JAZZ

ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!

[ruthsusan]

SECRET TRUTH WITH CHRIST

 NARRATOR: Its easy to spoof the simple minded faith baiting that pops up every year at this time.But do you think that there is too much Christ in the Christmas we celebrate today?                  In the town of Bethlehem,the reporter of NICOG News channel spotted Jesus alone away from the festive celebration going on.On seeing this,________ the reporter invited Christ for an interview. REPORTER:Can you share with us your state of mind right now as we can all see the glow in your face is fading...... JESUS:Well,it may sound kind of counter-intuitive to take Christ out of Christmas but as a Christian and as Christ Himself,I have been struck particularly over the last few decades that there is not a lot of religious sentiment to the Christmas that you all celebrate.Whenever the common folk go after commercial merchandise for not saying,"Merry Christmas" and instead putting up,"Happy Holidays" banners, Iam always wondering what version of Christianity they are trying to represent because in my version Christmas is not about buying reduced price waffle makers or even having a store clerk wish me,"Merry Christmas".When somebody says "Merry Christmas",they generally just mean,"Have a good festive season",not "Enjoy your celebration of Christ Birth".      You honestly don't know,do you? REPORTER:We will get back to you after a short break..... Commercial:Presenting you "LIVING WATER"                   He who drinks it shall never thirst again,this product shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.This product produced by Christ Jesus sanctified by The Holy Spirit bestowed to the Common Man..Everyone has spiritual thirst, for it is part of the human condition. Our need, our thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God.

                            LIVING WATER,DULLY CERTIFIED BY THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

 REPORTER:This is NICOG News Channel....Welcome Back.

Jesus,exactly what did you mean when you asked me do you know. JESUS:Listen ... when you were little, did you ever take part in a nativity play? REPORTER:Yes, I did actually.  I remember now!  There was Mary & Joseph with the baby Jesus lying in the manger.  I was one of those three kings who came, and I tripped over the scenery, and my gift of gold when flying through the air and hit Joseph smack on the head!  That was funny, that was!  He was never the same after that, poor lad! JESUS:Hahaha...very amusing.Well, certainly Christmas as we understand it now is a pretty modern, recent development.There were a lot of cultures that had a lot of the elements we think of; they included use of candlelight or fires just to light up their lives in a time when darkness was prevalent,and so Christmas – which wasn’t actually celebrated until the fourth century – was kind of folded into these pre-existing traditions that a lot of cultures had, it explains why, even today, we have, kind of, two parallel tracks of Christmas celebration. We have one that’s this more, wide-open, festive – it’s a chance to give gifts to people in your lives, it’s a chance to hold Christmas parties, to sing songs, to just be merry – even though, you know, stories about people pepper-spraying each other at Wal-Mart don’t exactly lend us the festive temperament,Hahaha... On the other hand,we have fewer people for whom it's a cultural tradition to go to Christmas service but again it's more cultural than religious. REPORTER:Well, I’m fascinated with your proposal. You’re saying: why don’t we have a “Jesus day” to mark the birth of Christ, and leave the end of the year festivities, the gift-giving and all of that secular part of these days called "Xmas",right?. JESUS:Sure. Well, on the one hand, I just want us to acknowledge what is basically the reality today unlike when we had a great song called “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus,” and everybody would get in the spirit by singing that, and it was a focus on the birth of Jesus – which by the time we get to Christmas morning in our recent years, people are exhausted, they have no energy left to focus on the actual day of Christmas. REPORTER:I'am sure that our listener's ore fascinated as we have been reminded about the real reason for celebrating Christmas.

[ruthsusan]

When I Am Called Home........

God will call me home When He wills it to be; The hour and the day Are not for me to see; But this I know for sure; When I am called to home Jesus Christ will take my hand And I will not go alone. ~Elizabeth Ruth

[ruthsusan]

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." - James 5:13

Many times in our lives we will experience many ups and downs and the Bible is clear on just how God wants us to regard Him during these times. Draw near to him when you are troubled and sing His praises when you are joyful. Doing that will lead to a God-honoring life. :)

[ruthsusan]

You Are My Comfort

As I look out on to the ocean My heart basks in your devotion Your love and blessings are vast as the sea Dear Lord you do hear the plea Of the sorrowful, and the down trodden A repenting heart's sins are long forgotten The raging sea can not sink the ship That's held in your grip You are my anchor that holds As the bad times unfold My fountain of joy and peace Where life's storms will cease. You walk on water, calm the sea with your hand Guide me as I go through this land.

[ruthsusan]

Simple Blessings

We should thank the Lord every day for everything! A roof over you head Your next meal We assume it'll be there To us it's no big deal So many things  we take for granted We think life goes on As we planned it. Where will we shower To keep our bodies clean We never question The unforeseen Help us remember To count each way we're blessed The simple pleasures We daily attest The loved ones  That are with me here today Will help me face Another day None of us are  Guaranteed tomorrow So live for today And rebuke the sorrow Thank you Lord For everything Jehovah Jireh My Precious King!

[ruthsusan]

You Can See God

I sat at my desk staring at the letter for a long time. It was written by a friend of mine who was going through some difficult times. It listed problem after problem and seemed full of despair. It ended with these words: "I would like to have faith, but I have always had a problem in believing in what I can't see. You can't see God, you know!"  After awhile I still hadn't thought of how to answer my friend's letter and help him. Hoping a walk would help, I put a lease on one of my dogs and headed out the back door. The warm, golden sunshine of Spring warmed my face as soon as I stepped off the porch. A fresh breeze carried the scent of a thousand budding trees on it. A butterfly danced above a patch of dandelions floating from flower to flower. Robins were flying back and forth to the Maple tree in my backyard carrying fresh grass and twigs to reline their nests. Across the road my new neighbor's children were playing in her backyard with a big ball. It was such a delight seeing her toddler chasing after it with such joy.  I felt a nuzzle against my leg and looked down to see my dog cuddling in for a hug. I smiled and scratched his head while the laughter of the children and the sound of crickets in the woods blended together to create a unique and beautiful music. I started to walk back inside and saw my own son grinning at me from the window. Most of the world could only see his mental handicaps, but when I looked at him then his eyes sparkled with a divine light. I waved to him and laughed when his older sister snuck up behind him and wrapped him in a loving hug.  When I got back inside, I knew what to write. I went to my friend's letter and wrote of everything I had just seen, smelled, heard, and felt in those brief moments outside. Then I finished by writing this: "I think we all can see God! We just need to know where to look!"

[ruthsusan]

The Image of the Cross

Nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains of North America stands a rugged peak. For nine months each year it lies robed in snow, indistinguishable from a dozen others surrounding it.  But as summer arrives and the air warms, the mountain slowly sheds its blanket of white, revealing a massive emblem. High above the neighboring valleys, an 1100 foot vertical gouge bisects a 400 foot horizontal groove, forming an almost perfect image of the cross of Christ. This sight is so impressive that famous American artist Thomas Moran visited the mountain to paint it in 1875. The peak is aptly named "The Mountain of the Holy Cross."  In winter, only an expert could single out this particular peak from those around it. But in summer, any child could look at these mountains and easily choose "the one with the cross on it." The only real difference in this mountain and the all the others is the enormous image etched into its face.  We spend much of our lives creating a thick layer of "achievements." We climb the career ladder, push our kids to excel, move to a better neighborhood, pursue another degree, all in the hope that we will somehow become more popular, wealthy, powerful, or influential. Like a thick blanket of snow our conquests and achievements cover us, deposited one tiny flake at a time until we are totally obscured. For many of us, self- esteem and self-worth come from what we have accomplished or how much we can buy or who we know.  Yet one day we will awaken to a new reality, an endless day in which all our values will be turned upside down. All that we have done, said, created, bought, and built will be brushed away, melted like snow under the gaze of our eternal Father. Deep within each one of us he will seek the one thing, the only thing he truly cares about: the imprint of the cross, the mark of his Son.  Nothing else matters to Him. And on that day, nothing else will matter to you. Do you possess the one thing that really matters?

[ruthsusan]

The Nail

As the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far and wide to see it. They admired its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure-except the nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous.  "If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me if I quit!" So the nail then released its hold, slid down the roof, and fell in the mud.  That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls and the beautiful murals. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the pulpit Bible was ruined by water. All this because a little nail decided to quit!  But what of the nail? While holding the shingle, it was obscure but it was also useful. Buried in the mud it was just as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon be eaten up by rust!  The moral of the story -- EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH! You may, like the nail, feel obscure at times, but just like the nail, your absence is felt. When you are not present for worship, in some way the body of Christ hurts. We are ALL a part of the Lord's ministry.

[renoj]

First Steps

hold your breath, first step, do it for your daughter. ready now? get set, it’s time to walk on water.

leave the sand, let go her hand, you swear to God you saw her. feel the urge, the tidal surge, they found the man who shot her. 

unclench your fist, last goodbye kiss, there’s something in the water. her face, her eyes, a gentle rise, a wave to calm her father.

and where was Jesus? and does he see this? and does he even bother?

well maybe Jesus, let break some pieces, so you could walk on water. 

[ruthsusan]

The Two Visitors

Two visitors came to see me, both at the same time, Both were trying to win control of my body, heart, and mind One was dressed quite plainly, one dressed fit to kill, I couldn't see the battle they were waging for my will. One promised to give fame, friends and riches beyond compare, Anything I wanted, it seemed, and while I was standing there, He showed me how life could be, for a little while at least, I couldn't see beneath the clothes, to recognize the beast. The other told of hard times, of sacrifice and pain, Ridicule and persecution, nothing much to gain, But there was something deep in this visitor's eyes That made me feel to choose Him, somehow would be wise. I guess you know the outcome, I hope my life reflects, The one I picked, the path I chose, the one that He directs. But now at last I see Him, as He truly is THE KING! So, did I choose so poorly, I wonder as I sing... Eternal praises to my God at last in heaven's city. Could I have been richer, more popular, what a pity- For now all I have to show for the pain and unkind laughter, Is a crystal mansion on a street of gold, living happily ever after.

[ruthsusan]

For My Child

For my Beloved Child, MY OATH TO YOU... When you are sad... I will dry your tears. When you are scared... I will comfort your fears. When you are worried... I will give you hope. When you are confused... I will help you cope. And when you are lost... And can't see the light. I shall be Your beacon... Shining ever so bright This is My oath... I pledge till the end. Why you may ask?... Because you're My friend. Love,  God

[ruthsusan]

Jesus is Our CEO

Advertisements in the world are many,  Billions spent making us think plenty,  How did we ever survive before?  This product came knocking at our door. Beg, borrow, buy, sell, rent, and/or lease,  You'll never make it in the world without one of these,  As though there will never be another available piece,  I want it even if I have to lie, cheat, steal or fleece. Even though the laws have outlawed it,  That's why are our jails are over crowded,  I have to, I must, and I desperately need,  Is pushing God away from the inside of me. C.E.O.'s campaign to get hired,  Only later to retire or be fired,  Which is first to rear its head and holler?  Of course the bottom line is the dollar. The product may make you more sick than well,  But that doesn't matter if it will sell,  The consumer is always the guinea pig,  Sometimes paying with an early grave to dig. Yes, mansions, yachts and private jets,  Are some of the perks a C.E.O. will get,  While shoppers run amok in area malls,  Like horses for the meat wagon packed in stalls. Hold on; just wait a minute, I can't believe,  You bought that for them and this for me?  Stop! Jesus said, "it is better to give than receive",  Take a long hard look at it, do you really need...?  Advertisements are polluting our minds with impure thoughts,  It's not the gift but the fact that it was bought,  To swallow your pride this is all you have to do,  Put a smile on you face and just say "thank you". OK, now it's time to get back to the matter at hand,  Exactly who is the big boss of all the land?  Only One is in charge with all power and might,  A Chief Executive Officer named Jesus Christ.

[teenagerposts]

[ruthsusan]

[ruthsusan]

GREATEST WORDS

5 greatest words : I dun wanna lose U. 4 pleasant words : I care for U. 3 sweet words : I admire U. 2 wonderful words : Miss U. 1 most important word : �U�

[ruthsusan]

The troubles of this world mean nothing if you have faith in God. :) The Lord is with you, no matter where you go and no man can best Him. Be not afraid, for He goes before you always!

[ruthsusan]

THE GERMAN ARTISTS ARE AT IT AGAIN....