There are some good thoughts here, I think.
JulieMelton
visit me at
www.heart-and-music.com
Keep smiling!


----- Original Message -----
From: "bea furman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:44 PM
Subject: Fw: [thought-for-the-day] Season's Greetings?


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: "TFTD Subscribers" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 12:25 PM
> Subject: [thought-for-the-day] Season's Greetings?
>
>
> > Going into all the world includes your own community.  House to House /
> > Heart to Heart is helping more than 800 churches of Christ do just that.
> > For more information, contact Todd Clippard at 205-921-9417 or
> > [log in to unmask], or visit our website at www.housetohouse.com.
> >
> > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> >         Tuesday's THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (Dec. 13, 2005)
> > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> >
> >                               SEASON'S GREETINGS?
> >
> >     If you've watched television or listened to the radio lately, I'm
> > sure you've heard a lot of talk about the fact that some retailers seem
> > to be getting away from saying "Merry Christmas!" and instead are
> > substituting phrases like "Season's Greetings!" or "Happy Holidays!" in
> > their decorations and their advertisements.  President Bush is even
> > under criticism for the Christmas cards he sends out.
> >
> >     Many Christians are outraged at this shift and view this as one
> > more politically correct attempt to remove all references to Christ from
> > our culture.  In response, a group has been organized called the
> > "Committee to Save Merry Christmas".  Here are some of their thoughts:
> >
> >     "This deliberate and intentional substitution of 'Merry Christmas"
> > with un-celebratory phrases are thoughtless, condescending and hurtful.
> >
> >     "Should you -- the purchasing public -- who honors the American
> > tradition and culture of Christmas, continue to purchase Christmas gifts
> > from these stores when they deliberately and intentionally refuse to
> > acknowledge Christmas? Our committee believes you should not!  We,
> > instead, encourage you to shop where the values and meaning of Christmas
> > are cherished."
> >
> >     I have some concerns.  On the one hand, I am concerned about
> > attempts (sometimes blatant attempts) to remove all references to God or
> > Christianity from our society.  But, on the other hand, I have to
> > remember that God did not give Sears (or any other store) the
> > responsibility of telling people about Christ.  He did not give our
> > American government that responsibility.  He gave it to those of us who
> > are Christians.
> >
> >     I think it's ironic that a lot of Christians are upset that Target
> > doesn't greet them with "Merry Christmas!" when they walk through the
> > door, but they will make no attempt to talk about Christ in their own
> > lives.  We prefer to say "It's a beautiful day!" instead of "What a
> > beautiful day God has given us!"  We prefer to say, "I've been lucky or
> > fortunate" instead of saying "God has blessed me."  We would never dream
> > of saying "Christ is the only way of salvation." for fear of being
> > labeled a fanatic.  But then we'll get upset at a store which has a
> > banner proclaiming "Happy Holidays" and refuse to do business with them.
> >
> >     Folks, let put the responsibility where it belongs.  God has given
> > those of us who are Christians the task of sharing Christ with a world
> > that doesn't know him.  If we're going to get upset, let's start getting
> > upset about the fact that WE'VE not been doing that like we should!
> >
> > Have a great day (and a merry Christmas)!
> >
> > Alan Smith
> > White House Church of Christ
> > White House, Tennessee
> > www.TFTD-online.com
> >
> > ======================================================
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>