Merry Christmas All

mine | 12-24-2007 | SouthTexas/Ronald Reagan

[SouthTexas]

I would like to wish all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Below is my favorite comment for this time of year, by one of the greatest men, if not THE greatest to live in our time, Ronald Reagan.

"Meaning no disrespect to the religious convictions of others, I still can't help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history.
(cont.)

[SouthTexas]

"Meaning no disrespect to the religious convictions of others, I still can't help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history.

No one denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by crucifixion. Where...is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider this and let your imagination translate the story into our own time -- possibly to your own hometown.

A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father's shop. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father's shop.

He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside, walking from place to place, preaching all the while, even though he is not an ordained minister.

He never gets farther than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most. He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing -- the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place for him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story?

No, this uneducated, propertyless young man who...left no written word has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, generals and admirals; all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived -- all of them put together.

How do we explain that? ...Unless he really was what he said he was."

--Ronald Reagan

[SouthTexas]

Merry Christmas ya’ll.

[ex-snook]

God's Word Made Flesh - O Holy Night O Night Devine

[SouthTexas]

Thank you.

[tubebender]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and you family there in the great state of Texas.

My sore throat is a little better this morning but I didn't get much sleep last night.

[Vision]

That’s a great one. Merry Christmas.

[SouthTexas]

If you’re still sick come gathering time, just remind your family that it’s better to give than receive. :)

[SouthTexas]

My favorite. Not really a Christmas comment, but then again, it’s the reason for the season.

[Vision]

I see it as one.

[SouthTexas]

Amen to that! ;)

[LUV W]

[SandRat]

Merry Christmas

[5Madman2]

Merry Christmas to you and your family

[patton]

Merry Christmas! What a glorious day! LOL!

[SouthTexas]

Merry Christmas to all of you!

[patton]

Ibidinum.

(ditto)

[SandRat]

To you and yours a Very Merry Christmas.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Merry Christmas to all my friends in Texas, and you foreigners too.... ;^)

[Eaker]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[patton]

Same to you - Merry Christmas!

[AGreatPer]

Merry Christmas to all.

[steveegg]

A blessed Chrismas to everybody.

[SouthTexas]

Stay warm and stay safe!

[glock rocks]

Backatcha ST... Merry Christmas!

[glock rocks]

"Christ's followers have continued to outrage people through two millennia; they are still outraging people today -- and paying the same terrible price. In China, authorities have tortured Christians to death by pouring molten metal over their heads. In North Korea, Christians are sent to re-education camps, tortured, and killed. In Saudi Arabia, the death penalty threatens anyone converting from Islam to Christianity.

Tyrants subject Christians to this ferocious treatment out of fear: The Christian's obedience to a higher authority threatens their own power. China's leaders, for example, are acutely aware of the role Christianity played in the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe -- and are determined not to let the same thing happen to them.

Since the first century, the story of the carpenter and the Cross has been attacked, ridiculed, driven underground. In the former Soviet Union, Communist leaders spent 70 years trying to wipe out belief. In the West, the story earned the contempt of Enlightenment thinkers and the followers of Darwin and Freud.  Theologians have tried to de-mythologize the Bible, academics have torn it to shreds, and teachers have told generations of children that it's just a collection of myths.

The result? Two billion people worldwide put their faith in Him. The reason is simple: The story is true. God acted in time and space, providing hope for every human being."

— Chuck Colson

[SouthTexas]

Another good one to add to my collection, thanks!

[tubebender]

What do you do to stay upbeat with the weather you have in Wisconsin?

[glock rocks]

help !

[steveegg]

What do you do to stay upbeat with the weather you have in Wisconsin?

They don't call this the land of cheese and beer for nothing ;-)

[steveegg]

Guess you’re getting a white Christmas.

[glock rocks]

LOL. Yah, it’s about 40 degrees and pretty nice right now. I did drive down and fill the 5 gal gas can this morning for the snowblowers. I love winter! A big ole snowstorm will keep me upbeat. Well maybe that, and a couple chunks of fruitwood in the far box.

We’re all stocked up and ready for a great Christmas. The farthest I have to drive in the next 48 hours is about two blocks over to mom’s later tonight, and we can put on the snowmobile suits if it comes right down to it :o)

[MotleyGirl70]

[Larry Lucido]

A very blessed Christmas to all!

[Larry Lucido]

A very blessed Christmas to all!

[Larry Lucido]

(Worth repeating, apparently)

[tubebender]

I have searched hi and lo for a eMail story about the newly wed couple who moved to to the woods of Wisconsin and looked forward to their first winter wonderland. It was in a daily diary form of the events....

[bray]

Merry Christmas to Everyone and Especially Our Troops

[Cagey]

.................to all and welcome Shadowdancer to the Sein ping list!

[SouthTexas]

And a very merry Christmas to you too!

[SouthTexas]

You can say that again! :)

Merry Christmas LL.

[SouthTexas]

Merry Christmas to Everyone and Especially Our Troops

And a big AMEN to that!

[mware]

Hard to believe his son is an atheist.

[SouthTexas]

62 degrees, 43% humidity, winds out of the ENE at 5 mph

[SouthTexas]

That is very difficult to follow, but there is still time, as there is for all of us. :)

[glock rocks]

Now that right there is BBQ weather! Get er done!

[WestCoastGal]

Merry Christmas Luv to you and the family.

[WestCoastGal]

Good post ST.

Merry Christmas.

[WestCoastGal]

Merry Christmas to you Per.

[SouthTexas]

We’re waiting for daughter to make enchiladas. :)

[SouthTexas]

Great cards, thanks!