Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyful Kwanzaa, Blessed Solstice,
Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. — Islam, Muhammad, The Farewell Sermon
Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with Style. Laud the Lord.
Peace,
Jim
            LAUDABLE
Definition: praiseworthy; commendable
How to Live This Quality Today: Do what you are supposed to do.
            STYLISH
Definitions: (1) characterized by or conforming to the current fashion; smart or chic; (2) a unique combination of charming elements; individualistic
Synonyms: elegant, fashionable
Quote:
Style is the dress of thought. Style is the outward manifestation of our inner spirituality.
— Reverend Leo Booth (1946 – ) British-American Author, Say Yes to Your Spirit
Consider the Source

Consider the Source

7 Checkpoints Curriculum Strategy for Students is an intentional, systematic approach to discipleship focused on the content of discipleship. These seven student-specific principles are the irreducible minimum. The authors are convinced that these seven basic principles every student should understand, commit to memory and embrace before they leave the safety of their homes and youth ministries. These are the must know, can’t be without principles. They are not all that is important. But they are what are most important for students. They are as follows:

• Check point #1 – Authentic Faith

Principle – Can God be trusted that he will do what He has promised to do.
Critical question: Are our students trusting God with the critical areas of their lives?
Key passage – Proverbs 3:5-6

• Checkpoint #2 – Spiritual Discipline

Principle – When you see as God sees, you will do as God says.
Critical question – Are our students developing a consistent devotional prayer life.
Key passage – Romans 12:2

• Checkpoint #3 – Moral Boundaries

Principle – Purity paves the way to intimacy
Critical question – Are our students established and maintaining Godly moral boundaries?
Key passage – I Thessalonians 4:3-8

• Checkpoint #4 – Healthy Friendships

Principle – Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life.
Critical question–Are our students establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones?
Key passage – Proverbs 13:20

• Checkpoint #5 – Wise Choices

Principle – Walk wisely
Critical question – Are our students making wise choices in every area of their lives?
Key passage – Ephesians 5:15-17

• Checkpoint #6 – Ultimate Authority

Principle – Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
Critical question – Are our students submitting to the authorities God has placed over them?
Key passage – Romans 13:1-2

• Checkpoint #7 – Others First

Principle – Consider others before yourself
Critical question – Are our students putting the needs of others ahead of their own?
Key passage – Philippians 2:3-11

Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. — The Dalai Lama
One who is Venturesome derives great please from the new, and difficult, experience. There is risk in life, and if we can assess it in a Merry light, we may be able to take it as it comes. No matter the experience, we learn from it.
Peace,
Jim
        MERRY
Definitions: (1) full of fun and laughter; lively and mirthful; joyous; (2) marked by cheerfulness or festivity
Synonyms: blithe, jocund, jolly, jovial, sportive, sprightly, vivacious, merry‑andrew
Note: The term “merry‑andrew” <one whose business it is to make fun of others> is said to have originated with one Andrew Borde (c. 1 490-1549 ) , a physician in the time of Henry VIII (1 491-1547 ) , who attracted attention and gained patients by making facetious speeches.
Saying: Gaudeamus igitur (Latin): “Let us then be merry.”
Proverb: A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. — The Bible, Proverbs 15:13
Mythological Figure: Momus , the Greek god of laughter
        VENTURESOME
Definition: prone to taking risks in spite of possible danger or loss; eager for adventure; daring
Synonyms: bold, brave, courageous, intrepid
Compatible Quality: lucky
Consider the Source

His was a positive influence. And as the world morns the loss of Stephen Covey we have highlighted his Seven Habits in the hope that you will make them your own. We highly recommend buying his book and digging a bit deeper into the qualities that have changed the lives of so many who value personal growth.
1) Be Proactive
As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. We have the independent will to make our own choices and decisions, and the responsibility (“the ability to respond”) to make the right choices. You have the freedom to choose your own fate and path, so having the independent will, imagination and self-awareness to make the right move makes you a proactive, and not a reactive, person.
2) Begin With The End In Mind
Mental visualization is extremely important. Covey says that all things are created twice: first, the mental conceptualization and visualization and a second physical, actual creation. Becoming your own creator means to plan and visualize what you’re going to do and what you’re setting out to accomplish and then go out and creating it. Identifying your personal statement and your principles will help.
3) Put First Things First
With your power of independent will, you can create the ending you want to have. Part of that comes with effective time management, starting with matters of importance. Then tasks should be completed based on urgency after you deal with all the important matters. If you deal with crises, pressing problems and deadline-driven projects first, your life will be a lot easier.
4) Think Win/Win
If you believe in a better way to accomplish goals that’s mutually beneficial to all sides, that’s a win/win situation. “All parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan,” Covey wrote. “One person’s success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others.” If you have integrity and maturity, there’s no reason win/win situations can’t happen all the time.
5) Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
If you’re a good listener and you take the time to understand a concept, it will help you convey your opinions, plans and goals to others. It starts with communication and strong listening skills, followed by diagnosing the situation and then communicating your solution to others.
6) Synergize
Synergistic communication, according to Covey, is “opening your mind and heart to new possibilities, new alternatives, new options.” This applies to the classroom, the business world and wherever you could apply openness and communication. It’s all about building cooperation and trust.
7) Sharpen The Saw
Sometimes you’re working so hard on the other six habits that you forget about re-energizing and renewing yourself to sharpen yourself for the tasks in front of you. Some sharpening techniques include exercise and nutrition, reading, planning and writing, service and empathy and commitment, study and meditation.

For those considering an in depth exploration of Positive Qualities, we also recommend the work of Jim Downs. His Positive Qualities Chart and the companion book are essential references. The Positive Qualities Company website gives an overview of the attributes embraced by Covey and others making the most of this life.
Consider the Source

Bedding retailers Sleep Train and Sleep Number have pulled their ads from the Rush Limbaugh show due to his impetuous slurs against a young woman attending the Georgetown University Law School. Quicken Loans and Auto Zone withdrew shortly thereafter.
The Republican-controlled House had rejected the request of Democrats for Sandra Fluke to testify on the Obama administration’s policy requiring that employees of religion-affiliated institutions have access to health insurance that covers birth control. Fluke was later given a chance to talk to Congress on February 23, although lawmakers were on a break and just a few Democratic allies were on hand.

Fluke spoke of a friend who had an ovary removed because her school’s insurance company wouldn’t cover the prescription birth control she needed to stop the growth of cysts. She said that Georgetown, a Jesuit institution, does not provide contraception coverage in its student health plan and that contraception can cost a woman more than $3,000 during law school.

On Wednesday, Limbaugh unleashed a lengthy and often savage verbal assault on Fluke. The pretentious gold mic’d pulpit from which this bullying occurs is supported by a cadre of simpleton followers who consume the products and services advertised on his show. So far the most idiotic response, by a sponsor, to Limbaugh’s bullying was that of ProFlowers. No thinking man is going to use that service to send flowers to a woman unless, of course, she’s a pro.

The following list contains the contact information for sponsors that, for some reason, are currently running ads on Mr. Limbaugh’s low fidelity program.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC
International Headquarters
1 Campus Drive
Parsippany, NJ 07054

ProFlowers
Sales or Service: 1-800-580-2913
Phone: 800.580.2913

eharmony
300 N. Lake Ave., Suite 1111
Pasadena, CA 91101
[email protected]
626.795.4814
FAX 626.585.4040

CARBONITE, Inc.
617-587-1100
177 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
[email protected]
Direct Dial Office: 617-587-1100 EXT:1115

Mid-West Life Insurance Company of Tennessee
9151 Grapevine Hwy.
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Phone (800) 733-1110
(web banner ads on rushlimbaugh.com)

LegalZoom.com – confirmed and long-time advertiser
800-773-0888; Fax: 323-962-8300

Citrix Online (GoToMyPC)
6500 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 805-690-6400; Fax: 805-690-6471
[email protected]

American Forces Network
MyAFN.net

Mission Pharmacal Company
10999 IH-10 West Suite 1000
P.O. Box 786099
San Antonio, TX 78278-6099
Telephone: (800) 531-3333
Bennett Kennedy – Citracal Product Manager

Life Quotes, Inc.
32045 Castle Court
Evergreen, CO 80439
1-800-670-5433
[email protected]

Christmas Day, 1914

By Aaron Shepard

t is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts – yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn’t been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France!
As I wrote before, there has been little serious fighting of late. The first battles of the war left so many dead that both sides have held back until replacements could come from home. So we have mostly stayed in our trenches and waited.
But what a terrible waiting it has been! Knowing that any moment an artillery shell might land and explode beside us in the trench, killing or maiming several men. And in daylight not daring to lift our heads above ground, for fear of a sniper’s bullet.
And the rain – it has fallen almost daily. Of course, it collects right in our trenches, where we must bail it out with pots and pans. And with the rain has come mud – a good foot or more deep. It splatters and cakes everything, and constantly sucks at our boots. One new recruit got his feet stuck in it, and then his hands too when he tried to get out – just like in that American story of the tar baby!
Through all this, we couldn’t help feeling curious about the German soldiers across the way. After all, they faced the same dangers we did, and slogged about in the same muck. What’s more, their first trench was only 50 yards from ours. Between us lay No Man’s Land, bordered on both sides by barbed wire – yet they were close enough we sometimes heard their voices.
Of course, we hated them when they killed our friends. But other times, we joked about them and almost felt we had something in common. And now it seems they felt the same.
Just yesterday morning – Christmas Eve Day – we had our first good freeze. Cold as we were, we welcomed it, because at least the mud froze solid. Everything was tinged white with frost, while a bright sun shone over all. Perfect Christmas weather.
During the day, there was little shelling or rifle fire from either side. And as darkness fell on our Christmas Eve, the shooting stopped entirely. Our first complete silence in months! We hoped it might promise a peaceful holiday, but we didn’t count on it. We’d been told the Germans might attack and try to catch us off guard.
I went to the dugout to rest, and lying on my cot, I must have drifted asleep. All at once my friend John was shaking me awake, saying, “Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!” I grabbed my rifle, stumbled out into the trench, and stuck my head cautiously above the sandbags.
I never hope to see a stranger and more lovely sight. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line, left and right as far as the eye could see.
“What is it?” I asked in bewilderment, and John answered, “Christmas trees!”
And so it was. The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern like beacons of good will.
And then we heard their voices raised in song.

Stille nacht, heilige nacht . . . .

This carol may not yet be familiar to us in Britain, but John knew it and translated: “Silent night, holy night.” I’ve never heard one lovelier – or more meaningful, in that quiet, clear night, its dark softened by a first-quarter moon.
When the song finished, the men in our trenches applauded. Yes, British soldiers applauding Germans! Then one of our own men started singing, and we all joined in.

The first Nowell, the angel did say . . . .

In truth, we sounded not nearly as good as the Germans, with their fine harmonies. But they responded with enthusiastic applause of their own and then began another.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum . . . .

Then we replied.

O come all ye faithful . . . .

But this time they joined in, singing the same words in Latin.

Adeste fideles . . . .

British and German harmonizing across No Man’s Land! I would have thought nothing could be more amazing – but what came next was more so.
“English, come over!” we heard one of them shout. “You no shoot, we no shoot.”
There in the trenches, we looked at each other in bewilderment. Then one of us shouted jokingly, “You come over here.”
To our astonishment, we saw two figures rise from the trench, climb over their barbed wire, and advance unprotected across No Man’s Land. One of them called, “Send officer to talk.”
I saw one of our men lift his rifle to the ready, and no doubt others did the same – but our captain called out, “Hold your fire.” Then he climbed out and went to meet the Germans halfway. We heard them talking, and a few minutes later, the captain came back with a German cigar in his mouth!
“We’ve agreed there will be no shooting before midnight tomorrow,” he announced. “But sentries are to remain on duty, and the rest of you, stay alert.”
Across the way, we could make out groups of two or three men starting out of trenches and coming toward us. Then some of us were climbing out too, and in minutes more, there we were in No Man’s Land, over a hundred soldiers and officers of each side, shaking hands with men we’d been trying to kill just hours earlier!
Before long a bonfire was built, and around it we mingled – British khaki and German grey. I must say, the Germans were the better dressed, with fresh uniforms for the holiday.
Only a couple of our men knew German, but more of the Germans knew English. I asked one of them why that was.
“Because many have worked in England!” he said. “Before all this, I was a waiter at the Hotel Cecil. Perhaps I waited on your table!”
“Perhaps you did!” I said, laughing.
He told me he had a girlfriend in London and that the war had interrupted their plans for marriage. I told him, “Don’t worry. We’ll have you beat by Easter, then you can come back and marry the girl.”
He laughed at that. Then he asked if I’d send her a postcard he’d give me later, and I promised I would.
Another German had been a porter at Victoria Station. He showed me a picture of his family back in Munich. His eldest sister was so lovely, I said I should like to meet her someday. He beamed and said he would like that very much and gave me his family’s address.
Even those who could not converse could still exchange gifts – our cigarettes for their cigars, our tea for their coffee, our corned beef for their sausage. Badges and buttons from uniforms changed owners, and one of our lads walked off with the infamous spiked helmet! I myself traded a jackknife for a leather equipment belt – a fine souvenir to show when I get home.
Newspapers too changed hands, and the Germans howled with laughter at ours. They assured us that France was finished and Russia nearly beaten too. We told them that was nonsense, and one of them said, “Well, you believe your newspapers and we’ll believe ours.”
Clearly they are lied to – yet after meeting these men, I wonder how truthful our own newspapers have been. These are not the “savage barbarians” we’ve read so much about. They are men with homes and families, hopes and fears, principles and, yes, love of country. In other words, men like ourselves. Why are we led to believe otherwise?
As it grew late, a few more songs were traded around the fire, and then all joined in for – I am not lying to you – “Auld Lang Syne.” Then we parted with promises to meet again tomorrow, and even some talk of a football match.
I was just starting back to the trenches when an older German clutched my arm. “My God,” he said, “why cannot we have peace and all go home?”
I told him gently, “That you must ask your emperor.”
He looked at me then, searchingly. “Perhaps, my friend. But also we must ask our hearts.”
And so, dear sister, tell me, has there ever been such a Christmas Eve in all history? And what does it all mean, this impossible befriending of enemies?
For the fighting here, of course, it means regrettably little. Decent fellows those soldiers may be, but they follow orders and we do the same. Besides, we are here to stop their army and send it home, and never could we shirk that duty.
Still, one cannot help imagine what would happen if the spirit shown here were caught by the nations of the world. Of course, disputes must always arise. But what if our leaders were to offer well wishes in place of warnings? Songs in place of slurs? Presents in place of reprisals? Would not all war end at once?
All nations say they want peace. Yet on this Christmas morning, I wonder if we want it quite enough.

We can be thankful to a friend for a few acres, or a little money; and yet for the freedom and command of the whole earth, and for the great benefits of our being, our life, health, and reason, we look upon ourselves as under no obligation. — Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Deep Abiding Devotion

 
Aevia — Consider the Source

© 2011 The Aevia Charitable Trust — Robert H. Kalk – Lead Trustee