Even though the DVD is geared to children, I learned sooo much!  Why do we cut down trees?  Where did the name ‘Christmas’ actually come from?  What about Santa?  Those are some of the questions it addresses.  The best part about it is that it leads children back to salvation-the reason Jesus came.  How wonderful is that!

For those of you who want to teach this as a unit in homeschool and/or in a small group format, they offer great resources!  Take a look!

Sisters of the Faith is so excited to sponsor a “Why Do We Call it Christmas” sweepstakes!  One person will receive one free copy ($12.95 value) of “Why Do We Call it Christmas.”  The sweepstakes will run from December 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011.  All you have to do is enter here!  (Please see sweepstakes official rules).

Want to get more information about the whole series?  Visit:

http://www.buckdenver.com/

http://www.facebook.com/WhatsintheBible?sk=wall

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:35-40

As many of us are knee deep in shopping for Christmas, let us not forget those who are in need.  Oh, think of how much it would please the Lord to give to someone or family who lacks what they need to survive.  As we see in the passage above, Jesus not only identifies with those in need, but He has a heart for them.

This year our family is excited about supporting  World Vision.  World Vision is a:

…Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

There are many ways to give to this wonderful organization.  We will be shopping through our World Vision Gift Catalog:

Next, my home church has participated in Operation Christmas Child for years.  Samaritan’s Purse is:

… a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Samaritan’s Purse offers multiple ways of being a blessing to those in need.  It’s not to late to build a box online or order from their gift catalog.  My 4-year-old son had a ball selecting items to put in our box!

If you can’t choose or there is a particular cause close to your heart, try Global Giving.  You can choose the country, the cause, and the type of aid you want to give.  Gift cards are also available.

Don’t forget the opportunity to give locally.  Whether it be through an organization, your church, or if you know a family in need, there are plenty of ways to show your love.

Here are some more great charities:

http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

http://www.oneverse.org/

]]> http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/christian-living/faith/evangelism-faith/the-season-of-giving/feed/ 0 http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/christian-living/prayer/spiritual-lift/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spiritual-lift http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/christian-living/prayer/spiritual-lift/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:23:30 +0000 admin http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/?p=4116 Could you use a spiritual lift right about now?  Then consider this prayer:

“O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide.

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… “ Isaiah 40:31

Inspire all my thoughts, – “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.“ 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Pervade all my imaginations, –“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.“ Philippians 4:8b

Suggest all my decisions. – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.“ Psalm 32:8

Lodge in my will‘s most inward citadel… –“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.“  Psalm 51:6

Order all my doings. – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.“ Proverbs 16:3

Be with me in my silence… – “In quietness and trust is your strength… “ Isaiah 30:15b

In my speech, – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt… “ Colossians 4:6b

In my haste, and in my leisure, – “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?“ Psalm 139:7

In company, and in solitude, – “Be still, and know that I am God… “ Psalm 46:10a

In the freshness of the morning… – “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.“ Psalm 90:14

In the weariness of the evening. – “My soul yearns for you in the night… “ Isaiah 26:9a

And give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.“ – “Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him… “ Psalm 64:10a

Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals.

GEICO, Allstate, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Fidelis; there are many different insurance companies. There are many different kinds of insurances.  There’s life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, flood insurance, house insurance, pet insurance, and there’s even now car maintenance insurance.  People feel safer when they know they insured.  Amen but, how safe can this type of insurance really make you?

Life insurance can only be benefited from in the event of your or someone’s death.  Something would actually have to happen to your car for your car insurance to take effect, and health insurance is there for when your heath fails. Whether it’s just a cold or if it’s full blown cancer, you still have to be in a bad way to benefit from the insurance.  And what’s the best thing that could happen with these insurances, the best case scenario?  Well if you’re not dead, your car is not wrecked and you and your family is not sick…..you get to pay the insurance company, and feel safe.

But, how would you really like to be “in good hands.”  I mean the best hands.  Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I would like to present to you….a better than life insurance….the eternal life insurance established over 2,000 years ago.  An insurance that you can benefit from whether you are sick or well.  Those other types insurance talk about constant coverage but don’t pay your premium and see how constant that coverage is.  With our plan you’re covered under the blood of Jesus Christ our savior and redeemer.  But wait—there’s more; regular life insurance ends with the physical death of the policy holder. It provides for his or her funeral expense and may even give saved up money or possessions to loved ones.  I tell you that there is an insurance that provides your sweetest benefit after your physical death.  Membership and compliance guarantees eternal life in heaven in the presence of our Holy Father.  I’ll let that sink in for a moment.

This type of life insurance—or a better term might be life assurance, is insurance for your soul.  It works great not only in the hereafter but right now.  You’re able to have joy, peace, and contentment houses and land, the whole nine.  Our Father owns all of this and if you only believe with your heart and confess with mouth that our elder brother and savior Jesus Christ died for our sins on a cross and resurrected himself on the 3^rd day you too can become a policyholder.  Let me apologize because in my excitement I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let me tell you a little bit about our organization.  The name of our organization is called The Way.  Our founder is all mighty God who resides in heaven.  Our C.E.C. and co-founder is Jesus who currently resides in heaven at our Father’s right hand.  Our vice president and co-founder in charge of training and also runs the help desk, our comforter the precious Holy Ghost.  Down my chain of command or my upline are Bishop Frazier, Elder Campbell and finally Pastor and Deacon Robinson.

Our instruction manual or standard operating procedure (S.O.P) for short consists of 66 books and as of 2007 approximately 7.5 billion have been distributed world wide.  Talk about a best seller.  All or a part of it has been printed in over 2.370 languages.  Our members today,  number between 1.5 and 2.2 billion believers.  Some famous retirees in our organization consist of Brother John, Brother Matthew, Brother Timothy and Bishop Fuller.

The way is available to everyone, all nations and all races.  Our Master’s plan is so elegant,  yet so simple that even the most educated and smartest person couldn’t mess it up by over thinking things.  In fact,  in Matthew 18:4 of our instruction manual Jesus said this (And he said “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.) The way was not always available to us all; up until approximately 2,000 years ago the way was a hand to adhere to system called the Law and only God’s original people the Jews had the rights to it.  Even when Jesus came down to earth to simplify the system it still wasn’t available to us.  But thanks to one of our pioneering representatives, Brother Paul (and the Jews rejection and crucifixion of our savior and C.E.O. Jesus) we are all, worldwide, privy to this pearl of great price.

You may by now be thinking what is the cost for something so wonderful.  Well worry not, for the premium has been paid in blood no less by our Lord and savior (our C.E.O if you will).  All you have to do is believe on Him, believe that he actually did pay that price for us and do this while the blood is still running warm in your veins.  And with that belief comes membership and with membership your name will be written in the Lamb Book at our corporate headquarters in Heaven.

Let me give you a few examples by way of personal testimony, what the way can do for you.  When I was a younger man I could end up in places and situation that make the hair stand on the back of my neck but whatever situation that was lurking m never revealed itself.  How many people know that before you ever enroll in this great plan, someone who already knows the way will put you on their policy?  All they have to do is bring your name up when they’re on their upline communicating with our C.E.O.  No doubt our pastor and deacon had a group policy for most of us back then.

My daughter gave us cause for concern with headache and a disturbing prognosis from her doctor.  It resulted in a couple of trips to Chapel Hill.  I myself got sick in 09; my condition could have had serious consequences.  In both cases we used a medical insurance through my job called Medcost.  I was lucky to have it but how many of you know that medcost was just my supplementary or secondary insurance.  The way was, and is my first to go.

Now as I’ve said before, the cost of membership has been paid in full.  As I ‘m sure you’ll remember someone said; salvation is free but it costs to keep it.  You must supply a sanctified life a godly life.  You must stay in contact with your C.E.O. on your upline constantly.  You must read your instruction manual daily.  And you love your brother as you love yourself, maybe better.  Our organization is a lean green efficient company. We keep advertisement costs down by using word of mouth, in fact every member is compelled to go out into the hedges and hi ways and tell people about our C.E.O. and the way.

As I conclude, keep in mind being on someone else’s policy will not get your name written in the Book of Life.  You need to secure a personal policy.  If you do not know the way tonight you are in a good place at a most opportune time. If you wish to secure for yourself a policy of peace that surpasses all understanding all you need to do is come down to the alter and you name can be added right now.  So don’t be without coverage a minute longer get yourself a peculiar policy.  Become one of us a royal priesthood come with us, on the way.

-Brother Darrin Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5TwQe5dCo

Matthew 28:16-20

The Found Should Seek the Lost
By Fenny West

The found should seek the Lost

Reach out to them in love

God wants them to be just

Born again from above.
If you’ve found bread, then give

To others who hunger

Tell them He will forgive

If they confess- whosoever.
Just tell them we’re all sinners

Come short of God’s glory

Those who come are made winners

As they bow to the High and Holy.

Tell them the banquet is all set

But their seat is still empty

Tell the sin’s price is all met

By Jesus the Lord of Glory.
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Dan12:3

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. Prov, 11:30

Psalms:126:6: He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.Ps126:6

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”John1:46

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29″Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ[b?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John4:28-30

Copy it rightly

http://www.inspiration4generations.com

b.inspired2inspire@live.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

It was a warm, lazy Sunday and the late afternoon nap we were slowly coming out of was an extraordinary treat for us. Dragging ourselves out of bed was painful but not as painful as the week would be with two teenage boys and an empty refrigerator.

“What time does Costco close?” asked David, still groggy and a little bit grumpy that real life could so quickly erase the bliss of his slumber.

“8:30 I think,” I responded with a fuzzy brain that wasn’t really even sure what day of the week it was. “Ok, lots of time. Let’s head out soon,” said David trying to talk himself into action.

Within half an hour we jumped in the car and began the 20-minute drive from home to the megastore. Pulling into Costco’s driveway, everything seemed usual. The lot was pretty full and shoppers were streaming in and out of the warehouse with wagons and flatbeds. I pulled my Costco card out of my wallet and flashed it at the greeter at the door. She smiled, nodded to acknowledge my membership, and then plainly said, “The store closes in 15 minutes.”

My mind slowly processed these six very simple words as if they represented the brain-twister of the century. “What? I must be hearing things,” I thought. I whipped open my cell phone which declared it to be 5:45 p.m. “Oh no. I was wrong the store closes at 6!” I groaned to my own self.

Immediate regret set in over the long nap we took that afternoon which resulted in the frantic situation we suddenly found ourselves in. I was sure there was no way we could get all our shopping done in 15 minutes. Costco shopping takes at least one hour — sometimes two! How would we get all of it done? Our shopping list was so long, and it is such a BIG store. We needed to get our act together fast, split the list and stay focused. Rather than turn around in defeat and walk back to the car, we decided to be on a mission.

We dashed through the store like never before, denying the urge to window shop favorite aisles. On that day, there was no browsing the DVD selections, no ogling the new, shiny appliances and no slow cruises through the automotive section.

We needed hamburger, roasted chicken, steak, bread, eggs, fruit, frozen lasagna and other essentials. “Stay focused,” we told ourselves. There would be no time to circle back for missed items on a long-passed aisle, so my eyes darted back to the shopping list every few minutes. Stewed tomatoes, juice, water, Gatorade, shampoo, toothpaste; the list went on and on.

With just a few aisles to go, the lights suddenly dimmed. A quick glance at the list revealed that each item was checked off. Mission accomplished, we declared. With everything in the cart, we were safely in the checkout line. As we pushed our overflowing cart to the car, I thought, “It’s amazing that we were in and out of that store in 15 minutes and all it took was a deadline to motivate us into such efficiency!”

Later that evening, I sat on my couch watching a well-schooled minister describe Biblical “End Time” signs that have already come to pass, such as the establishment of Israel as a modern nation, the energy crisis and the European Union — to name just a few. He further described signs unfolding before us today in the volatile Middle East.

“We are living in the Last Days,” declared the minister. “The second coming of Christ could happen within the next few years, the next few months or tomorrow,” he said. And then it hit me, like the proverbial ton of bricks, it actually could happen in the next 15 minutes.

Immediate regret set in over my years of evangelistic laziness and the frantic situation I suddenly found myself in. With so many friends, family and neighbors to reach, 15 minutes was not enough time. We need to get our act together, split the list and stay focused. We must be on a mission. The alternative is simply unbearable.

Sherrie is a believer in Jesus Christ, a website writer for her church, a wife of 25 years and a mother of two wonderful sons. She resides with her family on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where she was born and raised.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE