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-

My Sister-In-Law and My Nephew at the Gibsonville Christmas Parade

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

 

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."

“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

Wonderful Music!!

My friend, Robin, showed me this website, and I have been truly blessed by the music on there.  (Speak to the Mountain is even on there!!!).  I wanted to share it with all of you so that you could be blessed by it too!

 

http://dianneandangel.homestead.com/ASongInMyHeart.html

 

Love,

Stephanie

My Friend, David's Online Store

If any of you are looking for some unique Christmas gift ideas, try my friend David's new online store!!  It's called Conversions Plus and he has some really neat stuff on there.  He just got the site up and running a couple of days ago so he doesn't have everything on there yet (he had been primarily using Ebay to sell) so if you don't see anything you like, be sure to check back often because he will be adding more and more items.  Here's the link:  http://www.conversions-plus.com/store.asp

 

God bless!!

 

Love,

Stephanie

Robin's Comment

My friend Robin had made a comment on one of my posts and since everyone doesn't click on the comments to see them, I wanted to post this because it truly came from her heart.  God bless you, Robin, for your desire to see souls saved and a having a servant's heart.  You have been a blessing to me over the years and I can never thank God enough for putting you in my life.  May God pour out His blessings on you and your family!

Here's her comment:

 

Saturday, October 29, 2005

 

Revival

Lighthouse Baptist Church is having Revival!!  This week, Monday through Wednesday (Nov 21-Nov 23) at 7:00pm each night.  Brother Don Collins from Friendly Chapel in Pilot Mountain will be preaching Monday and Tuesday night, and Brother Gene Bunting from Lighthouse will be preaching Wednesday night.  We would love to see all of you there!!  If you need directions, please call the church at 336-584-6363 or visit the church website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch

 

Looking forward to a wonderful time in the Lord.....

 

Love,

Stephanie

Robin's Website

I wanted to let you all know that my friend, Robin, has done a tremendous amount of work to her website.  I would love for you to visit it.  I am sure you will get a blessing from it.  And be sure to sign her guestbook so she will know you have been there!!  God bless!! 

 

Here's the link:  http://www.iwantustobetogeatherinheaven.com

 

Love,

Stephanie

HELP! I Can't do it without YOU!

This year, I have the honor and pleasure of participating in MDA's Burlington LockUp to help "Jerry's Kids®". To reach my goal I need your help!

I'd like to include you or your company on my list of contributors who are helping me reach my goal. Your donation would help MDA continue the important fight against muscular dystrophy. Check out my web page by clicking on the link below. There you'll find all kinds of information about MDA, and be able to make your tax-deductible donation on-line using your credit card.

MDA serves people in our community with neuromuscular disease by providing clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, braces and communication devices, and summer camp for kids. MDA also funds research grants to help find treatments and cures for some 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect people of all ages, right here in our community.

I sincerely hope that you'll take the opportunity to support MDA. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me.

On behalf of the families MDA serves, thank you!

Warmest Regards,

Stephanie Freeze

Click here to visit my Participant Page.

If the link above does not bring you to my Participant Page, cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your internet browser.

https://www.mdaevent.org/ONE/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=2f932581-90ae-4467-bded-388283a08c65

Happy Early Thanksgiving

A friend sent me this link.  Hope you enjoy it...

 

http://www.msn.americangreetings.com/view.pd?i=382219626&m=1652&rr=y&

Prayer Request - Amanda Griffin

This was forwarded to me by my sister-in-law, Rosemary. Please take the
time to read it and pray for this young lady and her family. God bless!

Love,
Stephanie

>> *PRAYER REQUEST
>>
>> This is a pray request for a young girl at Red Oak Baptist
>> Church, who needs the prayers of all, who are willing as Christians, to
>> pray
>> diligently for her. I hope you will send this to your friends and ask
>> them
>> to help this young girl with your prayers.
>>
>> Her name is Amanda Griffin. Here are a few things about Amanda.
>> She's the Daughter of Pat and Melinda Griffin of the Red Oak Community
>> near
>> Rocky Mount, NC She's 12 years old.
>> She attends Red Oak Middle School - 7th Grade
>> An academic leader in her classes
>> Very Athletic - Basketball and Volleyball
>> A strong Christian - she leads weekly Praise and Worship at the FCA
>> (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings
>> (Wednesdays @ 7 AM)
>> She's a Member of Red Oak Baptist Church
>>
>> For the last few months, Amanda has been feeling weak and experiencing a
>> lack of energy. Her local doctors were
>> baffled, thinking it was an iron deficiency. Long story short, Amanda
>> was
>> diagnosed Monday at Duke with Cancer. She has a mass on her heart. She
>> goes
>> back to Duke Friday to learn of the type of Cancer involved and possibly
>> proceed then with treatments.
>>
>> This young lady is an awesome person. She lights up a room. She does,
>> however, need your prayers. Please send this information to as many
>> people
>> as you can and ask them to PLEASE PRAY for Amanda to receive a Miraculous
>> Healing from the LORD.
>>
>> This young lady and her family truly love the LORD and would surely give
>> GOD
>> the glory for the healing. Let's Claim it now in the Precious Name of our
>> Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ever Wondered What God Smelled Like?

DO YOU SMELL THAT?
   
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing.  She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.
At 12 inches  long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.    "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one."
Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor   described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.
She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four.  Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.
But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana.  Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw,' the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.  But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.
At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.  And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.
As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent.
Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"   Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."   Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"   Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet.  It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him.  It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.  During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
You now have 1 of 2 choices. You can either pass this on and let other people catch the chills like you did, or you can delete this and act like it didn't touch your heart like it did mine.
IT'S YOUR CALL! "  I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. "

 

TV Commercials

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God.

Here are some of the results: scroll down.

God is like...
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.



God is like...
a FORD
He's got a better idea.




God is like...
COKE
He's the real thing.



(This is great)

God is like...
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.





God is like...
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.





God is like...
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.


God is like...
SEARS
He has everything.




God is like...
ALKA-SELTZER
Try him, you'll like Him.





God is like...
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see him, but you know He's there.



God is like...
DELTA
He's ready when you are.



God is like...
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.




God is like...
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.




God is like...
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?

(that one is my favorite)



God is like...
the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

"Kept" Woman

I Am a "Kept" Woman . You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, but GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3) There were times when I thought I could go no longer, but the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15) At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, but the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13) Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, but GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25-34) When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30) I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! Praise the Lord. I'm blessed to be "KEPT." Are you...or do you know a "kept" woman? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is "Kept" ةק´¯`·.,¸¸,.·´¯`§Ø©×§´¯`·.,¸¸,.·´¯`§Ø©×

Ebay's Response

I reported that email to eBay and this is the response I got....

----- Original Message -----
From: "eBay Customer Support" <spoof@ebay.com>
To: "Stephanie Freeze" <XXXXXXXXX>
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 9:51 PM
Subject: RE: SP91011 - Your recent report to eBay's Trust and Safety
Department. (KMM5038333V37068L0KM)

Hello,

Thank you for writing to eBay regarding the email you received.

Emails such as this, commonly referred to as "spoof" or "phished"
messages, are sent in an attempt to collect sensitive personal or
financial information from the recipients.

The email you reported was not sent by eBay. We have reported this email
to the appropriate authorities.

In the future, be very cautious of any email that asks you to submit
information such as your credit card numbers or passwords. If you are
ever concerned about an email you receive from eBay, simply follow these
steps:

1. Open a new Web browser and type www.ebay.com into your browser
address field to go directly to the eBay site.

2. On eBay, click on the "My eBay" link at the top of the page and sign
into your account.

3. Check the "My Messages" link located on the left side of the My eBay
page. If an email affects your eBay account, it's now in "My Messages."
Any email sent to your registered eBay email address from eBay or from
another eBay member via eBay's member-to-member communication system
will also appear in "My Messages."

Just remember, if you get an email regarding a problem with your account
or that is requesting personal information, and the email looks like it
is from eBay, please check My Messages first. If it's not there, it's a
fake email.

If you still have any doubt about whether an email message is from eBay,
please forward it to spoof@ebay.com immediately. Do not respond to it or
click any of the links. Do not remove the original subject line or
change the email in any way when you forward it to eBay.

If you have already entered sensitive personal information, financial
information, or your password into a Web site based on a request from a
spoofed email, you should take immediate action to protect your identity
and all of your online accounts. We have developed an eBay Help page
with valuable information regarding the steps you should take to protect
yourself.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/isgw-account-theft-reporting.html

To review eBay's new tutorial about Spoof Emails, please see the
following Web page:

http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/

To help you better protect yourself from fake eBay and PayPal Web sites,
we have developed a feature for the eBay Toolbar called "Account Guard."
Account Guard includes an indicator of when you are on an eBay or PayPal
Web site or a known spoof (or "phishing") site, buttons to report fake
eBay Web sites, and a password notification feature that warns you when
you may be entering your eBay password on an unverified site.

To learn more about the eBay Toolbar with Account Guard, please go to
www.ebay.com, click on "Downloads" at the bottom of the page, and then
click on the "eBay Toolbar" link.

We also recommend that you keep your browser, operating system, and
virus protection software up to date. Check for updates at the "Windows
Update" link on www.microsoft.com and scan your computer for viruses
often.

Once again, thank you for alerting us to the spoof email you received.
Your efforts help keep eBay a safe and fair place to trade.

Regards,

Ande
eBay SafeHarbor
Investigations Team
______________________________
eBay
The World's Online Marketplace! ®
*******************************************

Important: eBay will not ask you for sensitive personal information
(such as your password, credit card and bank account numbers, Social
Security numbers, etc.) in an email. Learn more account protection tips
at:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/isgw-account-theft-protection.html

_____________________________________________

For our latest announcements, please check:

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/announce.shtml
_____________________________________________

In order to better serve you, we'd like to occasionally
request feedback on our service. If you would rather
not participate, please click on the link below and send
us an email with the word "REMOVE" in the subject line.
If that does not work, please send an email to the
email address below. Your request will be processed
within 5 days.

mailto:cssremove@ebay.com

*******************************************

Warning...new "Ebay" email scam! Please Read!

This is an email I sent out to everyone on my email list, but I thought I should put it on my Blog in hopes that more people may see it.  Hope it helps someone!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I thought it would be prudent to send this to everyone I know and hope that you will share it with others.  I received the email below and thought that it was an actual email from Ebay.  It brought me to a page to sign in, which I did (It looked just like an Ebay page!) but then it brought me to a page asking for my credit card number associated with my account.  I backed out at that point because something didn't seem right.  I immediately went to Ebay and changed my password.  After looking at their "help" section, I realized this was a spoof email trying to gain sensitive information by posing as Ebay.  It looks very convincing, though, so PLEASE be careful if you receive any email from "Ebay" and keep in mind this information listed on the REAL Ebay site:

 

Be sure you are on an eBay page

Before signing in, please check the Web address in your browser. If you click on a link in an email, verify that the Web address in your browser is the same as the address shown in the email. The Web address of eBay sign-in pages begins with: https://signin.ebay.com/. Never type your eBay User ID and password into a Web page that doesn't have 'ebay.com" immediately before the first forward slash (/).

Some members have reported attempts to gain access to sensitive information through email requests that are made to appear that they were sent from eBay. These requests often include links to Web pages that will request that you sign in and submit information. At eBay, we identify these as 'spoofed' email or Web sites.

eBay will never ask you to provide credit card numbers or other sensitive information through email. If we request information from you, we will always direct you back to the eBay site. With very few exceptions, you can submit the requested information through your "My eBay" page. If you have received email requesting that you sign in or provide personal information that you suspect was not sent by eBay, please refer to the following information.

Take caution with email that includes attachments or links

eBay will not send you email that includes attachments and you will not be required to enter information on a page that cannot be accessed from the eBay site. If you receive a message that appears to have been sent from eBay that includes an attachment, do not open it.

If you are ever unsure whether or not an email was really sent from eBay , you should avoid clicking links. Instead of clicking the link, you should copy the address and paste it into the Address/Location area of your web browser. While eBay may send email that contains links, the links are provided for convenience only. You will not be required to submit sensitive information if a direct link is provided to an eBay page.

 

The email I received is below, so take a look at it and don't fall for this scam!!  If you want to know more, just visit ebay.com and check in their help section regarding "spoof emails".

 

God bless!!

 

Stephanie

 

----- Original Message -----

From: eBay@reply732.ebay.com

To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 10:24 AM

Subject: Message ID 730000 - Client's Details Confirmation

EBAY SECURITY NOTIFICATION SECURITY SERVICE Attention id number: 5397442 Dear customer. Please read this message and follow it's instructions Unauthorized Account Access We recently reviewed your account, and we suspect an unauthorized ATM based transaction on your account. Therefore as a preventive measure we have temporary limited your access to sensitive features. To get started, please click the link below: Click Respond Now for update your information.   Helpful Links Leave feedback Tell us how the sale went Contact Information Exchange contact details My eBay Track your buying and selling activity Discussion boards Get help from other eBay members eBay Help Find answers to your questions Learn More to protect yourself from Spoof (fake) e-mails. eBay sent this e-mail to you because your Notification Preferences indicate that you want to receive information about Special Events & Promotions. eBay will not request personal data (password, credit card/bank numbers) in an e-mail. You are subscribed as , registered on eBay. If you do not wish to receive further communications, sign into "My eBay" by clicking on the "My eBay" link found at the top of the eBay home page and change your Notification Preferences. Please note that it may take up to 10 days to process your request. Visit our Privacy Policy and User Agreement if you have any questions. Copyright © 2005 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. eBay and the eBay logo are trademarks of eBay Inc. eBay is located at 2145 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.

Best prayer

Best Prayer I Have Heard In A  Long Time...

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares .

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together .

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love.  It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.  Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

If you send this to 5 people, then you have a chance to touch 5 people.
You won't get any wish for material things, however you might just find a piece of serenity and the warmth of God's touch. Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is out of this world !  

HISTORY LESSON

 LAUS DEO: A HISTORY LESSON 

A little history lesson you may enjoy.

 

 I thought that you and others may like to see this.

 One detail that is not

 mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater

 height than the Washington Monument.  With all the uproar about

 removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of

 your time.  I was not aware of this historical information.

 

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On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC,

 are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

 No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument 

 are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably

 could not care less.  Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want

 to share this with everyone you know.  But these words have been there

 for many years; they  are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop

 the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking

 the 69 square miles  which comprise the District of Columbia, capital

 of the United States of America.

 

 Laus Deo!  Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words.  Out of

 sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed

 at the  highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most

 successful  nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in

 Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters,

 possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

 

 Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James

 Polk was President of the United States, it was not until

 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. 

 It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute

 to the Father of our nation,   Laus Deo..Praise be to God!

 

 From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may

 take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division

 into four major segments.   From that vantage point, one can also easily

 see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect

 cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. 

 The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and

 the Lincoln Memorial to the west.  A cross you ask?  Why a cross? 

 What about separation of church and state?  Yes, a cross; separation

 of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.  So, read

 on.  How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound

 meaning for those who bother to notice.  Praise be to God!  Within the

 monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings.  As one climbs the

 steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. 

 On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;

 on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the

 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and

 Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:1 and Proverbs 22:6.

 Praise be to God!

 

 When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th,

 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible

 presented by the Bible Society.  Praise be to God!  Such was the

 discipline, the moral direction and the spiritual mood given by the

 founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One  Nation,

 Under God."

 

 I am awed by Washington's prayer for America.  Have you never read it?

 Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

 

 "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the

 United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the

 hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of  subordination and

 obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love

 for one another and for their fellow citizens  of the United States at

 large. And, finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to

 dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves

 with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the

 characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and

 without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can 

 never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we

 beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."

 

 Laus Deo!

 

 When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all

 over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of 

 God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.

 You may  forget  the width and height of  "Laus Deo", its location,

 or the architects but  no one who reads this will be able to forget

 its meaning, or these words:

 

 "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless

 the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in  vain."  (Psalm

 127: 1)

 

 It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every

 sister, brother, father, mother or friend.  They will not find

 offense, because  you have given them a lesson in history that they

 probably never learned  in school.  With that, be not ashamed, or

 afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone

 failed to send it on.

 

 Something to share and be sure the younger generation sees this too!!!