Christmas

So.... How was everyone's Christmas?

I have to say that mine was half decent, but this year it has not felt like Christmas at all. It is the strangest thing! It makes someone begin to really think about it. Why does it not feel like Christmas? I had to think about this, and I just realized it now. It is because it is no longer about Christ.

Did any of you know the real meaning of Merry Christmas? It is so often misunderstood. So many believe it is about Santa Claus, or about some guy name Scrooge. And the worst part, they are now changing the holiday name. Look around, any store, they will say happy holidays. The signs say the same thing. The trees are called holiday trees, not Christmas trees, and why is that? They are trying to hide what Christmas is really about.

The real meaning of the phrase Merry Christmas means the joyful and anxious return of the savior of the world Jesus Christ. Not some story about wisemen and shepherds and a baby with animals, but the savior of the world. Yes that is a part of the story, but Jesus didn't come so we could say that there was a baby in a manger, he came so we could proclaim to the world that he had saved us through his death. The two parts of the story should be put together. Yes, each season has a specific reason for the celebration, and yes Christmas was about Jesus' birth, but I have even found for myself that I forget the ultimate reason and just say that he was a baby born from a virgin because God decided to send his son to earth. Now I am sorry, but that sounds ridiculous if you don't give the rest of the story.

Now I know that I just talked about not doing this already, but I am going to post the Christmas story according to Luke 2, and I want you to really think about it. I am 17 years old and I have grown up with this story. But I so often forget to really think about this story. Read and absorb. :D

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up form Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with his espoused wife, being great with child. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 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. 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. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."  - Luke 2:1-20

Mine is the Night

Recently, for my daily devotions, I was studying Ruth, and I found it ironic that the day after I finished Ruth I picked up Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs. Those of you that have read it, you will understand what I am saying, and if you haven't I recommend that you read it.

Mine is the Night


A beautiful story of young widow returning home with her widowed mother-in-law and begging for assistance from family members from 10 years past. It is a story of hope and love and survival. When they arrive they find that even Anne has little money to live off of herself, let alone support two other people. It is not long after Elizabeth is forced to sew for money, that people begin to question Elizabeth's husband's past and shun her for it. Will Elizabeth's job be enough to support them, or will they be required to look for another higher paying job? When Elizabeth let's her heart get tangled, will anything come of it, or will it just be broken once again by one she loves? Join Liz Higgs on this journey of love and survival in Scotland, in a time of judgement and distrust.

Honestly, I could not put this book down, and if you have read the story of Ruth, you will understand the correspondence of Ruth and Elizabeth in the novel. I recommend that you read it and find out for yourself, but I give this book a 4 out of 5, so maybe it isn't such a bad read after all :)

Like Dandelion Dust

I just finished watching an absolutely amazing movie! The title is "Like Dandelion Dust". I don't know if any of you have seen the movie or read the book, but both are absolutely amazing.

It was jam packed with lots of scenes of frustration and tears and you could feel the tension and pain as two families struggled to keep their little boy. The question I kept asking myself is what would I do. At times you may be frustrated with the adopted family, wondering why they are doing the things they are doing, but somehow I could see what they were trying to do. I recommend you check this movie out. Honestly I cried through 3/4 of it and I am not a 'crier' by definition. The only thing I did not like was that God was not the center of the movie as he was in the book, but I guess you can't appease everyone.

Anyways. I just recommend that you check it out because it may change your life.

Busy

Have any of you ever noticed how busy life can get? Well, that happened to me recently. I just started going to Columbia Bible College, situated in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Now I have to say I am enjoying every single minute of it, but it leaves me with so little free time! I am hoping that I will be able to have some free time in the future, but as of now my schedule is pretty jam packed!

Since I am so busy, I haven't even read very many books! This has been one of the first times in my life where it takes me two weeks to finish a book! So shocking I know! But since I am reading so much for school, I don't think it counts. Something I have found invigorating is that I have started to read my bible more. I mean, yes I read it for devotions in the morning if I remembered, but now I am reading it by hunks and chapters! It is so interesting if you actually read it. I think it is just getting around the fact that there are so many books and pages to read that distract us.

How much do you read your bible? I have to admit, that before I came here my bible reading was pretty lacking. I would do my devoitiosn for like two weeks and then life would get in the way and I wouldn't do it again for a couple of weeks. This has been going on since forever. Even though I have such little time now, I am actually picking up my bible in anticipation for what God is going to teach me. Some of my friends can't understand how I can read a couple chapters for school every day and still want to my devotions as well. It is easy, God is teaching me. I don't want to read my bible because I have to for school, but because I genuinely want to. That is what is going on now.

I am a little sad that I have so little time to read novels, but I am finding that reading my bible is more satisfactory than the books. This doesn't mean that I am speaking against novels, because I love them! It is just that the Bible is the most important book and we can't ignore it because we want to read something else, even if we say it is ok because it is a Christian novel. It doesn't work that way. So I am challenging you, how many of you are actually reading your bible if you are a Christian? How many actually put time away in their day to focus on God and not on their family situation, or their job? It is important to get away sometimes, and I believe that when I do my devotions, my day seems brighter. I get less worried about what I am going through and just trust that God will bring it to pass. That doesn't mean that I don't think about it, or that I stop working towards solving the issue, but that I don't just rely on myself. That is way too draining and we weren't made to work like that.


So, how dusty is your bible??

Give-away

Once again K. Dawn Byrd is having a couple giveaways on her blog.

Below I have pasted a portion of the give-away facts on the books. I recommend you go check it out. Free books are not something you should turn down. Follow the link below to check out her blog:

http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/

Register to win a copy of Sam Batterman's "Maximal Reserve"

Title: Maximal Reserve
Publisher: Deep River

Cover blurb: WHAT IF OIL ISN’T SCARCE? A secret that can change the balance of the world’s power and finance in a moment is known by the most unlikely of people—and he’s only been employed for a week.

Philip Channing was just an ambitious college graduate who wanted to make his mark on the world. He didn’t know that mark would be the greatest oil discovery of all time—in the wrong place. Philip finds the largest oil reserve in history, a reserve that dwarfs the lucrative reserves in Saudi Arabia and threatens to change the world’s balance of power and wealth in favor of the most unlikely country of all.

But Phil isn’t the only one who’s discovered the reserve—and an alliance of crooked politicians and European terrorists will do anything to keep it secret.

Register to win a copy of Jayne Pearson Faulkner's "The Place of Belonging"

Title: The Place of Belonging
Publisher: Deep River Books

Cover blurb: This elegantly written story is told from the eyes of a child of a single mother, set in the 1940's in Big Sky Montana. Humorous yet bracingly honest, The Place of Belonging stirs our basis feelings of wanting to belong somewhere and to someone. Beautifully and simply told, The Place of Belonging takes the reader on an uforgettable step back in time, a place many will recognize. [“This emotionally satisfying book reads like prose. It is one of the best books we have ever published, and certainly, that I have ever read.” Nancie Carmichael, DRB Publisher, and bestselling author. ]

Register to win a pdf copy of Marianne Evans' "Hearts Communion"

Title: Hearts Communion
Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Cover blurb: Jeremy “JB” Edwards dreams of one thing: Having a loving wife and children of his own. Not a surprising ambition, since he was raised at the heart of a large, tight-knit family. Monica Kittelski spends her days at Sunny Horizons Daycare Center pouring her heart and faith into other people’s children. But Monica harbors one impossible dream: Having children of her own someday. JB and Monica seem the perfect match, but what will come of their electric, sassy relationship when Jeremy learns of Monica's infertility? Hopes and reality collide when they must confront the idea of finding God's plan and following His will when a dearest hope is destined to remain unfulfilled. Can these two loving, passionate hearts survive a communion of dreams and reality?

Surrender the Dawn by MaryLu Tyndall

I just finished reading and I am sitting here numb. With every book of MaryLu Tyndall's that is published, there seems to be a better story line, more defined characters, and more of a biblical pull. 

Luke and Cassandra are so much like me, and everyone else our there. They have flaws, but in the end they embrace those flaws and five them to God rather than use them as a barrier to stand in between us and a relationship. 

Whether the thought of someone we loved leaving, causing us to doubt in God, or our own failures staring us in the face, God shines through. We can all find forgiveness, no matter how bad our sins are. This was shown beautifully in this novel. 

The romance to me seemed real, I felt the connection. The pain they felt I could feel lashing through my chest. A stunning novel, one that I will read many times over.  

If any woman thinks that she won't fall for Luke Heaton it is Cassandra Channing. Little does she know that God is at work. When she is forced to see if she can find someone to be her privatere. Unfortutely, the only man willing to even listen to her is Luke. The town rogue. Luke desperately wants to please Cassandra and assist her family out of the situation that has befallen them. When he is forced to lie to protect the ones he loves most, will Cassandra find out and turn him away, or will she do everything she can to assist him. Read the newest Tyndall high seas novel, Surrender the Dawn, to find out what happens next.

Why!!??!!!?!

This summer I have been staying with my grandparents in Saskatchewan, helping them clean up the yard. It all started that I needed a job and they needed the help, so out I came. I have to say that I have had so much fun this summer, but it has also had some trying moments.

For example, my grandpa has Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. If any of you don't know what that means, well, in short form, you forget memories and you forget the purpose for something. People with dementia have problems with memories, perception, emotion issues, cognitive skills, and speech. The sad thing is, for both of these there is nothing that can be done to help, just wait and hope that the pills you are taking are helping.

Everyday I see him fall further and further down the rabbit hole. He wont know what some tool is for, or how to say something. Often times you are left standing there while he struggles with his words and you just want to push them out. Yesterday we were cleaning the garden and I was picking all of the Fat Hen, which is a weed that can reproduce off of a single leaf. My grandpa was attempting to assist me but he was trying to pull them out with a huge spade and was therefore loosing them and covering up other ones at the same time. It took half an hour to convince him to let me do it by myself, but then he insisted on helping me find them. He would point at the weeds and I would pull them out. Only he didn't know which ones were Fat Han. He has been weeding this particular weed since he was a little kid and at the age of 86 he didn't know which one it was. The day before this he said he was 96 and that his wife was 33, which is completely inaccurate.

The thing that saddens me the most is that he used to be so smart. My grandma cries a lot because she misses him. It almost never is him anymore.

I keep asking myself why him? Why should he be the one that looses almost everything he holds dear? It is almost never fair in life, and everyone knows that, but still we ask that most important question. Why. So often people wonder and wonder, and I think that to find the answer people have to turn to God for the answers. Yes bad things happen, but that doesn't mean that God caused them to happen, our bad choices did. When it wasn't our choices or even any one elses, it just shows the frailty of life. Our human bodies are not made to last forever, and this is due to our sin in the Garden of Eden. We are fragile. We break down. Just because someone gets a disease, doesn't mean that it is because they did something bad to deserve it. It could be caused by the bad air due to pollution, or just nature. God allows stuff to happen to teach us a lesson, but that doesn't mean that he wants us to get hurt.

He loves us dearly, and I have found that in the hardest trials, that the stories of Job and to Lamentations are a great help. They are the stories of sorrow and sadness. Of suffering and pain. There are in the bible for a reason. To give us hope, and to let us not feel like God is cruel or that it is all our fault. Lean on God, even in the hard times and you will find strength.


"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will rund and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." - Isaiah 40:31