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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!
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!
How about about a gift card for a photography studio where the parents could get beautiful pics taken of their baby taken wearing his/her baptismal gown?
Thanks! I thought that since it's such a momentous occasion, the parents would probably treasure having a professional photo of them & their baby, especially since you only get to wear that beautiful baptismal outfit once in your life. Once their baby gets older, it will probably be a photo that he/she would treasure as well.
I would double check about the baptismal gown. Like every other event, the outfits have been getting more casual.
Susan
Susan
I remember when my boys had their "Child Dedication" ceremony. We have a family baptismal gown that was worn by my grandmother on my fathers side of the family. It was made by my great grandmother. It is over 100 years old. Each of my boys wore that gown during their dedication. It is one of the pictures that I treasure.
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I hope you still have that gown to pass down to your grandkids someday Ramona. The fact that it was handmade by a relative also adds immensely to the value of such a treasured family heirloom.
Good afternoon all. I hope this day finds each and everyone well.
I always try to check in on CTS each day even when I am travelling. I always enjoy the many topics even when I do not post.
I always try to post encourgaing things when I do post (accept maybe in the political threads where I like to have some fun). I have learned from all and accreciate all those who post.
I was discouraged to read a thread that from what I understand is pointing out some of the posts I post in this thread. I have searched the board to see if the comments where aimed elsewhere but now conclude that my posting appears to offend many on CTS. That is not and never has been my intention and I am so sorry to offend you in any way.
With some thought I realize my time here has come to an end and that it is time to move on. Thanks so much for the laughs, prayers and general conversation.
As always each one has a place in my heart and I will carry the fond memories of CTS and especially this Christian thread.
Take care all. Remember we can choose to love.
Andrew
I always try to check in on CTS each day even when I am travelling. I always enjoy the many topics even when I do not post.
I always try to post encourgaing things when I do post (accept maybe in the political threads where I like to have some fun). I have learned from all and accreciate all those who post.
I was discouraged to read a thread that from what I understand is pointing out some of the posts I post in this thread. I have searched the board to see if the comments where aimed elsewhere but now conclude that my posting appears to offend many on CTS. That is not and never has been my intention and I am so sorry to offend you in any way.
With some thought I realize my time here has come to an end and that it is time to move on. Thanks so much for the laughs, prayers and general conversation.
As always each one has a place in my heart and I will carry the fond memories of CTS and especially this Christian thread.
Take care all. Remember we can choose to love.
Andrew
My aunt (Who will be 80 years old next March) is the keeper of the gown. There has been many cousins and neices and nephews that have worn that gown.
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Thanks, I've bookmarked the site.
Andrew - it saddens me to see you withdrawing, but then I also understand the discouragement - been there. I just want you to know that I've appreciated your thoughtful posts - you have always truly stayed with the spirit of the OP. Maybe you will be back ... 🙂 You can't help it - you'd always want to share an encouraging thought, strengthen someone's faith, and give glory to God. Remember ... discouragement is NOT from God.
and now ... in keeping with the season ... here's a Kleenex-box story ...
Two Babes in a Manger.
From Jay Raines
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.
Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help.
All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately-until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.
Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.
But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me."
"So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him---for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him-FOR ALWAYS. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
Have a good evening - back to my pear canning!!! It's gonna be a long nite!
Andrew - it saddens me to see you withdrawing, but then I also understand the discouragement - been there. I just want you to know that I've appreciated your thoughtful posts - you have always truly stayed with the spirit of the OP. Maybe you will be back ... 🙂 You can't help it - you'd always want to share an encouraging thought, strengthen someone's faith, and give glory to God. Remember ... discouragement is NOT from God.
and now ... in keeping with the season ... here's a Kleenex-box story ...
Two Babes in a Manger.
From Jay Raines
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.
Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help.
All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately-until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.
Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.
But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me."
"So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him---for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him-FOR ALWAYS. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
Have a good evening - back to my pear canning!!! It's gonna be a long nite!
If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat.-J. Ortberg
Nikki: An Advent lunch; how civilized. I go to the first mass of the day and have gotten into the habit of picking up apple fritters and doughnuts from Starbucks.
The feeding frenzy starts at about 9:00 a.m. Fifteen minutes later you have about ten adults buzzed on sugar and coffee. Everybody starts talking at once, the phrase "just one more piece" and the volume rises. I think I may start making a banana or orange loaf and see what happens to the racket. Much fun.
Susan
The feeding frenzy starts at about 9:00 a.m. Fifteen minutes later you have about ten adults buzzed on sugar and coffee. Everybody starts talking at once, the phrase "just one more piece" and the volume rises. I think I may start making a banana or orange loaf and see what happens to the racket. Much fun.
Susan
