…the light from heaven is about to break upon us…. Luke 1:78

While frantically knitting and crocheting to complete some Christmas gifts I have watched several “Christmas movies”.  You know the kind, a person is too busy for love and family then learns the “true meaning” when they admit they quit believing in Santa Claus because they asked Santa for something that they never got so they went on to just get everything themselves. In the end, of course, they find a girlfriend or boyfriend and determine santa is real so this is Christmas spirit.

I got to thinking how often we go to God with our prayers and when we don’t get what we want decide that must mean there is no God, no Jesus, no hope.  Unless we get what we want there can be no God.

Part of the fun of Christmas comes in opening a gift from someone. You don’t know what it is, the anticipation of what this person felt would be a wonderful gift especially for you is exciting. What if you never opened the gift?  What if you just accepted the package and set it on the table, never opening the present? Like the teddy bear in front of my house, you look at the gift, admire the packaging, but never accept the gift inside.

Romans 6:23 tells us of a gift God has for us. It is “the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ”. This gift is available to “all who call on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13).

The gift if made available to all, but not all will accept it.  Accepting the gift does not mean you will get everything you want. It means you will be “adopted into God’s family” (Romans 8:15).  “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlesslessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome” (Ephesians 3:12).  No waiting in line to get to his lap, no disappointment he has stepped away for a break.

More important than material gifts, remember the gift of life given to us through Jesus Christ. Like the gifts we place under our trees, this gift is free for you. Don’t leave Jesus in the manger or under your tree. Invite Him into your life and accept His gift of love and salvation never-ending.

Wishing you a beary Merry Christmas

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Eph 6:11 

Several years ago I was studying the “Armor of God” and set out to make it a fun and crafting experience.  Using a small sized teddy bear I had (many of the TY bears are similar in size) I created a plastic canvas pattern.  Each piece is worked and the scripture studied.  It makes a wonderful sharing time for mother and daughter, father and daughter, friends, mother and son… you get the idea. 

I posted the pattern for free on the website asking that anyone who made it please let me know their thoughts.  Recently I received this email.

When I first saw this, after hours of searching for new plastic canvas patterns, I just had to make this. It was easy and fun to make. It is one of my favorite bible lessons. I am hoping to pass it on to church for use in teaching children the lesson I so love. Thank you for making the pattern free for all to use it was a joy to make. Have a blessed day.  Sincerely, Jennifer

If you are looking for a last minute gift you can put together, how about making the kit by printing the pattern and adding the supplies.  Set a time with the recipient to work on it together.  (Click here to view website.)

The weather is getting brisk, the leaves are turning beautiful colors as they gently fall from their branches to cover the ground. The election is finally over. Fall is officially here.

I am starting to go through the holiday bins to see what decorations are usable; going through my yarn stash to see how many hand made gifts will be inspired – then a list of what to make for whom – then a smile as I realize they probably won’t get finished because I look at my wall of totes with each one carrying a project already started.  So, come gift opening time no one will know what to expect   

Christmas music is already being played full time on local radio stations.  I heard a news report this week about a group protesting that Christmas is too religious.  I go to the stores adorned with brightly colored decorations, trees and imitation gifts wrapped. Sales are announced everywhere with pictures of family members excited to receive them.  The music played is about toys and gifts and family gatherings.  People are lined up fighting for the last item on the rack as the “perfect must have present”.  And it is only the middle of November.   WHERE, I ask you, is the too much religion?

Come to my house and I pray you will find that religion. I do participate with the tree and the presents. My teddy bears dress up and share in the happiness of the season.  And foremost in the decor is a nativity, actually 2 or 3. My heart is filled with the promise of a savior sent from heaven to offer us salvation.  That is the ultimate gift.

Read this fantastic account in Luke 2. Click here for an online version.

Let me be among the first to wish you a  “Merry Christmas”.  

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  John 1:6

In a corner of my bedroom, where I can see him when waking or resting, is a Helzberg Diamonds Teddy Bear.  On his sweater are the words “You Are Loved”. Over his shoulder is a messenger bag. This messenger is bringing me good news that someone loves me.

He reminds me of another messenger, 200 years ago. His name was John the Baptist.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a messenger to bear witness of the Light that all might believe.”  (John 1:6.7)

John was not the Light, He was not the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He was the messenger. When asked John told them he was “the voice crying in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23).

John went before Jesus and prepared others for Christ’s appearance. He told the people of God becoming man and how much God loves us.

He was the messenger.  My bear reminds me  that I am loved, not by the diamond company, but by God. And this particular messenger just happens to be a teddy bear.

I received this in an email so I can’t credit the author. I liked it and wanted to share it with you.

Top 10 Predictions No Matter What Happens in the World

1.  The Bible will still have all the answers.
2.  Prayer will still work.
3.  The Holy Spirit will still move.
4.  God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5.  There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6.  There will still be singing of praise to God.
7.  God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8.  There will still be room at the Cross.
9.  Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message!

ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.    ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I am not certain that one month is enough time to say “thank you” to my pastoral staff, but it is a beginning. How do you thank a pastor? A pastors life is public. Bystanders see him at the local Walmart and watch how he speaks to other shoppers,his comments to the checker, the way his disposes of his cart. A day in the park playing with his children becomes a center of discussion for all as to how he interacts with his child, even how he throws a ball.  Each speaking engagement becomes the center of conversation and critical review over lunch. “What do you mean he has family obligations? I am sick and want him here now” becomes the shout when a personal need arises.

And what about his wife and children.  A group of children are playing, all running and shouting and acting alike. How often do you focus in on the pastor’s child and comment about how “wild that pastor’s child is”? Ever do that?  Do you watch to see where the pastor’s wife is sitting and what she is wearing and how she is speaking to those around her?  Where are you when they are in need of emotional support?

How often do you stop and say “thank you” ? If you haven’t yet, perhaps you could take a moment to write a note telling your pastor of how you have been encouraged by his presence, his life and his words. Maybe you could send along a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant offering a chance for relaxation. 

Lift your pastor in prayer.  I pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy…   (Colossians 1:11 NLT)

Thank you God, for Doug and the pastoral team that teach me each week. These people encourage me to keep my eyes focused on You alone, not on them. I thank you for their strength and courage to stand up as a representative of You each day. I pray you will give then the endurance and patience needed, and give them joy.  They have been a blessing to me and demonstrated your love.

Say a prayer for your pastor today. Thank your pastor for stepping out for God.

Click the picture for a pastoral gift idea.

Click picture for another gift idea.

In an effort to expand my reading comprehension and enjoyment I joined a bookclub. One of the first books read was “ The Shack “.  I found it very interesting, though there is an extremely sad portion I wanted to avoid (because I avoid sad situations) but while tragic it was not gory (as it would have been had today’s tv or movie writers done it). 

I came away with one exciting revelation from this fiction novel; God wants a relationship with me. The others in the group all came away with the same thought and we thoroughly enjoyed the book and the way it protrayed this relationship. The Shack is a fiction novel and we read it as such.

I was surprised, then, when I started reading reviews on the book.  It seems people are reading this book as “The Gospel” instead of fictional “The Shack”.   The story tells of Mac going to a shack where tragedy struck his family. Here he meets God in the form of large black women named ”papa’.  As separate characters you also meet Jesus and the Holy Spirit. While three separate characters they also appear in relationship as one. 

Author WIlliam P. Young takes us through an inviting weekend where he speaks directly with God and gets close to Him, talking about all kinds of things. He asks many questions.  He develops a close knit relationship with God. It is this that God desires most.

This book should in no way be considered a replacement of the Bible. It is an interesting read, but as my friend Fawn Brents says “If you want to know what the Bible says, read the Bible, not books about the Bible”.

I recommend the book as a fictional novel, just like the “ Left Behind ” series. While story ideas may come from an interpretation of the Bible, they are novels written for reading entertainment.  I do, however, disagree with Eugene Peterson who endorses the book with the words “this book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his”.  Sorry, Mr. Peterson, but with all due respect, it is not of that caliber.

So my recommendation: read it make up your own mind as to the authenticity or fictionality of “The Shack”. 

Other reviews of this book may be found at:

Christianity Today dot com

Christianity Today Blog

Breakpoint dot org

The Shack Mackenzie Allen Philip’s youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she might have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you, and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!

My favorite wacky holiday (though I do not claim it to be wacky) is National Teddy Bear Day.  A national day set aside to especially enjoy our teddy bears. This year it is September 9.

Here are a few “Teddy Bear Day” activities for you:

at Crosswalk dot com you can find this e-card to send

at A Kids Heart dot com there are many fun activities and printable color pages

About dot com offers a list of things to do to make the day filled with fun

e-How author AuntPhyl has prepared some wonderful ideas to celebrate the day.

You are never too old for a teddy bear. So grab your favorite and spend the day enjoying the love and comfort he/she has to offer.

Remember, too, there is One who loves us even more than our teddy bear does.  Jesus Christ.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of San Francisco we found this Japanese Tea Garden, a quiet setting of beautiful flowers and greenery.

We walked on paths through beautiful flowers and streams.

That’s my hubby.   ReedyBear

There was a sign telling us to follow the path through the garden

And a statue of Buddah to guide those following his path

And through all the beauty I was reminded of the One who created the rivers and streams, the plants, flowers and trees.

The One true path to heaven, Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  John 14:6