Why Send Christmas Cards?

Some people may have already started decorating for Christmas, yet in some households the traditional time to “deck the halls” comes right after Thanksgiving.  There are also cards to send out (although a lot of people have evolved more to cyber greetings then using the standard Christmas card). Or are people waiting to see who will send them a card first? Sending cards shouldn’t be a chore or an obligation. It’s a time to “reach out and touch someone”

Make a collage from those Christmas photos

Yes, the cost of stamps has increased; yet take note how the number of your friends, relatives and associates may have dwindled. Some people may have died or just aren’t doing as well as you seem to be doing. They may be “too busy” (now that’s a sad and overused expression – we’re all busy these days), they might have lost your address, or they may have lost their joy – ‘Bah Humbug’. Your card may be the only tangible thing they receive, and can look at throughout the year, knowing that someone still cares.

Cyber cards are fine; however a hand written card is exceptional. It may take a little time, effort and money. You don’t have to get expensive cards (Hint for next year’s cards: Get the pretty ones the day after Christmas for the following year – usually 75% off.); nonetheless it shows that you thought enough to send the very best (sounds like a slogan doesn’t it?)  Even if you get your secretary to do the work for you, it’s better than putting all you addresses in “CC or BCC”, adding a cute little graphic and hitting the “send button”. 

You may not want to “stay-in-touch” anymore (because the other person didn’t respond last year or they just ‘ticked-you-off’), but give the communication effort a couple of years before you decide to disconnect. You may need to let the other person know that they offended you; then do it with kindness, forgive them and move on with your life. The question to ask yourself is, “Who are your friends or who are mere acquaintances that you no longer have a ‘common bond’ to share?”  Sometimes it’s a tough decision (does the person need your friendship, or are they just sucking the life out of you?) After the second year of no response, it may be time to let it go.

If you’ve been blessed to have someone’s physical address, then go ahead – send them a card. The longer you live – the shorter your Christmas card list may become. It shouldn’t be hard to stay in touch at least once a year. Take a little time out of your busy schedule and send a card today. It’s good to get something in the mail besides bills and advertisements.  Besides, the retail market is stealing the true reason for the holiday season.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

To read more from Ms. “V” (Victoria Thomas Poller) - get the book: “Bent But Not Broken.”  It makes a lovely Christmas Gift

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Righteous Indignation, what is it?

Righteous indignation is typically a reactive emotion of anger over perceived mistreatment, insult, or malice. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice. In some Christian doctrines, righteous indignation is considered the only form of anger which is not sinful, e.g., when Jesus drove the money lenders out of the temple.

It happens to the best of us. Someone says or does something to you or one of your family members and your flesh begins to crawl. You get ‘hot under the collar’. You may even want to ‘slap someone’, but is that going to bring someone closer to Christ and His teachings?

Should righteous indignation be allow to run rampart and uncontrolled? Do we go out and ‘smack’ the person behind you in the theatre who is constantly kicking your seat? Do you catch-up with that person on the highway and run him off the road because he cut you off? Would putting your fist through a wall justify that you didn’t get that raise you were promised? Sure, other people can be annoying, but sometimes we can be a pest too. No one is exempt.

Few things get this writers’ goat, but recently being ignored in a professional manner was the straw to break the camel’s back (or should one say fingers). Once you’ve said something, typed something, or written something, and you send it out – it can’t be reeled back in. Look at things said, or written by celebrities & politicians. You’ve got to be discrete in the manner that you handle a matter.

So when you are tempted to retaliate over injustices that have been done to you, take a moment and calm down, think of the repercussions, and if you need to let that other person know of their wrong-doing; do it in a way that will benefit you and that other person too. Prove to that other person that you can show love. If you have to say something to a person – say it kindly and respectfully. Don’t let thoughts fester (our thoughts can be as a ‘cancer’ if we allow them to). “Say What You Need To Say”, forgive, report any abuse, let it go and then refocus on the positive.

Romans 12:9-21 (King James Version) 9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

What are some things that get your ‘righteous indignation’ in a knot?

“What Did I Forget?”

Four Reasons Why I Might Forget Something:
1. My mind is crammed with other things
2. My mind is getting more mature and full of information
3. I had a ‘brain dump’
4. I chose to forget
Whatever the reason – I’m sorry I forgot. Please forgive me, leave me a note, and remind me where I put the note when I don’t respond back to you right away. Forgive The Forgetful – He did!!!
Phil. 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
Phil. 2:5 “I Do Have the Mind of Christ”
(That was suppose to be a little funny and encourage everyone ;)

(This was given to me this morning 9/18/08)
If someone “does you wrong” don’t be so ready to “delete” that person out of your life. Go to that person and try to get an understanding first (Proverbs 3:13; 4:7; 16:16 & 19:8 Bible reading time ;). “This is what I heard you say, is that what you meant?”

Usually there is some miscommunication between what you heard and what was said. Everybody’s not out to shock you with a “cattle prod” (a word for all my friends out west) or a “taser”. “Prov. 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”

Be Blessed & I’ll type you next week.

Ms. “V”
www.victoriapoller.com (Don’t forget to come and sign my guest book ;)