 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
There is a wonder about Christmas as well as a
tyranny. There is a wondrous briskness in the air
and a rosy glow on the cheeks of early
shoppers. There seems a purposefulness in
those in the stores, though the planned buying
lists of "Thanksgiving Friday" shoppers
tyranny. There is a wondrous briskness in the air
and a rosy glow on the cheeks of early
shoppers. There seems a purposefulness in
those in the stores, though the planned buying
lists of "Thanksgiving Friday" shoppers
The Tyranny of
Giving
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Giving
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Articles
| Dominion Faith International Church 1513 Sports Dr. #350 – Sacramento, Ca 95834 Copyright© -2004 – 2011 DFIC, Inc. all rights reserved. dfic@sbcglobal.net – 916-928-7006 Mailing Address 2121 Natomas Crossings Suite 200 PMB 176 Sacramento, Ca 95834 Web Designed by PG/HS LLC. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  |
Shopping during the holiday season can present
unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures
can help keep your holiday season joyous.
The holiday season is a time when busy people can
become careless and vulnerable to theft and other
holiday crime.
unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures
can help keep your holiday season joyous.
The holiday season is a time when busy people can
become careless and vulnerable to theft and other
holiday crime.
disintegrate into a mad frenzy by December 24th. Just grab at
anything that Uncle Fritz can smile at when he unwraps it, even
though no one can think of anything he really wants or needs.
The season also imposes its tyranny on many of us. Instead of
being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give
because it is "expected". I heard of one couple who had 85 people
they felt obligated to remember with a gift. No wonder the joy of
giving falls away to a sort of panicked despair.
It is time to refresh our giving with a truth from Scripture deeply
imbedded into our consciousness from hundreds of repetitions at
church offerings: "Each man should give what he has decided in
his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7; NIV).
Can we give cheerfully this Christmas? Only in so doing can we
emulate the great Gift of Christmas. "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV).
Was our Father cheerful that night He sent His Son to lie in the
manger- hay of Bethlehem's rejection? I'm not sure. He doubtless
wept as He traced Jesus' path to the cross's torture and triumph.
Like Jesus, "Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the
cross..." (Hebrews 12:2), the Father tempered His pain with His
anticipation of the happiness and freedom which would surprise
the recipients of His Gift upon opening.
And so God gave, not reluctantly or because He was forced by
popular opinion, but because He loved. No store-bought gift would
do for those He held dear, it must be home-made. Nor was His
choice of Gift an optional trinket for the "man who has everything."
He gave the only possession that we don't have and really need.
He did not give a thing, an object. He gave Himself--a costly Gift in
the extreme, so expensive that many reject the Gift because of the
obligation they know they incur upon acceptance.
Herein lies a Christmas mystery. Only by opening the first Gift may
we truly comprehend what is the real significance of giving and
receiving gifts. May this season not capture us in its tyranny, but
release us in an eager cheerfulness to give.
anything that Uncle Fritz can smile at when he unwraps it, even
though no one can think of anything he really wants or needs.
The season also imposes its tyranny on many of us. Instead of
being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give
because it is "expected". I heard of one couple who had 85 people
they felt obligated to remember with a gift. No wonder the joy of
giving falls away to a sort of panicked despair.
It is time to refresh our giving with a truth from Scripture deeply
imbedded into our consciousness from hundreds of repetitions at
church offerings: "Each man should give what he has decided in
his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7; NIV).
Can we give cheerfully this Christmas? Only in so doing can we
emulate the great Gift of Christmas. "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, KJV).
Was our Father cheerful that night He sent His Son to lie in the
manger- hay of Bethlehem's rejection? I'm not sure. He doubtless
wept as He traced Jesus' path to the cross's torture and triumph.
Like Jesus, "Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the
cross..." (Hebrews 12:2), the Father tempered His pain with His
anticipation of the happiness and freedom which would surprise
the recipients of His Gift upon opening.
And so God gave, not reluctantly or because He was forced by
popular opinion, but because He loved. No store-bought gift would
do for those He held dear, it must be home-made. Nor was His
choice of Gift an optional trinket for the "man who has everything."
He gave the only possession that we don't have and really need.
He did not give a thing, an object. He gave Himself--a costly Gift in
the extreme, so expensive that many reject the Gift because of the
obligation they know they incur upon acceptance.
Herein lies a Christmas mystery. Only by opening the first Gift may
we truly comprehend what is the real significance of giving and
receiving gifts. May this season not capture us in its tyranny, but
release us in an eager cheerfulness to give.
Holiday Shopping
Safety Tips...
by Charles Montaldo
Safety Tips...
by Charles Montaldo
The following tips from the Los Angeles Police Department Crime
Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware
during the holiday season.
•Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at
night, go with a friend or family member.
•Dress casually and comfortably.
•Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
•Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
•Always carry your California Driver License or Identification Card along
with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
•Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay
alert to your surroundings.
•Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
•Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
•Keep cash in your front pocket.
•Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost,
stolen or misused.
•Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at
home.
•Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime
targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation
terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
•Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear
visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
•Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of
year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the
intention of taking your money or belongings.
Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware
during the holiday season.
•Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at
night, go with a friend or family member.
•Dress casually and comfortably.
•Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
•Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
•Always carry your California Driver License or Identification Card along
with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
•Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay
alert to your surroundings.
•Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
•Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
•Keep cash in your front pocket.
•Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost,
stolen or misused.
•Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at
home.
•Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime
targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation
terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
•Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear
visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
•Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of
year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the
intention of taking your money or belongings.