No Childish Antics: Leave Christ in the Story

A few years ago, I wrote a devotional for my church's Advent devotion book. Since I had a four-year-old son at the time (and he had a closely competitive four-year-old cousin), I had the perfect, true story to use as background for my writing. A relative reminded me of the story during a recent gathering, so I thought I'd share the Christmas story with you:

Leave Christ in the Story

It has become a Christmas Eve tradition to read the story of Jesus’ birth at our annual family gathering. Since we had two energetic four-year-old boys at last year’s celebration, I decided to tweak our tradition a bit and read the Christmas story from a preschool book. This was a special book to the boys; it was a lift-the-flap book. As many of you know who have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews of your own, lift-a-flap stories and the surprises that await little fingers under the flap are extra special. 

We made our way through several pages of the book, each boy taking a turn lifting a flap to reveal the angel Gabriel and animals in the stable. When we got to the flap that lifted to reveal the baby Jesus in the manger, a small tussle broke out between the two boys vying to see who could lift this flap. In the struggle, they both grasped the baby Jesus cutout and ripped him right from Mary’s arms! How ironic. Inadvertently, these boys had removed baby Jesus entirely from the “Christmas Story.” 

Oops

How many times have we done the same thing during this most festive time of year? In our mad rush to buy gifts for others and juggle our schedules to attend every Christmas party, we often rip God’s real gift to us right out of our celebrations. Let us remember Jesus’ words in John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” And that is the most wonderful gift of all. We must be ever careful to leave God’s precious gift to us in all of our holiday celebrations.

With love,

TCB

In Gratitude

One of the themes of my blog is living life simply. In order to live simply, I believe it's necessary to live gratefully. Gratefulness makes you joyful for what you have, regardless of how simple or inconsequential that particular thing may seem to the outside world.

I hope I live gratefully every day, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to focus this month on just a handful of people and things for which I'm grateful.

This first one is a given:

My immediate family (fish not included). I'm thankful for the fish, but they're not part of my immediate family. Oh, forget it. Just know I am thankful each day for each family member, even those not pictured above.

I'm also thankful for something I've had a very long time:

This Bible is my favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it was the only thing I got from my grandfather's house when he passed away. I was 10 years old, and this has been a treasured Bible since then. On the intro page, my grandfather's name is written, followed by my (maiden) name underneath. He never wrote in it, but I could tell it had been well used. It looks a little shabby now, and I have written and highlighted all over it. I loved it when I was 10 because I could understand its story-like conversational tone when I couldn't make heads or tails of what King James meant. Now, I love it because it helps my son understand the Word a little better than other translations.

I would love to hear what you're most thankful for in the Comments section below.

In gratefulness,
TCB

What I'm Reading in September

If you've been a reader of my blog, you know I adore reading (and writing). I have been on a non-fiction reading kick for the last year or so, so both of the books I'm reading this month are non-fiction. No surprises there!

Here they are:

1. One Year to an Organized Work Life by Regina Leeds. The title is self-explanatory. The best tips I took away from this book? Learn to say "no" once each day. Also, Regina summed it up best about messy piles in your office: If you have piles of work folders on your office floor (I do), then you probably have not made a commitment, for whatever reason, to the projects they represent. If you're serious about the projects, clear out the clutter to clear out some "brain space" for them and put them in the file cabinet so they will gain prominence and importance.

If you need it, this author also has organization books on finances and life in general.

It's a quick read and organized enough like a reference book to skim through and pull out the tidbits you need for office (and mental) organization.

2. Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst. I'm still reading this Christian book, so I don't have a full report for you now. I always find it refreshing the way Lysa explains Christian concepts and so selflessly uses failures and examples from her own life.

What comes out of your mouth when you're angry? Are you a stuffer or an exploder? The book is focused on how to respond when you have negative, raw emotions to express to those around you. What is the proper way to respond, and why, according to the Bible, should we respond in this manner? It's something I struggle with when people irritate me. I'll be the first to admit this book is for me.

Happy reading!
TCB
PS. Let me know what you're reading. I always need new books for my ever-expanding reading list.

Try Reading a Chronological Bible

I'm reading my way through a new version of the Bible I recently purchased - a Chronological Study Bible. I can't imagine the feat of taking each part of the Scripture and putting it in historical order, but I think it brings a new level of perspective to the words. Although I believe there is some debate about sections of the Bible where time references are obscure, it's an interesting - and for me, an entirely different - way to read the Bible.

This particular book is also a study Bible so there are lots of footnotes and summary pages to create a frame of reference. It's particularly handy to have the date marked at the top of every page. The entire book is divided into 9 "epochs" beginning with creation, of course, and moving to the final epoch focused on the church age/the gospel/apocalyptic writings.

I always have at least two books going at once, and I will share others later this month. If you haven't tried this version of the Bible, I say it is well worth the money.

Happy reading,
TCB

Gracias. Merci. Grazie. Thank you.

My son brought home a list of "thank you's" from his church-school class this past Sunday.

Gracias (Spanish)
Merci (French)
Grazie (Italian)
Asante (Swahili)
Anku (Dutch)
Obrigado (Portuguese)
Klitos (Finnish)
Salamat tagalog (Filipino)
Thank you.

On this Thanksgiving week (my favorite holiday, by the way - devoid of gifty commercialism or continuous parties just delicious food, fun, family and friends), I am thankful for:

A nice, sturdy, house with a non-leaky roof

Plenty of food

Every single family member under my roof and under other roofs

Good health

A church to call my own with lots of friends there

My friends who live in other states and just down the road

My cell phone to call all those in other states (and those just down the road)

A reliable car

Enough money for gas for that reliable car

Rain

A job

My husband's job

A Savior who gives me hope.

Don't think this is the full list. It's just the beginning. When I sit and write it all down, I realize I don't have one reason to complain. If something is not right, I need to sit and read this list and realize that enough is just as perfect as it can be this side of heaven.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Love,
TCB

My Favorite Bible Studies for Women

There are so many Bible Studies out there, and many are written and designed specifically for women. I'm listing a few that I really enjoyed and learned from. I am not including links because you can google the titles and authors and find them just about anywhere.

My all-time favorite Bible Study (so far) is "Daniel" by Beth Moore. I almost didn't enroll in this study at my local church. I thought, "I know all about Daniel and the lion's den. What else is there to learn from this short book of the Bible?" I couldn't have been more wrong. There is so much prophecy packed into this book, and I learned more about the Bible than I ever have in one class. I learned just as much about Revelation as Daniel in this fascinating study. It is a little pricey (if you try to buy the videos - which I highly recommend) - but many churches have it and may offer it or loan it out to members.

I also learned from:

"A Woman's Walk with God" by Sheila Cragg. She presents much good information about strengthening your spiritual life in times of trouble and in everyday living. Short reading passages are followed by fill-in-the-blank discussion questions that you can personalize. The study really made me think.

"A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" by Beth Moore. See a pattern here? Her style of teaching jives with my way of receiving. I've tried the audiotapes with her studies, but the visual DVDs are really the way to go.

Do you have a favorite Bible Study? I'd really like to hear so I can check out some new ones.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
TCB

Be Content

I was feeling a little down this past Saturday afternoon when I had to work in my office. I had an article due Monday, and it had to get done. I don't mind working (I love you, my clients), but it was nice and sunny and the rest of my family was outside.

Doing this.

(By the way, do you see how my front yard has become a 4-wheeling trail? The grass in the field doesn't even want to grow in some places anymore.)

Anyway.......then I realized how darn fortunate I am. I have a porch right off my office (from which I shot this photo), and I can step out there, feel the sunshine and see my baby, all while bringing home the grub. Woo-hoo for technology.

I love my job. (How's that for a change of perspective?!)

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 11b - 13, The Holy Bible, NIV

Love your job. Whether it's at home or around the globe. It's what God has for you in this season of life.

Smile,
TCB

Should I?

Meet my cousins - "Should" and "Should Have." They like to sit right beside me every day - one on each side. I bet you have a couple of cousins like them. They can be rude. They constantly remind me of things like: "I should sit down at the computer and write this article before the weekend" or "I should have clipped those coupons and brought them with me instead of just dropping by the grocery store on my way home." How about: "I should have cleaned the house so I wouldn't have to do it on Saturday." Or "I should have punished my child for his rude outburst instead of letting it go again."

They keep me tense most of the time. Do I need them? Do you? They are the only cousins you're allowed to secretly wish would politely drop off the face of the earth.

We fill our lives with shoulds and should haves. But I've learned it's not only unwise - but wrong, according to the Bible - to live in the future full of worry or in the past full of regrets.

Good enough is, well, good enough.

Love,
TCB

What are You Thankful For?

What am I  thankful for this week?

The bald eagle my son and I spotted flying over and over the river yesterday afternoon.

The very first vegetables to come out of my organic garden. They only needed a sprinkling of extra virgin olive oil, some cracked pepper, and sea salt to taste great straight from the grill.

That my son doesn't mind watching Little House on the Prairie while I work on writing assignments for five straight hours.

That we have plenty of good food.

That my doggie is cozy enough in her home to sleep the afternoon away, knowing we will take care of her.

That's a sampling of what I'm thankful for, but don't be fooled. There are 1,001 other things on the list this week. I just need to go watch my shows on the DVR.

"I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have...I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty." Philippians 4:11-12.
The apostle Paul had it right.

What are you thankful for today?

Love,
TCB

The Book I'm Reading in April

I'm focusing on one book this month, as it is a busy spring month for finishing school activities and planting my garden and flower beds. I'm re-reading an important book my sister-in-law was so nice to give me some time ago: Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.

The main premise of this Christian child rearing book is that, as stated in the Bible, "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Tripp teaches parents how to address heart issues and not simply require rote obedience from their children. God has put us parents in charge of our children, and we should direct them toward a biblical perspective when it comes to obedience, not just make them obey because it is convenient for us.

This book contains deep spiritual lessons about parenting. I read it once many years ago when my son was an infant, but it is so much easier to digest now that I have a "tween." There is also a section for teenagers, and who doesn't need help with that??

Happy reading. I'd always like to hear about what you're reading now, too.

Love,
TCB

What I'm Reading this Month

What I'm Reading this Month

I'm on to reading two books at once this month and into March.

I told you last month I am reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God as part of a DVD/book-based Bible study.


Francis is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. One part of this week's Chapter 7 really jumped out at me. Early in the book, he talks about the Americanization of Christianity. For most of us, we have it good in this country - plenty to eat, plenty of clothes, and a culture that accumulates so much we have entire industries revolving around our "stuff." Think storage unit companies and organizational consultants who show us how to "declutter."

But Francis points out we often accept God's materialistic blessings and say "thank you, thank you" repeatedly to God. We may be grateful but that's as far as it goes. What if Jesus' disciples did the same thing when there was a food shortage and it was time for lunch? In Matthew Chapter 14, Jesus took one boy's 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and gave them to the disciples. The disciples could have acted like many of us today (I'm guilty) and said, "Thank you, Jesus, for providing plenty of food for our lunch today." Instead, they turned around and distributed food to everyone in the crowd, totaling more than 5,000 people according to the Bible.

Why are we different? Why shouldn't we do the same?

Interestingly enough, no one really knows where Francis Chan and his family are right now. He has stepped down from Cornerstone and his blog says he is deciding what God wants him to do next.

The second book I'm reading is Bill Bryson's At Home: A Short History of Private Life.


He is the author of many interesting and knowledge-filled books. You may know about A Short History of Nearly Everything. 

"At Home" is another inquisitive book where Bryson explains the history of how each room in our house came about. How did the Wardrobe begin? What is the history of the bathroom and how did it become a place of bath-taking? From the "one bath a year" mentality to the bathroom's coming of age as a normal, frequently used part of the house, Bryson covers all kinds of interesting angles. He writes about the bedroom, stairs, the nursery, and the attic, among many other rooms in houses in ancient times to modern times. History becomes both odd and fun in this book.

I would love to hear any interesting books you're reading now. I always need something new to add to my list!

Love,
TCB