Every Day Life: In Heaven

By Beth M

Recently I have re-read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, book 5 in C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. Partly because I love the series and partly because the movie is coming out soon and I need to be prepared to criticize it. You'll be happy to know that I am thoroughly prepared. Once I finished that book I thought, "Hey, why not read books 6 and 7 too?" After all, I've only read them about 37 times each, not like The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe which I know by heart. So I read The Silver Chair and The Last  Battle.

It was the last book, The Last Battle, that really spoke to me this time. I've read it tons of times, know the story inside and out, but this time it just somehow meant more. It really got me thinking about heaven and eternity and all that stuff that I believe in but never really think about. It's scary to think of FOREVER, we can't understand it, makes my head hurt to try. I think my way, and maybe lots of others' way of thinking about heaven can be summed up in the Kenny Chesney song "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" the lines of interest being: "don't you want to hear  Him call your name when you're standing at the pearly gates? I told him, 'Preacher, yes I do but I hope He don't' call today, I ain't ready!" "here's a ten to help you remember, the next time you've got the good Lord's ear, tell Him I'm coming but there ain't no hurry, I'm having fun down here." "everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to go now" We think of all the fun things we want to do, or are doing, and think that heaven can't measure up!

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One Word At A Time: Rejoice

By Ginny (MAD21)

It's easy to get weighed down this time of year. But honestly, I think it is a time that we need to seriously prioritize all the things we think we need to get done. This is a time when we should be free to truly enjoy the coming celebration on December 25th.

Our family plans long in advance of December. We purchase gifts throughout the year that we know people will love and save them for Christmas morning. As a family, we also make the majority of the gifts for the adults in our lives (yummy applesauce with special details in the wrapping). We feel that doing this teaches our kids a number of things: anticipation is a good thing; always keep others in mind and what might make them happy; delayed gratification; and the true joy in giving a thoughtful gift.

But finishing the shopping early does more than this for our family. It allows us to relax and enjoy all the wonderful things that happen around us during the holidays. We can really rejoice in all the fun and beautiful things that happen in December, and makes it so we can honestly reflect on who Christ is and was and what he did for us. It also helps to take the focus off of us (me-me-me!), and onto others who might need a little help to make the holidays wonderful for their families.

"Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

Just as a child is full of anticipation for weeks before their birthdays, we should also be filled with the anticipation of being able to celebrate the most important birthday: that of our Savior.

"Let the heavens REJOICE, let the heavens be glad... Rise up and praise Him!"

This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Peter Pollock's place.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Rejoice.

True Riches

By Pat

The world in which we live has a very materialistic view of what makes a person wealthy and successful. The bigger the car, the higher the salary, the more spacious the house, the more successful we are perceived to be. And so, we tend to live our lives attempting to acquire more and more so that society can see how prosperous and accomplished we are.

But Jesus had a very different take on what makes a person wealthy. In fact, Jesus made it clear that the less you have materially, the more you have spiritually. In Luke 6:20, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God." In Matthew 19:16-23, the story of the rich young man, Jesus is asked what the man must do to attain eternal life. The man willingly kept God's commandments, but when Jesus told him to sell everything he owns and give it to the poor, Matthew's account tells us that when the young man heard this, he went away sad because he had great wealth.

Jesus was pointing out the danger of falling into the trap of loving things, money and wealth and how difficult it can be to give it up. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves riches on earth, where moths and rust can destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves riches in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

To Jesus, real treasures are not tangible, and true riches cannot be bought or collected. True riches are love, kindness, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. They are a word of encouragement. An unselfish act. They are all the things we ask Him to give to us so that we can receive them and give them back out to the world generously, so that the world can see what Jesus looks like. And so as Christmas approaches, I will attempt to simplify, and focus on what true riches are, what true gifts are. I will not find them in a store. I will find them in my heart, lovingly placed there by Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

"Cherish Every Moment-The Dax Locke Foundation"

By Ginny (MAD21)

I really enjoy Matthew West's music. This month he has been honoring the family of Dax Locke, a little two-year-old boy who lost his battle with Leukemia almost a year ago. He was being lovingly treated at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In honor of their son, Austin and Julie Locke have decided that they want to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day, $1.6 million dollars.

I want to encourage you to listen to this video, and then go to either Matthew West's website, or to Dax Locke's website and make a donation. I really admire them for this ambitious project, and love St. Jude's for their dedication to sick children and their families.

Tasty Bites: Father Tim's Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

By Beth V

Several years ago, my mom gifted me with a copy of Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. In Jan Karon’s books,  Father Tim and the other characters are always whipping up delicious meals, so she published a cookbook of those recipes.  One recipe in particular has worked it’s way into our family’s Christmas tradition - Father Tim’s Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole. My husband began making this one year and now even my nephew makes it some years, but someone always makes it every  year. This is perfect for Christmas morning because it is assembled the night before and allowed to sit in the refrigerator, ready to bake. 

Start by browning a pound of pork sausage in a skillet. While it is browning, thinly slice three green onions, using the white and most of the green parts, and throw them in when the sausage is almost done browning. Use a slotted spoon to transfer this to a paper towel-lined plate.

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