The Schooley Files: The Silly Flap over "Happy Holidays," and the battle over the two Christmases

Christmas seems to come earlier every year. As soon as Halloween is over it seems Christmas commercialism is thrust upon us. This is part of a blog I found which has some good points to consider I think.

The Schooley Files: The Silly Flap over "Happy Holidays,"
and the battle over the two Christmases: "Which Christmas?

I think that celebrating the entrance of the Son of God into the world is a good thing, and if it contains some of the trappings of Secular Christmas, I frankly don't mind, as long as the two Christmasses are kept in perspective. But over the last several years, I have noticed a virtual monopoly of Secular Christmas music, to the exclusion of Christian Christmas music, on the radio and in public places. It's easy to find snowmen and reindeer to put on your lawn; much more difficult to find nativity scenes. Rather than coexisting with Christian Christmas, Secular Christmas has been supplanting Christian Christmas for some time now. That, in turn, makes me a little uneasy when someone wishes me a 'Merry Christmas.' I'm beginning to wonder, 'Which Christmas do you mean?'

The reality is, you have to know Christ to appreciate the Real Meaning of Christian Christmas. Sentimental hogwash about the Birth of New Hope is just meaningless words if you don't believe in the hope that Jesus came to give. And the majority of people you meet don't believe, and so they don't know, and can't appreciate what Christmas means to those who do know Christ. I'm frankly not sure I want everyone and their dog wishing me a 'Merry Christmas.' I'm not sure I want to wish everyone else a Merry Christmas, if some of them are going to understand by that phrase getting drunk on eggnog and maxing out their credit cards. It's a communication thing. 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'"

What are your thoughts about this?

Bee Yourself

God made you an original; don't die copy!

According to aeronautical science the bumblebee can't fly. It's body is too heavy and it's wings are too shallow.

However the bumblebee doesn't know it can't fly. So it flies around doing what God chose for it to do, pollinating plants. It does so without considering its limitations.

You ,too, have talent, skill, aptitude that are 'you-niquely-yours'. We can be the best of what and who we want to BEE - and only God knows what our limitatations are.

You might appear to be different - or even strange - to some people. But remember God made you in His image for His glory. Use your uniqueness to encourage others and glorify God.

Capitalize on the abilities god has given you. Don't expect other people to be like you or to always understand you. They're also busy being uniquely themselves.

Psalm 139 v 13

"For You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Surround By Favor

PSALM 5:12 NIV
12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

God's favor can change your life.

Someone who is favored is called a favor-ite.

The New Testament teaches that being righteous (in right standing with God), is a gift we receive when we receive Jesus-- not something we attain by our works.

So, the promise of Scripture is that God surrounds you with favor. What does that mean?

Favor is the blessing of God making people like you and treat you well.
Is it automatic?
We have access to God's grace only through faith (Romans 5:2).

So, you will never experience the fullness of God's favor without believing for it.

Faith is released through words. So every day thank the Lord for giving you favor with people, for surrounding you with>favor!

Don't say, "People don't like me." or "Everybody seems to be>against me." or "I never get a break."
Instead say, "Thank you Lord for giving me favor with people." Then watch God begin to move on your behalf!

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for surrounding me with favor.

Looking for Me!

Anyone found me?

I'm looking for me!

I'm a little girl masquerading as a woman.

I got lost along the way, wanting to be all for everyone,

I didn't leave anything for me.

Anyone found me?

I'm looking for me, the real me!

I'm a mother, a sister, a lover, a friend, my different roles I play well.

An Oscar winner I could be.

But has anyone found me?

I'm looking for me!

I'm professional, I'm witty, charming as well,

But has anyone seen me?

I'm looking for me!

Like a pressure cooker I'll explode if I don't find me soon.

Has anyone found me? I'm looking for me...

GOD SPEAKS

Ssh my child,

Before you were born, I named you and ordained you.

Rest with Me a while, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

You're who I say you are.

When you search for Me with your whole heart you'll find the Me you're looking for.



Jacqueline Peart

Don't get weary!

The Thesaurus describes weary as, "tired, exhausted, drained, fatigued and disillusioned."

You see, it is so easy to get weary while waiting, even for the simple things in life like,
Waiting for a bus or for someone to return your call,
For the traffic lights to change when you're running late for work,
Waiting in a queue at the bank during lunchtime,
Or even for some of those more important things like,
A career change or opportunity that seems like it will never appear,
Or even waiting for your life partner as the weeks turn into months and the months turn into years...

How much more difficult is it for us when we are waiting on the
things of God to come to pass?

I know it can be tough it can be frustrating and even disappointing!
Some may even feel 'hoped out' and at worst just going through the motions oblivious to the fact that they have resigned from wanting more, desiring more and have long since been living by sight and not faith,
Some may even believe that God's promises were just a figment of their imagination,

I know you've prayed,
You've believed,
You've fasted,
You've given and you've positively confessed God's word,
Yet your heart's desires are on hold!

Don't' get weary!

The bible says in Galatians 6:9:
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

We don't get weary over night,
Weariness grows, one thing leads to another and before we know it unless we stay focused we are weary, murmuring and complaining!
Let this inspiration be a wake up call to you not to grow weary, because if you do not - you will reap all that you have believed God for according to His word!
Start remembering the promises He has given to you,
Start remembering and revisiting the prophecies that have been spoken over your life!

For they shall come to pass - however, there is a condition:

DO NOT GET WEARY!

Be encouraged!

Consider Wild Flowers

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wild flowers - most of which are never seen - don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?"


Taken from Matthew 6 'The Message'

"What's it All About?"

Sometimes life can seem so boring. For kids, it can be school and homework, piano practice or cleaning their rooms. For adults, it can be a meaningless job or worse yet, meaningless relationships, no joy at home or with the family. Things can get to be pretty hum-drum. And the possibilities of excitement seem so real with something else, someone else or some place else -- the grass does look greener on that other side!

God wants us to stop in our tracks -- immediately! Stop! Do not pass go! Do not collect $200! Jesus tells us the real purpose and significance of our lives. And it's not about us: our happiness, our jobs, our families, or even our potential! It's all about God! Jesus spells it out very clearly (John 6:27,29): "Do not work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man with give you. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval. The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent."

In order to be joyful and not bored, we've got to shift perspectives. If it's not all about us, we've got to check out who this Jesus guy really is! We've got to make that our priority, not making a living or raising a family or even keeping ourselves from being bored! Jesus is the key to life, happiness, and the greener grass on that other side. Let's get to know Him on a first name basis, and let's see how wonderful life can really be!

"The Word Spreads"

When we share about what Jesus does for us, we don't need to do any fancy miracles. When we spread the good news that Jesus is the "main man" in our lives, we ourselves don't need to heal or cure or even preach. Jesus Himself does the healings! Jesus Himself is the main attraction. Not ourselves. Not what we do or say. It's all about Jesus.

"There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for 8 years. 'Aeneas,' Peter said to him, 'Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." Aeneas wasn't crippled his whole life, but 8 years is a long time to be bedridden! It's amazing how he was "found" by Peter in his condition. It's even more amazing that Peter tells him not just to get up, but to take care of his mat! Was it dirty or smelly? Why wasn't it his bed but a mat? But the coolest thing is that Aeneas just didn't get up. He must have walked around, not just in his hometown of Lydda but even in a neighboring town, Sharon! People saw him, probably heard his story, and turned to Jesus. How cool is that.

Sometimes Jesus may call upon us to heal in His name. Even if we are not Peter, we can do it, because Jesus does the healing, not us! And even if we are not called to heal or cure or do powerful deeds, we can always share how powerful Jesus is in our lives. That kind of sharing doesn't take a miracle! It only takes our focus on Jesus in our lives and how much Jesus means to us. It's like the grandma or grandpa who just loves to take out the photos of their adorable grandchild. It doesn't take much to share that joy and that sense of pride. It's a natural thing to share the joy in our lives! So let's spread the word, not just in our town but in whatever town we happen to be in -- Jesus is the main attraction in our lives now and forever!


Until next time, make it a blessed day,
Pastor Ellen

What If...

What if .......

What if you never achieve all your hopes and dreams?

Wouldn't God still be God?

What if all the plans, visions and prophecies don't come to pass in your day,

Isn't God still the God of all?

What if the finances you've been working on for that building or business, go to another cause or fails to materialise?

Is it not God Himself that gives you the ability to get wealth?

Does that mean He's failed?

What if in our times the wars fail to cease but to increase?

Children and adults continue to die meaningless deaths?

Does that mean we serve a compassionless God?

What if you receive the grades you've been working for, get into the job or university you desired and it's not what it's cracked up to be?

Tell me whose fault would that be?

Is it Gods for not showing you your destiny more clearly, after all your steps have been ordered of the Lord?

God forbid that we blame Him for every mishap, every let down and every misdemeanour!

What if...

What if we walked by faith and not by sight?

How many mountains would you have removed with just a mustard seed of faith?

What if we prayed and interceded consistently and persistently for our countries, presidents and leaders?

How different this world would be.

What if we judged others by their intent and not just by their actions?

How loving and forgiving we would be.

What if we not only read the word, but believed the Word, the blessings and the curses?

What walking atmosphere, community and world changers we would be.


What if...

What if we not only met with the Living God but trusted His every Word,

And believed with all our hearts that Jesus Christ was born

to a virgin, lived a life that was pure and sinless,

What if we truly believed that He was the son of God,

Who came to give us life through His death,

What if we really believed that at Calvary every one of our sins were nailed to the cross and His blood cleanses us,

No more would we rehearse our pasts and ponder on our failures.

What if...

What if we really and truly believed that all things were possible?

That we are more than conquerors and over comers,

That our Father is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords,

That He knows the plans that He has for us,

Plans to give us a future and a hope!


Where would you have been?

Where will you be?


It's a new year so what if you......


Jacqueline Peart