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SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR?

deanstuyvesant , , , , , , , , ,

SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR?

As we approach the coming of 2015, a new year, should Christians and even Non-Christians be looking forward to celebrating? Many people and organizations are preparing for gala events. The sad part of this, is that on December 31st and January 1st will be the last day for some. Loved ones, friends, and acquaintances will be gone from this life and enter into their eternal destination.

Millions of people will celebrate New Year’s without knowing why or how it came into being. Many do not see anything wrong with celebrating. I ask you to look at how people celebrate New Year’s Eve. Can you imagine the number of people that get drunk, have sexual affairs, get into arguments and even kill someone because of their anger? Many innocent people will lose their life because of domestic abuse or accidents caused by a drunken driver. There are many other reasons too numerous to mention. I ask you, why do you believe and practice this kind of celebration? Do not get the idea I am a prude. I enjoy having good clean fun as much as anyone. One day God got my attention and showed me that His way is the way to go.

I don’t believe that true Christians get caught up in the “eat-drink-and-be-merry-for-tomorrow-we-may-die” attitude. I do know that there are professing Christians that see nothing wrong with that same attitude nor do they care.

I pray you do not get caught up in the secular excitement of a New Year celebration. What does God’s Word say regarding how we should look at something new? It is not about a new year, it is about a new you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Revelation 21:5 (NIV) He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

James 4:13-16 (KJV) 13 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Philippians 3:12-15 (NKJV) 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

What about you? What calling and goal are you going to follow? The Israelites thought they knew better than God and decided to do things their own way. God decided to wake them up and get them back on track. For some reason, people tend to let go of all inhibition and many times self-respect and simply go wild on New Year’s. Many throw away common sense in order to have a good time before the night is over. Let us remember what God’s Word says in 1 Corinthians 14:40: Let all things be done decently and in order.

Also, in Galatians 5: 19-21 (KJV) it outlines the works of the flesh. In verse 21 it mentions the word revellings. This very word is now connected to our New Year celebrations. The obvious meaning of the word is excessive and boisterous intemperance and lustful indulgence. I believe that this describes what happens on New Year’s Eve.

We need to remember that this is Satan’s World for now. The devil’s world will soon come to an end. Are you celebrating a pagan holiday?  God prefers that we make wise choices on our own so that He does not have to make them for us. I pray that God blesses you in the year 2015 and if you have not invited Jesus into your life that you do so. Celebrate with Jesus and a new you.

WILLIAMS MAIL

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I would like to share an email I received. I believe it would be an opportunity for the Christian Community to witness and show a young boy our love by sending him mail. May the Lord bless those who respond in His name. Thank you for your consideration.

Williams Mail

I have never done, or asked anything like this before, but I felt the need to. That need that comes from being a mom and wanting to do everything in your power to make your child happy. It seems like such a small thing but it is the few things that drive a mothers soul. The need to protect and the need to bring joy to your kids faces.

My son, William is 12 years old. He is an amazing kid. He rarely asks for much. He is full of love, joy and happiness. William is smart, funny and awesome. William also has Autism (severe) and is also non verbal. (he can not talk). During Christmas time (his absolute favorite time of the year) he always asks me for the things he wants, and they are always the same. He wants Mr.Sketch Markers, Copy Paper, Lays Regular Chips, and whatever Blu Ray is on his mind for his collection. (His “thing” is movies). He is the easiest and hardest to shop for. I am always looking for new things to add to the list but he usually is not interested and just wants what he wants.

This is where my request comes in. This year he asked for something new! I almost fell over when he added it to the box (his Christmas wish list box) and the new item is……….. MAIL! Mail. Mail. He LOVES getting mail. Half of our family lives in Northern Canada and the other half lives in Southern USA so he gets mail from family a couple times a year. I always knew he loved getting his mail but when he asked for it, I cried. I actually sat here and cried. Both happy and sad tears. Happy because he was expressing his wants and sad because of how I was going to figure out how to get him what he wants. He is such an amazing kid and he rarely wants for anything, I really want to make something special for him.

Let me tell you why I was sad. William has never had people come to his birthdays or has he been invited to any. No one asks William to come over for playdates or sleep overs. There are a small handful of kids in his class with needs of their own so I understand why. It is not anyone’s fault, it just is what it is. My family lives 1000 miles in one direction and my kids other family (fathers side) lives 1000 miles in the other so there is no family here for us. My teenage daughter is always out, socializing, hanging with friends and sometimes it just breaks my heart. I wish William had that too, but life has other plans for this amazing kid.

Many people assume since he can not talk that he does not understand. Well, let me tell you, this kid understands. He understands a lot. He understands too much. He just can not communicate the way we do, but he is sharp as a tack. He feels love and affection and I think he finds mail from others as affection. He carries around the last box that was sent to him. He covets the post cards. He wants me to read mail to him (even though he is an excellent reader) he wants to send mail. He LOVES mail and asks me for it now (the past couple weeks) multiple times a day. He writes MAIL on his drawings, he brings me the key to check the mail. I think he truly appreciate mail.

Now to my request. I have been racking my brains for a couple weeks. I want to make this year special for this most special boy. He has nothing but love in him and I want him to feel the love from others. If you want to help a kind soul this year, I am asking for strangers to send him mail. I want him to know the world loves and values him in a way that he understands and feels. I have been buying stamps and have been “creating” mail for Christmas. I have enlisted my small family (there is only a handful) to send mail to him for Christmas. I was hoping someone out there would want to sit down and send mail to William. He deserves to feel the love from the world like the rest of us do because he makes this world a better place. He deserves all the mail in the world according to me , but I am his mommy so I am bias.

I know, it may seem strange to ask strangers for mail but this is the only way I can think of to fulfill my sons Christmas wish. I am starting a page, and if people write letters to him on it, I will print the letters off and turn them into mail. If you feel inclined to send this amazing kid a piece of mail, I will save it until Christmas morning and when he wakes up, he will wake up to his beloved mail.

He loves his mail so much that his weekly treat is to visit the Post Office so he can get a Mail Box (a priority mail box) and when we get home he wants me to put Mail in it (usually just one of his BluRays) and he gets so happy to open it. He also carries around this Christmas USPS flier thingy they sent out a while ago with their Christmas stamps.

Please take the time to consider my request. It would mean the world to a very special young boy whose only real wish this year is to open MAIL It would mean the world to this Momma , William and his big sister Victoria too, we just want to make it a very special Christmas for a very special boy

https://www.facebook.com/pag…/Williams-Mail/1575623412666921

If you would like to learn more about what to write or what William likes to talk about please read this link. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1576474325915163&id=1575623412666921

Twitter @mail4william

‪#‎mail4william

Williams Mail

PMB# 175

816 Peace Portal Dr.

Blaine, Washington 98230

USA

Please share

MARIJUANA

deanstuyvesant , , , , ,

Marijuana

Should marijuana become legal? As a former police officer and narcotic agent and a born again Christian, I am taking an opposing position. First, as a police officer, I personally saw what devastation marijuana caused in the lives of so many. I witnessed an autopsy performed on a male subject who was a chronic marijuana smoker. He choked to death from marijuana residue built up in his esophagus. Marijuana joints are not filtered, so you get the full impact from inhaling. People will defend marijuana in so many ways and I saw what affect it has on people.  It will eventually lead to other drugs, health and psychological problems. I could go on. Whether it is the law of the land or God’s law it is illegal in most cases. I know that some states are trying to legalize marijuana and some have. The federal laws still prohibit possession of marijuana.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

I am aware of the position some individuals have taken regarding using marijuana for medical purposes. No doubt, if you get stoned, you won’t feel much pain just as if you drink enough alcohol you won’t feel much pain either. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and I did not choose either one for my cure. I choose the healing hand of Jesus Christ and I have been cancer free for seven years. You can refer to my blog: ‘Faith vs. Cancer”.

Second, I know what the Bible says about the subject even though it does not mention marijuana per se. Of course, it doesn’t name cocaine, heroin, cigarettes, or any of those other drugs specifically by name either. To be fair, the Bible doesn’t mention many modern sins specifically by name, as these names were created long after the Bible was written.

The following verses come from the Bible and we should give them our utmost attention. As sure as the sun will rise in the morning you will have to give an account for disregarding them.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)

Think about it: If being drunk from wine is a sin (clearly indicated above), and grapes are natural fruits, then wouldn’t smoking pot also be a sin, since it alters your state of mind? The answer is yes

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Sorcerers in the past used herbal and odd concoctions to induce drug highs. In fact, the word used in the Bible for “sorcery” is pharmakeia, which is where we get our modern word “pharmacy.”

Here are some great reasons to never smoke pot in your life:

It is illegal. It is unhealthy. It’s addictive. It will ruin your life. It’s expensive. Drug tests. It leads to other drugs. It can kill you.

Smoking pot is clearly against the will of God, and it is a sinful behavior.

Marijuana is an illegal, unhealthy, and dangerous drug.

Some people try to throw out excuses to say smoking marijuana isn’t a sin, or that it is healthy and natural. That is a flat-out lie

Marijuana is ruining people’s lives. If a friend tries to get you to smoke pot, they are not your friend. They will get you arrested, you could lose your job, and may even cause your death.

You can’t cheat the laws of God.

Today is the day of salvation. You can receive forgiveness for your sins right now by repenting and turning to Jesus Christ. God will forgive you of all of your sins if you repent and place your faith in Christ as your Savior.