Kit Sober

I think tearing the down of "The Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life" (and many of the other nice traditions people and families have developed comes from the same old "steal-kill-destroy" cult mentality which trives by insulting and denigrating anything that doesn't fit with one's opinion. These two movies and so many traditions like ice skating, fruitcake, Christmas cards, Christmas presents, and other get-togethers during the Advent season bring hearts and souls into harmony with the giving kindness of the Lord, and (I believe) the more that happens, the more people's hearts can be opened to hear the Lord's voice. Jesus gave parables which left Him as the subject as an unspoken foundation (the birds of the air, the lilies of the field which the Lord watches over and takes care of). So "The Christmas Carol" could be seen as a parable that one needs to watch how they live today because they will be living in the consequences of those actions in the not-to-distant future, which lesson will be most pertinent when we see the Lord face to face and give an account of how we lived in our earth suits. And "It's a Wonderful Life" could be seen as a parable to show that the kindness one gives has far-reaching implications for the whole world -- that kindness has a ripple effect such as a pebble tossed into a lake -- and of course the devil wants every Christian to feel isolated, alone, and of no importance so he/she will lose hope and loosen their grip on the hem of His garment. I think that the arrogance of insulting and the attendant isolation it breeds is a mainstay of cult mentality, and learning to associate with, enjoy, and be friends with others is a vital part of growing in that love of Christ by which His friends are readily known. It takes very little "in depth perception" to criticize, and it takes kindness from the Lord to have the type of Love with with the Lord lived and lives today in us.

And there is a current Christmas thread over in "the Way" forum with some wonderful stuff here :)

I love Christmas because it's one day of the year when the whole world is pretty much on the same page: Jesus Christ is one to be reckoned with. Christians agree the Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and those that want to destroy Christianity and the name Jesus Christ are focused as well. Jesus Christ is everyone's focus, for good or ill. Dividing the camps so to speak. Anyway, I received this in Christmas email today. I like this guy's stuff and thought it would fit into this discussion:

"Fear of the Lord" synthesized out for me over the years to "Just don't do it." If I know the Lord says to love my neighbor, then that's what I do. If the Lord says don't steal, I don't steal. If the Lord says don't lie, I don't lie. The fear of the Lord is a wall separating me from actions which the Lord forbids. when I find myself on the other side of the wall and in sin, then I ask forgiveness and get back where I belong. The Lord Jesus said (Matthew 14:23ff) "23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." I think twi belittled and denied the fear of the Lord and made their doctrine around this simple concept so complicated because vp was committed to making a doctrine of hypocricy and propounding that it was allowable for a Christian to live a filthy way of life, and therefore he needed to belittle the fear of the Lord which should keep people from acting wickedly and living in sin. Watchman Nee in the devotional today said,

I got this devotional from http://www.Godspeaks.com and it reminded me of how people often say stuff like, "I know Jesus must have done this because I do it." and I wondered if any others had thoughts like these. However, if Jesus is the Standard, then the order in that statement is backwards. I believe that we must identify "what would Jesus do" (as WWJD proclaims), and then see how we line up. Regarding the below quote, I don't know that Jesus cried as a baby. I do know He suffered and endured all the pains and discomforts I could imagine and more so, and that He is a true Savior. I do know that he was obviously practiced in holding his tongue when he faced his accusers the Chief Priests and Pilate (Matthew 27:12-14) and said nothing. Certainly the Lord Jesus always knew how to hold his tongue and only speak what His Father wanted said. Jesus cried: John 7:28 When he taught in the temple and then 12:44, He cried and [then] said, "He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me." It's understandable that He cried out because it's easy to identify with the grief of trying to communicate the love of Jesus to people who have closed their hearts. Both times the teaching was done in "saying" not screaming or "crying." John 11:43: He cried for Lazarus (who was certifiably dead). From the cross He cries again: (1) at "eli eli lama sabacthani" and then when He gave up the "ghost"/spirit and "said" Into thy hands I commend my spirit," and laid down His life for us. "Said" is repeated twice. Other times, such as when he drove the animals out of the temple he "said" in controlled voice, "you have made my Father's house a den of thieves" although it is commonly taught that Jesus was in a rage, the Bible gives no support to that interpretation. In regard to the devotional below, I believe it is sufficient to say that Jeus endured the pains and heartaches, and that it does not diminish his suffering on our behalf to posit that He did not cry and whine his way through life.

Here is notice of pending legislation received from Capitol Hill Prayer Partners in their "Daily Brief":

Christmas Story on Utube:

I think every mom and dad have the same heartbeat for their baby / child as Joseph and Mary did. -- at least that is what the Holy Spirit works in us to the degree possible, with no limit according to our faith. Max Lucado had his devotional on this same subject which I thought was too precious for words:

Any stories or enlightenments from Scriptures related to the times surrounding the birth of Jesus? Another thread reminded me that on 9/11/01 I was working away from home and any Bible friends and was going to have a singular cupcake birthday party for Jesus in my hotel room. I have a dear friend who was married on 9/11. And I personally always keep that day a precious day in honor of Jesus. I thought that there were two events that could have occurred around December 25, the wise men bringing gifts and seeing the "young child" and the conception (nine months before September). And there have been so many wonderful emails I have received from people who focus on the birth of Jesus in their Bible studies around this time of the year. Here is one that came as a devotional that I thought was precious:

Agreed that MLM is a real destroyer. I remember Steed and knew people with mechanical and electronic understanding who said it was a good product, but the MLM set up ensured it would not survive. I am hoping that LifeVantage returns to the Biblical method of free enterprise.

Over the week of 9/11/01, I was working in Wendover NV and we flew in. For the six years I worked for that company, I often flew on a quarterly basis, and I traveled with three guys in their 30s to 40s and a woman in her late 30s. I was in my late 50s early 60s (different combinations depending upon the work we needed to do). I was always, always, always frisked, checked, pulled out, my bag pulled out and ransacked, etc. The guys I traveled with never were. Never. not one time. I don't look too weird. I generally was reading a Bible. Once I spoke to another elderly lady who said she also was always picked on for searches. I thought then that perhaps the security guard kids at that time "profiled" us out because we reminded them of their grandparents and they knew we would put up with their indignities. Recently when traveling (I do it much less for current company but I now have metal knee). One way was a gruesome full body search, but the return home was a breeze. My metal knee was no problem because they had a full body scan and they could see it was only a fake knee. Of course I wish they would profile terrorists and be more rational with prohibitions. The rampant stupidity of the "security guards" (like confiscating military medals from war heroes) does not make me feel safer because only a sensitivity to crime could prevent another 9/11/01 from happening, and the security folk I have seen have been so muddied in their thinking that they couldn't discern a military veteran who would prevent a disaster and a terrorist who would create one. As Socks illustrated the searches are not based upon threat but sometimes varying random standards which easily could be circumvented if someone had crime on their mind. I pray for the skies and highways and byways to be safe. That's the best I can think of to do.

Thanks, again, from me, too, John. I found this statement especially noteworthy because one of my favorite authors is Watchman Nee, who was incarcerated in a communist prison camp for many years and died there. Many of the his books now published are transcripts from sermons he gave many years before (he died in1972, incarcerated at least 12 years). He never saw or reviewed and approved many of the books published under his name, yet they are still in print and still as good as gold with the touch of God's kind hand in the words (in my opinion) because they were carefully and lovingly transcribed, fully replete with the Bible references and other references Watchman Nee used, including references to other people and their writings to which he was indebted. I once asked a Chinese person who felt similarly about Watchman Nee, "what if it were a counterfeit?" He thought, smiled, and said with a twinkle in his eye, "It wouldn't be Watchman Nee." Thanks, again, John, for exposing vp's works for the spiritual trash they are. I was also very much brain-dirtied in twi, and without your level headed view I might still be there. Thanks so much.

Here is the message from Dave which prompted me to request a synopsis of Prodantim. The links are to articles with further information:

Reverse Osmosis: What method do you use? What kind of equipment? I have been interested in getting this kind of a water purifier but there are so many different versions out there. What do you suggest? (We currently use a Kenmore distiller, which has been working steadily for almost 10 years, but Sears doesn't sell them anymore.) Regarding oxygenated water: I have been drinking oxygenated water for all these years since Dave told us about it, and I only know that before I started drinking oxygenated water I was on a dead end course toward kidney failure per the doctors, and I have been healthy in that category since. And if I don't drink oxygenated water, the problem (demonstrated by dark brown output) returns. Prodantim and what it does: And here is some information about Prodantim. I have been taking it for almost a month, and notice the effects in general overall increase in energy and thinking ability also arthritis pains are receding and liver spots fading. It works for me. My Fred has multiple body parts which are not working correctly and he just started Prodantim yesterday. And are praying it works for him also. Here is what Dave Anderson sent me in response to a request for a synthesis of what Prodantim does. He doesn't sell it. You can buy it for $50/bottle on amazon.com or get it from a distributor as a "preferred customer" (a monthly or quarterly repeat order) for $40/bottle. If you want to get in touch with Dave's friend Jack, give me a "message" here at Greasespot Cafe.

Thanks Waysider. Nice. :) I recently came to grips with my (twi-sponsored) supercilious attitude toward the X in Xmas by simply thinking of the Cross. That old rugged cross, which minute by minute has an increasingly wondrous attraction to me. Here is a story about St Nicholas: The story began with Nicholas, a Greek Christian bishop in the early church in 4th century Turkey. Although he was not rotund like "our" Santa Claus, he did wear flowing red robes and sported a full, white beard. What made Nicholas a model for the Christmas Santa of goodwill and cheer was not his appearance, but his compassion and seemingly limitless generosity that inspired a legend known around the world. In his lifetime, he was noted for his charity and especially for random acts of kindness, concealing their source. Once a wealthy young man, he gave away all his inheritance to those he saw had need. When discovered and asked why he did not reveal himself, he replied, "It's good to give when only God knows about it." He lived through ten years of severe persecution, when Christians were hunted, tortured and killed. While imprisoned, he encouraged those on the outside to have courage and put their trust in God. After his release from prison, he was involved in rebuilding, feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless and finding families for children orphaned by the persecution. They were severe times. Whenever he ventured out in public, he carried a bag of toys, gifts and candy for the children and shared the good news of Jesus Christ with them. He was so legendary and beloved, others carried on his work when he died. The real St. Nicholas inspired the tradition of Santa Claus by helping others, bringing joy to children and leaving the world a better place.

Got this from Max Lucado (one of my favorites) this morning and thought it would be a nice way to think of this Christmas season. Certainly my life hasn't come out as I had thought it would 40 years ago when I took the PFAL class, but God was not rejoicing then and He is not wringing His hands now wondering "What am I going to do with that woman???" I think He has our lives in His good and kind heart and plan.

Same friend sent this one for Thanksgiving leftovers (or chicken) Leftover Turkey (or chicken) Tortilla Soup This simple recipe combines chicken stock, left over turkey, zucchini, and purchased salsa for a quick tasty tortilla soup. This is also a good use for leftover chicken and 'past-their-prime' corn tortillas. Ingredients: 1 large zucchini, coarsely chopped 2 cups cubed cooked turkey (12 ounces) 2 14-ounces cans reduced sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons cooking oil for frying tortillas 6-inch corn tortillas, cut in strips and fried up crispy (can be baked in oven without oil instead) Sour cream and cilantro (optional for garnish) Lime wedges (optional for garnish) In a large saucepan combine salsa and chicken broth and bring to boiling. Add turkey and zucchini. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until heated through. Serve in bowls...top with tortilla strips and then the optional toppings and serve the optional lime wedges along side the bowls of soup.

My all time favorite is the turkey-soup-after-Thanksgiving, in which I dump the leftovers -- including some vegetables (e.g. green beans with mushrooms and onions), some mashed potatoes and dressing/stuffing for thickening, etc. (not sweet potatoes or other sweets, maybe a little cranberry sauce). It's always different, depending upon what was the menu, and wonderful :) Anyway, received this documented version from a friend and thought you would like it: Don't you even think about throwing away those turkey bones and carcass... Turkey Carcass Soup Made with turkey bones and the carcass, leftover stuffing, and leftover gravy, this recipe is the ultimate day-after Thanksgiving one pot meal. Easy and oh so goooood...mmmmmmmmm. INGREDIENTS 1 turkey carcass, broken into pieces, turkey leg bones, and some leftover turkey if you have any. 2 1⁄2 cups leftover turkey stuffing 2 cups turkey gravy 3 carrots, peeled and thickly sliced 3 ribs celery with leaves, sliced 1 onion, chopped 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 bay leaf 2 tsp. dried thyme, crumbled (anything else leftover you might want to throw in)...optional Salt and Pepper to taste...maybe some fresh or dried herbs if you think it needs it. INSTRUCTIONS Put all the ingredients with 10 cups the water into a large soup pot over medium heat, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir to break up all the clumps of stuffing and mix well. Let the soup simmer for about 1 1⁄2 hours. Add another 1 1⁄2 cups of cold water and any herbs you think it might need, let simmer for 10 more minutes. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust the flavoring if necessary. Fish the bones out now if you want or are going to be serving at the table. Serve hot. MAKES 10 CUPS Gobble, gobble, gobble.

Yesterday I reread the Betty Baxter story. It can be found on the web, in both video on utube from 2008 and the text version here http://ag.org/wim/06...baxterstory.cfm and in many other places. (When you run this utube, there are others, too, of Betty Baxter giving her story.) In 1941, at the age of 14, after a lifetime of increasingly crippling disabilities and pain. Jesus came and healed her on August 24, 1941 at 3:00 pm. The story is as profound and inspiring as the day it happened. A few years ago I found her web site through some email or something and ordered a couple of cds of her teaching and received her newsletter. (I don't have them now. I gave them to some friend. I don't keep a lot of stuff anymore.) She may have passed away because I can't find her website or newsletter address and only references about her. But nonetheless it was a delight to receive her stuff, and seeing and hearing her testimony just yesterday was an uplifting blessing. Also there is the "Prison to Praise" guy, Merlin Carothers, retired military chaplain who is now in his 80's maybe even his 90s and still lives and preaches his "giving thanks in all things" ministry and helping people and we do get his newsletters and have been doing so for more than 10 years since we found him. Still love to get and read his stuff. Merlin Carothers' website: http://foundationofpraise.org/ (The Foundation of Praise). It has a video of him on it. Nice to watch. Just received, "Nearing Home," Billy Graham's newest book, and it's got the same glorious message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and raised from the dead for you and me. The Billy Graham website is http://www.billygraham.org His son, Ralph Graham is at the helm of the ministry now, but they are all still preaching the same stuff. These people and many others have remained faithful and their words are as clean and good today as ever because their lives were and are true to the Lord they served, without hypocrisy. And I was also reminded that my stuff (reading from a journal entry circa 1995 and I would stand by the same words today to me as i wrote then, which was comforting and nice to see. In contrast, I was sent in an email a link to some vpw stuff: http://www.archive.o...query=wierwille . Some people still like to see this; however, for me, it's creepy,and I can't understand someone liking stuff that was used to lure people into a web of filth like that twi place. It was comforting to me to see that in the annals of "famous people of Christianity" which came with my pc Bible program, vp isn't even mentioned. God has always been faithful. Jesus Christ has always been true and faithful, yesterday, today, and forever. I hope I can be like that.

I read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" and the updates "Extreme Devotion" and "Jesus Freaks" from "The Voice of the Martyrs" and have been on their mailing list for years. You can check out persecution.com -- These and being on prayer lists -- which bring to my inbox daily the griefs and pains and needs of others -- keep me reminded that I am not alone in my suffering and my prayers and tithes and other works that I find to do are needful, for me and for others. (Prayer is a strengthening thing. I am strengthened when I pray, my trust in the Lord's goodness is increased as well as my reliance upon Him for the "victorious life" I always dreamed of.) Someone very precious, when I was 50+ and we were chit chatting and I was bemoaning the fact that I never became the ballerina I had wanted to become, said, "well you may not be a dancer but you can still dance." And this is true of every dream I think. We never have to allow the devil to kill our hopes and dreams. ("If you don't fold you can't lose" is still true I think.) From reading, "Heaven is for Real" (which is a lovely record of what a young child saw and learned when he simply to heaven), I know that we will all be restored to the prime of our lives and that there will be no eyeglasses, hearing aids, crutches, missing limbs and organs, etc. So maybe the good dancing I would love to do I will do in heaven, but that is pretty wonderful to look forward to, and at almost 66, I am practicing up because, like the kid said, I still can dance. Even with rheumatoid arthritis and being stone deaf I can still dance. Ruth Graham, Billy Graham's wife, requested for her tombstone, "Construction completed. Thanks for your patience." As long as our names haven't appeared in the obits, we haven't been killed and we aren't completed. This is kind of stuff is good, too, as a reminder of God's goodness: Magnificent

Dear Excathedra, "I can hardly stand to read the Bible," is one of the most terrible of issuances of vp's life, and one for which I trust he will receive a just recompense. I pray this wound also will heal not only in you but in everyone else who came to this conclusion after being involved with vp's issuances. I believe that there will come a just recompense as promised by Jesus, for example in Luke 11:52 ( Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.) My heart breaks for you and for everyone who was robbed of the sweet treasure of reading of our relationship with God Almighty, the precious Lord Jesus and with the Holy Spirit which was paid for by the blood of blood of the saints.

David Anderson, who brought up oxygenated water, saved my life with that because I have weak kidneys and the oxygenated water I have been using these last 10 years has kept my kidneys working. (I should have been on dialysis years ago, but I have been ok.) Anyway, I got an email from him today with a product that sounds pretty good. I am going to try it.

Been thinking about what you said. . . Everyone needs a standard of faith and practice. When push comes to shove, when the hard questions come up. This country had the U.S. Constitution by which the Supreme Court decided issues brought before them. When the standard is lost, the confusion and "every evil work" can come in. The USA President Barak Obama recently stated that he was quoting from the Bible when he said, "God helps those who help themselves," which came from British politician Algemon Sydney's "Discourses Concerning Government" and then was quoted by Benjamin Franklin in "Poor Richard's Almanac" in 1757. (I got this info from Capitol Hills Prayer Partners in email today.) I believe we will give account of ourselves before the Lord for every word we spoke, and that it behooves us to be careful with our thoughts words and deeds. For me, that carefulness requires that I ensure I am in line with what the Bible does in fact state. Even back when I was in twi I used Acts 17:11 (receive the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so) to verify stuff, and it was always amazing to me (1) how much "assumed" godliness was not found in the Bible and (2) how much trouble I got into for doing so, which still occurs. I have found many paraphrasers of the Bible which give the stuff of the Bible an easy hear-connection, Max Lucado's stuff and Peterson's "The Message" translation of the Bible for example. However, before I post either of their work or anything else, I always have verified that it fits with the Bible I know.

Thanks for sharing. It's a pretty looking site, but because I am one of those who lives by the faith of Jesus Christ it's pretty empty to me.