It is so amazing for me
to think
that yet another Christmas Season is upon
us. There has been so very much go on not
only in my own life but those of most of
the world also. The murderous acts in the
USA, waging war on terrorism, and living
in wait of when the next anthrax case is
going to be announced.
Seems like so many negatives!
But I would like to thank Jesus for all
the wonderful things that have happened.
We saw a nation take time out to pray -
while government leaders did it on
national television. We've seen our
churches become more and more popular. We
saw the 700 club cover a US map with
colored pins representing people across
the nation agreeing to devote time to
prayer. And most of all we've seen the
world take yet a closer step to the day
when the Lord comes for His church.
In my personal life I have seen just as
many positives and negatives.
I would say one of the biggest things
that happened in my life this last year
was becoming the leader of a wonderful
Christian Internet group, ~Let His Light
Shine~. Back in May when I assumed the
position I was terrified, I knew the Lord
had led me to take this on though and
knew He would help where I could not
manage. And He did! I thank Jesus for my
Sister in Christ Peggy Lynn who is the
leader of the Christian women's group,
Roses of Sharon. She not only gave me a
role model of how to conduct myself but
also how to run the group - her biggest
advise "Get strong co-leaders!"
Within a few weeks God provided me with 2
wonderful co-leaders, Alberta and
Michael. There is no doubt the job has
been time consuming but I have received
so many blessings through this
"work" I would never give it up
willingly. I've learned from my
co-leaders and from members of the group.
I've learned tricks on organization, I've
learned things about myself I didn't
know, and I've learned so much about the
Lord I can't possibly list it all here. I
have felt myself grow closer and stronger
with God and at the same time have come
to recognize when I am weak - these times
are no concern though because I know the
Lord will provide and usually does threw
one of my brothers or sisters in Christ.
I've seen just at the second I feel I
need a laugh, a prayer, a word of
encouragement - someone has provided it
at almost the exact time.
On the down side of things I've been hit
hard by people
who don't even know me - judging me and
actually condemning me because of my
beliefs. I stood firm in those beliefs
though and every time the Lord has shown
me that I was not wrong in my beliefs.
One of the strongest and most
controversial of these has been my belief
that it is not right to judge others. The
old children's song goes, "Jesus
loves the little children, all the little
children of the world…." He
also tells us that we are all to become
as children, which tells me very simply -
HE LOVES US ALL! Who are we, lowly beings
striving to be like Jesus, to not love
"all the little children of the
world". Those people who wrong us,
the ones who feel they are right and we
are wrong, the non-believers as much as
the believers. I firmly believe we should
love all these people, we may disagree
with them, may believe differently than
them, and may not want to be best friends
with them but we should still love them!
God and God alone truly knows what is in
our hearts
and it is certainly not our place to tell
another, particularly another Christian
that "their way is wrong". I
ask you, is there a Christian
denomination that follows the entire
bible scripture? I think not, not in my
experience at least. Each takes a
"part" of the bible and follows
that. Is this taking scripture out of
context? It is possible! But who is to
say what God has laid on that churches
heart to believe. If I say I am Baptist,
Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, or
Catholic does that make me Christian or
not? No, my belief in Jesus Christ our
Savor makes me Christian. My love of
Christ and my living for Him is what
makes me Christian. The Holy Spirit
living in me makes me Christian. My trust
in the Lord to guide my life makes me
Christian. Are there people in these
churches, these buildings, who believe
the same as me - I am sure there are in
all. Are there people in these churches
who don't believe the same as me - I'm
sure there are those also. Do I know all
there is to know about Christianity? NO!
Is there a living being who does know all
that Our Father knows? I think NOT! What
the Lord has shown me is that people who
will degrade or belittle others are doing
more work for Satan than they are for
Jesus. You can disagree with another
without judging. You can voice your
belief in an attempt to bring others to
your way of thinking or believing. But to
say someone is "not a
Christian" merely because they do
not believe exactly as you do is not in
my book right. To tell a person they
should be reading one part of the bible
and not another is wrong - we are given
the bible, the whole bible to read as the
Spirit leads us. To tell a person they
are not listening to the Lord but they
are is wrong - how on earth do we know
what God is telling another person?
Why do I choose my Christmas Page
as a forum to share this, my belief? For
two reasons actually. One being what is
Christmas? The celebration of the birth
of Jesus Christ! Why do we stress
ourselves giving gifts to our friends and
family that often we can't afford or they
won't like or appreciate? I believe that
Jesus is here with us, in us, around us
so why do we not give these
"birthday gifts" to Him who's
birthday it is? This is my gift to Jesus
- taking a stand on something that I do
believe He has put in my heart. The
second reason is because often I think
people are more inclined to read the
"sweet" and "nice"
messages shared and pass over the things
that might point out a flaw or weakness
in themselves. I know I am guilty of
this! Am I judging others? No, just
voicing my opinion, my view, my belief!
Because this has been lead in my heart so
many times over this last year I can only
believe it is something important to Our
Father in Heaven. If I am wrong I am sure
God will let me know eventually. I know
and God knows that I love the Lord with
all my heart. He is number one in my life
and I live each day for Him. If you
disagree with me - you have every right
to, I still love you though and wish the
best for you.
Our
Father who art in Heaven, you are
no doubt the most powerful, the
most knowing, the most loving
Father any child could ever have.
I thank you Father for all you
have given me in my life. Thank
you Jesus for giving me the
chance to get to know you more,
for not turning your back on me
when I turned mine on you. Thank
you for sharing your wisdom with
me and guiding me threw my life,
protecting me when needed,
nudging me along the way, and
holding me in your arms always.
Thank you dear Father for
bringing my wonderful brothers
and sister at LHLS and ROS into
my life, for using them to help
me when needed, encourage me when
I was down, teach me Your ways,
and sharing your Love with me.
Father I ask you to bless each
person who reads this prayer,
give them all that they ask that
may be your will. Comfort and
protect them as you have me, and
show them your love in the most
powerful of ways -
life everlasting in your kingdom.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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~ Home ~
song being played:
Christmas Is Your
Birthday Lord
(Introduction)
Christmas is your birthday Lord,
Jesus, Son of God.
You were born in Bethlehem,
as God’s gift to man.
Lord we celebrate on earth,
Your glorious virgin birth.
You we honour and adore,
now and evermore.
How we wish the world would see,
that this special day,
centers, Jesus Lord, on Thee,
not Santa Claus or me!
Not on decorated trees,
or fancy shopping sprees,
But on Thee, the Son of God,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
But on Thee, the Son of God,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
For, two thousand years ago,
God to us did show.
He so loved the world he gave
His Son to us save.
All those who in Christ believe,
will from Him receive,
the gift of life eternally,
with Him always be.
How we wish the world would see,
that this special day,
centers, Jesus Lord, on Thee,
not Santa Claus or me!
Not on decorated trees,
or fancy shopping sprees,
But on Thee, the Son of God,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
But on Thee, the Son of God,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
But on Thee, the Son of God,
Jesus Christ the Lord.
Copyright ©1997 by Gilberto Barreto and
Janet Goh
This page was created November 26th, 2001
by the site owner Faith Alice
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