Christimas time's just come! What to do now?

First of all, this is not just a time for shopping - spending your hard-earned money on "gifts" to all the beloved ones! Why do we have (must!) to give so many gifts at Christmas? Worse of all: very often we are kind of forgotten or - at most! - get some un-valuable gifts in return! Oh well!, come on!, let's concentrate on the most important thing: the reason why Christ-mas exists: this is because 2006 years ago, a man named Jesus was born in the distant land of Israel!

Best of all: Jesus was born, lived a perfect and sinfull life, preached the good news of salvation, was then persecuted and crucified because of his message (revolutionary - at that time..) - Jesus was burried, but raised from the dead, then he was lifted up in heavens, sat down at the right hand of All-mighty God and stands as an intercessor for you and me! Wow! that's awesome! 100 per cent true! 100 per cent worth of faith and must be passed on to all the world.

Do not get "clung" on gifts, do not get too much involved in festivals or whatsoever. Do get involved in celebrations for the reason of Christmas - the Christ of God! Okay - you say you're not "religious"!? Well - who said Christ was religious? Who said Christ paid any attention to religious? For God's sake: Christ was crucified exactly - precisely - mainly because he was not, not religious, like the pharisees at that time! Religion will not lead you up to heavens. What? You do not believe in heavens, you say that the earth is your definitive place to be? You mean it? Well, I will pray on behalf of you - brother! I can see you may NOT have a good 2007... But, if you're a christian: then blessed you are!

Anyway: Happy Christmas and a blessed 2007.

"They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing" (Psalm 92.14).

Antonio da Silva, brazilian, believer, 72-year-old retired, started worrying too much because he was growing older. He had heard that growing older was very bad indeed, distressing and, worse of all, destined to be forsaken by his family. He then decided to write a letter to the heavenly Father. So he did:

"Dear heavenly Father, how can I actually express my love for you and how grateful I am for such a long life you have given to me until today. Also, I thank you for the wonderful wife and sons you sent to me. You have been so good to me, Father. Thanks indeed! But, I must say something: over the past days, I have been too much concerned about my future... The point is: I am growing older. What happens if I die now, or even go to a rest home, huh?"

Father reminded Antonio to read Psalm 92, in the Bible. Growing older is part of anyones life. That is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new one full of new friends, attractions and opportunities to grow!

If you, dear reader, are facing the same problem (worring too much because you are growing older), better follow Antonios example: read Psalm 92 and start doing things: visit your own family-relatives, friends. Visit the doctor regularly. Go to church regularly. Get some new friends. Be easy. Be gentle. Be a true christian.

Remember: worry is futile; faith is fruitful.

Veritas et Vita

Extreme Violence in Brazil
This past week-end, the city and state of Sao Paulo - biggest in Brazil and in Latin America -was flooded with violence. Total of 65 buses were burned, over 50 people were dead (shot by criminals - until today 15.05.2006) and over 115 people are still kidnapped by gangs in over 44 penitenciaries all over the state.

The mentor-chief of the whole violence is a criminal organization called PCC (First Command of Capital - initial letters in Portuguese) centered in Sao Paulo City. Criminals are commanded from the "indoors of cells", that is, from the very cell of the penintenciaries - all via mobile phones, which were supposed NOT to function inside the cells ... but all in vain!

State and federal governments are taking steps to put all the gangs off-work. Some especialists say that police forces will have a lot of work... The problem is not just of "police", but also - mainly, some should clearly state - of "social injustices all over"... Well, let's see how this turmoil will come out...

Should Israel withdraw even further?
"We cannot continue to control parts of the territories where Palestinians live", said Mr. Olmert - Prime Minister of Israel, on his first policy speech.

Well, to some extent, Mr. Olmert is absolutely right. On the other hand, a question lingers on: how far back should Israel withdraw? How far back should jews withdraw without compromising the sovereignty of Jerusalem? Mr. Olmert also declared that: "There is not any Jewish state without Jerusalem under the strict control of Israeli".

Mr. Olmert also urged for the implementation of the US-plan to peace known as "Road Map". It seems that peace is actually very, very far ahead - if ever!

What to do now? What about pray and act? Ora et labora, in Latim.

Shalom! Salam! Peace, today and ever!