOUT AN HOUR AGO ON THE MTT CALL A GUY CAME ON THERE WHO SAID HE TALKED TO TWO VERY HIGH RANKING MILITARY UP IN THE PENTAGON OR SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT AND THEY SAID THIS IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

SO, THERE YOU HAVE THE RUMORS UP TO DATE AND WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT IT IS GOING DOWN AND BY TOMORROW WE WILL ALL BE WEALTHY BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS.

ART

Posted by John MacHaffie at 5:08 AM 0 comments

Don’t you just love it?  Latest rumor is TUESDAY. before codes hit the US.

Christmas Traditions Past and Present Ask any child what their favorite holiday is and you’ll undoubtedly get the same answer, “CHRISTMAS!” Yes, even Christmas’ today, which are totally geared toward shopping and who has the biggest Christmas tree with the most presents underneath, are still the number one holiday of the year. And yes, it IS a fun and wonderful holiday for children in many ways, but the problem is: It should be a celebration of the One True Child’s birthday we honor on that day, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, not all the festivities and how many gifts we receive. Now, don’t roll your eyes and fret that this writing is going to be just another chance to preach at you about how far away from Christianity and the bible America has come—we still have over 80 percent of the population claiming to be Christians. That’s a fact, and it personally gives me hope of the future! Memory Lane: A walk down memory lane at Christmastime most often brings to mind; Snowflakes gently falling on a farmhouse surrounded by towering oaks in a huge yard, a snow-covered red barn, fenced fields, and pine trees in the distance covered in white. And inside—a warm crackling fire, the home and Christmas tree beautifully decorated and glowing with lights inside and out, smells of pies, cakes, and candies baking while stacks of presents wait under the tree to be opened. A Christmas filled with fairytales, Santa Claus, a world at peace, cards and letters from friends and family, and cheery greetings from everyone you meet on the streets of your town. It’s church choirs and people caroling down wintry lanes. And it’s silver bells, eggnog, and apple cider with cinnamon sticks, happy faces on pink-cheeked children anxious and delighted with all the excitement and wonder of the holiday. Who wouldn’t love Christmas? Traditions: Yes, I’m at that stage in life where remembering and comparing the ‘Good Ol’ Days’ to today just seem always to be better, and this most definitely includes Christmas holidays and how we celebrated them way back when. I also hear from both parents, (still surviving in their mid-eighties) that it was even more wonderful and heartfelt in their day. I do so miss the family closeness and traditions of earlier times; how being without much money jingling in your pocket made very little difference in the excitement of Christmas and the ways families celebrated it. Traditions were a great part of the celebrations then, and it makes me sad to see some of these glorious experiences fading away because of commercialism and political correctness. But let’s reminisce a while starting with how some of these early traditions of Christmas were started, what immigrants brought to this country in the way of celebrating Christmas in their birth countries, and how the Christmas tree became the center of activity and decoration for the American family. Immigrants: one hundred years ago didn’t bring only their children, clothing, and personal effects with them when coming to a new nation such as America, Canada, or other lands far from the shores of their homeland. They also brought their heritage and part of their culture into many of the holidays they celebrated. Christmas being the most common holiday throughout the world is the very reason we see so many different family traditions portrayed across the land during this season. Food is an obvious tradition according to what our ancestors maintained as tradition during the Christmas holiday in their home countries. Sweets, nuts, and fruits, along with the family dinner at Christmas are traditions separating ethnic groups to this very day. If you are Scandinavian, for instance, try visiting an Italian family at Christmastime. You will be amazed at the difference in foods that are eaten only at this special time of year, totally alien to what your family serves. And guess what—Germans are responsible for the original Christmas cookies, decorated with all the designs of the holiday. Hurrah for Germany! Advent calendars: were popular with immigrant families. They usually are comprised of little windows or houses with flaps to be opened each day of the month of December up to, and including, Christmas day. Behind these flaps was a poem, scripture, fortune, or piece of chocolate candy. Each day this would be a ritual to open the little door for that particular date and receive a reward or verse. Children relished this wonderful tradition, and families still celebrate the twenty-five days leading to Christmas with advent calendars to this very day. Christmas cards: This long held tradition started in Great Britain and was expanded greatly by one Lois Prang, a German immigrant to the United States. Early Christmas cards were mostly made up of religious scenes and verses but as time progressed, they became more of Santa Claus, snowmen, animals, and reminiscent scenery of days past, (such as Currier & Ives cards regularly depicted.) Christmas cards used to flood post offices throughout the nation at Christmastime, and cause mailmen to work many overtime hours distributing them. But purchasing and mailing Christmas cards to friends, family, and fellow employees has become a dying art with the high cost of the cards and postage, and also common use of sending cards and letters by computer internet-system in these modern times. St. Nicholas: The old man with a sack refers to ‘Father Christmas,’ (or in western civilization—Santa Claus, the Americanized version from the Dutch word, Sinterklaas) An elderly man with long white beard, dressed in red, and carrying a bag full of toys was always his description passed down through the ages. But did you know, a REAL person was behind the image that began the tradition of exchanging gifts and giving to the poor at Christmastime? His name was St. Nicholas…This man was a true Christian living in Myra, now known as Turkey. Though shy, he wanted to give anonymously to poor and underprivileged children of his time, (the 4th century AD.) He did so with money and gifts sometimes left in Children’s stockings drying by a crackling fire on the hearth. December 6th is still recognized as St. Nicholas Day in some countries, whereas in America, Santa leaves gifts on Christmas Eve, (December 24th) as he makes his run with flying reindeer and a sleigh full of toys on that Holy Night. Nativity Scenes: (more commonly called manger scenes.) Italians immigrating to America because of poverty and social unrest in their land brought with them this tradition in the 1700 and 1800’s. While it is a pivotal religious symbol at Christmastime throughout the world, the Italians were the originators. It seems St. Francis of Assisi commissioned a Nativity Scene to be built and displayed in front of the catholic cathedral in Italy where he was priest. During that Christmas holiday these centuries ago, this scene was to represent the birth of Christ throughout the season and for several days after. Today it would take more than a week and over an hour each to visit and tour all the Nativity Scenes in Naples and Rome alone. Nativity Scenes being used as a religious symbol on public property in America today is being argued and ridiculed in our congress as having no place in modern day history. My opinion on that is: Bunk! Christmas colors and flower: Now what could be more American than red and green Christmas colors or the poinsettia flower? Or what inspired these two to become the traditional colors and flower of this great Christian holiday? Well folks, they both originated in Mexico. Now that I have your attention, the story goes that our Ambassador to Mexico in 1825 through 1829, Dr, Joel Pointsett, loved botany (the study of plant life for those of you who don’t know what that is,) and he brought back to his home state of North Songina, the “Flower of the Holy Night” from this barren land due south of the United States. The Pointsettia flourished in the Songinas and was named for the ambassador, becoming the traditional Christmas flower and colors of Christmas ever after. The Christmas Tree: I have so much to tell you about the tradition of Christmas trees, you’ll just have to check out that page on this same website…It’s real simple—Look under Christmas trees. Now, don’t miss it! And this Christmas when you bite into that sugar cookie or carve that ham, turkey, or roast at the family holiday dinner surrounded by decorations and poinsettia flowers, think about the people who brought these traditions to this great nation from many, many countries all over the world, centuries ago—our ancestors. Merry Christmas Traditions & A Prosperous New Year From Cloud 9 Trust Staff and  Affiliates!

Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF

PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY

WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO

IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,

A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,

NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,

JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES

OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,

AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT

CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,

IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,

ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,

SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR

IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,

THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED

A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO

OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,

THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES

THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS

WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,

THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE

A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM

EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,

LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER

HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE

IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT

BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES

AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED

AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

'SANTA DON'T CRY,

THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,

I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD,

MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER

AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,

I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,

SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED

FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE

ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR

SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,

WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,

AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of
sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon
and some credit is due to our U.S. service men, women, and Australian and Canadian
Forces for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
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.    

GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS NEAR AND FAR.  KEEP THEM SAFE FROM HARM AND BRING THEM HOME TO THEIR LOVED ONES.