Looking for Christmas

By Nyx Martinez

In the Philippines, the Yuletide season means everything—family reunions, commemorating Christ’s birth, celebrating love.

Combine that with good food, endless parties, and halls “decked with boughs of holly” from September all the way to February, and you’ve got a pretty merry Christmas.

But several years ago, Christmas didn’t bring the same good feelings for me. Maybe that was because I was a 20-year-old single girl who was craving a different kind of love that Christmas. I wanted someone to share it with, someone to love. That didn’t happen. Instead, I faced a string of personal problems and a lot of turmoil. I was spending Christmas near the equator, and my heart felt wintry cold.

My parents were full-time Christian volunteers, so Christmas was also synonymous with volunteer activities. This year, my sisters, brothers, friends, and I had already visited two national prisons, a few orphanages, the city’s main hospital, and a neighborhood in the slums.

Our first stop on Christmas Eve was at a home for the aged. I didn’t feel like going, but having already committed, I threw on a T-shirt, running pants, and sneakers. I slung a baseball cap low over my eyes, hoping no one would read the depression there.

During the chapel service, I sat far in the back pew, half listening as the pastor explained that the volunteers from our organization were going to perform a few dance numbers later, during the small party.

A few of the elderly people sitting near me smiled my way. “Will you also dance, young man?” a wavering voice beside me asked. I turned to see an old woman. Was she asking me?

An old man beside her chuckled and slapped his knee. “That’s a girl!” he said, amused.

An hour later, I was dancing, having forced myself into “stage mode.” For the next half hour we entertained with traditional and original Christmas songs and dance routines. Then it was their turn. We played interactive party games with the old folks, and then had a ballroom dancing competition. It was great fun to see them take their places on the dance floor. Time had not robbed their spirits of youth, as they danced to the music of their day—swing, boogie, cha-cha, and more.

“Thank you for coming,” the same old lady said to me, “and Merry Christmas!” She patted my hand.

Looking into her eyes, her loneliness mirrored my own.

Then came Christmas Day. Kelly, one of my best, wackiest friends, phoned in tears. She had tried to reconcile with her boyfriend the night before, but was rejected—turned away on Christmas Eve. It was the saddest story I had heard in a long time. I tried to comfort her, but my own disappointed hopes were too strong, it seemed. What could I say? Together, we prayed over the phone, committing to God our hearts’ desires and expectations.

As I listened to Kelly thanking God despite her tears, I felt ashamed of my selfishness. Maybe true Christmas love was there all along, and I just hadn’t noticed. Had I missed it? I had been looking for happiness in a person—someone to fill my need for love. But instead, I had found so many also looking for something real—they were the lonely, the poor in spirit, the outcast, the forgotten, the dejected. It dawned on me: That’s what God’s love is really for, isn’t it? It loves the unlovely, enters a world of disappointment, and brings hope.

That December taught me that the spirit of Christmas is alive for everyone, and those who don’t see it are people like me who look in all the wrong places. Yet some folks look in the right places, with open hearts, and they do find that treasure.

Joseph and Mary were looking for a decent inn; they found an animal stable.

The Wise Men were looking for a king’s royal palace; they found a carpenter’s simple abode.

The angels were looking for people to spread the glad tidings of the newborn Savior; they found humble shepherds.

God was looking for someone to bring heaven’s love to, and He looked in the right place. He found you.

I hope that this time, we will also look in the right place and find those to bring His love to. I hope that each year we will all find Christmas.

© 2009 Aurora Production AG
www.auroraproduction.com
All Rights Reserved  (Used without permission)

Happypizza: I’m closing this post to comments. This is “for informational purposes” only and not a forum for debate between people who believe and don’t believe in God. I’m also not qualified to moderate and debate a topic like that. The reality is: my belief is based purely on faith in God’s word. For those who also believe in a Designer and Creator– you will find these articles interesting and thought provoking.So please enjoy and find other forums to debate. Best wishes!

The Problem of Information for the Theory of Evolution

Has Dawkins really solved it?–Dr. Royal Truman

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Evidence for the Existence of God

–Dr. Hugh Ross

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How to Do Your Own Darwinian Evolution Experiments with the Random Mutation Generator

Perry S. Marshall

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The Atheist’s Riddle:

Perry S. Marshall

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Information Theory and the Origin of DNA: Frequently Asked Questions

Perry S. Marshall

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What atheists Kant refute

By Dinesh D’Souza, The Christian Science Monitor

A recent string of bestselling books has put believers on the defensive. Religion, say the authors, is an unreasonable form of blind faith, often leading to fanaticism and violence. Reason and science, they contend, are the only proper foundations for forming opinions and understanding the universe.

This atheist attack is based on a fallacy, as was pointed out by the great philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant erected a sturdy intellectual bulwark against atheism that hasn’t been breached since. His defense doesn’t draw on sacred texts or any other sources of authority to which people of faith might naturally and rightfully turn when confronted with atheist arguments. Instead, it relies on the only framework that today’s atheist proselytizers say is valid: reason. The fallacy is the glib assumption that there is only one limit to what human beings can know—reality itself. This view says we can find out more and more until eventually there is nothing more to discover. It holds that human reason and science can, in principle, unmask the whole of reality.

In his 1781 “Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant showed that this premise is false. Kant showed that human knowledge is constrained not merely by the unlimited magnitude of reality but also by a limited sensory apparatus of perception.

Consider a tape recorder. It captures only one mode of reality, namely sound. Thus all aspects of reality that cannot be captured in sound are beyond its reach. The same is true of human beings. The only way we grasp reality is through our five senses. But why should we believe that this is sufficient? What makes us think that there is no reality that lies beyond sensory perception?

Moreover, the reality we perceive is not reality in itself. It is merely our experience or “take” on it. When we equate experience and reality, we are making an unjustified leap.

Kant isn’t diminishing the importance of experience. We can use science and reason to discover the operating principles of the world of experience. This world, however, is not the only one there is. Kant contended that while science and reason apply to the world of sensory phenomena, of things as they are experienced by us, science and reason cannot penetrate further.

Ours is a world of appearances only, in which we see things in a limited and distorted way—”through a glass, darkly,” as the apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians. The spiritual reality constitutes the only permanent reality there is. Christianity teaches that while reason can point to the existence of this higher domain, it cannot fully comprehend that domain.

Thus, when atheists dismiss religious claims on the grounds that “what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence,” they are making what philosophers like to call a category mistake. Reason is useful, but it isn’t unreasonable to believe things on faith that simply cannot be proven by reason.

When atheists summarily dismiss such common ideas as the immortality of the soul or the afterlife on the grounds that they have never found any empirical proofs for either, they are asking for evidence in a domain that is entirely beyond the reach of the senses. In this domain, the absence of such evidence cannot be used as the evidence for their absence.

Kant exposes the ignorant boast of atheists that atheism operates on a higher intellectual plane than religion. He shows that reason must know its limits in order to be truly reasonable. Atheism foolishly presumes that reason is capable of figuring out all that there is, while religion at least knows that there is a reality greater than, and beyond, that which our senses and our minds can ever understand.

Copyright Christian Science Monitor……posted without permission

Posted in absence, atheism, belief, Critique of Pure Reason, faith, five senses, God, God vs Science, Immanuel Kant, intellectual, Intelligent design, Jesus, philosophy, reason, Science, spiritual realm Tagged: afterlife, atheism, Christian Science Monitor, Critique of Pure Reason, five senses, God vs Science, Immanuel Kant, intellectual, perception, philosophers, reality, religion, Science, sensory, spiritual realm ]]> http://happypizza.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/what-atheists-kant-refute/feed/ 0 Mr. Happy Pizza http://happypizza.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/how-to-face-the-lions-message-from-jesus/ http://happypizza.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/how-to-face-the-lions-message-from-jesus/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:06:56 +0000 happypizza http://happypizza.wordpress.com/?p=30 ]]>

Channeled message from Jesus:

There is a story that I want to tell you. It’s a child’s story, which some of you may have heard before. It’s about a young boy who is trying to make his way on horseback to a land of promise, but the boy’s entire journey seems beset with encounters with lions.

During the beginning of his journey, when lions pursue him and another nearby traveler, they end up journeying together for added safety. At another time, just as they are trying to reach the safety of a city in advance of some evildoers, and think they may not make it, another lion pursues them. This causes them to expend even more energy and strength to reach the gates of their desired haven.

Finally, the boy, exhausted from his journey, is trying to find his way on a foggy path to a place of shelter where he can sleep for the night. But he can’t see the way, and soon realizes he’s lost. And if that isn’t bad enough, he hears a lion’s growl just in front of him. That was the last straw for the boy. He didn’t care to run or hide or try to fight off the attacker this time.

“Fine, eat me!” he says. “I don’t care anymore. My life is horrible and everything goes wrong for me.” But to his surprise, the lion talks to him and asks him why he feels like his life is so horrible.

The boy goes on to expound on all the difficulties of his journey, making mention of every encounter with lions. He says that surely he must’ve had the worst life of all because everything always went so wrong. Then he asks‚ “See, don’t you now agree that my life is cursed?”

The lion responds, “No. Instead I see that your life is blessed.” Shocked, the boy asks him how, and the lion replies‚ “There was never more than one lion with you on your entire journey. And I was that lion.

“I was the one who chased you at the beginning of your journey so that you would travel with a companion. I was the one who scared away hungry animals at night, even though my growls also scared you. And when you were running for safety in the city, I was the one who chased you just when you felt like you had no more strength left.

“Through chasing you I gave you the strength to run harder than before so that your pursuers wouldn’t catch up with you. And now, when you are lost and feel at the end of your rope, I am here with you to show you the way home.”

My loves, through this simple, childish story, I am trying to show you a great truth. You see, I am that “Lion” in your life. I am the One Who has allowed each of the difficulties–the “lions”–in your life, even the “last straws” that you felt were certainly more than you could take.

I don’t do this to make it hard for you, and not even for the sole purpose of making you stronger. I do this to preserve you, to keep you, and to ensure that you will make it safely Home again. The main reason I allow difficulties in your journey is truly for your own benefit, because I see that without them you wouldn’t reach My destinations in time, you wouldn’t gain the sweeter benefits of closeness with others which gives you strength and the will to keep going, you wouldn’t reach the end of your rope where all you’re depending on is Me and My ability to help you through.

I know that from your vantage point, these “lions” of difficulty aren’t a benefit to you at all. Sometimes they make you have to run harder when you feel like you’ve already used up all your strength. Sometimes they make you journey down a path that you hadn’t planned on taking, a route you hadn’t foreseen for your life. Sometimes they push you to your limits–to the limits of your faith, grace, patience, and endurance.

You hardly see these “lions” as good things at all. How you wish you could journey without them! What a pleasant trip that would be. You could enjoy the scenery. You could stop for long rests at reservoirs and oases. You would even be safe traveling alone. You wouldn’t feel so pressed for time or so desperate, because there would be little to alarm you or hurry you along.

Yes, that might be a pleasant journey. But if left to go at your own pace, I can assure you that you wouldn’t reach My destination for you in time. That might be a hard saying, but it’s so true. While your spirit is willing to grow and change and overcome, I know that your flesh[the physical dimension]is weak, and if you did not have these “lions” that tried your flesh and your spirit, then surely you would not fight so hard for personal growth and progress, and to get to where I need you to be.

It is because of My future plan for you on Earth in the last days–as well as your destiny beyond–that you must make this journey through the difficulties of life. I am making you ready for your destiny. I am preparing you to be those who know how to allow Me full possession of their minds and bodies, hearts and spirits. I am making you into the fulfillment of ancient prophets’ dreams.–Those people who know their God and are strong, and who through their miracles, prove that God is (Dan.11:32; Rev.12:10,11).

That is why this journey. That is why these “lions.” Ultimately I am the One Who is allowing each one of these specific trials and troubles to touch you and affect you in these different ways. [Satan] could not touch Job until I gave him permission to, and so in essence, I was the One touching Job in those hardships that he faced and experienced.

I, too, am the One touching you through these great difficulties you are experiencing. I know how it tries you. “How long, O Lord?” You cry. “How much longer can I bear this? When will there be reprieve? Will there be reprieve? How much longer will this ‘lion’ chase and trouble and bother me?” Not for a moment longer than is necessary. Not for a moment more than you and I can handle together. Not for a moment longer than My grace can prove sufficient for.

No matter what I am using in your life to try you, I want you to fight to see My face in that “lion.” I want you to look at that trouble, that grave difficulty, that battle that never lets up, and say to Me, “Jesus, thank You for bringing this ‘lion’ into my life. Thank You for being this prodding stick in my life, that is driving me more desperately to You, and that is keeping me directly on the path of Your will [purpose and destiny].”

You must believe, too, that if I am allowing this difficulty and this “lion” to trouble you, then it will never ruin you or damage your service for Me–because I will never ruin you or damage you in any way. I might allow some hurt, pain, and tears. But what I allow in your life will always be for your good in some way, to aid you in the fight, to speed you along your journey, to give you greater strength of spirit. All that I am using in your life is for the purpose of drawing you closer to Me and making you even more useful to Me.

However, if you are feeling the hurt in a way that makes you feel like giving up and quitting‚ that is not My will. That is not My plan when I bring something into your life–there is always a purpose in everything. I will never bring you to the edge, where the only choice is to give up. The only edge I bring you to is the ending of your strength and the beginning of Mine.

Please trust that I know what I am doing in your life. Please believe that these difficulties and battles are compliments from My hand. I could not give you these deeper difficulties if you did not love Me so and if you did not wish to prove to Me that you are Mine forever. I could not trust you with such tough battles if you were not tough enough to face them. I could not be the “Lion” in your life if I did not know that you wanted to reach My destination for you.

I am able to do what is necessary to lead you along the path of My will, to keep you close to Me‚ and to ensure that you reach My destination for you in time.

Not only do I allow these “lions” to try you and keep you on your toes‚ but also to protect you and to keep you from harm, to keep you from making wrong choices, to keep you in the center of My will [purpose]. I also use them to draw you nearer to Me, where you can find sweeter comfort and deeper faith. I use them to show you that only I know the way‚ and that when you come to Me lost and weary, I am always ready to hold you and to help you to find your way.

I love you so dearly, and that is why I have chosen to be so intimately involved in your life by having My hand in all of these things that I allow to touch you and try you. In this way I can be sure that nothing will harm you‚ and that all things will go according to My plan and desire for you. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mat.28:20). And sometimes My presence is more strongly felt when in the form of afflictions and trials and difficulties.

So please don’t fear this continued journey ahead any longer. I’ll still always be with you. We’re making good time, and you are growing and learning just as I need you to. You’ve come so far already. Please don’t give up now. I’m right here beside you, trotting this trail with you, experiencing every twist and turn of this adventure with you.

Don’t fear the testings or difficulties, because they’re coming from your dearest friend–Me. Knowing that, have peace and believe that nothing can harm or damage you, because I won’t harm or damage you. I know just what you can take and I will never suffer you to be tempted more than you are able to bear.

If you ever feel like what I’m asking of you is too much, or you feel like quitting, remember that that is not My voice, but the voice of the Enemy. Even when things are extremely difficult and I allow trying [difficult] circumstances in your life‚ I will help you to make it. It is only the Enemy who wants you to give up, to accept defeat. So rebuke him when he tells you that you just can’t make it!

When it feels like too much to bear, tell Me about it. You can ask for time out, because I’m your Friend and Love, and whenever possible I’ll stop the chase to comfort you, or give you a time of reprieve. I’ll calm the storm to wipe away your tears. And whether the difficulties end or continue on for longer until My purpose has been accomplished‚ I’ll always ease the battle by carrying you. I love you, and I only want to see you make it. This is your desire, too.

I am doing whatever it takes–even though it hurts you at times, and even though it hurts Me at times–to keep you close to Me, to help you to fulfill your mission[in this life]‚ and to ensure that you do not fail what you have set out to do. This is what you asked Me to promise to do for you, and I have never broken a promise.

Please trust Me. That’s something you can do to make this easier for Me. When I see that you trust Me even when you don’t understand why I’ve allowed something or done something in your life, that brings such joy to My heart. Then, instead of sorrowful tears upon seeing you doubt My love for you, I cry tears of joy and pride and faith at seeing you trust Me in spite of it all!

If you’ll promise to trust Me, even when things go contrary to how you expected, even when things get worse than you imagined possible, even when it seems like I’m going back on My word and failing you, then I too will continue to fulfill My promise of doing whatever it takes to keep you, to preserve you, to lead you, to ensure that you do not fail your mission, even if it means allowing some troubles and pain.

This can be a renewed vow of love between us–a deeper, sweeter vow than ever made before. I love you. In all of the difficulties of life I’m only doing what is necessary to make your journey and mission on Earth successful, and to bring you Home again in the condition that you asked Me to–victorious and triumphant!

(Apples Of Gold, Part 1 [#3644])

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Rock Bottom:

• God’s love hangs on even when we let go.

• When you hit bottom, that’s when you can start on your way up, with God’s help.

• Failure, like the darkness of night, may slow me down. But the dawn will come, the sun will shine again, and I will be on my way.

• As sure as the sun rises, God’s love will always be there for you.

• What looks like the end of the road is more often just a bend in the road.

• When we know that God loves us, we know that everything is going to be okay.

• If you can look beyond your problems, you will see that those dark spots are merely the shadows of bigger and better things to come.

• Failure cannot defeat the man who will try again.

• The sun rises every day, and every night the stars shine.

• It is in coming to the end of our own strength, accepting that we have weaknesses, and admitting that we need God’s help, that we find our full potential.

• If we never experienced failure, we would never appreciate success.
  

• At the bottom, there are only two possibilities: either you stay there and die, or you fight and slowly lift yourself out of the hole.

• The purpose of our existence is not to make a living, but to make a life.

• Setbacks aren’t losses, they’re opportunities–vacant lots on which to build new dreams.

• No matter how low they take you today’s mistakes can’t keep you from trying again tomorrow.

• Just as the crushing of a rose brings out it’s sweet perfume, so the difficulties of life release the sweetness within us. If we let them, they can bring out qualities such as love for others, tenderness, compassion, humility, and closeness to loved ones.

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God Loves you!:

• There is a place from where troubles flee, where sorrows cease, and peace reigns. That place is in the sunshine of God’s love.

• God’s love will never let you down.

• If you have God, you always have company and love.

• There is no heart too hard for God’s love to touch and change.

• With God’s love all things are possible.

• There is nothing more perfect or pure than God’s unconditional, unfailing love for you.

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You can:

• We each bring something unique to the world; therefore we each have something to offer others.

• When you feel lost and tossed on the sea of life, call on God for help. He can get you through the storm, or even calm the trouble sea for your sake. He’s that powerful and He loves you that much.

• To some, an obstacle is an excuse to quit. To others it is an opportunity to grow stronger through adversity and come one step closer to their goal.

• Success in life is found in loving, not just winning

• Don’t let mistakes of the past mar your vision for the future. Focus on the good to come.

• Life isn’t a contest; it’s a chance to do the best you can with what you have.

• One kind word or deed can turn someone’s life around.

• Is your day dark and dreary? Brighten someone else’s.

• The man who admits his failures and does what he can to rectify them can honestly say he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

• If you feel your life has no direction or purpose, try spreading a little love around! There is always someone who needs your help and kindness.

• Get so busy making someone else happy that you can’t help but be happy yourself. Get busy helping them, and you won’t have time to think about your own problems.

• Faith is the greatest gift you can give people who are having trouble believing in themselves. Show them that you believe in them and they just might surprise everyone.

• Your choices, not your chances, determine your destiny.

• Never hesitate to trust the unknown future to a known God.

• May I remember to take time to stop and give someone encouragement. May I remember to thank God daily for friendship, for loved ones. And may I never take anyone or anything for granted.

• Brighten your day with the sunshine of thanks and gratitude.

A message from Jesus

Loss. Damage. Death. Devastation. These are words you hear a lot right now. You have been touched by sorrow. You know what loss means. Your heart aches. Your spirit is low. You’ve seen how from one day to the next a life can drastically change or end. Someone who was here yesterday could be gone tomorrow. Anything can happen. Nothing physical lasts forever.

Hope. Peace. Happiness. Faith. These are words you don’t hear much right now. These aren’t things you can see and feel, the way you can see and feel your loss. Yet these spiritual things are what matter most at the end of the day.

I know about suffering. I know about loss. I experienced it Myself. I also know about hope, peace, happiness, and faith. They come from Me, and they are yours for the asking. To find faith, you just need to find Me Jesus and I’m right here. All you have to do is call, and I’ll be right with you. I have a lot to offer you! In fact, I have just what you need, no matter what it is or who you are, and I start giving the moment you reach out to Me. In the day-to-day rush of normal life, it’s easy to ignore Me, and even forget about Me. At times like this, though, it becomes more obvious that you need more than what you have within yourself, or around you. You need Me. You’ve seen how material things and even the people you love and count on most can’t always be there for you. There are only two constants in life, only two sure things that will never change no matter what, and they are Me and My love. I am always here for you, and so is My love.

The reasons for disasters like this one, as well as the ways in which I manifest My love in such times, are as varied and as complex as the people involved. But if you’ll open your heart and reach out to Me, wanting to trust and believe in My love, then you will come to know it.

Once you trust in My love, you will be able to see its good effects in your life, even in the worst of times. If you let Me open your spiritual eyes, you’ll see that there is always something to be thankful for, and you’ll discover the power of gratefulness, which can lift you out of the depths of sorrow and despair. Count your blessings, even if you can only think of one, and thank Me for it. I call this “praise.” When you praise Me, it will bring a sense of peace to your heart that can’t be explained. When you thank Me for the good in your life, you are in essence acknowledging My presence and humbling yourself before My power. You put yourself in a good spiritual position one where faith and peace and inner strength that you could never find within yourself become available to you.

If you’re having a hard time thinking of something you can be thankful for right now, try thinking about how the situation could be worse, or how it is worse for others. No matter how bad you have it, there’s always someone who’s lost more or suffered more than you. That means there’s always someone who needs you, someone whom you can support, love, and comfort. It’s only natural to be focused on your own sorrow and loss, but if you can look beyond that and think about what you can do for others, you’ll find that in giving to others you’ll receive from Me. I bless unselfish love and concern. I fill the giving and caring heart with genuine love and happiness more than enough for itself so it can continue to share with others.

I know you, I love you, and I can make it possible for you to have a complete and beautiful life, no matter what happens or what goes wrong. If you have faith, anything is possible. If you have Me, then you can have faith no matter how impossible things look.

If you haven’t spoken with Me much before, now is a good time to start. If you know Me and love Me, lean harder on Me now. My arms are strong enough to hold you up. My shoulders are broad enough to carry the weight of all your sorrows. Come to Me, talk with Me, and open your heart to let Me speak to you. I love you, and I want to help you know that and believe it. Let Me love you. Let Me help you. Let Me give you hope. Let Me show you the good, even if it’s through your tears. Let Me show you how you can love and comfort others, even when it seems you have little or nothing to give. Let Me help you pick up the broken pieces of your life and make something beautiful of them. Let Me help you rebuild your life on a solid foundation, one that will last when all else fails. I am forever, I am here for you, and I will love you for all eternity.

Jesus

If you don’t know Jesus, you can invite Him into your life by praying this simple prayer:

Dear Jesus, please come into my heart, and give me Your gift of eternal life. Please forgive me for my mistakes and wrongs, and thank You for loving me despite them. Help me to know Your love and peace, and help me to learn how to give Your love and comfort to others as well. Thank You for hearing and answering this prayer and for being with me always, from this moment on. Amen.

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Why Disasters?

One of the greatest questions that has plagued the world for ages and millennium is “why disasters?” Why earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, wars & famines that wipe out tens of thousands of people.–Why?–And why does it so often seem to strike the poor & the needy & the helpless & children & the innocent?

Well, in order to understand the problem & know the answer, you must believe in God & His love & His faithfulness & His righteousness, goodness, mercy, justice & fairness. Then you know there’s got to be an answer, a good answer, why He has to do this or allow it to happen.

If you have total confidence in the future & in a future better life after death, then you can certainly understand why God, even in His mercy, would take thousands of people out of this horrible World & their suffering & pain & agony & oppression & poverty caused by man himself & his own sins. When they get to the point where they’re possibly suffering beyond endurance, He releases them & takes them into a better World!

The thing is, people have difficulty getting over this habit of considering death a complete curse, that it’s awful that all these tens of thousands of people should be killed in great disasters. Well, it’s not awful!–Death is not a curse for them, it’s a blessing!–A mere gateway, an entrance to a better life in which they’ll be relieved of all this.

Therefore great disasters that sweep thousands of lives into the next are undoubtedly in some way good for the people involved. For many it will be a release from the agony & the pain–like Lazarus the beggar who begged at the rich man’s door & the dogs licked his sores.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores

and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

In hell, [Greek: Hades] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

“But Abraham replied, `Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

Luke16:19

In the story of the beggar, the Lord says he suffered his here & HAD his evil things HERE, but in the afterlife he’s going to have his good things. Whereas the selfish rich man had his good things here & he was going to suffer for his sins in the afterlife. (Lk.16:25)–God is just & God is thorough & “every man will be rewarded according to his works” & his sins. (Ps.62:12; Jer.17:10; Mt.16:27; 2Cor.5:10; Rev.2:23; 20:13; 22:12)

Certainly not everybody deserves the same kind or amount of punishment or the same severity of judgment as do the worst of sinners. Many simply never heard about the Gospel or Jesus, didn’t know about His Love & were ignorant of their Master’s will. So God probably has as varied terms & means of punishment & correction in the afterlife as there are in this life.

He makes a difference between few stripes & many stripes.–But whether few or many, they all come to an end. There comes a time when the sinner has paid for his sins, when they have received enough to have accomplished God’s purpose to cause them to see the Light, be sorry, & change. And from what God has shown us, we’re even to pray for them that they will repent in the afterlife & be spared from further retribution & punishment.

So God is just, God is loving, God is pure, God is holy, God is perfect, & everything will work out perfectly in the long run. There will be perfect judgment & punishment for the wicked, & perfect reward for the righteous & the believer & the one who obeyed the Lord.

So why weep for those who have gone on to the next life? They’re the blessed ones! But those who didn’t die, who still stay behind, are still having to suffer in order to learn what life is all about. Because suffering does one of three things:

It purifies & humbles & cleanses the saved & draws us even closer to God; it turns some of the unsaved to God, brings some of the wicked to repentance & salvation as in their suffering they cry unto the Lord; & then the totally unrepentant, renegade or utterly wicked, it causes them to curse God all the more & therefore be all the more deserving of His judgments.

So it’s for the millions who still LIVE that we need to pray & whom we need to reach with the Gospel & the Love of Christ & the Message of Salvation & His forgiveness & happiness.–The living dead, who can still be saved here & now & miss all that!

So to us who believe, it’s obvious what god is doing in these disasters: He’s either punishing the wicked, or releasing the righteous out of this evil life–or both! Because the works of God are good & not evil! They may appear to some people to be evil, but even so-called evil is good if God is in it.

No matter what happens, what great disasters befall the poor & the meek, “they shall inherit the Earth”! (Mt.5:5) And those who die, if they were good & did the best they knew how, they’re better off & out of the suffering & agony of this World. Right?–Which are you?

Why Disasters” –David Brandt Berg–1980

Copyright. “The Family International”

Used without permission

God’s Promises of Comfort

..for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deut. 31:6b

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deut. 33:27a

I [God] have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.

2 Kings 20:5b

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Psa.145:17-19

He [God] heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

Psa.147:3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa.46:1

Thou [God] shalt…..comfort me on every side.

Psa.71:21

He will call upon me, and I[God] will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psa.91:15

….for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

PSA.86:17b

The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Psa.116:6

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you [God] stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

Psa.138:7

If I ascend into heaven, You [God] are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Psa.139:8–12

And none of them that trust in Him [God] shall be desolate.

Psa.34:22b

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psa.9:9

It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear.

Isa.14:3a

You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you

Isa.30:19

Fear not, for I [God] am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isa.41:10

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isa.41:13

I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you.

Isa.42:6a

“Fear not, for I[God] have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Isa.43:1b,2

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isa.49:13

For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Isa.54:10

To console those who mourn …To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

Isa.61:3

In all their affliction He[God] was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isa.63:9

As a mother comforts her child, so will I [God] comfort you

Isa.66:13

I [God] will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.

Ezek.34:16a

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Mat.5:4

[Jesus] Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Mat.28:20b

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Mat.5:4

[Jesus] Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy

John.6:20b

[Jesus] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John.14:18

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (or that ye may be able to bear it).

1Cor.10:13

Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Heb.3:5b

If we are faithless, he [Jesus] will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2Tim.2:13

Jesus Christ… who loved us and gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

Encourage your hearts

2Thes.2:16, 17b

How to Receive God’s Comfort

Be of good courage, and He [God] shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Psa.31:24

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Psa.51:17

In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you [God] will answer me.

Psa.86:7

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise (God’s Word) preserves my life.

Psa.119:50

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not sleep

He that keepeth [thee] shall neither slumber nor sleep

Psa.121:1,2,3

The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD watches over all who love him

Psa.145:14, 18, 19, 20a

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psa.9:10

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall (or suffer the righteous to be moved).

Psa.55:22

For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psa.18:28

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psa.61:2

Cast all your cares on him [Jesus] because he cares for you.

1Pet.5:7

Benefits of Sorrow and Suffering

[Eternal benefits]

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2Cor.4:16, 17, 18

[Eternal benefits]

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1Pet.1:6-7

[Eternal benefits]

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Rom.8:18

[To comfort others]

[Jesus] Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2Cor.1:4

[Keep us close to God]

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your [God] word.

Psa.119:67

[Keep us close to God]

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your [God] decrees.

Psa.119:71

[To somehow bring us good:]

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Rom.8:28

[To teach us patience:]

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Jam.1:2-4

[To strengthen us:]

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you

1Pet.5:10

[To prepare us for greater service:]

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him [Jesus].

2 Tim.2:12a

No More Sorrow or Tears in Heaven

[Jesus] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John14:1-3

He [Jesus] will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.

Isa.25:8a

For the Lamb [Jesus] at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Rev. 7:17

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Rev.21:4

Empathy and Help With Others

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Rom.12:15

Remember them……which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body [as if you yourselves were suffering].

Heb.13:3

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1John3:16-18

[Eliphaz tells Job:]

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

Job4:4

Other Promises

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me.

Mic.7:8

Because you will forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

Job.11:16

For we do not have an high priest [Jesus] who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but [Jesus] was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

Heb.4:15

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Psa.27:10

An Example of A Prayer During Times of Suffering

My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

The LORD will command His loving kindness in the daytime, And in the night His so shall be with me-A prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

PSA.42:3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

-All the verses above are taken from the ‘King James Version‘, ‘New King James Version‘ and ‘New International Version‘ Bible translations! Due to the wide audience and varying degrees of English comprehension and command, I simply choose the most suitable and understandble translation for each verse to appeal to the widest audience. The references are left there so you can look the up passages yourself in the translation of your choosing.

–Some verses are only small excerpts of the complete verse…often with an “a” or “b” tagged on the reference.

-Words in brackets are for clarification purposes only.

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, “Let me explain the problem science has with religion.” The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

“You’re a Christian, aren’t you, son?”

“Yes sir,” the student says.

“So you believe in God?”

“Absolutely.”

“Is God good?”

“Sure! God’s good.”

“Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?”

“Yes.”

“Are you good or evil?”

“The Bible says I’m evil.”

The professor grins knowingly. “Aha! The Bible!” He considers for a moment.

“Here’s one for you. Let’s say there’s a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?”

“Yes sir, I would.”

“So you’re good…!”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“But why not say that? You’d help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn’t.”

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. “He doesn’t, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?”

The student remains silent.

“No, you can’t, can you?” the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

“Let’s start again, young fella. Is God good?”

“Er…yes,” the student says.

“Is Satan good?”

The student doesn’t hesitate on this one. “No.”

“Then where does Satan come from?”

The student falters. “From God”

“That’s right. God made Satan, didn’t he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Evil’s everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything, correct?”

“Yes.”

“So who created evil?” The professor continued, “If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.”

Again, the student has no answer. “Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?”

The student squirms on his feet. “Yes.”

“So who created them?”

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. “Who created them?” There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

“Tell me,” he continues onto another student. “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?”

The student’s voice betrays him and cracks. “Yes, professor, I do.”

The old man stops pacing. “Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?”

“No sir. I’ve never seen Him.”

“Then tell us if you’ve ever heard your Jesus?”

“No, sir, I have not.”

“Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?”

“No, sir, I’m afraid I haven’t.”
“Yet you still believe in him?”

“Yes.”

“According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?”

“Nothing,” the student replies. “I only have my faith.”

“Yes, faith,” the professor repeats. “And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.”

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. “Professor, is there such thing as heat?”

“Yes,” the professor replies. “There’s heat.”

“And is there such a thing as cold?”

“Yes, son, there’s cold too.”

“No sir, there isn’t.”

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

“You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don’t have anything called ‘cold’. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.”

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

“What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?”

“Yes,” the professor replies without hesitation. “What is night if it isn’t darkness?”

“You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? That’s the meaning we use to define the word.”

“In reality, darkness isn’t. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?”

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. “So what point are you making, young man?”

“Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.”

The professor’s face cannot hide his surprise this time. “Flawed? Can you explain how?”

“You are working on the premise of duality,” the student explains. “You argue that there is life and then there’s death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought.”

“It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.”

“Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?”

“If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.”

“Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?”

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

“Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?”

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

“To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.”

The student looks around the room. “Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor’s brain?” The class breaks out into laughter.

“Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor’s brain, felt the professor’s brain, touched or smelt the professor’s brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.”
“So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?”

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. “I guess you’ll have to take them on faith.”

“Now, if you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,” the student continues. “Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?”

Now uncertain, the professor responds, “Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man’s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.”

To this the student replied, “Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God’s love present in his heart. It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”

Once a doctor visiting a leper colony heard an aged sufferer of leprosy (also known as: Hansen’s disease) singing cheerily; yet he knew that her condition was serious.

“Well, Mother,” he remarked to her, “you must be feeling pretty well today–you’re singing so happily.”

She turned a face full of suffering towards him & answered, “Oh Doctor, my sores hurt so badly I must sing!”

Why is it called a Leap Year?

·       Hundreds of years ago the leap year day had no recognition in English law. The day was ignored, hence the term ‘leap day’.  In other words, the British ‘leapt over’ that day as though it didn’t officially exist, and thus the name: Leap Year.

·       Having only 28 days in non-leap years, February was known in Welsh as ‘y mis bach’ – the little month.

·       You have a 1 in 1506 or 1 in 1,461 chance of being born on February 29^th. –Depends how you calculate it and what day it falls on.

·       A person born on February 29 may be called a “leapling” or a “leaper”.

·       Most have to wait every four years to “officially” observe their birthdays, but leap year babies typically choose either February 28 or March 1 to celebrate in years that aren’t leap years.

Leap Day Traditions – No Single Man is Safe

In the English speaking world Leap day in the Leap Year has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage.  When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years. That day was February 29th.

Supposedly, a law by Queen Margaret of Scotland, required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow. Because men felt that put them at too great a risk, the tradition was in some places tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, 29 February, or to the medieval leap day,

Another tradition says:

Leap day the one day of the year on which, traditionally, women can propose to men. It was considered that as the day also had no legal status, it was reasonable to assume that tradition for the guy to propose had no status, so women took advantage of this and proposed to the man they wanted to marry.

Yet another Tradition says:

This tradition goes back to an old Irish legend concerning St. Patrick and St. Bridget in the 5th Century. In the 5th century, a nun by the name of St. Bridget, petitioned St. Patrick on behalf of all women in that they have a more active role in choosing their husbands. As a result of this request, women were allowed to propose to men once every four years.

Sadie Hawkins Day

In the United States, some people have referred to this date as Sadie Hawkins Day with women being given the right to run after unmarried men to propose.

Sadie Hawkins was a female character in the Al Capp cartoon strip Li’l Abner. Sadie Hawkins Day, honors “the homeliest gal in the hills” created by Al Capp in the cartoon strip Li’l Abner. In the famous story line, Sadie and every other woman in town were allowed on that day to pursue and catch the most eligible bachelors in Dogpatch. Although the comic strip placed Sadie Hawkins Day in November, today it has become almost synonymous with February 29.  Many communities prefer to celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day in November which is when Al Capp first mentioned Sadie Hawkins Day.

Leap Day Superstition

Ø  In Greece, it is believed that getting married in a leap year is bad luck for the couple. Thus, mainly in the middle of the past century, couples avoided setting a marriage date in a leap year.

Ø  In Scotland it is thought unlucky to be born on a Leap Year’s Day. Of course, you don’t want to be living in Scotland if you are a leap year baby, because you will be shunned as being bad luck!

Ø  According to astrologers, those born under the sign of Pisces on February 29 have unusual talents and personalities reflecting their special status.

Leap Year Cocktail

Invented at the Savoy Hotel in London on February 29, 1928 this sweet concoction was said to have spurred many a marriage proposal.

Recipe

2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

1/2 ounce sweet vermouth         

1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice        

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon.