FreeGroups.net :: Email Groups that Care!

Are you a group organizer struggling with huge email address lists that you have to manage manually in Outlook, Google, or wherever? What a hassle!

Instead of being a slave to your address book, use an email group to let the group members come and go as they wish, letting you focus on CONTENT and your objectives.

We offer free Email Groups with these features:

No Email ads!
Support for Email in English, French, Japanese, Portuguese (var. Brazil), Polish, German, Danish, Czech, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch and Swedish
Automatic Email spam & virus blocking
Newsreader (NNTP and RSS) Email archive access
An easy web-based Group Configuration tool
Group chat, files, links, address book, reviews, calendar, news, voting, projects, and forums
4Gb of public web-page/file space
Group web archives can use AdSense
Much more - read here to see the features compared with Yahoo and Google Groups

Click the Start a Group link on the left, to begin your own group!

Recent News from the 218 Groups hosted here...

Only ONE Republican Presidential Candidate will Balance the US Budget?	[ test ]	Saturday 25 February 09:23
As we look at the presidential candidates, I think we need to look carefully at which of them are: telling the truth (not liars) consistent with their actions (not hypocrites) personally holding to and demonstrating the values WE hold, including following God (they respresent you, and are like or better behaved than you) behaving in a manner of one who will SERVE God, and the people rather than one chasing power and glory (servant-leader vs King) I think those are good fundamentals - but America needs more than that today - we need a visionary leader with sound ideas beyond what the Republican and Democratic parties have pursued in the last several decades. I repeatedly tell my family that the Republicans of today are about the same as the Democrats of 20-30 years ago. Both parties have drifted from sound economic principles, promise way more than they can (and do) deliver, and aren't doing enough to honor God and his law and grace. It's like we've been on a fatty, sugary diet. We're suffering from God-less-ness and economic disease, and can't finance our excesses any more. It's time to excercise self-control and get healthy again! For a task like this, we can't pursue a presidential candidate who is placating our old excesses - promising the moon. The candidate needs to have a plan that makes sense - that really adds up. This article at CNNMoney analyzes what the plans of the 4 GOP candidates will actually deliver, based on what they've shared so far. It's definitely worth a read.
Object Lessons for Children	[ pattonvillebaptist ]	Thursday 16 February 04:19
The month of February has brought something new for the children of Pattonville Baptist! Each Sunday that Children's Church is not scheduled, a "grown-up" member of the congregation volunteers to talk to the children during worship service and teach them a truth from scripture using some "object". Mary Potter first taught the children who God loves by showing them a picture of that person. The picture was actually a mirror! Next time, Boyd used a magic trick to teach them about sin and the only way to truly rid themselves of it's consequences. The egg in the vase represented sin in our hearts. Removing it from the vase and putting it in a pocket did not truly take the sin away. After putting the cover back on the vase, the egg (sin) was still there. Finally, as the cover was placed on the vase (representing the shed blood of Jesus), the egg (sin) was gone forever! Our last object lesson was presented by Ms. Betty. She taught about harmony in the family of God by letting everyone in the congregation sing their own favorite hymn at the same time. My, what a NOISE! Then she asked everyone to sing Amazing Grace at the same time. What a difference harmony makes! If you would like to volunteer to present an object lesson to the children, there is a calendar and sign-up sheet on the pulpit. Go for it!
Thanksgiving in America	[ shoulders ]	Thursday 24 November 03:28
America’s first national Thanksgiving occurred in 1789 with the commencement of the federal government. According to the Congressional Record for September 25 of that year, the first act after the Framers completed the framing of the Bill of Rights was that: Mr. [Elias] Boudinot said he could not think of letting the session pass without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. With this view, therefore, he would move the following resolution: Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer. . . . Mr. Roger Sherman justified the practice of thanksgiving on any single event not only as a laudable one in itself but also as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ. . . . This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion. ¹⁵ That congressional resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who heartily concurred with the request and issued the first federal Thanksgiving proclamation, declaring in part: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789 . . . that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection. ¹⁶
The Story of Tomorroon	[ c_lug ]	Tuesday 29 March 12:30
A traveler stopped at an Inn & Playhouse in Italy, and had an opportunity to observe some play rehearsals while he was there. As he observed the men on stage, he noted that these were common men (one or two may have even been marginally drunk), and none of them seemed to be affected by, or understand the story behind the play they were acting out. There was no emotion in their voices as they sang or moved. The traveler wondered why the players couldn't perceive the motivation of the story they were reenacting, but he himself had never hear the story before - he wished he knew! As the traveler went to his room that night, he found a broken figurine of a horse rider who held the reigns to his white horse in one hand, and with the other hand, held a silver platter with four wine glasses filled with wine. The small statue was broken in several pieces. The traveler determined to repair the figurine. As he glued the final piece together, the rider in the figurine began to speak with a gentle voice... "My name is Tomorroon. Would you like to understand the story behind the play you have been watching?" The traveler answered that he would like to know the story. He wished he could explain it to those rehearsing the play, so they could perform it well. So Tomorroon told the traveler that the play was a story of the great love Tomorroon had for his son, and that despite so many attempts to demonstrate his love for his son, the son didn't grasp how patient and deep his father's love was. The son rejected the overtures of love from his father. The traveler realized that this play was really a tragedy. And as he listened to Tommoroon's depth of feeling about his son, the traveler began to weep - he had never known such a depth of love, such as this father, Tomorroon, had for his son. Now, while this isn't the end of the story, it's all Tomorroon had to share with the traveler. And we can only guess that the traveler went out to the players and shared the wonderful tragic story of Tomorroon's love for his son, rejected despite so many efforts on Tomorroon's part. As you think about this story, you may consider that Tomorroon is much like Jesus, and Tomorroon's son is like the people of this world. And the common men of the play may represent today's church. And what of the broken figurine? Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, ...work out [assemble] your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Forthright Makes Changes, Updates	[ forthright ]	Thursday 03 March 14:14
Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross COLUMN: EDITORIAL Forthright Makes Changes, Updates by J. Randal Matheny, editor Over the next several days, the editors and webmaster of Forthright Magazine will move the website to a new software. The site will be more responsive, and the format will get an facelift. Expect some downtime. Any offline time, however, should be momentary. The email list will continue to function independently of the website. The website domain address will continue the same at forthright.net. The new WordPress software will provide greater flexibility and control. The old software has served us well since 2005, when Kevin Cauley and Eddie Watkins set up the ezine on the Berryville, Ark., church's website, transitioning from the previous host at forthright.antville.org. In spite of the inevitable glitches, this move means another step forward to serve you better and to reach more students of the Word. May the Lord be pleased.
TBN SMS MINISTRY	[ the_brethren_news ]	Tuesday 31 August 20:15
TBN SMS MINISTRY Another ministry that we started is SMS ministry, so that the news and prayer requests from Thrissur District will reach faster in your mobile phone. If you want to receive the SMS in your mobile phone, please send us your name and mobile number to us.
The Law in Today's Society	[ moderator ]	Sunday 27 June 13:31
The authority of law The Bible tells the story of how men often reject God and do what they want to do. The God of the Bible provided laws to try to help men hold society together (a fallback parachute for those people who are not in fellowship with God), but men ignored the laws, or rationalized their own way of obeying the laws. Because the heart and spirit of laws were not being followed, the laws became more complex to convict men intent on rebelling against law. Complex laws do not stop someone intent on breaking the law - the added complexity can actually be used to find more ways to break the law as it gets more disassociated from its heart and spirit. The complication of laws stem from the law-enforcers (judges) disassociation with the giver/authority of law, and inability to discern and apply the heart and spirit of law. What is the heart and spirit of law? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Who is the authority behind law? If it is man, the authority can be challenged at any time. Man is fallible - he can be tricked and manipulated. Man's power can be overthrown and bought. When man acts as the authority behind law, the laws will change over time as the authority is challenged and as the perspectives of men change. When men create law, it is imperfect and may be corrupt too. In a free society of equals, any man may challenge another. The law of any man may be challenged, because the laws of men are imperfect and are fair game for scrutiny. Our court systems are full of such challenges. The growth rate of these cases might be a good indicator of the effectiveness of man's ability to create law and govern himself. If the authority behind law is God - the God described in the Bible - then the law and lawgiver are perfect and uncorruptable. This kind of law does not change - nor does the penalty for lawbreakers. Although a man may challenge such law, he cannot win because the power of the lawgiver is unconquerable. What is the destiny of a government that rejects God and his law? 1. Increasing social unrest and chaos (society will begin to disintegrate). Since men declare that the law is theirs to take and give, and since all men are fallible, man's law is imperfect and without supreme authority. Just as children with boundaries have peace and stability in a God-honoring home, society needs the kingship of God and the rule of His law to hold together. 2. The law will have no morality in itself (laws will begin to promote immorality). Morality is an action of man to follow Godly behavior even while not in relationship with Him. As God is rejected from government, morality is also rejected because it reminds the ungodly, of godly behavior. They will not tolerate such a reminder. 3. The government will persecute those who follow God. Such persecution is prosecution for lack of obeying the laws of men, which promote ungodly behavior. God is the lawgiver his followers will obey, and some of these laws will be diametrically opposed to the ungodly laws of men. 4. God will not bless a government or people that rejects Him. They will lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 5. God will shake them, and allow them to be conquered - in hopes that they will turn to Him as their savior and King. 6. An ungodly government will eradicate God, reminders of God, and godly men from itself. Worse, in a government-run state, it will seek to prevent the people it governs from pursuing God too. In the United States, because the Government is "of the people", the concept of separation of church and state will be imposed on the people (a law twisted to suit men's whim). Minimally, no godliness will be allowed to be expressed in a government role. Imposition of Anti-Christ government rule on society No openly professing follower of God will be allowed to pursue government office. As society collapses and the government-state increases in power, the anti-God agenda will oppress and persecute the people of God more. For example, government branches will dictate proper standards for raising children in the home, and children will be taken from followers of God, who do not adhere to government laws prohibiting godly parenting practices. Any business (there will be many due to economic strife) contracted or bailed out by the government will be obliged to comply with government standards. Thus, worker behavior in the private sector will also be mandated. These behaviors are the complete antithesis of the Constitutional objective, which was to allow freedom of people from government oppression in the expression of their faith, and representation of people of faith by like-minded and like-acting representatives. The perfect Government Man has proven himself incapable of successfully governing himself. What nation has ruled itself for thousands of years without oppressing its people and being mired in internal corruption, meanwhile exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? None. There will be no perfect government until there is one that follows God's law flawlessly and has a direct, functioning relationship with Him - the giver of perfect law. Solomon said at the onset of his kingship "Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?" While this should be the ambition of government, the only perfect governor is the Lord Jesus Christ. Of His rule, there will be no end. But what do we do in the meantime? "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV "Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." Exodus 18:19-21
Get over 15% off on the perfect gift for graduation	[ uplift ]	Wednesday 21 April 10:05
Will the high-school or college graduate like it? Will I feel good about giving it? Is the price affordable? Will it help the graduate in this transition phase? Yes. Yes. Yes. And, yes. The popular UPLift series, "Choose to Shine," bigger and better with new material, is now in book form and will be arriving from the printer just in time for graduation. Renamed CHOOSE! 13 Choices to Transform Your Heart and Soul, the book is professionally done, with dark brown ink on cream-colored paper. The style is light, but the message is spot on. If you order by May 15, you'll get over 15% off the cover price of the book. And be sure to get your own copy as well. For more about CHOOSE!, click here.
Dreaming of a white Christmas	[ bible1year ]	Friday 25 December 01:58
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who not only once was born, died, and overcame death to offer mankind Life - but who offers us Life today, each day. This same Jesus is coming again for those of us whose lamps remain lit, like the maidens of Matthew 25:1 ¹"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ²Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; ⁴but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' ⁷Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' ⁹But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' ¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. ¹¹Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' ¹²But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' ¹³Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. We are those maidens. Many reading this email attended a Christmas Eve candle-light service last night. Your service may have been somber like a funeral, or it may have been an exciting joyful event, truly celebrating the birth of the most important person ever born - our Savior. I hope yours was a joyful celebration! I hope we have not been deluded by the world's empty X-mas event (which distracts us with self-indulgence), so that when we hold our candles high, they fail to shine with the white light of God's glory. In John 4:7, Jesus talks about Living water: ⁷There came a woman of Samar'ia to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." ⁸For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. ⁹The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar'ia?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. ¹⁰Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." ¹¹The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? ¹²Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" ¹³Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Whether it's oil for our lamps, or Living water for our soul, Jesus is the provider. And Jesus has something else for us today - a white fire that is able to consume the corruption we have allowed to grow in our souls, which has stopped His Glory from shining from our lives for so long. The question is, will you allow His white fire to burn, out of your control, in your soul? I'm dreaming of a white Christmas - one where the power of God is no longer held in check by my self-serving interests, but where God's Glory spreads like crazy and He shines so brightly that the light illuminates the path of those around me, and He guides my life daily. If you're like me, and want God to take your purposeless or confused life and give you direction and meaning for living, take time today to speak with Him, and give God full permission to let his Spirit spread into your life in every way - let His white fire begin to shine, burn away the garbage, and give Life to you and His white light to those around you. Join me in making it our passion to love and pursue God, giving everything to Him. Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
Time for Revival	[ healing ]	Monday 01 September 09:25
The glory of Jesus of Nazareth was displayed in his earthly ministry when he changed water into wine. He displayed this glory and told us it was our inheritance in the kingdom of God here on earth. John 20 relates that if all of his miracles were written about that john didnt suppose the earth would be able to contain the books.... this was 3 years of miracle ministry. This is what Jesus left us.This glory. His kingdom on earth. With Pentacost came even more. Shadows healed and tongues were spoken for first time. Focus on this glory part of the Christ. Its this that will heal and do miracles. Dont strive. Just focus and accept like the shepherds... simple child like way. Its our inheritance on earth God bless