Monday, December 24, 2018

The Meaning of Christmas -- man's Salvation

The Real Meaning of Christmas
Not what you think it is .........

Christmas is not about 'us' and the retailers bottom line which sadly in our generation is what it has been reduced to. We have taken the greatest happening in all history and reduced it to a commercial, self-serving, self-indulgent event.

Over two thousand years ago God Himself took on the form of a man, just like any of us. Born of a virgin in a lowly stable, God Himself came into this earthly realm and as the angels declared He set in place peace on the earth. That peace spoken of by the angels was not man to man or nation to nation but between God and man. That is the peace God's only begotten Son had come to declare and accomplish.

He accomplished this not by His life but by His death. His sacrificial death paid the price that righteousness demands for our sin against God. Our sin separates us from knowing the only true God, unless we accept the sacrifice provided for us by the death of God's only begotten Son we can not know God or enter His kingdom. Sin cannot enter heaven, and only the cleansing blood of Christ can wash away our sin, paying the price for our entrance into heaven itself.

Canada, as a nation has experienced the blessing that came with honoring God's only Son and sadly now, is experiencing the consequence of no longer giving Him place in our nation. We have followed the course of man like so many others that have gone before. 

The Gospel of Salvation

The Gospel of Salvation is the one that anyone living in North America has surely heard many times over. That Gospel declares that Jesus the Christ paid the price of our sin against God and that belief in Him gives us entrance into His kingdom. That is the only way, as He declared that no man comes to God except through Him. How we come through Him?? We repent of our sin and ask His forgiveness. As simple as that. He is the Way the Truth and the Life.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven

For the past few thousand years the Gospel of Salvation is what has been preached which points the way for man to come back into right relationship with God through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.

Now is the time that the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is going forth which declares that Jesus the Christ is once again coming into the earth to forever establish His kingdom on the earth.

Unlike His lowly, meek and humble entrance on that first Christmas day, this time He will be coming in a blaze of glory that will shake the heavens as scripture proclaims:
"the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

That day is rapidly approaching as we get ever closer to our total destruction at our own hands. If the LORD were not to return, there would be no life left on this earth as we are told two thirds of all people will perish in the days that are coming.


Today may be the day of YOUR salvation, you will never know how many days you will draw breath. Today, while it is called today, call upon the only Name by which any of us can be saved, ask His forgiveness of your sin and receive eternal life that only comes through Him.

That is the real meaning of Christmas, it is not about melting credit cards, emptying bank accounts or stuffing ourselves on a holiday that has become anything but a holy-day.




allvoices

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Nanaimo Power Outages

 hydro power outages
Click map to visit BC Hydro Outages Map

If you go to the above website you can zoom in on the map to see what areas still have no power. If you  click on the area a box will open beneath the map showing the status of that area. For example it will tell you if a crew has yet been assigned to an area (a good sign) and how many customers have been affected.

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Saturday, December 22, 2018

Nanaimo Water Plant Update

WATER PLANT IS NOW BACK TO NORMAL
No restrictions on use

Limited household use now OK
Pools remain closed, arenas are open

As of 9:00 a.m. on December 22, 2018, water treatment plant troubleshooting continues. Residents and businesses are asked to be mindful of water use. While the City is asking for conservation, limited household use is okay. The situation is less severe than it was yesterday.

Water treatment plant operators are producing enough treated water for basic needs and business use. For example, residents can have short shower and businesses can serve coffee, but the City asks that car washes refrain from operating.

City pools will remain closed today. Arenas will open up with reduced ice cleaning.

Please check www.nanaimo.ca and follow "CityofNanaimo" on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

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Friday, December 21, 2018

URGENT MESSAGE FOR ALL OF NANAIMO

DO NOT USE WATER!!!

The windstorm and power outages have affected functionality of the City of Nanaimo’s Water Treatment Plant Operations. The Water Treatment Plant is unable to sustain water production.


Please DO NOT USE WATER until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information https://bit.ly/2Gv5PUC


We will provide further updates throughout the day.


Short version of what happened

I contacted the city and as I understand it, the power went out from BC Hydro due to the windstorm. The backup generator(s) at the plant worked for a time and then failed. This resulted in many internal electronic, digital control issues which have not been resolved. As a result the plant is not producing any new water and the city is limited to the water already in the reservoirs.

In my opinion this could be a VERY serious issue if the city had to turn off the taps city wide, which could happen if people don't comply and quit using water until further notice.

City Information Hotline Set Up
The city has set up a recorded hotline with updated information about the current water plant crisis. The number is 250-758-1311.

City Pools and Arenas Closed

City pools and arenas are closed until further notice. The pools are unable to meet health and safety regulations people are required to shower prior to entering the pool. In addition, due restrictions, bathrooms are not available at the facilities. The arenas are unable to clean the ice.The windstorm and power outages have affected functionality of the City of Nanaimo’s Water Treatment Plant Operations. The Water Treatment Plant is unable to sustain water production.

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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Meaning Behind 'Twelve Days of Christmas'

Image credit: Sher Falls www.dragonflydreams88.com

Twelve Days Of Christmas Hidden Meanings

According to Catholic history the popular song contained two levels of meaning, with one meaning being known only to members of the Church during a period of time in England when Roman Catholics could not practice their faith openly.

Each element of the carol was code for a religious reality which children could remember.

The 'true love' referred to is not some love struck boy or girl but Jesus Christ because truly love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree represents Him as it is a bird that will sacrifice it's life in order to protect it's young.

Two Turtle Doves ... the Old and the New Testament
Three French Hens ... Faith, Hope and Love
Four Calling Birds ... the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five Gold Rings ..... the first five Books of the Old Testament
Six geese a laying ... the six days of creation
Seven swans a swimming ... the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight Maids a milking ... the eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies dancing ... the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords a leaping ... the Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers piping ... the eleven faithful Apostles
Twelve Drummers drumming ... twleve points of the Apostle's Creed


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The Real Meaning of Christmas

Once upon a time all Canadians knew that Christmas was actually about the birth of Christ Jesus the Saviour of mankind. Sadly, it has become a pagan festival that no longer celebrates the only hope for humanity.


And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 


For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Note: Email subscribers may have to visit Nanaimo Blog to view this video.

allvoices

Monday, December 03, 2018

Justin Trudeau Pledges $50 million to charity

This CBC article reports that our Prime Minister is pledging $50,000,000.00 on behalf of the Canadian taxpayer to a global charity. He did not explain how many Canadians thought this was the mandate he got when elected or whether given the size of our deficit Canadians can really afford this gift.


It makes you wonder just how much money a Canadian Prime Minister can throw around without being held accountable. Ask your Finance Minister just where in the Canadian budget this amount is accounted for.

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