I think it's much easier just to stay a kid for the rest of your life. Life is so much simpler. First Santa Clause, now the Easter Bunny! I saw this in Readers Digest.
What is the origin of the Easter Bunny? by Rahman Mohamed of Toronto.
" Easter, which is observed by Christians to commemorate the resurrection of Christ, is also the name of the pagan festival and goddess of spring and offspring. Eastre. Many Christian holidays are based on pagan astronomical roots. Easter, for one, coinsides with the spring equinox and today is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the occasion.
The earthly symbol of the goddess Eastre is the hare. The custom of the Easter Bunny in North America dates back to the 18th century and the arrival of German immigrants, although the celebration of the holiday did not become widespread until the 19th century, by which time the Eastre hare had been replaced by the Easter Rabbit- or Bunny. Exchanging candy and chocolate Easter eggs is a 20th century invention, but exchanging real eggs is an ancient, springtime custom that predates Easter. The egg, as symbol of birth and rebirth, has a long tradition in many cultures, including Egyption, Roman and Greek. In the 2nd century AD, the Catholic Church combined the ancient tradition of the egg with legend of Simon of Cyrene, who is said to have placed a basket of eggs on the ground so he could help carry Christ's cross. Upon returning to his basket, he discovered the eggs were a rainbow of colours."
I've never heard that Simon of Cyrene story before. I have heard something about the pagan holiday coinciding with Easter.
I'm not sure what the truth is.
What do we do?
I still want a chocolate bunny for Easter!!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Holiday Time!
One more day and I have two weeks of paid vacation! Nice. No routine. We're not doing anything special, just getting some things done I can't do while I am working. I may take a blogging holiday too. This thing can be addictive. So I may or may not be commenting too much. OK, you can stop cheering now. Maybe I'll be a lurker, like some of you are! Or maybe not. One day at a time.
Quote for the day:
" God never threatens; the devil never warns." Oswald Chambers
We sometimes use the words "threat" and "warning" interchangeably, but chambers saw a principal that suggests a distinction. Threats are used to get people to do what is in our best interest. Warnings are issued to get people to do what is in their best interest. In other words, threats seek to preserve power whereas warnings serve to protect people from danger. Satan wants us to think of God's loving warnings as mean-spirited threats, but he is wrong. According to Chambers, " A warning is a great arresting statement of God's, inspired by his love and patience."
In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behavior. In unhealthy relationships, people threaten one another with punishment if they fail to live up to unreasonable demands.
As we interact with others, it's good to consider the nature of our counsel and commands. Do we use ultimatums to preserve our own well being? Or do we lovingly warn others to keep them from harm?
WARNINGS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE; THREATS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF CONTROL.
Great questions, great thoughts. TRUTH!
Read Deuteronomy 4:32-40.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK EVERYONE!
Quote for the day:
" God never threatens; the devil never warns." Oswald Chambers
We sometimes use the words "threat" and "warning" interchangeably, but chambers saw a principal that suggests a distinction. Threats are used to get people to do what is in our best interest. Warnings are issued to get people to do what is in their best interest. In other words, threats seek to preserve power whereas warnings serve to protect people from danger. Satan wants us to think of God's loving warnings as mean-spirited threats, but he is wrong. According to Chambers, " A warning is a great arresting statement of God's, inspired by his love and patience."
In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behavior. In unhealthy relationships, people threaten one another with punishment if they fail to live up to unreasonable demands.
As we interact with others, it's good to consider the nature of our counsel and commands. Do we use ultimatums to preserve our own well being? Or do we lovingly warn others to keep them from harm?
WARNINGS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE; THREATS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF CONTROL.
Great questions, great thoughts. TRUTH!
Read Deuteronomy 4:32-40.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK EVERYONE!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Injustice of the Worst Kind
I was listening to CFRB talk radio tonight and heard some rather disturbing news. There was a lady on the show that is involved with human rights in all parts of the world, particularily as it concerns the abuse and wrongfull incarceration and killing of women. This seems to be rampant in Islamic countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc. Apparently, the latest case involves a young women who was raped in Iran. Aparently in the Islamic religion and culture, if a women has any kind of sexual experience prior to marriage, the penalty is death by stoning. She is responsible for keeping herself pure until marriage. This young lady was RAPED! How in the world can that be her fault? Because she was not able to find four men to verify that she was indeed raped, she has been held responsible and has been put in jail on death row and sentenced to death by stoning.So, not only does she have to deal with the trama of being raped, which has to be a violation at the deepest level, she is getting killed for it! Unbelieveable! According to Islamic law, women must have four men witnesses to prove their innocence. It is next to impossible to find four men to vouch for any women. Women in these countries are treated worse than the animals. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.How can people be so cruel? Don't these men have wives, mothers, grandmothers and sisters they care about? What kind of evil religion would condone such violence against such prescious women?
It was obvious Jesus loved women. He was surrounded by them and they were some of his closest confidants.He treated them with the utmost respect, honour and love.
I also have been surrounded by women my whole life. My mother, two older sisters, two grandmothers, my wife, step-daughter and many spiritual sisters. I also honour, respect and love women. I can't conceive of the behavior I have heard about tonight. I'm so angry, I don't know what to do with it.
My protective instincs have been engaged to the max.
How can we stand by and do nothing?
What can we do?
Why does God allow this kind of injustice to continue?
I know, women have had to fight for justice, even in this country, to gain some kind of equality with men. It wasn't that long ago women recieved the right to vote! Women in this country now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, ambitions, education and career goals. The battle is not completely over, especially in the church, but it has progressed a long way from where it was.
In other countries women are being killed for getting raped!
That is Injustice at it's very worst.
That must grieve God's spirit.
It has mine.
I would like to add that the Islamic Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion in Canada. We are letting them in this country by the thousands and they are not leaving their fundamental beliefs behind. They are building huge expensive temples. The centre for Canada can be seen in Mississauga on the south side of the QEW, with a large phallic symbol right in front to declare exactly where they stand. I can explain the meaning of that symbol, but not in my blog, due to the graphic sexual nature of it, but I can tell you it is both against women and is anti-semetic.
We are in for a rude awakening unless somebody wakes up soon. Talk about a trogen horse strategy to take over the world. That is their goal.
And the government is removing God from everything public? So as not to offend other religions? The lastest of which is Dalton Macginty taking the Lords Prayer out of parlament? God is the only one who can really protect us against these terrorists.
Do you think the Devil is still alive and working?
Where are Gods people with their gifts of discernment to pray against the strategies of the devil?
Am I the only one that sees what is happening?
It was obvious Jesus loved women. He was surrounded by them and they were some of his closest confidants.He treated them with the utmost respect, honour and love.
I also have been surrounded by women my whole life. My mother, two older sisters, two grandmothers, my wife, step-daughter and many spiritual sisters. I also honour, respect and love women. I can't conceive of the behavior I have heard about tonight. I'm so angry, I don't know what to do with it.
My protective instincs have been engaged to the max.
How can we stand by and do nothing?
What can we do?
Why does God allow this kind of injustice to continue?
I know, women have had to fight for justice, even in this country, to gain some kind of equality with men. It wasn't that long ago women recieved the right to vote! Women in this country now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, ambitions, education and career goals. The battle is not completely over, especially in the church, but it has progressed a long way from where it was.
In other countries women are being killed for getting raped!
That is Injustice at it's very worst.
That must grieve God's spirit.
It has mine.
I would like to add that the Islamic Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion in Canada. We are letting them in this country by the thousands and they are not leaving their fundamental beliefs behind. They are building huge expensive temples. The centre for Canada can be seen in Mississauga on the south side of the QEW, with a large phallic symbol right in front to declare exactly where they stand. I can explain the meaning of that symbol, but not in my blog, due to the graphic sexual nature of it, but I can tell you it is both against women and is anti-semetic.
We are in for a rude awakening unless somebody wakes up soon. Talk about a trogen horse strategy to take over the world. That is their goal.
And the government is removing God from everything public? So as not to offend other religions? The lastest of which is Dalton Macginty taking the Lords Prayer out of parlament? God is the only one who can really protect us against these terrorists.
Do you think the Devil is still alive and working?
Where are Gods people with their gifts of discernment to pray against the strategies of the devil?
Am I the only one that sees what is happening?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A little more humour?
From the same book.
A visiting minister offered the opening prayer: " Dear Lord," he began with arms extended and a rapturous look on his upturned face, " without you we are but dust..."
He would have continued, but at that silent, awkward moment when he paused for a breath, one very obedient young girl( who was listening carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little voice:
" Mommy, what is butt dust?"
Church was pretty much over at that point.........
A women went to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. " What denomination?" askd the clerk. " oh good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the women. " Well give me fifty Catholic and fifty Baptist ones."
Two nuns were driving down a country road when they ran out of gas. They walked to a farm house and a farmer gave them some gasoline, but the only container he had was an old bedpan. The nuns were happy to take whatever they were offered and returned to their car.
As they were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the tank of their car, a protestant minister drove by. He stopped, rolled down his window, and said, " Excuse me sisters. I'm not of your religion, but I couldn't help admiring your faith!"
There are four classes of church members: the tired, the retired, the tiresome, and the tireless.
Anonymous
Quit griping about your church; if it were perfect you wouldn't belong.
Msgr.
Joseph P. Dooley
Honest critisism is hard to take, particularily from a relative, a friend, an aquaintance, or a stranger.--
Franklin P. Jones
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
Mark Twain
I have an older aunt who has been married four times-- first to a banker, then an entertainer, a preacher, and a funeral director. When asked why she had married that many times and to such a diverse mix of men, she had a great reply. " One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!"
Dan Clark
My husband gave me a mood ring the other day. When I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a red mark on his forehead.
Anonymous
Laugh! It's good for you. Have a great day everyone.
A visiting minister offered the opening prayer: " Dear Lord," he began with arms extended and a rapturous look on his upturned face, " without you we are but dust..."
He would have continued, but at that silent, awkward moment when he paused for a breath, one very obedient young girl( who was listening carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little voice:
" Mommy, what is butt dust?"
Church was pretty much over at that point.........
A women went to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. " What denomination?" askd the clerk. " oh good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the women. " Well give me fifty Catholic and fifty Baptist ones."
Two nuns were driving down a country road when they ran out of gas. They walked to a farm house and a farmer gave them some gasoline, but the only container he had was an old bedpan. The nuns were happy to take whatever they were offered and returned to their car.
As they were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the tank of their car, a protestant minister drove by. He stopped, rolled down his window, and said, " Excuse me sisters. I'm not of your religion, but I couldn't help admiring your faith!"
There are four classes of church members: the tired, the retired, the tiresome, and the tireless.
Anonymous
Quit griping about your church; if it were perfect you wouldn't belong.
Msgr.
Joseph P. Dooley
Honest critisism is hard to take, particularily from a relative, a friend, an aquaintance, or a stranger.--
Franklin P. Jones
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
Mark Twain
I have an older aunt who has been married four times-- first to a banker, then an entertainer, a preacher, and a funeral director. When asked why she had married that many times and to such a diverse mix of men, she had a great reply. " One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!"
Dan Clark
My husband gave me a mood ring the other day. When I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a red mark on his forehead.
Anonymous
Laugh! It's good for you. Have a great day everyone.
Monday, February 11, 2008
DOGS AND CATS: Anonymous
This story is quoted from a book called " Help I can't stop laughing!" selected by Ann Spangler with Shari Macdonald.
" Adam and Eve said, " Lord when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you loved us."
And God said, " NO Problem! I will create a companion for you who will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unloveable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve, and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, " Lord, I have already named all the animals in the kingdom, and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."
And God said, " No problem. Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him 'Dog'."
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that and angel came to the Lord and said, " Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks, and they beleive they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved but perhaps too well."
And God said, " No problem! I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know they are not always worthy of adoration."
And God created 'Cat' to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them.
And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn't give a fig one way or the other.
Here's one more short one:
The Difference between Dogs and Cats by John Ortberg.
According to received wisdom, there is a difference between dogs and cats. A dog says, " You love me, feed me, shelter me, care for me--- you must be God."
A cat says, " You love me, feed me, shelter me, care for me--- I must be God."
" Adam and Eve said, " Lord when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you loved us."
And God said, " NO Problem! I will create a companion for you who will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unloveable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve, and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, " Lord, I have already named all the animals in the kingdom, and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."
And God said, " No problem. Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him 'Dog'."
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that and angel came to the Lord and said, " Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks, and they beleive they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved but perhaps too well."
And God said, " No problem! I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know they are not always worthy of adoration."
And God created 'Cat' to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them.
And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn't give a fig one way or the other.
Here's one more short one:
The Difference between Dogs and Cats by John Ortberg.
According to received wisdom, there is a difference between dogs and cats. A dog says, " You love me, feed me, shelter me, care for me--- you must be God."
A cat says, " You love me, feed me, shelter me, care for me--- I must be God."
Saturday, February 9, 2008
LIVE CONCERTS.THEY ARE NOT ALL CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH.
Ruth and I went to the Rascal Flatts concert at Air Canada Center last night. This was the main part of her 50th birthday present. I like their music. They are very talented musicians. Right now they have THE biggest fan base in the world. That fact doesn't impress me. That's just what they told us. Honestly though, we're not sure we want to go to another concert like this in the near future. Firstly, it is a very expensive evening, but that's not the main problem. It was so loud and so many flashing lights it was uncomfortable. Both Ruth and I wanted to get out of there at one point because we could feel the vibrations in our chest it was SO loud and the base was SO strong and the lights were giving Ruth seizures. We had to fight unbelieveable crowds of rude people. Ruth was having trouble walking and it was a major effort just getting in and out of the place. I would have preferred to listen to a CD in my car. At least I could understand the words. Secondly, the atmosphere just didn't turn me on. Just about everybody around us was getting stinking drunk, including some teenage girls just in front of us. They got into a fight over standing rights with the girls in the next row. Why does everyone have to stand? The ones sitting can't see over them. That means everyone has to stand through the whole concert just to see what is going on. Not comfortable. Security was called and just caused a big unnessesary disturbance. There was a time in my life I would have enjoyed that atmosphere, but not anymore. There are more pressing issues in life, and I just don't think that what was going on at that concert pleased the Lord too much. I almost had a guilty feeling for being there and wondered if the money we paid was good stewardship of what God has entrusted to us. The whole thing was all about feeling good. There were many there that were feeling pretty good that night, but wouldn't be feeling so good the next morning.
We have been to other concerts before and have had a totally different experience and enjoyed every minute and thought it was worth the expense and the effort. The last concert we went to was the Gaithers at Copps in Hamilton.. It was great. No regrets. Not this one.
Am I getting old or just mature or becoming a fuddy duddy? I just don't care about this stuff anymore.
I have more fun in church worshipping Jesus and spending my money helping others.
Weird Eh?
We have been to other concerts before and have had a totally different experience and enjoyed every minute and thought it was worth the expense and the effort. The last concert we went to was the Gaithers at Copps in Hamilton.. It was great. No regrets. Not this one.
Am I getting old or just mature or becoming a fuddy duddy? I just don't care about this stuff anymore.
I have more fun in church worshipping Jesus and spending my money helping others.
Weird Eh?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Anxiety or Peace? AND AT WHAT COST?
I have to to tell you I've been doing allot of thinking lately. Yesterdays sermon that Pastor Patti gave on John chapter 16, really got my thinker going. You see, I've been experiencing some anxiety lately, which is not usual for me, and it has not been a comfortable experience, but I have discovered it has been beneficial, and maybe even sent by God to write some lessons on my heart.
Pastor patti asked two hypothetical questions, that I thought were very profound.
The first was " Where does God turn to when he is feeling worried or anxious? " She came to the conclusion that Jesus, in chapter 16, was very concerned about his deciples because he was telling them about his death and leaving them on their own. He was giving them things to remember and trying to explain what was going to happen so they wouldn't be too shocked when it did happen.
The second question was " what if Judas had stayed at the last supper to the end instead of running out, would he have found forgiveness, even though he messed up big time?"
WOW! I love those questions.
I have my own answers. To the first, I would say firstly, that God is three persons, as we have recenlty been learning, and in that little "family" is a built in support system. They are one God but three individual personalities that could help and support each other in time of need. Many times Jesus went to the Father for comfort. Now that he is with the Father, why couldn't he be a comfort to him if he needed it? Just a thought. The other thing is, does God think like we do? Does he get anxious for himself, or for others? For example, if I say something to someone and not realizing it at the time hurt their feelings,and discover that I did because of their reaction, and I go to that person seeking forgiveness, but I don't receive it, so I keep trying to fix it, but ever time I try I just make it worse, my lack of peace increases with each effort and now I'm out to get peace for myself (selfish) wrather than thinking of what would bring the other person peace. I need to look inside and search for my motives and then act(or not act in this case) in a way that will bring peace to other person.
We have a selfish tendancy, I'm speaking for myself here, to be anxious for us and not so much for others. I have discovered this lately. Through my anxiety I have felt what my wife goes through , just a little, on a daily basis with her seizures. I can now identify a little better with her and perhaps be a little more sympathetic. So you see, not all anxiety is bad, it can lead to writing a lesson on the heart so we can identify better with others suffering, so we can be a real comfort to them.
For the second question, I believe if Judas had stayed, he would have received forgiveness, if he asked for it, and would have ended up in heaven right along side Jesus, even though he was instrumental for his crucifiction. That's how much love and grace I think our God has.
That begs another question. What if we don't recieve forgiveness from others when we ask for it? I have my answer, but I'd like to hear your's first.
Hopefully................................ To be
continued.
PS Ruth, I just want you to know my love and respect for you is growing daily. I don't know how you do it. You are one strong lady, and I know you get your strength from Jesus...... and you keep on smiling! WOW!
Pastor patti asked two hypothetical questions, that I thought were very profound.
The first was " Where does God turn to when he is feeling worried or anxious? " She came to the conclusion that Jesus, in chapter 16, was very concerned about his deciples because he was telling them about his death and leaving them on their own. He was giving them things to remember and trying to explain what was going to happen so they wouldn't be too shocked when it did happen.
The second question was " what if Judas had stayed at the last supper to the end instead of running out, would he have found forgiveness, even though he messed up big time?"
WOW! I love those questions.
I have my own answers. To the first, I would say firstly, that God is three persons, as we have recenlty been learning, and in that little "family" is a built in support system. They are one God but three individual personalities that could help and support each other in time of need. Many times Jesus went to the Father for comfort. Now that he is with the Father, why couldn't he be a comfort to him if he needed it? Just a thought. The other thing is, does God think like we do? Does he get anxious for himself, or for others? For example, if I say something to someone and not realizing it at the time hurt their feelings,and discover that I did because of their reaction, and I go to that person seeking forgiveness, but I don't receive it, so I keep trying to fix it, but ever time I try I just make it worse, my lack of peace increases with each effort and now I'm out to get peace for myself (selfish) wrather than thinking of what would bring the other person peace. I need to look inside and search for my motives and then act(or not act in this case) in a way that will bring peace to other person.
We have a selfish tendancy, I'm speaking for myself here, to be anxious for us and not so much for others. I have discovered this lately. Through my anxiety I have felt what my wife goes through , just a little, on a daily basis with her seizures. I can now identify a little better with her and perhaps be a little more sympathetic. So you see, not all anxiety is bad, it can lead to writing a lesson on the heart so we can identify better with others suffering, so we can be a real comfort to them.
For the second question, I believe if Judas had stayed, he would have received forgiveness, if he asked for it, and would have ended up in heaven right along side Jesus, even though he was instrumental for his crucifiction. That's how much love and grace I think our God has.
That begs another question. What if we don't recieve forgiveness from others when we ask for it? I have my answer, but I'd like to hear your's first.
Hopefully................................ To be
continued.
PS Ruth, I just want you to know my love and respect for you is growing daily. I don't know how you do it. You are one strong lady, and I know you get your strength from Jesus...... and you keep on smiling! WOW!
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