Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Letter From Jesus

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 was not 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 great 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 12 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 to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties 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 you 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 invitation, will be left outside.  Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for...
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon .... I love you !
-Jesus-



Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Teach the Children

Just a week before Christmas, I had a visitor. This is how it happened...

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go
to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to
the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the
Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat,
and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone
was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was
puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick
movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.

As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old
meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before
the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green colour of the stately
fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of
mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's
thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the
children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God
promised a Saviour for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment
of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children
that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when
we see this great light, we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the
tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of
love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag and ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children
that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during
the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant
represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our
Saviour. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so
loved the world that he gave His Son... Thanks be to God for his unspeakable
gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Babe and
presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts
in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the
tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds'
crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the
flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was
the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Saviour's birth.The
angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good will toward
men."

Suddenly, I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a
BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of
the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance
and return." Santa looked back and was pleased.

He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He
said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not
put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and
I bow down to worship Him, Jesus Christ our Lord, our God."

(author unknown)

Fw: Shopping story

 
       Who Started This Christmas Stuff?
        
 
       A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children.
       After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable;
       and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they
       saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
 
        She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season
        time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every
        housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect
        gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't
        forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we
        respond to everyone who sent us a card.
 
        Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in
        the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with
        her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it
        anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing
        should be found, strung up and shot."
        From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond,
        "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down
        the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

       Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole
      Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word.
       If we all did it, just think of how much better this whole world would be.
 
       Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season
 

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Some Things To Remember...

Lighthouse Baptist Church will be presenting the Christmas Play "The Midnight Cry" on Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th at 6:00pm both nights.  This play is very moving and something the whole family can enjoy!  If you need directions to the church, please go to the church website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch or call the church at (336) 584-6363.
 
Also, don't forget to visit my friend, Robin's website at http://www.iwantustobetogeatherinheaven.com   I promise you will get a blessing from it!  And please pray for Robin, because she has been very sick for the past week or so. 
 
And last but not least, as we all get ready to celebrate Christmas, please remember to take the time to reflect on what Christmas is REALLY about:  The birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die for our sins that we might have eternal life.  Now that really is the greatest gift ever given! 
 
God bless you all.  Until next time, be blessed.....
 
Love,
Stephanie

Let it go for 2005.. By T. D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you,  loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk.  Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us.  For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]  People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.  Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.  You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.

Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!


If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ....
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....
LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you ......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
talents......
LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude.......
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new
level in Him......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off   of it," then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2005!!!
LET IT GO!!!
Get Right or Get Left.. think about it, and then ....
LET IT GO!!!
"The Battle is the Lord's!"

 

 

"Yes, I love my God.

He is my fountain of Life and My Savior.

He Keeps me going day and night.

Without Him, I am no one. 

But with Him, I can do everything,

Christ is my strength."

Saturday, December 03, 2005

“The Midnight Cry”
(A Christmas Play)


Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 6:00pm
and
Sunday, December 18, 2005 at 6:00pm

Lighthouse Baptist Church
64 Browns Road
Gibsonville, NC 27249

For more information or directions call (336)584-6363 or go to http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch