Thursday, December 24, 2009
CHRISTmas as I see it.....
A lot of people are probably confused about Christmas. Christmas does raise a bunch of questions. It is supposed to be Jesus' birthday, but we give gifts to children and tell them it's from a guy named Santa Claus............So, what gives? Matthew chapter 25 verses 35 - 40 talks about how whenever we give or do for others, no matter how unimportant they may seem, it's as though you are giving or doing it for Jesus. So, that kind of explains the spirit of giving and the gift giving at Christmas, but what about Santa Claus? The figure Santa Claus is actually based on Saint Nicholas, who was a Catholic Bishop in Myra which is near Finike, Turkey, in the 4th century. Saint Nicholas was born of a wealthy family. His parents died while he was young and he inherited a great sum of wealth. He didn't keep any of it for himself, but gave it to the poor. While he was still young, it was claimed that there were several miracles associated with Nicholas, so much so that he became known as Nicholas the wonder-worker. The people in Myra were so in awe of this selfless holy man who worked miracles that they insisted that he be their Bishop. Saint Nicholas' life was characterized by an unrelentless defense of the gospel. He spoke out against the Arian movement, and his boldness even landed him in prison and got him stripped of his title as bishop. During his life he was quite fond of anonymous giving. There was even a record of him helping three young girls to marry and avoid going into a life of prostitution, by sneaking through their window and putting sacks of gold into their stockings while they slept. During that era a dowry(fee) was required to marry. With every generation, Saint Nicholas' popularity grew and grew, and morphed into the legend of Santa Claus. So, we have the spirit of giving explained, and Saint Nicholas' association with anonymous giving explained. You put it all together and you have anonymous gift giving to one another as a way to give gifts to Jesus, and doing it anonymously under the guise of Santa Claus(Saint Nicholas). I hope this gives you a story to add to your holiday traditions. Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas Story
Summary
In a funny article on MSNBC , it tells about real life re-inactments of the scene on the 1983 movie 'The Christmas Story', where the boy gets his tongue stuck to an icey flag pole on a dare. Apparently this is a common occurance each year. It usually involves a firefighter with a warm glass of water to set the youngsters free. The injuries sustained is usually no more than a little bleeding from the tongue. This year a thirteen year boy in Hammond, Indiana got his tongue stuck on a pole, which is ironic because that is the city that the movie was based on.
Results
I thought this story is hilarious. When I was a kid I got my tongue stuck on a metal screen door. I have to admit it wasn't funny at the time, but when I think back it was very funny. I love that movie 'The Christmas Story'. I crack up laughing every time I watch it. Especially the little brother bundled up in the snow suit and scarf that can hardly talk or move, and then he falls down and can't get back up. I lived in Michigan when I was a kid, so I can relate to being that uncomfortably bundled. I've tried talking my kids into getting their tongues stuck on something metal, but I can never get them to fall for it.
In a funny article on MSNBC , it tells about real life re-inactments of the scene on the 1983 movie 'The Christmas Story', where the boy gets his tongue stuck to an icey flag pole on a dare. Apparently this is a common occurance each year. It usually involves a firefighter with a warm glass of water to set the youngsters free. The injuries sustained is usually no more than a little bleeding from the tongue. This year a thirteen year boy in Hammond, Indiana got his tongue stuck on a pole, which is ironic because that is the city that the movie was based on.
Results
I thought this story is hilarious. When I was a kid I got my tongue stuck on a metal screen door. I have to admit it wasn't funny at the time, but when I think back it was very funny. I love that movie 'The Christmas Story'. I crack up laughing every time I watch it. Especially the little brother bundled up in the snow suit and scarf that can hardly talk or move, and then he falls down and can't get back up. I lived in Michigan when I was a kid, so I can relate to being that uncomfortably bundled. I've tried talking my kids into getting their tongues stuck on something metal, but I can never get them to fall for it.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Old Newsboys
Summary
On timesherald.com , is an article about a charitable organization's efforts to help families that are struggling during the holidays in the poor economy. In Port Huron, MI the Old Newsboys have been helping give gifts to children of low income families for Christmas since nineteen twenty seven. Last year the Old Newsboys provided two thousand children with shoes, socks, underwear, and other necessities. They hope to reach out to atleast twenty one hundred children this year. The recipients are children ranging from ages four to thirteen that have been referred to the Old Newsboys by the Department of Human Services.
Response
I am from Port Huron, MI and I was a a child of a low income home. When I was a kid I remember the Old Newsboys provided me with toys at Christmas time almost every year. All of us kids that were there would line up to see Santa, and afterwards we would go through and pick so many things that we wanted for Christmas, and then if by a miracle it would wind up wrapped up and under the tree on Christmas morning. The Old Newsboys used to also have a shoe program for kids going back to school, and I remember that most years that is where my brothers and I would get our school clothes from that program. The Old Newsboys are a God sent blessing to alot of children every year. They have been helping people for some eighty two years and I hope that they will be able to help people for many many more years to come.
On timesherald.com , is an article about a charitable organization's efforts to help families that are struggling during the holidays in the poor economy. In Port Huron, MI the Old Newsboys have been helping give gifts to children of low income families for Christmas since nineteen twenty seven. Last year the Old Newsboys provided two thousand children with shoes, socks, underwear, and other necessities. They hope to reach out to atleast twenty one hundred children this year. The recipients are children ranging from ages four to thirteen that have been referred to the Old Newsboys by the Department of Human Services.
Response
I am from Port Huron, MI and I was a a child of a low income home. When I was a kid I remember the Old Newsboys provided me with toys at Christmas time almost every year. All of us kids that were there would line up to see Santa, and afterwards we would go through and pick so many things that we wanted for Christmas, and then if by a miracle it would wind up wrapped up and under the tree on Christmas morning. The Old Newsboys used to also have a shoe program for kids going back to school, and I remember that most years that is where my brothers and I would get our school clothes from that program. The Old Newsboys are a God sent blessing to alot of children every year. They have been helping people for some eighty two years and I hope that they will be able to help people for many many more years to come.
Salvation Army Theft
Summary
On MSNBC.COM , is an article about a strong armed robbery of a Salvation Army bell ringer. Apparently a man grabbed a donation kettle, and when the bell ringer tried to hold on to the chain to stop the man, the man shoved her to the ground and said 'I hate you people and your bell ringing, and I hate Christmas!'. The man drove off in a truck which as it turns out, had been reported as stolen. The man was eventually caught, and both the truck and the kettle were recovered. Police Sergeant David Tullis said it was unknown how much money was in the kettle, but that the bell ringer believed it to be a large sum.
Response
This happening just disgusts me! There are alot of low life individuals in this world. The Salvation Army helps so many people, and so many people donate through the Salvation Army because they are such a reputable charitable institution, and for someone to directly attack such an institution is just disappointing to me. The article didn't state anything about the man's state of mind, but I have to believe he had some mental or emotional issues. I know that the holidays can be a hard time for lonely people or people grieving a loss, but it should definately should not be taken out on the poor bell ringers who are trying to collect money to help people. I am glad that this man was caught and I hope the authorities make an example of him, as to deter anyone else from trying such a thing again in the future.
On MSNBC.COM , is an article about a strong armed robbery of a Salvation Army bell ringer. Apparently a man grabbed a donation kettle, and when the bell ringer tried to hold on to the chain to stop the man, the man shoved her to the ground and said 'I hate you people and your bell ringing, and I hate Christmas!'. The man drove off in a truck which as it turns out, had been reported as stolen. The man was eventually caught, and both the truck and the kettle were recovered. Police Sergeant David Tullis said it was unknown how much money was in the kettle, but that the bell ringer believed it to be a large sum.
Response
This happening just disgusts me! There are alot of low life individuals in this world. The Salvation Army helps so many people, and so many people donate through the Salvation Army because they are such a reputable charitable institution, and for someone to directly attack such an institution is just disappointing to me. The article didn't state anything about the man's state of mind, but I have to believe he had some mental or emotional issues. I know that the holidays can be a hard time for lonely people or people grieving a loss, but it should definately should not be taken out on the poor bell ringers who are trying to collect money to help people. I am glad that this man was caught and I hope the authorities make an example of him, as to deter anyone else from trying such a thing again in the future.
A pic is worth a thousand words
Summary
In an article on MSNBC , it tells about a vain robber who seals his fate with a pic. A twenty year old woman was robbed by eighteen year old Kadeem Cook. Among the items taken was a cell phone. Apparently the woman had her phone set up to send any pictures taken, directly to her home computer. The robber in an attempt to look cool, took a picture of himself holding a gun by his head, using this woman's cell phone. When the woman received the picture on her computer, she turned it over to the authorities. The photo was released and the man was identified as Cook and an arrest warrant was issued for him. Shortly after the warrant was issued, Kadeem Cook turned himself into the police.
Response
I think that is awesome! I want to figure out how I can set mine up like that. It's hilarious that the little thug in his attempt to be cool, gave his picture to the victim. I bet when he seen the picture he had taken on television, I'm sure the light in his brain came on, and I'm sure he probably muttered some profanities. That's what he gets for being a hoodlum and preying upon hard working people who have earned what have, just so he can sit around getting 'high' and talking tough with his hoodlum friends instead of working and earning a living like everybody else. A young healthy eighteen year old man should be more than capable to work and afford his own cell phone instead of robbing it from a defenseless young woman.
In an article on MSNBC , it tells about a vain robber who seals his fate with a pic. A twenty year old woman was robbed by eighteen year old Kadeem Cook. Among the items taken was a cell phone. Apparently the woman had her phone set up to send any pictures taken, directly to her home computer. The robber in an attempt to look cool, took a picture of himself holding a gun by his head, using this woman's cell phone. When the woman received the picture on her computer, she turned it over to the authorities. The photo was released and the man was identified as Cook and an arrest warrant was issued for him. Shortly after the warrant was issued, Kadeem Cook turned himself into the police.
Response
I think that is awesome! I want to figure out how I can set mine up like that. It's hilarious that the little thug in his attempt to be cool, gave his picture to the victim. I bet when he seen the picture he had taken on television, I'm sure the light in his brain came on, and I'm sure he probably muttered some profanities. That's what he gets for being a hoodlum and preying upon hard working people who have earned what have, just so he can sit around getting 'high' and talking tough with his hoodlum friends instead of working and earning a living like everybody else. A young healthy eighteen year old man should be more than capable to work and afford his own cell phone instead of robbing it from a defenseless young woman.
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