Radiant Aunt: The examiners just have to read and accept her updated version this time. Yes, then she gets her PhD :-) Thanks for praying.

Beren the 32nd: What will be the next step? She's got to present her thesis and then when everything goes well, she has gotten her Ph.D?

Radiant Aunt: Thanks. It is cell biology.

Beren the 32nd: Sure Beren the 32nd, Blessings for your wife and you too!! What is her thesis about?

Can anyone say a little prayer for my wife please? She is printing out her thesis today in time for the deadline on Tuesday.
God bless you all :-)

A Chinese woman had two large water pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke [this only happens in China] to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."

"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

To all of my crackpot family and friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path we walk.....

whatdidyousay:
AMEN. BEAUTIFUL...



BUMBLE will always be remembered through his family, friends, and music.

Your humor is irreplaceable and you will be missed tremendously.

We love you "Papa Phil".

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/comfort/index.htm

It's so hard to find the right words to say to someone who's lost a loved one. No words will comfort one enough to make the pain and sorrow go away.

I always remember that God knows what we feel, and he understands our loneliness due to death. Remember Jesus' words as he hung on the cross "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" He was there alone, and God felt that loneliness just as much as Jesus did.

It's comforting knowing that God has experienced something so profound and something that we as humans feel that only we could experience. God's there with us, and he's carrying us through, and he's holding the box of tissues as we pull each one out to wipe away our tears. How good is the God we adore and serve.

I'll remember you all in my daily prayers and hope that each one of you will lean and rely on the Lord each day for strength.

Peace and Comfort and everlasting Love

Amid our tears, oh Lord we praise thee as thou received our dear bumble (Phil) to thyself in the glory of all in eternity. We thank thee that though has brought Phil to the knowledge of Jesus Christ , our Lord and Saviour. Comfort us with the glorious hope of the resurrection and life eternal. Grant us Grace to say with a believing heart "Thy will be done" and to know that thy good and gracious will even in the present hour. Comfort us through thy Gospel, which promises strength and help to the troubled and weary. O Lord, forsake us not in this hour...for Jesus sake we ask it. Amen
I talked to Bumble by message on the 13th. Was so happy to have that little chat before his passing. God Bless the family and friends of Bumble.
BARB

I know you are with your loved ones there and watching over your family down here until the day you are all united once again.

Rest in peace my beloved friend

Nos da Papa,

Cysgu fe gwadd.

whatdidyousay: Thank you for finding the words i couldn't.Bumble was so loved.

whatdidyousay:

God bless Dad-in-law.

Lord:

We ask that you be with the family and friends of our good friend, Bumble. His life touched so many people, and he will be missed.

But, Lord, we are confident through the example that he led that he is with You. Resting confortably in Your grace.

I ask that You now be with Phil's family in these difficult times ahead. Guide them. Protect them. And give them peace.

In Your Son's name, I pray.
Amen

Foxy Lady: I am too foxy.. more like in shock.. My heart goes out to his family. He was a very nice man and gave himself to help others. He will sadly be missed..

Our deepest regrets to his family.I'm really lost for words.

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/psalm23.htm

ScarletRose: Really glad to hear that, sis!! Halleluya :-)

Radiant Aunt: I didn't get to update earlier.. or forgot to.. he made it through Sugery okay last week..

ScarletRose: You have my heart and prayers my sister!! Many blessings for your loved ones!

Tuesday: Praise the Lord!!

ScarletRose:Sorry to hear such sad news! My thoughts and prayers go out to him and the family!!

Would like to pray for my ex father in law. (My daughters grandfather).. He has been diagnosed with Stomache Cancer..

Would like to pray for those that carry so much anger with them...May you feel the love of G-d!

Tuesday: Oh that is wonderful news.. good to hear.. Yay!

Tuesday: Courtney is in my prayers as well. Good to see you back, Friend..God Bless
BARB

Tuesday: Many a prayer will be said for Courtney, I am sure that God will take care of her.

POETCOMPOSER: Happy Chanuka and love chess, think I will;)

Sorry, I didn't get back here for the
update, as I was in the hospital myself.
Kyle is doing very well now since the casts were taken off. I saw him Christmas Day and he walks just like he should. He hated the casts on as when they took them off his legs were dirty and itched from the casts.. He had to be washed off good. He now walks just fine and we are so happy the Dr. tried this. Guess some children do this but not as long as Kyle did. HE still is getting the ear aches but hopefully they will get less, too. Other than that he is a normal little active boy.
Thanks for your prayers..
Poetcomposer: thanks for your message..
I pray that you all have a Happy New Year and better than last..God Bless
BARB

Jules: BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. SHALOM....

Horseman: HAPPY CHANUKAH.
PLAY CHESS....

STEVEN [POETCOMPOSER]

http://www.torah.org/yomtov/chanukah/5755/vol1no61.htm

Radiant Aunt:
Relax...Happy Holidays can mean anything from a combined Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to a whatever you are celebrating greeting (hanucka does begin on the 25th this year)...one wayor another it is a well wishing to others. Even Christmas trees owe their origin to Queen Victorias husband who brought the tradition over from Germany...from past pagan rituals. Christ was born in summer, yet we celebrate his birth on the Day that Mithras' birthday had been traditionally celebrated on...Rome's way of squashing Mithras. Christmas is going nowhere. WHat is important is that we use this time to remember Christ and his birth. (okay the book of Matthew makes him about 3 when the Magi show up with gifts, but the exchange of gifts remember there part in his life as well). What is important is that we share the time with our loved ones and remember Christ. Happy holidays or Merry Christmas doesn't change what you celebrate. Many athiests even celebrate Christmas and call it Christmas. TV ads are to Sell things, not push religion. That said and done....

Merry Christmas to you all and Happy Holidays as well. Especially to you Josietta

----Horse

Holiday Wars
by John Fischer


This Christmas, Christians have been caught in the throes of a war on semantics. We are seeing and hearing more “Happy Holidays” and less “Merry Christmases.” The beloved “Christmas tree” has turned into being a “Holiday tree." One television ad plays regularly with carolers singing: “We Wish You A Happy Holiday” to the tune of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”

One can surely see why a general mood of fighting back could prevail. I have seen numerous emails floating around with pictures of Christmas trees lamenting the secularization of Christmas. The underlying tone of these messages so far has been one of anger and partisanship, as if to say: “They can't take our Christmas away from us!”

It's an interesting question and one we need to consider seriously. If this a battle, on what level do we fight it? If someone wishes us “Happy Holidays,” do we respond with a hearty “Merry Christmas,” thus striking a blow for the kingdom of God?

I'm not so sure it's as important as all this. After all, it's Christ that is the issue, not Christmas. I don't even think Jesus cares very much about what we or anyone else call an evergreen with lights on it in December. Jesus never cared much about labels anyway; He always cared more about what was in the heart.

Here's how you put Christ back into Christmas: you celebrate Him as Lord of your life and ruler of your heart, and you love even those who want to take Christmas out of the Holiday equation. Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). He came to forgive sins -- mine… yours… everybody's. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Let's not let religious pride get in the way of the core message of the gospel. It's never been us against them; it's us for them. We mustn't forget that Jesus came to die for the very people who are trying to secularize our country.

In our zeal to keep Christ in Christmas, lets be careful not to alienate the very people who need Him the most -- those who don't know Him. People are more likely to be set on the road to salvation by loving, caring believers who are secure in the hope of the real Christ living in their lives, and whose faith is brighter than any Christmas tree.

It's what's in your heart that really counts this Christmas. Let's not get so taken up with fighting to save a name that we forget to live out the reality of the hope of Christ to the world. If people end up encountering the real Christ of Christmas, it will matter little what we end up calling the holiday itself.


John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker.

whatdidyousay: Thank you Jeff, for reminding us, that each day each one of us needs the Blood of the Lamb! amen

1Peter 2:24 ...By His Stripes we are healed..
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chatisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His Stripes we are healed.

Keys to Gods Relationships
A major emphasis of Jesus' teaching is how to build and maintain right relationships with God and others. He views these relationships as neither unimportant nor extraneous, but as vital components of our Christian lives. Knowing God is our highest priority, but this pursuit should not replace or diminish our interpersonal relationships with others. Rather, our personal interaction with God should produce within us the qualities of character that build and sustain all our relationships.

Scriptural references:

Matthew 5:24,25; Luke 12:57,58: Practice instance reconciliation. Understand that conflicts cause much greater damage to relationships when left unresolved.
Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27, 28, 32-36: Love by choice, not by circumstance. Remember to overcome evil through love.
Matthew 6:14; Mark 11:25: Understand that God forgives us our sins as we forgive others who have sinned against us. Adopt the forgiveness of others into your prayerlife as a daily discipline.
Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37, 38, 41, 42: Refrain from judging others. Be diligent to ask the Lord to examine your own heart, and be faithful to respond to His conviction.
Luke 14:7-11: Avoid striving for public recognition. Seek to walk in humility in every situation.

God, show us how to love the unlovely today. Help us to love others as you love them ---- just as they are. Amen.

Matthew 5:43-48
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

And
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath.

Happy Advent!

does anyone out there know if something happened to Big H?? He's from Ohio...