Christmas, ALREADY?

Today I went to a friends house to fix some computer issues. When I got home, I turned on the TV, which I am disconnecting at the end of the month, to see if anything is on… One channel is non-stop Christmas movies today. Isn’t it a bit early?

Now, don’t get me wrong… I love Christmas… And I think celebrating the birth of Christ, Jesus, should be done every day of the year.

BUT, we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving here in the US. Historically, until recent years, the start of the “Christmas Sales/Movie/Show” season was with the crossing of Santa Clause in the Macy’s Day Parade on Thanksgiving day. This year seems even earlier for the start than last year, by about two weeks! Decorations have already started showing up a few weeks ago as well, again, two weeks earlier than last year.

Christmas is NOT about presents and gifting each other. It is the Mass of Christ’s birth. I pray daily that we get back to that concept! This coming season is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, and the salvation He has given us in His life, death, and resurrection.

I enjoy the movies, I enjoy looking at the decorations (although I hate putting them up myself…), I enjoy the food of the season, especially the cookies my mother use to make, and I enjoy some of the parties that happen at the time. But I DO NOT like the commercialization that has come to the season.

Bring Christ back to CHRISTmas!

A Special Post for a Friend, and an area in need!

Our FREE Plush Memories Lost Toy Search Service wants to help with the search for toys lost during the monster tornado outbreak in the South on April 27, 2011!!

We are lifelong Alabamians, and our hearts ache for all those in our state who were not as fortunate as we were. We praise God for his Mercy toward us. There are over 250 confirmed deaths in Alabama, and sadly more will be found in the rubble.

Alabamians are helping each other during this time of great need, as whole cities and towns have been demolished. Collection points are all over the place for people to bring bottled water, food, charcoal and grills, toiletries, diapers, formula, and other basic necessities.

There are too many organizations collecting relief donations to name them all, but since we’re Baptist, here’s the link to donate through the Baptist State Mission Board. The Salvation Army and many other charitable organizations are also busy helping with relief efforts across the South.

The time to help with clothing, furniture, and toys has not come yet, but it will soon, when life-saving needs are met. When that time comes, these surviving families are going to want to replace the special lovies that will help their little ones feel secure again.

This is where we can help, if people just find out about us. We’ve been helping people find lovies for almost 6 years now, and we have over 150 Fabulous Finders who help with the search for lovies, so PLEASE PASS THE WORD ALONG TO ANYONE WHO HAS FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN AN AREA STRUCK BY WEDNESDAY’S TORNADOES – WE WILL MAKE YOUR SEARCH A TOP PRIORITY!!!

Please tell people about us on your Facebook page, Twitter page, Forums, and other Social Networks you may belong to. Tell your friends and family, too.

Thanks so much all your help in spreading the word about us, so relatives of tornado survivors will have a source for finding that special lovie for the little ones who have been through this horrible disaster!

Then, when the power is restored and the South has healed enough for parents to start thinking about such things, they will know that we are here to help them replace those special lovies.

If we can help someone find a lost lovie, please CONTACT US.

Rosemary

Plush Memories Lost Toy Search Service

“But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:16 KJV

The Sabbath…

Many years ago, when I was a child, I wondered why the Bible showed us that the 7th day of the week was a Holy Day, but the Churches my family went to all had the “Holy Day” on Sunday, the 1st day of the week. I never understood it. I asked a minister when I was in my early twenties, why we went to Church on Sunday instead of Saturday as decreed by God in the Bible in giving us the 10 Commandments. The answers I was given didn’t ring right with me, and consisted of “We are celebrating the Resurrection of Christ”.

When Jesus was alive, He kept the Sabbath on Saturday. In fact, the second earliest document that states a change to Sunday was in 74AD for a few small groups, but the general exception of the Christian faith “moving” the Sabbath to Sunday was over 300 years after Jesus passed away. It was not founded on any comments in the Bible, or any such decree from God.

God clearly said that He was celebrating the completion of His work of Creation of the Universe and human kind. The Sabbath was given to all man to be the 7th day of the week, Saturday on the current calender, not Sunday. Why does the Catholic Church and most Protestant Churches celebrate on Sunday?

My research shows a few reasons for this:

The more I pray on this and the more I read the Bible, the more I feel compelled to follow the Commandments of God and take Saturday as the Sabbath. I am still Catholic, will still go to Sunday Mass (and soon to Mass every day with a change in my work schedule), but from sundown on Friday, till sundown on Saturday I will be refraining from work, reading the Bible, and meditating on Christ, the Bible and life. During this time frame, I will not be on my computer, will not be using the phone to check emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This does open Sunday to work, such as mowing the lawn as needed, and any other work I have been refraining from doing on Sunday. I feel confident this is what God has told us to do.

In Christ,

D.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Ok, Santa JUST went across the screen at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it is now officially, for me, the beginning of the Holiday Season! (Spiritually the Holy Season starts Saturday with the beginning of the Advent Season.)

I am now OK with decorations being up, and with the playing of Christmas music, etc. (Although I could listen to most of the Christmas music year around…)

I do ask that you remember what this season is about though. It is not about giving and receiving gifts, but remembering the birth and life of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (for those that believe).

Just “Who Is Jesus Christ?” – A Book Review

The list of books available to select from this time around from The Catholic Company Book Reviewer Program made it hard to choose a book to read. There are some great sounding titles there. At first glance I passed on this book, “Who is Jesus Christ?” for many reasons. One of those reasons is that every Protestant Preacher seems to lean on and preach mainly out of this book, and not out of the whole Bible. But I kept coming back to it, and I finally picked it. I’m glad I did!

This books was a great read. It went through the 25 titles and names given to our Savior and Christ, Jesus. In each naming, Eric Sammons, the author, gives great detail behind each title, the meaning of that title or name, and why it is important. He adds text from the Leaders and Doctors of the Church and what they have had to say about the titles/names as well, adding more credence to what he says. He ends each section with a question about that name or title or the meaning behind it and how it effects you, or your response to it, which really got me thinking on many levels.

This book is a MUST READ for any person starting in theology, or at any level of theological studies, and should be read by every Christian, especially Catholics!

This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Who Is Jesus Christ? Unlocking the Mystery and be sure to check out their great selection of baptism gifts while you are there.

Christmas, Already?!

Ok, so I was driving through down town Ashland Kentucky yesterday, and what did I see? Well, all the Christmas decorations were on the poles and going across the streets already! And it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet!! And I heard my first Christmas songs on the radio already too!! Folks, it is WAY to early to start celebrating Christmas!! Let Thanksgiving come and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade happen, in which Santa brings up the close of the parade and officially starts the Christmas season.

While we are at it, let us all remember what Christmas is about. The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not about presents, partying, etc! Well, it is a birthday party for Jesus, so I guess the party part is legit, but let us please keep our focus!!

Getting back on track…

Over the past year, I have been busy looking for a job, getting a job, changing jobs (twice changed), and becoming (or trying to) part of an existing family. During that time, I mainly, though not always, neglected my promises to God in reading and studying His Word, neglected my body, which has gotten even more out of shape, although through part of the falling apart, I have lost some weight, and have not kept up as well with my Martial Arts, Reading, and personal growth.

This week, after six months working at the Veteran’s Hospital, I am taking a week of leave. My plans for this week, which have already start include:

1. Restarting an exercise plan. (Started today already!)
2. Back to reading the Bible daily.
3. Returning to the Liturgy of Hours daily. (Praying a set of prayers 7 times a day, and associated readings.)
4. Martial Arts practice and reading.
5. Get my finances back in order.
6. Helping more about the house. (More reliably than I have been.)

I have been lazy of late in all of these aspects, and the change has to come! I need to get back in shape, which will stop some of the illnesses I have had (ulcers in the stomach, arthritis pain, left knee pain and giving out, etc), and I need to get back into spiritual shape as well!

I hope each of you have a life plan that includes health, wealth, and spiritual aspects and that you follow that plan, adjusting it as you need to!

(And I hope these few readers here keep me to this plan, by checking in on me, and by goading me along when I get lazy again!)

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!

Hello Folks,

As we QUICKLY approach Christmas Day (TOMORROW!!), I would like to offer my deepest hopes for a

I hope your Christmas Day brings you all that you wish for, and that you are able to give to others what they wish for!

Have a GREAT DAY celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ!

In Christ.