May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Proverbs 15:30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
I tucked Christmas away.
Every year, our home is donned with Christmas displays,
trees, and memories. I usually pull out all the treasured ornaments and décor around
Thanksgiving. By early January, I'm ready to take down the beauty of the season
and store it away for another year. Wednesday morning, the 4th day
of January, I unhooked the ornaments from the tree, wrapped them, and placed
them in the Christmas tote. Once the baubles were packed away, I unwound the
purple beaded garland, then pulled the plug on the lights, the last remnant of
the holiday. When the colorful bulbs turned off, I felt a little tug of sadness.
Those little twinklers brought me joy.
When they glowed in various colors, they reminded me of why
I celebrate His birth—
Shades of pink—He came as a sweet babe
Green—He's
everlasting
Yellow—He's
the light of the world
Red—His
blood shed on the cross
Blue—everlasting
life in heaven
Proverbs 15:30 reminds me to put my sadness away and
remember the true light. Jesus came to earth to bring hope. His good news offers
peace. When my heart is at peace, the rest of my body feels better.
As Christmas is put away and the new year begins, I choose
to look to Jesus as the source of my joy and peace. He loves me more than I
understand. I'm a broken human being filled with hope because the King of Kings
who came as the only perfect person, loved me enough to die a harsh death on
the cross, then gloriously rise to life.
Jesus is grace. He forgives and loves like no other.
Begin this new year looking to Jesus.
Book Description:
In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live
out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison
Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound
paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship.
However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is
believed to heal any disease.
When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she
believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince
her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses
the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles.
Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they
will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back
into the past to find it for them.
My Thoughts:
I've read both of Jody Hedlund's Waters of Time books. Book 1, Come Back to
Me and book 2 Never Leave Me are both such interesting and
fascinating stories. They should be read in order. Hedlund's imagination and
research meet up and explode into stories I would never have dreamed of. The
whole concept of time-travel seems so out of reach, yet she writes with such
authority, I wanted to believe Ellen and Harrison could make the journey. With
danger lurking and incredible circumstances, Ellen draws courage from within as
Harrison's faith carries them through the unbelievable. I received a
complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.
Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave
birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
When a baby is placed in my arms; I feel giddy.
Twelve years ago, on December 22, Sara gave birth to our
grandson, Elijah Duncan. He spent his first Christmas in the hospital with his
mom and dad. When we stopped by on the twenty-fifth to celebrate the holiday,
we found him swaddled in his baby blanket and cuddled in his mother's arms. I
couldn't wait to get my hands on him.
What a blessing that Christmas was.
Imagine the wonder Mary felt when she held baby Jesus. As a
mother, I know what incredible joy a new baby brings. Consider this—the
baby Mary held grew to be the man who became King of Kings, the One who
sacrificed His perfect life to forgive sin. Because of Jesus I have the hope of
heaven. All He asked of me was to believe, have faith, repent, be baptized, and
obey.
Every day I seek Him and ask Him for guidance. The Holy
Spirit gives me wisdom and clarity, but my part is seeking, listening, and
obeying. I love Jesus and thank Him for forgiving my sins and loving me so
much.
As we celebrate this beautiful season of love and giving,
focus on the One whose life started as a babe in a manger and grew to be the
man who would give his life for us all. The words, "Jesus loves me this I
know," come to mind when I think about Jesus. He loves us and wants us to
love Him and believe in Him.
Believe, this Christmas, in Jesus.
Book Description:
In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in
Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth
convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings
family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.
Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop.
Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of
peddling the ÒliesÓ the Claddagh Ring promises.
Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent
the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their
displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she
and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as
barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of
friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the
refiner's fire.
Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the
enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.
My Thoughts:
I love reading Jennifer Deibel's books. She pulls me into the story and allows
me to live in Ireland for a bit. This story was particularly appealing to me
because of the Claddagh ring. My daughter brought me one from Scotland, and I
wear it to remind me of God's love for me. In the book, Stephen shares the
history of the ring with Annabeth, and it's simply beautiful. And I love
Annabeth's character, because she's so unexpected for her time and position in her
life. Stephen is a bit brooding but lovable. Deibel's historical details show
how unsettling life was for the Irish and how Annabeth's family grew to
understand their plight. The romance just adds to the beauty of this story. This
is a lovely story filled with hope in the midst of difficulty. If you enjoy
Irish stories or historical romance, you'll enjoy The Lady of Galway Manor. I
received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review
are completely my own.
Matthew
1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was
pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found
to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful
to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had
in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he
had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home
as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy
Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name
Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
An important decision requires consideration.
I had dreamed
about retiring and pursuing writing for years. When the time neared for me to
take the retirement years seriously, Tim and I contemplated what that would
look like. We took into account my health, benefits my job offered, the practicality of me
no longer working outside our home, and of course our income. We prayed about
the decision for me to retire early and thought about what that would mean for
our family. I'm thankful God saw fit for us to move forward with our plans and
provide Tim with work and me with writing opportunities.
Joseph was a
man who considered the needs of his wife-to-be, Mary. When he learned she was
pregnant, he didn't jump to conclusions. He could have broken the engagement in
haste, instead he contemplated his options. He prayed and pondered about what
was best for Mary and for him. Before he made his final decision, God sent an
angel to assure him. You see, God chose Mary to give birth to Jesus, and He
also chose Joseph to be Jesus' father on earth. God knew Joseph's heart. He
found Joseph to be a man of faith who considered what was best for the people
he loved. God knew Joseph would do the same for Jesus.
God is in
the details of my life, and He knows my heart. He hears me, sees me, and
understands me. He has given me the beautiful gift of prayer to guide me as I reflect
on decisions and life's choices.
Joseph
trusted God with the decisions he made. God trusted Joseph with His Son.
Trust God and give Jesus your heart this Christmas.
Luke 1:35-38
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be
called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have
a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is
in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to
me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
I love holding and rocking babies.
In 2009, we were thrilled to find out we'd have three grandbabies
born. Max arrived in October, Eli in time for Christmas, and Zeke the following
January. Our hearts overflowed with joy as we met each of these baby boys. As a
grandma, I fell in love with them, just as I had my own babies. The boys have
or will soon turn twelve, and they are lights in our lives. All so different
from one another, yet so precious.
The mamas got to share in the joy and challenges of carrying
a child, at the same time. Sisters, Sara and Maggie, expected Eli and Zeke with
only five weeks separating their birth. What an exciting time for this grandma.
Cousins, Elizabeth and Mary, shared the experience of pregnancy
and childbirth. Wow were their circumstances exceptional. Elizabeth was
considered old, yet God blessed her with a child. Mary was a young virgin, yet
God gave her a baby. Their stories are unusual and perhaps hard to believe. Yet
the writers of the Bible tell the stories with clarity, truth, and hope.
I love Mary's humility as she accepts the angel's
pronouncement. "For no word from God will ever fail." Her response
says it all, "I am the Lord's servant." Mary believed. She trusted
God and put her faith in front of her fear because she knew God never fails.
Can you imagine being in Mary's circumstance? Would people
ridicule her? Would they punish her? She had more at stake than we might today.
The Jewish laws were strict, and she could be severely punished for being unwed
and pregnant. But she put her faith before her fear and trusted God with her
life.
Elizabeth was old and her husband made mute before John the
Baptist was born. Did Elizabeth hide with embarrassment or did she trust? She
believed God blessed her, and she jumped with joy. She too put faith before
fear.
This Christmas as we celebrate Jesus, put faith before fear
and share about the babe who grew to be a man. Not just any man, but Jesus the Savior
of this broken world.
Have the hard conversations and talk about the hope we have
in Jesus.
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all
generations.
We've celebrated Thanksgiving, and Christmas is coming.
Another holiday season has rolled around. Thanksgiving Day
we were blessed to spend time with some of our family, something we didn't get
to do last year. Nieces and nephews have grown by leaps and bounds, as have our
grandchildren. As usual on this holiday, too much food went into my mouth, but
my goodness it was yummy.
As I looked around the room and visited with folks, I thanked
God for the opportunity to spend time together. Something I'd taken for granted
before the pandemic. I also loved meeting my niece's puppies and seeing my mom
cuddle with one. The day satisfied in so many ways.
I know the holidays, along with joy, can bring stress and
busyness.
As I prepare my heart for the Christmas season, I want
nothing more than to focus on the reason we celebrate. Yes, I love the
decorations, the music, the movies, and the food, but more than anything, I
love Jesus and the reason He came.
Jesus fulfilled the prophets' words in the Old Testament by
being born of a virgin, in a manger. That sweet babe grew into the man who gave
His life for our freedom from sin. He's the reason we celebrate.
As you decorate the tree, thank God for the beauty He
created—as
you sing a carol, praise the Lord for his love and mercy—as you shop for gifts, pray
for the recipient— and every day, recognize the grace we have because of
Jesus. Let's roll from the Thanksgiving season into Christmas with a grateful heart.
Book
Description:
This gripping new novel from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense
author Colleen Coble will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very
last page.
A
wealthy hotel heiress.
Even though
Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, she’s happy to
arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll
Island.
A suspicious death.
But when
Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows it is more than a
tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming
by choice.
A fight for
the truth.
Torie goes
to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe
Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.
The more
Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. One thing is clear:
someone will risk anything—even more murder—to keep their secrets buried.
My Thoughts:
Gripping is right. Coble is a master at writing suspense that keeps you reading
and sticks with you after the story ends. Torie takes on her own undercover
assignment, even though she's not law enforcement. Joe, without knowing her
true identity, helps Torie search for the reason her best friend died; all
while protecting his daughter. I enjoyed A Stranger's Game and the twists
and turns that finally led to the killer. Colleen Coble's writing wraps you in
the story and leaves you breathless by the end. If you enjoy great suspense,
you'll want to read A Stranger's Game. I received a complimentary
copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2 Corinthians 3:15-17
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But
whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the
Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
The children waved flags in their honor.
 |
| Mrs. Blankenship's art classes made this beautiful flag. |
On Veteran's Day, I had the privilege to watch the program
the school put on to honor the men and women who served in the military. The
children lined the halls and waved flags and the vets marched around the school.
The scene brought back memories of an old-fashioned, small-town celebration. After
the march, the children gathered in the gym. My daughter, Sara, sang The
National Anthem, then the men spoke about their time in the military. A
student from each class got to ask a question and hear the responses. I admit
at times I had tears and chills.
One of the gentlemen in the group was a very special guest. Former Superintendent William Bick, who the school is named for, spoke to the students. At ninety-eight years old, he told them he served in WW2. What a treasure to have met this honorable veteran.
All the veterans who spoke represented the freedom they
fought for and the safety they defended for our country. They gave their time
to protect our freedom.
My dad served in WW2, my husband as an Air Force Reservist,
my brothers in the National Guard. I've always had great respect for our
military.
Our American freedom is not the only freedom we have.
Believers and followers of Jesus hold a freedom that can never be taken away. When
we receive the Holy Spirit, we also gain freedom from sin through repentance, freedom to live a
life following the Savior, and freedom from the world. No matter what goes on
around me, I know Jesus is with me and He comforts me.
I thank God for the veterans and military persons who serve,
and I thank God for the One who gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus loves us so much. He wants us to have the freedom He offers, the freedom
to love, forgive, and hope.
On Thanksgiving, give thanks for our military and for Jesus,
the one who sets us free.
