A CHRISTIAN THREAD

[tom_no.1]

Welcome to a place where Christ should be exalted and "Self" should be abased!!

Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!

Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!

Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!

Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!

Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!

Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

Welcome to this Christian thread.



(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)


  

I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!

[survivornikki]

Good eye, Christine.:-D

Prayers continue for Kim and her family.

Anyone heard from Ralph?

[alittlefaith4you]

just thought id give this a wee bump,prayers for all and i hope everyone is enjoying the start of the holidays!!!

[spendmama]

SANTA VS JESUS CHRIST

Santa Claus lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa Claus rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa Claus comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa Claus fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa Claus comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa Claus...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa Claus lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa Claus doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy (or girl,) what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa Claus has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa Claus can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa Claus says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa Claus is a "jolly old elf"...
JESUS is the King of Kings.

Santa Claus may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa Claus puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.


Matthew 1:21
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

People don't care what you know until they know that you care.

*Prayers for Barry*

[survivornikki]

Hello to all here and lurking,

Thanks for the bump, Faith.

Christine--your weather reports cheer me up! 😛

Nellie, thank you for the timely post. As I shop on a retirement income, it sometimes gets easy to get discouraged --what I would like to give vs. what is reality. We were very fortunate, for a long time, and this is just a different phase of our lives. Thanks Enron, etc. I am trying to treat it as a challenge without sending signals to DH that I wish there was more. He worked hard all of his life, and provided wonderfully. If I ask, he would load up the cards to please me. Gentle nudge of your post reminds me, it is time for generation next to do the spoiling if there is spoiling to be done, and time for me to remember again what this season is really about. Thank you.

Now off to meet the challenge, and enjoy being a good shepherder of my resources.

[dove3ducks]

Thanks for posting.............Have a great Season

[dove3ducks]

John 3:1-21

[apollosplace]

Hi Folks

We all know I'm famous for my goofy crack up pics I thought you might like this from my not so goofy side.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqW795-G8do I particularly like this version of the song by Kathy Mattea

[cats1953]

Nikki,

The best gift of all is 'time'.

Nancy

[spendmama]

Ali - that is absolutely beautiful!! Thanks. Great minds think alike...I was just on the piano trying to play that piece and was thinking I should find a rendition of the song and was just searching through Youtube when I sidetracked to CTS and here you are!!! It's tough playing it as a piano solo when the music one has is written for a vocal solo. Guess I'll have to go hunting for another song for offertory - I can't do justice to this song!!

Every year, the Armstrong Ministerial Association gather their churches for a big carol fest - each church contributes a reading and a musical number. It's fun and it kicks off the season and the community in a really good spirit. I play for the preludy stuff, congregational singing, offertory and postlude. I haven't really prepared for it yet thinking it can't be that difficult, it's just Christmas hymns, but I just looked at the program and they have a couple of songs picked for congregational singing I'm not really familiar with. Yikes! I'm hoping the song leader is a strong singer, knows the songs real well and I can just fudge & follow!

Ahhh! This is my favorite holiday!!

People don't care what you know until they know that you care.

*Prayers for Barry*

[tough_old_bird]

"The best gift of all is 'time'."....amen, amen, amen.

Mums lung cancer is now a stage 4 with mets to her liver and kidneys. My oldest neice is getting married December 29th (her oldest grandbaby) in Victoria, and Mum is bound and determined to be at that wedding.

They are treating her with an aggressive chemo in order to 'buy her some time' so that she can attend the wedding. With the chemo they say she could survive a few months.

All five of us siblings are here now....we have not all been together since my dads funeral 6 years ago (sad, huh?).

Thanks for your continued prayers :-x

[squiddley_diddley]

(((((((TOB)))))))))

I will keep you & your Mom in my thoughts & prayers. I'm hoping with all my heart that she'll be able to enjoy a happy holiday season with all of her family and that her dream of attending her granddaughter's wedding will be realized as well.

[oldhorselover-aways]

Blessings to all!! It has been awhile since I have been on the board.

Hugs to Nickii, your Mom will always be with you, Time will give you the most beautiful memories to cherish.

Tough old bird, Trusting God to give you your heart's desire.

We all have our crosses to bear, that is why God has given us faith, hope, and Love.... the greatest of these being LOVE! (Corinthians 13:13)

Christmas Blessings to All of You on the Boards!

[survivornikki]

Wonderful to see so many here. Big hugs to all of you.

TOB---If you come to Victoria and would like it, I have a guest room available from the afternoon of the 28th on. Before that, if you need it, I have a very comfy couch, and two of those inflatable beds. We are also available as a taxi service--airport and ferry pickups--I know the parents of the bride and groom will be busy. I wrote details but senior moment, I can't remember if they are at another site, or your email.

[survivornikki]

Prayers for TOB and family.

Prayers for Ralph, and if anyone has an update, please let us know how he is.

Christine, if you want it, I have a box of sea glass for you.

DH and I are meeting with a priest tomorrow whose church is the little one down the road. Neither of us have ever belonged to a church before, all this is new for us. A neighbour told me to be nice to him, that he is really High Anglican and the congregation is not, so he is having a difficult time with the rebels. There were only about 20 people at the l0:00 service, and in our 60s we were the "young ones". I am hoping I don't offend him--I know this sounds odd, but I need a church that "fits".

I had to laugh at myself though. I was asked to do the baked potatoes (the easy job apparently) for the parish dinner. I asked when it was and when they told me I said, "No! That is my 40th wedding anniversary--I am not cooking anything". Perhaps not the best start with the other ladies--oh well, maybe I will grow on them.

Hope you all are having lovely days. :-x

[barkyd]

Hi all; I was just talking to TOB on the phone and she asked me to give you an update. Her mom has been having some difficulties but they have started her on painkillers and hopefully she will be feeling more comfortable. Thanks, your continued prayers have been very much appreciated!!

[mazyvr]

(((TOB and Mum))))

LOl Nikki - I had the reverse problem. I was raised High Anglican and my first encounter was when my daughter was born in Canada and a Reverand who saw my note C of E (Church of England) on my chart came to visit me, and recoiled when I called him "Father" I have since become more accustomed to the traditions of this local Anglican church. I wouldn't have baked the potatoes on your anniversary either, LOL !!!

[spendmama]

(((TOB, Mum, & family)))) Thinking of you in my prayers.

Nikki - good for you - church family plays a big role in my life. I played the organ for the local Anglican church once. It felt "Catholic" - lots of up & down and sung responses.

I ran into a friend the other day. He & his wife had quit coming to church (at least our church I should say - they may have been attending at another church), so in our too busy lives - we overlook some people. Anyway, he'd been in hospital, had major surgery, just about bit the dust...it was good to see him up & about - he said it's the first time out & he'd been shopping for 3 hours. I told him I had gone to see him but had missed him by about an hour - he had already checked out. He told me that the one thing that really touched him was the fact that the church family really closed in & reached out to him - even when he hadn't been to church for so long. I was really glad to hear that.

He also told me that his concern for me (after hearing about me & my mom & my goings-on the last year) was that I've such an 'outgoing & vivacious personality' that it would be tough for anyone to see if I'm depressed. I had to think about that - am I really that good at covering up... I did have a good cry a couple of times ... but I decided, nah! I'm not depressed - I just really want to go on a real holiday. I should've gone & met my brother in Hawaii. Oh well! Christmas is here - so I'll just enjoy the season & look forward to the kids coming home.

People don't care what you know until they know that you care.

*Prayers for Barry*

[survivornikki]

Barky, thank you so much for the update. Please tell Kim we are holding her, her Mom, her family in our hearts and prayers.

Well, the priest and I both survived our meeting. I was actually very impressed. He is progressive, and he shepherds a pretty conservative flock. It's hard for them--most of them are over 80. Anyway, we received such a warm welcome we are going to join, and we are being added to the list of parishioners. I am so pleased.

Marion--when I was a teenager, I had stayed overnight with a friend. Her mother woke us up and sent us to St. Mary's Anglican Church in Kerrisdale. It was an eyeopener to me--there were those benches for kneeling, incense, people crossing themselves, responses, but it was also very peaceful. Have to add all that getting up and down to pray was a little tiring for 2 girls who had discovered sloe gin fizz's the night before. (ahem) I had never gone in the church again, then both my daughters (one who lived in New York, one who lived in West Van) chose it to get married in St. Mary's.

((((Nellie)))) Are your kids going to make it home for Christmas? Thank is wonderful. Sorry you missed the trip with your brother though. Hope the two of you see each other soon.

Christine, my friend, no need for postage. It will be my very real pleasure to send this glass to you.

Praying you all are not too stressed, and are finding some time to enjoy this month.

[survivornikki]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!!!! HOPE IT IS WONDERFUL!

[*fallen**angel***.2007]

Hi (((Nikki)))