Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem!

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Author Mary Alford

There are so many beautiful prophecies from the Old Testament that foretell the Messiah’s birth in detail.

The prophets told of how the Messiah would come from Abraham’s line and would be born of a virgin who would call His name Immanuel. He would be an heir to King David’s throne and would reign for all eternity.  

Micah 5:2 tells of how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem 400 years before Jesus’ birth.  

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, but out this little town would come One far greater than David. God orchestrated everything down to the last detail to fulfill the prophesies of the Messiah in Jesus.

He had the emperor of Rome create a census at just the right time when Mary was close to her time to give birth to the Messiah. It forced Mary and Joseph to leave Nazareth in Galilee and make the difficult journey to Bethlehem because Joseph was from the line of King David.

God chose this little town to be the birthplace of His Messiah effectively tying Jesus to King David. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies that were written about the Savior and on that night long ago, God’s plan to redeem His creation was put into play in little Bethlehem. And 33 years later, God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for us!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

www.maryalford.net 

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Be a Shepherd by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Nancy J. Farrier

Photo by Jan Krepčík on Unsplash

It is that time of year when we are extra busy. Buying presents. Making food to give away. Doing extra in the community. Preparing for family to visit. Decorating our homes.

The workload is tremendous and it seems like there are not enough hours in the day. By night time we are so worn out we can’t wait to get some sleep. And then we wake up and the pressure starts all over.

I may have said this before, but this time of year, I like to ponder Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. Bethlehem was a busy city. People were there for the census and there wasn’t an empty room anywhere. The women would have been busy cooking extra food. The men, trying to house the extra livestock and provide for them. I can almost hear the noise and see the hurrying and frantic pace throughout the city. 

Much like it is for us today. 

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 NKJV

Outside the city, are these shepherds with their sheep. They are probably kicking back by the fire, maybe even sleeping. Yet, as shepherds would, they are alert for any change or danger to their flock. They are busy with their work, but still watching. And they see an amazing sight as the angel of the Lord tells them about Jesus and the glory of the Lord shone in the heavens.

“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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14 NKJV

Because they are alert and watching, they are privy to an amazing concert. A praise and worship time with the angels singing and filling the heavens with their song. 

This is where I stop and consider the times. The shepherds were outside the city but not that far away. Here the heavens are lit up with something spectacular. There are angels singing, and it’s a sight that is unparalleled. 

Yet, what happens in Bethlehem? No one notices. Not one person. How do we know that?

The shepherds were so amazed, they left their flocks and went to Bethlehem to see the baby. After seeing Jesus with Mary and Joseph, this is what they did:

“Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Luke 2:17-18 NKJV

Consider this as you go through the Christmas season. Are you like the people in Bethlehem who are blind to the glory of God and His message? Or are you like the shepherds, busy but still alert and watching?

Will you be too busy and miss the reason we celebrate? Will you miss the Christ child or the angels singing in the heavens while you prepare for company and buy gifts? 

Or will you be busy like the shepherds? Busy, but also watching. Waiting to hear from God. To see what He has for you this season.

I pray we all will watch for those miracle moments that God gives us. That when the pressure and busyness gets too much, we take time to sit down and connect with Jesus. To see Him. To truly see His love for us. To share Him with those around us.

Have a blessed Christmas.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

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Every Good and Perfect Gift by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Bridget

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:16-17

Around this time of year, much of our attention is focused on gifts. Children are eager to see what presents they will receive on Christmas Day. And as adults, we too are focused on gifts in a different way. We are searching for the perfect gift for each person on our list. Of course, this also means that we have to purchase gifts, and then this leads to wrapping gifts. Much of our time in December can revolve around gifts.

As I was recently reading the verses above in the book of James, it reminded me of gifts in a different sense. Not just material items that we purchase, but the blessings in our lives. God is the giver of those gifts. He loves us beyond measure and enjoys showing us that love. Sometimes we might miss it, though. Because we are too focused on the material things right in front of us, we might overlook the spiritual blessings in our lives. Me might not see how God protected us, or how God paved a way for us in a certain situation. We might miss the way God provided for us, or how God opened a door for us. We have to be intentional about keeping our eyes open for these gifts. When we do, we will see so many ways that God has been there all along.

These verses also reminded me of something else. Maybe if you are like me, you worry about the future. There are so many things that can cause us to worry, from health to finances. And then when we look around at the world today, this brings more worry. But we have Almighty God beside us. He has been faithful to us in the past, He is faithful in the present, and He will be faithful in the future. That is who He is. He cannot deny His own character. James reminded us of this when He said God “does not change like shifting shadows.” This truth should bring us comfort and help us to put our worries into His hands.

This Christmas season, may we take time to open our eyes to all the ways the Lord has provided for us, protected us, and walked beside us. May we keep our eyes open for His goodness all around us. May we thank Him for His faithfulness yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

That is what Christmas is really all about. Not the gifts under the tree, but the gift of Jesus and how He has literally changed everything for us. He redeemed us and paid a debt we could never pay on our own. He brought us peace, hope, joy, and love. We need not worry about what is to come, because Jesus already won. We can take comfort in the arms of the Lord this Christmas season, and always.

Thank you for reading!

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The Ideal and the Reality by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 6, 2022 by jrcoggins

Fifth in a Series

There were in the Mosaic law some very wise social provisions. One of these was gleaning. The poor were allowed to go into the fields after harvest and “glean,” pick up whatever grain and fruit the harvesters had missed. Even with modern methods, harvesting is rarely perfect, and it is not usually worth the effort and expense for the farmer to go back and find the small amount of food that was missed. But for the poor, these small amounts could mean the difference between eating and starvation. The poor got to eat, but the poor also had the satisfaction of working to get their food. It gave them dignity and purpose. (An imperfect modern equivalent practice is that the poor salvage the empty beverage containers that the rich throw away.)

Another social provision concerned widows. When a husband died, a brother or other relative would marry the widow and provide for her and her children. This is what Boaz later did for Ruth, and in the process he also provided for Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi (Ruth 3-4). This offends our modern notion of romance, but it should be pointed out that our modern focus on romantic feelings has led to widespread divorce, leaving many single mothers and their children living in poverty. It is more important to find a good and moral spouse than a handsome or beautiful or romantic or flamboyant spouse.

These social provisions in the law worked very well for Ruth. Boaz even went beyond the gleaning law to provide extra food (charity) for Ruth and her mother-in-law. However, there are in her story hints about another social reality. Boaz told his workers, “Don’t reprimand her” (2:15) and “Don’t rebuke her” (2:16). He also Ruth, “I have told the men not to lay a hand on you” (2:9). Naomi also warned her daughter-in-law, “In someone else’s field you might be harmed” (2:22). Regardless of what the law said, some farmers would chase the poor out of their fields and not let them glean. A young woman such as Ruth would also be in danger of being “harmed”—raped or beaten. The poor were not blameless either. Boaz told his workers to let Ruth glean among the sheaves; underlying this is a hint that when other poor people were allowed to glean among the sheaves, they were not above stealing some of the already harvested grain.

As well, the man who was the closest relative later refused to marry Ruth because he feared it would endanger his own wealth and the inheritance of his own children (4:6). This was in spite of the fact that Ruth would come to the marriage with her father-in-law’s land, which her children would inherit.

The social provisions in the law were wise and beneficial, but only if they were followed. Good laws can be circumvented by selfish and immoral people. While commanding good, God is aware that people are often sinful.

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Protest and Folk Songs by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 30, 2022 by jrcoggins

I grew up in the 1960s listening to protest songs and folk songs sung by such artists as Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Those songs spoke to me then, and they still resonate with me today.

To be sure, many of these singers were naïve in their expectations and were often themselves quite imperfect people, but they sang about perfect ideals. Whether they were aware of it or not, their songs were filled not only with biblical concepts but even with biblical phrases and images. This was perhaps due to the extent to which biblical concepts had permeated general culture as a result of the resurgence in church attendance in the 1950s. For some of the singers, the biblical content was more conscious than for others. Bob Dylan and Paul Stookey later embraced Christianity, however imperfectly.

Recently, I rewatched a recording of a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert from 1986. What struck me was how much their songs were permeated by a plethora of biblical concepts. Love. Peace. Truth. Justice. Human dignity. Respect. Humility. Gratitude. Gentleness. Freedom. Family. Brotherhood. Unity. Community. Work. Compassion for human suffering. Lament over the brokenness of our world. Sacrificial giving. Forgiveness. Delight in the natural world. Fun. The innocence of childhood. Life. Joy. Hope.

I think that the biblical content is the reason these songs still resonate with me today. They certainly offer a more elevated set of concepts than much modern popular music (which is often very narrowly self-centered even when not blatantly immoral)—and even much social activism today. To be sure, modern social activists still advocate for justice and compassion. But much else has been lost. There are undercurrents of anger, selfishness, division, and pride in much modern social activism. Sex and pleasure have replaced the emphasis on love and family. The right to die has replaced the joy of living. Human rights (however badly defined) are still emphasized, but not humility, work, sacrificial giving, and forgiveness. On all sides, truth is fought over rather than genuinely sought with humility. Rather than people working together to achieve justice and change opinions, justice is to be imposed from the top by governments, which themselves have often proved to be unjust. Perhaps most crucial of all, trying to build an ideal world on a human level without even a subconscious awareness of the God of the Bible is futile and likely to be misguided and go astray.

We live in an imperfect world, where we often fail to achieve lofty goals, even with the best of intentions. But I still think that we should sing about, celebrate, believe in, and work for: love, peace, truth, justice, human dignity, respect, humility, gratitude, gentleness, freedom, family, brotherhood, unity, community, work, compassion for human suffering, lament over the brokenness of our world, sacrificial giving, forgiveness, delight in the natural world, fun, the innocence of childhood, life, joy, and hope.

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Weather, Crisis, and Christians by Julie Arduini

Posted on November 30, 2022 by juliearduini

Image: Cowboy State Daily

Although my Ohio residency is close to 20 years, I’m an Upstate NY girl. When I went to college at SUNY Geneseo, the Buffalo Bills were at their zenith under quarterback Jim Kelly, Coach Marv Levy, and a list of all-star players. The Superbowl against the Giants when the Bills missed the kick?

My dorm shook.

No lie.

Now that my kids are grown and I have time, I’ve paid better attention to the Bills. I tell friends Bills fans are die-hard and if anyone deserves to see a Superbowl win, it’s the Buffalo area. It’s been a long time coming.

Last week I watched the snow footage as the Bills game moved to Detroit because of the six feet of snow the greater Buffalo area received. A farmer named Squirrel Winters became a celebrity as soon as his famous neighbor, quarterback Josh Allen, mentioned him in thanks for plowing him out.

It got me thinking. When there is a weather event like a blizzard, hurricane or tornado, neighbors come out and help. There are no excuses or ducking out, everyone digs in and helps.

I was a toddler when Hurricane Agnes traveled to Upstate NY and decimated the Finger Lakes Region. Years later when my office was located inside a senior center, I heard stories as if the flood had been yesterday. They remembered everything. The smell of mud. The ruined pictures. The help that came from next door, from Corning Glass, and from the military.

Just last night my husband and I were talking about the back-to-back blizzards I endured in 1993. I didn’t know Tom then, but I knew his family. Tom saw the storm coming and drove 24 hours straight to visit his parents in Florida. Everyone else? We were trapped home with more snow than we could shovel. But once the snow stopped, I remember our neighbors helping us, and we helped them.

I wish I could say the Body of Christ operated this way. I’m not pointing at my local church, but the entire church as a whole. When AIDS came about, what was the church doing? When women had the courage to announce they were in an abusive situation, what feedback did they receive? I know of women who were told to stick it out because divorce was not an option. Yikes.

Not long ago I was chatting history and I recalled a quote from Hitler when asked about moving in on the US and her allies. Wasn’t he afraid? Was that really a smart idea? These were Christian countries, especially America.

Hitler’s reply breaks me to this day. He said not to worry, the church was asleep. They wouldn’t know what was happening until it was too late.

—Julie Arduini

Beyond being an author, I’m a reader. More than a reader, I’m an intercessor, and all my reading and prayer times tells me the world is embroiled in corruption and abuse far greater than our imagination could guess. I believe God has had it and these sins will be exposed on a global scale.

And the church will be in part active participants, compliant, and passive when the truth comes out.

Specifically, I believe we’re going to learn a LOT about trafficking, and sadly, there will be church-y names attached. It will be horrific what the world learns. The little I’ve read is sickening.

But when, not if, this happens, it’s the opportunity for the church to shift.

To repent and become that neighbor in crisis. To stop the excuses and apathy and run toward the wounded. To offer love, grace, resources, provision and throw off religion and the “I told you so” we are sadly known for.

I’ve been praying for two years to know my part. I don’t want to be on the sidelines. Trafficking isn’t just in my country or state, it’s in my county and the places I shop. It’s an every day crisis, bigger and more devastating than a blizzard.

I’m praying we rise up in Christ’s love, awake and ready to help.

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And Just Like That – Everything Changed!

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Author Mary Alford

Isaiah 9:6 proclaimed the future coming of a Child. But not just any child. This one would carry the government of the worlds on His shoulders. He would be the Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father. . .the Prince of Peace.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Though Isaiah wouldn’t see the Prince of Peace during his earthly life, he prophesied about a future event to come just like he prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin in Isaiah 7:14:

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Michal 5:2 predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Moses wrote in Numbers 24:17, I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a starre out of Iacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. . .  

Hundreds of Old Testament prophesies foretold the Messiah. The Old Testament prophets looked forward to the future event that would change the world. But they didn’t see it in their lifetimes.

And then. . .that miraculous moment happened. A Child was born to a virgin. God worked all the events together to fulfill His prophesies. Joseph, from the house of David, would take his betrothed Mary who was great with child to Bethlehem for a census because of a degree from Caesar Augustus. What are the chances!  

Luke 2:6-7,

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

In God’s amazing wisdom, the first to see the Child were not royalty, or the religious leaders at the time, but the lowly shepherds. I love that about God!

And throughout Jesus’ ministry, it was not the religious leaders who would come to him, but the lowly, those desperate for what Jesus offered – eternal life.

The Christmas season is upon us and its about to get busy. But I hope you keep in mind the greatest gift of all won’t be under our trees this holiday, but in our hearts.

With those simple words from Isaiah, the future was told. The God who created the universe would step into human history and change everything!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

www.maryalford.net  

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Thanks by Tara Randel

Posted on November 28, 2022 by tararandel

I hope you and yours had a beautiful Thanksgiving. There is nothing better than bringing family, friends, and food together for good times. It is also a time to reflect on thankfulness. Looking back over the year, we can see the ups and downs and how we handled situations thrown our way. When I do this, the bottom line for me is that I always thank God for what He has done.

I thank Him for His presence in my life. For leading and guiding me. For giving me wisdom. How do we get through our daily lives without the Spirit of the Lord? I know that I can’t, so I trust Him to be with me.

Sometimes life can be messy. Other times amazing. All the time, God is there.

Years ago, when my daughter was very ill and I had no idea what the outcome of her illness would be, there was one scripture the Lord spoke to my heart over and over again.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

I clung to that scripture. Today, when I hear the words or think about the scripture, it brings tears to my eyes. God knew what the outcome of that season would be, and he walked beside me the entire way. My daughter is in heaven and still, God has never left me because I needed Him. I still need him every day.

We serve a God who cares about our lives; from the big issues, to, for me, getting through writing deadlines. Life has challenges and wins. Through it all, we are never alone, and that makes me thankful.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, HER SURPRISE HOMETWON MATCH, available March 2023. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

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THE ALLY–new suspense by Peggy Webb

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Vicki Hinze

THE TEAM

It was such a pleasure to team with the amazing writers/friends who put together The Philanthropists, a series of suspense and romantic suspense short reads for you!  The talented and wonderful Vicki Hinze and I have been friends almost forever. Years ago. she introduced me to another terrific woman and writer, Kathy Carmichael, who is such a superb Christian and good friend. I’m blessed to work with and get to know the other fine women on the team, Mary Alford, Patricia Bradley, and Ann Malley. God is good!

NEW TODAY, THE ALLY 

Today is pub day for my suspense novella, The Ally, fourth book in The Philanthropists series.  It’s set in my home state of Mississippi in the historic river-front city of Vicksburg. Like the Pulitzer Prize winner from Mississippi, the late, great author Eudora Welty, I enjoy putting a sense of place into my stories. When you read The Ally, you’ll discover that the setting is almost another character.

I always fall in love with my characters. When I finish a book, I feel as if I’m saying goodbye to old friends. The same is true of The Ally. I created two protagonists, who had lost everyone they love, in order to explore what that would be like and how they could find their way out of the darkness of loss and into the light of love. 

Of course, this is suspense, so I filled the pages with enough unsavory characters to keep you guessing about the identity of the villain.  Or is it villains? You’ll have to read to find out.  

I do hope you’ll enjoy the ride!

HOT CH OCOLATE AND REVIEWS

I have been writing professionally for thirty-seven years, nearly a hundred books and still going strong. Through the years, my readers/fans have cheered me on, written letters to me, prayed for me, and written reviews for me. 

In this busy holiday season, I hope you’ll find a moment for yourself to pour a cup of hot chocolate and read The Ally (a clean read). Like the other stories in this series, The Ally has no cliffhanger. The book can be read as a standalone (though I know you’ll want to read all six). 

After you’ve finished reading, I hope you will leave a review at Amazon and wherever else your social media takes you. Thank you so much for reading! I’ve included the buy link to all six books at the end of this post to make it easy for you to find The Ally. 

Have a blessed holiday! God is good.

Link to THE ALLY

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Give Thanks by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Bridget

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. All across the country, many will take time today to reflect on the things they are grateful for. How amazing it is to have a holiday that revolves around gratitude. However, I feel this is a habit we should cherish all year long, not just one day out of the year.

And personally, I take gratitude a step further by writing down my blessings in a gratitude journal. Every day for the past five years I have a kept a bulleted list of good things that happened during my day. I might also include Bible verses, quotes, prayers, or anything that spoke to my heart. Therefore, the items in my gratitude journal can vary.

But there is one thing I try to keep consistent. For the most part, I don’t write down negative things that happened in my day. Overall, my intent is to keep the tone positive.

For example, one particular day this year, I wrote down that my new iPad arrived (which was a gift from my hubby). I wrote down a Bible verse that my friend featured in her blog post (Philippians 4:5). I mentioned that we had nice, cool weather. I reflected on the joy of seeing Christmas lights on different homes. And I jotted down that I got my hair trimmed.

But on that same day I was wearing a brand new pair of boots for the first time, and I accidentally stepped in my dog’s “droppings” in our back yard. I did not write that down in my gratitude journal. (Yes, this really happened. I wasn’t happy at the time, but I can joke about it now!)

Gratitude is all about focusing on the positive, not the negative.

Years ago, I tried journaling, but it didn’t last. I used the journal to do a lot of venting. As a result, I hated journaling and gave up on it quickly. Since I have changed tactics, this has helped me to keep my gratitude journal going.

I realize that not everyone wants to journal. And that is okay. Expressing our gratitude in prayer is also a wonderful habit.

When we take notice of the things we are grateful for each day, this helps us to draw closer to God. Looking around for the blessings in life helps us to embrace the Lord’s goodness and love. Gratitude helps us to look back and see how much God has been there for us, which in turn helps us to see how trustworthy and faithful God is.

Gratitude towards God leads us to trusting God.

But gratitude is a muscle that we have to intentionally strengthen. The more we work this muscle, the more things we will find to be grateful for.

Gratitude breeds more gratitude!

In the world we live in, it can be easy to fall into complaining and negativity. However, when we choose to look for the good, it affects every area of our lives. We will find we have more joy and peace. A big part of this is because it draws us close to our Heavenly Father. And we begin to see how much He is there for us, helping us, guiding us, protecting us, and caring for us.

I hope today you will take a moment to thank God for the blessings in your own life. Take a look around and you will see He is there for you. He loves you. And He is good, all the time.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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The Wings of the Lord by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 23, 2022 by jrcoggins

Fourth in a Series

Reading the story of Ruth gleaning in the vineyard of Boaz (Ruth 2:1-12), I was struck by the force of Boaz’s words to Ruth: “May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” The words sound strange since Ruth had come to the land of God’s people only because of her loyalty to Naomi. She did not seem to have consciously sought refuge with God.

A church I was a member of many years ago had a blessed experience. There was a woman whose husband had beaten her and her children, taken all of their possessions, and left her and her children with nothing and nowhere to live. On a Sunday morning, in desperation, she phoned the pastor of the church. He met her on the front steps of the church that morning and after the service took her home to his house for dinner. At the evening service, the church members filled the church foyer with food, clothing, and household necessities for the family. The next day, the church found her an apartment and paid the rent. In time, the church bought her a car.

When desperate people turn to the church, they are turning to God, whether they know it or not. And it is God who ultimately helps them if they are helped. It was God who had given the church members the love and the resources to help this desperate woman and her children. And it was God who had established the rules of gleaning and redeeming that were Ruth’s salvation.

There is a sequel to the story of the destitute woman who came to our church. She became a Christian and was baptized. She found a job delivering meals to shut-ins. When the church sponsored a refugee family, she donated some of her possessions and offered to chauffeur them around.

There is also a sequel to Ruth’s story. She bore a son, who became an ancestor of David and of the Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

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Words Matter by Peggy Webb

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Vicki Hinze

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness. Mother Teresa’s advice resonates more than ever in a world where civility seems to be vanishing and hateful speech is becoming the accepted norm. 

Now more than any other time in my life that I can remember, I am aware of the need to think before I speak, to hold my tongue when I want to lash out in anger, and to let my words lift someone up instead of tear them down. I am cognizant of the need to let my speech reflect the love of Jesus in my heart.

What is in the heart comes out the mouth. Matthew 12:34

Bestselling books have been written about the connection between what we think and what we do or say. Two I have enjoyed reading are The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and Psycho-Cybernetics, Dr. Maxwell Maltz. Both tell exactly how our thoughts are manifested, not only for our actions, but also for our success or failure.

We need look no further than the greatest book of all, the BIBLE, to find instructions on the power of our thoughts and the words we say.  Look to the Old Testament and King Solomon for this wisdom:

 The tongue has power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21

In the New Testament, the disciple James wrote clear instructions about the enormous impact of the tongue and how Christians should guard it. 

All of us often go wrong; the man who never says a wrong thing is a perfect character, able to bridle his whole being. If we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them obey our will, we can direct their whole body. Or think of ships; large they may be, yet even when driven by strong gales they can be directed by a tiny rudder on whatever course the helmsman chooses. So with the tongue. It is a small member but it can make huge claims. James 3:2-5

Read James 3: 2-12 to discover more of his wise counsel regarding the power of the tongue. 

This tiny muscular organ is capable of inflicting untold harm. Dear reader, if you were in my Sunday School class along with the adorable two-to-six-year-old cherubs I teach, I would say, “Raise your hand if you’ve ever been hurt by something someone said to you or about you.” They would all raise their tiny hands. Probably every person reading this blog would raise a hand. 

I’m passionate about this subject, particularly since I recently experienced the hurtful fallout from a vicious tongue.  A month ago, I had surgery to repair an abdominal hernia. After my surgeon told me I would be helpless for at least three days afterward, unable to even lift myself out of bed, I enlisted the help of a woman I considered a friend. She promised to stay with me a couple of days during the early recovery process, but then backed out of her commitment the day she was to come, while I was still helpless. Her excuses were vague and rang false. I later learned that the harmful, wagging tongue of a person she and I both know had convinced the woman that she should NOT help me, that it was not her responsibility. Fortunately, I have a large group of true friends who stepped into the gap after my son had to head back to Florida for work. They took wonderful care of me when I was literally flat on my back. By the grace of God and with the help of family and true friends, I have recovered and am getting stronger every day. 

In addition to knowing how to guard the tongue, we should also know how to use it for good. The Psalmists (especially King David) and the Apostle Paul are very specific on this subject.

“May all that I say and think be acceptable to thee, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm:19:14 

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth. Keep watch at the door of my lips. Turn not my heart to sinful thoughts nor to any pursuit of evil course.” Psalm 141: 3-4

“Be generous to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

“In a word, as God’s dear children, try to be like him, and live in love as Christ loved you and gave himself up on your behalf as an offering and sacrifice whose fragrance is pleasing to God.” Ephesians 5:1

Words matter. They are not empty or harmless. They are filled with power, and once they are spoken, they cannot be unsaid. We can build up or tear down. We can make people laugh or we can make them cry. We can motivate people or we can just make them mad. Our choice.

Words matter!

Thank you so much for stopping by to read this blog. I’m delighted to be joining my dear friend Vicki’s Christians Read blog, and will be posting here regularly.  I hope you will leave a comment. If there is any subject you would like to see addressed in this blog, tell us about that, too. Have a blessed day.

God is good.

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Growing in Love by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Nancy J. Farrier

Last week we traveled to California for a little vacation. We visited our daughters and their families and had a great time with out grandsons. The highlight of the trip, and the reason for the timing, was to be there for our youngest daughter’s boyfriend to propose. He’d arranged with us to be present, along with his parents, and some of their friends from church.

It’s so fun to see new love. The excitement. The total focus on one another. The way they go out of their way to please each other. The first bloom of love is beautiful to see and to experience.

They are planning an April wedding which reminded me of my parents, who also married in April. My parents were married for 62 years and had such a wonderful love. To me, they were an example to follow of going from first loving one another to continuing to grow in love. They spent a lifetime getting to know each other, always put the other one first, and loved one another no matter what.

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first…”

How many of us have kept up that first love we had for Jesus? That enthusiasm we had to tell others about our new relationship. The way we loved reading the Bible and thanking God for our salvation. How many of us simply go to church now and do our best to get through life without ever working toward a better relationship with God and a deeper love for Him? Are we willing to put in the work needed? And how do we do that?

  1. Get to know Him: We can spend a lifetime—and should spend our lifetime—getting to know God. He is deep and we are told to seek Him out and know His ways. This is something we need to do every day by reading the Bible and praying for understanding and wisdom. The closer we get to Him, and the more we understand Him, the stronger our relationship will be. 
  2. Put Him first: So many times we approach our faith with the idea of “what can God do for me?” Instead, we need to consider what we can do for Him. Ephesians 2:10 tells us God has a work prepared for us to do. In John 6:29, Jesus tells his disciples, …“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Believing in Jesus is a work we are called to do. We are also told to share the gospel. If we look to what God is asking us to do, our whole perspective changes from one of selfish desire—what can God do for me—to one of love and grace and outreach, a reflection of God.
  3. Love Him no matter what: God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want or arrange our lives in the manner we prefer. Sometimes, we don’t understand His ways at all. Yet, God is sovereign. His ways are perfect. He always has our best interest at heart. We need to realize we don’t see the whole picture, and to trust him to be right all the time. He will give us the peace we need for the moment and carry us through the tough times.

While first love is thrilling, love that continues through hard times and grows is even more lovely. It is lasting and fulfilling. It is a love to work for and fight for. A love worth the time and effort to build.

Whether you are just beginning your journey of love or have been in a relationship a long time, consider these points. For your earthly relationships and for your spiritual relationship with God. Take the time to let love grow.

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Nora Review of: Woman in Shadow

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Vicki Hinze

Woman in Shadow

By Carrie Stuart Parks

Published by:  Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 13, 2021

336 Pages

HashTag# Tragic Dramas, Romantic Suspense, Christian Mystery, Forensic linguist, Mule Shoe lodge

BACK COVER: Award-winning author Carrie Stuart Parks combines her expertise as a forensic artist with her talent for crafting a gripping story in this page-turning web of light and shadow. A woman off the grid.

Darby Graham thinks she’s on a much-needed vacation in remote Idaho to relax. But before she even arrives at the ranch, an earthquake strikes. Then a barn on the edge of town is engulfed in flames and strange problems at the ranch begin to escalate, and Darby finds herself immersed in a chilling mystery.

A town on fire. More fires erupt around town, and a serial arsonist sends taunting letters to the press after each. As a forensic linguist, this is Darby’s area of expertise . . . but the scars her work has caused her are also the reason she’s trying to escape her life. A growing darkness. 

NORA’S REVIEW: I like how this author quickly engages readers with her endearing characters and sweeps them onto a Ranch in the middle of nowhere. I enjoyed the mysteriously deadly situation in the hills as we meet Darby Graham, a woman trying to cope with PTSD (survived an unimaginable event) and is a forensic linguist. Not only that, but I’m always fascinated at how the author weaves her expertise as a forensic artist into her stories. It’s amazing what someone can discover when she delves into matters. I couldn’t put this fast-paced, intriguing story down. I loved how this author blends mystery, humor, suspense, and the hint of romance in the mix.

Deputy Bram White is aware of the problems at Mule Shoe Ranch, but he is also investigating a serial arsonist. After getting more information about Darby Graham, Bram listens to her analyses of the situation. He can’t overlook all the “accidents” that have happened at the Ranch in such a short time. Things could turn deadly if they aren’t careful. Deputy White and Darby Graham try to narrow down what they are looking for. Was it an arsonist who is also a killer, or was it a separate perpetrator altogether?

I enjoyed the splash of romance and how both wounded souls are trying to heal their hearts before they can go forward in the romance department. I enjoyed the plot twists and turns, and I liked how these two unlikely partners work together to fight crime. This is a fun standalone story and one that would work well for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. 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”

Nora St. Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!

The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

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Death, Be Not Proud by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 16, 2022 by jrcoggins

We all know it is inevitable. We know it is coming. But we never seem to be ready for it. It’s death. And Walter Wiens wants to change that. Not death. He can’t do much about that. But he can do something about our lack of preparation.

Walter has served as a chaplain at a correctional center and a health center, and for the past two decades he has been Pastor of Care Ministries at the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church, in Abbotsford, British Columbia. This is an aging congregation which is continually renewed with new retirees joining it. It has sometimes averaged a funeral a week. Walter discovered that in spite of this, many individuals and their families had made almost no preparations for funerals and other end-of-life issues until death intervened and they were thrust into making a host of decisions when they were often overwhelmed with grief.

Walter’s son followed his father into ministry and became pastor of another church. When a member of his new congregation died, the son realized that, like many young pastors, in all of his theological studies he had had no training in leading a funeral. He quickly phoned his father for help.

Walter felt led to respond to both issues by writing down what he had learned. The result was two books.

Preparing to Cross the Finish Line: A Guide to Help Families and Individuals with End-of-Life Issues and Funerals is a 166-page paperback which churches can give to families in need of guidance or that individuals and families can buy for themselves. It contains detailed instructions on the need to plan a funeral service, how to plan a funeral service, selecting a funeral home, the parts of a funeral service (viewing, flowers, donations in honor of a loved one, a eulogy and tributes, the presence of children, bulletins, music), and a burial service (including selecting coffins and pallbearers). But the book offers much more than this. It offers helpful instructions on dealing with family brokenness (which often surfaces during a funeral), restoring peace in families, and the need for community. It also contains chapters on dealing with issues of old age and declining health, on the role of seniors in a church, on reflecting on one’s life, and on preparing spiritually for heaven (which should begin long before old age and death). Each chapter closes with questions to encourage reflection and a prayer. The appendices include technical information on legal and financial matters, information on health issues, forms for funeral planning and for gathering financial and family information, and a list of other helpful books.

Preparing to Cross the Finish Line: A Guide to Help Families, Individuals and Pastors with End-of-Life Issues and Funerals is a 354-page hardcover book intended to serve as a manual for pastors. It includes everything that is in the book for families and individuals but also includes detailed information on how to pastor families and individuals as they prepare for and deal with their own death or the death of a loved one, a discussion on changes in funeral practices and the philosophies underlying them, many more details on planning funerals and burial services, advice about what to preach on and what not to preach on, guidance on handling a pastor’s own brokenness and limitations, and advice on handling difficult funerals (for victims of suicide or murder, for children, and for nonbelievers). It also contains further theological reflections on how people can be prepared for death and how they can be assured that they will reach heaven once they have “crossed the finish line.” This pastor’s guide is one that pastors will find useful over and over again throughout their ministry.

Both books are published under my own Mill Lake Books imprint, are distributed by Ingram, and are available through online retailers such as Amazon and bookstores throughout the world.

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