RAQUEL GONZALEZ HAS WON THE GALA AWARD FOR 2010!

The Gala Foundation has announced the winner of the Gala Award for 2010. Ms Raquel Gonzalez, the venerable Associate Administrator to the Foundation and the Editor of La Fundacion Gala, has won the Gala Award for her Outstanding Service and Dedication to the ideals of the Gala Foundation. There will only be one Gala Award for 2010. Ms Raquel Gonzalez has worked tirelessly with the Latin Wing of the Foundation's Communications Web-Sites and has recently been inducted to the board of Gala Officials. Gala's Director,Noel Serrano called Raquel , this afternoon to congratulate her and to thank her for her resilient hardwork and dedication to the cause of the Organization. Noel informed Raquel ;"You are an inspiration to us all and it would be a major oversight, on our part, if you had not been recognized for the Noble effort and the steadfast dedication to the ideals and principles of our Association" Irving Serrano, a Fellow Associate Administrator conferred with Noel and declared; " agree, Raquel has been a busy be in Her contributions to the Gala Foundation". " Raquel comes from a Legendary Family and was raised in the same church in Manahattan as the the Serranos, Maldonados and Boschs. It is the Beloved home church of La Sinagoga. Raquel is a very humble servant of the Lord and her yearning desire has always to obtain an administrative position that provides opportunity for promotion and offers experiences enhancing leadership and intellectual development. This became quite apparent in her current role in her life and also in her new responsibilities at the Gala Foundation• Raquel has a wealth of qualifications that has served to bless the lives of all whom she comes in contact with.Demonstrates outstanding teaching experience • Works collaboratively with students, staff, parents and other constituents • Provides strong leadership in Literacy and Elementary Education • Knowledgeable about NYS Standards, Assessments and use of Technology • Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills • Bilingual (Spanish) Raquel Gonzalez received her education , primarily in New York• Post Graduate studies in Educational Leadership, Hunter College, New York, NY • Masters Degree in Bilingual Education, Hunter College, New York, NY• Bachelors Degree in Education, Hunter College, New York, NY CURRENT EXPERIENCE • She serves as Assistant Principal, Washington Irving Intermediate School, Tarrytown, NY 2004 to present. Raquel Assisted in providing leadership for the overall operation of a multicultural, multidimensional intermediate school (4-6) with 670 students and 86 staff members. Directed and implemented a series of community relations projects, curriculum development, student discipline, NYS testing coordination, general building operations. Assisted in providing staff development, observations and evaluations. Established and maintained relations with teachers, staff, and parents. • K-6 Teacher, Washington Irving Intermediate School, Tarrytown, NY 2000-2004 Head teacher – LEAD/Transitional Programs Fourth Grade Team Leader Sleepy Hollow Summer Institute -English as a Second Language teacher Grant Writer: educational projects • K-6 Teacher, Bilingual Bi cultural Mini School, NY, NY 1995-2000 Taught gifted and talented students at fourth, fifth, and sixth grade levels Facilitated Junior Great Books Program (grades fourth through sixth) Trained and tutored in The Project Read and Voyager Reading Programs Evaluated for the Board of Education Teacher Mentorship Program Supervised Project Read Summer Institute Collaborated with the Museo del Barrio, Creative Arts Program and The Museum of the City of New York • program Coordinator, East Coast Migrant Head Start Programs 1992-1994 Assisted the Head Start Director in program operations Developed and implemented educational programs for the Migrant Head Start Ensued program compliance with Federal, State, and Local policies and procedures Implemented and developed performance standards according to Federal guidelines Developed, proposed, and obtained grants for program funding • Interim Director/Media Marketing Specialist, Settlement Health 1990-1992 Coordinated all aspects of media promotion Networked radio and television stations and newspaper media Coordinated quarterly drives Supervised and evaluated staff personnel Submitted quarterly program reports to New York State • Community Organizer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Program 1989-1990. Raquel Coordinated and planned a Healthy Heart Educational Program and Recruited community volunteers. Raquel Developed and implemented media marketing campaigns Designed health information publications, fitness calendars and monthly newsletters. She has Educated community organizations, agencies, and schools about heart disease • Ms Gonzalez also worked as Curriculum Consultant, Settlement Health 1989-1990. She Collaborated with program nutritionist on the development of curriculum Implemented and evaluated nutritional programs for schools and agencies. She Designed and implemented a pilot program entitled “Snack Busters” She also Prepared health education materials for a low literacy Hispanic population. Raquel Participated in Educational trainings at Columbia University Raquel also worked as District workshop facilitator in Differentiated Instructions • Macintosh Educational software programs • Raquel is excellent in Computers, She is familiar with Microsoft Windows, XP Home/Professional software suite and Word Perfect • She is Fluent in Spanish. She obtains a New York State Permanent Elementary Teaching License • Raquel has received several licenses and Honors such as,New York State English as a Second Language License • New York State Bilingual Extension Certification • New York State School Administrator and Supervisor Certification AWARDS • Administrator of the Year Award - WCSMA• New York State Teacher Recognition Award • New York City Teacher of the Year Award • Junior Great Books Leadership Award • Distinguished Woman Award – El Diario-La Prensa PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS • Kappa Delta Pi Association • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) • National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) • National Education Association (NEA) • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) We want to congratulate this Woman of God for all of her dedication and Outstanding Service to the community that she loves and the Gala Foundation is fortunate to have her onboard. She truly deserves this Gala Life time Achievement Award and may God continue to hold her under the Shadow of His mighty Wings.

WE THREE KINGS ORIENT ARE

We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain Gold I bring to crown Him again King forever, ceasing never Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I Incense owns a Deity nigh Pray'r and praising, all men raising Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes of life of gathering gloom Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise King and God and Sacrifice Alleluia, Alleluia Earth to heav'n replies O Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light

THE FIRST NOEL

The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star Three Wise men came from country far To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest O'er Bethlehem it took its rest And there it did both Pause and stay Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel! Then entered in those Wise men three Full reverently upon their knee And offered there in His presence Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

The First Noel is unknown in origin but is generally thought to be English dating back to the sixteenth century. There is a misconception that the First Noel was French and it is believed that this is because of the French spelling of Noel as opposed to the olde English Anglo-Saxon spelling of the word as in Nowell. After England was captured by the Normans numerous words were adopted from the Norman French language and Noel was re-spelt as Nowell, early printed versions of this carol use the Nowell spelling. The First Noel was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys.

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.No ear may hear His coming,But in this world of sin,Where meek souls will receive him still,The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel

Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903) of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time hence the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. His church organist Lewis Redner (1831-1908) wrote the melody to O Little Town of Bethlehem for the Sunday school children's choir

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL!

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,In ancient times did'st give the Law,In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL!

O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,Born the King of Angels;O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,Sing in exultation,Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.Give to our Father glory in the Highest;

O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,Born this happy morning,O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics "Adeste Fideles".

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR

It came upon the midnight clear,That glorious song of old,From angels bending near the earth,To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world:

Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing,And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load,Whose forms are bending low,Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing;Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,By prophets seen of old,When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold,When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King,And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The carol started life as a poem written by its author who was a minister living in Massachusetts at the time. The music for It Came Upon A Midnight Clear was composed by American musician Richard Storrs Willis in 1859 who was inspired by the words of the poem.

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Hark the herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled"Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim:"Christ is born in Bethlehem"Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!

"Christ by highest heav'n adored Christ the everlasting Lord!Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!

"Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Son of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hark the Herald Angels Sing! “Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.

GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN

God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father A blessed Angel came;And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name.O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,"Let nothing you affright,This day is born a Saviour Of a pure Virgin bright,To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might."O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind: And went to Bethlehem straightway The Son of God to find.O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay,They found Him in a manger,Where oxen feed on hay; His Mother Mary kneeling down,Unto the Lord did pray.O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,All you within this place,And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace;This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface.O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols.

AWAY IN THE MANGER

"Away in a manger,No crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side,'Til morning is nigh.Be near me, Lord Jesus,I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there"

Away in a manager is always the first carol that children are taught. Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885. The publication of Away in a Manger was in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to Away in a Manger was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895

ANGELS FROM THE REALM OF GLORY!

Angels from the realms of glory,Wing your flight o'er all the earth;Ye who sang creation's story,Now proclaim Messiah's birth:Come and worship, Come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,Watching o'er your flocks by night,God with man is now residing,Yonder shines the infant Light;Come and worship,Come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Sages, leave your contemplations,Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations,Ye have seen His natal star;Come and worship,Come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Saints before the altar bending,Watching long in hope and fear,Suddenly the Lord, descending,In His temple shall appear:Come and worship,Come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King!

The author of Angels From the Realms of Glory was an Irishman called James Montgomery. He came from a religious family background and sadly his parents, who were missionaries died following their vocation. Angels From the Realms of Glory was written in 1816. The music for Angels From the Realms of Glory was composed by Henry Smart. The lyrics of Angels From the Realms of Glory tell the story of the shepherds, sages and Saints.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Come they told me Pa rum pum pum pum A new born King to see, Pa rum pum pum pum Our finest gifts we bring Pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the King Pa rum pum pum pumRum pum pum pumRum pum pum pum So to honor Him Pa rum pum pum pum,When we come. Little Baby Pa rum pum pum pum I am a poor boy too, Pa rum pum pum pum I have no gift to bring Pa rum pum pum pum That's fit to give our King Pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pumRum pum pum pum Shall I play for you! Pa rum pum pum On my drum. Mary nodded Pa rum pum pum pumThe ox and lamb kept time Pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him Pa rum pum pum I played my best for Him Pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum Then He smiled at me Pa rum pum pum pum Me and my drum.

"The Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas song from 1958 - words and music by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone. The best-known and most standard version is by the Harry Simeone Chorale. It is also known as the "Carol of the Drum".The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of no less than 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists.The lyrics tell the apocryphal story of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval.

O HOLY NIGHT!

O holy night,The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of Our dear Savior's birth!Long lay the world In sin and error pining, Till He appeared And the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope,The weary world rejoices,For yonder breaks A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine,O night when Christ was born! O night divine, O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith Serenely beaming,With glowing hearts By His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star Sweetly gleaming,Here came the wise men From Orient land.The King of Kings lay thus In lowly manger,In all our trials Born to be our Friend!

He knows our need,To our weakness no stranger;Behold your King!Before the lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! Before Him bend.

Truly He taught us To love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break For the slave is our brother And in His name All oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in Grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us Praise His holy name!

Christ is the Lord, Oh praise His name forever, His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim His pow'r and glory Evermore proclaim.

"O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol song composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau, an accomplished amateur.Placide Cappeau obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realized that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams.

JOY TO THE WORLD!!!

Joy To The World Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King Let every heart Prepare Him room And Saints and angels sing And Saints and angels sing And Saints and Saints and angels sing

Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns Let Saints their songs employ While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy

Joy to the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders and wonders of His love

No more will sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He'll come and make the blessings flow Far as the curse was found,Far as the curse was found,Far as, far as the curse was found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And gives to nations proof The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love; And wonders of His love; And wonders, wonders of His love.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High, While Israel spreads abroad Like stars that glitter in the sky,And ever worship God, And ever worship God, And ever, and ever worship God.

The words and lyrics of the old Xmas carol "Joy to the World" were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts. The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Non­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation."Joy to the World" is one of the best-known and best-loved of Christmas carols. It contains a message of joy and love replacing sin and sorrow. It may also be interpreted to be about life after the second coming of Christ. The hymn is significant for its widespread use throughout Christian denominations and for the musical stature of the people who created it.One of the most well known recordings of "Joy To The World" is an instrumental version by conductor Percy Faith.

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

What Child Is This?

What Child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping?Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping?This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,The silent Word is pleading.This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary. Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,The Cross be borne, for me, for you:Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,The Babe, the Son of Mary! This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;Come peasant, king to own Him.The King of Kings salvation brings;Let loving hearts enthrone Him.This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.Raise, raise, the song on high,The Virgin sings her lullaby:Joy joy for Christ is born,The Babe, the Son of Mary! This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

"What Child Is This?" is one of the most moving and beautiful of Victorian carols. It's history can be traced back farther than the days of the infamous Henry VIII. It dates from Elizabethan time, possibly even earlier."What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol lyrically written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix to the melody of "Greensleeves". Although the chorus changes from verse to verse, many recorded versions simply use the first chorus throughout.The song was first registered in 1850 to Richard Jones with lyrics that were neither religious nor respectable. Shakespeare mentions it by name in "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in which is it played while traitors are hanged.

THE ORIGIN OF SILENT NIGHT

Silent night, Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face,With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth; Jesus Lord at thy birth. "Silent Night" is a traditional and popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song Stille Nacht were written in German by the priest Father Josef Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz X. Gruber. The version of the melody that is generally sung today differs slightly from Gruber's original.In 1995 a manuscript written by hand by Josef Mohr was discovered. The said manuscript is believed to date back to 1820 and it reveals that the lyrics were written in 1816 by Mohr but the music was composed two years later by Gruber.Silent Night was first written in 1816 by Josef Mohr, a priest in Austria. In 1816, he was sad that the organ was broken and found this poem he'd written earlier. The music was composed by his organist, Franz Gruber, for the mass the next evening. It was first performed with only a guitar accompanying it.

Silent Night Silent night, holy night!All is calm, All is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy Infant so Tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar;Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia! Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born! Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light!With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King! Christ the Saviour is here, Jesus the Saviour is here! Silent night, Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth;Jesus Lord at thy birth.

Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad

THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT GOD HAS DELIVERED US FROM!

"The First Fruits" The Lord God said, " When you come into the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance, and have taken possession of it, and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place which the Lord your God will choose, to make his name dwell there."
As we gather this evening to celebrate the day of Thanksgiving which comes upon us tomorrow, our thoughts turn to the Pilgrims who came to America and celebrated what we have regarded as the first Thanksgiving. But as you heard the first lesson read this evening from Deuteronomy, the first Thanksgiving was really celebrated by the Israelities as they moved into the promised land. God told them as they came into this land flowing with milk and honey, they were to take the first fruits of the ground, place them in a basket and take it to the priest. There they were to relive through the words of that speech which begins, "A wandering Aramean was my father; and he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty and populous," God's deliverance in their lives. Because God had delivered and blessed them, God asked them to return to Him the first fruits of the ground, to give thanksgiving to Him for this act of deliverance in their lives. For the Israelities, their thanksgiving was seen in the action of God as He delivered them from Egypt and brought them into this land flowing with milk and honey. The Pilgrims gave thanks for the deliverance which came to them during their first year on the North American shore. They were delivered from hunger by a good summer crop, they were delivered from war by peacefully living with the Indians, they were delivered from cold by building strong sturdy homes, we could go on and on. Deliverance brought thanksgiving into their hearts.
Can we think of Thanksgiving as deliverance for us?? Think about that for a moment?? Usually, when we think of this time of Thanksgiving, we list all those things we are thankful that we have or been blessed with. But what about being thankful for all those things we have been delivered from, that we don't have to experience ???

HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL IN YOUR LIFE

In 10 Steps

Psalms 32:8-9
God doesn't want to lead you with a bridle like a horse or a mule that has to be reigned in. He wants to lead you intelligently by the Holy Spirit according to the Word.
1. Be in harmony with God's Word and LawPsalms 40:81 I delight to do thy will, thy law is within my heart.Isaiah 8:20 Would God lead you into breaking His law? NoPsalm 119:105 His Word is to be a Lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.

2. Be willing to do God's willJohn 6:38 Jesus is your example. He came to do His Father's will.John 7:17 If you are willing God will show you.James 4:13-15 You shouldn't be planning your own life. You should be trying to do God's will.Jeremiah 29:11 God's will is much more beneficial than your own.Proverbs 16:25 Your ways lead to sorrow, death, and destruction.

3. Fervent faithful prayer for guidanceJames 1:5-6 Ask in faith, nothing wavering.James 5:16 Effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.I John 5:14 You can have confidence that if you ask according to God's will,He will hear you.

4. Do what lies nearest you first!John 16:12 God has many things to tell us, but we can't bear them now. Do what you can do and what you know to be correct, right now.Then He will show you what to do next.Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.Luke 16:10 Be faithful in the least first and God will give you more.Jeremiah 12:5 If you don't obey God in the small things how will you obey during the big test?


5. Which option will bring the most Glory to God?I Corinthians 10:31-32 Do ALL to the glory of God! Give none offence to either Jew or Gentile or to the Church.I Peter 4:11 That God in ALL things might be glorified!Revelation 14:7 Part of the last warning messages to the world contain these instructions "give glory to Him". This indicates that most of the world will not be giving glory to God at the end of time.
The decisions you make in your daily life indicate whose side you are on.Romans 14:13 Don't cause anyone to stumble.Mark 9:42 Don't hurt ever, the least of God's children.

6. Seek Christian CounselBe careful who you counsel with. Paul wrote at the end of time there would be many who had a Form of Godliness (2Timothy 3:5,7,8) and many false teachers. A good Christian counselor should point you to a "Thus saith the Lord".Proverbs 11:14 There is safety in a multitude of counselors.Psalms 1: 1-2 Don't follow the counsel of the ungodly.Jeremiah 17:5-10 Cursed is the man that puts his trust in man.

7. Listen to the voice of the Holy SpiritIsaiah 30:20-21 Though you go through adversity and affliction, God will talk to you. You will hear a voice behind you as you turn to the right or left. God will show you, "This is the way, walk ye in it."
That still small voice that makes you feel so uncomfortable is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.I Kings 19:11-12 God doesn't speak to you in a earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice.

8. Humbly wait on the LordRevelation 14:12 Those that overcome the beast and his mark have an identifying characteristic of patience. They keep God's commandments (not man's) and they humbly wait for Jesus.Psalms 37:4-7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.Isaiah 49:15-16 He cannot forget you, your problems, or struggles! Trust Him! He thinks about you constantly!!!Psalms 25:9 He guides the meek.

9. Make and implement a decisionJoshua 1:5-6 After you have gone though all these steps move forward in the Lord. Have courage the Lord is with you!Joshua 14:9-12 You have wholly followed the Lord. He has kept you alive to do His will. Now go after it! Be like Joshua and say "Give me this mountain!"

10. God's Providence!2 Corinthians 2:12 Watch for the opened or closed doors.Don't worry about what is on the other side of the door. Move forward with your eyes on Jesus.Watching for His leading. Make sure that you are not violating His Word as you move forward.Isaiah 45:1-3 God will open doors and break in pieces the gates to accomplish His will for your life. You can count on it!Even the mighty city and nation of Babylon was no match for our Lord. All throughout the Bible you can see incident after incident of God's will being accomplished.
As you move forward watch Him remove the obstacles and remember that He often requires you to move first. Why?This tests and shows you the state of your Faith.It causes you to exercise your faith. Is it important to have little tests now prior to the big crisis? ABSOLUTELY!!!Revelation 14:12 The people at the end of time who overcome the beast are described as having the faith of Jesus. What kind of faith did Jesus have in His heavenly father? The Greatest!Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

God Guides You in Doing His Will*1
--Has not God said He would give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? and is not this spirit a real, true actual guide?
Some men seem afraid to take God at His word as though it would be presumption in them. They pray for the Lord to teach us and yet are afraid to credit the pledged word of God and believe we have been taught of Him.
So long as we come to our heavenly Father humbly and with a spirit to be taught, willing and anxious to learn, why should we doubt God's fulfillment of His own promise? You must not for a moment doubt Him and dishonor Him thereby.
When you have sought to know His will, your part in the operation with God is to believe that you will be led and guided and blessed in the doing of His will.
We may mistrust ourselves lest we misinterpret His teachings, but make even this a subject of prayer, and trust Him, still trust Him to the uttermost, that His Holy Spirit will lead you to interpret aright His plans and the working of His providence.
God wants to fill you with peace.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God,and His righteousness; and all thesethings shall be added unto you."Matthew 6.-33Is there a decision you need to make?
A decision you need to makeFor Jesus?
Make it just now.Please.Make it right now.
You will never be sorry you did

Yolanda Adams- Never give up (lyrics)

THE WORLD MAY HATE US BUT GOD LOVES US!

There are three things told us in Scripture concerning the nature of God. First, "God is spirit" (John 4:24). In the Greek there is no indefinite article, and to say "God is a spirit" is most objectionable, for it places Him in a class with others. God is "spirit" in the highest sense. Because He is "spirit" He is incorporeal, having no visible substance. Had God a tangible body, He would not be omnipresent, He would be limited to one place; because He is spirit He fills heaven and earth. Second, God is light (1 John 1:5), which is the opposite of "darkness." In Scripture "darkness" stands for sin, evil, death; and "light" for holiness, goodness, life. God is light, means that He is the sum of all excellency. Third, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). It is not simply that God "loves," but that He is Love itself. Love is not merely one of His attributes, but His very nature.
There are many today who talk about the love of God, who are total strangers to the God of love. The Divine love is commonly regarded as a species of amiable weakness, a sort of good-natured indulgence; it is reduced to a mere sickly sentiment, patterned after human emotion. Now the truth is that on this, as on everything else, our thoughts need to be formed and regulated by what is revealed thereon in Holy Scripture. That there is urgent need for this is apparent not only from the ignorance which so generally prevails, but also from the low state of spirituality which is now so sadly evident everywhere among professing Christians. How little real love there is for God. One chief reason for this is because our hearts are so little occupied with His wondrous love for His people. The better we are acquainted with His love—its character, fulness, blessedness—the more will our hearts be drawn out in love to Him.
1. The love of God is uninfluenced. By this we mean, there was nothing whatever in the objects of His love to call it into exercise, nothing in the creature to attract or prompt it. The love which one creature has for another is because of something in them; but the love of God is free, spontaneous, uncaused. The only reason why God loves any is found in His own sovereign will: "The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved thee" (Deut. 7:7,8). God has loved His people from everlasting, and therefore nothing of the creature can be the cause of what is found in God from eternity. He loves from Himself: "according to His own purpose" (2 Tim. 1:9).
"We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). God did not love us because we loved Him, but He loved us before we had a particle of love for Him. Had God loved us in return for ours, then it would not be spontaneous on His part; but because He loved us when we were loveless, it is clear that His love was uninfluenced. It is highly important if God is to be honored and the heart of His child established, that we should be quite clear upon this precious truth. God’s love for me, and for each of "His own," was entirely unmoved by anything in them. What was there in me to attract the heart of God? Absolutely nothing. But, to the contrary, everything to repel Him, everything calculated to make Him loathe me—sinful, depraved, a mass of corruption, with "no good thing" in me.
"What was there in me that could merit esteem,Or give the Creator delight?‘Twas even so, Father, I ever must sing,Because it seemed good, in Thy sight."
2. It is eternal. This of necessity. God Himself is eternal, and God is love; therefore, as God Himself had no beginning, His love had none. Granted that such a concept far transcends the grasp of our feeble minds, nevertheless, where we cannot comprehend, we can bow in adoring worship. How clear is the testimony of Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." How blessed to know that the great and holy God loved His people before heaven and earth were called into existence, that He had set His heart upon them from all eternity. Clear proof is this that His love is spontaneous, for He loved them endless ages before they had any being.
The same precious truth is set forth in Ephesians 1:4,5, "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him. In love having predestinated us." What praise should this evoke from each of His children! How tranquilizing for the heart: since God’s love toward me had no beginning, it can have no ending! Since it be true that "from everlasting to everlasting" He is God, and since God is "love," then it is equally true that "from everlasting to everlasting" He loves His people.
3. It is sovereign. This also is self-evident. God Himself is sovereign, under obligations to none, a law unto Himself, acting always according to His own imperial pleasure. Since God be sovereign, and since He be love, it necessarily follows that His love is sovereign. Because God is God, He does as He pleases; because God is love, He loves whom He pleases. Such is His own express affirmation: "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom. 9:19). There was no more reason in Jacob why he should be the object of Divine love, than there was in Esau. They both had the same parents, and were born at the same time, being twins; yet God loved the one and hated the other! Why? Because it pleased Him to do so.
The sovereignty of God’s love necessarily follows from the fact that it is uninfluenced by anything in the creature. Thus, to affirm that the cause of His love lies in God Himself, is only another way of saying, He loves whom He pleases. For a moment, assume the opposite. Suppose God’s love were regulated by anything else than His will, in such a case He would love by rule, and loving by rule He would be under a law of love, and then so far from being free, God would Himself be ruled by law. "In love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to"—what? Some excellency which He foresaw in them? No; what then? "According to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:4,5).
4. It is infinite. Everything about God is infinite. His essence fills heaven and earth. His wisdom is illimitable, for He knows everything of the past, present and future. His power is unbounded, for there is nothing too hard for Him. So His love is without limit. There is a depth to it which none can fathom; there is a height to it which none can scale; there is a length and breadth to it which defies measurement, by any creature-standard. Beautifully is this intimated in Ephesians 2:4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us: the word "great" there is parallel with the "God so loved" of John 3:16. It tells us that the love of God is so transcendent it cannot be estimated.
No tongue can fully express the infinitude of God’s love, or any mind comprehend it: it "passeth knowledge" Eph. 3:19). The most extensive ideas that a finite mind can frame about Divine love, are infinitely below its true nature. The heaven is not so far above the earth as the goodness of God is beyond the most raised conceptions which we are able to form of it. It is an ocean which swells higher than all the mountains of opposition in such as are the objects of it. It is a fountain from which flows all necessary good to all those who are interested in it (John Brine, 1743).
5. It is immutable. As with God Himself there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17), so His love knows neither change or diminution. The worm Jacob supplies a forceful example of this: "Jacob have I loved," declared Jehovah, and despite all his unbelief and waywardness, He never ceased to love him. John 13:1 furnishes another beautiful illustration. That very night one of the apostles would say, "Show us the Father"; another would deny Him with cursings; all of them would be scandalized by and forsake Him. Nevertheless "having loved His own which were in the world, He love them unto the end." The Divine love is subject to no vicissitudes. Divine love is "strong as death ... many waters cannot quench it" (Song of Sol. 8:6,7). Nothing can separate from it: Romans 8:35-39.
"His love no end nor measure knows,No change can turn its course,Eternally the same it flowsFrom one eternal source."
6. It is holy. God’s love is not regulated by caprice passion, or sentiment, but by principle. Just as His grace reigns not at the expense of it, but "through righteousness" (Rom. 5:21), so His love never conflicts with His holiness. "God is light" (1 John 1:5) is mentioned before "God is love" (1 John 4:8). God’s love is no mere amiable weakness, or effeminate softness. Scripture declares, "whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Heb. 12:6). God will not wink at sin, even in His own people. His love is pure, unmixed with any maudlin sentimentality.
7. It is gracious. The love and favor of God are inseparable. This is clearly brought out in Romans 8:32-39. What that love is from which there can be no "separation," is easily perceived from the design and scope of the immediate context: it is that goodwill and grace of God which determined Him to give His Son for sinners. That love was the impulsive power of Christ’s incarnation: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Christ died not in order to make God love us, but because He did love His people, Calvary is the supreme demonstration of Divine love. Whenever you are tempted to doubt the love of God, Christian reader, go back to Calvary.
Here then is abundant cause for trust and patience under Divine affliction. Christ was beloved of the Father, yet He was not exempted from poverty, disgrace, and persecution. He hungered and thirsted. Thus, it was not incompatible with God’s love for Christ when He permitted men to spit upon and smite Him. Then let no Christian call into question God’s love when he is brought under painful afflictions and trials. God did not enrich Christ on earth with temporal prosperity, for "He had not where to lay His head." But He did give Him the Spirit "without measure" (John 3:34). Learn then that spiritual blessings are the principal gifts of Divine love. How blessed to know that when the world hates us ,God loves us!

RAQUEL GONZALEZ MOVES UP GALA RANK

FLASH-TAMPA/NY/NJ-2010- The Gala Foundation announced today, the added assignment and appointment of Ms Raquel Gonzalez to serve as an Associate Administrator for the Foundation. She joins with the New Board of Gala Officials that recently included Irving Serrano from Pennsylvania. Raquel Gonzalez has served with great distinction and remarkable resilience through the past year. She will continue to serve as Editor of the sister Web-Site, "La Fundacion Gala" Noel Serrano, The Director of the Foundation, recently called Raquel and during their monthly conference, congratulated her and thanked her for her faithful service and unwavering devotion to the Gala initiative. "We need more laborers like Raquel Gonzalez"declared Noel,"That are willing to dedicate their time to a Noble Cause and have the determination to lift the Gala Banner high and steady" Raquel Gonzalez is a devoted Woman of Prayer and comes from a powerful family with a blessed legacy. Raquel Gonzalez grew up in the beloved home church of "La Sinagoga" she is very well-versed on the rich legacy of our combined families and has proven her loyalty and commitment to the cause of the Foundation. In a recent Gala Memo, Noel wrote;"I am delighted to announce that Raquel Gonzalez, currently the Editor of our sister-web-site, La Fundacion Gala, will be joining our immediate staff as an Associate Administrator. Since the passing of most of the pioneering Elders of the Foundation,I have been eager to set the organization’s future course and strengthen the strategic thinking done directly in the newly established Group of Gala Officials. Raquel will be crucial in that work.
In this capacity, Raquel will identify the arenas in which we can provide essential solutions to our Institution and our growing coalition and will then help drive us toward providing those solutions. That will require that she find ways to boost our business analytics and risk management capability as well as to enhance the way we market and deliver solutions.
Together, She, Irving and I will also focus on how Gala Operations– the leadership and the entire organization – can fully engage in our strategic planning and implementation. Too often, we develop great plans, set up task groups for initiatives, and report on measures, only to return quickly to business as usual. I believe we also need to change fundamental behaviors, methods, and processes in order to reach our transformational goals.
Raquel has a deep history with the Gala Foundation and is passionate about helping the organization. Her experience and critical thinking will be of particular value as we seek to address the significant new challenges of our Organization and the demand for sophisticated and innovative solutions. Join me in welcoming Raquel to this new role."

FIRE-PROOFING YOUR FAITH

By Carlo A. Serrano

Daniel 3:17-18 - If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able
to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he
does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship
the image of gold you have set up."
It’s hot! According to scientists, it is hotter on planet earth right now than it’s been in
thousands of years. The old saying says “if you can’t stand the heat; get out of the
kitchen.” But how can we get of this frying pan we call earth? Obviously we can’t. But
did you know that we come into this earth with fire-proofing? Our bodies come full
loaded with a cooling system. Its called – and this is deep – sweat. Yes, sweat is our
natural response to kitchens that are too hot. Our sweat also serves as a warning system
to, letting us know that we need some water about 2 hours ago, and some shade would be
nice! We also have these nerve endings that let us know “Hey, that’s too hot! Get away or
you will get burned!” If we heed these warnings and maintain our cooling systems, we
won’t have to fear burning up in this life.
God has also given us the same ability to fire-proof our faith. Sure or bodies may
succumb to the heat of a flame, but with God’s help, nothing can shake our faith. We can
have faith so strong that all of the firebombs of hell can’t even leave the smell of smoke.
We can have faith that will stand firm in the fires of life! Let’s examine three
foundational aspects of fire proofing your faith.
I. Be Unbound
We all know this story. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, along with Daniel had been
promoted to high offices in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. If you remember in Ch 1 of
Daniel they held firm to their convictions and did not violate their dietary laws and God
blessed them. In Ch 2 we see Daniel interpreting the famous dream of the statue. So here
these foreigners, these aliens, are given high political office and favor.
If you want to fire-proof your faith, you have to be unbound…. from the the world and its
ways. The other officials in the land gathered and basically made this decree that when
the music sounds, everyone had to bow and worship the image of the king. It is
interesting to note that these same officials who couldn’t interpret the dream and whom
Daniel, and the 3 Israelites saved through their prayers would be the ones to bring this
law up You’ll see later on in Ch 6 that Daniel once again has to deal with this jealousy.
Yet in spite of what everyone else was doing, the Bible tells me that they did not bow
down to the king’s image. They were not bound by the worldly ways around them.
We also have to be unbound form...people pressure. They did not let the pressure of their
peers cause them to cave in. They worked openly on the kings court and did not once
give in. the bible says in one translation that they paid no attention to the king and his
image. How do you ignore a 90x90 image? They were not bound to this world and its
ways.
Don’t we today have a world that is screaming at us with the wrong message? The world
wants us to respond the way it does. When someone does you wrong, fight back. When
someone steals from you, steal back. When you have an itch, scratch it! The world is
telling us to worship the dollar, bow down to sex, and let self-ambition lead you in all
paths. We need the anointing of God to break those chains that want to bind us to this
world and its ways. If you want faith that can stand the heat, be unbound.
The next foundational aspect of fire proofing your faith is being unharmed.
II. Be Unharmed
Be unharmed by threatening circumstances. The other officials plotted against Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, and told the king that they weren’t obeying the new law. I
wonder if the king was furious because the law was being broken, or because he was not
being worshiped? Regardless, he was mad and that could only mean trouble for the 3. But
even in the face of threats from the king himself, they would not be moved. They were
unharmed by threats and gestures. Their answer in v.17 is worth rereading
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us
from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
Now, they did not doubt God in v. 18, instead they were showing their absolute resolve to
keep the faith.
We also need to be unharmed by physical setbacks. We see that the consequence of their
actions was going to be pain. They were physically threatened with death. Its one thing to
say “bow or you will be fired”, it’s another thing to say “bow or you will be fire!!” Yet
again they did not waiver.
The enemy is defeated! He can only bring short term pain and suffering. He can’t destroy
your soul. You are a child of God! He doesn’t own you or have the rights to you. We’ve
got to make up our minds that in spite of threats, we are going to serve God and walk by
faith. I’m so tired of talking politics and what the government and the ACLU is doing
now to our Christian freedoms. God is bigger!! Talking about it and worrying isn’t going
to change the fact that in these end times, the oven is going to get a little warmer. We’ve
got to stand anyway!! Pain may come. There might be some bumps and bruises. When
are we Americans going to realizes that it is a privilege to suffer for the king?
Persecution is nothing new. Yet, we must be unharmed by this pain, with God’s help.
The final aspect of fire proofing your faith that we must be under the influence.
III. Under the influence
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and
unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
They were thrown into the fire that was heated 7 times hotter than usual. The guards who
threw them into the furnace where killed by the heat. Did you know that skin exposed to
160 degree water for ONLY 1 second, can result in a third degree burn? Steam has
temperature of over 212 degrees and can not only burn the outside skin,when inhaled, it
immediately burns the lungs and airways causing rapid death. I don’t say that to be
morbid, I just want to paint a picture of how hot this furnace was!
And yet
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed,
and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the
opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers
crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a
hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of
fire on them.
Remember how hot it was? They were under the influence of the Lord of Grace.
If someone or something is Lord over you than you are under its influence.
Shadrach’s real name was Hannaniah which means: the Lord shows grace.
The Lord will always give us grace to make it through anything. I know your situation
might look bleak. But quit listening to that old father of lies and get under the influence
of the Lord who shows grace!
They were under the influence of the Lord who helps.
Abednego’s real name was Azariah which means: the Lord helps.
I think having that fourth man in the fire constitutes as help don’t you? Praise God that
we don’t have to face anything on our own. God is our “ever present help in times of
trouble”. The Lord helped them in a miraculous ways by saving them. He can do it for
you today. What king is threatening you? What fire is out of control in your life? Get
under the influence of the Lord who helps.
They were under the influence of the Lord with no equal.
Meshach’s real name was Mishael which means: Who is equal to God?
Who can dig down in to a pit and save a wretch stuck in sin? Who can take a
transgression and separate it as far as the east is from the west? Who can take a storm and
at one word create peace? Who can take nothing and form it into the heavens and the
earth and all between. Who is equal to our God? There is no God like Jehovah!! So why
do we doubt him when things get a little spicy? Don’t fear; just get under the influence of
the Lord who has no equal.
We can fireproof our faith by being unbound by the world and its ways, unharmed by
threats and physical setbacks, and by being under the influence of the Lord.
©2010 Carlo A. Serrano

IRVING SERRANO A NEW ASSOCIATE FOR GALA

FLASH-OCT 7- The Gala Foundation has recently brought in new key people to serve in the Administration . Irving Serrano is now an Associate Administrator in the Gala Foundation. There have been intensive talks with the brothers for a year now. Irving Serrano recently called his brother and informed him that he was ready to serve the Foundation in any capacity. Noel brought in his most trusted brother to assist in the efforts of the expanding Foundation. Irving Serrano has served the Foundation , in the past as a Contributing Writer for the Family Times, Gala's Communication Publication. Irving Serrano will be the first of a New Group of Gala Officials that will work very closely with Noel to ensure the stable course of all Gala Operations. The Gala Foundation has several Linked Web-sites and several Foreign Missions that need close attention. There is so much work to be done and this New assignment will strengthen the Foundation's ability to carry out the future phases that are now in the planning stages for future implementation. We want to welcome Irving Serrano to his new responsibilities. May God Bless him and his family.

THE PRIORITY OF ADORATION TO GOD

Praising God - The First Thing! Do you know that praising God is the best thing to do first before anything else? Have you ever been in a situation that you feel all alone? Or have you encountered a difficult situation in your life and you don't know what to do, like losing your job or suffering the loss of someone very close to your heart? Consider the good times such as when you receive a raise from your boss or earn high marks at school? What do you usually do during these moments? Praising God makes every circumstance of our lives complete, essential, and eminently worthwhile. Webster defines the word praise as to say good things about and it is synonymous to words such as admire, commend, extol, honor, and worship. A definition of Christian praise is the joyful thanking and adoring of God, the celebration of His goodness and grace.1 This simply implies that the act of praising is rightfully due to God alone.
Praising God - Why?Why is praising God important? The reasons are countless. First, God deserves to be praised and He is worthy to receive our praise:
"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods" (Psalm 96:4).
"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom" (Psalm 145:3).
"I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies" (2 Samuel 22:4).
"You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (Revelation 4:11). Second, praising God is useful and favorable for us. By praising God, we are reminded of the greatness of God! His power and presence in our lives is reinforced in our understanding. "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant" (Psalm 135:3). Third, praise discharges strength in faith, which causes God to move on our behalf. "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" (Psalm 8:2). Praising God also transforms the spiritual environment that we have. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 clearly illustrates the alteration that happened when the Levites gave praise and thanks to the Lord and the temple was filled with a cloud signifying the glory of God. "The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: 'He is good; his love endures forever.' Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God." Fourth, God inhabits the atmosphere of praise. Psalm 22:3 says, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (KJV). If we want to see a clear manifestation of God's blessings and grace, all we need to do is to praise Him with all our heart, our mind, and our soul.
Praising God - Who and When?Who is to praise God? "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD," states Psalm 150:6.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips (Psalm 34:1)."
"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" (Psalm 63:3-4).
"Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD" (Psalm 134:1-2). We cannot embark on the true joy and benefits of praising God unless we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As children of God, He dwells in our bodies through the Holy Spirit. This means that wherever we go, God is to be praised. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states that "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Praising God - How to Praise and Worship GodHow is praising God possible? Singing songs and hymns, clapping our hands, even jumping for joy…the list is endless. We can give glory and praise to our God with the use of our physical bodies, with our hearts and minds, and with our deeds. There are many ways to praise God! No matter how you praise and worship God, it should result in an awe of God's power, love, and grace for all of us!

WHY PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL

THE POWER OF PRAYER
Prayer is our communion with God, whether it be a petition made to God, worship, repentance, praise, or thanksgiving. It doesn't have to be a laid-out patent prayer, but words from the heart. God wants all of us, he knows our minds and hearts, so why not talk to him as if he already knows the situation.
James 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The effectual fervent prayer is one with power behind it, one that produces results. We have to believe what we pray, not just 'mouth' words. Sometimes we go blindly into our prayers, not knowing in which direction to go.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you , What things soever ye desire, when ye pray , believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
Desires of the heart should be those that will glorify God, not necessarily the human desires we have to make our life better.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
God knows each thought we have, so why not go to HIM and talk with him as you would if you were to meet him on the street. Prayers do not have to be long, drawn out affairs, but we need to be precise in what we are asking, and ask according to the bible rather than asking blindly for what we want. If it glorifies the Lord, then it will be something good for us. If it does not, then we shouldn't be asking for it in our prayers.

CALLED TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE

All throughout history a particular group of people have always in every generation have been called the people of God. For the past 2000 years, this group has come to be known as Christians. The Name Christian According to Easton’s Revised Bible Dictionary the word “Christian” was the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16. What was meant to be a derogatory term used to taunt and make a certain group of people feel ashamed and unwanted is now associated with blessing.Now, the question is why did the people of Antioch nickname the followers of Christ Christians? What was so different about them that called for them to be disdained by the community in which they lived? Could it be that the Antioch pagans simply did not like to have anything to do with godliness as exhibited by the Christians or by their way of life? There is an important difference between being a "good" person and being a Christian. Somebody can have many good attributes, he can even be a devoted helper or a generous person, but these things do not make him a Christian. Good attributes are advantageous for others on a certain level, but they can only be used in the best way after a person has repented to God. If a person wants to be "good" without repenting to God, there is a danger that his "goodness" or "greatness" will cause others to respect and honor him instead of honoring and following Jesus.The New CreatureThe bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” A closer look at this verse reveals that first a Christian should be in Christ. The life that a Christian lives should no longer be for himself but for Christ. Next the Christian is a new creature who is supposed to exhibit a life in conformity to the new nature in him. Thirdly any previous lifestyle lived becomes an issue of the past and buried with the old nature that had passed away. The knowledge of God's own loving nature is what leads Christians to devote themselves completely to serving God and others. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Following Jesus means seeking what God wants to do with our life in all points and in all moments. A Christian must be ready to give up everything because of God. Manifesting the new nature and life in Christ means a Christian must turn from pride and materialistic pursuits and be ready to let go of his/her ambitions, careers and hobbies for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This places the Christian in a situation of total obedience and submission to God. This kind of life does not appeal to the unbeliever and so leads him/her to sometimes conclude that Christians are narrow minded individuals. But that is what makes Christianity unique.
Author: Lawrence Tsimese
The Salt of The Earth1 Peter 2: 9 states “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” In reference to the above scripture we must understand that Christians are a chosen peculiar people of priestly heritage who have specifically been called by God to show forth His praise in an unbelieving world. We are to show forth his praises as salt savors meat (Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” Matt 5:13). Being the salt of the earth, the Christian’s life is different from all others in that his/her daily lifestyle preserves the spirits of those around them (Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another”. Mark 9:50). You can’t ignore a true Christian’s presence since it has a way of positively impacting society. If the salt should lose its saltiness it will become useless and be trampled upon. A Christian therefore can not be like anybody else. When he/she lives in conformity to worldly standards it means the salt nature is gone and therefore is as good as an unbeliever.Love for One AnotherChristianity is not always an easy walk but an eternally rewarding one. The life of a Christian is a continuous process of sanctification. God works within each Christian to conform him more and more to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). That does not mean that a Christian is without sin for the rest of his life, but that he basically separates from sin. The result of this sanctification must be visible in the life of every Christian (John 15:1-10) because God gives him the power to strive for a holy life (2 Peter 1:3; Romans 6:12-14). For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) The fruit of having a relationship with God is visible in the practical life of a Christian and is manifested principally in brotherly love. Jesus commanded us to be a light shining out for all to see (Matt. 5:14 – 16). We are therefore to let our light shine wherever we are. In fact, darkness should disappear from any place that a Christian goes. We can’t afford to operate in darkness of ignorance of the love of God. God is Love and we owe our allegiance to Him. Brotherly love (the love among believers) is the sign by which the disciples of Jesus are recognized (John 13:34-35). Brotherly love is based on the decision of each Christian to devote his life to his brothers and sisters. (“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16) Relationships among brothers and sisters in faith differ from other relationships because Christians have the same attitude towards life and share the same hope and aim in life. Since a Christian is not in unity with unbelievers in these points the amount of co-operation possible is limited to some extent. In closing, I will state that Christianity is not a bunch of do's and don'ts. It is love, life and liberty through Jesus Christ which is what makes a Christian different from anybody else.