Merry Christmas by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Nancy J. Farrier
View of Hong Kong from our morning walk.

Merry Christmas to you from Hong Kong. Those are words I never thought I’d write or say, but this year we are in Hong Kong to celebrate our daughter’s marriage. She married last April, but they are having a reception for her husband’s Hong Kong family and we were invited.

This is my first time outside the United States and it’s been amazing. The city is huge, but very welcoming. The people are so nice and the food is fabulous. 

On our first day here, we were taken on a tour of Kowloon, the northern part of Hong Kong. As part of the tour, we were taken to the offices of the Young Life ministry. It was fascinating hearing about their outreach to junior high and high school youth. I was impressed with the many facets of their ministry and how they were able to interact with the young people to tell them about Jesus and His love for them. The young woman in charge said they are rarely in the office because they are out working with kids and reaching out to them at the schools.

On Christmas Eve, we attended church with our son-in-law’s family. The church youth put on a very entertaining program with a godly message. It was so fun. The worship and message reminded me of my church back home. The enthusiasm for Jesus shone in that church. 

One of the things that’s impressed me most with this culture is their way of taking time to eat together, to share their thoughts and experiences over food, not being in a hurry. I am reminded of how often Jesus broke bread with people in the Bible and taught lessons during the meal. 

Twice, Jesus taught and then had the disciples break up fish and loaves to give to the people. He ate and taught at Mary and Martha’s house. Even at the end of His ministry, He sat down with the disciples and shared important teachings during the last supper.

Maybe we should consider a meal together as more than just the food we’re eating. Yes, the food can be great nourishment and tasty, but the conversation is more important than what is on our plate. What are we conveying to those who are sharing our meal? Are we complaining about circumstances? Are we talking about worldly things that don’t really matter? Consider those conversations and what is being said.

Yes, we can talk about those other things—maybe not the complaining so much(smile)—but we can talk about sports, or books, or movies, etc., but we also need to bring up Christ and the gift He’s given us. We should be excited to share Him with those around us, even when sharing is hard. A meal together is a great time to touch on Jesus and who He is.

We don’t have to wait to travel somewhere to share Jesus. Here in Hong Kong, I’ve been considering John 3:16 and that God so loved the whole world that He gave His only begotten Son. The whole world. We have the opportunity to share that wonderful message whether we’re at home or some amazing destination like Hong Kong.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and let someone know how much Jesus loves them.

City lights at night in Hong Kong.
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The Perfect Iron: A Christmas Devotional by Julie Arduini

Posted on December 22, 2023 by juliearduini

I was ten years old when Christmas bottomed out for our family. Although we didn’t give our situation a name at the time, alcoholism was destroying our lives one sip and forgotten promise at a time.

The tension was palpable. I even remember our Peekapoo, Pookey, walking tentatively around the house, never knowing when yelling would start.

We probably all walked that way.

Despite the fear that honestly has my gut health impacted to this day, somehow I managed to have some cash on hand to buy our mom something for Christmas. I suspect it was a job assigned to me, assigned by my Dad, me and my sister. I took that job seriously. No matter the tension, no matter the state of my parent’s marriage, it was going to be the perfect Christmas because mom would receive the perfect gift.

I ended up buying an iron. It felt like such an upgrade to the trinkets I bought in years past at the school store. I wrapped that beauty up and made sure it had a prominent place under the tree. I knew, I felt it in my bones, this present was going to change everything and bring peace to the chaos.

I don’t recall Christmas Eve what transpired, but I can guess that there was alcohol and a verbal skirmish involved. I do recall feeling like we were living inside a pressure cooker, and that lid was about to blow. That present under the tree for Mom glowed in my eyes. It was going to turn everything around. It was going to be perfect.

Christmas morning, Dad asked who should go first.

And my ten-year-old self blurted,

“Mom, do you want to open your iron now?”

I heard what I’d done as soon as iron was said.

To me, I ruined the only good thing that was going to take place that year. No perfect Christmas. No perfect family.

I was crushed. There was laughter, but not the kind that deflated the tension.

I hated that Christmas.

I also don’t love to iron. But maybe that’s me.

Why do I share this story?

Because when I look at some of my favorite Christmas movies, from Arthur’s Perfect Christmas to Christmas Vacation to Christmas with the Kranks—perfection is the goal. As an author, I can share what drives a good story or movie. Conflict. And any time a person strives for perfection at Christmas—whether believing an iron will serve as a magic wand to heal a hurting family—or Griswold exterior Christmas lights being the symbol of a perfect family celebration as hilariously played out in the movie Christmas Vacation—disappointment is coming.

Julie Arduini

I don’t know all your personal lives but I know Christmas magnifies loss. Change. Financial troubles. Job transition. Relationship issues. Grief. Depression. Anxiety.

If you don’t surrender this season—your life—and all you are and dealing with to Jesus—you’re going to burn faster than my mom’s iron. Perfection isn’t attainable. We aren’t Jesus. If you’re spending more money than you have to delight a child or grandchild who actually needs to hear they are loved, and told about Jesus and His love, are you really celebrating the reason for the season? If you’re staying up past midnight to ice those cookies so they look bakery perfect, chances are you’re bleary-eyed and miserable. If this is your Christmas with the kids who otherwise split their time elsewhere, are you planning, planning, planning so every moment is filled and just perfect but your insides are tied in knots?

Maybe it’s time we look at my iron and put down the expectations. Give up the fantasy that you can create a perfect Christmas. Mary didn’t birth her Savior in a penthouse suite at the Hilton. Nothing about His birth sounds perfect except the Child. He was born in a feeding trough in a barn during a time the Israelites were oppressed and baby boys were hunted to be killed.

If Mary, Joseph, wise men, angels, and shepherds can rejoice at such a less-than environment, can’t we?

In Ecclesiastes 4:6, ESV it states,  “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”

If our focus is on Jesus and His birth, all the wonder that comes with it, we should be glowing this season. But out of worry and stress do we often look like wrinkled pants in need of my mom’s iron? If my family back then had known Jesus as a Savior with warm, open, loving arms, I suspect our lives would have looked different, even if alcoholism was present. I feel sad for that little girl that was me, and for anyone today who feels the same.

If we put Jesus first, I can’t promise there won’t be adversity or the unexpected. I can promise His peace will pass all understanding. A peace I can’t even define, and I love words. If you’re trying to plan events, juggle the calendar, buy the stuff to fill the fear, chaos, or pressure, whatever it is thinking you must make the perfect Christmas, my prayer is you find me or one of the team tonight and ask us to pray with you.

Ladies, ditch my childhood iron and the perfect expectations you should not be putting on yourself. Place everything about you and your daily life at the feet of Jesus. And have yourself a Merry Christmas.

***

Please confirm free price before hitting purchase. Promo starts 3am Eastern.

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It’s My Birthday! By James R. Coggins

Posted on December 20, 2023 by jrcoggins

This blog is being posted on my birthday. It is noteworthy that I was born so close to the winter solstice.

I once asked my sister, “Did you notice that the days kept getting shorter and darker until I was born, and then the days began to get longer and brighter?”

She said, “No, I had not noticed that. But I had noticed that when you were born, it was the darkest day of the year.”

It all depends on your perspective.

I once asked my mother which of her three children was her favorite.

She said that I was special because I had come home from the hospital on Christmas Eve.

But then she said that my sister was special because she was born first. And my brother was special because he was born last.

Mom should have been a diplomat.

It is appropriate to show some sympathy for those born in the last days of December. Their birthdays are always overshadowed by Someone Else’s birthday. They often get just one present instead of two. And in those hectic days, no one is going to volunteer to organize another party.

The Bible tells us that those of us who believe in Jesus become children of God.

But it is not always easy having Jesus as your older brother.

I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about that other James. The one in the Bible. It can’t have been easy for him. Imagine growing up being constantly compared to Jesus. “Your older brother wouldn’t have done that.” “Your older brother would have handled that better.” Definitely tough. Even though James knew his older brother loved him as only Jesus can love.

James clearly struggled. At one point, he thought Jesus was crazy (Mark 3:20-21). He didn’t believe in Jesus (John 7:5). But then Jesus appeared to him after He had been resurrected from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:7).

In the end, James became a leader in Jesus’ church and described himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1).

Being in Jesus’ shadow is not such a bad place to be. We are protected there. He set a good example for us to follow. He loves us and saves us. It is pretty wonderful having Jesus as our older brother.

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The Steady, Plodding Donkey by Delores Topliff

Posted on December 14, 2023 by dtopliff

I’m writing about donkeys today, seen frequently all over Israel—entering Jerusalem’s Old City gates and/or traveling networks of roads and trails everywhere—quiet, unassuming, but getting work done. In scripture, a donkey saved the prophet Balaam from the angel messenger’s sword when Balaam failed to hear God’s word. 

Imagine another shaggy donkey during census-tax season carrying Mary, great with child, bumping along the ninety-four miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem before our Lord’s birth—an exhausting and uncomfortable journey.

I love hearing this English carol, The Friendly Beasts, about the stable animals on that first Christmas.

Jesus our brother kind and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude.
The friendly beasts around him stood.
Jesus our brother kind and good.

A brilliant star shone through the night
And filled the world with wondrous light
While friendly beasts stayed by his side
A brilliant star shone through the night

“I,” Said the donkey, all shaggy and brown.
“I carried His mother uphill and down.
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town.”
“I,” Said the donkey all shaggy and brown.

“I,” Said the cow, all white and red.
“I gave Him my manger, for a bed.
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head.”
“I,” Said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” Said the sheep with the curly horn
I gave Him my wool for a blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”
“I,” Said the sheep with the curly horn. 

“I,” Said the dove from the rafters high.
I cooed him to sleep so he wouldn’t cry.
We cooed him to sleep my mate and I.”
“I,” Said the dove from the rafters high.

Every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emanuel.
The gifts they gave Emanuel.

As God’s life and strength carries us through each day, sometimes it may look small and unimpressive, but it crosses distances and helps us complete journeys. Remember, our Lord wasn’t born in a palace but in a place that made him accessible to all people everywhere and in all times.

A donkey carried our Lord again when He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—but we’ll consider that story closer to next Easter.

God bless you, your family, and our world with peace, forgiveness, and light through this Christmas season and far beyond. And may we have Balaam’s ass speaking here and there as needed in many world situations.

Delores Topliff

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Santa Jesus by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 13, 2023 by jrcoggins

He asked Santa Claus for a puppy. When he didn’t get it, he stopped believing in Santa Claus.

She prayed for a bicycle. When she didn’t get it, she stopped believing in God.

When the church encourages non-Christians to believe in Jesus with the promise that God will give them everything they need and want—in short, when the church presents Jesus as if He was Santa Claus—it will ultimately fail. People will not get what they were promised, they will be disappointed, and they will abandon the faith.

We should think clearly about what it is that will attract permanent followers to Jesus.

Some politicians try to become popular by promising to give people everything they need or want. It does not work in the long run because it results in an inefficient government and an unproductive society.

Winston Churchill, on the other hand, was a great leader. When he became prime minister of the United Kingdom at the beginning of the Second World War, he promised his people “blood, toil, tears and sweat.” But he also promised them a purpose and victory over the Nazis.

When the shepherds were told that Jesus, the Savior, Messiah, and Lord, had been born, the angels said that this was “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).  

When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple, the prophet Simeon called Him God’s “salvation” and “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” But Simeon also told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:25-35).

When Jesus called the first disciples to follow Him, He didn’t tell them all the wonderful things He would do for them. Instead, He told them what He wanted them to do for Him: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19).

When the apostle Paul was dramatically called to follow Jesus, God revealed to Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

When He announced His own impending death, Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

When Jesus calls Christians to follow Him, He does not promise us that we will have an easy life or that all of our wishes and desires will be fulfilled. He promises us enduring value, an identity (as children of God and followers of Jesus), a relationship with Him, membership in the family of God, forgiveness of sins, a renewed heart, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a place in heaven, and an extraordinary purpose—to participate in building the Kingdom of God.

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Loss by Peggy Webb

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Vicki Hinze

“Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.” C. S. Lewis on the death of his wife, Joy.

Loss happens to all of us, and the initial pain feels unbearable. The death of a loved one. The death of a dream. The loss of a home, a job, a community. 

Whether the loss is through death or divorce or the willful actions of others, it’s always hard. It feels as if you’ll be trapped in that awful moment, that unbearable situation, that unspeakable hurt forever.

No matter what the circumstances of your loss, don’t lash out. Don’t say things you can never take back If you are about to lose someone close to you through personal confrontation, don’t fling accusations and jump onto the defensive.  Listen. Ask questions. Be calm. What you say can make a bad situation worse.

Words have enormous power. They can heal, soothe, uplift, and inspire or they can lacerate like a sword, creating wounds that will never heal. 

We’re all children of God, muddling through this life with the tools we were given, both through birth and circumstance.

After a loss, it’s natural to turn to friends for support. Some people will hold your hand while you go through the stages of loss: grief, anger, denial, more grief, and finally acceptance. Others will be all too ready to throw fuel on your fire and stoke your anger until it burns so white hot it takes away all reason. Or they will give you dreadful advice that creates more chaos. That person is not your friend. Walk away.The One who is your friend is right there at your side, always. He loves you so much He gave His only son to die for you so you could have life, eternal.

In Carthage, Texas, there is a magnificent statue of Jesus, carrying one of His children. Behind the statue, a concrete walkway is set with two sets of prints that gradually become one. Engraved on the entrance to the monument is the beautiful poem, Footprints in the Sand.

Here is the last section of the poem:

“Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way.

But I during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.

The Lord replied, “My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

In your times of loss, turn to God. He will carry you until you are strong enough to walk again.

God is good.

Peggy Webb

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Good Tidings of Great Joy by Mary Alford

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Author Mary Alford

Luke 2:8-10 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

One of the biggest events in human history, the announcement of the birth of the Messiah, didn’t come to the religious leaders of the time. Not to scholars. In an instant, Luke takes us from the manger to the pastures outside of Bethlehem where the announcement of the birth of Jesus came to lowly shepherds.  

Shepherds lived among their sheep to protect them from predators. They probably didn’t smell the greatest. These men were hard-working but not considered high up in the social world. They weren’t wealthy. They had nothing to bring the Baby King but themselves.

So why did God choose the lowest members of society to entrust the greatest gift of the ages?

Luke 2:11-14 – For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The shepherds eagerly shared the news about what they’d seen.

Luke 2:15-18 – And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

After they had seen the Baby, they spread the word concerning what they’d been told and what they’d seen.

So why did God choose the lowly shepherds to share this most glorious news? Not only because He knew they would be overjoyed to be the recipients of the news, and that they would eagerly share it with all they met, but I think God chose the humble shepherds to show us that God’s salvation is there for everyone.

Jesus came humbly into the world, born not to rich and famous parents, but a simple carpenter and a virgin. And the news about his birth was first presented to those who were considered lowest in society to let us know God loves us all. No matter who we are.  

Until next time, dear friends, many blessings!

Mary

http://www.maryalford.net   

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Christmas Gifts by Tara Randel

Posted on December 11, 2023 by tararandel

As we get deeper into December, it seems our time becomes more limited. Christmas shopping, decorating, party planning, all the holiday usuals take up our time. We focus on gifts that we will give to others, mostly family, friends, or those in our social and work circles. I’ve always tried to find meaningful gifts, something that will bring smiles to faces or a reminder of a happy memory, to the recipient.

Focusing on the true meaning of Christmas can get lost in the commercial push. We don’t think about what we can give God during this special time of year, our gift to Him.

My pastor gave a very illuminating message on this topic that I’d like to share with you. (My condensed version.)

What can we give to God?

Our hope in Him. No matter what is going on in our lives, hope can resonate. When we are thankful for our relationship with God, we can begin to hope that He will influence every step of our lives.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Our passionate pursuit. Do we seek and do we find?

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

When we want something bad enough, we will pursue it. Why not our relationship with God?

Our worship. A lifestyle of love and reverence, respect and devotion, to the one who created us. As my pastor said, we should ascribe value to something higher than ourselves.

In Mark 12: 28-30, when asked which commandment of all was the most important, Jesus said,

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

How do we worship God?

Heart and soul, our very best expression.

Mind, thinking about what Jesus wants in my life.

Strength, what we do for Him.

Wrapped up, this can be a gift to our Lord who has given us everything.

I pray that your Christmas is filled with happiness, joy, excitement, and most of all, a reminder of what Jesus has done for us and what we can do for Him.

Merry Christmas!

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Repairing Hearts Now Available by Julie Arduini

Posted on December 8, 2023 by juliearduini

Write Faster, Julie Arduini

Repairing Hearts Amazon (partial) review

I’m excited to announce that not only is the second book in my Surrendering Hearts series, Repairing Hearts, available, but reviews are coming in and they are so encouraging.

Repairing Hearts took a bit to write, thanks to random issues like my glasses were not right and my computer screen broke. When I tried to buy a refurbished laptop, it took three tries before we landed on one that worked.

Still, that doesn’t damper my excitement regarding Repairing Hearts.

Repairing Hearts continues the Hart sextuplets and their journey to discover their own identity and find a love like their parents shared. Jordyn kicked off the series with her need to surrender control. Now it’s Ryan’s turn. He’s got a bit of a temper, and prides himself on being a loner.

The problem with isolating himself from his big family is he needs them. He bought a house that’s an overwhelming money pit, and he can’t afford renovations. Brother Evan pitches a reality show idea, and suddenly Ryan and his brooding ways are trending on social media.

The reality show, Repairing Ryan’s Heart, was supposed to focus on viewers choosing a project manager to oversee the renovations. The actual show is more of a dating contest, and Ryan wants nothing to do with the drama.

I loved, loved, loved writing a reality show. It’s as cutthroat as you can imagine, and I learned in my research reality shows aren’t very real at all. Through that, Ryan learns a lot about himself, his faith, and his family.

No small-town romance is any good without a heroine, right? Repairing Hearts features a few ladies who are show contestants. My favorites are mean girl Raini Bly, and of course, the woman with a secret that will change the course of the series, BJ Wallace. That fiery redhead has Ryan’s full attention, but will her betrayal ruin the show, the Hart family, and Ryan’s heart?

You’ll have to read to find out!

Each book is a stand-alone, but I believe starting with Anchored Hearts gives you a comprehensive look into the Hart sextuplets. Now that Ryan’s story is done, after the holidays I start Building Hearts, and that’s Evan’s story. To continue to celebrate the Hart sextuplets 25th birthday, a second reality show features the siblings as they follow the project manager and work on renovations. Evan leads the adventure and of course, it’s not going to go according to plan…

The series is a small-town romance with Christian surrender themes. Both Anchored Hearts and Repairing Hearts are free for Kindle Unlimited. I hope you take a look, and if you enjoy, thank you in advance for leaving a review.

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The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 6, 2023 by jrcoggins

In Hebrews 12:18-29, there is a fascinating contrast between two mountains: “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm…But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly” (NIV). The writer was referring to Mount Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses, and Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where Jesus sacrificed Himself to bring forgiveness to those who have sinned by breaking the law. It is a contrast between the law and the gospel, between the old covenant and the new covenant, between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and even between earth and heaven. Sinai is pictured as a mountain of fear, where people were in danger of being struck dead if they dared to enter the presence of the holy God. Zion is pictured as a mountain of joy and a source of life, even eternal life, where forgiven people can enter into the presence of God. The writer of Hebrews was talking about Mount Zion, the mountain on which Jerusalem sits and from which God ruled His people. But even more, he was talking about a spiritual Zion which cannot be touched. He was talking about heaven, the new Jerusalem, from which God continues to rule His people.

But make no mistake. There are not two Gods, only one. The same God commanded people to be holy and then offered a way for them to be forgiven for their failure to be holy, a way to be perceived as holy, and a way to actually become holy through Jesus. God, through Jesus, is offering us life and joy and freedom. But if we reject the God of Zion, we will get the God of Sinai, a consuming fire, who will punish us for our sins.

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The Best Tradition By Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Natasha Bhogal on Unsplash

We celebrated a late Thanksgiving dinner with three of our daughters and their families. Where most people have turkey with all the trimmings, we opted to have nachos with a variety of toppings. They were delicious and we had fun making and eating them.

Having nachos for Thanksgiving dinner made me think about our traditions and how they become imbedded in our lives. When we have a family dinner, we tend to take the same foods every time. Not only that, we also expect and look forward to our aunt’s apple pie or our uncle’s smoked turkey. Those things we look forward to are comfortable and wrap us in the love of family and life.

However, when traditions become more important than the reason we are celebrating, we need to reevaluate the reason we celebrate. We need to step back and look at the holiday and why we have it.

Do we look forward more to the food, and who brings what, than we do to rejoicing in freedom and family, and the gifts given us by God? Is our holiday ruined when those customs we’re used to are changed? If so, maybe we need to pray about what God wants us to have for a tradition or custom in our lives. What is important to Him?

In Luke 22:39 we find Jesus going to the Mount of Olives with His disciples. “And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.”

In the book of Daniel, there is a plot against Daniel. If he prays to God, he will lose his life in a lion’s den. Yet, we find Daniel doing what he always does. “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” Daniel 6:10

Both Jesus and Daniel had a custom of praying at a certain time or in a certain place. Even though they both faced death, that custom was so ingrained in them that they didn’t forsake meeting with God. This tradition or custom was based on putting God first above everything else.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about His disciples breaking traditions, Jesus said to them:

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:6-7

We must be careful not to allow tradition to pull us away from God and His will. Keep in mind what is important. When questioned by the Pharisees about the greatest commandment, Jesus said this:

“… “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

Having traditions like Thanksgiving can be wonderful as long as we remember what is most important. We must put God first – before the turkey, the dressing, the cranberry sauce, or even the nachos. Next we must love others more than ourselves. 

Meeting Jesus must be our custom or tradition every day no matter what. This holiday season make meeting with Jesus a priority and see how blessed your days will be.

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Review of Demystifying Hospice:  The Secrets to Navigating End-of-Life Care by Barbara Petersen, RN

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Vicki Hinze

Demystifying Hospice: The Secrets to Navigating End-of-Life Care

Barbara Petersen, RN

Amazon ebook

Authorspots print

About the Book:

Demystifying Hospice: The Secrets to Navigating End-of-Life Care is a book that candidly describes the “nuts and bolts” of giving care to hospice patients. Writing with 20 years of experience as a hospice nurse, author Barbara Petersen delivers powerful and necessary information as well as some uncomfortable truths about the process and the business behind it. A valuable and accessible resource for families and all levels of caregivers of hospice patients, this book helps everyone know what to expect and how to better help these patients during their final months, weeks, or days.

Vicki’s Review:

We tend to not look for resources until we need them, which proved a flawed way of doing things when I needed info on end-of-life care for both of my parents.  I wish I’d had this book then.  It would have spared me a lot of anxiety and worry!  

This is the most user-friendly book of its kind I’ve come across.  The chapters are stand-alone, meaning, you don’t have to read everything that comes before what you’re looking for what you are looking for to make sense.  That, I find, to be a huge blessing.

Barbara Petersen’s knowledge and experience shines light on the practical.  She writes with passion and compassion and offers the rest of us, for whom this time is confusing and honestly intimidating, much needed information so that we can feel more comfortable and confident in doing our best for our loved ones.  Well done—and highly recommended!

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Give and Receive a Blessing by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 29, 2023 by jrcoggins

Several years ago, I established Mill Lake Books to help Christian authors get their books published in an affordable way. To date, this imprint has published over 30 books.

One of the most recent is Fullness of Time: Devotionals, Poems, Pictures, and Prayers by Ray Harris. On one level, this is a beautiful coffee table book. On another level, it is a rich spiritual banquet.

The book grew out of Ray’s ministry as Spiritual Care Coordinator at Tabor Village, a seniors’ home in Abbotsford, British Columbia.The contents of the book are organized to reflect the human journey through the seasons of the year. The centerpiece of the book is meditations, drawn from all 66 books of the Bible and based on devotionals Ray shared with various gatherings at Tabor Village.

And yet, in a real sense, the book is a product of the Christian community in which Ray served. In addition to Ray’s meditations, the book is brimming with pictures, aphorisms (brief thoughts), poems, and anecdotes (brief stories, most of them drawn from the life experiences of Tabor residents). The photographs and artwork in the book were also provided by Tabor residents, friends, and family members. Readers will find themselves drawn into Christian community as the contributors sing, pray, laugh, mourn, and worship together.

The result is a rich, easy-to-read, inspirational volume, ideal for personal devotional reading, as well as a good resource for chaplains, teachers, and others who may need to lead a devotion on short notice. The book includes an index to Scripture and an index to topics such as change, growth, death, and eternity. It comes in paper and ebook formats and is available through bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon, distributed by Ingram.

Showing is always better than telling. Below is one of Ray’s meditations, drawn from the book.

Meditation – The Blessing of An Elder

Scripture Text – Luke 2:25-35 (NIV): Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

I still can see him lifting our six-month-old son in the spotlight, with his eyes raised to the sky, reciting these words, “My eyes have seen your salvation…” It was our church Christmas program, and this elder pastor agreed to play the role of Simeon, and our son served as baby Jesus. Though the lines were spoken in a pageant, they were filled with sincerity and life experience. This octogenarian was a godly man who truly blessed us all that day.

When an elder Christian blesses another person, there is a sense of the presence and pleasure of God. The church has always taken blessings and benedictions (good words) seriously. The Bible is full of blessings, including this text often quoted or spoken during Christmas. Simeon blessing points ahead to Calvary and deep soul-piercing. And it also sings of light, salvation, fulfilment.

This text (Luke 2:25-35) is one of the Christmas songs, referred to as the Nunc Dimittis (now dismiss). Give and receive a blessing today.

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Author Mary Alford

This Friday marks the first day of December. For shoppers, the countdown to Christmas officially begins with Black Friday. Among the hustle and bustle of preparing our homes for the holiday, we prepare our hearts for one of the biggest events in our Christian faith. The birth of our Savior.  

The Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and leads up to December 25.

Advent is a time in which we reflect and anticipate that time long ago when Jesus was born in a stable. We celebrate His miraculous birth and remember that He did not stay that little Baby in the manger. Advent carries a dual meaning. The remembrance of Christ’s birth and the anticipation of His return.

I love that about this season. It not only points to the birth of Jesus, but it also reminds us to be ready for His second coming.

The Advent calendar is a wonderful way to count down the days until Christmas. As we mark each day of the Advent season, we reflect and prepare our hearts to welcome the Savior and call to mind the longing and anticipation of God’s people who for centuries awaited the coming Messiah. And the longing we have today for His return.

So, this year, as you countdown each day of the season, take time to reflect on that miraculous birth all those years ago, and look with longing forward to the return of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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Jesus Had Boundaries by Julie Arduini

Posted on November 24, 2023 by juliearduini

A friend recently looked at my Goodreads reading list and found it funny that for a fiction author, my reading consists of a lot of nonfiction. I love learning!

This season I have been working through a lot of Bible studies and related materials. There has been Rebekah Lyons and Building a Resilient Life. Alisa Keeton and The Body Revelation. Laura Krokos and You are Unshaken. These books are revealing painful layers from my past and healing them. For too long I stuffed pain, and that’s not healthy.

Healing from pain takes action. From Rebekah Lyons I learned we have to not only name the pain, but shift the narrative. Through YouVersion’s plan on Setting Boundaries for Toxic People by Vladimir Savchuk I was dumbfounded by the simplest truth.

Jesus set boundaries.

Sure, I knew He went to the lake for private time.

I knew any time He could escape the crowds and have moments with His Dad, He did.

But Jesus set boundaries.

“Jesus did not go back to Pilate, Herod, or the Pharisees after His resurrection…where there is no repentance, there cannot be reconciliation.” He goes on, “If you have someone in your life who throws a spear at you once, twice, or even three times and they are not repentant, walk away because there is no trust there.”

Vladimir Savchuk, Setting Boundaries for Toxic People

I can err on the side of not just tough love, but harsh love. It’s easy for me to erect a wall and visually proclaim people can’t have access to me. If I did that for everyone and just let my dogs love me, that’s not healthy or Biblical.

But through David’s example, I realize he never let Saul have access to him once Saul became toxic. He respected Saul. He wept at Saul’s funeral. But Saul threw spears David’s way more than once. Saul lost access to David. And that’s healthy to walk that out if the situation is similar.

I love a good visual and I tried to picture Jesus conquering death, busting out of the tomb, and seeking out Herod. Pilate. The Pharisees. These men were not repentant and did not want to befriend Jesus. They were about stabbing Him in the back. Jesus went to those who wanted to change. That’s where He spent His time.

If that’s a model Jesus lived by, boundaries are healthy for us, too.

As I walk out my own healing journey, that’s a nugget I found and wanted to share with you. I hope it encourages you today!

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