... strung up, and shot.

Quoting:

This was forwarded to me in my e-mail, and I rather liked it...

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally finished the shopping, and wearily trudged to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the hurried holiday season time of the year: Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all their bags holding their purchases. When the elevator doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and said, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot."

From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One Who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

~Thoughts at Christmas

Ira Forest Stanphill (1914 - 1993)

Few songwriters contributed more inspirational work to Southern gospel than Ira Stanphill.

Born February 14, 1914 in Bellview, New Mexico, Stanphill distinguished himself as a young man after becoming a singing evangelist in the Assemblies of god denominational. He ultimately preached and sang the Gospel in all sections of the United States and in forty other nations.

Along the way, his tremendous songwriting ability earned him a place among the truly unique stylists of southern Gospel Music. Among his more 400 gospel compositions are "Mansion Over the Hilltop", "Room at the Cross", "Suppertime", "Follow Me", and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." © 2005 Southern Gospel Music Association

IFS ~ www.cyberhymnal.org/bio

Independent Bands

MySpace.com

SACRED MUSIC PRESERVED
~Streaming audio from gospel music's "Golden Age".

Ira Stanphill ~ google search

Raven May 7, 2006 R.I.P.

Raven smudged through pain and woe, then went home

By Warren Harbeck
The 19-year-old woman from British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast was bullied and mocked for much of her teen years because of her epileptic seizures. She finally found peace and respect during her last two years while living among the Stoney Nakoda community at Morley. In those two years, though not a preacher or missionary or evangelist — or anything more complicated than just being a teenager on a journey of self-discovery — she communicated far more effectively the meaning of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” than I ever have in all my 41 years with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation as a linguist and Bible translation consultant.

On May 12 we laid her to rest alongside elders whose lives defined the beauty of the Stoney way. Let me tell you about this amazing young lady.

(...)
CochraneEagle.com

DanaSoft.com

MacArthur, General Douglas

From MacArthur by Clay Blair, Jr.

...The general spent a great deal of time at the penthouse with Jean and little Arthur, nicknamed Sergeant ... He was an inordinately proud and doting father. He expressed his feelings eloquently in a prayer:

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee - and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart wll be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.

Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."

Snow White

ATTENTION:
Whoever borrowed our laundry tub, please return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you stole it, please come and pick up the cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you,

Snow White Laundromat

Give me all your money

A young fella feeling the pressures of providing for his family, thought it might be worth the risk to rob a bank.

Cursory research led the young man to believe that all he needed was a gun and a bag for the money.

He procured the gun and bag, and headed for the nearest bank intending to say to the bank teller, "Don't mess with me. This is a stick-up. Give me all your money".

Upon arriving at the bank, the jitters over-took him; He pointed the bag, handed the gun to the teller and said, "Don't stick with me. This is a mess-up".

~Paraphrase from one of Adrian Roger's messages.

A Post by Piper

Dealing with being home from Kandahar
« on: October 16, 2006, 02:04:16 »

It has been 2 month and 2 days since I deployed to Afghanistan, with 8 Platoon, Charles Company, 1 RCR. I was honored, as a reservist augmentee, to be attached to such a great group of probably the best soldiers our country has to offer.

In the three short weeks I was in Afghanistan, I learned more about commitment to my military family than most soldiers learn in a life time. It seemed both unfortunate and amazing that it took battle and blood shed to forge such a strong bond.

It has been 1 month and 12 days since I was wounded and pulled from the battlefield. When I was in the hospital in KAF, I had hoped that I would stay in Afghanistan to recover. Why would I want to stay in such a horrible place that almost claimed my life? I didn’t want to leave my family.

Germany and Toronto (hospitals) were a blur of Morphine, Demerol, Fentanyl, IV lines, wound packing’s, shrapnel removal surgeries, catheters, bad food, and good care. I think back on it and it seems dizzying. But when I close my eyes, only 2 images flash and they take me back to where I’m supposed to be.

I see Panjwayi; the fields of pot. Rockets and bullets. The smell of burning and the heat. Then all I see are the bodies of soldiers I helped carry to the CCP. 2 covered by body bags (WO. Richard Nolan, Sgt. Shane Stachnik) and 2 on stretchers; my platoon warrant (WO Frank Mellish), and a soldiers I new only casually from living in the shacks in Petawawa (Pte.Will Cushley)

While at the CCP I find out that a very close friend (from my reserve home unit) had been wounded by shrapnel from Taliban RPGs. His sections LAV had been left on the battlefield. For a long while, I didn’t know how badly he was wounded. (He’s still over there, thus no names) I’ll never forget the feeling; the sense and fear of loss.
I will never forget those who were lost that day.

I try to think of the good times I was privileged enough to have with my Platoon. WO. Mellish made me the unofficial piper of 8 Platoon, (shortly there after; Coy piper) and I played reveille as per his request (and everyone else’s distain) anytime I was able.
In dreams I still hear him shouting “Piper!!! Black Bear!!”… The last tune I played on my pipes… at panjwayi. (I still don’t have them back)

When I close my eyes, I also see the morning after Panjwayi. Sparks, smoke, fire… then the burp of the main gun of the A-10. I remember the feeling of panic as I crawled for my Weapon and PPE, thinking we were under attack. I can still feel the burning on my legs and back, the shock of thinking my legs were gone.

I can see the faces of the injured… the twice wounded soldiers of Charles. I see the face of the soldier who saved my life by applying tourniquets to my legs and stopping the bleeding from my back and arm… (He will remain nameless for now)

From then, everything’s a blur until I’m back in KAF. I remember asking if everyone was ‘ok’... Reaching from my gurney to other wounded soldiers walking by, trying to peace together what had happened… more confusion. I asked again and again…
Pte. Mark Graham. An inspirational man whom I only really started to get to know shortly before deploying, a brother in our family of warriors, was dead. My heart sank even more.

Our CSM (who was also wounded) came over to me and asked if I was going to be able to play the pipes for the ramp ceremony the following day. I held up my right hand, which was numb, and looked at my fingers. The tips of 2 of them looked like they had been chewed up in a blender. I felt tears run down my face. Not because I thought I’d never play again, but because I couldn’t play for my departed brothers the next day… I would have given both of my hands and more for their lives.

I had hoped to attend the ramp ceremony the next day, even if I couldn’t play, but I couldn’t move my legs and they couldn’t put me in a wheel chair because of the shrapnel in my back. I was sedated that day, and came to on the plane to Germany.

I couldn’t attend any of the funerals of my fallen family, and I feel no closure.

It has been a month and 12 days since I lost my brothers in Panjwayi and it might as well have been yesterday.

When I close my eyes at night I not only see the ones who have paid the ultimate price, but also the ones who are still there… and I feel as though I am betraying them.

My life seems to be dragging me on. My fiancé and I are planning our wedding and future. My family and I get together often. I’ve been able to socialize with my friends… and yet each thing I do here makes me feel guilty, because I shouldn’t be here to enjoy this.

I wake up every day and plan and plot. I think of only one thing; how can I get back to my family… How can I get back to Afghanistan? My wounds are almost healed. Only 3 holes left and they’re almost closed. I can walk pretty well now, but I need to run.

My family and friends don’t understand. They don’t want me to go back. My fiancé has threatened to end our relationship if I chose to return… and yet this doesn’t dissuade me. I have to get back to my boys. I have to get back and do my part no matter the cost to me. I love my family here in Canada, but no one’s shooting at them.

Every time I see more soldiers killed over there a piece of me dies, and I feel the urge to return grow stronger. And each day I enjoy in my freedom here, I feel as though I have betrayed their memory. I need to finish my job over there. I need to go back.

I can only think of the families of those who have died, and I can only say this, and hope it provides some solace:
A warrior’s sword is made from the finest steel, forged by hammer and anvil to create and edge, baptized in hot coals and flame for strength, then quenched in cold water to harden it.

Our brotherhood of Warriors, the finest of men, has been forged by Battle; Baptized by fire and Quenched by tears…

We became and will always be a fraternity of blood with a bond stronger than death.

Pro Patria

I hate to rant, but I need to vent. It’s been a hard road, and I know there are a few others here who have seen it and may or may not feel the same (HoM).

To the mods… feel free to delete this post if you find it pointless.


- Piper

Brotherhood of Warriors
Forged in battle
Baptized by fire
Quenched in tears

C Coy, 1 RCR
Panjwayi

Link >>>

(((((((((())))))))))

Nineteen Things ...

NINETEEN THINGS THAT IT TOOK ME 50 YEARS TO LEARN

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the
human race has not achieved, and never will achieve,
its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

4. People who want to share their religious views with you
almost never want you to share yours with them.

5. And when God, who created the entire universe with all of its
glories, decides to deliver a message to humanity,
He WILL NOT use, as His messenger, a person on
cable TV with a bad hairstyle.

6. You should not confuse your career with your life.

7. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way
to take it too seriously.

8. When trouble arises and things look bad,
there is always one individual who perceives
a solution and is willing to take command.
Very often, that individual is crazy.

9. Nobody cares if you can't dance well.
Just get up and dance.

10. Never lick a steak knife.

11. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.

12. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

13. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear
and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

14. You should never say anything to a woman
that even remotely suggests that you think she's
pregnant unless you can see an actual baby
emerging from her at that moment.

15. There comes a time when you should stop
expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday.
That time is age eleven.

16. The one thing that unites all human beings,
regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status
or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside,
we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

17. The main accomplishment of almost all organized
protests is to annoy people who are not in them.

18. A person who is nice to you,
but rude to the waiter,
is not a nice person.
(This is very important.
Pay attention.
It never fails.)

19. Your friends love you anyway.

Thanks to: StrangeCosmos.com
______________________________

RRSP, cashing out ...

by ELLEN ROSEMAN

If you believe the ads, every Canadian who is eligible to contribute to an RRSP should do so ASAP.

It's your patriotic duty to put the maximum allowed into your registered retirement savings plan each year.

Don't fall for the propaganda.

Not everyone should contribute every year. Paying off high-interest debt might be a higher priority.

Moreover, many lower-income Canadians who do make RRSP contributions should consider cashing out before they turn 65.

By leaving their money in the plan, they could be subject to government clawbacks of social benefits such as the guaranteed income supplement or GIS, prescription drug subsidies, meals on wheels and home care.

More here as long as it lasts.

Adrianisms

-- On the character of God, “God only wants for us what we would want for ourselves if we were smart enough to want it.

-- On the lordship of Christ, “If I put things between me and Christ, it is idolatry. If I put Christ between me and things, it is victory!”

-- On the Word of God, “If you have a Bible that’s falling apart, you’ll have a life that’s not.”

-- On prayer, “Pray and doubt; you’ll do without. Pray and believe; you will receive.”

-- On attending a large church, “Just sit somewhere in the first 10 rows and don’t look back.”

-- On acting religious, “It’s like a pig. You can scrub him clean, brush his teeth, and dress him in a pink ribbon; but he will go right back into the mire. A scrubbing on the outside doesn’t change his inner nature.”

-- On grumpy folks, “Some people brighten up a room just by leaving it.”

-- On relationships, “If you marry a child of the devil, you’ll get the devil for a daddy-in-law.”

And one I heard yesterday -- On preachers whose sermons make no sense, "Just because the river is muddy, doesn't mean it's deep."

Adrianisms.org

_______________________

Mennonite Heritage Cruise

The Mennonite Heritage Cruise is created by Marina and Walter Unger of Toronto, who accompany each cruise. Marina is an experienced travel agent, specializing in Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Walter joined her in the travel industry in 1994, after a diverse career of 37 years with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. They have organized group tours to Israel, Turkey, Scotland & specialized music tours to Germany and Austria. Their primary focus is the Mennonite Heritage Cruise. In 2001 they added a Poland-Holland study tour.

A Definition of "Russian Mennonites"

On Easter Sunday, 1788, fifty persons with wagons and possessions departed from the village of Bohnsack (near Danzig) in what is now northern Poland. They were the vanguard of the Mennonite migration to New Russia. After five weeks of trudging along muddy roads they reached Riga. From Riga they followed the Duna River to Dubrovna where they wintered. Others soon followed, and by the spring of 1789 there were 220 families ready to follow the Dnieper River southward to their new homeland in what today is the country of Ukraine. Paul Toews , Fresno Pacific University

The term "Russian Mennonites" is used to differentiate between the people and their descendants mentioned above and the "Swiss Mennonites", including the Amish, who had a much different history of immigration. The "Russian Mennonites" settled on lands granted by the Imperial Russian Tsars, notably Catherine II. Later they acquired more lands in various parts of the Russian Empire, including Siberia. The mother colonies and some daughter colonies were located in present day Ukraine. The Mennonite Heritage Cruise takes place only in Ukraine.

Main Cruise Page

_________________________

I got the hungrys ...

I got the hungrys for your love and I'm waitin' in your welfare line.

I am forwarding my marriage certificate and 6 children. I had 7 but one
died, which was baptized on a half sheet of paper.

I am writing to the welfare department to say that my baby was born 2
years old. When do I get my money?

Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for a year and has been visited
regularly by the clergy.

I cannot get sick pay. I have 6 children. Can you tell me why?

I am glad to report that my husband who was reported missing is dead.

This is my eight child, what are you going to do about it?

Please find for certain if my husband is dead; the man I am now living
with can't eat or do anything until he knows.

I am very much annoyed to find that you have branded my boy illiterate
as this is a dirty lie. I was married to his father a week before he
was born.

In answer to your letter, I have given birth to a boy weighing 10
pounds. I hope this is satisfactory.

I am forwarding my marriage certificate and my 3 children, one of which
was a mistake, as you will see.

My husband got his project cut off 1 week ago and I haven't had any
relief since.

Unless I get my husband's money soon, I will be forced to lead an
immortal life.

You have changed my little boy to a girl. Will this make any
difference?

I have no children yet, as my husband is a bus driver and works day and
night.

In accordance with your instructions, I have given birth to twins in
the enclosed envelope.

I want my money as soon as I can get it. I have been in bed with the
doctor for 2 months and he doesn't doe me any good. If things don't
improve, I will have to send for another doctor.

Thanks to StrangeCosmos.com

Redneck Church

You Know You're Church Is A Redneck Church...

IF the finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a
chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

IF people ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two
fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.

WHEN the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the
offering,"
five guys and two women stand up.

IF opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church
holiday.

IF a member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive
truck because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of."

IF the choir is known as the "OK Chorale".

WHEN in a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names
in the church directory.

IF Baptism is referred to as "branding".

IF high notes on the organ set the dogs on the floor to howling.

IF people think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too
heavy.

IF the baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized washtub.

IF the choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from)
Billy Bob's Barbecue.

IF the collection plates are really hub caps from a '56 Chevy.

IF instead of a bell, you are called to service by a duck call.

IF the minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.

IF the communion wine is Boone's Farm "Strawberry Hill".

IF "Thou shalt not covet" applies to hunting dogs, too.

IF the final words of the benediction are, "Y'all come back now!! Ya
Hear"

Submitted by Pasadena Phil