Bible Smuggling 101 tell your Y.M. about this one!

Another keeper for me.  Well no not actually I need a new copy!  I already gave mine away. 
This is an amazing little book.  I was so impressed with it that I gave my copy to a boy at the prison where I work.  And, He loved it
he asked me "Miss is it o.k. if I write in it?"  You probably know my answer! 

It was a little humerous he asked that because that is exactly what the book is about.  Kids, students writing their impressions of the contents.  The book takes you litterally on a quick journey through the Bible explaining God's promises and leading the non-believer to a relationship with Christ. 

Litterally the book is meant for students to 'smuggle' into school. 

Here's the info.  from the publishers website:
The Life Book Movement is best described to students as a week-long mission trip to their local high school. Local churches work together in targeted areas to ensure The Life Book is offered to every student in each chosen high school. All churches involved receive the books at no cost from The Life Book Movement and provide the books, along with some evangelism training, to the students in their youth groups. The students then spend a week passing them out to their friends and classmates at school. One student who received the book said, “I got one today. I read it in almost every class today. I like it. It’s pretty neat and other people asked to look at it and then asked where to get one.” 

OUR MISSION
The Life Book’s unique design engages searching high school students with the truth of God’s Word as they are introduced to Jesus Christ. Using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins, readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.

For this reader I have to say they have accomplished their mission!

The only negative that I can say it is not available in retail stores. 
The only way you can get it is if your church desides to do a 'saturation'. 
You can go to the website to find out more about a 'saturation'.  Go check it out and tell your Pastor and Youth Minister!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Audra Jennings and B&B Media Group  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thanks to B&B Media for introducing me to The Life Book.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us.  Establish the work of our hands.  Yes, Lord establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

The Shelter of God's Promises

This one is a must read.  I received it a couple of days ago and honestly I am not toally through with it but I was so impressed I wanted to go ahead and tell you about it. 
If your thinking of doing some shopping for Valentines or maybe if your thinking of starting a new study for the New Year The Shelter of God's Promise's is an excellant choice. 

Before I tell you more watch Sheila's trailer video . . .




If your a fan of Sheila Walsh then you already know the book is filled with Biblical priniciples.  

For me, this is the first book I have had the opportunity to read.   I enjoyed the way it was 'set up'.  Mrs. Walsh included personal stories as well as stories from women she has met through the years.   There are quotes and verses strategically placed between the text to make it read easy.  It isn't just page after page of text with no breaks.  To me this makes it easy to read and absorb. 
Each chapter begins with a quote or a scripture. 

Personally the chapter that stood out for me was Chapter 4 Confidence/I Can't See God's Plan in This Pain. 
The other Chapters include: Promises, Peace, Love, Grace, Hope, Strength, More. 

And the last Chapter Home/ I have a Future. . . ". . . I saw something that was breathakingly clear to me.  I saw not only that all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ to offer us shelter, but that He is the Shelter.  He is the Cleft in the Rock. Christ's promise is to us is not that He will give us shelter but that He will be our Shelter. " 

As I said in the first paragraph I highly recommend this book.  And, I believe that it is written in a way that a 'seeker' would be comfortably in reading it and come to a more clearer knowledge and understanding.  

From the back cover:
In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you find solid assurance and unshakeable truth?

Gifted Bible teacher and inspiring Women of Faith speaker Sheila Walsh offers powerful, heart-filled teaching on ten bedrock promises of God, providing the foundation for daily confidence, joy, and hope.

In The Shelter of God’s Promises, Sheila searches Scripture for what God has promised us, what God's promises mean, and how encounters with Christ are the eternal fulfillment of His unrelenting commitment to us. In this riveting walk through some of the Bible's most compelling stories, Walsh unveils ten foundational promises of God that secure our lives during even the most difficult times. Sheila weaves her hallmark storytelling, inspiring personal experience, and Scripture to help readers gain a trust in God that will sustain them for a lifetime.

I received an advance copy of the book it will be available in stores in February.  Here's a couple of sources.   Christian Book (dot) com and Barnes & Noble.   (check out my Good Search button.  Your purchase at B&N can help our ministry. )  You can also visit the publishers site and find links to other retailers. 



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us.  Establish the work of our hands.  Yes, Lord establish the work of our hands.  Psalm 20:17

Happy Homemaker Monday on Tuesday

The weather in my neck of the woods: (written on Sunday. . . posted on Tues.)
Rain, Snow. It usually doesn’t stick here. But tonight they say another wave coming through with ice. Our weathermen don’t always get it right. Here’s hoping this is one time. We will be stuck in if it does.
Tuesday update...nothing really happened it is just too cold for these Texans!

Things that make me happy: Getting my haircut and when it is a good hair cut!

Book I'm reading: A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer (fiction for review) and Made to Crave by: Lysa Terkeurst (for review)

What's on my TV today:  Sorry Sandra but I have to change this one. New song D-Earl you can hear this one over at my ministry blog.  Click here.  (I think it is the 2nd post down)

On the menu for dinner:
Chili stew from leftover homemade chili, jalepeno poppers (homemade), guacamole

On my To Do List:
Laundry. I have nothing to wear. Giving both bathrooms a good scrubbing. Vacuuming

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Need your ideas for comfort food. Ya’ll post some and come and let me know! I can’t find my Potato Soup recipe!

In the craft basket:
Always a quilt. Maybe I’ll get to something this week. Brought my machine home from my daughters.

Looking forward to this week:
Actually sitting in front of the sewing machine. And, actually sewing something!

Tips and Tricks:
Photo's for meme's and carnivals.  I put all the photo's in one folder.  That makes it easy to open and grab the right one for the post.  I also added my signature to the folder.  Makes posting super easy and faster!

My favorite blog post this week:  Becky wrote this post "Fill Me Up".  I needed this! Thanks Becky.
.

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
http://practicalsimplicity.com/Home.html

“Our goal is to write about all things Biblical and practical. It’s that simple.”

Our desire is to bring glory to God practically and simply in our daily walk with Him. You are invited to join us as we share about our relationships as a family, what we are learning on our journey of biblical living, healthy eating, practical housekeeping, frugal living, generous giving, hospitality and home education.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:
That God has something amazing in store for me and that I have to be patient.

On my mind:
The above.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: May the favor of the Lord rest upon us, establish the work of our hands. Yes, Lord establishes the work of our hands. Psalms 90:17

I have been thinking for awhile about bringing Happy Homemaker Monday back over here.  I hope you enjoyed getting a little look into my plans for the week and what is going on in my head, and what I have been up to. 
Come by next Monday for another post!  And join Sandra.

Embracing My Calling # ? . . .

Click here for more info.

                                         
I began writing during the last summer I think it was about God's calling on my life with intentions to write more frequent posts but as you can see since I don't even remember what post # this is that means it has been too long since I picked up the story. 

Today the Lord is leading me to share a new part of my story.  So basically it dosen't matter where I left off.  When I get a chance I'll go back and add the links so you can read the other posts. 

Today what I wanted to share is what God has been telling me and Cowboy over the last few days. 

I hope that if your thinking about following God's calling into possible service to Him or even if your just really wondering about what path to go down that maybe something I share here will help you. 

You see for the last year we have struggled with direction about something very specific.  We have struggled with if we should do the Lord's supper during our chapel services.   Almost 2 years ago we spoke with our pastor about baptism and The Lord's Supper.  His direction (and that of our church) is that it should not be done at the prison facility.  That both ordinances should be only done in a church by an ordained pastor.  And, our church will not ordain Cowboy.  Some background info. we are the only chaplains(volunteer) at a prison unit for boys 13-18.  We provide weekly chapel services and other programs. 
The Lord has really placed a burden on Cowboys heart about the subject of The Lord's Supper. 

Recently we had lunch with a friend that is the pastor of another church.  This church designates themselves as non-denominational with Baptist roots.  This pastor has been a friend, encourager, prayer warrior and support to us for over 20 years.  We discussed the subject of the Lord's Supper at the prison.  His opinion about the subject.  Do the Lord's Supper.  And he offered for the boys to be Baptised at his church.

After really praying about it Cowboy felt God's leading for us have The Lord's Supper on Sunday. 
He did an amazing job of explaining to the boy's the background of the Passover.  He also shared with them about how it can become more of a ritual than a true worship experience.  He shared straight from the Bible. 
In our denomination we had experienced that when the service is over as the Bible says 'they sang a hymn and departed'.  But what we have experienced is everyone is expected to be somber and quiet almost as if they were leaving a funeral service.

But what God told Cowboy is that this isn't a funeral service.  The Bible doesn't really expond upon it but Cowboy's interpretation was they "sang a song".  And so after we finished.  We sang.  And sang. And sang.  Our service Sunday was Blessed.   The boys hearts were open to God.  And they sang and worshiped. 

Sometimes we have struggled in understanding God's direction.  Sometimes we know we have made mistakes in the last 7 years. 
And there have been times that we have listened to direction and taken advice that may not have lead us down the path that God had laid out for us. 

This month our ministry is 7 years old.  And this month we are dedicating ourselves to being open to God's direction and to be more intent on Walking with Him, not jumping ahead nor lagging behind. 

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands.  Yes, Lord establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

Simple Sunday

May your day be Simply Blessed.

Then Sings My Soul

Welcome to Then Sings My Soul where each Saturday we post songs That Make us Sing! 
Today I am posting a new one to me.  I was looking for a spainish version Rebecca St James song for church tomorrow and I sumbled onto this. 
It was lovely!  BTW I did add it to the playlist for tomorrow.
Enjoy.  And don't forget to visit Amy for more wonderful songs!

A Smile To Your Face

Lately I have been putting wintery photo's on my blog.
Today I thought that I would share with you a photo to make you think of spring. 
I hope it makes you smile!

Nelson's New Reference Book AKA BCI --A Review

I have to agree with the subtitle.   I would say yes the Best Ever
Yes the title is long but as suggested in the forward we'll refer to it as BCI. 
I found this reference book to be absolutely the easiest to use. 
And, I loved the size.  It is small measuring  5.40 x 6.80 x 1.20.
I loved that it is a paperback making it easy to use and abuse from lots of use!
It's 540 pages are packed with 300 word studies and over 8,000 subjects,names, places, things, concepts, events and doctrines of the Bible.
The forward gives 3 step instructions to prepare a study lesson.
I think that the BCI would be a great reference book for anyone interested in studying the Bible, from a pastor or youth minister to just a simple person wishing to get deeper and learn more.  To a young person just beginning to study God's word. 
This is a book that I would highly recommend mentors to purchase for students they are working with. 
The photo cover depicting files in a file cabinet does a great job of illustrating the way the book is set-up.  It is like looking into a file and pulling out information. 
From the back cover:
Offered for the first time as a stand-alone resource, Nelson's Biblical Cyclopedic Index is one book that any Bible study library won't be complete without!

Nelson's BCI offers more word listings than any other bible resource available.  Designed for
use with any Bible and originating from the best-selling and trusted The Open Bible, it combines the best features of a concordance, topical Bible, and Bible dictionary into one
unique reference book.

Nelson's BCI will help you easily pull together a thorough and comprehensive Bible study, lesson, or sermon!

Here are a few places I found to purchase: Amazon,Christian Book (dot)com, or a new to me site Christian Book Store Christians Unite. 
 (I found that Amazon was double the price on this one) 

This one I think is The Best Bible Subject Index Ever

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Wordfilled Wednesday

Graphic Credit (the web)

Praising God that not only does He teach us how to Love that he pours Love out on us.

Thankfully He is patient, kind, jealous of those things that come between me and Him ,proud of me, not rude quietly whispers to me (most of the time), self-seeking His way is best, not easily-angered, covers me with Christ's blood, is saddened by evil, rejoices in me, protects me, trusts, hopes in me, perseveres when I doubt, and Never Fails Me.
WFW at Amy's. 

The verse I am meditating on  and learning this week:
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us.
Yes Lord establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

Have a Good Day

I have to run this morning I have a 10:00 phone call to talk about
Bible Smuggling.
I'll tell ya all about it! L8r

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us.
Yes Lord establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 

What I am Reading . . .

"It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list."
This is a new meme I found and decided I wanted to join so I could share with you some of the books I am reading.   Go here to join!

Each Monday I'll be talking about books.  I will also be continuing my Mission 4 Monday posts separately so come by and look for those posts too. 
And so on with the books. 

Currently I am reading Beside Still Waters by Tracia Goyer this book is based on a true story. It isn't even dated for release 'til April 15th!  So if you stay posted I will give you a sneak preview here!   I will be posting a review soon.   Here's the cover image. 

And next on my list I know you'll be excited to read too is by Lisa Terkeurst.  I bet you know her from The Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Her new book Made to Crave is next on my list to read. 

And it was in my mailbox today along with these . . .

Looks like I will be cuddling up on the couch and becoming a bit of a potato for a few days.  These are my favorite types of books.  I can't believe I was Blessed enough to get them all!  I need some down time!  Reading is a simple pleasure for me.  When I can't get to the sewing machine it's a book I grab to unwind. 
How about you?   Oh opp's that's not the question I am supposed to ask it should be
So what are you reading?
And, if you happen to be interested in other types of fiction check out my blog that is devoted only to books.  Go over here to check out my book blog.   I hope you'll come back each Monday and check out what I am reading and what I found in my mail box too! 

And everyday you'll find the verse that I am working on.  I'll be posting the same verse until I have it memorized.  Here's the one I am working on now. 

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us. 
Yes Lord establish the work of my hands.
Psalm 90:17

It is my prayer that the work I do is the work that God wants me to do. 

Then Sings My Soul The New Year Edition

Welcome to my 1st Then Sings My Soul Saturday of the New Year!
Before I share my song I want to say
                      Happy New Year
The song that I am sharing is not the one that I originally intended.  I found the coolest version yesterday of Auld Lang Syne and I thought I saved it but now I can't find it.   But don't fret because what I am sharing I think is perfect to bring in the new year.  It is a reminder to me and maybe you that God promises us the best this year and well . . . listen to the song it says it all!




 

And just in case your living where it is really winter unlike our lovely Texas weather . . . it is pretty cold today though . . . here's a couple of reminders of another promise. 

Please visit Amy for more Then Sings My Soul posts!

Thankful Thursday saying Goodbye

I don't know about you but I am more than ready to say Good Bye to 2010...
But, even though it was a year of many frustrations it was a year
of Blessings too. 
I saw the photo below this morning and loved it and so I emailed the darling Emily Rose to ask permission to use it here. 

I love the Thankful Tree what a great visual illustration!  Today I do have many things that I am thankful for.  Here's my list

• I am thankful that God answered a prayer that I prayed last January.  It was amazing how he did it.  And, there is an entire post about that prayer request coming soon. 
• I am thankful that God keeps my daughter and my grandson safe and that we are apart of their lives.
• I am thankful that we were able to donate our horse to Christ's Haven in Keller, Texas and that he is the favorite lesson horse of all the kids!
• I am thankful that our daughter is now working at Christ's Haven and gets to see Pal everyday.
• I am thankful that God provided friends that helped us when we were homeless.   And let us stay with them till we could make other arrangements.
• I am thankful that God used the same friends to help find my Cowboy a job in July. 
• I am thankful that God used long time friends to find us not only an apartment but a job that would pay for the apartment.  We get free rent! 
• I am thankful that God has given us an amazing ministry.  And I am thankful that I get to wake up everyday and 'go to work'!

And lastly the most important thing that I am thankful for . . .
I am thankful that God is patient with me!
There are actually many, many more things that I am thankful for but well you would get way to bored with my list I am sure and I know there are other amazing thankful posts to visit!

Oh one more thing!  I am thankful you came by!

Oh one more thing . . . I am thankful for amazingly talented people like Emily Rose that are willing to share their amazing photography and their posts!  Go by and visit Simply Vintage Girl  and don't forget Iris at Thankful Thursday.

It's Your Call by Gary Barkalow Book Review

This one is a great book to begin the New Year with!  Author Gary Barkalow guides the reader in understanding God's destiny and design His Calling. 

From the back cover:
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their lives. Is it primarily about a job or a role? Is it precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry? The truth is amazingly profound: What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.   
In this guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life, Gary Barkalow shares how you can:


· Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.

.Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.

· Discern the strategic assault against your calling.

· Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.

Most of all, you'll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you. 

About The Author:

Gary Barkalow is the founder and director of The Noble Heart, a ministry with the express purpose of helping men and women find their life in God and their calling in this world. He has served in leadership positions at Ransomed Heart Ministries, Focus on the Family, and Campus Crusade for Christ. Through The Noble Heart, Gary speaks at conferences across the country and around the world. Gary and his wife, Leigh, reside in Colorado Springs with their four children.



For more info. about the author and his other books and resources click here.

What I thought about this one? . . .
First off the cover photo.  It got me interested.  The old tin can on a string idea of a telephone is a great illustration.  Because frankly personally there have been many times I have had difficulty hearing God and I have waited for Him to call me.

I enjoyed how easy this book was to read.  It wasn't one with deep doctrine or theology that is difficult to read.  It has some lovely black and white  photo's that illustrate and gives the reader a break from page after page of text. 

Chapter 6 The Battle Over Your Calling spoke to me it cleared up some personal questions I had and helped me to discover some of the things that keep me from hearing and answering God's call. 

Overall I was challenged and motivated and I would recommend this book as a great read for the New Year.   

I found a few places where you can buy it . . . here are links. . .
Amazon, Christian Book (dot) Com, and Barnes & Noble.  

You can also purchase directly from the publisher here's the info.
It’s Your Call: What Are You Doing Here?

by Gary Barkalow
David C Cook
October 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6439-3/220 pages/trade paperback/$14.99


Thanks to Audra Jennings and B&B Media Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I have not been asked to write a positive review or been compensated in any other manner.

Wordfilled Wednesday

 

Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.  Jesus said.  Matthew 4:19

Following him on the Journey
Please visit Amy for more WFW posts.  And here's what Amy said about the New Year . . . As we approach the New Year everyone is in the mood to make some resolutions. What better time then now to decide that your highest priority will be to seek after Him with a greater zeal and determination then ever before!

Merry Christmas

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son.
That whosover believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.   John 3:16

He made a way.

Merry Christmas

12 Days of Christmas. . . An Unforgettable Gift

An Unforgettable Gift  by Karen O'Connor

On Christmas morning, 1912, in Paducah, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Charlie Flowers and his three brothers and two sisters huddled in their beds, fully dressed, trying to keep warm as the wind howled outside their small frame house.

It was a desperate time for the family. Earlier that year the children's father had died. And their mother had not found work. The coal had run out and there was little money––none for gifts. Their scrawny tree with decorations made from scraps of colored paper had been given to them the night before by a local merchant.

"Can't sell this one," the man said with a nod of his head before handing it over to the eager children.

To pass the time, the siblings joked and shouted stories from their bedrooms across the hallway from one another. Then suddenly a racket from the alley at the rear of the house broke into their games.

"Charlie," his mother called, "would you see what's going on out there?"

Charlie pulled on his shoes, grabbed a thick overcoat from the hook by the door, and ran out back.

There stood a man in a wagon bent over a load of coal, shoveling it into the shed as fast as he could.

 "Hey Mister, we didn't order any coal," Charlie shouted. "You're delivering it to the wrong house."

"Your name's Flowers, isn't it?" the man asked, still shoveling. 

Charlie nodded yes.

"Well then, there's no mistake.  I've been asked to deliver this to your family on Christmas morning." He looked the awe-struck boy square in the eye. "And I'm under strict orders not to tell who sent it," he teased.

Charlie ran into the house, his coattail flapping in the cold morning wind.  He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters. God had provided––just as he had on that first Christmas morning so long ago when He sent his only son to a needy world.

Charlie Flowers died in 1994 at age 96. And right up to the last year of his life, not a Christmas went by that he didn't tell the story of that sub-zero Christmas morning of his boyhood when two men gave his family an unforgettable gift.

It wasn't the coal that was remembered or cherished, Charlie often said––welcome as it was––but rather what two men brought to his desperate family. One, for his gift of recognizing their great need and taking the time to do something about it. And the other, for being willing to give up part of his own Christmas morning to deliver it.

 That gift of so long ago has continued to warm the Flowers family from one generation to another, as Charlie's son––my husband, Charles––calls to mind these two unknown men each Christmas morning and whispers a prayer of thanks.



About Karen: Karen O'Connor is an award-winning author and writing mentor living in Watsonville, California with her husband, Charles Flowers. Karen’s latest book is 365 Reasons Why Gettin’ Old Ain’t So Bad (Harvest House 2010).
For more information, please visit Karen on the web at http://www.karenoconnor.com/.


A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!
12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

When Christmas Doesn't Feel Like . . .

The story this morning really got me to thinking.  For the last few days I have been very grateful and thankful for the posts supplied for the 12 Days of Christmas giveway. 
Because frankly.  I haven't known what to say. 
Because frankly it doesn't feel like Christmas. 

My daughter has said more than once "and your the one that used to have a tree in every room". 

But this year there is no tree at all.  Cowboy tried his best by bringing home some of the boxes out of storage and he made an attempt at putting up the stockings.  And actually it did make me smile just watching him do it.  And as I told him 'it is already too late and it is only gonna be a few days and we will have to take it all down...I am too tired to deal with it.'  But he kept on putting stuff out.

And, I really do plan to take photo's and post them because I know one day you'll need a chuckle and I will provide you with one! 

But well as much as I try I can't get into the spirit or the mood.  But when I read the words in the post this morning I realized that even if I am not in the mood.  Even if things are chaotic and falling apart that there is good. 

God provides.  And these words kind of gave me a kick in an ungracious place but they got me thinking . . .

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”  2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

And I realized that even though there are days that I have no idea where he is that is when he is doing a great work.  I just have to look around. 

• Today even though I didn't feel like it I helped pack groceries for 4 families that wouldn't have a Christmas meal were it not for what was provided
• I delivered another box to a young woman who hugged me and hugged me and cried and thanked me and thanked me
• And I spent a couple of hours with two girls from the halfway house talking about God and learning/memorizing John 3:16. 

So even though there is chaos and worry I know that God is in control and that he gives me the chance to help someone else.  And I pray that if your reading this that you'll remember that God loves you and it really isn't about the
Christmas tree . . .

 

It is about another tree.  A different kind of tree.  A tree that was used for a different purpose.  The tree that became a cross. 


Father God, thank you that after all the years of serving and loving you in ministry that you continue to teach, guide, love, shepherd and care for us.  You, Father, are abundantly gracious and kind, thank you for showing up for us at just the right moment every time, forgive us when we forget that.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Just Give me Christmas this year!

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.
All I Want for Christmas… Melissa Mashburn
Is to be able to have Christmas this Year 

This is a simple request, isn’t it? In the previous years, we had great big bountiful Christmases with our family. Gifts, goodies and general Christmas cheer but this year it was different. The year before has been chock full of disappointments, failing businesses and severe cutbacks for our family. 

Sitting with my husband one night we hammered out the bare minimum that we could spend that year for Christmas and even still the total was four hundred dollars. It does not sound like a whole lot compared to what we’ve spent on Christmas before, but this year it could have been four thousand dollars because we just did not have it.

We prayed, I cried, we prayed some more and decided that we would cut back anything else that we could that year so we could have Christmas for our kids. We did not know how we would make this happen, but we knew that we needed to step forward in faith that it would happen.

Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. Galatians 3:5 the Message

Not even two days later, we hear a knock on our front door. We open the door to see some friends of ours from church. With tears in their eyes, they handed us an envelope and said that the felt they needed to give us this. We opened the envelope and inside there was four hundred dollars cash.

Shocked, stunned and with tears flowing down our face we just sat there in a state of crying and laughing at what God had done. We never shared with anyone that year what we needed, how bad it was, what was going on or what that number was for us to have Christmas for the kids, but God knew.

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”  2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

He took a willing servant, led them to our front door and changed Christmas for us that year. After many years of being in full time ministry we knew that God would provide, but when He shows up just at the right moment, you know that it was all a part of His plan to show how much He loves, provides and cares for His people.

Father God, thank you that after all the years of serving and loving you in ministry that you continue to teach, guide, love, shepherd and care for us.  You, Father, are abundantly gracious and kind, thank you for showing up for us at just the right moment every time, forgive us when we forget that.  In Jesus name, Amen.




About Melissa: Melissa is the founder of the blog Mel’s World Ministry, co-founder of the Praise and Coffee Nights Ministry with Sue Cramer, Kids Ministry Director at her church.  Just last year she launched a new weekly series called Godly Gals ~ Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith where we meet new women each week who are “Taking their everyday, ordinary lives and placing it as their offering to God.” Romans 12:1 the Message. You can find her on twitter and at her blog. She loves encouraging women to live with an authentic faith by being transparent, renewed and transformed. ~ Romans 12:2.


A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

What's the behing about Christmas?

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

What’s the best thing about Christmas?  by Maureen Lang

The answer to that question will undoubtedly be different depending on the age and the faith of the person being asked. Most children will say it’s all about the gifts. Adults, even if they secretly still enjoy the gifts, will probably strive to sound more mature and say the holiday is all about friends and family. Still others might say it’s about tradition, or memories or the music or even the special food we connect to this time of year. The scrooges among us might say this season is just another marketing gimmick, or materialism gone awry. The faithful will say it’s all about Jesus, a reminder of why He shed the glory of Heaven to step into human skin and frailty.

I’m not here to defend or attack any answer to this question, but rather to ponder those possible answers.

Gifts: They touch us in personal ways, as tangible evidence of someone else’s thought and affection. Even if we don’t get exactly what we hoped, there’s something to be said about the thought behind a gift being the important part. Why wouldn’t gifts be an important and valid part of this holiday in which we celebrate God’s gift of salvation?

Holiday Gatherings: Parties might be a lot of work, forcing some out of their comfort zone, but at the core they’re all about human connection. Isn’t that what most people want?

Traditions and memories: They remind us of the past, of who we are, with the hope that even as we look forward to an unknown future we still hold some things worthy enough to repeat every year. We might find ourselves letting go of some traditions, or we might want to start some new ones.

The music: This is the only time of the year when even secular radio stations welcome songs about a baby born in Bethlehem. As a nation we may be getting stringent about separation of church as state, but the lines blur just a bit with old favorites that reflect this season.

Scrooges: The holiday season is probably a time to endure rather than enjoy, but even the scroogiest-scrooge might admit the lights of the season are pretty to behold. They’re free to look at, after all.

As for the food, the busyness, the expense and all the other things that make up this season: keep in mind that it’s all temporary. This, too, shall pass. Until next year, of course.

I’ll leave you with this thought: we are all made in God’s image, whether we believe that or not. Part of that image is the ability to give—and to receive. So here’s my thought for the day: stop a moment and dwell on all the gifts of the season. From the little mementos that say we haven’t forgotten someone or been forgotten by others, to the costliest gift of all: what God did for us in the form of Christ. As you enjoy the sounds, the sights, the scents and the tastes of this season, may your only trouble be in choosing just one thing among so many best things about Christmas.




About Maureen: Maureen Lang is the author of ten books, her most recent from Tyndale House is The Great War Series which are full of romance, adventure and spiritual journeys. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons and their lovable Labrador Retriever.
For more information please visit Maureen at her website, http://www.maureenlang.com/.




A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!
12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/