A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas candy cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy: White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs, who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as a Candy Cane -- a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to and ears to hear." We pray that this symbol will again be used to witness the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came down Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominate force in the universe today. AMEN!
First - Symbolizes life
Second - Symbolizes belief in eternal life
Third - Honors Veterans
Fourth - Reminds us that humans are weak and in need of divine guidance
Fifth - Is a tribute to our country
Sixth - Represents the love for America
Seventh - Is a tribute to the armed forces
Eighth - Honors mothers
Ninth - Honors all women
Tenth - Honors fathers
Eleventh - Symbolizes the God of the old Testament
Twelfth - Represents Christian belief in the Trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Thirteenth - When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "InGod We Trust"
This was e-mailed to me from a fellow member of my church, and I wanted to share it everyone on LJ.
If eternal life after death is plausible, is eternal life before birth not equally as possible?
God created Adam from the dust of the earth. We cannot say that he did the same for us. Why are we so quick to label God as our creator? Is he not referenced in Judeo-Christian writings as Our Father? We are not "created", because we were never in a state of existence or non-existence; only Adam can claim that he was created by God. We may not call ourselves "begotten" of God, for he did not produce us biologically; only Christ the Lord holds that claim. Christians claim to be the "adopted" sons and daughters of God, because as a result of Adam's sin, his intrinsic nature was obscured and separated from God; Adam became both the physical and spiritual progenitor of our race. From a physiological standpoint, the so-called "sinful nature" is simply this inherited obstruction of our equally inherited intrinsic nature: a kind of birth defect, if you will. It is only through Christ that some believe we can remove this obstruction and hence be adopted by God.
If we believe that some intrinsic part of us survives death, then what is that part and from where did it originate? I have often asked myself this question. I believe that Adam's original nature was born of God...the much interpreted scriptural "breath of life". Christian writings refer to Christ as being God in his very nature. It is my belief that this reference leads many to believe that they are wholly different from Christ on a human level. Is it not possible that the "breath of life" is merely the intrinsic nature of God present in all humans?!
There is a saying in Tibetan Buddhism, that the buddhas recognized their true nature and became enlightened, but that we did not and so became confused. Christ recognized his true nature, whether Adam did is a matter of pure speculation, but they were both sinless in the beginning of their earthly lives. We can say that we did not recognize our true nature at birth and so became confused, but that does not imply that we are born sinners...we are in a sense born at night, so we do not recognize the sun. It is through our belief in life after death and in Christ's physical demonstration of its proof by his death and resurrection that we can realize that the sun was never absent at our birth, we simply couldn't see it.
I sure had a busy Easter weekend.
On Good Friday we did our annual walk with the big wooden cross from Central Baptist Church to Union Congregational Church which was an estimated distance of 4.89 miles. It was rather windy and cold but everyone was prepared for it. Usually the weather is nicer it's just that Easter was early this year. We always get a good group of people from both churches and everyone gets a turn carrying both ends of the cross. We always enjoy this annual event.
When we arrived at UCC we had a nice dinner and a Good Friday service.
Saturday my mom and and I got together with some relatives who were in town and went to the Hiltop Steakhouse. We had a great time together.
Easter Sunday I went to the annual sunrise service on the beach at 6:30am. Again cold but everyone was bundled up and prepared for it. It's a service where churches combine and worship together. My minister did the benediction. The salvation army band plays the music for the hymns we sing. The first one is always CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY. Then I went to my churches regular Easter service at 10am. I was one of the deacons that helped out with communion. Every Easter the alter is full of lillies which the congregation has in memory of a loved one. The bulletin list all the names of the people who bought one and who in memory of. This year I bought 2 in memory of my dad and grandfather.
After the service people of the church volunteer to deliver some of the lillies to those in nursing homes and aren't able to come to the service. One of the deliveries I made was a special one to the current organist who is on maternity leave after having her first baby girl(third child). She and her family were very thankful for the lilly. After I did my deliveries I stopped at Burger King which I gave up for lent.
That evening my mom and I had a pizza from Papa Ginos and watched Evan Almighty and part of National Treasure. We watched the rest a couple of days later.
Well that about says it all. I hope everyone else had A HAPPY EASTER as well.
Now faith is being certain of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1)
All things are possible with God (Mk. 10:27)
In order to have faith in God for anything, we must be certain of the realm of possibility. This realm is boundless.
There are two concepts to be examined here: certainty and possibility.
One must live with both in mind in order to have faith.
In fact, the sphere of certainty lies within that of possibility.
One can say that he is certain that his prayers will be answered, but if he is not willing to allow his mind the possibility that it will not be answered, his faith will be hindered by doubt and will fail.
This is akin to the mental conundrum: "Try not to think of a pink elephant."
The more you try, the more the elephant is transfixed within your mind.
Only by allowing the thought to move through your mind like a weed through a river will it cease.
Faith in God for anything, including salvation, requires a mind free from fear of doubt and even fear itself. But how to be free from fear?
"Perfect love casts out all fear." (1 Jn. 4:18)
"Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Mt. 5:48, 19:21)
"This is love for God: that we obey his commandments." (1 Jn. 5:2-4)
"Fear the Lord and obey his commands, for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl. 12:13)
"In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this in turn sums up the Law." (Mt. 7:12)
"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13)
"The reason you do not receive is because you do not ask." (James 4:2)
When we are free from fear we will not hesitate to love our enemies by listening to them and doing our best to understand them, and thus being all things to all men, in the hope that some might be saved.
My best friend, Lexi, is going through a really tough time right now. She's extremely depressed. So if any of you would mind saying an extra prayer for her, I know it would be GREATLY appreciated! And again, thank you and God bless each and every one of you!
In His Holy Name,
Sarah
My friend, Lexi, tore her ACL last weekend. I know she is in a GREAT deal of pain and today she is going to an orthopedic surgeon. She is not very fond of doctors and hospitals, so please said up a small prayer for her. I know she would VERY MUCH appreciate it! Thank you and God bless all of you, each and every one!!!
I have a job interview tomorrow. Please pray that if it is God's will, that I will get the position.
