Merry Christmas from FaithWriters December 2014
"News & Information for the Write Brained Christian" Today's Devotional and the Newest Member E-books Included |
| | Every Day is Christmas By Sandra Fischer
Jackson Turner had a way with flowers. Some say he could coax a rose out of a dead thorn bush and turn brown grass to green just by walking on it. Jackson was the new owner of Four Seasons Flower Shop and his horticultural expertise soon spread throughout the small town of Harpersville. The most unusual thing about Jackson, however, was the way he greeted people. No matter what day of the year, nor time of day, he always greeted everyone with a hearty “Merry Christmas!”
Some people looked at him as if they hadn't heard him correctly; others shook their heads in dismay. Some responded with chuckles, while others gave replies like “Bah! Humbug!” or “You crazy, man? It’s July” or “Happy New Year to you, too!” No one seemed interested enough to ask him why he gave such a greeting; no one, that is, until ten-year-old Polly Parks came to his shop.
When the bell on the shop door announced Polly’s entrance, Jackson turned to greet her. “Merry Christmas, young lady!” he beamed.
Polly just stared. She had heard about his weird way of saying “hello”.
“May I help you with something?”
“I’d like to buy a rose for my mother.”
“Ah, and what is the special occasion?”
“It’s not an occasion. She’s sick.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Jackson’s voice dropped. “But, you came to the right place – I have the most beautiful rose grown specially for your mother.”
“Is it red?”
“Indeed! Red is the right color to make anyone feel better.”
“Why do you say ‘Merry Christmas’ when it’s not Christmas?”
“What is your name, young lady?”
“Polly Parks.”
“Well, Miss Polly Parks, if you will sit on the stool here while I prepare the rose for your mother, I’ll share the story of why I say ‘Merry Christmas’”.
Polly climbed up on the stool and waited eagerly, while Jackson began trimming the long stemmed rose..
“On that first Christmas Day long ago, God sent a baby into the world to an ordinary couple. But the baby was not ordinary. He was God’s son.”
“I know. It was Jesus.” Polly chimed in.
“Oh, then, perhaps you know the story.”
“I know. God sent him to save the people of the world from their sin.”
“That’s right. Do you know how He did that, Polly?”
“He died on the cross, right? And, then He came back alive.”
“Do you believe Jesus died for you, Polly?”
“Yes, I took Jesus into my heart last year and asked him to forgive my sins. I’ve been baptized, too.”
“Well, Miss Polly, then you should know that because Jesus came that first Christmas, for those who have received Him as their savior, every day is Christmas.”
“And that’s why you say it!”
“Exactly. When I say ‘Merry Christmas’, I’m wanting everyone to know about who Jesus is and why He came. There’s a song that I remember that goes like this:
Christmas isn’t Christmas
Till it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts.
So if you give your heart to Jesus
You’ll discover when you do
That it’s Christmas, really Christmas for you.*
And, Miss Polly, when that happens then every day truly is Christmas for that person.” Jackson handed Polly the red rose wrapped in green paper and tied with red ribbon.
“How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. It is my pleasure to share the meaning of my greeting and to share this rose with you and your mother,” he smiled. “You could say it‘s a Christmas gift.”
“Then, I’ll just say, thank you, and, by the way, ‘Merry Christmas!’” Polly skipped out the door and hurried home.
“Polly, is that you?” her mother called from the bedroom when she heard the front door open..
“Merry Christmas, Momma!” Polly burst into the room.
“Merry Christmas? Why on earth would you say that in July?”
“I‘m glad you asked.“ She handed the rose to her mother. “As soon as I get a vase, I’ll share the whole story.”
Jackson Turner had a way with flowers - and with people. Soon, many people in Harpersville began to greet each other in a most unconventional fashion - saying “Merry Christmas”. It was a way of reminding themselves and each other that every day is the Lord’s. Every day is Christmas Day.
*"Christmas Isn't Christmas" lyrics by Jimmy and Carol Olsen
Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters) Topic: It’s Christmas Day (in the present or living memory) (11/27/08) Go HERE to leave a comment on this article. Go HERE to read more of Sandra's work. |
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The 1st place winner of the 2014 Page Turner Contest receives:
" A cash prize of $800;
" Free editing of their manuscript (up to 300 pages);
" Free publicity and marketing of their book on all FaithWriters' sites for twelve months following publication;
" A special Page Turner Champion award plaque; and
" Publication of their winning manuscript by new Christian publisher, Breath of Fresh Air (publisher of the new line of Mixed Blessings books)
" A special Page Turner award plaque;
" The offer of half price editing for their winning manuscripts; and
" Consideration for publication by Breath of Fresh Air Press.
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| | The Father Love's You As Much As He Loves Jesus
I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Jesus in John 17:23 NLT
So if you can figure out how much the Father loves the Son, you will know how much He loves you.
Meditate on this gift through the Christmas season. |
| | The Best Christmas Gift Ever! I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST
That is quite a difficult concept to grasp. Everything within us resists it as if it were not true. The American Standard Version of the Bible has this Scripture written in this way: 2 Corinthians 5:21(ASV) Him (Jesus) who knew no sin He (God) made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. The King James Version has it written like this: (KJV) For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus). The phrase “might be made” comes from the Greek word ginomai which means to cause to be. Check out what the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary says about this word: G1096 γίνομαι ginomai (ghin'-om-ahee) A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen”-erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.)
Please take notice: This message is not for the immature Christian who thinks that they have to accomplish a list of good works in order to become something in the Lord Jesus Christ or that they must maintain the status of “Christian” by doing good things. It is solely for the one who realizes that Jesus has completed the work and that we, through faith in Him, have become something in God; and not just something, but the righteousness that God’s Law requires. We are no longer considered law-breakers, but now, through Christ Jesus, we have come into right standing with God.
As we go through the following Scriptures, allow God, through His Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak to your heart. Won’t you invite Him right now to speak to you? Let’s pray and ask Him to do that very thing. Praise the Lord forever more. Now let us, through the precious and eternal Word of God, which is our map for life, place pin markers on our journey as we attempt to understand who we are in Christ regarding righteousness.
Continue Reading this Sermon Audio Excerpt HERE.
Merry Christmas from all of us at FaithWriters |
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Signs of Christmas by Karen Pourbabaee
“…the Lord Himself will give you a sign…” Isaiah 7:14 NAS
Signs of Christmas abound during this glorious month of December, announcing an event that changed the world, one heart at a time. The word sign derives from Latin signum meaning mark or token. Follow the signs of Christmas to discover the true meaning in the Nativity, for they are marks or tokens of His coming. Token is defined as a keepsake, something kept in memory of the giver. What are the keepsakes of Christmas?
Consider the lights of Christmas, twinkling on evergreen trees, blanketing houses, decorating towns and villages. In earth’s darkest hour, deep in winter’s midst, the light of Christ bursts forth. Marks of hope.
Look at the vibrant colors of Christmas…reds, greens, golds, silvers… they invoke a festive spirit. Inhale the smells of Christmas, fresh evergreen boughs, cinnamon-laced apple cider, brown sugar cookies baking, Christmas-scented candles flickering in the night. Little tokens of joy.
Listen to the sounds of Christmas…heavenly carols, children laughing, presents tearing, people praying, bells ringing. They herald His coming, the coming gift of Love to our world. These are signs of love.
A mark is a visible trace of something on a surface. The signs of Christmas are merely the visible traces of a great mystery, of the kingdom of God arriving one Bethlehem morn as our King was born. The Lord has given us signs…traces leading to His quiet birth.
Enjoy these signs of Christmas, marks of hope, little tokens of joy, and signs of love. Be still and look beyond them too. Take some time to welcome Jesus into your world this Christmas.
Karen is a Christian writer from Oklahoma. Contact
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| | Freedom in Christ - Are You Rooted & Established In Gods Love?
Paul's Prayer: ...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:17-19 NIV
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| | This Months FaithWriters Great Reads Selection
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| | | | Books added in the last month as described by each author.
Biblical studies
A Life Fulfilled with the Fruit of the Spirit - Dr. J. Malherbe St. Juste : Christian Bookstore WestBow Press
Jean St. Juste
Your Price: $5.99
This book is created for spiritual Christian growth. It will inspire the readers to seek and trust God as He deposits these attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I trust that you will earnestly prepare your hearts to be awakened to the Fruit of The Holy Spirit. from Amazon.com!
1 & 2 Samuel
Wayne Mac Leod
Your Price: $4.99
A Devotional Look at Israel's Transition to Leadership Under Her Kings
from Amazon.com!
Fiction
Deep Black Road
Allen Scovil
Your Price: $8.99
Ricky has a crush on Suzanne, who doesn’t care if he exists. Then they get roboticized, and must find their way in a world uninterested in free-thinking robots. Running afoul of the evil Dr. Mella, they must fix their own differences before Ricky faces the ‘great and terrible’ destiny God gave him.
from Amazon.com!
Tales From the Cafe'
Deborah McDade
Your Price: $1.99
A tongue-in-cheek collection of short stories told by a small business owner about the various happenings at the Cafe' she owns.
from Amazon.com!
Non-Fiction
Healing Begins in the Heart
Karen Mace
Your Price: $3.99
Do you feel that God has abandoned you? Do you struggle with fear and grief? Are you weighed down with doubt, anger, or depression? Do you wonder if you can really trust God?
You are not alone.
from Amazon.com!
Leadership Lessons from the Bible: Volume 1
ETURUVIE EREBOR
Your Price: $1.50
The book, "Leadership Lessons from the Bible", is a compilation of leadership articles written by Eturuvie Erebor. In the articles that make up this book, Eturuvie examines the lives of Bible characters and highlights their leadership qualities where they exist.
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Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Inspired from Within
ETURUVIE EREBOR
Your Price: $1.50
The book, "Inspired from Within", is a compilation of inspirational articles written by Eturuvie Erebor. Each article has been written with the intention of stirring up inspiration deep within the reader to accomplish great things.
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Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
The Making of a Leader
ETURUVIE EREBOR
Your Price: $1.50
Are leaders born or made? According to Eturuvie Erebor, "Everyone is born but leaders are made." This book, "The Making of a Leader", is a compilation of articles written by Eturuvie Erebor and is based on leadership guru John Maxwell's book, "The 21 Qualities of a Leader". Eturuvie lists all the qualities of a leader as identified by John Maxwell and attempts to define each one and explain its importance to leadership. She makes use of leadership quotes in each chapter of the book to drive home the message to the upcoming leader.
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Available in more formats from:
Smashwords.com
Children
Randi's Steps
Francy Judge
Your Price: $3.99
If only her life were a story on paper, she could tear it into a million pieces and start over. Ten-year-old Francie McLean’s life hasn’t been the same since her best friend started battling cancer. Francie wants to be loyal and caring to Randi, but when put to the test, she fails. Will their friendship survive the disease that changes everything?
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Available in more formats from:
Amazon.com
Smashwords.com
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