The Parson Place Newsletter
MISSION STATEMENT: Using computers and the Web to promote Christian views and a faith-related community, Parson Place offers FREE software downloads, inspirational articles, pastoral ministry materials, a subscription-only newsletter, and much more. Be sure to visit Parson Place on the Web today, and spread the word to all your family and friends to come visit, too!
You can view past issues of The Parson Place Newsletter in the Archives section of Parson Place on the Web.
Add Parson Place to your Favorites now! 
Announcements
* Do you have your copy of my new book, Digital Evangelism: You Can Do It, Too!? It is now available for purchase at https://books.parsonplace.com. It will make a wonderful gift for your pastor, church evangelism or missions committee chairperson, or the computer enthusiast in your family. Get your copy now, and while you're at it, why not get one for your family and friends, too? If you happen to be in Columbus, GA, on Saturday, 15 January, drop by the Barnes and Noble bookstore between 10:00 am. and 2:00 pm. for my book signing and get a signed copy!* I have also recently updated my latest freeware software creation, QuickSort, to version 1.3. QuickSort quickly and easily sorts your text lists into either alphabetical or numerical order. Version 2.0 (a paid version) is also available for immediate download for only $19.95. You can download either version from the QuickSort registration page, so get your copy now!
* The Parson Place Forum is temporarily offline, due to a security upgrade. When I get it back online, you can post messages and read messages others have posted on the following topics: General, Christian Issues, Christian Writers, and Military Chaplaincy, with more to be added later.
* Are you looking for great software at affordable prices? Broderbund Software has just what you're seeking, a wide variety of titles including educational, games, business and professional. See what they have to offer!
* Are you looking for inexpensive Christian books or gifts? There's no better place to buy discounted Christian books, resources, and gifts than Christian Book Distributors (CBD). They have the best prices anywhere! Check out what they have to offer now!
* If you're interested in earning extra cash from the comfort of your home, why not start your own business on the Internet?
* Would you, or someone else you can recommend, like to advertise in The Parson Place Newsletter? View the Parson Place advertiser's page now for more details!
* Donate to Parson Place
Parson Place appreciates your donations. Just click on the "Make a Donation" button and use PayPal's highly secure online payment system to contribute any amount you choose.
Return to Top
Humor
Reverend Fun's Weekly Cartoon!
Moving Labels
Having moved 15 times during our 37-year marriage, my husband and I appreciate movers who take the time to label carefully boxes they pack for us. The accuracy of labels can make a huge difference when we try to find something right away. My favorite was done by one guy who attached this sticker to a box - obviously not knowing how to spell the best one word description: "Animals you hit with a stick at a Mexican party."
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh
Hunting Feedback
I love the outdoors, and because of my passion for hunting and fishing, my family eats a considerable amount of wild game. I guess they eat so much, in fact, that one evening as I set a platter of broiled venison steaks on the dinner table, my ten-year-old daughter looked up and said,
"Boy, it sure would be nice if pizzas lived in the woods."
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh
Cold Winter Forecast
It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets, and when he looked at the sky, he couldn't tell what the weather was going to be. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared. But also being a practical leader, after several days, he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?"
"It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed," the meteorologist at the weather service responded. So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared.
A week later, he called the National Weather Service again. "Is it going to be a very cold winter?"
"Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "it's definitely going to be a very cold winter."
The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find.
Two weeks later, he called the National Weather Service again. "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?"
"Absolutely," the man replied. "It's going to be one of the coldest winters ever."
"How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked.
The weatherman replied, "The Indians are collecting wood like crazy."
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh
Return to Top
Inspiration
Sunday School Lessons by Rev. Walter Albritton
This is a weekly instruction by Rev. Walter Albritton. Visit the Alabama-West Florida United Methodist Conference (AWFUMC) web site to read the most current one. To find out more about his inspirational writings and Christian ministry, visit Brother Walter's web site.
The Parson's Ponderings: A New Year Means A New Start
by Rev. Michael L. White
The observance of a new year is not only cause for celebration but time for a fresh start. Many people mark the occasion by making New Year's resolutions, such as losing weight, saving more money, quitting smoking, etc., most of which fail within the first month or two. However, most people aren't put off by that prospect of failure. The tradition is to make the resolutions, whether you keep them or not.
The good thing about starting a new year is that no matter how bad the last year was, this year holds the promise of something better. It's a blank slate just waiting to be inscribed. Many of the same hopes and dreams that weren't fulfilled last year linger with renewed hope that they will be fulfilled this year. It's the anticipation of something new and better that drives us to persevere as time marches on.
Like you, I, too, hope for a better and happier year in 2005. I'm realistic enough to know that there will be unhappy aspects to this year, too, but right now, I'm focusing on the positive. After all, things will get better, if they don't get worse! 
I haven't participated in the tradition of making New Year's resolutions for several years, because I got so discouraged when I failed to reach my goals, but I think I'll rejoin the practice this year. In 2005, I resolve to be less anxious about the unknown, to trust God more with the outcome, to keep my chin up (except when in prayer), no matter what. That is one resolution I fully intend to keep. Happy New Year!
Return to Top
Christian News and Issues
Agape Press News (Top Christian news headlines)
Christian News and Commentary at Cross Walk
Maranatha Christian Journal
Read all the current Christian news headlines at MCJ Online.
Praize News (Top Christian news headlines from the Praize Christian Network)
Religion News Service
Read the latest press releases from various religious groups.
Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter
(Keep abreast of the latest reports of persecution of Christians all around the world.)
World Net Daily (Extensive news from all around the world.)
Read Breakpoint commentaries on the Breakpoint web site. Breakpoint is a daily (M-F) radio and email commentary by Chuck Colson. They are always insightful, thought-provoking, and very apropos to our times.
Listen to Breakpoint commentaries from the Breakpoint web site (in real audio format - works with Windows Media Player and RealOne Player).
Return to Top
Recommended Web Sites
Holidays this month: 1 January, is New Year's Day; 6 January, is Epiphany (or Christmas Day for Christians in the Orthodox Church, or Three Kings Day for Hispanic Roman Catholics); and 17 January, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (in the USA)!
New Year's Day in the Holiday Zone
Lots to learn and do at this site!
Epiphany - Three Kings
A fairly detailed description of this holiday.
Three Kings Day
A brief overview of the meaning and celebration of this holiday.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Also brought to you by the Holiday Zone.
Army Chaplain Celebrates Ten Years on the Web with New Book About Digital Evangelism
Read this press release I submitted about my new book! It will only be available for viewing until 24 January 2005, so check it out soon.
Patron Saint of the Nerds in Wired Magazine.
A strange story about the patron saint of computer users
(Thanks to The Internet for Christians for this one!)
The Bible Challenge
Test your Bible knowledge at any of three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Compare how you rank with the thousands of others who have taken the challenge!
Jig-Saw Land
Loads of fun for the puzzle maniac!
MySurvey.com
Earn points to apply toward a variety of items, just for answering surveys. Sign-up and participation are both FREE. Check it out!
The Internet for Christians Newsletter
(read it online!)
The Christian Web Site Newsletter
For a complete list of current new additions, go to:
http://www.ChristianWebSite.com/search/New/
Return to Top
This Issue's Web Tip
While this tip is technically for general computer use, it still applies to browsing the Web. Have you ever lost track of your mouse pointer while you lost yourself in online reading? Well, this tip will help you find its location on-screen in an instant.Simply follow these easy steps:
- Press the Start key
- Choose Control Panel
- Choose Mouse from the menu
- Click on the Pointer Options tab on the dialog
- Check the "Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key" checkbox
- Click OK
- Now, press your control (CTRL) key, and you will see concentric rings surround your pointer to point it out of hiding for you!
Return to Top
Final Remarks
Well, that does it for this issue! I hope you found something useful to share with others. You are welcome to share this newsletter with whomever, but PLEASE DON'T SPAM ANYONE with it.
God willing, I'll greet you again next month with another collection of the best of my Internet experience. May God bless you!
IHS,
mike
Michael L. White
Email: info@parsonplace.com
Web Site: http://www.parsonplace.com
Return to Top
Sponsors' Spot
To learn how to place your ad promotion here, view the Parson Place advertiser's page now for more details!
Authored by Rev. Michael L. White, and published in October 2004, by Brentwood Christian Press, Digital Evangelism is valuable for every Christian, but it is a must-have for those who work regularly with evangelism, missions, and other vital outreach ministries of the Church. Pastors, evangelism committee members, and missions committee members are just a few of the key leaders in both local churches and denominational or general church agencies who should read and use this book. Get your copy now!
Return to Top
Feedback and Submissions
If you have comments or questions about any issue of the Parson Place Newsletter or the Parson Place web site, or if you want to submit web site recommendations, jokes, news items, etc. for the newsletter, please send them by email to info@parsonplace.com. As always, I welcome your feedback.
Return to Top
Subscribe/Unsubscribe This List
If you are not currently a subscriber to the Parson Place Email List, you can join simply by clicking on this Subscribe link now. To unsubscribe, go to the Parson Place Unsubscribe page.