ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS

No one knows what day Jesus Christ was born on. From the biblical description, most historians believe that his birth probably occurred in September, approximately six months after Passover. One thing they agree on is that it is very unlikely that Jesus was born in December, since the bible records shepherds tending their sheep in the fields on that night. This is quite unlikely to have happened during a cold Judean winter. So why do we celebrate Christ’s birthday as Christmas, on December the 25th?

The answer lies in the pagan origins of Christmas. In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.

In Rome, the Winter Solstice was celebrated many years before the birth of Christ. The Romans called their winter holiday Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. In January, they observed the Kalends of January, which represented the triumph of life over death. This whole season was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The festival season was marked by much merrymaking. It is in ancient Rome that the tradition of the Mummers was born. The Mummers were groups of costumed singers and dancers who traveled from house to house entertaining their neighbors. From this, the Christmas tradition of caroling was born.
In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated the their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God

, Mithras, being born, and was observed on the shortest day of the year. As the Sun God grew and matured, the days became longer and warmer. It was customary to light a candle to encourage Mithras, and the sun, to reappear next year.

Huge Yule logs were burned in honor of the sun. The word Yule itself means “wheel,” the wheel being a pagan symbol for the sun. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual. Hollyberries were thought to be a food of the gods.

The tree is the one symbol that unites almost all the northern European winter solstices. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again. Evergreen boughs were sometimes carried as totems of good luck and were often present at weddings, representing fertility. The Druids used the tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred ceremonies while surrounding and worshipping huge trees.

In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is little doubt that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans (who remained a majority at that time) to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.

Christmas (Christ

-Mass) as we know it today, most historians agree, began in Germany, though Catholics and Lutherans still disagree about which church celebrated it first. The earliest record of an evergreen being decorated in a Christian celebration was in 1521 in the Alsace region of Germany. A prominent Lutheran minister of the day cried blasphemy: “Better that they should look to the true tree of life, Christ.”

The controversy continues even today in some fundamentalist sects.

True or False?

Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the facts on the worlds religions. - StumbleUpon

I believe that everything comes from one source. GOD.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day Prayers,Prayers for Mothers Day,Mothers Day
Prayer,Prayers on Mother's Day

Dear God, thank you for my mother, Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to be loved by her. Thank you for letting her still be here. In Jesus name, Amen

PRAY AND KNOW HE IS THERE

What is prayer to most of us. A window into the unknown? A direct line of faith? A cry of hope? Many people have different reasons to prayer. But if you have to complicate it, then it's no different than speaking with a stranger on the street. It may be pleasant, but what did it accomplish? Have a relation been made or have you just made your acquaintance? I used to talk to my Lord, like he was right in the room with me. Never thinking that someone could be watching me. For some reason, I stopped, and I look back and saw no reason why. I just did. But I also notice that some of the things that I had finally got in order, started messing back up. So I started praying again. Things have started to change again and seeing that prayer keeps me focus and alert. No wondering. Prayer each and every day, so you can be filled with the calmness that allows you to know what is really important in your life. He can remind you how to walk, when you know he's there. He can remind you how to talk, when you know he's there. And most importantly he can remind you how to LOVE, when you KNOW he's THERE.

Unity and Diversity

'"Three churches joined forces to have a union meeting. They chose a preacher who agreed not to preach any of their distinctive denominational messages. Even though I was only a young child, I can recall how the preacher would bring laughter, then tears, and, in his concluding appeal, fright. Many would respond and were saved, supposedly. After the concluding service the chairman said something to this effect: "We have had a great number saved. Now it is time for you who were saved to join the church of your choice. Brothers A, B, and C, pastors of the cooperating churches, will stand in these different locations at the front. You may present yourself to one of these men and he will tell you how to join his church."
Now, let us suppose we have a union meeting similar to that one but different in some details. Three churches cooperate in it. They get a preacher who promises to preach no doctrine except from the Bible. He will just preach the gospel like Peter did on Pentecost. The meeting is a great success. Eighty persons believe, repent, confess faith in Christ, and are baptized for the remission of their sins. Everyone is rejoicing.
Then the final service is completed and the chairman arises and says, "Many have been saved. Now it is time for you to join the church of your choice. The preachers for churches A, B, and C will stand here before you. All who wish to join A church come with Brother A." Twenty arise and stand with him. Brother B is introduced and twenty stand with him. Brother C rejoices inwardly because he thinks he is to get the remaining forty. But when he is introduced, only twenty stand with him.
At this point there is an air of perplexity about the remaining twenty. The chairman inquires of them, "Aren't you going to join a church?"
"No," they respond, "we are in the church already."
"How can that be?" the chairman asks.
"So far our preacher has preached the gospel like Peter did on Pentecost. When people were baptized for the remission of sins then, they were saved, being baptized into Christ and his one body which is the one church. We have done only what they did and we trust that we are in the same church that they were added to. Now you are going beyond the scriptures in urging us to join divisions. All eighty of us are in the one church, being added by the Lord himself. To join different groups now and to wear names to distinguish us from one another is to become divided and denominational."
"Well, you are starting a new church, are you?" the chairman asks, not quite able to grasp the explanation.
"No, we are just remaining in the one the Lord added us to. We will not exclude the other saved persons or wear a distinguishing name."
"What, then, are you going to do?"
"We will meet together in fellowship and worship after the New Testament pattern. We will follow that pattern in our personal lives, congregational organization, name, and group activity. We invite the other sixty saved persons to be with us in this undenominational fellowship. To divide into groups as you have done is sinful, and we can recognize no fellowship with you unless you come with us."'

Can we identify the church in this illustration? Since, in its essence, the church is the saved people, the eighty persons are in it. Meeting in separate groups locally would not alter that. Meeting together holding identical scruples was not a condition of their salvation nor the essence of the church/saved.
Since their fellowship is in Christ rather than in doctrinal agreement, the disciples composing these groups accept all the others as fellow-disciples without condemning them for differences in understanding. That is, all are accepting except the last group! Those in the last group reject and condemn all other disciples! They become sectarian. Although they claim undenominational status, they become a separate group with a distinguishing name. They become the divisive ones!

The saved ones are in the various groups. They are not saved by being in the distinctive groups but in spite of it. They are united in Christ. There can be unity in diversity. In fact, there can be no other kind!
The Stone-Campbell Movement was begun in an effort to cause disciples to accept each other across their party lines. Those reformers had a better concept of the identity of the church than most of the heirs of their heritage today.

While many think that Campbell started the church of Christ, he did not. Christ establised His church about 33 AD. There were churches of Christ before Campbell was born. Please read the following link: http://tcoc.atspace.org/whatisthechurchofchrist.html.
The church of Christ does not follow Stone-Campbell as your site suggests, but follows the teachings of Christ as taught in the New Testament. Plain and simple.

• Alexander Campbell - co-founder of Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement and the group which became the Churches of Christ
• Max Lucado - best-selling author of non-fiction Christian books (minister at Oak Hills Church of Christ, San Antonio, TX; former CoC)
• John Cornyn - Republican Senator from Texas (2002-present)
• Ted Poe - U.S. Representative from Texas (2005-present)
• James Hahn - mayor of Los Angeles, California
• Byron Nelson - professional golfer
• Kenny Perry - professional golfer
• Fred Thompson - former U.S. Senator (Repub.) from Tennessee; now actor, who plays the District Attorney on the TV series "Law and Order" (raised in CoC)
• Gene Tormohlen - former professional basketball player (Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns); now chief scout for L.A. Lakers
  
• Dwight Yoakam - singer, songwriter, actor
• Randy Travis - country music singer
• Glen Campbell - country music singer (raised CoC)
• Weird Al Yankovic - comedic singer, entertainer famous for his satirical spoofs music videos and lyrics (Vegan)
• Roy Orbison - country music singer
• Brandy (Norwood) - R&B singer, actress (raised CoC)
• Kathryn Morris - actress best known as the star of the 2000s CBS TV series Cold Case (raised CoC)
• Laurie Anderson - performance artist (raised CoC)
  
• Pat Boone - singer (former CoC member)
• Janis Joplin - singer (raised CoC)
• Robert Rauschenberg - painter, sculptor, and graphic artist known for helping to redefine American art in the 1950s and '60s (raised CoC)
• Sidney Rigdon - early preacher/leader in "Campbellite Church" (1818-1930), until conversion to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), where he became a major LDS theologian and leader
• Ted Welch - millionaire real estate developer, conservative activist (raised CoC)
• Kenneth Starr - lawyer, judge; chief Independent Counsel charged with investigating Pres. Bill Clinton, leading to the President's impeachment
• Paula Barbieri - model best known as football player/murderer O.J. Simpson's long-time girlfriend
• Jeffrey Dahmer (1960-1994) - infamous gay serial killer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; killed 17 young men between 1978 and 1991
  
• William Kay Moser - author, conscientious objector during Korean War
• Gary Freeman - author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven
• Vachel Lindsay - (1879-1931) American poet known as the "Prairie Troubador"
• Steve Cropper - guitarist Blues Bros. and Booker T.
• Meatloaf - singer, actor (real name Marvin Lee Aday)
• Jeff Martin - TV writer for David Letterman and "The Simpsons" (raised CoC)
• The Cowsills - sang "Indian Lake" and "Hair"
• Jim Ryun - Congressman, Olympic miler, 4 min. (may be ICC member)
• George Pepperdine - Western Auto, Pepperdine University
• Loretta Lynn - country singer
• Sonny James - country singer
• Don Williams - country singer
• Marty Roe - lead singer, Diamond Rio
• Amy Grant - singer
• Mark Wills - country music singer (raised CoC)
• Waylon Jennings - country music (raised CoC)
• Ray Walker - Jordannaires, back up for Elvis
• David Robinson - NBA, San Antonio Spurs
• Clyde Lee - NBA
• Fred McGriff - baseball
• Gene Stallings - Alabama football coach
• Wimp Sanderson - Alabama basketball coach
• Bill Bates - Dallas Cowboys
• Jim Morris - baseball player depicted in movie "The Rookie"
• Rick Parros - running back Denver
• Jim Jenkins - creator of the cartoon "Doug"
• Lynette Cole - 2000 Miss USA
• Doug Poling - CBS newsman
• Mike Adams - President U of Ga.
• Joe Johnson - President of University of Tenn.
• Bill Banowski - ex-president of Oklahoma U. and Gaylord Corp.
• Fred D. Gray - attorney who defended Rosa Parks
• A.M. Burton - Founder of Life & Casualty Insurance Co.
• Gwen Shamblin - founder of Weigh Down Workshop; founder of The Remnant Church (former)
• Bill Elliott - NASCAR driver
• Montgomery Gentry - singers; two-man country band consisting of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry
• Kitty Wells - queen of country music
• Ronnie Dunn - singer, of Brooks and Dunn (former)
• Holly Dunn - country singer
• Kenny Bill Stinson - musician
• Pat Sajak - Wheel of Fortune host
• Dee Presley - Elvis Presley's stepmother
• David and Richard Stanley - step-brothers of Elvis
• Jessie Brown Pounds - (1861-1921) composer, songwriter
• Dale Clevenger - musician
• Tillit S. Teddlie - (1885-1987) hymnodist
• Lloyd O. Sanderson - hymnodist
• Phoebe Lewis - accomplished opera singer (raised CoC)
• Scott Hamilton - U.S. figure skater, Olympic gold medalist (convert)

Leadership in the Home - Introduction | Challies Dot Com

Leadership in the Home - Introduction | Challies Dot Com

I haven't forgotten about us fellas! Our family depend on us for support and security. We must make it our mission to do our part. Never give up hope. We must take bake our place in our homes and step up. Take on the responsibility that we've created and lead!! I hope it is alright that I post this song, but it put things in perspective for me. Maybe it'll help you too.

Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

The Godly Woman Today : Lessons from Proverbs 31

The Godly Woman Today : Lessons from Proverbs 31

This is just a little info to help the most important influential people in our live that we look to. Our wives and mothers.

Not my way. Not your way.

100 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife HER Way | Marriage Missions International

100 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife HER Way | Marriage Missions International

Sometimes it hard to be there for our wives. But that doesn't mean that we give up on them. We are to love our wives as ourselves, so we must be determined to do what it takes to love and honor them. Not a lot of men have the opportunity to learn proper ways to do this. But it is really common courtesy and respect. We should do at least one of these things a day. Remember, you can only do what you can do. Don't try to be like others. Yet be committed and your family will be greatly rewarded for your efforts. Be humble, fair, and judge-less.

WHERE DO WE GO?

Finding where to go for help is all over the televisions and the radios and event the internet.  Have you gotten anywhere? That's the question we could ask ourselves, but we'll make up another excuse for the last excuse. Find out who you are. Never rob yourself the chance to do great things. Not for yourself though. Lokk for nothing for yourselves and give everything 100%. That include work, school, even play. We are told to be happy even if things do go you way, never quarrel, and be fair even if others are not. Did I do good today? Did I give it my all? Where can you go? You can't. You have to find it.  Find your inner peace.

WHERE CAN WE GET REAL RESULT?

Hi. We all are looking for a better way to get something we need or what and it really get frustrating. Well what do we get! Failure, insecurities, miss belief, and rage. You're not sure what to do or say, but you're pissed. Sorry. you just can't get it that way. You have to step up and stop being afraid. What are you waiting for?  We can all be happy and secure if we stop going for the things that don't matter.we've allowed ourselves to believe we do. i used to get upset about not getting  to worship late or work or anywhere for that matter. i had to realize that there were certain things that triggered my anger and when i get  mad I wanted it to fixed then. Just like everyone else. We're not perfect and we know who is. Jesus. So I thought this is about RESULTS! well , it is. Either we are strong as an ox in our faith or we are still struggling in sin. We have  a common knowledge: through Christ all things are possible. We have to start committing our self to the Greater Good. I know, you're think what is the Greater Good. Anything that God can get the glory. You know the saying "what goes in, comes out." So true, so true. Remember "a sacrifice isn't a sacrifice unless there is a sacrifice".  Music  can calm the savage beast, even us. so fin you a good Christian radio station. Listen to something to positive when your troubled and what how you start getting result as you learn new thing about yourself you never knew. A part of God in you.

I will eventually put links up for two of the most blessed radio stations that inspired me to start this blog. Air1 and K-Love. Link them with a wonderful congregation like Westwood church here in Albany, Ga. and were changing live for the Lord. I leave you with the some lyrics of Fee: Everything Falls.



When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on