Here's a good video and fantastic song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U2G8wsbXBo

Christmas???

I usually look forward to Christmas. The carols playing in the stores, the decorations and lights making everything pretty, the shopping, the family gatherings and the treats and drinks to make the season Merry, but for some reason, I just can't seem to get into the spirit of it all. I thought putting up the tree would help, but nothing. It seems like a lot of folks feel this way. Is it because of the economy? It's hard to say... it just seems like the magic of Christmas has faded. Shopping has been a total bust, I have no idea what to buy for my own kids, never mind nieces, nephews, siblings, parents.... I'd like to know when Christmas became this retail holiday rather than the celebration of our Lord and Saviour's birth. There are so many people in the world who have no idea about the true meaning of Christmas, and it's sad. Rather than basking in the glow of some LEDs on a tree, we should be basking in the glow of the Light of the world, the one who came to set us free...

So the Gov'ts on a break....

What else is new? These people who are supposed to run our country seem to take more time off than on! While there is a little relief that the opposition parties are not being allowed to band together and take over, I'm still frustrated. I admit, when it comes to politics, I do not follow, however, I was extremely irritated to hear the news that the NDP and Liberal parties, along with the Bloc were banding together to overthrow a party that was voted into power. Like it or not, the conservatives won the election and they should be given the chance to govern. It almost comes across like the other parties are trying to get their own way, they didn't like the outcome so they'll force the outcome that they want. Seriously, who really wants Dion in power? Not me! The guy is so out to lunch and the two, sorry three parties that are joining together, really have not much in common. There was a time when I liked Jack Layton, I liked the idea of the money on the kitchen tables of our country and not on the boardroom tables, but how is this going to happen when Dion is such a supporter of the carbon tax? ARen't we taxed enough? And where does all the millions that they collect from us in income tax, gas tax and the hundred or so other taxes, go? Shouldn't we, the public be demanding that the books be opened for us to see? shouldn't we get to decide if government officials deserve a raise or not? Canadians are too content and complacent. In other countries when the gov't does something they don't like, they are protesting in the streets, demanding change. Over here, not much happens. Let's hope and pray that in the new year, the government that was voted into power with actually have the chance to do it's job!

The State of the World today....

Some time ago, I stopped reading the newspaper and watching the news. I guess you could say I was pretending to be an ostrich. Recently though, my DH (dear husband) subscribed to an area paper and because I can't resist reading anything that is printed, I've glanced through it. To save myself from sliding into a pit of depression, I've limited myself to the "fun" sections of the paper, with quick glances at the main news section. My DH was reading it and told me that Russia has basically told America to back off or else, which set my mind to spinning. Now I know that this world will not be destroyed by man, no matter how hard we try, but I wondered, what would the world be like if we found ourselves slapped with WWIII? With Rememberance Day so close upon us, it's hard not to think about it. Let's face it, my generation has lived a pretty cushy existence. (I was born in the 70s)Yes there have been some wars in my lifetime, (two Gulf wars, etc) but nothing that has really effected my little life. I don't know what I would do if any of the men in my life were drafted to fight or if they volunteered. I currently do have one cousin in Afganistan and I pray for him all the time. I know that if it is God's will for him to be returned safely, it will happen. But I can't imagine having to say goodbye to my husband and be praying for him to come home. So where am I going with this... well, I guess I should tell you that I am a born-again Christian and that I am a Bible believing one at that. One of the things that really intrigues me about the Bible is it's prophetic accuracy. I won't go into that right now but to be more precise, I am interested in what the Bible tells us about the future of our world. I love reading about all of the prophesies that have been fullfilled but I am more intrigued by what is yet to come. Typical human I am! We always want to know the future and people will pay big bucks to have someone tell them. (I used to be one of those people, except for the big bucks part) Anyway, I know that I should not be surprised by what is going on in the world, as the Bible has told us a little bit about what it is going to be like. Matthew 24: 3-14 says :
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,^[a]' and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Does any of this ring a bell?

Wars and rumours of wars - check

Nation will rise against nation, Kingdom against kingdom- check

Famines and earthquakes in various places - check

Ok, so you can say that the above four have been going on since the beginning of time and I wouldn't argue with you. The next one is a real humdinger though:

"You will be handed over to be persecuted, put to death and hated... because of me." Now, I am sure that this was happening also but right now, all over the world, there are Christians being persecuted and killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. It's even happening in North America, which historically is predominantly Christian. We aren't seeing people killed here for their faith but time and time again, we hear about the faith being attacked. No more swearing on the bible in court, no more praying in schools, Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, people getting upset over a nativity scene in a public park, etc.

The rest is happening too, it's just a little less noticeable... I'll finish up later.