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6 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas For Her
How can you shop for a woman who already owns everything she wants? It's not as difficult as you may think because there's always a unique approach at buying for the woman who seemingly has a closet full of clothes or a box full of jewelry. Besides, ...

It's Time To Think About Christmas Gifts: Be A Good Scout
The holiday season comes and goes so quickly that it is easy to be caught off guard. Think like a Boy Scout & "Be Prepared" this year. All too often we find ourselves unprepared for Christmas Day when we have known all along that it is where it ...

What Does the Way You Shop for Christmas Presents Say About You?
What would you do in this situation? It’s approaching 1.50pm, you’ve been in a queue for the past twenty minutes, clutching that prized gift, which has been the devil’s own job to track down. If the two people still ahead of you each take no longer than ...


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If Christmas is Rotten...
 
where we were deeply disappointed. Or we went off to
do our own thing, and now feel broken and ugly. Like
we don't deserve any pleasant surprises or gifts,
and this colours our attitude to the festivities. You
might not be looking forward to the fuss next week.

Echoing in my mind are thoughts that were expressed
at the funeral I attended today, and I believe they
apply right to this problem.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 4, the Bible talks of having
this precious treasure - this light and power that
shines within us - held in perishable containers. In
the older translations it compares us to broken clay
pots.

The first time this image really got to me, I pictured
it as a painting, which I still would like to paint
one day, of some much-used clay pots off in a dark
corner. They have cracks down the sides, and large
pieces chipped out, so one might think they're useless.
But wait, through those cracks and chipped out spots
are tumbling bright sparking diamonds and jewels! How
the light catches them against the dark, and forsaken
looking pots in the corner.

We - you and I are those clay pots. The hard times we
have been through have worn us down, and given us
permanent scars.

How do I get that treasure, you may ask. What is


it?

This treasure is Jesus Christ Himself. When we choose
to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, come to earth
on that very first Christmas, He abides in us and will
walk and talk with us, if we surrender our wills
completely to Him. Devote yourself to Him 100% and
be unashamed about letting Him shine through you. When
the hard things come upon you, defer to Christ's way
of handling the matter.

Like if, Christmas should be a rotten time for you
this next week. Stop yourself short and consider what
would be Jesus' totally opposite way of coping. Then
do that!

People will notice, though they may not grasp what's
going on. you probably won't either, until you've done
it some time and then look back....

Why look at that! There's bright and lovely treasure
showing through those cracks and flaws in you!


About the Author
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ruth Marlene Friesen, makes friends everywhere,
just like her alter ego, the heroine of her novel,
Ruthe's Secret Roses. Discover the secrets of
intentional friendship that transforms lives
at http://Ruthes-SecretRoses.com. Subscribe to
RoseBouquet to drink refreshing rose dew!
mailto:RoseBouquet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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[Article may be reprinted only with resource box].


News



USA TODAY

49ers QB Smith has new 'Christmas present' receivers
USA TODAY
"It's like waking up on Christmas," Smith said. "You have a lot of new toys out there, new presents." A year ago, the unproven San Francisco 49ers quarterback was organizing informal offseason workouts at San Jose State during the NFL lockout — dubbed ...
Tim Kawakami: Christmas comes early for 49ers' Alex SmithBradenton Herald
OTAs are like Christmas for QB SmithCBSSports.com
Alex Smith Lauds New 49ers Receivers, Shows LeadershipYahoo! Sports
KFFL
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SheKnows.com

TV Review: MAD MEN – Season 5 – “Christmas Waltz”
Assignment X
By SEAN ELLIOTT / Contributing Writer “Christmas Waltz” is such an odd episode of MAD MEN to me. It feels like little bits and pieces of various characters' stories without any kind of a central through line to tie them together as well as some ...
<i>Mad Men</i>: A Great Leaper Forward? Joan, Jag, Don's Return to Advertising ...Huffington Post (blog)
Mad Men: Christmas WaltzThe Perpetual Post
Mad Men Monday: Merry Christmas, Don and JoanThe Seattle Times (blog)
Hollywood Reporter -SheKnows.com -Poptimal.com
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Hung jury in Christmas Island boat trial
ABC Online
Three Indonesian men are expected to face a retrial after a Perth jury failed to reach a verdict on people smuggling charges arising from an asylum seeker boat that crashed at Christmas Island. Abdul Rasjid, Hardi Hans and Supriyadi had been on trial ...
boat crew for retrial after hung juryThe Australian
'Stalemate' in people smuggling trialThe West Australian

all 9 news articles »

WPRO

RI police: Man arrested after 1980 escape from SC
Boston.com
PROVIDENCE, RI—Rhode Island police have arrested a man they say escaped from a South Carolina prison facility on Christmas Day more than three decades ago. State police said Thursday that authorities are taking 65-year-old Armin Christian back to ...
Fugitive apprehended after escaping prison 31 years agoWPRO

all 28 news articles »

Christmas Walk To Get More City Funds as Council Reshuffles Budget Allocations
Corona del Mar Today
The Newport Beach City Council reworked the budget for special event financial support at its Tuesday meeting, deciding the Newport Beach Film Festival and Christmas Boat Parade were iconic events that deserved the most support and generally deciding ...

and more »