UpLifts In Thought Do you sometimes suffer from “Taking Life too Seriously?” Save the whales. Collect the whole set. On the other hand, you have different fingers. I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory. 42.7 percent of … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Children
This is my story (Part 2)
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This is my story (Part 1)
The Babe of Bethlehem
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Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem – He lived, and today He lives again, and watches over us as Mary once watched over Him. Where once He was cradled as a helpless babe in a lowly manger, now He reigns as … Continue reading
Christmas Symbolism
It’s Christmas time, and nothing about the Christmas story, I want you to know, is accidental or haphazard. Every part of that beautifully simple story is a story in and of itself, and all of it bears witness of the living reality of our Savior.
For example: During the Savior’s ministry, He was called the ‘Bread of Life.’ Bread is now, as it was then, the ‘staff of life.’ It’s the mainstay of our diet. Jesus, the ‘Bread of Life,’ was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread.’
Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd.’ And who was it that was privileged first to see Him and proclaim His birth? – Shepherds, those who tended the flocks.
Many scriptures refer to Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God,’ He who was to die for our sins. Well, those flocks that were on the hills around Bethlehem that night? – More than likely they were Temple Lambs destined for sacrifice for the sins of the people on the altars of the Temple.
And how fitting it is that He who was called by John the ‘Bright and Morning Star’ should have what as His sign? – A new star, brighter than any other in the heavens.
And again, laid in a manger, a symbol of His lowliness, the Savior’s beginnings were as humble and as lowly as any child that has ever been born. And how appropriate that is when later He commanded us to become as children – meek, lowly, and humble.
And what of the children whose blood satiated Herod’s soldiers? They died in holy innocence that He might live. And years later, He died in holy innocence, and rose that they might live.
And again, what about the angel who proclaimed the birth of our Savior, Gabriel? That same Gabriel, as Noah centuries earlier, was the Savior of the human family from the waters of the flood.
And also in the Christmas story, there are repeated references to David, that the Christ-child would be born David’s son in David’s city, and receive David’s throne. Well, what of this David? – In the Old Testament, David was called a ‘man after the Lord’s own heart.’ He was Israel’s mightiest king. It was he who in power and glory freed Israel from political and spiritual bondage, united her tribes, and gave her the greatest prosperity and freedom that she has ever enjoyed.
And just think about this for a moment: He whose birth brought a moment of peace will return again to this earth to bring a millennium of peace.
Well, there’s more, much more within this story to tell. But I close with this: The wise men from the east followed a comparatively small light from a star, and they found Him. Now today, if we will follow that small gentle light from within, the light of the Holy Ghost, we will find Him, who is the light and the life of the world, even the Son of God.
Merry Christmas to you.
Taken from the works of Glenn Rawson – Dec. 1997
Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving.
Centuries ago the nation of Israel turned and watched as Moses stretched forth his hand and the walls of the Red Sea collapsed and returned to their strength. In awe Israel saw the mighty hosts of Pharaoh’s army overthrown in the sea, never again to oppress them. Now, with the subsequent restoration of God’s holy law through Moses, and their miraculous deliverance by Joshua into the Promised Land, Israel was once more a nation of free people, free in body, free in conscience, and free in nationality. Is it any wonder that Israel was so filled with joy and gratitude that they lifted their voices in song, thanking and praising God with all the power of their delivered souls?
Ever after that and for the centuries that followed, feasts and celebrations were established among the Hebrews, times of remembrance where they would be grateful and remember how that by the power of God He had made them a peculiar people and nation.
However, in time Israel did come to forget. Not only did they forget the God who had delivered them, but they forgot and mocked the covenants and responsibilities they had assumed as His chosen people. Eventually they were scattered, destroyed, and oppressed once more.
It has been said that history repeats itself. Our season of feasting and celebration is upon us this week; it’s Thanksgiving. What a blessed people we are! By the power of God we are a prosperous and a free people. Praise be to God for the kindness of His Fatherhood, for the prayers He has answered, and for the privileges He has given us. May we rejoice now in our time. We are the greatest, wealthiest people ever in the history of this earth. Ought we not to thank the God who gave it? Oh, I hope our riches never come to canker our soul.
Further, thank God for the gift of His son; we have a free conscience. Thank God for the miracle of forgiveness and the power of redemption and resurrection. We are free. No tyrant can oppress our soul or destroy our peace unless we let them [him]. Praise be to God for the assurance and presence of a Savior Who is always there, Who will not rest in His atoning endeavors until all of us have become celestial beings.
Thank God for truth, pure unadulterated ‘diamond truth’ that allows us to see and understand, and be anchored in place in a world that has become like a roaring blender of opinions and ideas. We are so blessed!
And thank God for America and her liberty. By the power of God and His guardian angels we are a free nation. There is so much more that is worth rejoicing of in America than is worth complaining of. Look around. I see this world we live in and I wonder: My children have never known starvation, many do; my children have never understood slavery and oppression, they are foreign to them. They have never known the fear of tyrants, nor the despair of hopelessness and bondage. And yet there are people all over the earth who suffer so much. Why – why are we such a blessed people when so many suffer so much? I cannot help but think that America has the same responsibility as ancient Israel, to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. Oh, Heavenly Father, thank Thee for all of Thy bounty.
My dear friends, this Thanksgiving it is my prayer that our gratitude will overflow unto tears of humility and songs of rejoicing for the goodness of God. Oh to grace, how great a debtor; daily I’m constrained to be. Let thy goodness as a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee; prone to wander Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
Glenn Rawson
When Is A House A Home?
“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.”
— Benjamin Franklin: was a Founding Father of the United States
From Child to Man
The Stages of Life- From Child to Man
Life is essentially a learning experience.
Its success and its failure depends entirely on how you handle the challenges that it provides you with.
Due to this, we have two roles in life, as students and teachers.
When we are young, we have more questions than answers. We need others to support us and to guide us.
When we are older, we have more answers than questions. People need us to support and guide them.
The transtition from child to adult is simply a switch from a student of life to a teacher of life. If you truly understand life and love living.
This is the hardest of all tranistions to make.
How much are you growing? If it is a little, you will experience very little of life. If it is alot, you will experience all of it.
UpLifts – Love
To Make You Feel My Love
A song by Garth Brooks written by Bob Dylan
When the rain is blowing in your face
and the whole world is on your case
I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
and there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
When the storms of life are raging
Stand by me
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship out on the sea
Today’s Trivia
1. What was a particularly unusual talent of President James Garfield?
2. Who has been called the “wizard of the keyboard”?
Answers are at the end.
I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshiped – I am saluted.
I am loved – I am revered.
I am respected — and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa.
The people of Korea, Vietnam and Kuwait
know me as a banner of freedom.
I was there.
I led my troops,
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my countryman,
when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
or in the arms of a child or spouse who will have to
go on without one who gave their life.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY, LONG MAY I WAVE.
Today’s Motivation:
“Loyalty deserves to be treated like royalty.” — Harvey Mackay
TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Meaning: It is helpful to have a second person’s opinion or advice.
In “Confession Amantis,” around 1390, John Gower wrote, “Two have more wit than one.” In this way, “wit” is taken in its old sense, “reasoning.” Until the end of the sixteenth century, “Two wits are (far) better than one” was a common form of this proverb. In addition, John Heywood recorded “Two heads are better then one” in his “Proverbs” of 1546. By the seventeenth century, it was this version that became more popular than the original.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred children who are taught…the principles of honesty and integrity, truth and virtue, will observe them through life. – Wilford Woodruff
Personal Quotes
“Self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment.” -Maxwell Maltz
“Not to decide is to decide.” -Harvey Cox
“Fear is faith that it won’t work out.” -Sister Mary Tricky
Don’t limit yourself to learning from experience:
“This is what they all come to who exclusively harp on experience. They do not stop to consider that experience is only one half of experience.” -Goethe
“Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.” -Minna Antrim
“A man who is so dull / that he can learn only by personal experience / is too dull to learn / anything important by experience.” –Don Marquis
Today’s Answers
1. He could write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other simultaneously.
2. Big-band leader/pianist Frankie Carle.
Have a great day.
Thanks for reading.
My best wishes
The Real Disney
Walt Disney
In 1933, Walt Disney began an ambitious project that would have a huge impact on Cinema. Walt’s project would take him 3 years to finance it, Walt would need to mortgage his home.
Walt did this and 3 years later, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released.
Snow White went on to win 7 Academy Awards and was acclaimed by critics.
Walt Disney’s story goes to show us that we can achieve anything, even if it has not been achieved before by anyone else.
Walt’s dream still lives on and Disney continues to inspire and entertain millions of children today.