CROSSWALK CHRISTMAS STORIES SLIDESHOW

Traditions reign during Christmas. Every family has a way of doing all things Christmas-sy. Whether you have a real or fake tree, colored or white lights, serve ham or turkey, are visited by Santa or an elf, you all have traditions.

These help make the holiday celebrations magical. They remind us of the extraordinary event that happened over two thousand years ago when God became flesh in a fragile newborn. They fill our hearts with the joy that comes from giving, and they prompt us to spend time with our loved ones.

As a writer, reader, mom, and former teacher and children’s ministry director, one of my most cherished traditions is to read Christmas stories to the young ones in my life. These have touched my family and the children I’ve served. They’re a mix of old, new, popular, little-known, folklore, and poem, and all would make great additions to your December.

Here are the 10 Christmas Stories You Should Read Again and Again:

(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO BEGIN THE SLIDESHOW)

CROSSWALK SLIDESHOW - 10 CHRISTMAS STORIES YOU SHOULD READ AGAIN AND AGAIN

Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/VasylDolmatov

The Greatest Gift you can give to anyone is the FREE GIFT OF SALVATION THROUGH GRACE ALONE, FAITH ALONE AND JESUS CHRIST ALONE!  Teach the Gospel of Salvation to everyone and if not today, maybe tomorrow they will hear you.  Remember, all you can do is sow the seeds as you do not have the power to save anyone.  God supplies the harvest!

First Corinthians 15:1-11

THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST AND EMPTY TOMB = SALVATION

DEATH/BURIAL/RESURRECTION

WE ALL HAVE GOD-GIVEN GIFTS OF TALENT - USE THEM TO HIS GLORY & I NEED FEEDBACK

I want to be a writer...a published writer but not for money, fame or glory but for Him.  So, you're my practice family.  I'm going to write and I want honest, constructive criticism as well as anything good.  This isn't one of those "do I look fat in these jeans" type of question.  The only way I'll improve is to know how well (or bad) I am and what I need to fix.  As long as your feedback is to help me, you cannot possibly hurt my feelings.  Will I be disappointed?  I don't know, but if so, it will be in myself.  However, I've always felt unworthy and without any talents.  I'm really hard on myself.  Ir seems my sister got the majority of the talent "genes" and while not "proud" in an unGodly way, I am very proud that my sister is one fantastic artist and whatever she does, it's almost perfect.  She makes stained glass that is as good, if not better, than anything Tiffany ever did.  She's an amazing woman.  However, I write better AND I have one very unique God-given talent (I boast only in the gifts God has given me, not myself) and that's I can take random ingredients and make a recipe.  

For example, because of my David's quad bypass, he has be careful what he eats and hamburger just isn't good for anybody but so many great recipes call for it.  Well, we're poor.  We eat too much junk but God has now provided us with a way to get healthier food.  He is amazing.  Well, I HATE turkey.  I don't like it ground, whole or sandwich meat.  I think it is nasty.  However, my David breathing is far more important than my taste buds.  Instead of making hamburgers, I started making turkey burgers.  David raved about how good they were.  Honestly, in my heart I know he was just trying not to hurt my feelings but no need.  It is no reflection on me if a particular food tastes like it came from a dumpster, lol.  I also think he was trying to sort of talk himself into liking it.  Finally, I'd had it.  The next time he asked for burgers, it was gonna be hamburger or nothing.  If I put another slimy, nasty turkey thing in my mouth, it was going to come back out.  Well, God gifted me with these 2 things...creativity and imagination.  He also gifted me with the ability and love of cooking and baking with a BONUS of making up recipes.  Some are good, some not as good but it's healthy, edible and cheap.  I want to share a very simple recipe I made and because turkey is healthier and much cheaper than hamburger, I got desperate to find a way to make it taste better.  There's 3 different recipes here so if you so choose to try it, taste is not absolute truth.  I can't promise you that YOU will like it but we do.  If David likes it, anybody will, lol.  He is THE pickiest eater in the world. I have to hide vegetables.  I'm also gifted with a sense of humor (glory be to God for this) and I think he's afraid if he eats a "vegetable," he is committing cannibalism and could be eating one of his relatives.  That is JUST a joke.  He's one smart man.  

So I am going to make a post shortly of some recipes I made.  I will be sharing more the closer to Christmas on what to do with leftovers when you're so sick of 'em you want to throw them out.  I hope you enjoy.  God bless you all.

"For it is not God's will that any man should perish but that all come to repentance"

God's Perfect Plan of Salvation

Yeshua ah Messiach died on the cross to save you from your sins. You can't earn, buy it and no one deserves it. "For we are saved by grace through faith and not of ourselves.  It is a GIFT of GOD.  Not of works lest any man should boast."

THE CROSS SAVED AND THE GRAVE, WHERE IS THEY STING?  DEATH, WHERE IS THE VICTORY?  YESHUA OVERCAME DEATH AND HELL WHEN HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE. IT IS THE POWER OF SALVATION!

Share the Good News of Jesus Christ and be bold!  Do not back down or compromise His Holy Word!

First Corinthians 15:1-11 (esp. 1-4)

Acts 8:37 (if not in your Bible, you have a false Bible)

John 3:16-17

John 1:1

John 1:14

Ephesians 2:8-9

MY GOD GIVEN TALENT - RECIPES I MADE (HE GIFTED ME WITH THE ABILITY TO COOK/BAKE)

Here's a few "turkey" recipes I created.  I hope you like them.  

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Onion Soup Turkey Burgers

2 lbs ground Turkey
1 package of dry Onion Soup mix per 1-2 lbs turkey
Use one or all - Chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (depending on taste preference

HOW TO COOK

Mix the ground turkey and package(s) of onion soup mix in a bowl.  Mix well.  I prefer to use 2 packets of the soup mix but to taste.  Fry until done over medium to med-high heat.  Turn heat to high and sprinkle with any one or any mixture of the spices.  Cook until brown (about a minute).  Put on buns and add your favorite hamburger toppings.

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TURKEY BURGERS WITH HAMBURGER FLAVOR

1-2 lbs ground turkey
1-2 packets of dry onion soup mix
Chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (any one, mixture or all to taste)
Beef fat melted

Mix the ground turkey and dry soup mix.  Use saved beef fat and melt in a frying pan.  Cook until done and then finish off with the spices in the recipe above,depending on your taste.  Paprika browns the burgers without adding any noticable flavor, add the others if you prefer spicier burgers.  Place on bun and top it as you would a burger!

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TURKEY AND BEEF BURGERS

Note:  If you really want a beef tasting burger, this is the best recipe)

1-2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 lb of 80% lean hamburger
Spices in above recipes

Mix together the beef and turkey.  In this recipe, you want to use beef with the highest fat content but you won't need but 1/2 lb at most per 2 lbs ground turkey.  You can also use beef broth or a boullion (sp) cube instead of hamburger but it's not quite as beefy and use the onion soup mix if you do this.  Drain the broth and then brown the burgers with the spices.  Place on bun and top it off!

NOW ENJOY AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKED THEM.  I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE FIRST ONE AS IT IS VERY GOOD, UNIQUE FLAVOR BUT I SOMETIMES CHEAT AND ADD SOME BEEF FAT WITH IT. EITHER WAY, IT MAKES GROUND TURKEY BURGERS ASTE BETTER!  GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

UNASHAMED OF JESUS CHRIST BLOG POST BIBLE VERSE

AMEN.  Peace and love in Christ Jesus, our Lord, God and Messiah (Yeshua ah Messiach).  Shalom!

UNASHAMED OF JESUS CHRIST BLOG - PEACE

JERUSALEM...I'M WITH THESE GUYS!

Foreign ministers from India, Russia and China notably refrained from recognizing ‘East Jerusalem’ as the capital of Palestine at their annual meeting in New Delhi this week – seven days after the US recognized the holy city as the capital of Israel.

The decision not to restate the position on Jerusalem long-held by all three countries was in marked contrast to their joint call at last year’s meeting in Moscow for a “sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.” At this year’s 15th annual meeting, their statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stressed support for “an independent, viable, territorially contiguous Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders,” without mentioning the issue of Jerusalem.

The absence of Jerusalem from Tuesday’s statement is particularly striking given the strident opposition to the US move in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Turkey and Iran, both of whom retain close diplomatic and security ties with all three countries, have led the denunciation of the US announcement on Jerusalem.

India in particular stands out for not having even taken a position on the US decision. Asked for clarification of India’s position on December 7, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry said simply, “India’s position on Palestine is independent and consistent. It is shaped by our views and interests, and not determined by any third country.” Bilateral relations between Israel and India were handed an unprecedented boost by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to the Jewish state in July of this year.

Russia’s individual position is also under scrutiny, following the announcement by its foreign ministry last April that Moscow was recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. At the time, the Russians stated their reaffirmation of their “commitment to the UN-approved principles for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement, which include the status of ‘East Jerusalem’ as the capital of the future Palestinian state. At the same time, we must state that in this context we view ‘West Jerusalem’ as the capital of Israel.” That statement went onto declare support “for the two-state solution as an optimal option that meets the national interests of the Palestinian and Israeli people, both of whom have friendly relations with Russia.”

Meanwhile, China’s official statement in response to Trump’s decision expressed strong concern at the security implications of the move but stopped short of full-throated condemnation. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry even implied that historic claims of exclusive Arab ownership of the city are not as clear-cut as Palestinian leaders might believe.

“The question over the status of Jerusalem is complicated and sensitive,” foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, following Trump’s recognition announcement. “All parties should be cautious in order to maintain peace. All parties should avoid shaking the long-term foundations of solving the Palestinian issues, and avoid creating new divisions in the region.”

THE GRINCH SONG BY "GOD UPDATES"

Please visit the link to visit "God Updates." Enjoy and Merry CHRISTmas!

THE GRINCH SONG AT "GOD UPDATES"

To me now it is the very reason we celebrate this Holiday...to worship God for the birth of Jesus Christ.  All the food, trimmings and food didn't matter at the end to Whoville.  All that mattered was His birth.  They're faithfulness to Almighty God melted Grinch's heart and he was saved and his heart transformed!

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

First Corinthians 15:1-11 (The Cross)

John 3:16-17

Ephesians 2:8-9