Where's the Line to See Jesus?

My mother emailed me this forward. Please check it out. The song and story are beautiful.

"While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?
My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios.
It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville ... still no response.
Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today.
Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone. "
By - Becky Kelley

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium%20

Wishing you all the blessings of this joyous Christmas season!

What Happened to Christmas??

Why do we as Christians allow the society to push Jesus out of Christmas??

Really think about these questions?

Why do we have Christmas? To celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ

Who is getting all of the credit? Santa Claus

When did Saint Nicholas transform into a fictional man with magic powers?

Saint Nicholas was a real man who lived his life for God and was known to secretly bless others around him. He blessed others in secret, so all of the glory could be given to God and not given to him.

Why do we lie to our children for the first 10 years of their life? Why do we push the lies of Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy?  Maybe it is because of the society’s pressures and hope for acceptance? Do we not want to stand up for what is right? Are we afraid to be laughed or sneered at?

Why is it we attend our children’s Christmas concerts and there are no songs sung about Jesus? Not even one.

Why is it when you walk into a store this time of year “Happy Holidays” is posted and said everywhere? Who said it was ok to take Christ out of Christmas? 

Why is it when looking for Christmas decorations and supplies Santa and snowmen are everywhere, but religious items are hidden in the back corner of the store?

Why is it that some stores don’t even offer to supply their customers with religious items?

These are the questions that I ask myself over and over. It is difficult to be a Christian in this age. Everyone is concerned with being politically correct. I think that is backwards. Christians celebrate Christmas. So say it. You don’t have to be politically correct. You do have to be respectful of everyone. We are not called to judge. The next time someone says “Happy Holidays” to you, smile and respond, “Thank you and a Merry Christmas to you!”

I went to Walmart shopping last week. I wanted to get some new decorations for the house and I wanted to purchase a new Advent calendar. Well, when I walked into the Christmas department there were hundreds of items; lights, lawn decorations, stockings, wrapping paper, ornaments, Santa Clause décor, etc. I could not find one item for Advent. There were no candles, wreaths or calendars. I even went so far as to track down an employee, who informed me that she had not seen anything in the store like that.

When did this happen? When I was a child, which was not that long ago, you could find these items in the store. Where did they all go? What happened?

After a couple of days of thinking about this, I decided to write Walmart and ask them. The following is the exact email I sent them.

“I am wondering; why there are no advent items available to purchase in any of your store locations? I went in looking for an advent calendar, and to my disappointment there were none to be found. I understand not all people who celebrate Christmas are Christians, but there is a large amount of customers who are. I noticed you do have some online, however, the selection in limited. I purchased a beautiful advent calendar and wreath from another online retailer. Will Walmart have advent items for sale next year? Thank you for your time and Merry Christmas!”

I am interested to see what kind of response I get. We have to say something. We have to take a stand collectively as Christians. If we don’t hold true to our traditions, in a couple of years they will be gone all together.

I encourage you to ask your local store why they don’t carry Advent items. If they do, send them an email expressing your gratitude to them for still holding on to the true traditions and meaning of Christmas.

I hope you all have a very safe and Merry Christmas!!

Hurricane Irene Prayer Request

I wanted to send out a prayer request.

Hurricane Irene is making her way up the East Coast of the US. The weathermen are predicting much destruction and damage to go along with this storm.

Please pray for all who will be affected by this storm. Please pray for the protection of all lives.

I do live in MA, and the storm should be hitting us as a Category 1 storm by Sunday. I also have a relative in South Carolina, on the coast.

Thank you for your prayers and please know I am also praying for all who may find them themselves in the way of this storm.

End Times????

With all of the natural disasters, war and economic crises happening lately; there has been much talk about the end of the world coming soon. It is so easy to speculate about this and wonder when Jesus is coming back. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2  “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

No one knows when Jesus will be coming back. According to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 Jesus doesn’t even know when He will return.

“No on knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32

Not only does no one know when He is coming, but He will be “like a thief in the night.” No one will be expecting it. We will not see it coming. Yes, there are signs that Jesus Himself gave us in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. However, these are just signs. He could come several years after the signs or the next day, no one knows.

Please don’t waste your time worrying about when the Second Coming will be. But, and this is a big but, always be prepared and ready. We don’t know if we will die tomorrow or in the next 50 years or if the Second Coming will be in our lifetime. We don’t know when we will meet the maker. We must always be ready to stand before God.

How do you prepare to meet God? I think the most important things you need or should do are: 1, read the Bible daily and 2, pray always. The Bible will guide you to who God is and what He expects of us and praying will draw you closer to God and come into an intimate relationship with Him.

Keep God will you at all times and you have nothing to worry about. I pray for you always.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

It is a very lazy Saturday morning, still in my pj’s I was surprised by a knock at the door. I opened the door and was greeted by three Jehovah witnesses. A little annoyed, I listened to what they had to say. I was polite and I took their pamphlet and they left.

After they had gone, I got to thinking. I am not going to pretend to know what they believe in, however, I know their beliefs don’t line up with my own. With that said, I am impressed with them. It takes a lot of courage to go up to a strangers house and proclaim what you believe in.

I don’t know if I have the same amount of courage. I do believe in God and I do love Him, but I don’t know if I could walk up to complete strangers and start a conversation about God.

Why are we so afraid? Why don’t Christian’s do the same? Is it that we are lazy? Are we unsure what we believe in? Are we uneducated in the Bible?

Jehovah Witnesses have gotten a bad name for themselves, but they are still people. Treat them with the same respect you would like to be given.

I pray for the courage to spread the message of God. I pray you also have the same courage when the opportunity presents itself.

Advice Needed

My son had a joint birthday party yesterday with his cousin. There were many friends and family there. Due to it being a joint party, I was not familiar with all of the guests. There was one little girl there who is my sons age and they were playing together. They seemed to be having a good time.

My ears perked up when I heard the word “heaven” come out of her mouth. I turn my attention to their conversation just in time to hear her say, “Heaven is not real. Angels are not real.” My son responded with, “Yes they are,” and went along playing.

It is a proud moment in a parent’s life to know your child will stand up for God. I was a little surprised my son corrected her, as he tends to be a follower.

As the party was winding down, the little girl’s parent asked me for our phone number to set up a play date. Not wanting to be rude I gave it to them.

Here is where I need advice. Do you allow your child to hang out with an unbelieving family? My son is only 6 years old. I have never left him at a friend’s house. That might sound overprotective, but I can’t get out of my head that all it takes is two seconds to change a child’s life for good. For them to be hurt or taken advantage of, see something inappropriate, to learn a new swear etc. I do not know the family at all. So what is a parent to do?

I would really love some advice on this one.

Are You A Bee or A Fly?

Food for thought-

If a bee was in a room completely filled with poop and one flower, the bee will find the flower.

If a fly was in a room completely filled with flowers and one pile of poop, the fly will find the poop.

Let’s face it, this world is filled with “poop”. It is everywhere, and at times it is hard to get away from; the gossip, lies, adultery, murder, greed, debt, pornography, and any other sin you can think of.

As Christians we have to be a bee. God calls us to be the bee. We must see the good in people, as hard as it is to see at times. We must find God in hard situations; when we are hurt, depressed, devastated, angry, sad, lonely, etc.

Ask yourself this question; are you a fly, seeking out the crap in life, or are you a bee, seeking out all the good you can find?