  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Puditat  
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Spiritual: relating to the spirit or soul and not to physical matter; intangible. Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus
This newsletter explores ideas of the spiritual nature that exists in each and every one of us in an open and non-judgemental manner.
Each editor brings to the newsletter their own backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and opinions. Whether you disagree, agree, doubt or applaud the views expressed, let us all show respect to each other. Together we can learn something about the many varied aspects of the spiritual self and enjoy our differences in true meaning of the Spirit of Community.
Enjoy! 
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What's in a Candy Cane?
Ingredients:
Sugar
Water
Food colouring No.s 1.........
Oh, wait a minute, that's not what I was meant to say. Just as well, too. For I have no idea what the recipe for a candy cane is, though I'm positive if one looked it up on the internet, there's probably dozens of recipes...or if all else fails...places that sell them. 
Now, what I really meant is: What is significant about a candy cane? There is a legend, given below in blue. Now I have not researched the truth of this, nor have I researched into any other possible alternatives. If you so desire, then go to it. But this one that I have heard, is quite cool and I think represents the believer's attitude toward symbolism. Though it did make me wonder why it's not associated with Easter rather than Christmas...
An inventor wanted to make something as a witness to Jesus. So he made the Candy Cane.
First he used hard candy as Christ is the Rock of Ages.
He used white which represents the purity of Christ.
Peppermint was added as it is similar to hyssop, used to purify a sacrifice [peppermint also being a widely manufactured and available food flavouring]
A large red stripe represents the Blood of Christ shed for the sins of the world.
Three thinner stripes represent the stripes Jesus suffered when he was whipped by the Romans. [thus giving us healing: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24]
The 'J' shape is for [the name of] Jesus.
If turned upside down is is a shepherd's staff. Jesus is the pure lamb of God who came as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Over the last few hours I have read a few items on Writing.com about the origins of Christmas. And in it all, I am saddened by the misleadings, or more accurately, the confusion.
There are many truths in what I've read. The 25th of December was not Christ's actual birth date. So? We do not celebrate the Queen of England's birthday on her actual birth date, but I do not see anyone complaining about having the day off.
The importance of the Christmas celebration is JESUS.
The day may have originally been utilised to celebrate heathen practices, but does that nullify it as a day for believers in Christ to claim it for Jesus? I think it is doubly important to do so, shifting the focus onto God, and away from evil.
Whatever you believe, the pagan or the Christ, there are two obvious facets of Christmas. One is the celebrated birth of Christ--for even the secular world acknowledges Jesus as a historical figure, and the argument arises over his 'status' and role in the world.
The second is the very secualr celebration, focussing on the trappings and symbolism. Of themselves, I see nothing wrong with them. It is the heart that matters. What is in your heart at Christmas...this Christmas? What truths do you hold? Ask yourself whether they the truths of God, or the truths of man.
Things can have what meanings we choose to assign to them. A styilised picture of a fish to many people is just that - a styilistic fish image. To others, it is recognised as one of the first symbols used by the early Church - Jesus made His disciples fishers of men. So it has a dual meaning, depending on the knowledge or heart of the one that sees it.
At Christmas, God is not looking at whether you have the best Christmas tree in town, nor the best singing voice for Carols. He is looking at your heart, and where your allegiance lies. What are your motives at Christmas time? It is possible for people who profess Christ to be lost in the trappings and forget Him who is the purpose for it. No one is immune from the distractions, so it is important that we make a conscious effort to keep Him central in all our celebrations.
Don't be caught up in whether to enjoy the Christmas feast or not. But remember His birth, a moment of true joy that marked the beginnings of man's redemption.
If you believe that Christmas is a pagan practice, and that it will defile you, then I suggest that your heart can not in all conscience continue on celebrating it. But if your celebrations are done in honour of the Lord, with focus on Him--then be merry, and may your Christmas be blessed. Each person must choose for himself what is right, so that He may stand before God with a clear conscience.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
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Till next time;
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Excellent NL Puditat! Occasionally, I need a good nudge to point me in the right direction, and you have succeeded once again. For this, I thank you. I'm also hoping that the two new kitties are succeeding in lifting and warming your heart!!! (((HUGS)))
windac
Thank you Wind.  The kittens are certainly a wonderful joy, though I am continually amazed by the number of times I catch myself looking to see if Pudi has come inside. 
Jesus Christ IS our Lord and Savior, without Him, there is no entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
I'm curious which Bible you use? There are many Bibles out there that have been changed throughout the years, and I do believe yours is one of them. There is much debate on Bibles and their translations, but for my experience, and my husbands, the King James Version is the only way to go. Do you know there are actual verses cut from other Bibles? This verse is from the KJV, see how different it is from yours...
KJV: Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Uniqueey
Uniqueey
I am not a Bible scholar, nor can I read the original languages that the scrolls were written in (where the Bible was translated from). However I have studied this issue in my bible study course. It is something which I would have to look through my notes and course material in order to fully answer your question. I would like to dedicate an issue early next year to respond to your queries/statements and for any other interested parties. Possibly the February issue. Until then, thanks for the feedback and challenge. 
God bless you sister! What you are doing with this newsletter is important work for the Lord! Who knows how many people read this and gain encouragement and inspiration from your words? I know the Lord is with you and I thank him for people like you!
cenerue
Thank you, dear one, for such a lovely piece of feedback. Your support, encouragement, and blessing are a gift. Thank you!
God indeed identifies with writers. Over the past year I have been struggling both to get down on paper a story that is very close to my heart and to answer spiritual and emotional questions that were distressing me greatly. I find that being in an unstable spiritual state hinds my mind when it comes to writing even the shortest piece. In my opinion, clearing the mind and focussing spiritually is essential in expressing oneself. It is something that I am still working on, but already I can see that it is a lot easier this way. When we have given in to God, we can write.
Rayghan Tretiak
restivemind
I hope that you have found your way from these distressors and into the fullness of God's grace. If you are like me, then when the inspiration flows from God, writing becomes as flight - seamless, exciting, fulfilling. But when we struggle to hear what He is saying, writing is the lead balloon. Something we desperately want to do, but our efforts seem futile and empty.
I pray that you may see more of the flight than of the grounding. 
Hi Puditat, I was wondering if anything of what I am going to write has happened to you. Last week I had images in my mind of a woman being shown into a dark room. Three people were in front of her & one behind. The one behind put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger. She was then put into a bag and later concrete was poured onto her. These are the details of a very famous murder in Sydney. It scared me quite a bit!
Rewa 
I do not know the murder of which you speak, but I sense that it is historical...i.e. your dream was not prophetical. Our mind can get up to all sorts of hijinks at night. Just a brief mention or glance at a newspaper headline can spark a nightmare or dream. I have had many prophetical dreams (have been proved true by the passage of time and events). I have once had a dream that was not prophetical in terms of the event had already happened but I did not know it. I don't know why I dreamed it, and it was rather disturbing. I would advise you to be aware that Satan is as capable of using our dreams as God is. And the devil can use facts to make them appear 'spiritual', yet he is really using them to upset us. I am not saying this is what happened in your case, it may be a simple case of your imagination seizing on a random mention of something. In all cases, I would pray and ask for God's protection over your dreams. That is something I have done before myself.
God may very well be the first one to ever employ the use of a copyright clause. Yay, God!
It's ironic, then, that certain books have been omitted (http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/). Demand for new translations and versions of the Bible never seems to dry up. Revision amounts to adding or taking away from the original. Is it so much to ask, that we all learn Aramaic, to read the Word of God? (I think it may be, but I pose the question to those who feel it crucial to take the Bible literally. A writer with firsthand experience in translation and paraphrasing, I'd argue that learning the original language is the only way to read the literal Word of God. And you must read it for yourself, rather than trusting others to feed you their interpretations.)
I agree that writing is a gift from God, the creative author of the universe. (To anyone who may feel a need to spit curses and argue evolution now - why must the two be mutually exclusive?)
Holly Jahangiri
Dearest Jessie, your feedback provides great thought. You may be interested to read my response to Uniqueey above. I think that my editorial covering that issue may provide further points for debate. Thank you for the feedback, which I am sure will get a few readers to thinking.
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Spiritual: December 14, 2005 Issue [#766]
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