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The Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving (Edgar Albert Guest, 1881-1959) It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well; But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago, When all the family gathered round a table richly spread, With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head, The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile, With mother running in and out and laughing all the while. It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me to-day We're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray; Each little family grows up with fashions of its own; It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone. It has its special pleasures, its circle, too, of friends; There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends, Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way, Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day. I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad; The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin, And whether living far or near they all came trooping in With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place And made a rush for mother, who would stop to wipe her face Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all, Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small. Then laughter rang throughout the home, and, Oh, the jokes they told; From Boston, Frank brought new ones, but father sprang the old; All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do, The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through; We gathered round the fireside. How fast the hours would fly-- It seemed before we'd settled down 'twas time to say good-bye. Those were the glad Thanksgivings, the old-time families knew When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber...and I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty, long hair and u ntrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me." "Exactly!" - affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world." BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING! "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet."

The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth.

Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in American society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in horror movies and in television programs.

My family does not celebrate it or participate in it. We do not believe that our children are "missing out," and neither do they. Other days are used for costumes and parties. Happily, all of our children have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We have found that Halloween provides an excellent time to remind our children that, as Christians, we are different, and not of this world (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).

What about church "Harvest Festivals" held on October 31? Although we understand the rational and good intentions behind them, we don't think they are the best approach. Our family tends to agree with the author of an article called " Are 'Harvest Parties' for Christians?" (written by a self-avowed former witch and now active Christian). Harvest parties on October 31 tend to assume that "our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won't be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration." There are better things to do on Halloween than partying.

Also, we need to teach our children that "the fight isn't against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but" "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).

Relevant scripture on the issue of Halloween and Christians:

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ("Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.")
James 1:27 ("keep oneself from being polluted by the world")
3 John 1:11 ("do not imitate what is evil")
Romans 12:9 ("abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.")
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (do not learn to imitate detestable ways, including spiritists, sorcerers and witchcraft)
Ephesians 5:11-12 ("Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness" / "live as children of light")
1 Timothy 4:1 (don't "follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons")
1 Corinthians 10:21
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ("what fellowship can light have with darkness?")
Philippians 4:8 (think about pure, lovely, noble things)
1 Corinthians 11:1 ("follow the example of Christ")
1 Corinthians 10:31 ("whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God")
James 4:7-8 (submit yourselves to God / resist the devil / purify your hearts)
Ezekiel 44:23 ("…teach my people… to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.")
Proverbs 22:6 ("train a child in the way he should go")
Matthew 18:6 ("if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…")
Hosea 4:6 ("My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.")
John 3:19-20 (people love darkness instead of light)
Romans 13:12 ("put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.")
Ephesians 6:11-18 ("take your stand against the devil's schemes.")
1 John 5:19
2 Chronicles 7:14

"What are you doing for Halloween?" Ask a Christian parent this question, and be prepared to hear an answer like, "Nothing! We don't celebrate Halloween." Thunder crashes, and you creep away, embarassed for even asking.

"What are you doing ON Halloween?" Ask the same parent this slightly altered question, and their whole manner and response brightens. "Why," they begin, as birds begin to sing and sunshine breaks through the cumulus clouds. "We're all going to the Harvest Party at church!" A choir sings. A trumpet sounds. You feel privileged just knowing these saints.

Let's take a look at the typical Harvest Party.

• It is a celebration.
• It is chaperoned (usually).
• It may have costumes.
• Games are played.
• Contests are held.
• Food abounds.
• Music blares.
• Everyone enjoys themselves.

Certainly, nothing to get concerned about, right? The problem, however, lies in the billing. The Harvest Party is usually referred to as the Christian alternative to traditional Halloween hijinx. Alternative, however, implies substitute. It assumes our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won't be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration.

If we are to train our children to be soldiers in the army of Christ, why would we sign a pass for them to go on leave when the battle is escalating on the front lines?

As a child of four, I contacted the first of many spirit guides (read: demons) while playing with a Kindergarten classmates' ouija board at a chaperoned Halloween party. This spiritual assault ignited an intrigue with the supernatural that culminated in my lifestyle as a practicing witch: divination, necromancy, channeling, astrology, psychic ability, and spell working. It wasn't until I was twenty that I met the real Jesus Christ, and was released from the trap that Satan had set for this young prisoner of war sixteen years earlier.

There are too many casualities on Halloween and far too few troops fighing the enemy. Instead of partying on Halloween, teach your children how to fight. Keep them aware that the fight isn't against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers or darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

How do we teach our children to wrestle spiritually?

• Discourage them from participating in traditional Halloween activities (2 Timothy 2:4). Then tell them why.

• Encourage them to pray on a regular, daily basis (Ephesians 6:18). Let them know first hand the power that we have in prayer. All Christians should know how to fight on their knees.

• Remind them to be alert and self-controlled (1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Give them the discipline of knowing it is their responsibility to keep watch. They, themselves, might also become casualties in the war.

• Make certain they are prepared for battle (Ephesians 6:11). Do they know the truth? Stand on the Word of God? Have faith? Know the gospel? Are they righteous? Are they saved?…

Instead of celebrating, what's a Christian to do on Satan's feast day? PRAY! Intercession and spiritual warfare should be the first item on our agenda. It is NOT a last resort!

• Join with other families in the church. Have the pastor announce a night of spiritual battle. Organize a group of Christians parents and students from your children's school or homeschool group. As a family, designate the seven nights before October 31 as Family Prayer Outreach nights.

• Pray for protection. Pray over both those who engage in prayer warfare and over those who will be out trick-or-treating or at Halloween parties. October 31 is a prime recruiting time for witches and Satanists…and a time for interested kids to experiment. Pray that the Lord keeps our kids from falling prey to those who worship the enemy.

• Pray for discernment. Let the Holy Spirit direct you to specific prayer requests. Pray that the children who are "out there" will somehow "know" to keep away from certain activities. I have relatives who, even though they were not Christians, "knew" that ouija boards and levitation games were dangerous.

• Pray that the Lord hinder the occult rituals. For four years, I lived in a building which over looked a cemetery where occult ceremonial markings were often found. ON certain occult feast days, usually between midnight and 3am, I would look down into the darkness and kneel at my window binding the demons that controlled the ceremonies. I'll never know this side of heaven what effect my prayers had. Maybe a potential sacrifice escaped. Maybe the occultists weren't successful in summoning their demon. Maybe a new, young recruit decided that this was not the lifestyle he thought he wanted.

• Pray for the salvation of the occultists. Jesus Christ died for those whom Satan holds captive and deceived, for those who mock Him, who deny His deity or His existence. He doesn't want them to perish, but to come to Him calling Him Father, Lord. Pray the veil is lifted from their eyes, the Lord allows them to see clearly their spiritual condition and their only hope lies in Jesus Christ. Pray also, about whether the Lord would have you take a more active role in bringing the gospel to Satan's servants.

• Let your children know that this is effective warfare. They must know their prayers are heard and acted on by our Father. Let them know they can make a difference. Come October 31, they'll know they have a job to do. www.ChristianAnswers.Net
  Christian Answers Network
  PO Box 200
  Gilbert AZ 85299           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;            & nbsp;           &nbs p;        I AM NOT HERE TO JUDGE ANYONE,,,JUST GIVING SOME INSIGHT ON THE SUBJECT ON WHAT GOD HAS PUT ON MY HEART. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE FOR YOURSELF AND LET GOD GUIDE YOU TO WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO ABOUT IT FOR YOURSELF AND FOR YOUR FAMILY,,GOD LOVES YOU AND I DO TO,,MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU SEARCH AND GROW IN HIS WORD,,IN JESUS NAME             ;            &n bsp;             ;        

 

I WANT TO BE LIKE ANY OTHER GIRL, WHY IS THAT HARD TO BE? WHY I CAN'T BE HIS DAUGHTER AND WHY IS HE ALWAYS TOUCHING ME? WHY CAN'T I LAUGH AND PLAY? INSTEAD I CRY AND PRETEND THAT I AM FAR AWAY. THAT WAS WHEN I WAS SMALL,BUT NOW THAT I AM OLD, I  STAND OUT IN THE COLD. NO ONE SEES NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND THAT I AM A GIRL TRING TO BE THE ONE GOD CREATED IN ME, INSTEAD OF THE ONE "DADDY" MADE ME BE.

Children must have at least one person who believes
in them. It could be a counselor, a teacher,
a preacher, a friend. It could be you. You never
know when a little love, a little support will plant
a small seed of hope.

To be made the evening before Easter

You need:

1cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important--don't wait til you're half donewith the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

I was there for His trial and His scourging, when they accused Him of crimes He'd not done; But I spoke not a word in His defense, I was "The Silent One." I was there as He struggled up Calvary, as dark clouds covered the sun; And when they nailed His torn flesh to the cross, I was "The Silent One." I was there when they cast lots for His garment, As they jeered and heckled in fun; And when the spear was thrust deep in His side, I was "The Silent One." I saw Him die for all mankind, And when it was "finished" and done; He raised Himself up as He promised, yet-I was "The Silent One." And now, everyday I encounter, lost souls sent my way by God's Son; Still I act as though I don't know Him, I am "The Silent One." Dear Lord, when at last I'm before you, when my race on earth is run; Will you speak up for me to the Father? Or will YOU be "The Silent One?" Submitted by Mrs. V. Darlene Anderson Date Added: 8/30/02

Here's a great way to spread God's Love through JC Faith ... Copy this whole page ... Click on "WRITE NEW BLOG" that's at the top of this page (It's 2nd in the list of "Categories"). A blank blog page will come up.Paste what you copied there. Now add your answer to this blog (God is ~your answer~) by describing God in 3 words or less. AND... before you click on "Submit Blog" ... don't forget to add your name beside your answer and type "God is..." for the Blog Title. :o)

God is:

 1.) Faithful!!! (Jimlas)

 2.) Love!!! (BlueAngel)

 3.) Forgiving!!! (BStewart)

 4.) Full of Grace!!! (Valerie)

 5.) All we need!!! (ALwAySaJOY)

 6.) Almighty! (grandmamom)

 7.) awesome (its_all_about_jesus)

 8.) God ,nuff said (David1021)

 9.) Awesome (Jeffy)

10.) Our Heavenly Father (Sparrow7)

11.) FULL OF MERCY (Neekalin)

12.) MY DADDY (Loma1angel)

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The meaning of Easter - What does it mean to you?

The meaning of Easter is Jesus Christ's victory over death. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. The meaning of Easter also symbolizes the complete verification of all that Jesus preached and taught during His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead, if He had merely died and not been resurrected, He would have been considered just another teacher or Rabbi. However, His resurrection changed all that and gave final and irrefutable proof that He was really the Son of God and that He had conquered death once and for all.

However, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection from the dead and the meaning of Easter was quite different than what Christians celebrate today. The feast day of Easter was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. Celebrated in the early spring, it honored the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became know as Easter. The meaning of Easter was also changed to reflect its new Christian orientation.

Today, the meaning of Easter, for million of Christians, is that of honoring and recognizing Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him.

SAY THIS PRAYER EVERY DAY AT THE START OF YOUR DAY AND WATCH THE CHANGES COME INTO YOUR LIFE,,,           &n bsp;             ;            &n bsp;             ;            &n bsp;   HEAVENLY FATHER, I  BOW IN WORSHIP AND PRAISE BEFORE YOU. I COVER MYSELF WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AND CLAIM THE PROTECTION OF THE BLOOD FOR MY FAMILY, MY FINANCES, MY HOME, MY CAR, MY JOB, MY SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY. I SURRENDER MYSELF COMPLETELY IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE TO YOU. I TAKE A STAND AGAINST ALL THE WORKING OF THE DEVIL THAT WOULD TRY TO HINDER ME AND MY FAMILY FROM BEST SERVING YOU. I ADDRESS MYSELF ONLY IN THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD, WHO HAS ALL POWER, AND CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING. SATAN, I COMMAND YOU AND ALL OF YOUR DEMON FORCES OF DARKNESS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST TO LEAVE MY PRESENCE. I BRING THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND MY FAMILY, MY HOME, MY FINANCES, MY SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY. I DECLARE, THERFORE, THAT SATAN AND HIS WICKED SPIRITS ARE SUBJECT TO ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. FURTHERMORE, IN MY OWN LIFE TODAY, I DESTROY AND TEAR DOWN ALL THE STRONGHOLDS OF THE DEVIL AGAINST MY MIND, AND I SURRENDER MY MIND TO YOU BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT. I AFFIRM HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ME THE SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND (2 TIMOTHY 1:7 ). THEREFORE, I RESIST THE SPIRIT OF FEAR IN THE NAME OF JESUS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, AND I FEFUSE TO DOUBT, REFUSE TO WORRY, BECAUSE I HAVE AUTHORITY (POWER) OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY; AND NOTHING BY ANY MEANS SHALL HURT ME (LUKE 10:19). I CLAIM COMPLETE AND ABOSLUTE VICTORY OVER THE FORCES OF DARKNESS IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND I BIND THE DEVIL AND COMMAND HIM TO RELEASE MY PEACE, JOY PROSPERITY, AND EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND BY FAITH I CALL IT DONE.            &nb sp;                         &nb sp;          I BREAK AND SMASH THE STRONGHOLDS OF SATAN AGAINST MY EMOTIONS TODAY AND GIVE MY EMOTIONS TO YOU LORD JESUS. I DESTROY THE STRONGHOLDS OF SATAN AGAINST MY BODY TODAY AND I GIVE MY BODY TO YOU LORD JESUS REALIZING THAT I AM THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  (1 COR. 3:16; 1 COR. 6:19-20) AGAIN, I COVER MYSELF WITH THE BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BRING ALL THE WORK OF THE CRUCIFIXION, ALL THE WORK OF THE RESURRECTION, ALL THE WORK OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO MY LIFE TODAY. I SURRENDER MY LIFE AND POSSESSIONS TO YOU; I REFUSE TO FEAR, WORRY, OR BE DISCOURAGED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I WILL NOT HATE, ENVY, OR SHOW ANY TYPE OF BITTERNESS TOWARD MY BROTHERS, SISTERS, OR MY ENEMIES, BUT WILL LOVE THEM WITH THE LOVE OF GOD SHED ABROAD IN MY HEART BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.            &nb sp;                         OPE N MY EYES AND SHOW ME THE AREAS OF MY LIFE THAT DO NOT PLEASE YOU AND GIVE ME THE STRENGTH, GRACE, AND WISDOM TO REMOVE ANY SIN OR WEIGHT THAT WOULD GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD AGAINST ME. I CLAIM IN EVERY WAY THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS OVER ALL SATANIC FORCES IN MY LIFE. I PRAY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH THANKSGIVING AND I WELCOME ALL THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.            &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                         &nb sp;            WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT!

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