Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Christian belief is that Jesus was immaculately conceived (without benefit of sexual intercourse between Mary and Joseph) and born to a virgin. Jesus is therefore the one and only Son of God.
Not only that, but the Christians believe that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah. Jesus endured life as a human being in order to save mankind and women kind from their sins. He is the savior.
What’s an Antichrist?
Using a very liberal definition, the antichrist is anyone who does not believe in Jesus being the Christ, the Messiah. Those who do not accept that salvation is through Jesus Christ are antichrists, or at least anti Christian.
What do Jews Think About Christmas?
In this day and age of political correctness, we can no longer refer to Christmas trees, and Christmas parties – we might offend someone. But are Jews offended? Jesus was a Jew and a Jewish scholar at that. Since Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah, they are still waiting for one. So the Jewish tradition is to especially celebrate the birth of sons.
The Jewish Hanukkah is always near Christmas and is a gift giving holiday. Christmas is the Christian gift giving holiday. Have you ever met a Jewish person who was offended by the mention of the word “Christmas”?
In the old days, business people were glad to have Jewish employees. The Jews were the ones willing to work on Sundays and on Christian holidays. Money talks. Unemployment is high. With the economic crisis, i.e. recession, many so called Christians are willing to sacrifice the observance of the Christian Sabbath and Christian holidays like Christmas…
They are not passing up the opportunity to make money. Christmas is stressful when you’re unemployed and/or are struggling financially. After all, gifts cost money.
What about the Muslims?
You already know about the radical Islamic extremists. They are out to convert the world to Islam, by any means possible. Christians are considered to be infidels. So Muslims can be considered antichrist.
They are willing to do violence against Christians and anyone in nations they perceive to be Christian nations. Despite what President Barack Obama said, the United States was founded on Christian principles and is therefore considered a Christian nation.
The Black Muslims and other American born Muslims in the United States generally started out as Christians. These Americans have chosen to reject the Christianity and Christian beliefs.
But Muslims teach that Jesus is a prophet who did many miracles and is worthy of respect. And there is some evidence that the virgin birth is accepted as well. So based on this, Muslims are not antichrists.
There have been books and articles about “the intolerant Christ”. But Islam tends to be the intolerant religion. They do object Christmas traditions and to people saying Christmas tree or Christmas parties. They have however been known to show up at Christmas dinner and eat Christmas cookies…All the while, protesting about the word Christmas.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
And for the antichrists: Happy Holidays!
P.S. If you like getting gifts, regardless of your religious conviction…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard the controversy about the proposed New York City mosque at the site of the world trade center. There is a debate about what constitutes the ground zero area around the site of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. But how close is too close to the World Trade Center for a Muslim mosque?
What about the Koran burning threats?
I’m sure you‘ve heard about that fool (is this too strong?) pastor who wanted to burn Qurans in protest about the building of the mosque. Christians may feel they are under assault. But burning books is a bit much. This is something the Nazi’s did in 1933… but it’s not something we do in the United States. South Africa blocked Muslim activist from holding a Bible burning day in protest against the proposed Quran burning. In the U.S., we endorse the freedom to practice religion. And we give people the freedom to do stupid things like burning books – whether the Bible, the Quran or a non-religious book.
Perhaps this misguided religious leader had the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join “em” mentality. Like the Nazi’s, radical Islamics are intolerant of any beliefs and thoughts not in accordance with the Koran or Sharia Law. German Jewish poet Heinrich Heine wrote: “Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people.” I guess I’m starting to understand this pastor, who has already gotten way too much publicity. Most Christians believe that unbelievers will burn in hell, so burning books is a precursor to what this religious zealot believes will eventually happen to the Moslems.
Are the Muslims taking over?
Muslims tend to not assimilate into the culture of the countries that they immigrate into. The Quran encourages the spread of Sharia Law and Muslim customs and practices. Did you see the shocking headline: “New Jersey Judge Rules Islamic Sharia Law Trumps U.S. Law”? Judges are interpret the federal, state and local laws in this country. Sharia law as explained in the Quran should not be part of the U. S. judicial equation.
Is Barack Obama Muslim?
Of course not. He is a Christian. And if you’re wondering what nationality is Barack Obama, he is a U.S. citizen – to address another controversy. American citizens, whether religious or not, and whether Christian or not, are conflicted over whether the mosques should be built. President Obama weighed in on the issue. Our president is for freedom – freedom of actions. President Barack Obama is not promoting Islam nor the jihadist agenda. Family members of the 9/11 victims have formed a group called September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. You may be surprised to know the 9/11 family members support the mosque or at least the right of Moslems to build the mosque.
What are the Muslim motives?
So the question is: Why do they want to build a Moslem center so close to the site of the world trade center attack? I wish I was a mind reader to figure out what is in the minds and hearts of those Muslims who want to build the mosque at ground zero. There are concerns about the ties to Al Quaeda. And of course it would be enlightening to follow the money trail. Are terrorist and subversives financially backing this Muslim center?
The United States is in trouble – economically and one could argue politically as well. The U.S. Congress is a wonderful legislative system, in theory. But. politics has become a dirty word. The political news would suggest that the system has gone awry. Regardless of political party, both Republicans and Democrats seem to be more focused on business of politics and being re-elected than they are on the best of doing what’s best for the country. Now the political campaigns are underway. Incumbent candidates are trying to convince the American people that the public’s interests and needs and wants have been served. And of course, that they will do better next time.
A Sustainable Future?
I love my country. Despite the negative political news, the United States government has lots of pluses. I want myself and all other Americans to survive and thrive. What’ the best way of having a sustainable future for the United States? Recycle!
Consider the idea of replacing them all and starting fresh.
What’s the African Perspective?
In 1992 I visited four nations in West Africa: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. One thing that struck me was how spiritual the Africans were and how in tune they were to nature. Although they may embrace Christianity or other religions, they don’t abandon their naturalistic beliefs. Africans were resourceful. They learned to make use of plants and trees in their environment for building homes and curing diseases. George Washington Carver, who was of black African descent, invented many things. And what was his secret? He tapped into the wisdom of God, the maker of all things. According to George Washington Carver http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington_carver.html: “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.”
George Washington Carver
American Indian Tribes
The American Indians are another group that embraced and honored the earth. The president of the Sioux Tribe is organizing a meeting of the National Congress of American Indians to discuss BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill and its impact. Perhaps they will come up with an enlightened spiritual way to clean up the oil spill or otherwise deal with the environmental crisis the spill has caused. Based on the American Indian traditions, I’m sure they will incorporate tribal wisdom.
Tribal Wisdom of Elders
In tribal cultures the elders are honored. Even if the elder has passed on, homage is still paid. They recognize the wisdom that comes from going to sleep and getting up many days. As the old saying goes “stuff happens”. So the longer we’ve been here on this earth, the more stuff we’ve walked thru and survived. Hopefully us over 50 senior folk have learned from our mistakes. The British Petroleum’s current wisdom is to use the same techniques that were unsuccessful with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill back in the 70s.
Clean Up Oil Spill
We’re all one tribe, one race – the human race. And there is one earth. So, when it comes to environmental issues, we’re all in this together. Perhaps we need to convene a tribe of seniors from all cultures to weigh in on the oil spill clean up.
In the US, us “over 50″ folks spend $2.3 trillion and
we controls 50% of all discretionary income.
In 2011:
Those of us over age 50 will respresent 25% of the population.
In that same year it is estimated that the US population will be
12.5% Non-Hispanic Black and
14.8% Hispanic origin
Marketing Implications:
If you’re starting a business, you should consider products and services that appeal to the over 50 population.
And if you’re already in business, we’re still a worthwhile target market.
I recently found out about Dotsie Bregel who has a couple of sites for baby boomer and over 50 woman. One of her articles is about the “Boomerang Generation”. Can you guess what the term means? I got it wrong.
The Boomerang Generation refers to those born in the 1970s and 1980s. So allegedly, these people are the children of baby boomers. But the term does not apply to all people in that age bracket. It more specifically refers to those who, due to economic conditions and challenges, are back at home with their parents, the senior citizen empty nesters. So the “boomerang” part of the phrase is quite clever.
However, the boomerang concept is not limited to the 70s and 80s groups. Everyone is at risk. With the business / corporate financial failures, mortgage crisis, layoffs, gas prices, etc, many who are trying to conserve their financial resources are forced to re-evaluate and revamp their living situations. I’ve thought about renting out a room in my house to tide me over until Noble & Associates Consulting and / or Noble Finances start bringing in some substantial revenues. And, sometimes it’s the senior citizens and retirees who are moving back with their children. So there are variations on the boomerang theme.
I’m not in touch with the economic situation in other countries. But. we in the United States need to pull together to help each other out. Just saw a video of the Donnie McClurkin story. Marvin Winans allowed McClurkin to stay in his house for months. But there comes a time, when helping becomes enabling. So McClurkin was kicked out. Each situation is different.
As Shakespeare says “The quality of mercy is not strained”. When it becomes strained, it’s up to you to take the appropriate action.
Cash and cash flow problems are big topics in the news these days. Large, global investment and financial institutions are in trouble. Banks are failing and being taken over. If you listen to some, without financial bailouts, the United States economy is in danger of financial ruin. Many who insisted that the country was not in a recession a couple of weeks ago, are now mentioning the dreaded “d” word: Depression.
It’s big news when the big guys are in trouble. Small, women owned and minority businesses have always had difficulty with finances. Lack of cash flow and working capital is a leading cause of business failure. Noble Finances has some solutions that can help cure financial woes for companies turned down by traditional banking institutions.
The Atlanta Tribune’s “Moving Your Business Forward” (MYBF) event will be held October 9, 2008 in Columbus, GA. The theme for this 3rd annual MYBF conference in Columbus, GA is “Strategies for Business Growth: Finding Money & Understanding of the Benefits of Certification”.
Sandra Noble, that’s me, is featured on the financial panel at the Columbus MYBF event. I get to share about Noble Finances and the alternatives to traditional bank financing that we provide.
Well the actual term is tweeter. When you make an entry into Twitter, you are tweeting. And what is Twitter? It’s called a micro-blog. Tweets are limited to 140 characters of data. The idea is to share what you’re doing at that moment. People who care about what you’re doing will sign up to follow you. They get entries in their Twitter account whenever people they are following make tweets.
So, now I’m confessing. My blog post titled “Business People Over 50 – Who are we?” ended with the statement “no twittering for me”. Well, I’ve learned to never say never. I admit that I am now twittering or more correctly tweeting.
The younger set primarily uses text messaging to do their tweets. I turned that feature off on my phone. Since I have no texting capability, I assumed I would never do tweets. However, I discovered ping.fm. It allows me to use the internet to enter my tweets. And the beauty of ping.fm is that it sends my postings to multiple social networks. So, my entries are simultateously sent Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, Plaxo Pulse and now Delicious. Ping.fm makes it easy to actively participate in the Web 2.0 social networks.
There are those who allegedly use Twitter for business. I’ve attended teleseminars on the business use of Twitter as well as on the business use of Facebook. Business people under age 50 are using Twitter and other social networks. I have my doubts about the participation of the over 50, senior citizen group. I’m on Twitter and I’m over 50. I’m making a concerted effort to keep up with web 2.0, internet marketing and other new technologues and techniques. The purpose for this blog is to share my journey with other AARP qualifiers. Hopefully, I can help ease the process for my contemporaries.
Not convinced about the benefits. But for now, I’m trying Twitter.
Internet marketing success is about being found on the web. Alexa is one of those services which determines how well a website is organically positioned. Organic ranking means that the search engines have evaluated your site and determined how well it matches your search terms. There are billions of sites on the World Wide Web, so a good search ranking does not come by accident. There are consulting firms that specialize in what is called search engine optimization (SEO). Noble & Associates Consulting is now offering internet marketing consulting services also.
SEO is more than optimizing your website for your keywords in isolation. There are other tools and techniques to boost your ranking. It’s about volume – how many times you appear and are linked to on the web. And in the World Wide Web / Web 2.0 circles you hear the motto “Content is King”. The more content there is on the web associated with your name and your site, the better your SEO and organic ranking.
So what do I mean by: less is better? Winning sports teams say they are #1. In Alexa, the lower number / rank the better. A rank of 1 means that this is the most frequently searched for and accessed website out of all the websites in the world. Being in the top million is an impressive list. See the even more impressive Alexa top 100 list.
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