Wednesday, December 21, 2005

JOSHUA TIME 250

WRITE THIS ON THE BACK OF> >> >ALL YOUR ENVELOPES> >> >I THINK THIS A GREAT IDEA. I MAY EVEN BEGIN WRITING THIS ON FRONT OF ALLMY> >ENVELOPES, TOO!> >> >You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texashave> >been forced to take down small posters that say, "IN GOD WE TRUST".> >The law, they say, is being violated.> >> >Anyway, it's been proposed on a radio station show that we should allbegin> >writing "IN GOD WE 'TRUST"> >on the back of all our mail. After all, that is our national motto, and> >it's> >on all the money we use to buy those stamps. I think it is a wonderful> >idea.> >> >We must take back our nation from all those people who think thatanything> >that offends them should be removed.> >> >If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writingor> >stamping "IN GOD WE TRUST"> >on our envelopes sounds good to me.> >I'M HAVING MY STAMP MADE TODAY!> >> >It has been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I> >have> >a hard time understanding why there is such a fuss about having "In GodWe> >Trust" on our money, and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance.> >> >Could it be that WE just need to take action and tell the 14% to "sitdown> >and shut up"?> >> >If you agree with this, pass this on!!> >> >May God Bless You !!!

JOSHUA TIME 249

from http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/dibiase
Ted DiBiase hospitalized
Tuesday in Stamford, Conn., Ted DiBiase collapsed and lost consciousness. He has since regained consciousness and will be held overnight in a local hospital to undergo testing.

from http://www.sescoops.com/artman/publish/article_2367.shtml
The official WWE website has announced that Ted DiBiase, who works as an agent and at WWE headquarters, was found unconscious.
Below is the official statement:
Ted DiBiase hospitalized
Earlier today in Stamford, Conn., Ted DiBiase collapsed and lost consciousness. He has since regained consciousness and will be held overnight in a local hospital to undergo testing.

THIS WOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL BUT THERE IS A NEW DRUG TESTING POLICY IN PLACE AND TED IS A CHRISTIAN

JOSHUA TIME 248

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just a decorator.If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals andarranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.If I work at the soup kitchen, sing carols in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.Merry Christmas

JOSHUA TIME 247

WRITE THIS ON THE BACK OF>>>>ALL YOUR ENVELOPES>>>>I THINK THIS A GREAT IDEA. I MAY EVEN BEGIN WRITING THIS ON FRONT OF ALL >>MY>>ENVELOPES, TOO!>>>>You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have>>been forced to take down small posters that say, "IN GOD WE TRUST".>>The law, they say, is being violated.>>>>Anyway, it's been proposed on a radio station show that we should all >>begin>>writing "IN GOD WE 'TRUST">>on the back of all our mail. After all, that is our national motto, and >>it's>>on all the money we use to buy those stamps. I think it is a wonderful >>idea.>>>>We must take back our nation from all those people who think that anything>>that offends them should be removed.>>>>If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or>>stamping "IN GOD WE TRUST">>on our envelopes sounds good to me.>>I'M HAVING MY STAMP MADE TODAY!>>>>It has been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I >>have>>a hard time understanding why there is such a fuss about having "In God We>>Trust" on our money, and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance.>>>>Could it be that WE just need to take action and tell the 14% to "sit down>>and shut up"?>>>>If you agree with this, pass this on!!>>>>May God Bless You !!!

JOSHUA TIME 247

MUST READ: The Folded Napkin>>>>You guys know how emotional I am and this story is the topper to it all.>>(It doesn't help any that the guys name is Stevie either). Enjoy and>>remember to fold your napkin for others!>>Love, Rita>>>> The Folded Napkin . A Truckers Story>>(If this doesn't light your fire ... your wood is wet!!!)>>I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His>>placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. >>But>>I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted>>one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a>>little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of>>Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers >>because>>truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf>>platter is good and the ! pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were>>the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; >>the>>yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for>>fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ"; the pairs of >>white-shirted>>business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants>>to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around >>Stevie>>so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.>>>>I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff >>wrapped>>around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had>>adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.>>>>After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of>>him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and>>eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and>>pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spil! >>l>>was visible, when Stevie got done with the table.>>>>Our only p roblem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after>>the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting >>his>>weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table>>was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus >>dishes>>and glasses onto cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced>>flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would>>pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly>>right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every >>person>>he met.>>>>Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was>>disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social>>Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their>>social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they >>had>>fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was >>probably>>the difference be! tween their being able to live together and Stevie >>being>>sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that>>morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed>>work.>>>>He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something >>put>>in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often>>have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there >>was>>a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back >>at>>work in a few months.>>>>A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word>>came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and d! oing fine. Frannie, >>the>>head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a li ttle dance in the aisle >>when>>she heard the good news. "Belle Ringer", one of our regular trucker>>customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four >>doing>>a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and>>shot "Belle Ringer" a withering look.>>>>He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was t hat all about?" he asked.>>>>"We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.">>>>"I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the>>surgery about?">>>>Frannie quickly told "Belle Ringer" and the other two drivers sitting at >>his>>booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to >>be>>OK," she said. "but I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle >>all>>the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." "Belle>>Ringer" nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest >>of>>her tables.>>>>Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to! replace Stevie and really>>didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that >>day>>until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into >>my>>office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on>>her face.>>>>"What's up?" I asked.>>>>"I didn't get that table where "Belle Ringer" and his friends were sitting>>cleared off after they left, and "Pony Pete" and "Tony Tipper" were >>sitting>>there when I got back to clean it off," she said. "This was folded and>>tucked under a coffee cup." She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 >>bills>>fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters,>>was printed "Something For Stevie". "Pony Pete" asked me what that was all>>about," she said, "so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything,>>and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving >>me>>this." She handed me another paper napkin t! hat had "Something For >>Stevie">>scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds >>Frannie>>looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply:>>"truckers.">>>>That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is>>supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting>>the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all>>that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we>>knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was >>in>>jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them>>in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie>>was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the>>doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were>>waiting.>>>>"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by>>their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back,>>breakfast for you and your moth! er is on me!">>>>I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could >>feel>>and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the>>dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of >>grinning>>truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big>>table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner >>plates,>>all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins.>>>>"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I >>tried>>to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled >>out>>one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. >>As>>he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.>>>>Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath >>the>>tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his>>mother.>>>>"There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on the table, all! from>>truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy>>Thanksgiving,">>>>Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and>>shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny?>>While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, >>Stevie,>>with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and >>dishes>>from the table. Best worker I ever hired.>>>>Plant a seed and watch it grow. At this point, you can bury this>>inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need! If you shed a >>tear,>>hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.>>>>Well... Don't just sit there! Send this story on!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

JOSHUA TIME 246

Two DaysAbout Which Not to Worry
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One of these days is Yesterday -- with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever. Hopefully you learned something.
The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow -- with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born. Hopefully you will learn something.
This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities, Yesterday and Tomorrow, that we break down. It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.
Therefore, seize Today. Carpe diem. Use what you have learned from Yesterday, remember what you hope for Tomorrow, and make Today the best possible day. Today only comes once.

JOSHUA TIME 245

Tuesday, December 20
This week's promise: Give your worries to God, for he cares for you
Why worry?
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 NLT
The unforgettable responsive reading It was midnight on Thursday, February 8, A.D. 356, and Athanasius, a leader in the early Christian church and passionate defender of the deity of Jesus Christ, was leading a worship service. Suddenly loud shouts and clashing armor could be heard outside the church. Soldiers had come to arrest him.But Athanasius said, "I didn't think it right, at such a time, to leave my people," so he continued the service. He asked a deacon to read Psalm 136 and then requested the congregation to respond with the refrain, "His faithful love endures forever," which they did twenty-six times over the din of the soldiers outside.Just as the final verse was completed, the soldiers rushed into the church, brandishing their swords and spears and crowding forward up the nave toward Anthanasius. The people yelled for Athanasius to run, but he refused to go until he had given a benediction. Then some of his assistants gathered tightly around him, and, as he recounts it, "I passed through the crowd of people unseen and escaped, giving thanks to God that I had not betrayed my people, but had seen to their safety before I thought of my own."Athanasius was portraying to his people God's love, which endures forever. He was willing to lay down his life for his flock—just as Jesus had laid down his life for his flock a few centuries earlier.Since God's "faithful love endures forever," why is they ever any need to worry?adapted from The One Year® Book of Psalms with devotionals by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen (Tyndale) entry for November

Monday, December 19, 2005

JOSHUA TIME 244

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I WILL BE HAVING SURGERY BACK SURGERY ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 22,
I ASK FOR EVERY ONES THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH THIS SURGERY AS IT IS ON MY LOWER BACK L4 AND L5

I MIGHT NOT BE POSTING UNTIL AFTER I GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

IF ANY ONE WANTS MY EMAIL ADDRESS ITS ON MY BLOG PROFILE YOU CAN ALSO LEAVE ME COMMENTS AND I'LL GET THEM BY EMAIL.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

JOSHUA TIME 243

^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^ ^j^

8 angels are sent 2 you.
You must send them to 8 people including me.
In 8 minutes you will receive something you have long awaited for.
Have faith!

JOSHUA TIME 242

Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles- A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself. An unexpected phone call from an old friend. Green stoplights on your way to work or shop. I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in... The fastest line at the grocery store. A good sing along song on the radio. Your keys right where you look. I wish you a day of happiness and perfection-little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare. I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this phrase to the people you'll never forget . It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in too much of a hurry and that you've probably forgotten your friends.

Take the time! Wishing you the very best for 2006

JOSHUA TIME 241

Christmas at the gas station> > > > The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through. > > > > Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll just go." "Not without something hot in your belly." George said. > > > > He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty, "Stew ... made it myself. When you're done, there's coffee and it's fresh." > > > > Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken." > > > > George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away. > > > > "But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good." > > > > George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ........" George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought. > > > > George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on. > > > > "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway. > > > > As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me." > > > > George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease. > > > > "Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance." > > > > The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio. > > > > He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area." > > > > George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain." > > > > George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked. "None for me," said the officer. "Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time. > > > > The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before. > > > > "That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer. > > > > "Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt." > > > > The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!" > > > > The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "we got one too many in here now." > > > > He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pee shooter away." > > > > George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week ..." > > > > George handed the gun to the cop. Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can." > > > > He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out." > > > > The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer." > > > > "Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said. > > > > George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer. > > > > "Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?" > > > > "GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man. > > > > Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran." > > > > George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. > > > > "That guy work here?," the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job." > > > > The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?" > > > > Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything." > > > > "Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems." > > > > George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day." > > > > The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you." > > > > "And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need." > > > > George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours." > > > > The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier. > > > > "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said, "Now git home to your family." > > > > The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good." > > > > "Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after." > > > > George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?" > > > > "I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?" > > > > "Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby." > > > > The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. > > You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. > > The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor. > > The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. > > The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself. "That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man." > > > > George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man. > > > > "Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again." > > > > The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned." > > > > George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room. > > > > "You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas." > > > > George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord." > >

JOSHUA TIME 240

Memo from Santa: I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer serve Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio or Alabama on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. As part of the new and better contract, I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies so keep that in mind. However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement, who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences between us. Differences such as: 1. There is no danger of the Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These toys insured by Smith and Wesson." 2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave RC cola and pork rinds (or a moon pie) on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff, so please have an empty spit can handy. 3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen's head now overlooks Bubba's fireplace. 4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and Blitzen..." when Bubba Claus arrives.. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Andretti, on Elliott and Petty." 5. "Ho, Ho, Ho" has been replaced by "Yee Haw" And you also are likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat" 6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back Off." 7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other. And Finally, 8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree. Sincerely Yours, Santa Claus

JOSHUA TIME 239

MessageThis is how it happened...I just finished the household choresfor the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard anoise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the frontroom and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behindthe Christmas tree.He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out."What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up inmy throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jollymanner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we allknow.He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!"I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question,and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bagfrom behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.The meaning that nowadays Christmas has forgotten."Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE andplaced it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the puregreen color of the stately fir tree remains green all yearround, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all theneedles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughtsturning toward heaven."He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign ofpromises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, andthe star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ isthe light of the world, and when we see this great light weare reminded of He who displaces the darkness."Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH andplaced it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreathsymbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases.Love is one continuous round of affection."He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself."Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize thegenerosity and good will we feel during the month of December."He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF."Teach the children that the holly plant representsimmortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by ourSavior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,"Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gaveHIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakablegift."Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the HolyBABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Weshould always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE andhung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy canerepresents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helpsto bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is thesymbol that we are our brother's keeper."He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL."Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in theglorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory toGod in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag hepulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheepare found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind tothe fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and Isaw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmasand do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servantof the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD,our GOD."

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This one should keep us all thinking. >>> >>> I chose #2, now you pick one. >>> >>> This is a true story of something that happened just a few > years ago at USC. >>> >>> >>> There was a professor of philosophy there who was a deeply > committed atheist. >>> >>> His primary goal for one required class was to spend the > entire semester to >>> prove that God couldn't exist. >>> >>> His students were always afraid to argue with him because of > his impeccable >>> logic. For twenty years, he had taught this class and no one > had ever had the courage to go against him. >>> >>> Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever > really gone against him because of his reputation. >>> >>> At the end of every semester on the las t day, he would say > to his class of >>> 300 students, >>> >>> "If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand > up!" >>> >>> In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what he > was going to do >>> next. He would say, "Because anyone who believes in God is a > fool". >>> >>> If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from > hitting the ground and breaking. Such a simple task to prove > that He is God, and yet He can't >>> do it." >>> >>> And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor > of the classroom >>> and it would shatter into a hundred pieces. >>> >>> All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare. >>> >>> Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist. > Certainly, a number of >>> Christians had slipped through, but for 20 years, they had > been too afraid >>> to stand up. >>> >>> Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to > enroll. He was a >>> Christian, and had heard the stories about his professor. He > was required to >>> take the class for his major, and he was afraid. But for > three months that >>> semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the > courage to stand up >>> no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought. >>> >>> Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped . >>> >>> Finally, the day came. The professor said, "If there is > anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!" The > professor and the class of 300 people >>> looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the > classroom. >>> >>> The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!! If God existed, he would > keep this piece >>> of chalk from breaking when it hit the ground!" >>> >>> He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped > out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of > his pants, down his leg, and >>> off his shoe. As it hit the ground, it simply rolled away > unbroken. The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the > chalk. He looked up at the young >>> man, and then ran out of the lecture hall. >>> >>> The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front > of the room and >>> shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour. 300 > students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for > them and of His power through Jesus. >>> >>> You have 2 choices: >>> >>> 1. Delete this and never look at it again. >>> >>> 2. Pass this along to your Christian and non-Christian > friends, giving them >>> encouragement we all need every day. >>> >>> When you choose option 2, you have chosen to STAND UP. >>> >>> In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a > laugh, this is a little different: >>> This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's > intended to get you >>> thinking.............. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and > then wonder why >>> the world's going to hell. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but > question what the >>> Bible says. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided > they do not have >>> to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. Or is > it scary? >>> >>> Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but > still follow Satan >>> (who, by the way, also "believes" in God ). >>> >>> Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through > e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start > sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice > about sharing. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass > freely through >>> cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed > in the school >>> and workplace. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on > Sunday, but be >>> an invisible Christian the rest of the week. >>> >>> Are you laughing? >>> >>> Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you > will not send it >>> to many on your address list because you're not sure what > they believe, or >>> what they will think of you for sending it to them. >>> >>> Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other > people think of me >>> than what God thinks of me. >>> >>> Will YOU pass this on? .. I did >>> >>> _____ >>> >>> >>> <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylc=X3oDMTFqODRtdXQ4BF9TAzMyOTc1MDIEX3MDOTY2ODgxNj > kEcG9zAzEEc2VjA21haWwtZm9vdGVyBHNsawNmYw--/SIG=110oav78o/**http%3a/farechase > .yahoo.com/> Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites > in one click. >>> >>> >>> >>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any > attachments, is >>> for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain >>> confidential >>> and proprietary information. Any unauthorized review, use, > disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient(s), please contact the sender by > reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.

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