something not to laugh at

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it be ing shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.
And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

hi to all

Just a note to everyone, Roger and I decided to go to Moorhead this weekend. Wanted to let everyone know in case they tried to call. I thought it easiest to just put it on the blog. Love to all Ann

Timing

-----I am sending this to you to see how many actually read their e-mail. Your response will be interesting. Pay attention to what you read. After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you. Here goes:p People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season. LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime. Send this to every friend that you have on-line, including the person who sent it to you.0 Replies - you may need to work on your 'people skills' 2 Replies - you are nice but probably need to be more outgoing 4 Replies - you have picked your friends well6 Replies - you are downright popular8 Replies or More - you are totally awesome (and that's probably why you're on MY list) I wonder what mine will be. GUARDIAN ANGEL Forward this message the same day you received it It may sound ridiculous, but it is right on time We believe that something is about to happen. Angels exist, only sometimes they haven't got wings and we call them friends; you are one of them. Something wonderful is about to happen to you and your friends. Tomorrow at 11:04 PM somebody will address you and tell you something you have been waiting to hear. Please do not break it. Send it to at least 7 of your friends

Teresa says

will my frist boyfriend has broken up with me i do not know why. so know i am talking to a black man thats wants me to be his wife. he own HARRIS FINE ARTS & CRAFTS LIMITED. so i thought to let everone know that. becouse he wanted me to tell you all that. if you want to know more about him you can email at eragon4728@yahoo.com.hope to hear from you all.teresa m. thillen
October 04, 2007

Angels watching over us

Just to let everyone know all the prayers sent up for Savannah must be working for us all!
Ryan was in an accident last night(Sunday 9/23), he had Liz's Victoria with him. By the grace of God they are both fine. They were taken to St. Marys and checked out, and Victoria isn't happy about her collar that she will wear for another day. I did not see the van that hit them, but was told when Roger got there, they were tipping it back up, it was on the roof. We don't know anything about how many or who was in the van. Ryans car was totaled, and I would think the van is too. Ryan's glasses were found in the southwest ditch, while the windshield was in the northwest ditch. Victoria's backpack was in the culvert. Ryan was glad to find his fishing pole on the highway in one piece! It was a true miracle that they are only sore today. Lets not forget to keep praying!!

Aloha 'ohana

Aloha 'ohana (family)
by the greeting most of you realize that Ken and I went to the state of Hawaii this past week, to the island of Oahu. We flew out Sat, Sept 15, and returned Sat, Sept 22. It was a fun week, and went by quickly. We didn't have a chance to see all the tourist attractions, but we did see some of them. We went for a convention thru the clinic, so did have to spend a little time at the Convention Center. We stayed at a hotel that was right on the beach, so really enjoyed spending time on the beach and walking the beach front. And there are tons of Waikiki shopping centers, and small shops along the streets of Waikiki Beach. We went to the Foster Botanical Garden on Mon, and to Chinatown to buy apple bananas (since we heard about them on the tours at the gardens) to Diamond Head on Tues morning, spent Wed on a bus tour of the island, and Thurs went to Hanauma Bay (which is great for snorkeling, but the weather wasn't the greatest for snorkeling, so we didn't do that), but the beach was really great there, and it was interesting to learn about the marine life. Writing it down doesn't seem like much, but we were busy all the days, did lots of walking, and of course we did spend some time by the ocean, and in it. When we did the bus tours of the island, the water color was fabulous along the North Shore, and the views were awesome! We put just a couple pictures up, and maybe we will add more in the next few days. The time in Hawaii is 5 hours behind Minnesota time, so Ken and I were always tired and feeling ready for bed by 7/8 every evening, and up early. But even when we got up early and headed out, the beaches and shops were already busy. It was amazing to see how many surfers were out at 6:30 AM. And now tomorrow we are both back to work, vacation was nice, just too short.

a hui hou (meaning until meeting again or see you later)

Ann's working vacation

I had a working vacation to Laughlin, Nevada! Elaine and I left Thursday, September 13 and came home today - Sunday, the 16th. We had a great time, except I'm to stingy to gamble much. I took $60 for gambling, lost 20 within the first 15 minutes of being there, so had to play it safe with the rest - lost 20 more the next day! Spent the next 10 on a pair of clearance pants (at least had something!) So, my last $10 went into a machine, when I had it up to $27, I cashed it out, then thought maybe I shouldn't have, so put in another 4 - gone!
So much for me being a big spender!! Anyway, it was work but had a nice time - all expenses paid and away from the office and home! Hot compared to home - 112 when we stepped off the plane in Laughlin, 68 when we stepped off in Rochester.