Celine Dion, Kirstie Alley, Christmas, Good News and Bad


By Dr. Glenn Mollette

Award winning actress Kirstie Alley was diagnosed with cancer shortly before her untimely death at the young age of 71. Grammy award winning Celine Dion has recently been diagnosed with a neurological disease called Stiff Person Syndrome. The disease attacks about one in a million and is a very debilitating disease. She is 54 years old.

Disease, death and bad news can attack anyone at any age and none of us are immune.

Good news came to Britney Griner who spent 10 months in a Russian prison for allegedly having hashish oil in her suitcase at a Moscow airport. She was recently released and is now back in the United States. The Bad news is that arms dealer Victor Bout who smuggled millions of weapons to the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa was released from prison in exchange for Griner’s release.

Paul Whelan a former United States marine received bad news in that he is still being held in a Russian prison accused of spying. Russia is apparently holding onto him for another deal with the United States. It’s tragic that he wasn’t released with Griner.

Please stay out of Russia, North Korea, Iran and China. There are other places to avoid as well but there are plenty of nice places to visit.

My deceased wife was 37 when she received the bad news that she had multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis was very bad news and Karen died one day at a time for 12 years. The last four years of her life she could do nothing. She required 24-hour care. She became a person trapped inside a body. She died at the age of 49. The toll that such a disease took on our family and my young sons was severe. Such an illness changes the lives of the entire family. Everyone to some extent is involved in the caregiving and are changed by the emotional drain of sickness and death. However, no one suffers as much as the person struggling with the disease.

Such life struggles play havoc with holidays such as Christmas. Our family never had a normal Christmas for at least 12 years. However, it became our new normal.

Jesus is good news at Christmas. He was bad news to King Herod of Judea. Herod was a mental illness case who ordered the death of all male babies two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. He hoped to eliminate Jesus because wise men from the East had come to worship him.

We must pray for the families of Kirstie Alley, Celine Dion and Paul Whelan and many others. These families are suffering. Fame and fortune never provide a way of escaping bad news and the results of bad news. We should also pray for one another and rejoice with any good news that comes each other’s way.

We are all sojourners in this life. The message of Christmas is a Savior is born, Christ the Lord, peace on earth and good will toward all.

May good news find its way to you this season of the year and may we all with God’s grace be there for each other when the news is not so good.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. He is the author of 13 books including UncommSense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

More Resources

Why July 4th ?
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. On this day they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent states, not subject to the government of Great Britain.
What to Do When You Are Alone for the Holidays
Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for many people. Holidays often conjure images of family, of warmth and the sharing of special time.
Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!
Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for individuals to participate in hundreds of unique and fun events taking place in sites from coast to coast.
Where Have All The Wise Men Gone? Jesus Is Not Acceptable For Christmas!
It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men are MISSING! What kind of Christmas is this anyway?Are you caught up in the "season" with this Christmas thing? Do YOU know where the wise men are?For over 200 years we have celebrated Christmas and all of the joys and festivities that go with the "holidays" in this great country of ours. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in 1870 by President Ulysses S.
Valentine Gifts From The Heart
One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother helping me make a Valentine's box to take to school. We pulled out white paste, an old shoebox, scraps of doilies, and construction paper.
Making Mother's Day Special
How many times have you heard a friend say about someone who's no longer here, "I never got to tell her (or him) how much I really cared."We've all felt this way at some stage about someone in our lives.
Celebrate the 4th and Help a Soldier
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a Fourth of July cookout that supports our troops in Iraq. "How?" I asked, feeling somewhat guilty that we can drink margaritas and play lawn games with our families on Independence Day, while our troops in Iraq are risking life and limb.
A Mothers Keepsake
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important woman in your life, mom. It makes for the perfect gift for many gift occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to mother's day and gifts to the new mom.
The Cheapest Christmas Ever!
Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to spend so much money on Christmas?" or "I wish we could have Christmas without going into debt!" Well here is your answer - tell your family that next Christmas no one is allowed to buy a new, expensive gift for anyone! Yes, I really said that. Tell them that all presents must be from garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, auctions, handmade or made over.
Outside the Box Gingerbread Houses
Beyond trees and wreaths, there are few symbols of the holidays so well venerated as the gingerbread house. Throughout the country, gingerbread house displays and contests attract everyone from culinary architects to kids who love to savor the decorations.
A Simple Little Holiday Plan
The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year.
Kids Halloween Costumes! Your Pint-sized Witches And Goblins Can Look Their Spookiest & Cutest Ever
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on October 31st! It's the fact that they love getting dressed up and scaring everyone along the way! Kids look cute in any sort of costume, but now that you can purchase their costume online, you'll be able to find the best selection of kids Halloween costumes ever!We can definitely say that Halloween is likely a kid's favorite time of year, and why wouldn't it be! They get to dress up as one of their favorite characters like Scooby Doo, or Pooh Bear, and go out and get the motherload of candy. Now just imagine how much happier they'll be if the family can go online and look at halloween costume ideas together! With the click of a mouse, you can find classics like that cowboy costume, ninja, Batman, black cat, as well as the adorable Disney costumes, and don't forget Bob the Builder! It's that easy! Halloween shopping has never been so fun and stress free!Find great costume accessories as easy as 1-2-3!Not only will you find great costume ideas, but you'll also see unique childrens costume accessories to accentuate that adorable Barbie doll dress, or that precious Princess gown.
SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts
First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist, whose life and works and words are holy, divinely inspired, to Christians. The sources I've accessed are religious, historical, literary, exegetic, and anecdotal.
The Origins of Mothers Day
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating motherhood and thanking mothers. Mothers often receive gifts on this day, and it is a huge time of year for mail.
Mothers Day Love Letter - The Best Way to Express Your Gratitude and Appreciation for Mom!
Abraham Lincoln said - "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother"Wow! That is a worthy compliment to give mom this Mother's Day!Mothers are the source of our beginning and are always there for us, whether we realize it or not. Could that be one of the reasons why most of us take our mothers for granted?We just expect her to be there.
How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest
Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are looking forward to long, lazy days on the beach and hot summer nights that heat up after dark. Here are a few tips from lifestyle guru Kim Kristofferson-Magnusson on maximizing your fun in the sun!1) For family celebrations?KEEP IT SIMPLE!!Whether you're hosting a graduation party for 20 or a family reunion for 200, remember that it's your day to have fun too! To make the most of your time visiting with family and friends, take a vacation from your oven and corral your "grillmaster" of choice out on the patio.
Mother's Day Crafts
Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for Mother's day. These can be handmade for Mom or Grandma!Flower Pens for MomIs your mom always looking for a pen around the house, and can't find one? Well make this pen and she'll spot it right away!What You'll Need? Bic Pen (ball point)? silk flower? floral foam? low temp hot glue gun? floral tape? paint or markers? small notepaper or Post-It pads? small to medium sized terra cotta potHow To Do ItNote: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun.
The Truth about Mistletoe
You can call it the emasculator of the old king, a sexual symbol, latent with fertility or a good luck charm for a dairy herd. It's been used as an antidote for poison, a fire suppressant, a protection against evil spirits, a pain reliever for rheumatoid arthritis and as a gift of peace between warring neighbours.
Valentines Day - A Guide for Men
Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the biggest retail holiday? That means a variety of things for you the consumer, but mostly it means the market is saturated with a plethora of heart-shaped, cutesy, not so worth it products. I have a philosophy?one that is not always popular?but here it goes.
Are You Truly Thankful For Everything?
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and are thankful for all our blessings. Of course, we should be thankful every day of the year.

More Holidays Information:

Related Articles

Why July 4th ?
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. On this day they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent states, not subject to the government of Great Britain.
What to Do When You Are Alone for the Holidays
Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for many people. Holidays often conjure images of family, of warmth and the sharing of special time.
Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!
Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for individuals to participate in hundreds of unique and fun events taking place in sites from coast to coast.
Where Have All The Wise Men Gone? Jesus Is Not Acceptable For Christmas!
It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men are MISSING! What kind of Christmas is this anyway?Are you caught up in the "season" with this Christmas thing? Do YOU know where the wise men are?For over 200 years we have celebrated Christmas and all of the joys and festivities that go with the "holidays" in this great country of ours. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in 1870 by President Ulysses S.
Valentine Gifts From The Heart
One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother helping me make a Valentine's box to take to school. We pulled out white paste, an old shoebox, scraps of doilies, and construction paper.
Making Mother's Day Special
How many times have you heard a friend say about someone who's no longer here, "I never got to tell her (or him) how much I really cared."We've all felt this way at some stage about someone in our lives.
Celebrate the 4th and Help a Soldier
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a Fourth of July cookout that supports our troops in Iraq. "How?" I asked, feeling somewhat guilty that we can drink margaritas and play lawn games with our families on Independence Day, while our troops in Iraq are risking life and limb.
A Mothers Keepsake
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important woman in your life, mom. It makes for the perfect gift for many gift occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to mother's day and gifts to the new mom.
The Cheapest Christmas Ever!
Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to spend so much money on Christmas?" or "I wish we could have Christmas without going into debt!" Well here is your answer - tell your family that next Christmas no one is allowed to buy a new, expensive gift for anyone! Yes, I really said that. Tell them that all presents must be from garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, auctions, handmade or made over.
Outside the Box Gingerbread Houses
Beyond trees and wreaths, there are few symbols of the holidays so well venerated as the gingerbread house. Throughout the country, gingerbread house displays and contests attract everyone from culinary architects to kids who love to savor the decorations.
A Simple Little Holiday Plan
The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year.
Kids Halloween Costumes! Your Pint-sized Witches And Goblins Can Look Their Spookiest & Cutest Ever
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on October 31st! It's the fact that they love getting dressed up and scaring everyone along the way! Kids look cute in any sort of costume, but now that you can purchase their costume online, you'll be able to find the best selection of kids Halloween costumes ever!We can definitely say that Halloween is likely a kid's favorite time of year, and why wouldn't it be! They get to dress up as one of their favorite characters like Scooby Doo, or Pooh Bear, and go out and get the motherload of candy. Now just imagine how much happier they'll be if the family can go online and look at halloween costume ideas together! With the click of a mouse, you can find classics like that cowboy costume, ninja, Batman, black cat, as well as the adorable Disney costumes, and don't forget Bob the Builder! It's that easy! Halloween shopping has never been so fun and stress free!Find great costume accessories as easy as 1-2-3!Not only will you find great costume ideas, but you'll also see unique childrens costume accessories to accentuate that adorable Barbie doll dress, or that precious Princess gown.
SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts
First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist, whose life and works and words are holy, divinely inspired, to Christians. The sources I've accessed are religious, historical, literary, exegetic, and anecdotal.
The Origins of Mothers Day
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating motherhood and thanking mothers. Mothers often receive gifts on this day, and it is a huge time of year for mail.
Mothers Day Love Letter - The Best Way to Express Your Gratitude and Appreciation for Mom!
Abraham Lincoln said - "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother"Wow! That is a worthy compliment to give mom this Mother's Day!Mothers are the source of our beginning and are always there for us, whether we realize it or not. Could that be one of the reasons why most of us take our mothers for granted?We just expect her to be there.
How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest
Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are looking forward to long, lazy days on the beach and hot summer nights that heat up after dark. Here are a few tips from lifestyle guru Kim Kristofferson-Magnusson on maximizing your fun in the sun!1) For family celebrations?KEEP IT SIMPLE!!Whether you're hosting a graduation party for 20 or a family reunion for 200, remember that it's your day to have fun too! To make the most of your time visiting with family and friends, take a vacation from your oven and corral your "grillmaster" of choice out on the patio.
Mother's Day Crafts
Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for Mother's day. These can be handmade for Mom or Grandma!Flower Pens for MomIs your mom always looking for a pen around the house, and can't find one? Well make this pen and she'll spot it right away!What You'll Need? Bic Pen (ball point)? silk flower? floral foam? low temp hot glue gun? floral tape? paint or markers? small notepaper or Post-It pads? small to medium sized terra cotta potHow To Do ItNote: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun.
The Truth about Mistletoe
You can call it the emasculator of the old king, a sexual symbol, latent with fertility or a good luck charm for a dairy herd. It's been used as an antidote for poison, a fire suppressant, a protection against evil spirits, a pain reliever for rheumatoid arthritis and as a gift of peace between warring neighbours.
Valentines Day - A Guide for Men
Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the biggest retail holiday? That means a variety of things for you the consumer, but mostly it means the market is saturated with a plethora of heart-shaped, cutesy, not so worth it products. I have a philosophy?one that is not always popular?but here it goes.
Are You Truly Thankful For Everything?
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and are thankful for all our blessings. Of course, we should be thankful every day of the year.