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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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We're glad you chose to visit with us today! Sonkist Ministries is simply an outreach to people who are trying to live healthy, satisfied lives and strive toward their fullest potential!
The foundation for a balanced, fulfilled life begins with understanding that you really are a special creation - not some blob of material that just "happened" into existence. Being unique, however, means that you will have different strengths, weaknesses, preferences, dislikes, goals, dreams - and even quirks - than anyone else on the planet!
Yet as unique as you are, you will definitely share some commonalities with your neighbors, friends and family members. In fact, as we've worked with children, teenagers, and adults over the past twenty years, we have discovered an interesting phenomenon. No matter what their age, social status, educational background or cultural experiences, all individuals are curious about two basic questions:
*Who am I?
*What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
We believe that the answers to these - and all of life's most challenging questions - can really be found. No matter what your past has been like, you can have a fabulous future! If you're depressed because people have let you down, or you have personal or professional issues that cause you to struggle on a regular basis, you can make positive changes to improve these dilemmas. Perhaps you are anxious due to all the pressures of living in today's world. Maybe you're dealing with family problems, and it seems that there's no one to guide you through these trying times.
Here at Sonkist Ministries we believe there is help - and hope - for a better tomorrow . . . and that this future begins with the choices that you make today! We'd like to assist you as you start living that better, brighter future. Won't you take a little more time to investigate how you can get in touch with the real you and see what amazing possibilities are awaiting you?
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“Silent Night”
There’s a story that has been told from World War II about a miracle that occurred in the midst of war-torn Europe. One Christmas Eve near the Elsenborn Ridge in Belgium, the gunfire slowly died and silence seemed to momentarily reign. Around midnight, Lt. Charles Stockwell reported that the men on his side of the battle lines began to sing Christmas carols from their childhood. As if in some heavenly reply, snowflakes started to gently fall.
But this heavenly gift was just the beginning of a small miracle that transpired that sacred evening. While the Allied soldiers watched the snow with wonder, Lt. Stockwell’s division heard other voices in the distance – but these had German accents – singing the lyrics of a very familiar tune:
Silent Night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Soon the troops on both sides joined in to sing this joyful chorus. And even though the war would continue, these weary soldiers spent a few minutes remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
Though decades have passed, we still find ourselves in a world that has battle zones and front lines drawn. Some countries have rebels waiting on hillsides to attack defenseless villages. Other areas are experiencing constant terrorism, never knowing when or where the next bomb will go off. Many people have family members or friends that are protecting our nation - both here and abroad. And all of us feel the strains of the economic battle that has raged across our land, impacting every aspect of society. The times may change, but as a wise king once said, there is nothing new under the sun.
Yet as this holiday season approaches, hope rises once again for even the weariest of human souls! Why? What is it about Christmas that lifts our spirits, lightens our load, and let’s us think more about others than ourselves?
It is the Christ of Christmas that offers us hope – and not just for this short season, but most importantly, hope for a future in Heaven with no more pain or problems! It is Jesus - born of the Virgin Mary yet the Son of God - that we must thank for this gift of eternal life. He gave His life so that we might truly have peace for all eternity!
It is our prayer that you won’t let another day slip away without knowing that the Lord Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life - both now and forever!
From all of us at Sonkist Ministries, may you have a blessed Christmas . . . and, wherever you are in this world, may heavenly peace surround you both day and night!
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Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven –praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”
Luke 2:13-14
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