This afternoon I decided to test out the new dehydrator I got for Christmas. Chris (13) really loves beef jerky so I thought I’d try it out. I mixed 2 lbs. of ground beef, squeezed it out through the handy little tube and plugged it in. It said to check it every hour, soaking up the grease and turning. So I set the timer. An hour later I went down stairs and looked at the dehydrator.  It wasn’t on. I knew when I plugged it in I heard it turn on and felt the heat, but no heat, no motor churning.

So I changed plugs thinking maybe the outlet wasn’t working and looked through all the information which said to switch it on. But there was no switch. I called the company. They were off for the holiday and the website was no help. With no where else to turn and 2 lbs of raw meet waiting, I called a dehydrating friend. But she’s never made beef jerky and has one of those $200 dollar machines. Not the Nesco $40 Walmart brand I bought. But she said I could put it in the oven at 120 degrees. Mine would only let me set it as low as 170.

I transfered all the strips to the oven pans and everything looks great. I’ve been turning them and patting them every hour, and I’m hoping they’ll be ready before midnight.

Has anyone else had experience with dehydrating beef jerky in the oven. Did I do it right and is it safe to eat? I sure don’t want my family waking up sick on New Years Day because I made some bad jerky!

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I’m not sure all the books I read in 2007, but I always keep the ones I love. The ones whose plot keep me turning the page and whose characters stay with me long after I close the book. So here they are. I’m sure all of these are in my book store, so if you like suspense, mystery and thrillers then I got some good ones for you. Some of these have a little romance or humor. If you want to find out more about these books I suggest you do a search in my sidebar for the title. I don’t have time to link to all these posts. And now in no particular order…

Nobody by Creston Mapes

Bad Idea (YA) by Todd & Jedd Hafer

Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins
Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins

Hazardous Duty by Christy Barrit

Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney

Showdown by Tedd Dekker

Snitch by Rene Gutterdige
My Life as a Door Mat by Rene Gutteridge

Hollywood Nobody (YA) by Lisa Samson

Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman (Historical Romance but so well written for a first novel I had to throw it in)

I’d love to see your top picks for 2007 so if you do a post like this please let me know!

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As if I didn’t have enough things to do today, the day before Christmas, I decided to write a meme. (As if you had nothing else to do, but play along.) But in the days after Christmas, when things have settled down and life is sweet, I’d love to hear your answers.

Confession: After writing up the questions, I’m a little reluctant to answer. So for all you brave of heart, have at it!

To play along just copy this meme, along with this link back here, and invite others to join along. I’d love to see how far this meme reaches!

If your life was a book, what Genre would it be and why?

Definitely Women’s Fiction. With childhood divorce and insecurities, a wacky, yet lovable dysfunctional family all set in NY, what else could it be…besides a Janet Evanovich comedy.

Would it be a stand alone or a series?

Hum, I’m already stumped at my own question. I definitely see a generational series. Something like writing the stories of my grandmother, mother, sister, myself. All women’s fiction with similar themes.

What would the title of your life’s book be?

Another tough question , I thought about The Pursuit of Happiness, but that’s already been taken, then there’s Sin’s of Thy Father, think that one’s been overdone, how about Roses are Red? I can definitely write a series using that as a first title.

What’s the spiritual theme of your book?

No matter how much we crave attention and unconditional love from those around us, only Jesus is able to give us the love and acceptance we desire and need.

What would your goal be?

To be accepted and loved, unconditionally.

What’s the motivation for your goal?

A series of rejections in life from childhood divorce, to losing good friends, boyfriends, etc.

Who’s your hero?

I’ve never written Women’s fiction and not sure if there HAS to be a certain person as a hero. But I’d have little heroes along the way like my 7th grade Math teacher who invited me to his Baptist church. My Assemblies of God Youth Pastor among others.

But underneath the surface, my hero would be Jesus.

What’s your conflict?

I haven’t fully grasped the concept that Christ is the one who should fill this need in my life, and I still crave acceptance and unconditionally love from others.

Who’s your antagonist?

My self, members of my family.

Where are you in your life’s book? (The beginning, middle, end, have you reached your black moment, are you into your resolution?)

I’m past the black moment. At least in the first couple of books in the series, but I see a new book/chapter opening up with my mom moving to town. There might be some issues that need to be worked out between mom, sister and me. That should make for interesting reading!

Is there a happy ending?

Definitely! Just not sure how it all ends…yet.

And now what is a Meme without a tag:

Georgianna

Rachel Anne @ Home Sanctuary

Tricia Goyer

Mary at Homesteeped Hope

Heather @ L’Chaim

Katrina @ Callapidder Days

Beck @ Frog and Toad 

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To edit the heck out of my WIP! I have a fool proof plan to get three hours of uninterrupted writing each day during break.

Relax and read

Put some photos in albums, scrapbook… (yes, I’m being vague about this because as I type I’m not wanting to stress about the stacks of photos, cds, and albums that have been neglected for months…)

Clean up a bit (Okay, I’ll be more specific. How about get my desks in order. I think I have four and they’re all a mess so it’s a pretty big goal. An even bigger goal is keeping them clean.)

Enjoy my family

Spend less time on the internet

I think that’s a pretty good start!

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It’s hard to believe it’s over. It really didn’t feel like it began. Except for the Christmas caroling Christmas Eve and the shrimp I deveined, it didn’t feel like Christmas this year. We spent Christmas alone as usually and had our fun candle light family dinner playing the Minister’s cat afterward. Then we brought gifts to our 80 year old neighbors (our favorite neighbors) and did “What God Wants for Christmas.” A new interactive manger set.

We really don’t do up Santa Claus, we never did but Grace (5) still believes. When I probed her further about what she believes she said “I believe in Santa. He’s in Heaven with Jesus.” She knows the true story of St. Nick.

Then she went on to say, “The real Santa choked and died.”

I asked her who dropped all the gifts down the chimney. (I know, not helping the kid with her confused beliefs.)

She said, “Jesus does!”

And there you have it!

Christmas morning we did our traditional retelling of Jesus’ birth, then like the wise men looking for Jesus, we had the kids find their gifts. Thankfully Chris (13) helped us hide all the gifts. I’d like to say all the kids were perfectly happy and grateful for all their gifts, but Grace (5) hardly smiled as she opened one after the other. She later told hubby “I didn’t get anything on my list.” Who knew she had a list. Everything she saw on TV she said she wanted so I went with my gut. Of course, later she enjoyed her toys. Especailly the one she did pick out. A Princess Ps2 game. She’s been playing it non-stop all day, except for when her brothers wanted to play their game!

Back to it never really feeling like Christmas. Since I’ve grown and given my life to Christ, every day I try to focus on Jesus so it rarely feels like Christmas anymore, especially without the family gatherings, dressing up and hoopla. We usually spend Christmas alone. Which isn’t bad, it’s just not festive. So far this year, we haven’t watched White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street (B&W version) or It’s a Wonderful Life yet. (Maybe that’s the trouble.) But I think the real reason is as a parent, I try hard and work my tail off to trying to make it Christmasy. I never get to sit down and rest because I’m trying too hard to make it Christmas, I just never let it be Christmas.

Maybe one day I’ll learn!

How was your Christmas?

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(c) Gina Conroy
October 25, 1990

I wrote this Christmas song over 15 years ago. Though you won’t be able to hear the tune over the internet, may the words reach down deep into your soul!

A Gift From Above

Little eyes full of compassion
Little hands that would grow strong
Little heart full of love and tenderness
that would right all of man’s wrong.

Who would have guessed such a little baby
could be a great gift from above.
How generous was the giver?
How great was His love?

What was it like to leave your mighty throne?
To come down to a desolate land and walk alone?
What were you thinking, how great was your love?
To leave your Heavenly home above?

Eyes full of forgiveness.
Hands stretched upon the cross.
A heart carrying all our sin
and paying the final cost.

Who would have guessed that the Lord
would give his life for me.
And what greater gift was there to give
then his blood upon that tree.

What was it like to leave your mighty throne?
To come down to a desolate land and walk alone?
What were you thinking, how great was your love?
I’m glad you left your home above!

May the true spirit of Christmas reign in your heart today and always!

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Years ago I started something with my children that has now turned into a Christmas tradition. We write letters to Jesus.

I started writing these letters out of a desire to give a gift to Jesus on Christmas. After all, it is HIS birthday.

When my kids were too little to write, I wrote for them and let them draw a picture and sign their name. Here’s a sample of my 13 year old’s first Jesus letter when he was four. (I did have to prompt him to think about what he was thankful for.)

Dear King Jesus,

I love you King Jesus. Thank you for my toys my grandma gave me. Happy birthday Jesus. I’m so glad it’s Christmas. Thank you for being in my heart. Thank you Jesus for I was a baby and you made me. Please Jesus let me have baby Sabrina. (I was pregnant with Timmy at the time and that was our girl name.)

Love,

Chris

There’s no set day we write these letters, but on Christmas Eve we all find a quiet corner, get down our Christmas stockings where we put our “presents” for Jesus and read the letters we’ve written over the years. (I started writing my own letters a few years ago.) They boys really get a kick out of the ones they wrote when they were little and it’s really neat to see how much they’ve grown in their relationship with Jesus from one Christmas to the next.

So if you’re looking for a new Christmas tradition, why not write a letter to Jesus tonight. And if you’re reading this after Christmas, don’t put it off until the next year. Start your letter now, and tuck it away in a safe place, so you can pull it out and read it again next year.

I don’t think Jesus will mind getting a belated birthday present!

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There has been a lot of controversy over The Golden Compass written by Philip Pullman, a self proclaimed and proud atheist, who’s mission with his books has been to lead children away from God. But should we boycott the film? That’s a personal decision. A gray area even some Christians don’t fully agree on. It reminds me of the whole Pokemon, Harry Potter issues.

Long ago I allowed my children to watch Pokemon. Hey, I really enjoyed it! Then stories abounded about symbolism to witch craft, though I couldn’t see it. I thought it was a great little show that had good things to teach kids about responsibility and caring for other and the consequences of wrong decisions. But it wasn’t long before I caved to pressure and decided to be safe than sorry. I truly didn’t want my children watching something that would be harmful to them spiritually and that might offend God.

When Harry Potter first came out, my kids were still too young to join the crazy. Then they got older and went to a Christian school. Harry Potter wasn’t much of an issue for them. But for me, I was torn. So was the Christian community. Many Christian writers and book lovers raved over the books. I admit I was curious, but to this date I have not read a Harry Potter book, though I plan to. I’m not opposed to my children reading them, some day. But like with everything else we allow our children to seen and do, we need to be discerning and know when they are ready. Right now they are happy with reading Christian authors like Bryan Davis and Donita Paul and their dragon series and I feel good about letting them read Christian fiction.

Off on a little tangent here…I do believe as parents we can shelter our children too much. I have friends who don’t let their children watch any Disney movies. Not even Cars. Now it might be a boycott principle thing, but I can’t see anything harmful in that movie. Then there are the Christian who gasp at old tv shows like Bewitched or I Dream of Jeanie. I absolutely loved those shows growing up and tried many times to wiggle my nose to clean my room. It never worked! To me it was all about the fun and the story. Not the witch craft, though I understand that can be harmful and I’m discerning about these things with my kids.

Thanks to not having cable, I’ve avoided those viewing issues with my children, but have let them indulge in That’s So Raven on Saturdays. (I actually think I like watching it better then they do.) I also have a good friend who doesn’t let her children watch movies with Martial Arts in it because of the Eastern Religion influence. Not even Three Ninjas which is a cute, funny, and innocent as you can get, with a great moral to boot! But I respect and understand all their decisions. I just don’t believe in sheltering my kids that much. I believe everything has a teachable moment. We just need to be sure our children can handle what they are seeing and be willing to talk about it afterwards.

On the other hand, I gasp at the fact that my children’s cousins have been allowed to watch Pirates of the Caribbean and other movies like that at as young as five. I do draw the line at dark, evil and sinister, especially with the under 13 crowd. Though I admit I fail at my own advice and convictions from time to time. I’ve held off on movies like Transformers and Superman III because of the violence, though recently lost this battle with my 13 year old with encouragement from his father (and peer pressure, “all his friends have seen them.”) I guess it’s those times I should be praying more and worrying less!

Back the the Golden Compass. I have no plans to let my children see this film, though I may steal away to a movie theatre just to see what it’s all about. I’m not afraid to expose my children to things that are anti-God or different, religion wise. I think from these things children can learn and grow, especially if you discuss things afterwards with them. Instead of sheltering them from these “harmful” things, I believe it could actually help solidify and strengthen their own faith. But again I stress, for me the key is discernment, dialog and bringing it back to Christ. Even some critiques of the Golden Compass say Pullman has failed in his mission because the light filters through the cracks in this movie. But isn’t that just like God to take something man meant for evil and use it for good!

If you want to read some great articles on The Golden Compass and this topic of boycotting follow the links below. And don’t be shy to express your thoughts. Even if they are contrary to mine! Through sharing we all learn and grow! And please add your links if you have some more info. to share.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fearnotthecompass.html

ttp://lookingcloser.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/the-golden-compass-questions-ive-been-asked-answers-ive-given/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414315643/ref%3Dcm_rna_own_review_prod
Follow the link and read Terry Whalin’s review at the bottom.

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Flu and cold season is already upon us. So far we’ve been able to avoid the Flu. In fact, we’ve avoided it for years most likely because I’m a germaphobic, but not in an ODC kind of way.

We use germX every time we leave the grocery store and before we eat. My kids don’t need to be reminded to wash their hands, in fact they police their friends and listen for the water running when their friends are using our bathroom. If they don’t hear the water, the kid is “reminded” to wash their hands.

Despite our aversion to germs, Grace has caught a couple of things this year. So when I heard Heidi Murkoff, the What to Expect When Your Expecting author, was helping to spread the work about having a healthy home, I wanted to hear what she had to say!

I LOVED the first line. “Here’s some good news that might surprise you: Your house is cleaner than you think.” Well, she hasn’t been to my house lately!

The guide is full of stress free ways to make your home healthier and encourages us to use what I already use: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. I use them for everything from wiping sinks, to the toilets. They’re quick and easy and disposable, my favorite feature! I buy them by the threes at Sam’s.

Here are just some of the great tips:

Germs breed in bathroom towels. Assign everyone their own towel.

Close the toilet when you flush. Water vapor and toilet contents ERUPT every time you flush. Thinking about changing that toothbrush you leave out?

There may be more germs in your car than the bathroom. Has she been looking in my car?

Three second rule myth! If it falls on the ground at home, it’s relatively safe (though since we got a dog I wouldn’t eat off of any surface), but outside, it’s a definite NO! Think of all the dogs and people and gunk on their shoes which walked over the surface you just ate off of. Germs only need a second to attach to your food. In fact, every time my family gets home from a road trip (think, the most disgusting public restrooms EVER, I make them take off their shoes outside and I spray them down. I don’t even allow shoes to be worn in the house. The thought of the stuff you step in getting on my carpet grosses me out.

One of the only things I don’t agree with in this guide it to get the flu shot. My family hasn’t gotten the flu shot or the flu in years. We eat right, take our vitamins and wash, wash, wash. I’m just not crazy about getting injected with all the other junk they put in vaccines. I did my homework once and some vaccines are full of Mercury. Not good for anyone!

Okay, found another thing I don’t totally agree with. They say not to worry so much about public restroom germs. WHAT? Have you seen some of the public restrooms lately. They are nasty. That’s why I mastered the squat years ago and cringe every time I have  put paper on the toilet for Grace (boys are so much easier) and I just hate it when her pants and underwear rub up against the toilet! Though according to this guide, there’s not too much danger in public restroom germs.

To download this health guide go to www.clorox.com/healthierlives.

So what are some ways you’re OCD about germs and keeping healthy?

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Tracey Bateman is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including Defiant Heart, the First in the Westeard Hearts series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and recently served on the board as President. She loves in Lebanon, Montana, with her husband and their four children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the second book in the Westward Hearts trilogy, will the promise of a new life out west heal the scars of Toni’s past?

This series tells the stories of three strong women as they struggle to survive on the rough wagon train and lose their hearts to unlikely heroes along the way/ Thin Little House on the Prairie meets Francine river’s Redeeming Love and you begin to get a sense of the riveting historical series that Tracey Bateman has created.

In this second installment, we follow Toni Rodden, a former prostitute who sought to escape her past and build a new life, and a new reputation, when she joined the wagon train. Despite much resentment and distrust from the other women, Toni has finally earned a place on the wagon train and found a surrogate family in Fannie Caldwell and her two siblings. For the first time in her life, Toni actually feels free.

But while Toni once harbored dreams that her new life might include a husband and family, she soon realizes the stigma that comes with her past is difficult to see beyond and that she’ll never be truly loved or seen as worthy. As the trip out west begins to teach her to survive on her own, she resolves to make her own living as a seamstress when the train finally reaches Oregon.

But despite Toni’s conviction that no man will be able to see beyond her marred past, Sam Two-feathers, the wagon scout and acting preacher for the train seems to know of a love that forgives sins and values much more than outward appearances. Will Sam have the confidence to declare his love? Will Toni be able to trust in a God that can forgive even the darkest past? Faith, love, and courage will be put to the test in Distant Heart.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and look forward to continuing this journey! 

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It seems that I’ve been so busy doing…(field trips, shopping, baking, blogging, laundry, cooking) that there hasn’t been much time to enjoy my family. There’s always something that needs to be done and being the choleric that I am, I usually make time to do it.

Some of the things I do are really good. Like my daily exercising which I’ve been consistent at for months. (Which is a good thing after all the cookies I ate while baking!) But some of the things I do can be postponed, shortened or eliminated. Hopefully during Christmas break I’ll be able to get back on track, prioritize my day better and spend more of the fun times with Grace and the boys.

I really do miss being the fun mom!

UPDATE:

I have this really great schedule over Christmas break that gives plenty of time for playing with my kids, but alas I got my Zune Mp3 player in the mail (a belated b-day present to me) and I’ve spent HOURS trying to figure out how to download my writing conference Mp3 cds to my computer and then to the Zune! After giving up on their instructions, I just used logic and I’m in the process of uploading/downloading/whatever to the Zune now. The kids are way past their video game limit but I’m afraid if I quit now I might forget how to do it!!!!

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In case you haven’t realized that already…

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In my efforts to steer materialism away from December the 25th, and create new family traditions, I thought a great idea would be to give gifts on St. Nicholas Day. Only problem is, it always sneaks up on us and we miss it. I’m planning on a remembrance of St. Nicholas and his “spirit of giving” some day soon. Here’s some thoughts on what I have planned.

Read: Santa and the Christ Child by Nicholas Bakewell

For years, we’ve known the true story of St. Nicholas and how he loved Jesus and gave his money and possessions to the less fortunate. In fact, my favorite Christmas decoration is a ceramic sculpture of Santa Claus kneeling down worshiping the baby Jesus.

Watch: Nicholas, The Boy Who Became Santa

This is a wonderful cartoon video about Nicholas. Here’s the box summary. Nicholas was still a young child when he discovered a very special secret that changed his life. It was the gift of giving, by which he brought happiness to many people; but in sharing this great gift Nicholas had to face many dangers.

Here is a fascinating story of the boy whose love and care for others make him one of the most popular figures of all times. Today, more than sixteen centuries later, the entire world celebrates the kindness and generosity of the man we call Santa Claus.

Discuss: Nicholas’ life and contrast it with today’s version of Santa Claus. We can also talk about ways we can give to others throughout the year.

Do: Every year we write a letter to Jesus and put it in our stockings. We never wrote the letters on the same day, but writing it on this day seems like a way to remember St. Nicholas’ love for Jesus. Then on Christmas Day we can read all the letters we wrote from previous years.

Exchange: Gifts to one another in honor of St. Nicholas.

Does anyone else incorporate the real story of St. Nicholas into their holiday traditions? I’d love to hear what you do!

Reposted from December 2006

Grace remembers last year being “Santa Claus” and has already purchased gifts to give to her brothers this year!

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Welcome to our humble home where Jesus is the reason, and not just for the season. We’ve had the boxes of decorations out since Thanksgiving weekend, but due to the boys’ play, we haven’t been home long enough to put it all up. We finished last weekend!  So grab yourself a warm drink and make yourself at home.

There are traces of Christmas in rooms throughout our home, but our formal living room holds the bulk of our Christmas cheer.

Here’s my favorite Christmas decoration!
But my kids prefer the dancing Santa that sings Jingle Bell Rock and shakes his booty!

Their second favorite decoration is this set(s) of tic tac toe.

Here’s how we countdown to Christmas along with my kids nativity made from Pringles cans! Snowman and Santa are really trying to get into the Word!

We collect Christmas books each year, but they’re usually piled on the end table in our living room. Then I got the idea to display them around our end table. What do you think?

My mother made me a stocking when I was a little girl, and I continued the tradition by making most of the stockings. Can you tell which two I didn’t make, but hope to embellish one day?

A couple of years ago I found four matching pajamas, and I had a photographer come out to my house to capture Christmas morning. We got a great photo, though it was after Christmas and I had to wrap empty boxes, Grace kept swiping Santa’s cookies, the one photo I really wanted of them sleeping by the fireplace didn’t turn out well, and we all felt like the Grinch by the time it was over.

I grew up with a real tree dripping with eclectic ornaments my mom gave us every year, tinsel and charm, but several years ago we made the switch to an artificial tree. We kept the ornament tradition and lost the tinsel (had to appease hubby) Curious as to why I caved in to getting a fake tree? That’s another story!

FYI, or ICYC (in case you care) my kids have a really teeny tiny mini Christmas tree in each of their rooms with a baby Jesus underneath. It’s only fitting, since He’s the best gift we can receive at Christmas.

Here’s the nativity my boys played with when they were younger. I just found it mostly intact (the manger is missing) and now it’s in Grace’s room.

On top of our borrowed piano (a true answer to prayer) sits the children’s first Christmas photos. Chris and Joey with a very Veggie Manger…

And Timmy and Gracie.
Last year I finally figured out a theme for my kitchen. Snowmen!

Grace made this cute little snowman with her foot print while in preschool a couple of years ago. That’s where I got the snowman theme idea! I’ll spare you the rest of the snowman bathroom dollar store decor.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for stopping by! And Santa Paws is really happy he can get out of his costume now! And if you’re still in touring spirit, visit the rest of the participants.

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Jesus said we live in an opposite world. Just one glance at Luke 6 verses 20-38 proves it. Imagine reading these words for the very first time…

20…”Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

23 “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.

25 “Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

26 “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.

For the weak, poor and lowly, it sure gives us a lot of hope. But how about the next set of verses.

27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.

30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

31 “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

Wow! Talk about revolutionary thinking. Can you imagine Jesus preaching this during the reign of the Romans. The very group of people who persecuted and kept the Jews in a form of slavery. If a Roman soldier demanded something from you, you had to give it to him. But you didn’t have to like it. Jesus is challenging the Jews to go beyond what is required. To go above what is expected and give with a happy heart. Even today that is a hard thing to do.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33 “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

34 “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

35 “But love your enemies, **( surely Jesus didn’t mean terror*sts) and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Another doosy of a commandment!

38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Opposite world! Then and now! I don’t know about you, but that last line really gets me.

What are some real life opposite world examples you see in your own life? Let’s get a discussion going!

**my own insertion into the text

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Ball , bestselling novelist, is also the editor behind several of today’s bestselling Christian novels. Her love for words was passed down through her father and grandfather - both pastors who shared God’s truth through sermons and storytelling. Blending humor, poignancy, and honesty, Karen’s writing style is a powerful force for revealing God’s truth. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their “kids,” Bodhan, a mischief-making Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-terrier mix who should have been named “Destructo.”

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing’s going to stop Kyla…
until the ground crumbles beneath her feet.

Kyla Justice has arrived. Her company, Justice Construction, is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful companies in the Pacific Northwest. And yet, something is missing. Not until she’s called on to build a center for inner-city kids does she realize what it is: her sense of purpose. Now nothing can stop her, not the low budget, not supply problems, not gang opposition, not her boyfriend’s suggestion that she sell her business and marry him–and most especially not that disagreeable Rafael Murphy.

Rafe Murphy understands battle. Wounded in action, this Force Recon Marine carries the scars–and the nightmares–to prove it. Though he can’t fight overseas any longer, he’s found his place as a warrior in the civilian world. So he soldiers on, trusting that one of these days, God will reveal to him why Rafe survived the ambush in Iraq. That day has arrived.

Kyla and Rafe both discover that determination alone won’t carry them through danger and challenges. When gang violence threatens their very foundations, there’s only one way to survive: rely on each other, be real–and surrender to God. In other words, risk everything…

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How many times have you heard that one? From your spouse, or (dare I confess) children? I mean, it’s not like I’m watching Soap Operas, or Oprah, or Dr. Phil all day (did the rounds for a season when my my boys were little) or talking on the phone all day long. I rarely talk on the phone at all! In fact, I prefer to email. It’s quicker and more efficient. There’s nothing more aggravating than playing phone tag, or listening to someone jabber away as you try and find a place to nicely cut them off.

So, I say what’s the big deal with this computer thing? It’s not like I’m doing anything illegal or inappropriate on the net, though I guess shopping amazon and ebay could border on addictive, but hey, at least I’m saving money on gas, and shipping on occasion!

Okay, I agree the computer has a black hole affect on me. I tell myself I’m just going to check email, then it sucks me in to updating my blogs and visiting other blogs and websites and checking email again, until I glance at the clock and it’s been three hours (in the afternoon while the kids are either still at school or busy vegging in front of the TV or doing homework.)

I admit, I’m not as bad as I used to be, I spend more time just playing with my kids, and cooking and doing laundry, but there’s always room for improvement. I find if I don’t get on in the morning I get more things done. As soon as I hit that on button, I’m a goner.

I’m learning to be more productive on the computer as well. I rarely visit the network community sites any more like Facebook (So if you’ve thrown a sheep at me, you’ll be waiting a while before I retaliate) or Shoutlife. Instead, I’m trying to write and edit more. Which is a good thing! Right?

But even that can get out of hand because when I write past 5:00 on my non-writing days, and hear the garage door open and there’s not food in the oven I know I better jump off the computer or I’m busted. And that feeling of getting “caught” makes me realize something is wrong and that I need to pull back, take a break and reevaluate how much time I really spend online!

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As a child of about ten years old, one of my favorite things about Christmas was going Christmas Caroling on Christmas Eve. Along with the neighbors, we’d bundle up in our winter coats and take our candles with tinfoil holders, caroling music sometimes tucked under our arms. Then the five or six us us would trek out while it was still light and start knocking.

When the door opened we burst into an off key tune, singing our Christmas hearts out in hopes of blessing others and getting a little monetary blessing ourselves.

I remember one year standing out in the cold and singing, only to be asked inside to sing to a huge table full of Christmas celebrators. Though extremely nervous, we belted out our song and basked in the glow of applause.

As we went house to house, year after year, we had our fair share of thrills. One year one of our tinfoil candle holder caught on fire! What a finale to our Christmas carols that was, and we still ended up getting a little money for our efforts.

I’m sure getting money was part of the motivation to go door to door, but so was bringing joy to others. In fact, one year all of us donated our money (or at least half of it…my memory is fading in this area) to the church.

Over the years I’ve often wanted to go caroling with my children in our neighborhood, but I’m not sure if we’d be accepted. Have times changed that much? Maybe I have changed and have lost my gene for adventure. Though my kids are almost old enough to start out on their own. I hope one day the idea will catch on and they will pick up the tradition I started almost 30 years ago.

And next time you hear the off key melody of Silent Night pounding through your front door, please open it with a smile and invite the carolers in. Oh, and don’t forget to slip them a five and Merry Christmas on the way out!

Reposted from December 2006

UPDATE: Last year(2006) I sent my husband and children out caroling. I was busy catching up on last minute baking. The kids had an amazing time and brought several people to tears. One lady made them promise to come back next year. And they will, but this time I’ll make sure my baking is all done by then!

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Our power came back on Tuesday around 5 pm, so we really didn’t suffer much especially thanks to our friend’s generator, though heating up leftovers in the crockpot was an experience.

Here’s a recap…Sunday Afternoon The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was canceled because power went out at the theatre.

Sunday, middle of the night, we lost power. Then we watched everything ice over on Monday.

This is a toy box the boys use when they play air soft.

It rained all day and we (hubby and Chris) tried to save these trees by shaking off the ice, but later we heard several cracks…

First tree

Second tree

Third tree…. The front yard tree tried to hang on…

but <CRACK> it didn’t make it!

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