writesong

Here's a very special annual Christmas gift from those generous folks at Walt Disney! ! ! Be sure and watch this in "FULL SCREEN" mode. Also, you may wish to download this to your computer's hard drive, and then use your media player to loop it, so it will automatically repeat, and play over and over. MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

Brethren and Sistren: Ho! Ho! Ho! (Get BUSY in that garden!) Ho! Ho! Ho! I want to recommend a couple of video recordings that I discovered at the YOU TUBE web site, which are of EXCELLENT quality for Christmas. In fact, I've now put links to both of those video recordings on my own personal web site, "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE". For the best effect, I recommend accessing these video recordings at the YOU TUBE web site, where you can enjoy viewing them in "FULL SCREEN" mode. Also, please consider downloading the video recordings to your hard drive, as that then permits you to select the "CONTINUOUS PLAY" option on your computer's media player. FLICKERING FIREPLACE SOOTHING CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC And NOW - - - , For the best effect, please be sure and enjoy watching this collection of classic family friendly Christmas movies in "FULL SCREEN" mode. The movies that are in THIS specific post have been provided absolutely FREE of charge, through the generous courtesy of the YOU TUBE web site. Soooooo - - - , Plug in the lights on your Christmas tree, gather 'round your young'uns, pop some corn, pass around the candy canes, slice some fruitcake, pour some mugs of good ol' fashioned eggnog, snuggle up on the big comfy couch (right up underneath that there mistletoe!), dim the lights, and - - - , "ROLL 'EM ! ! !" Pass the popcorn, please. _________________________________ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. _________________________________ "RUDOPH, THE RED NOSED REINDEER" and eight (08) other Christmas cartoons http://youtu.be/g4_xnH_25d8 "THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL" and five (05) other short Christmas movies. "JOE SANTA CLAUS" and "THE ORPHANS' CHRISTMAS" "THE BLESSED MIDNIGHT" and "THE GIFT" "THE CHRISTMAS CAROL" and "A PICTURE OF THE MAGI" _________________________________ Here is the desktop wallpaper that I'm using for Christmas: No, I don't know who the artist is, or even where I found that picture, but I've been using it safely on my computer for the past several years. This is another Christmas desktop wallpaper that I like. Again, I don't know who the artist is or where I found the picture. Thank you, and - - - MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! ! _________________________________ NOLLAIG CHRIDHEIL AGUS BLIADHNNA MHATH UR ! ! ! (i.e., "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" in Scottish Gaelic, the ancient language of my ancestors in the Highlands and Islands.) "NOLLAIG CHRIDHEIL" Words and Music by: JOHN ROBERT MALLERNEE Official Bard of Clan Henderson Thursday 05 November 2004 Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 VERSE # 1: Nollaig Chridheil! Christmas bells are ringing. Scotland's wee ones Run merrily at play. Nollaig Chridheil! Everybody's singing, For Iosa Criosd Was born on Christmas Day! CHORUS: Clanna nan Alba Seinn Nollaig aimsir. Children of Scotland Sing of Christmas time. Shona is dream uile. Everyone is happy. Cluig Nollaig bheir seinn. Christmas bells will chime. VERSE # 2: Nollaig Chridheil! Throughout the misty islands, Clansmen and kith Will gather, far and near. Nollaig Chridheil! It's time for feasts and stories. Even furry beasties Love this time of year. VERSE # 3: Nollaig Chridheil! Our Christmas fire is cheering. Outside the door, The wintry winds are cold. Nollaig Chridheil! Opening our Bible, Wee ones listen closely While the tale is told.

@ JIMMI GERMAN: Yep, I wear one of those. Here's a photograph of me in Washington, D.C. at the Ol' Soldiers' Home with a visiting Sergeant Major: I was a Cavalry Scout in the 7th Cavalry (Custer's Unit!), so I wore spurs as part of my regular uniform. When I was serving my full time Church mission protecting the Rocking G Ranch, I wore my old second-hand Ruger "Security Six" .357 Magnum revolver on my hip, and my mission companion was a Border Collie dog named, "Ringo", whom I wrote stories about. This is the ranch: I'm not just a gunslinger. I also have training and experience in fire fighting and emergency medical response, and carry my own emergency trauma kit and firefighting rescue equipment in my pickup truck.

@ PALE RIDER: I love that story! Those words, "individual that just did not seem to fit in anywhere", in the final paragraph sounds like a description of ME! In fact, that reminds me of a dream I had. "When I was sleeping, I dreamed I was at church, and folks were all going inside the chapel for the meeting. However, I wandered away, curious about an adjacent road, following it to a dirt road leading into a deserted, barren wilderness area. I was wearing my cavalry spurs and my cavalry stetson, with my .357 magnum revolver holstered on my hip. I turned away from the wilderness and headed back towards the chapel. As I approached a ranch house, a dog in the yard began barking, and I wondered if I'd have to shoot that dog? But, a boy came out of the house, and calmed the dog. I think we may have had a conversation, and I may have petted the dog. Then, I continued to the chapel, where they were having a Christmas program. A feeling of peace came over me, as I finally accepted the reality that I was different than all the other Mormons, and would have to live my own life my own way, preferring a life of solitude exploring the wide open spaces of the high desert wilderness."

I was just now looking at one of my earlier posts, and I was SHOCKED to learn that I had "0 Warning Points". How can that be? What do I have to do to earn Warning Points? How many Warning Points must be accumulated to win a prize? What sort of prizes are being awarded? If I win a prize, am I required to pay taxes and/or tithing on it?

Lady Luck: Are you familiar with the NEAL A. MAXWELL INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP, the FOUNDATION FOR INDIGENOUS RESEARCH AND MORMONISM (i.e., the F.I.R.M. Foundation), and/or the FAIR MORMON (i.e., originally known as the FOUNDATION FOR APOLOGETIC INFORMATION AND RESEARCH) resources? They may be able to assist you with valuable scholarly research regarding many of your questions. Concentrate on the BOOK OF MORMON. The entire existence of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints hinges on whether or not the BOOK OF MORMON is truly the word of God. If the BOOK OF MORMON is true, then everything else is true, also. But, if the BOOK OF MORMON is fake, then the entire Church is fraudulent. So, which is it, and how do you find out for yourself? You, your husband, and anyone else who wants to know must read the BOOK OF MORMON and the HOLY BIBLE. You, your husband, and anyone else who wants to know must then carefully study the BOOK OF MORMON and the HOLY BIBLE. You, your husband, and anyone else who wants to know must then pray to the Author of those two books (who is God) about the validity of the BOOK OF MORMON and the HOLY BIBLE. You, your husband, and anyone else who wants to know must then experiment with what principles have been ascertained from within the BOOK OF MORMON and the HOLY BIBLE. These are the steps that every convert, including myself, have had to take prior to gaining their testimony of the restored gospel. When doubts arise, and they will, and/or your faith is shaken, as it will be, I recommend relying on the example set by Peter, as recorded i JOHN 6: 66 - 69.

"THE COAT" Here's a touching little two (02) minute video recording from your "Mormon" friends at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it happens to be a TRUE story. For the best effect, please be sure to watch, in "full screen" mode, this video recording of, "The Coat", an official production of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (i.e., the "Mormon" church), which was posted at the You Tube web site on Friday 09 December 2011, through the benevolent generosity of the Mormon Channel. Many, many long years ago - - - , so long ago, I can't even remember what year it was - - - , I was probably nineteen (19) or twenty (20) years old, destitute, and hitch-hiking across the continental United States of America. As best as I can recall, I think I was in Cheyenne (or maybe it was Laramie?), Wyoming, and it was rather chilly, especially at night. I had a coat, but I gave it away to another indigent wanderer, a fellow I never knew (and still don't), thinking that I would find employment in Salt Lake City, Utah, and buy a new coat. But, when I got to Salt Lake City, Utah, I did not find employment, but wandered the streets all night long, for it was too cold to sleep on a bench. In the wee hours, I stole some food, got arrested, and spent the next few hours in jail, before the court ordered me to leave town. No, I didn't find a job in Salt Lake City, Utah nor was I able to replace the coat I'd given away until sometime later on, when I was working for the Salvation Army in Las Vegas, Nevada. But, while there, I did take the guided tour of Temple Square and learned a little about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which caused me to want to learn more. Indeed, I vividly remember shivering in the cold night air while looking in a bookstore window at a copy of the Book of Mormon, and thinking, "Someday, when I'm settled down and have enough to eat, so that I don't owe anyone, I want to read this book and learn what gives these people such great faith, to overcome so much persecution and hardship, and to accomplish so much!" As a result, I eventually was baptized as a new "Mormon" convert. Thank you.

"PARCHMENT, QUILL, AND THE PEOPLE'S WILL" Words and Music by: JOHN ROBERT MALLERNEE Tuesday 21 October 1986 Ogden, Utah VERSE # 1: Parchment, quill, And the people's will In a sacred land; With sword and pen, The rebel men Made a noble stand. CHORUS: The light goes forth Throughout the World To shine for all to see. "We, the People" forevermore Born of God to stay free! "We, the People" forevermore Born of God to stay free! VERSE # 2: Freedom's light Was born of fight Against a tyrant king. Nothing's free Or comes easily. You work for everything. VERSE # 3: Federal power Can grow by hour, The Founders warned us all. Search and fight For what is right, Or you'll see Liberty fall!

I'm bored. Can I join the Danites and be an Avenging Angel? Where can I get an application form? Where is their recruiting office? Orrin Porter Rockwell is my hero! (Unfortunately, the movie, "THE AVENGING ANGEL", is not available on DVD.)

When the Willie and Martin handcart companies were rescued, Brigham Young said they were more in need of potatoes and pudding before attending to their spiritual needs. Of course, I'm paraphrasing from memory, as I can't quote his exact words. I saw it in a Church film about the Willie and Martin handcart company rescues.

I have very fond memories of Australia! That is where my most memorable Thanksgiving Day observance occurred in November of 1971, when I was a soldier in the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" serving in the old Republic of Viet Nam, and going on a week long Rest and Recuperation leave (i.e., "R&R") to Sydney, Australia. En route, after our Pan American flight left Da Nang, I mentioned to a soldier sitting in the seat next to mine that I was looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day in Australia. He replied that Thanksgiving Day was a uniquely American holiday, not observed in Australia, nor in very few other countries. In Sydney, instead of checking into a hotel, I followed the counsel of my "Mormon" church leaders and contacted the local leaders of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, and they arranged for me to be the house guest of a couple living across the bay in the suburb of Manly, who had immigrated from England, and whose son was away at sea serving on a submarine in the Royal Australian Navy. They, in turn, arranged for me, along two full time LDS missionaries from America, to have our Thanksgiving dinner at the home of an American family employed in Australia (who had a very attractive daughter). Because of that, I now regard Thanksgiving Day as both a religious observance AND a patriotic holiday, and when invited to a Thanksgiving dinner, I now wear my military decorations on my best Sunday-go-to-meetin’ suit. Also, it is an Australian veteran of the Viet Nam War, ANTHONY WILLIAM PAHL, recipient of the Order of Australia, a resident of Adelaide, who has published my poetry, short stories, and songs at his computer Internet web site, the INTERNATIONAL WAR VETERANS POETRY ARCHIVES. Welcome to our own beloved United States of America! As for the BOOK OF MORMON, I remember when I read it for the first time 47 years ago, what a struggle I had trying to figure out if it was genuinely the word of God, or merely a fraud perpetrated by a con artist pretending to be a prophet. Well, I'm a Mormon, so you see what I learned. But, everyone must learn for themselves, through their own efforts, using study and prayer. Some folks get their answer immediately, while others, such as myself, have to struggle for weeks or months. I've even known converts who didn't get baptized until YEARS or DECADES after first investigating the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. So, hang in there, and God bless you for seeking the source of all truth.

This is a very special video production which our leaders of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints have urged us to share with everyone. Here is the conventional computer Internet URL for this official video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs Thank you and - - - , MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

When I was a soldier serving with the United States Army in the Republic of Korea, I learned this song from the album, "DADDY BIG BOOTS AND THE TENDER APPLES", courtesy of another Latter-day Saint soldier in the United States Army, Stan Bronson.

NOTE: If you watch this video recording at the You Tube web site, you can view it in "FULL SCREEN" mode. MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

Brethren and Sistren: The problem I have with responding to your queries on this topic in this forum, is that once I get started, I don't know when to shut up. Thus, as a consequence, I now find myself kicked out of the Armed Forces Retirement Home and spending this Winter sleeping in the cargo bed of my pickup truck. For whatever it's worth, the short answer to your questions is, "YES". But, that is something you must determine for yourself. Basically, I'm an old man, and as I see it, the United States of America that I was born in is not the United States of America we live in today, and The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints that I was baptized into when I was twenty-one years old is not The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints that I am so uncomfortable in today. However, I value my membership in The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, and I rather enjoy the opportunity to participate in this web site, so I choose not to say anything further regarding this matter. I am not diplomatic in my manner, nor am I gifted with tact. I utterly DESPISE any and all "Politically Correct" terminology, for I know it for the terrible evil that it really is, where it originated, who its author is, and what its purpose is. If you really MUST know what my views are on various subjects, then I invite you to peruse my own personal web site, "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE". But, if you do, don't be surprised if you're greatly offended by my commentary. Thank you.

The default settings at this web site won't permit embedding more than one (01) YOU TUBE video recording at a time, so my CHRISTMAS playlist can't be seen here. To view all thirteen (13) of my homemade amateur video recordings of ME (!) performing CHRISTMAS carols (one of which I composed), please click your cursor on this conventional computer Internet URL: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7E00464EA749A504

I think I'd probably start my own church, and then quickly become bored and walk away from it.

@ PAM, Et Alii: I've already been kicked out of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and must now live through this Winter sleeping in my pickup truck, because I too freely expressed my personal opinions. Are you trying to get me kicked out of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, too? It might help a little to view my posted comment in the "SHAKEN FAITH SYNDROME" discussion thread, while bearing in mind that I'm probably a lot older than you and/or the majority of the other folks frequenting this forum are. Also, for a much more detailed explanation, I invite you to go to my own personal web site, "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE", and read my post, "MY AMERICAN RELIGION". Here is the conventional computer Internet URL for that post: http://writesong.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-american-religion.html Thank you.

This is my FAVORITE Christmas movie, and the inspiration for my own YOU TUBE video recording of, "WHAT CHILD IS THIS? " It always makes me think about my former wife, who chose to leave me to marry another man (which our Church wickedly endorsed, in denial of our scriptures!). NOTE: If you watch this video recording at the YOU TUBE web site, you can view it in "FULL SCREEN" mode. You may also view it in "FULL SCREEN" mode at my own personal web site, "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE", where it is archived. Here is the computer Internet URL for that archived movie: http://writesong.blogspot.com/2013/12/mr-kruegers-christmas.html Thank you, and - - - , MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

In my unceasing thirst for the original source of pure, eternal truth, I probably would consider becoming a Messianic Jew. Unfortunately however, it has become increasingly apparent that ALL organized religious institutions, including my own chosen faith, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, have for MANY , MANY years, been successfully infiltrated and corrupted, as evidenced by willful collaboration with the unbridled tyranny of contemporary government despotism.

@ JIMMI GERMAN: Here 'tis, as you've requested! "DIXIE" I wish I was In the land of cotton. Old times there Are ne'er forgotten. Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixieland. In Dixieland, Where I was born Early on A frosty morn, Look away! Look away! Look away, Dixieland. Now, I wish I was in Dixie. Hooray! Hooray! In Dixieland, I'll take my stand To live or die In Dixie. Away! Away! Away down South In Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South In Dixie!