1inchrist

It seems to be so natural to be geared up for the holidays by focusing on Jesus Christ’s birth. Maybe you make a point of having special time on the 4 Sunday’s before Christmas we call Advent. Maybe your family looks for opportunities to feed the homeless or donate toys and food to the needy in our community. Many people attend a Christmas Eve service or church Christmas production as a way of celebrating the holiday season. But, what about after December 25^th?

To keep the spirit of Christmas all throughout the year we should set some goals. It would be a wonderful thing to make going to church a priority each week instead of just on Easter and Christmas like many Americans. If this is a new experience for you and your family, make it a goal to go the first Sunday of every month.

We all should continue thinking of those in need throughout the year, because they need food and clothing all year long. Without committing to more than you can handle, maybe choosing to donate to a charity or serving in a community sponsored project every 3 months would be a great start. An easy way to remember would be to coincide your service or giving with traditional holidays. For example, use the ones that are pretty spread out like Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Spending time with family is something we make a priority for at Christmas time. But, let us try to make a point of having family time more than just on the holidays. Giving up one night a week of activities to have a family night. Eat dinner together at the table and spend time discussing the week or other topics of interest. You can alternate through out the month and have a movie night, game night, out to eat night and activity (bowling, putt putt golf, basketball at the park).  Spending time together does take an effort but it is a great way to grow or keep strong those family ties!

Let us keep the spirit of Christmas all year long, and next year could be your best year EVER!

The perfect Christmas gift for your wife is very inexpensive. In fact, all it will cost you is time. If you have basic computer knowledge, get on and print up a few “coupons”! If you aren’t well versed on the computer, get a crayon and a piece of paper…just make some coupons! I’m not talking about the 45 cents off of ground round - type of coupon. I’m talking about coupons that tell your precious bride, “This coupon entitles you to one night of not having to cook!” Don’t print a few! One for each month would be great. You may want to stipulate that only one of those coupons can be used each month. Let it be noted that certain restrictions apply due to quality of life issues.

Now for the “pièce de résistance”. The gift that keeps on giving. The gift that she will remember, and hopefully, still be enjoying years from now! Make a romantic coupon on the computer. If you’re still using the crayon, draw a big heart and color it bright red! You will want to make a lot of these! Write on it, “This coupon entitles you to a night of romance, and luxurious pampering”. That’s what I’m talkin’ about, baby! Just remember, this is a gift FOR HER! 

Here’s a few ideas to consider for her special night(s). If you have some extra cash, dinner at her favorite restaurant is always a good start. If not, something as simple as making her a night - time snack or treat is a great way to serve her (even on a regular basis). My bride loves that! “After all”, she says, “I serve everybody else in this house every day”. It’s the simple things that matter most.

While she is unaware and hopefully relaxing in another room, set those candles up in the bedroom and bathroom and light them. Turn off (or dim) all the lights and let the candles set the mood. Soft music adds to the ambiance as well.

Your wife may prefer body lotions. Make sure you warm that up in your hands before rubbing it on her. Cold fluid or lotion on her warm, relaxed body is disruptive and somewhat inconsiderate. We prefer Olive Oil because it refreshes and moisturizes her skin and it is far more conducive to a consistent, smooth, body rub. It also washes away easily afterwards. More to the point however, it allows your hands to glide consistently and smoothly over her skin without the stopping - stuttering effect body lotion can have because it dries quickly and unevenly. 

The best place to start this hour (make it at least an hour) of indulgence is at her feet. A warm oil massage on her feet will sooth and relax her. Any initial signs of shock on her part will soon give way to appreciative moaning. Do not rush past the ankles or her calf muscles. Remember, this is a gift for her! Take your time. Give your time. Minister to your wife.

That my friend is the perfect Christmas gift for your wife! If you take the time to give your wife your undivided attention, via an hour or two of selfless, attentive ministry to her, it will literally transform your marriage.

I remember Christmas at our house being larger than life! No matter what it was we wanted, it would always be in our house on Christmas morning. I remember presents would overflow from under the tree to take up a whole lot of room in the parlor. To see that as a child, to have that expectation every year, was so amazing and exciting. I don’t know anybody who had as huge a Christmas as we did.

I used to love the excitement and anticipation of going to the basement for the BIG present that couldn’t fit under the tree or stay in the living room

(like my Air Hockey table and Alex’s Bumper Pool table).

While giving gifts can be an expression of Love, we were well aware that gifts cannot take the place of Love. Many kids have all the stuff they want (all year round) but are empty because their parents did not love them . . . they appeased them with gifts.

While we didn’t have a “Christian” home growing up, I am still amazed at how we were raised us by God’s standard.  It’s easy to look at the Christmases we had back when and say “they didn’t know the real meaning of Christmas” (because of all those gifts). I would disagree. Just as we weren’t raised in a Christian home yet were raised by Biblical standards, our Christmases weren’t Christ centered but do reflect much of God’s character and message to mankind.

Just as our Christmases were larger than life, The Gift GOD gave the world IS LARGER THAN LIFE. The Gift HE gave was Himself. HE gave HIS life for us so we could have Eternal Life – which is much larger than life as we know it!

Just as we got whatever we wanted at Christmas, we have all that we have need of in this life (and the one to come) IN CHRIST JESUS! HE promises to provide for all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In 2 Peter 1:4 we are told God has given us exceeding great, and precious promises! Peter goes on to tell us that the reason HE gave us these promises was so that we “could be partakers of HIS Divine Nature.” 1 John 5:14-15 tells us; This is the confidence we have In Christ, that if we ask anything according to HIS WILL

(i.e. Word ), HE hears us; and if we know HE hears us (because we ask according to HIS Word), whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.

Christ has given us all gifts that overflow from us to those to whom we minister just as the gifts overflowed from the tree to the parlor. The love of God was poured out to overflowing from the tree (cross) which HE died on. His blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. My parents gave us great gifts in spite of our behavior (sins). The only way  they were able to do that was through self sacrifice. The only way GOD was able to give us the gift of eternal life and all those great promises, was Self Sacrifice too!

Just as my parents were able to do, GOD wants us to know that although HE has given us so much, this life is not about us getting what we want when we want it all the time. This life is about Loving Him, walking in faith and obedience to His Word (as we had to do with you), and esteeming others better than ourselves and giving / ministering to those in need.

Just as we had great anticipation for the Big gifts that couldn’t fit under the tree; GOD has great gifts that have not been revealed too! The Bible says: 1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

We should have great anticipation for Eternal Life, the

Kingdom of
Heaven with Christ Jesus and our loved ones, but none of that is able to fit into our finite minds, let alone under a tree. We will have to be led forth from where we live to a place not seen on the main floor of our lives (and homes). But, just like it was for me as a kid, we KNOW it’s there and we can look forward to going there with great excitement and anticipation! The only difference is GOD has HIS biggest gifts UPSTAIRS!!!

 I have confidence that I am saved and will have eternal life through the Lord Jesus because:Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith , Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who has believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Mark 16:16 He that believeth and in baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. According to Paul’s writings, as soon as we die a physical death, our spirit goes to be with the Lord if we are saved in Jesus:11 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: for we walk by faith and not by sight: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.I Thessalonians 4: 13-17 But I would not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as the others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.James confirms the scriptural truth that we have a body and spirit, and that when our spirit leaves our physical body dies.James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without works.Jesus, himself, said at the cross, in Luke 23:46 “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. We know his physical body went into the grave, but what about his spirit?Then the scriptures continue with what happened to Jesus after his crucifixion, in Ephesians 4:9-10 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fulfill all things.We know he was not buried 6 feet in the ground, so where did he go? Jesus spoke to his disciples in Luke 16: 19-31 describing 2 places for those that died: “And it came to pass when the beggar died and was carried away by angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man died also, and was buried, And in hell he lifted up his eyes being in torment and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom…But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things,: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come thence.” In Numbers 16:33 rebellious Israelites were punished “They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.”We can see from scripture that people who have died are not in an unconscious state because in Luke 9:28-31 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, he took Peter, and John and James and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening. And behold there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: who appeared in glory and spake of his decease, which he should accomplish in
Jerusalem.The Apostle John, upon seeing the future writes in Revelation 6:9 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which he held. And they cried with a loud voice saying “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them, that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.  Obviously this is before the Resurrection of the Dead for two reasons: first, because people on earth are still alive, and more servants of the Lord are going to be martyred. Second, the Resurrection of the Dead is not until after all the seals and the 1000 yr reign of Christ on earth then as recorded in Revelation 20:11-15.Scripture refers to two resurrections, one for those that have died in Christ, and those that died whose names were not written in the Book of Life. Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.After the 1000 yr reign of Christ on this earth there is the Great White Throne Judgment:Revelation 20:13 and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.There are also 2 deaths mentioned in scripture. The first, being a physical death of the body. The second being a spiritual death, eternal life separated from God in a place called theLake of
Fire.What will happen to us? Those saved will enter in to eternity in the New Jerusalem on earth.   Isa 65:17 For behold I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for behold I create
Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. For I will rejoice in
Jerusalem and joy in my people. Rev 21:1-3 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John say the holy city new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  All those not saved shall enter into an eternity in the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night forever.  Matt 13: 41-42The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2What I plan on doing for eternity on earth:I know I will be serving Him and will be with Jesus forever with all of those that have put their faith in Him as payment for their sin, and have given their life to obey His Word. I do not “hope” as the Witnesses, for I have confidence that I will be forever alive with Jesus, that where He is so shall I ever be. And yet I sorrow for those that reject Jesus: the Son of God, Emmanuel, the Alpha and the Omega, for they will also exist eternally, under judgment, in theLake of
Fire. 

Jesus could not allow Adam and Eve to remain in the garden because sin had separated them from fellowship with God. He could not allow them to eat of the Tree of Life, and live eternally, separated from Him. So they were banished and the curse of death entered the world, but so did the plan for salvation through Jesus Christ so that we could have the opportunity to be reconciled to God forever. 2 Cor 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away all things are new. And all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry of reconciliation. To whit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them… 

There is absolutely no room for other beliefs in Christianity!!! Christ Jesus effectively said just that when He said, John 14:6 I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. That may seem a bit narrow minded to a faithless world that likes to believe all roads lead to Heaven, but they have no concept of what Christ did.

He alone paid for our sin(s) with His life, with His body, and with His blood. He alone has risen from the grave!!! That is what gives Him the right to say I Am the Only way!

None of the other prominent religious leaders of this world did anything to atone for your sin (or their own for that matter) or to secure your place in Heaven. They are all dead and in their graves. You can visit the shrines erected in their honor in which they are entombed. Ironically, that is where the road they have prepared for their followers leads - to the grave.

In contrast, there is great uncertainty as to the actual grave - site of Jesus Christ. In my view, that is a good thing because some would probably worship it rather than the One Who “was” in it. The only certainty regarding the grave of Jesus Christ is that it is Empty!!!! That’s as it should be because faith in Christ does not lead you to the grave, it leads to eternal life.

All the other religions of this world espouse certain practices, principles, rituals, and traditions that may be viewed as honorable to one degree or another. The fact remains however, that none of those religions has any remedy for the human condition. That is an unregenerate sinner, separated from God.

Many adhere to some sort of penitent or punitive rituals that illustrate their fallen condition; while others acknowledge no such thing, presuming themselves to be gods in varying degrees of consciousness. Both views are grievously wrong and diametrically opposed to each other. Now it could well be said, that all of these “roads” lead to the same place but it certainly isn’t heaven. Jesus said only one path leads to Heaven. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

Again I say, there is absolutely no room for other beliefs in Christianity. Jesus said it! His life, His sacrificial and atoning death, His resurrection from the grave, and His ascension to the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven - prove it! 

All that was necessary for the Jews and Romans (and all those who were against Christ) to stop Christianity in its tracks was to produce His body. They couldn’t!!! More importantly (in terms of evidence), we see Jesus’ disciples, who were completely distraught and devastated by His brutal and horrific death; all dying a martyr’s death because they would not deny that Jesus Christ had risen from the grave. Keep in mind, these guys never thought it possible. They weren’t expecting it. In fact, they didn’t even believe it when they were told HE was alive by the girls who visited His empty grave.

These men, these martyr’s were forever changed when they saw, touched, and spoke with The Risen Son of God. They were transformed from the fearful faithless to the fearless faithful. They knew Jesus was Alive and they gave their lives as a testimony to that fact.

It has well been said that people may live for a lie (because they can benefit from it), but no man will knowingly die for a lie. If  Jesus had not risen from the grave, His disciples would have all given their lives for a lie. The fact is Jesus IS Alive. His disciples tell us there is no other name by which man must be saved.

Every other religion is essentially man’s futile attempts to reach God by works and one can never know if he or she was “good enough” to go to Heaven. Christianity is the only faith ( Christ didn’t come to start another “religion” ) that acknowledges that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God and there is nothing we can do (in and of ourselves) good enough or often enough to change that. Christianity is founded on the fact that we are saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the Perfect, Sinless Life, - Sacrificial and Substitutionary Death – and the Glorified Resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ.

When Christ Jesus was crucified, there were two men crucified with Him. Both of those men were sentenced to die under Roman law for the crimes they had committed. After Christ Jesus cries out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”, one of those guys realizes that Jesus is The Messiah. That guy then puts his faith in Jesus Christ and is saved from eternal punishment. What hope would there be for that guy in other religion?

No punitive work, no penitent ritual would have helped him on his cross. Crucified murderers and thieves, even by the most lax New Age standards, are not at any recognizable god-like level of consciousness. So what saved this man? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. Why is this man with Christ in Heaven? Because this condemned sinner put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man gets to the Father except through Him.

To suggest that following and praying to a person of significant religious stature, who is dead and buried; is equivalent to following and praying to The Risen and Living Son of God is absolutely absurd. To suggest that there is room for “other beliefs” such as these, within Christianity is either an appeasement or a compromise by those who don’t fully understand what Christ did on the cross; or have the courage of their convictions to love someone enough to tell them the truth. Oh, that we would rather risk loosing a friend for the sake of the Gospel, rather than guaranteeing the loss of his soul for our friendship.

I What is a debate?

1. Have you ever debated someone before?
2. Did you win or did they?
3. What kinds of things might you debate about with you parents or friends?

II How do we debate?A.     When we debate we offer a PLAN, an idea of something we want or want to do.B.     We offer reasons why our friends or parents should say yes to our plan.C.     If they don’t say yes, we may continue to try and tell them reasons why they should say yes and do what we want.D.     That is basically how a real debate works.E.      We exchange ideas.a.       We tell someone why they should change their plans or do what we wantb.       They tell us why they don’t want to. 

    F. Who wins the debate?            a. The person that proves there is a need to change or do something OR the person that can show why something has more value than something else.            b.  The person that provides the best arguments or EVIDENCE about something usually wins. 

G.     Let’s break into groups of two first and try to debate what movie you should go and see.a.       One person will be the AFFIRMATIVE person that suggests a certain movie. Offer one reason why not do anything tonight is bad; offer your plan to watch a movie and offer one good thing will happen if you watch a movie.b.       One person will be the NEGATIVE that argue against going to the movies or seeing a particular movie. Think of one reason why not watching a movie tonight is good, offer one bad thing that might happen if you watch a movie tonight. c.       Each person gets 2 minutes to say/give their proposal and speech? Then the next person gets two minutes to debate against that speech.  

H.     Part of the debate round is something called the cross-ex. The cross ex comes between the first 2 Affirmative Speeches and the first 2 Negative speeches.a.       Who do you think cross-ex’s the Affirmative speaker?b.       Who do you think cross-ex’s the Negative speaker? III Play the Cross ex game one on one. 2 STUDENTS face each other, the one asks the below questions in a 5 minute period and then they switch positions. This will help them practice answering questions on their feet.    I. CLOSE  Thanks for coming. Next week we will learning more about team debating.                                               CROSS EX QUESTIONS: 

What is your favorite color? 

What is you favorite sport? What is your favorite movie 

 What color is your hair? 

What color is your eyes? 

What do you not like to eat? 

What time do you get up in the morning? 

What does your dad do for work? 

How many sisters do you have? 

How many brothers do you have? 

Who is your best friend? 

Where is your favorite place to go? 

Where do you like to go out to eat? 

When was your last haircut? 

How old is your car? 

When did your parents get married? 

What color is your mom’s eyes? 

Where do you live? 

What is your phone number? 

I December 21^st at SundownTheme: With God, a small group or even one can defeat the enemy Story nightLight the 1^st Candle, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle, a representation of Jesus.A. Re-affirm Jesus celebrated Hannakuh in scripture John Chapter 10:22

B. Called Festival of lights-  Read a Hanakkuh Book- Maccabees victory over the enemy Antiochus Epiphanes, lighting of thetemple
Oil Lamp, rededication of the temple and the miraculous continued lighting when the oil should have ran out. The book of Maccabees can be found online. But needs to be condensed into a readable story for devotions.

            C. Application: We are even more than conquerers in Christ Jesus, and need not fear enemies, Psalm 91. He is the potter and we are the clay.           

 II Joseph and his brothers/Egyptian captivity “What they meant for evil God used for good”

Clothes night

Light 2 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle

A.     Story Book of Joseph and his coat of many colors (& God’s provision over the enemy of starvation and drought)

B.     Discuss the added miracle of being second in command over
Egypt, besides saving the people

C.     Application: When God is taking you through a trial, don’t give up! Because Jer 29:11 – Our lives are their own story and part of God’s “HIS”TORY. 

 III V Gideon- “mighty man of valor”- “God sees us differently than we see ourselves”A.            

  Light 3 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle

B.Craft night- make a Hanakkuh craft

C. Read about Gideon- God dwindled them down to show His mighty power on their behalf and gave them the victory.

D. Application: We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are seated in Heavenly Places, Our weapons are mighty Ephesians Chapter 6

E. Give an Art gift       

IV Christmas Play and Reading of Luke Chapters 1 and 2

Light 4 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle        

 Movie Night- give gifts and watch The Nativity Story movie   V   Game Night   Light 5 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant CandleA. Play Dreidel game- Explain the purpose of the Dreidel to teach Jewish children their heritage secretly.

 Use the traditional Gelt candy or any type of candy . Victory is sweet!

B. Give gift bags of Candy     

VI  David - “Our trials are conforming us into the image of Christ” Light 6 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle     

A. Story- slew lion, Goliath, preserved from Saul’s army, preserved from Son’s  attempted coup serve@ a homeless mission or visit a nursing home with gifts

B. He was raised up and with each growing test he was being conformed into the man God intended him to become.- King DavidC.     Application: 1 Peter 1:6-9- sufferings

D. Toy Night 

VII JERICHO “Obedience brings victory even if we don’t understands God’s instructions

Music nightLight 7 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle    

  A.   Praise God in Music first

B   Miracle story in Joshua Chapter 2;  the war plan, the walls falling without entering into a battle for the city but it being given to them in their obedience.

C   Application: Follow God’s plan – The Word of God even when it seems contrary to the wisdom of this World. “It is better to obey God than man” (NT verse?)

D. Give gift of Music          VIII Jesus / death, hell, the grave and Satan – “Light 8 Candles, using the middle candle, the Shamash/Servant Candle      A. The ultimate offering- Romans 8:1”      

 B.Application: Scriptures re: our salvation and God’s promises and running the   race set before us.     

C. Go out to Eat  A fun game to play is the Hanakkuh Left Story- if you buy generic presents that could be for anyone in the group. You sit in a circle and each person takes one present. As the story is read the presents are passed from Right to Left when the words “Right and Left” are read in the below story. At the end you open the present you end up with.   This Hannakuh Left/Right Game was sent to me by “CAROL” from my We have done a “right/left” game with all participants standing in a circle. Use the following story or make one up that is pertinent to your group using the words right and left often, each time the word is said the gift is passed that direction.. At the end of the story, you keep the gift in your possession.

Hannakuh was almost here, and Mother RIGHT was finishing the baking of latkes. Father RIGHT, Sue RIGHT, and Billy RIGHT returned from their last-minute celebration errands. “There’s not much LEFT to be done,” said Father RIGHT as he came into the kitchen. “Did you leave the basket of food for the poor?” asked Mother RIGHT. “I LEFT it RIGHT where you told me to,” said Father RIGHT. “I’m glad my shopping is done,” said Billy RIGHT. “I don’t have any money LEFT.” The hall telephone rang, and Susan RIGHT LEFT to answer it. She rushed back and told the family “Aunt Tillie RIGHT, LEFT a package for us RIGHT on Grandma RIGHT’s porch. I’ll go over there RIGHT now and get it.” she said as she LEFT in a rush. Father RIGHT LEFT the kitchen and brought in the Mennorah. By the time Susan RIGHT returned, Mother RIGHT, Father RIGHT, and Billy RIGHT had begun the lighting of the candles. Then, the  entire RIGHT family began to play the dreidel game together for the special geld chocolates.  Finally, they LEFT all the presents arranged on the table until after the feast, hoping they had selected the RIGHT gifts for their family. Now I hope you have the RIGHT present for yourself, because that’s all that’s LEFT of our story….. Except to wish you a Happy Hannakuh….Isn’t that RIGHT?  

The Days Can Be So Stressed

Especially In December

We Truly Are So Blessed

Oh The Things That I Remember 

Stompin In The Puddles

That Precious Newlywed Rain

The Joys, The Laughs, The Struggles

New Life And Peace Through Pain 

I Praise God We’re Still Together

Tough Times Won’t Cause Me Thought

I Swore I’d Love You Forever

The Love With Which We’re Bought 

I Thank You For The Pleasure

Your Efforts Every Day

The Lengths No One Can Measure

Mere Language Not Convey 

I Love You And I need You

These Things I Will Not Hide

I Still Can’t Wait To See You

My Lover, My Friend, My Bride 

I voted for George Bush twice. I am a conservative, and I knew he wasn’t. He is (or at least, was) a moderate. Several years ago, Karl Rove said he had a plan to destroy the Democrat Party. I think he (or Bush) ended up destroying the Republican Party instead.

Aside from President Bush’s tax cuts and the war on terror, there has been very little to cheer about. If it weren’t for the war on terror, many of Bush’s decisions would have drawn much more criticism within his own party.

President Bush (and the Republicans) pushed for Open Borders, Amnesty for Illegal Aliens, The Prescription Drug Plan, Palestinian Statehood, The Mortgage Bailout, and even the auto industry Bailout. None of those are conservative principles.

We are told by the moderate wing and the intellectual elites of our party we have to do such things to get elected. Well, the evidence is in. We have a President Elect who has strong socialistic (i.e. communistic) ideas. He will have an overwhelming majority of support with Democrat majorities in the House and Senate.

So tell me, what was the benefit of adopting liberal policies? We got our bottoms kicked by abandoning conservative principles and enacting liberal policies, and many still believe that is what we need to do to win. Simply amazing.