It's time to look back at 2008, the year when "billions" and
"trillions" became commonplace – not just in news about financial
bailouts, but also the amount of times John McCain uttered, "My
friends," not to mention the estimated number of plastic plugs in Joe
Biden's scalp.
It's shoetime!
Let's get the shoe on the road with a farewell to salute to President George W. Bush.
Just this month, an Iraqi journalist decided to share the love
with our nation's leader. He did this with the time-honored tradition
of calling the president a "dog," removing his shoes from his own dogs
and then socking them at our commander in chief.
The following links are articles to
inform the reader the true origins of Christmas. You will see that
every aspect of Christmas has pagan origins and that there isn't a hint
of it mentioned in the Bible. In fact, in Jeremiah there is a reference
denouncing anyone that would deck a tree with silver and gold. Unlike
other sites, I try to bring our readers the PLAIN TRUTH
and let them decide for themselves what they want to do. I also give
two viewpoints as well. One, by Garner Ted Armstrong as to why it is
wrong to celebrate Christmas, and another by SkylarH. Burris who feels it is OK to have Christmas, pagan symbols and all because God allows it.
The question I think the reader must
face and answer is this. Should I follow it or not. If you don't
believe in God, then the answer is simple. You can follow it as a
secular holiday, as most Americans really do! If there is a God,
however, we must determine for ourselves what God wants us to do, and
obey as best we can. If you celebrate Christmas or not absolutely
doesn't mean you are or are not saved by the blood of Jesus. That goes
to your heart and your personal relationship to your Savior. As for me
and my family, I do not follow Christmas at all. It doesn't bother me
that others do, or hurt my feelings when friends or stranger wish me a
Merry Christmas. In my mind I hear God's word to Moses "Learn not the
way of the heathen (pagan) or worship their customs in remembrance of
me" (my translation of Deu 18:9 AND Jer
10:2). I personally think it hurts God's feelings to worship him on
what is probably really Lucifer's birthday, but that is my belief, it
need not be yours! I just want you to make an informed decision.
Forward: Another Fine example of the "Christian Church" in action! With Christians like these, we don't need atheists to turn people from the faith!
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A divorced
Jacksonville woman said her former church has threatened to "go public
with her sins" and tell the congregation about her sexual relationship
with her new boyfriend.Rebecca Hancock said harassment from
Grace Community Church in Mandarin over
her sex life caused her to
leave, but she said that didn't put an end to the problem. She said she
received a letter from the church's elders telling her the church plans
to make her personal life very public."I'm basically run out. I'm the church harlot," Hancock said.
The
49-year-old said she has been dating a man for a while and she said
members of the congregation at Grace Community Church haven't been
happy about the relationship."Because I have a boyfriend that I'm involved with … to not be married to that person is a sin," Hancock said.She said the issue caused her to leave the church.
However, she said the church has not let go of her.The
letter Hancock received from the church states that because she has
refused to end her sexual relationship with her boyfriend, "you leave
us with no other choice but to carry out the commands of the Lord Jesus
Christ" … "In accordance with Matthew 18:17 we intend to 'tell it to
the church.'"
"On January 4, my sins will be told to the church,
publicly, with my children sitting in the church and my friends,"
Hancock said.The pastor of Grace Community Church, Dr. T. Scott Christmas, told Channel 4 he had no comment.Pastors
with whom Channel 4 spoke on Monday said announcing a sin to a
congregation is not abnormal.
They said it's written in the Bible to
punish sinners who continue to sin.The difference in Hancock's case is that she has left the church, and the pastors said that's is usually where punishment ends.Despite
the church's letter stating its biblical backing, Hancock said she has
backed out of the church and they should leave her alone because she is
no longer a member.
"I am a Christian, and that will never
change. My relationship with Jesus has to do with me and Jesus, and he
knows my heart," Hancock said.The book of Matthew does have three steps that the church talked about in taking action against a member who is in sin.Hancock
said she is now attending a different church, and said she is planning
to send a letter to Grace Community Church to make sure it's understood
that she no longer a member.
Costas Karamanlis, Greek
prime minister, called an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday night
amid escalating violence in central Athens with rioters setting fire to
dozens of buildings around the parliament square.
Mr Karamanlis
was expected to declare a state of emergency as police struggled to
control a third day of riots in half a dozen cities around Greece.
In
Athens the situation deteriorated after nightfall when masked youths
broke up a peaceful protest march by the leftwing opposition Syriza
party, throwing firebombs at two luxury hotels and a bank branch.
Thousands
of Greek youths on Monday took part in a third day of violent protests
following the killing of a 15-year-old boy by a police officer in a
students’ district of Athens.
Earlier as police fired teargas
at the rock-throwing demonstrators in central Athens, shoppers fled
into a nearby metro station. The central square overlooking the
parliament building emptied after police buses blocked access to
traffic.
Undeterred by the violence, two leftwing political parties staged separate protest meetings followed by a march to parliament.
Alecos
Alavanos, leader of Syriza, which is supported by many young Greeks,
called for the resignation of the centre-right government.
“There was no justification for what happened. The conservatives cannot stay in power after this,” he said.
Greek
authorities appeared ill-prepared to handle the sustained protests,
with many government buildings left unguarded in Athens and other
cities.
Several government offices had to be evacuated after fire-bomb
attacks. Police said more than 60 shops, banks and dealerships were
damaged over the weekend.
Business in the city centre of Athens ground to a halt.
Many shops with smashed windows opened as usual.
“In
these times businesses can’t afford to turn any customers away,” said
George Sofronos, deputy president of the city’s retailing association.
George Alogoskoufis, finance minister, said the government would pay compensation for damage to property.
Authorities fear more street clashes, with a teachers’ walk-out
set for Tuesday, to be followed by a full-fledged public sector strike
on Wednesday.
The teenager, Alexandros Gligoropoulos, died after being hit by bullets fired by a police officer on Saturday night.
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United
States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces
of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of
Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking
toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu,
the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the
Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply
stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations,
it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious
that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the
intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the
United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to
American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In
addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between
San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout
the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the
United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the
implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures
be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the
American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I
assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make
very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our
territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of
our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly
attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United
States and the Japanese empire.
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