Into the Fire

     Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

     "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

        you now dismiss your servant in peace.

      For my eyes have seen your salvation,

        which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

      a light for revelation to the Gentiles

        and for glory to your people Israel."

     The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce you own soul too." 

Luke 2:25-35 (NIV) 

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NIV)

A Savior has been born to you. He came because of you and me. He gave His life for you and me. "To free us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray."

Prince of Peace. Redeemer. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. Savior of the world. Light of the world. 

                                 Merry Christmas. 

Christmas Eve can entail many activities for different people. From church services to opening gifts to prowling the streets or dumpsters looking for the next meal . . . 

We don't know the exact date and time of birth of the Savior of the world, the Christ child, Messiah, Jesus. All we know is He is the reason for the season. It's not Santa Claus or inflatable snowmen or even the beauty of splendid lights and decor. It is the humble God-man who agreed to come as a child, to experience partial humanity from the start to finish for one singular purpose: to make a way for sinful man to regain access to their Creator since the time of their disobedience and Fall from grace. To be beguiled by Satan's mix of a tiny truth inserted into a terrible web of lies, they succumbed to his temptation and were removed from their perfect life and thrust into a sin-stained earth and life of their own making. 

The voice of that same enemy of our souls is crystal clear in our world today. And on display. His evil is being paraded in front of us in all of its hatred, prejudice, perversion, vulgarity, and deception. 

Fear not! Our God Reigns. Through the Jesus sent to save us, we have access to the throne of Almighty God who listens to our prayers and responds to them and our labors in spiritual warfare by and on behalf of His people in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Christmas encapsulates the miraculous, the supernatural God who loves His Creation deep and strong and seeks to save that which was lost. If you ponder anything this Christmas, think about that kind of matchless love. I'll leave you with this: 

     Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 

Your Christmas gift arrived a long time ago. Open it up and receive the unequaled love from the Savior of the world. 

Merry Christmas! 

Thank you, Jesus. It's never enough.  

I cry every time I watch this. That's who I am. It touches me down deep for so many reasons one of which is the utter miraculous aspects of Christmas. Even if it's silly snowmen willing to sacrifice their noses to nourish the horses – I mean, geez – I can't help myself. So I hope you can enjoy the beauty of the joyful, meaningful, and wonderful messages of this precious season. 

Never forget, at the heart of it all: Jesus Is The Reason for The Season. 

Lord God Almighty, we can never thank you enough. Enjoying the beauty you left with us is amplified at Christmastime. Thank you, Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Sometimes Christmas hurts, but that doesn't mean it's not a blessing. 

Hoping you can remember that Jesus came on Christmas Day, born as a humble baby to die for you and me. To shed his perfect blood on a wooden cross and take our sins upon Himself to pay the debt we could never pay – and still can't. 

Give Him a chance – you won't be disappointed. You will face challenges, you will hurt, you will make mistakes, but Jesus in His love for you will see through it all if you have faith in Him. He still is the God of miracles and Christmastime is a perfect opportunity for yours. 

Thank you is never enough, Lord. Holy Spirit, draw those hard hearts to the Son, Savior of the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Another wonderful old Christmas Carol. Great songs with meaningful lyrics telling the real story of Christmas. 

. . . that Jesus Christ is born! This is as close to "country" as I get. It's Christmas! 

Father, you love music, musicians, lyrics, and all that proclaims the Good News of the Son you love. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus. 

I'm not a Chevy girl, but this is a truly magnificent commercial that speaks of so many things: the heartache often experienced, the memories of better times, the hope that promises a future. If you're a believer in "Jesus Is The Reason for The Season", you will interpret it the way I chose to do, and this is that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. And those loving actions done by people who care? Those are movtivated by our benevolent God. This commerical in its entirety is a tear-jerker and so well done. Christmas commercials can be some of the very best in this often contentious medium, and this one is one of the best all-time. 

Father, thank you for those who use the creativity you gave them to make something beautiful. Only you inspire true beauty. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." 

     Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

       "Glory to God in the highest,

          and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

     When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

     So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) 

I don't know if other authors ever consider who the "audience" for their novels is not, but I do. In fact, I believe I can identify who my readers are not better than I can describe who they are. Authors are asked by agents and/or publishers who they think their audience is. That includes ages and other characteristics they assume will be their target readers. 

Well, let me tell you who the audience for my novels is not:

1. If the occasional use of the word hell, damn, or the suggestion of a cuss word offends you, chances are, even with the brevity of these words being used in the story, you will be offended. You are probably not the audience for my books.
2. If the portrayal of the world as it is but without the graphics might offend you, probably not going to want to read my novels.
3. If the reality of sexual attraction and temptation incorporated into the romantic storyline tends to offend you, my novels are definitely not for you.
4. If you don't like guns and would rather not have them mentioned or have them belong to any of the characters, you will not want to pick up a few of my books. 
5. If you prefer short stories or novellas, my novels are generally longer than the average romance novel.

I also write for adults. Young adults in today's world can handle my stories. The themes are redemptive and faith in God eventually appears and is established. I don't cut corners with the redemption parts in my novels. So, if Christianity offends you, there will definitely be that faith realistically portrayed. 

So. Any other authors care to share who they consider "not" their audience? 

Father, thank you is never enough for all that you've done for me, given to me, the patience you exercised in bringing me to Jesus, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life – all of it. More than I could ever imagine. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of sharing you in my stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

After a year at the University of Washington, I was an unsatisfied "ex" college student who decided to go to work full time to earn the money to travel to Great Britain and Europe. Able to convince a friend to do the same, we worked and saved and eventually made the trip which was nearly a full 3-month adventure.

But prior to that trip, I lived at home as did my friend, and for the first time in my life I was able to purchase some "big" gifts for my parents who'd always been so extravagant in their giving to me. It felt so incredibly good to be able to purchase truly meaningful gifts for them. I bought my mom a set of dishes – I still have most of that dish set, but it's boxed up now. I got a valet chair for my dad which he used until he died and now we have it in our bedroom. 

That next Christmas we returned I think on the 23rd of December with what felt like a million gifts from "overseas" to wrap. It was hectic and I've hated wrapping presents ever since. I remember I bought my mom a dress from a boutique in Florence. It fit her perfectly and looked adorable on her! 

Those are two of my particularly sweet Christmas memories. 

Father, you gave me the most wonderful parents, and I can never thank you enough for them. I only wish I could've done more for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.