Grac*e-mail for 12/07/09

Grac*e-mail for 12/07/09


got grace?



Hope all the Christians out there are telling everybody, “Merry Christmas!” When I do it, many faces light up – guess that’s what this time of year is all about… seeing the light of Christ reflected in the faces of everyone around us. I love it!!!!!



John()_:-) Every time you see this angel, remember that God loves you!

johnlynnbright@gmail.com



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Got this from Sheila Wilson on Facebook…



Letter from Jesus


Hello,



It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.



Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.



Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks was. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.



If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:



1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.



2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.



3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... it will be nice hearing from you again.



4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.



5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.



6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.



7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families



8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.



9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.



10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.



Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:



I LOVE YOU,



JESUS



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Have you checked out the Grac*e-mail Blog?



http://gracemail.blogspot.com/



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“A little humor…”



The Innkeepers Top 10 Excuses...

10. Roman's "Stay Free" promotion a bit too successful.

9. Wife said he couldn't accept olive wood carvings as payment anymore.

8. Too busy getting new "Motel One" franchise going.

7. Last pregnant lady riding a donkey took all their towels.

6. Filled up for the "Caesar Impersonators'" convention.

5. Didn't accept the Judean Express Card.

4. Last room left was by the ice machine.

3. Nazareth Shriners tore up the place the night before.

2. Closed front desk early to take family to watch unique star.

1. No last names, no service.

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Got these from the “Pearls” mailing list. To receive, just sent Larry Burrows a request at larryb1939@sbcglobal.net



On Christmas Day two thousand years ago, the birth of a tiny baby in an obscure village in the Middle East was God’s supreme triumph of good over evil.



Charles Colson



Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it.



Oswald Chambers



When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?



G. K. Chesterton



When Christmas doesn’t make your heart swell up until it nearly bursts and fill your eyes with tears and make you all soft and warm inside then you will know that something inside of you is dead.



Peter Marshall



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Check out this link from “Barbara T”…



http://www.andiesisle.com/thefirstchristmasgift.html



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Got this “classic” from a Bedford buddy, Becky Curd Reynolds…



The "W" in Christmas



Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.



I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.



My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."



I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to at tend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.



So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.



Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.



So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.



As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."



The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".



The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.



A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.



In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.



For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:



"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"



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One more “haha”…



To: All Employees

From: Management

Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season



Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).



1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.



2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden. (it runs up an incredible long distance phone bill)



3. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."



4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.



5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.



6. Eggnog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.



In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.



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Send good stories and clean funnies to: johnlynnbright@gmail.com



NOTE - All material contained in this mailing is shared as received and is believed, by me, to be anonymous... unless credit is given. Please contact me at the address above if you know the author of any material so that I may give credit where credit is due. Thanks!



Grace & peace –

John A. Bright

Pastor, Walmsley Boulevard UMC in Richmond, Virginia

johnlynnbright@gmail.com

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..."