Date: Dec 25 1999 07:36:04 EST From: "Songs of Praise" Subject: Merry Christmas from "Songs of Praise" Christmas greetings everyone, On this special day, I thought I would do something a little different. I invited a few of my songwriting friends to convey a holiday greeting to all of you. These greetings are consolidated here for your enjoyment and encouragement. There are new songs on the way, but they can wait. Please join us in thanking God for the wonderful blessings He has showered upon us and the greatest blessing of all: the gift of His son, Jesus Christ. Yours in Christ, Elton Smith http://songsofpraise.org ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Larry Holder said: Greetings! This has been a busy time of year, especially getting prepared for the Y2K event (Elton, Steve, and I are all computer programmers for our different employers) and other such things. But, thank the Lord, the songwriting continues on into the new century. The many encouraging emails that have been received this year are very appreciated, especially when things get hectic at work. Your prayers are appreciated as we strive to continue providing inspired, useful songs for praise and worship around the country and around the world. Please continue to help us spread the word, and in doing so, extending this ministry of providing music that can be so freely copied and used. I am thankful for the fellowship of my songwriting brothers, in particular, Elton Smith, Steve Israel, and Tom Lascoe. It is wonderful to share the journey with you all. Elton, thanks for helping me be a part of the prison concerts of 1999. Steve, congratulations on the successful career change. Tom, keep up the great work coming up with those new melodies. I look forward to this holiday season to catch up on some lyric writing for the several new songs in progress! And to borrow from Elton's favorite phrase, surely "the best is yet to come!" Peace to all, Larry. http://www.utm.edu/~lholder/music.html ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Steve Israel said: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our songs. It is such an encouragement to receive feedback, especially about how a particular song ministers encouragement or hope in a time of need. That is when I feel most rewarded for my song writing efforts. The reward of knowing that we may help someone experience peace and joy through our songs cannot be put into words. During this hectic time of year, may we all take a moment and reflect upon the Prince of Peace, whose incarnation we celebrate. May we allow the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to speak faith, hope and love to your hearts. Let these be the enduring gifts that we treasure throughout the holiday season and into the new millennium! http://israelsongs.com/ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lenny Smith said: "Our Father, I'm beginning to see that You are, indeed, a good father, a very good father. You are never far from us and we are never far from you. Can a fish ever get far away from the water? Everywhere we are You are there. You are under us, and over us, and you are in front of us and behind us. You go into the future and make arrangements for our arrival and you go into the past and mend and heal. You are the One Who gives us every breath we breathe and the One Who gives us each heartbeat. We are always on Your mind and you delight in us. You are not angry with us. You love us and are well-pleased with the work of Your hands and the work in us the Holy Spirit has accomplished and is accomplishing. You are wise and already know we will stumble as we learn to walk and run and you have provided for our restoration and healing abundantly. You truly are a good shepherd Who takes good care of His sheep. We are the sheep of Your pasture and are so happy to belong to You forever and so happy to forever be with all these others who are Yours. You are our father and we are your children and we are learning to rest and actually enjoy You. We like You too. And we are learning to accept that You like us and call us friends. Certainly You will never drop us, even if we cry and squirm and try to make ourselves heavy in Your hands. You are a good father and you do provide for us, though you do insist we talk with you often because you like us and miss us. Thanks for sending Jesus to show us Your face." http://www.newjerusalemmusic.com/ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~