><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Issue 30 Vol 3 # 12 December 2002 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine is a free email magazine/newsletter containing articles of interest from a Christian perspective and is published no less than monthly. FreEzine is NOT Spam and is only sent to people who request it. If you ever want to stop (or start) receiving FreEzine you'll find instructions at the end of this newsletter. A special "hello" to all of our new subscribers. We welcome and appreciate feedback on how we can improve this e-zine for you. IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL... ... PLEASE FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> IN THIS ISSUE: Editorial: Christmas Card Time What's On? Seminars & Workshops Repeatable Quotable: A Christmas Alphabet Article: The Meaning of Christmas by Billy Graham Havagiggle: Measuring Up The Extensive Exposition: DOS file extensions The Funny Bone: My Dad's Better Than Your Dad Split Second Wisdom: For Those Travelling at Christmas Reader's Write: Start Your Day by Joe Mazzella Sermon Snippet: God Chooses Shepherds Theologically speaking: Exegetical Notes on Christmas Texts For the Children: Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus Take a Hint: Wording for Homemade Christmas Cards Freebies: Sheet Music, Soy Powder, Consumer Information From My Case Files: Smelling a Rat Letters to the Editor Watch This Space Observation: A Time To Be Grateful by Wendy Olson Back Page: Salvation Assured Subscription & Other Information Finally: The Legend of the Candy Cane ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Editorial: Christmas Card Time It is at this time of year that my wife gets out our ever-growing Christmas Card List and commences to send out greetings to our loved-ones: friends and family. She makes a particular effort to select wording and illustrations appropriate to the recipient in an effort to put out love into the giving. When I was much younger, our family was privileged to have as an adopted aunt the famous ballerina Wakey (Lady Laura Wakefield - then in her sunset years and now deceased). One year she was in a particular frenzy and sent a message for me to take her shopping to buy some wrapping paper and 150 tea-towels. She wanted them as gifts to send out to all the recipients of the Christmas cards she had mailed out a few days earlier. I knew such extravagance was unusual considering her meagre means, so I asked her, "Why?" It seems that to make sure that everyone received the same card, she had bought several boxed packs of identical Christmas cards. Her arthritic hands carefully wrote in shaky but beautiful cursive the names of each recipient and the simple salutation she always used, 'With love, Wakey". She carefully matched each card to an envelope that she had address and 'stamped' before the postal courier took them away for mailing. The following day she sat and looked at the few remaining cards and casually picked one up and read the printed inscription. To her horror, it read, "Just a little note to say; That a gift is on it's way." Wakey wanted the tea-towels to honour the message in the cards. The cost of not checking the message before sending out the cards. In America a few years ago. A kindly 90-year-old grandmother found buying presents for family and friends a bit much at Christmas. So she wrote out cheques for all of them to put in their Christmas cards. In each card she carefully wrote, "Buy your own present" and then sent them off. To her embarrassment, after the Christmas festivities were over, she found the cheques under a pile of papers on her desk! Everyone on her gift list had received a beautiful Christmas card from her with "Buy your own present" written inside-- without the cheque! Recipients of cards from my wife and I do not include cheques or gifts. They do, however convey our love and the fact that the recipient has been remembered. They may even include a personal message and/or Bible verse. Just in case you are not on our Christmas Card List, I wish to use this column to extend to you our best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas season and prosperity for the New Year. -- Lionel Hartley, Editor. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> What's On? Seminars & Workshops: GNU Seminars in February & March 2003 - Dr Des Ford & Pr Ron Allen. Topic: Science & the Bible. Only in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. for info. For free lifestyle seminars in your area, locally, nationally & internationally, visit . ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Repeatable Quotable: A Christmas Alphabet A is for Angels, appearing so bright, Telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, Birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, There in the stable where He laid His head. D is for David and his ancient throne Promised forever to Jesus alone. E is for East, where shone the bright star Which Magi on camels followed afar. F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, Brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. G is for God, who from heaven above Sent down to mankind the Son of His love. H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme Was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream. I is for Immanuel, "God with us," For Christ brought man back to the Father's house. J is for Joseph so noble and just, Obeying God's word with absolute trust. K is for King. A true king He would be, Coming in power and authority. L is for Love that He brought down to earth That night in the stable in lowly birth. M is for Mary, His mother so brave, Counting God faithful and mighty to save. N is for Night, when the Savior was born For nations of earth and people forlorn. O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future and past. P is for Prophets, when living on earth Foretold His redemption and blessed birth. Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard Hastened to act on that heavenly word. R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is Banished forever when Jesus comes in. S is for Saviour. To be this He came; The angel of God assigned Him His name. T is for Tidings related to all, Telling of Him who was born in a stall. U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given To show us the way and take us to heaven. V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page. W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, The King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords. X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek. Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord. Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart. -- ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Article: The Meaning of Christmas by Billy Graham What does Christmas mean to you? In answering that question, we might first consider what Christmas meant to some of the people who were involved in the Christmas story. First, there was Joseph. He was contracted to marry Mary, and in that time, being engaged was about the same as being married. I think that we give too little attention to Joseph. He is called "a just man,"(1) which means that he obeyed the will of God, and it includes the meaning of sympathy and kindness, and it indicated his devotion to God and to Mary. When Joseph found that his wife-to-be was with child, he could have called her ugly names. He could have exposed her to the public. She might have been stoned. But he didn't because the angel had come to him in a dream, telling him, "Fear not! This Child that Mary will have is to be the Son of the Most High."(2) What faith it took on Joseph's part to believe and to trust! Second, there was Mary. She was a young woman probably no older than age 16, and she had tremendous faith. Gabriel, the herald of God, announced to her, "Blessed art thou among women. -- Thou hast found favor with God."(3) What kind of favor did she find? What were the results of it? "God has given us the marvelous ability to choose to die in Christ and go to heaven, or to choose to die out of Christ and go to hell. It's up to us to make that choice." Many of us today would be reluctant to claim it. Mary would go on a long and wearing journey to a small town. The pains of childbirth would come upon her in a stable. There would be the long trip to Egypt and the return to Nazareth, there would be the long years of obscurity and poverty. And her Son would be crucified on a Roman cross. That was the favor of God upon Mary. And Mary bore a cross too because she followed the Savior, her Son. And to follow Him we too must carry a cross. Maybe you are suffering the loss of a loved one, or the ending of a courtship that broke your heart, or financial reverses, or something in school. Whatever it is, it might be the favor of God on your life, because God is sovereign, and nothing happens to believers by accident. "Mary's first great test was the Baby in her womb. She was not yet fully married. What would people say? What would they think?" When disappointments and heartbreaks come, they could be the favor of God -- a stepping-stone to a greater involvement with Christ and a greater surrender to Him. God's favor for a person may be bestowed not by affluence but by a great challenge when faith is put to a costly test. Mary's first great test was the Baby in her womb. She was not yet fully married. What would people say? What would they think? The same Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary overshadows you when you repent of your sins and receive Christ as your Savior. Jesus said, "You must be born again if you are to see the Kingdom of God."(4) The Bible says, "The wind bloweth where it listeth."(5) You can't see the wind blow, and that's the same in the new birth. You can't see it happen -- it happens by the Holy Spirit. Third, there were the angels and their gladness. The Bible says that the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents.(6) And today, at this Christmas season, one person coming to Christ will cause the angels to rejoice. Fourth, there were the shepherds. They were not ordinary shepherds. They were the lowest of the low of the shepherds. They were the ones who were assigned to watch over the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the Temple. And Old Testament sacrifices looked forward to the coming of the Lamb of God who was to be slain, and that had been planned from the foundation of the world. When the shepherds saw a big light and heard the angels, the shepherds were afraid. But the angel said, "Fear not."(7) Four times in the Christmas story we read, "Fear not."(8) And today our world is trembling with fear. All around the world people are fearful of terrorist attacks. The entire free world is under attack by both a physical enemy and a spiritual enemy. And if ever there was a time for us to get right with God, it is now. If ever there was a time to say, "Fear not! God reigns! God is sovereign! God has a plan!" it is now. In the book of Isaiah God says, "I made you. I redeemed you. Fear not. I'll be with you through the waters. I'll be with you in the times of trouble."(9) If we are faithful to God, He will be with us. Fifth, there were the people in the world. This Christmas we cannot help but think of the people who are suffering horrific catastrophes and those who are living under oppression. We cannot help but think of people who are starving and those who are overwhelmed by poverty. I remember, as a child, that when I would leave food on my plate -- especially spinach -- my mother would say, "Eat it all! Remember the starving in China." And I always wondered how I could get that spinach over to China! But there is something to that notion. We need to share the blessings that God has given us. And that's what Christmas carries with it -- the idea of sharing with others. And one of the greatest needs that people in the world have is to be loved. One man said, "We cannot practice in our country the gifts of the Holy Spirit, like preaching, but we can bear the fruit of the Spirit."(10) The Bible says, "Against such there is no law."(11) There is no law anywhere in the world that says we can't love the person we work with, or live near, or the person of another race. Many people today are looking for love -- true love. What does Christmas mean to you this year? I pray that it will mean the Person of Jesus Christ and what He did for us. Jesus didn't come to be born; He came to die on the cross for us. His death was planned before the foundation of the world. And when He was dying on the cross, God laid on Him your sins and mine. Because of that, God can say to us, "I forgive you. I forgive you." If you ask God to forgive your sin, you can know that you are ready to meet God. But there's another part of the Christmas story that speaks to us -- and it speaks to us of death. Those sheep were destined for death, and they symbolize the death of Jesus Christ. He died for us. And we will die too. We are going to die in Christ, or out of Christ. When we die, we are going to heaven, or to hell. God has given us the marvelous ability to choose to die in Christ and go to heaven, or to choose to die out of Christ and go to hell. It's up to us to make that choice. May God help you to choose Christ today. (1) Matthew 1:19, KJV. (2) Cf. Matthew 1:20. (3) Luke 1:28,30, KJV. (4) Cf. John 3:3. (5) John 3:8, KJV. (6) Luke 15:7,10. (7) Luke 2:10, KJV. (8) Matthew 1:20, KJV; Luke 1:13, KJV; Luke 1:30, KJV; Luke 2:10, KJV. (9) Cf. Isaiah 43:1-2. (10) Galatians 5:22. (11) Galatians 5:23, KJV. -- <> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Havagiggle: Measuring Up The following question appeared in a physics degree exam at the University of Copenhagen: "Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a barometer." One enterprising student replied: "You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal the height of the building." This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was failed immediately. The student appealed, on the grounds that his answer was indisputably correct, and the university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case. The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display any noticeable knowledge of physics; to resolve the problem it was decided to call the student in and allow him six minutes in which to verbally provide an answer that showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles of physics. For five minutes the student sat in silence, forehead creased in thought. The arbiter reminded him that time was running out, to which the student replied that he had several extremely relevant answers, but couldn't make up his mind which to use. On being advised to hurry up the student replied as follows: "One, you could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H =3D 1/2gt squared (height equals half times gravity time squared). But bad luck on the barometer. "Two, if the sun is shining you could measure the height of the barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is a simple matter of proportional arithmetic to work out the height of the skyscraper. "Three, if you wanted to be highly scientific about it, you could tie a short piece of string to the barometer and swing it like a pendulum, first at ground level and then on the roof of the skyscraper. The height is worked out by the difference in the gravitational restoring force (T = 3D 2 pi sqr root of l over g). "Four, if the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be easy to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer lengths, then add them up. "Five, if you merely wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, of course, you could use the barometer to measure air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper, compare it with standard air pressure on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the height of the building. "Six, since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence of mind and apply scientific methods, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door and say to him 'I will give you this nice new barometer, if you will tell me the height of this skyscraper.'" The arbiter re-graded the student with an 'A.' -- ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Extensive Exposition. Each issue we will make available a longer article available by email free to those who request it. This is to keep the FreEzine a readable length yet make available more in-depth material for those who are interested. Articles provided under this section do not always reflect totally the beliefs of the editor. In some issues more than one article will be available under this section and articles will need to be asked for by name to save confusion. We have no separate mailing list for the automatic despatch of articles in The Extensive Exposition so a separate request will need to be made for each article. This month's article is the e-book, Common File Extensions by Lionel Hartley Have you ever wondered what the difference is between .doc and .dot? Or perhaps you have a file labeled image.jpg and you want to know what type of file it is. IBM Computers use a three-character file extension to identify a file's type (Eg document, picture, video, sound file, etc.) This resource demystifies what those extensions mean and outlines the six specific variations that also occur in extension usage. It is also a useful resource for those converting MAC to IBM (Using TransMac or AppleFile Exchange). Articles may be obtained free by writing to the editor and asking for the article by name. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Funny Bone: My Dad's Better Than Your Dad Three young boys were walking along arguing over whose daddy was the greatest. One said, "My dad is the greatest because he is the president of the town bank." The second boy said, "That is pretty good, but my daddy owns two grocery stores in town!" The third boy said, "That's nothing, my dad is a preacher, and he owns hell. He came home last night and told my mom that the Church Board gave it to him!" Anon - Editor's archives ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Split Second Wisdom: For Those Travelling at Christmas If you look like your passport photo you are probably not well enough to travel. - Anon ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Reader's Write: Start Your Day (For dec 2002 FreEzine) I saw the light from the sunrise peeking through the window today as I was eating my breakfast. Never one to pass up a look at one of God's masterpieces I picked up my coffee cup and walked over to the window. The beauty and peace that came flowing from the sight of it were so uplifting. The pink clouds were slowly turning to a brilliant gold. The snow covered hills and trees below them were sparkling like a million diamonds just exposed to light. Above the clouds the quarter moon smiled down from its seat in the Heavens. Beside it the twinkle of the Morning Star still flickered joyfully before giving way to the rising sun. I smiled happily at this sight and felt so blessed and at peace watching it unfold before me. I waved to the newspaper-man as he delivered my morning paper and thought what a wonderful world we live in. As I slipped on my coat and headed off my porch to get the paper, I was kissed by the cool, brisk breeze and heard the glorious music of my wind chimes singing. It was then that I looked all around me and said a loving "thank you" to God. I knew then that whatever else my day would hold that it would still be full of love, joy, peace, happiness, and oneness with God. God greets each of us every morning with beauty, joy, and unconditional love. Let's not ignore these gifts. Instead let us open our hearts and souls to them. There is no better way to start your day than to see the blessings that are all around you, to give joyous thanks to God for them, and to welcome them into your heart and life. God starts each day by offering you love and joy. Start your day by rejoicing in these gifts and then spend the rest of it sharing them with the world. -- Joe Mazzella . If you have something you have written that you would like us to consider publishing, a free 60 page Style Guide is available online at , or from the Editor of this FreEzine. Submissions for FreEzine must not exceed 500 words and may be sent within the body of an email addressed to . ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Sermon Snippet: God Chooses Shepherds Christ is revealed only to a few witnesses, and that at dead of night. Further, while God had at hand many of rank and high ability as witnesses, He puts them aside and simply chooses shepherds, of little account with men, of no reckoning ... If we desire to come to Christ, we must not be ashamed to follow those whom God chose, from the sheep dung, to bring down the pride of the world. -- John Calvin, Commentary on Luke 2:8, A Harmony of the Gospels Vol. I. (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Theologically Speaking: Exegetical Notes on Christmas Texts by Judith Hoch Wray (Our Lord Jesus Christ was born of a line of ancestors whom the Evangelist Matthew arranges with artistry into three groups of 14 patriarchs, 14 kings and 14 princes. Among the latter were a number of disreputable characters.... God holds before us this mirror of sinners that we may know that (God) is sent to sinners, and from sinners is willing to be born. -- Martin Luther) Though we often skip over these lists of names, counting them as boring, the gospel writers took great pains to compile the genealogies and to make several theological points in the process. ><> Matt 1:1-17 (a) Matthew begins by defining Jesus the Messiah as the son of David. Note how this becomes important foundation for other stories in the gospel according to Matthew. [Matt 9:27; 12:3; 23; 15:22; 20:29-34; 21:1-17; 22:41-46]. (b) Matthew's genealogy includes five women: (1) Tamar [Gen 38]; (2) Rahab, the prostitute [Josh 2:1-3; 6:17-25; Heb. 11:31; Jas 2:25]; (3) Ruth, the foreigner [Ruth's story found in the book of Ruth]; (4) the wife of Uriah whom David took [Bathsheba's story found in 2 Sam 11-12]; and (5) Mary, of whom Jesus was born. Much speculation has attended recognition of these women in Jesus' genealogy. Whatever else may be deduced, their presence surprises us; righteousness and faithfulness and the agents of divine purpose are found in places we do not expect. (c) Surely Matt 1:17 is Matthew's way of saying that the Messiah came at exactly the right time. [Compare Paul in Romans 5:6.] Note the evangelist's deliberate accounting of equal generations from one key event to another, even though the list does not coincide with other genealogical lists found in the Hebrew Scriptures. As an accounting of generations, the theological has become more important than the historical. ><> Luke 3:23-38 (a) Note that Luke does not include the genealogy as part of the birth account; rather, it appears almost as a commentary on Jesus' baptism, as a confirmation of the voice from heaven. "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" [Luke 3:22] (b) The conclusion, and apparently the goal, of Luke's list is to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God. [Compare Luke 4:3, 9, 41] Only later, after Jesus' ministry is well established does Luke refer to Jesus as the "Son of Man." And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7. ><> Yearly Christmas pageants have fixed a clear picture in our minds of what "there was no room in the inn" may have meant. If we listen to the Greek text of Luke 2:7, we may deduce a different scenario for Jesus' birth. English translation allowed us to miss connections that Luke may have intended. The word "inn" in Luke 2:7 [kataluma], is used again by Luke in 22:11: "say to the owner of the house, `The teacher asks you, where is the guest room [kataluma], where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" The next verse describes this kataluma as "a large room upstairs." Knowing that Joseph was returning to his home town of Bethlehem to be counted with his family in the Roman census [Luke 2:1-2], we may speculate that Joseph's intention was to stay with his family. Since many out-of-town family members would have been arriving at the same time, the guest room [kataluma], upstairs on the roof of the house, was already full. Mary and Joseph found space in the kitchen/stable area that comprised the first floor of the house. Here was a warm fire, and the straw provided for the family animals would make a more comfortable bed than the hard floor of the guest room. This area was probably more private for Mary's birthing time than the guest room would have been. Perhaps "no room in the inn" was not a rejection of the Christ child, but a gracious accommodation in the best circumstances the family could provide. How interesting, also, that in Luke's gospel, while there was "no room in the kataluma" for Jesus on his first night on earth, that is exactly where he spent his last night on earth with his disciples. (c) 2000 The Living Pulpit, Inc. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> For the Children: Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus Santa lives at the North Pole ... Jesus is everywhere. Santa rides in a sleigh ... Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water. Santa comes but once a year ... Jesus is an ever present help. Santa fills your stockings with goodies ... Jesus supplies all your needs. Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ... Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited. You have to wait in line to see Santa ... Jesus is as close as the mention of His name. Santa lets you sit on his lap ... Jesus lets you rest in his arms. Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is 'Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?' ... Jesus knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ... Jesus has a heart full of love All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ... Jesus offers health, help and hope. Santa says "You better not cry" ... Jesus says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you." Santa's little helpers make toys ... Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions. Santa may make you chuckle but ... Jesus gives you joy that is your strength. While Santa puts gifts under your tree ... Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.... The cross. We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 -- Andy ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Take a Hint: Wording for Homemade Christmas Cards If you like making homemade Christmas cards and would like to include some of the words of that famous Christmas Carol, Silent Night, you may wish to check out the website where you can access 155 versions of Silent Night in 106 different languages. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Freebies: Several freebies this month: ><> Sheet music may be obtained free from ><> Free product sample of 100% Soy Plus Calcium powder/sachets and Free booklet call 1800 002 693 Australia Only ><> Free information (from the Australian Government) on product recalls: < http://www.recalls.gov.au/> ><> Free information on Consumer Alerts and Scams from Choice Magazine < http://www.choice.com.au/> ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> From My Case Files: After three decades of counselling, your editor (a retired sociologist) sometimes ponders some of the things that have come up in counselling that, in retrospect, contain an element of humour. This feature section will be included from time to time to share some of these snippets. Names have been changed to protect privacy. Maggie was complaining that her husband Egbert had bought a large white rat as a pet. Egbert explained, "Because we have no children the rat is going to live with us just like one of the family. He'll eat at the same table with us. He'll have the run of the house. He'll even sleep in the same bed with me and Maggie." "But won't he try to run away? And what about the hygiene and smell problem?", I asked. "Oh don't worry about that", said Egbert confidently, "He won't run away, and as far as the mess and the stink in the bedroom is concerned he'll just have to get used to it in the same way I had to." What Maggie said next is unprintable! ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Letters to the Editor Cantos de poetry, Catchwords, Changes, Clamourings, Clichés, Commendations, Comments, Commercials, Complaints, Compliments, Congratulates, Credits, Cries, Criticisms, Critiques? We'll Take All! Edward (email, UK) asks, I have inherited a 1926 Ford Motorcar. How can I determine if the vehicle is a vintage car or a veteran car? I have been told that pre-1900 is vintage and post-1900 is veteran. Where can I get this information? Reply: Edward, I know little about motor vehicles, but veteran cars (or motorcycles, trucks, military vehicles, etc.) are vehicles that are older than those labelled vintage. As you live in the UK, I refer you to the Oxford Concise Dictionary, which states that a vintage car is a car made between 1917 and 1930, and a veteran car is one made before 1916, or (strictly) before 1905. Other countries are often more lax with this definition and the Automobile Association/s or Vintage/Veteran Car Club/s in those countries will be able to clarify individual country differences. - Editor. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Watch This Space: Future issues will include other sections not listed here. Why not write to us suggesting what you would like to see included. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Observation: A Time To Be Grateful by Wendy Olson As the year draws to a close take time to reflect and be grateful for all that you have, no matter what that might be. Look back over the months and make note of the things you have done well and the things you have not. This will provide you with a guide of where to start in the New Year. Be mindful of the people who have helped you to get to where you are today and say, 'Thank you'. When it comes to the money part of your life, again be grateful for what you have today. We cannot always know what the future holds for us. It is not the amount of money we have but what we are doing with the money that matters. It is about the choices we make. When is comes to planning, it is a forward moving and changing target. Our goals change as we grow and learn. We are better off when we have a guide or coach to show us the way. Would hockey players succeed without a coach? How have you done this year at reaching your targets and goals? Are you one step closer or further behind? Or do you even know? If you had challenges, be thankful but make sure you have learned from the experience. Then be willing to look forward and be willing to ask for help. May you and yours take time to reflect on the great things that happened to you this year. Reflect on the events of our past and the lessons learned. And be open to start the New Year with a plan to move forward in 2003. May you all have a year filled with Wealth Wellness! -- Wendy Olson ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Back Page: Salvation Assured It was hundreds of years ago Thousands of miles from here That event which is the pinnacle of of earth's history. ><> It stands in eternity's line. A beacon for all who will look. A lighthouse for the lost. A harbour for storm-tossed ships. ><> That rough-hewn Roman cross stands on Golgotha's hill. An instrument of torture - the cruellest death. On it the Lamb suspended between earth and Heaven, His head crowned with platted thorns - Spikes pinning His hands and feet to the wood tearing His flesh. Yet that rough wood that held our was insignificant compared to the cup He drank. Sin, no longer mixed with grace. As the poison entered that perfect body He became sin itself so that we can be free. ><> There was no tender hand - No gentle touch to ease is suffering. No caress to comfort - He was alone. ><> He, the Lamb of God died the most violent death ever before or since. Poisoned by sin's separation from the source of life - love. He died my death. ><> As He gasps His last words, "It is finished." Nature can no longer stand it. It rages against the death of its Creator. The sun give out - It quits shining. It is darker than a thousand midnights. ><> The piercing dark is shattered by mighty bolts of lightening, Deafening thunder and the violent shaking of the earth. Great cracks opened up in the earth as the Lamb's blood from His spear-pierced side is spilled on the Mercy seat. Justice and Mercy kiss and grace is born. Type meets antitype and thousands of bloodied altars vanish into oblivion. The Lamb hands silently - no longer breathing. It seems His great heart has beat it's last. Our sin is covered. Our debts cancelled. Our freedom bought. ><> Salvation forever secured. - Buffy Halverson. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Subscription Information: FreEzine is a Free ezine magazine/newsletter, published by Lionel Hartley () no less than monthly and sent out ONLY to those who request it. As FreEzine uses an opt-in email list, we never buy or otherwise obtain email addresses. Although we encourage our readers to forward a copy of FreEzine to their friends and invite them to subscribe, we have a strictly No Spam Policy. To subscribe, please send an email telling us where you heard about FreEzine, to and type SUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. To change your email address, please send a blank message to and type ADDRESS CHANGE FREEZINE in the subject line. To unsubscribe, simply send a blank message (we invite your comments also) to and type UNSUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. It is NOT necessary to access a website and/or go through a complicated ritual to unsubscribe from FreEzine! 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This could be your next home: Check out ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Finally: The Legend of the Candy Cane A story is told about a candy maker who wanted to make a candy that would be a testimony of his Christian faith, so he made the Christmas candy cane. He fashioned it using several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy--white to remind us of the virgin birth and of the sinless nature of Jesus Christ, and hard to remind us of Jesus, the solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and of the firmness of God's promises. The candy maker made the candy in the shape of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Saviour. Turned upside down, it also represents the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy looked somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used small red stripes to remind us of the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. He used a large red stripe to remind us of the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, over the years, the candy cane has become just a tasty treat and a traditional Christmas decoration without any special significance. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear." May this simple piece of holiday candy serve as a reminder to us all of the true reason for celebrating at Christmas time: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. <>