CHRISTMAS STORIES

THE HOLIDAY SERIES
UNLEASH THE MAGIC
DECEMBER CHAPTER
FALL ON YOUR KNEES

What is your favorite story regarding Christmas?

Of course the most popular Christmas book is probably
A Christmas Carol

But remember this one:
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. What an adorable tale about a Christmas tree that is too tall. Adelaide cuts the top off. She throws it away and it starts a chain of bears, owls and eventually mice finding Christmas trees from that one tree top.



Did you know Tolkien wrote a Christmas story?
Letters from Father Christmas by Tolkien
Have you read it?



And we can’t forget The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe – Narnia, the land where it is always winter and never Christmas. But Christmas does come!












Of course the birth of the our Savior Jesus - that is the real story. That story will be up next!

Charlie Hall on SUMMER SONGS, BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER by KM Wilsher

I have a list of "Summer Songs" that I've prepared for this series BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER.
Some tunes from the year I graduated, the year I was born. Some moshing from summer drives with my nephew, other melodies from my dark nights without Jesus. I had one for just about every summer of my life except 2009.
That is until last weekend while sitting in church worshiping with the saints. The band rocked this:


Nuff said ;) What are you listening to this summer, 2009?

BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER by KM Wilsher

BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER: BACK COVER BLURBS
________________________________________
I’m studying “back cover blurbs” and short one line synopses. The goal of this research started out egocentric really. I needed to know all I could about good summaries for back covers, because I want an outstanding back cover blurb for my work in progress.
As I thumbed through great synopses written by both published and unpublished writers, I realized I knew some pretty awesome writers. Thus the idea for this series was born. Why not share these great writers with everyone? Why not dive into conversations with the great writers I know and soak in the knowledge!
_________________________________________

Up this week, Mary's Perfume by Rebecca Bruner.

Rebecca Bruner, a member of Christian Writers of the West -- the Arizona Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers -- she is a brilliant writer. When I read Mary's Perfume, I could feel the emotion, taste the salty air, and smell the aroma as if the events were unfolding in front of me.

Here is the one liner:
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Mary knew she could not prevent Jesus' approaching agony, but what could she do to express her love and gratitude to the one who was about to suffer so much on her behalf?
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Rebecca Bruner has done several public readings of Mary's Perfume. Keep an eye out for another one in your area.

Mary's Perfume is a story that will inspire people to have a deeper love for Jesus. If anyone is interested in ordering a copy for $5, let me know. I'll get with her and order it.

Come back tomorrow and read her promo/back cover blurb!

Word Wednesday by KM Wilsher

I have much to be thankful for this week.
~*My friend, Lynn Rush, facilitated a writer's retreat and took me with her. ~*Grandma and Grandtom, in their 80's, are on a trip to Florida!
~*I won a limerick contest.
~*I received a 98% on a test in my law class.
~*My Granddad is doing well, despite being 91 and just out of the hospital.
~*A girl hit me today -- her Civic ramming the back of my Explorer as I went through an intersection -- we both are physically okay!
~*During a recession I received a new position at work.
~*My Dad called me :)

So, Word Wednesday is just Praise to the Author of life and LOVE. My knight in Shining Armor, Jesus Christ.

Sing a new song to the Lord,
for He has done wonderful deeds.
He has won a mighty victory
by His power and holiness.
The Lord has announced His victory
and has revealed His righteousness
to every nation!
He has remembered His promise to
love and be faithful to Israel.
The whole earth has seen the
salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,
with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the
Lord, the King!
Let the sea and everything in it
shout His praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs
of joy before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with fairness.
Psalm 98 NLT

How is your week? What are you reading in the Word?

Word Wednesday by KM Wilsher

It seems like every study I hear/do this week, the discussion is a reminder about our armor.

Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The belt of truth-The breastplate of righteousness-The shield of faith-The helmet of salvation- The sword of the Spirit.

As I've been thinking about this, clothing ourselves with armor, how much more Christian Fantasy can you get? You know how much I like Fantasy - Lord of the Rings, Reign of Fire, Firefly and my friend Avily Jerome just turned me on to the "Wheel of Time" series -WOW! And let's not forget 'Remnants' by KM Wilsher --- my WIP 'Remnants' is Christian Fantasy! (The first chapter can be accessed along the right hand side of this page)

But back to the Armor of God. A joyful Joyce Meyer asked her audience this week, "Did anyone stand in front of the closet this morning and the clothes just flew off the hanger and on to your body?"
Of course the audience answered, "No."
She then to went on to highlight the verbs in this series BUCKLE the belt of truth; PLACE the breastplate of righteousness; FIT your feet with readiness; TAKE up your shield, the helmet, and the sword of the Spirit.

It just reminded me there is more than just remembering my armor; I must remember to put it on. So how does one 'put on' Spiritual armor? I think we all know that the spiritual battle never ceases. I must pray without ceasing. I must Love and love some more, overcoming evil with good and I must be in ongoing conversation with Jesus. I must remember to clothe myself with armor. I heard the famous Sister Theresa stopped every thirty minutes to pray.

By the way, the King James version is much more "FANTASY" Ephesians 6:10-17
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, where with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Word Wednesday by KM Welcher

What style of evangelist are you?

"So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

I vacillate between the outspoken Christian to the quiet, loving, girl hoping her life is testement to Jesus. Always, I am hoping someone will ask, "Why are you so joyful, peaceful, kind?", and that I am ready with my answer of faith.

I have a friend Sean Kennedy, some of you know him. Back in the day, when we first started hanging out, I was in awe at his boldness for Christ. We were both pretty much rookies in the faith journey, still rough around the edges. But, Sean, he never let an opportunity pass. The grocery store, the drive thru, his neighbor, Chipotle.

It was such an exhilarating experience. I loved watching people's faces light up at this energetic, broad shouldered marine sharing a smile and a quip with them. And with the ice broken, he then shared his faith. Not once did I see anyone get angry or insulted. They always seemed grateful and honored someone would share something so deep with them, and that some stranger would invite them to Church.



I'm not as bold. In fact, it's hard for me to even sit on a plane. I heard a lesson once saying you should ALWAYS share your faith on the plane. Mmm made flying hard. I twist and turn in my seat. Talk to my neighbor and look for an opportunity. I wring my hands and pray, and then it seems like everytime, something really stupid escapes my mouth--if anything comes out at all.

One of those 'street prophets' --you know the ones that stand on the street corner and say, "The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent!"-- actually had a big impact on me turning from sin and letting Jesus in my heart. I don't know what I advocate, but there was a man outside the Denver Art Museum about 12 years ago who pointed at me and shouted words resembling the "Repent" statement. Moments later I was in tears in the bathroom stall. Days later I was in the phone book looking for Churches to visit. Christ worked through other events in my life that helped this hard, unwilling, icy heart to surrender, but I thank Jesus for the prophet standing downtown Denver, Colorado that summer day.

Do you know any outstanding witnesses for Christ? Have you ever been convicted by a modern day street prophet?

Word Wednesdayby KM Wilsher

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.

If you don't have time for anything else, click the following:
FAITHFUL THOMAS: A SECOND LOOK
and read a brilliant article by my friend and sister in Christ, Ashley Weaver.

Here is the continuation from last week. The story of our friendship:
Last week’s story ended with a train ride far from the body of Christ. Well, good news, eventually I disembarked that train! I went on a search for the Truth and found it in Denver, Colorado in the words of the man from Nazareth. I rediscovered the love and Spirit I had once thought an apparition. After a little while, I began to think, "Whatever happened to Ashley?"

It was only a few days later that I got my answer. At a Wednesday night singing service at Lakewood Church of Christ, where many different churches get together and praise the Lord, I saw a familiar face. The hair was the same but, she was not alone. There were four kids huddling around her like cubs to a mother bear. Ashley! In an absolute impossible way, God had crossed our paths once again.

A new friendship grew out of echoes from the past. Her husband happened to be the minister for the singles group at their church, and I began to attend bible studies at their house. Bible studies, sound familiar? As a singles group we met in small groups and reached out to our neighbors. We also hiked, even rock climbed and the sublime Spirit of God revealed himself to me once more. Hiking, sound familiar?

God has given me the gift of a friend, a mentor and an accountability partner -- deeper and brighter than I thought might exist. Based on the connection from that little church camp in the Delores Valley, Ashley and I developed a deep bond of sisters in Christ and of friends. And all this despite the miles between us.


Looking back to those days in the mountains of Southwestern Colorado at Four Corner’s Encampment, I finally feel God's calling on the life of a troubled little girl. I feel his sweet love in my soul and know that my piece of heaven on earth was not a dream. He gave me many gifts including Ashley. Read her article. The link is above. It shows some of the Spirit that flows through her.

One day in heaven, after we've looked upon the sweet face of Jesus, met all our friends and family, and conversed with Moses, Esther, Rahab, Peter, and the other pillars of faith. In the new earth, if there is still a little place tucked away in the Rocky Mountains resembling the old Dolores Valley, Ashley and I are going to know where to find each other.

Word Wednesday by KM Wilsher PG-13

This post may be a little heavy. Thus the PG-13 label :)
Word Wednesday is back!
What are you reading in the bible this week?
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A few days after I was baptized, I heard the following story:

Angie loved Jesus, and after she gave her life to Him, she apprised her family about His infinite love. Her parents did not want to have anything to do with religion. In fact, they soon got a divorce and went their separate ways.
Angie graduated from high school and got her own apartment. Dad was never around, but mom stayed close by her. Angie loved her mom and wanted her to discover Jesus, that He was good, that He wanted Mom to spend eternity with Him.
Angie prayed, “Jesus, I don’t care what happens to me, but I will go through anything you deem necessary that will allow Mom to see the truth.”
A month later, on a cold beach at night, Angie was raped and killed. Her mother is now a believer.
+++

This story traumatized me in the early days of my faith journey. It invited horrible events from my past to haunt me. It deposited a constant fear within me. I used to babysit overnight for a single mom at church, and they lived in a very dark area. I remember being petrified that it was “my turn.”
My faith has grown.
I can’t imagine why someone would have told a new believer this story, but I imagine they might have had their own horrible events in their past. I don’t know. However, I think the story is not true --an urban ghost story that Satan uses to his benefit, not to ours. The way I see it, the bottom line is that Jesus is the sacrifice. He would not “allow evil to happen to one” in order for another to be saved.
Like I said, my Faith has grown.
Here is what I read this week that reminded me of this abominable story. These verses bring truths that are the exact opposite of what the above story is designed to deliver. I have seen the following lines from the Word come true in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. This is not to say that bad things do not happen. It’s just to say: The only sacrifice is Jesus. He died for you and me -and Angie. If you haven't already, give Him a chance to show you.

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This is the truth of how God loves:
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

3Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation
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What are you reading this week?

Super Bowl XLIII URGENT!

And CLICK HERE for "13" reasons to watch the Super Bowl.
You gotta love Kurt Warner, and if you don't clicke above on 13 reasons to love him!

I know the end of the story

I was inspired to write this after a letter I wrote to a friend.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." John 21:18

My family has always been very involved in missions local and abroad, planting Churches, serving Jesus. As a child, on my way to the Indian Reservation with my family to spread the Word and give food and clothes, I would picture myself as an adult on the mission field in some role. However, to my shame, my teens and early twenties did not glorify Jesus. And in my mid-twenties, I went on a journey to study every religion I could find of to locate the Truth: Science of the mind, New ageism, Indian mysticism, Buddism, Hinduism and others, and thank the Lord Jesus Christ the search for the Truth led me home. The Truth was in my life all along – Jesus was always who He claimed to be: The Son of God – and I could finally see!

In my late twenties I began to serve Jesus with all my heart, and looking at the mission field again. At Metro Church in Denver, Colorado I became a fan of some missionaries to Russia and Portugal. But, I was sincerely touched by a woman who came to visit Lakewood Church of Christ who ran a Christian elementary school in India. It was small and poor, but attendance was coveted by the community due to the love of Christ Jesus.

I thought I had found my calling. In fact, I had to do a persuasive speech in my communications class at a secular college and I spoke about the Indian Christian School and my desire to go and teach/witness there. It was a secular school, but at the end of my presentation the students gave me money! I collected $30 to put toward what I would need to get to India. The professor said he’d never seen anything like it. The Spirit was moving beautifully and my life was good. Alas, that $30 still sits --as do I – stateside.

Funny how things work. . .I’ve heard it said, “We make plans and God laughs.” I don’t know about that, but I do know in my life I’ve made plans and He says, “Wait.” Not just mission plans, but ministry plans, family plans, writing, education and career plans too. And, He says, “Wait.” “Wait” is not the easiest thing to do.

I’ve said to my Lord for many years, “I’ll go anywhere you want me to go.” But I think I always meant “anywhere but here.” And, as I’ve stayed “here”, I have remained extremely faithful and in love with the Son of God. I will not leave Him ever again. Like Peter said in John 6:68
“Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Yes, eternal life and ironically, the Truth for which I left Him to search for in my twenties.

I wondered if I was the only one who felt this way. Was I the only one God asked to stay put -- to “Wait.”

Sarah came to mind. God asked her to wait for His promises to be revealed and fulfilled. Wait well into her elder years. I have a very strong bond with Abraham’s wife. I know we are very different. She was very beautiful; she was a wife, and the mother of many nations. I am pretty frumpy, single, and the mother of none, and yet I feel we are united.

That bond developed while I was reading the book: SARAH: Book One of the Canaan Trilogy by Marek Halter. It’s a good book. I read it a couple of years ago. And page after page I found myself saying, “Hang on Sarah. Don’t fret. Don’t give up hope. I know the end of the story.” I found myself wanting to step into her story and tell her what I know. A few months later as I was in despair, losing hope and laughing at the prospect that God had plans for me to prosper; I heard a distant voice saying, “Hang on, child. Don’t fret. Don’t give up hope. I know the end of the story.” Love, Sarah.

From my viewpoint it seems like all those around me have “go orders”. I have great respect for you all and admiration beyond belief. I feel so lucky God has placed you in my life. But, my question is; Has God asked you to wait?

The lyrics below went with this blog so well. It’s a great song with a feel of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’ll have to spotlight “Tourniquet” in PFF sometime. For now, I show up where I am and wait for the end of the story!

Crawl To China - Tourniquet
Lyrics
Is God asking you to crawl to China - or just to cross the street?
to trudge through the desert through Arabian heat
or to accomplish the impossible - an Herculean feat
or maybe just trade in bad thoughts obsolete

Is it the concentration camps at Dackow?
is it Joan of Arc revisited?
Niagara Falls in a barrel?
or to mend a broken relationship instead?

Crawl to China

He is faithful - it remains in His hands
from the cold barren Arctic to the war stricken lands
from the place in your heart where despair takes its hold
to the lairs of the demons where deceptions are told
is God asking you to crawl to China or just to cross the street?

Crawl to China

With emotional rigormortis freezing your step
you won't be going far at all
it feels pretty safe but the danger is real
you won't grow until you face the fear that you feel

Crawl to China
________________

Word Wednesday

No crossword puzzles, vocabulary or word games, I don't have the mind to come up with those. On Word Wednesday I want to talk about what we are reading in the bible this week. It’s not a Bible study, sermon or deep devotional, just a place to reflect on a verse or passage that may have touched us this week.

When you are reading in the scriptures, do you ever wonder about the lives of people that are mentioned only briefly? Those people who are mentioned by name, but little other information is given.

I was reading in Luke last night. 8:1-3
The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

There is much talk about Mary Magdalene, speculation, controversy even, but what about Joanna wife of Cuza? What was her husband’s name - the manager of Herod’s household and was he a believer? She was a supporter of Jesus’ ministry. I picture her going out to meet with the disciples, coming home and making sure her servants had prepared dinner. I assume, as someone who was that close to Jesus, she was very kind and loving - grateful to be free from disease/demons. I hear her speaking to her servants of the Messiah and the wives of soldiers. I think she was respected, but often times talked about because she was a follower of Jesus Christ. I don't know.

Or how about the demon possessed man? You know the one naked and living amongst the tombs? The one whose neighbors could not chain down or keep clothes on. The one with the possession called "Legion", “for we are many.”

Luke says when the healed and exorcised, clean shaven and clothed man sat at Jesus' feet, he then asked to go with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away asking him tell everyone how much God had done for him. The man had spent so many years in lonely torment, I can only imagine his love, gratefulness and admiration for Jesus. . .living, in the body, Jesus! He had to be, at the very least, disappointed he couldn’t stay near his Master.

I’m confident the previously possessed man led a great, adventurous life that glorified God. I wonder about it. Did he stay in the town or travel? Did he meet up with other believers or was he alone most of his life? Where was he during the crucifixion?

Do you ever wonder about those briefly mentioned in the bible? What are you reading this week?

It started with a little project called Phantasmagorical Freek Friday and all I could think about was music, memories, and more music. Like I always do when I'm analyzing things, I started with my childhood first and then worked forward chronologically.(There is an interesting reason for this, but we will save that for another day)

Have you ever sat and tried to pinpoint the very first musical experience that you can remember? Go back, way back. If you have kids, or are around kids, you know music is part of a baby’s life from practically day one. Musical mobiles; toys; and momma’s sweet voice singing. But what is the first musical memory you can actually recall?

I think mine is my mom singing to my sister and I before bed as we looked out the window at the moon.
I see the moon
The moon sees me
God made the moon
And God made me

As I searched for that first musical memory, the most memorable songs were Christmas songs. Apropos for the season, I guess. Maybe they came up more because we sing the same songs year after year.

I remember Up on the House top and Frosty, but the most intriguing carols were about a babe born in a manger on a cold winter’s night in a barn. Those carols were mostly quieter melodies with mysterious lyrics. The story fascinated me. Who was this baby sleeping? Why was He so important?

Silent Night. There is an early memory. All is calm. Lot’s of things about growing up were not calm, so all things calm and bright got my attention. These were some of the first seeds of Faith planted in my heart. I was in as much awe as those blessed sheep herders were. I stood in Church near my mom and her amazing alto voice and my dad’s beautiful belting tenor. All of us were facing forward, no choir, no band, just four-part, a cappella harmony in a mass of 60-100 Christians praising the new born Lord. Great memories!

My favorite songs have always been Joy to the World and O Holy Night.
These days I am really a Scrooge about Christmas music. I think it is because it starts November 1st and mostly it is not played to remind me of Jesus’ birthday, but to remind me to spend money I don’t have. I mean for me,I want Christmas to be: “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!” These are my favorite lyrics and melody of all time.

I wrote this blog last night in a notebook. It is five pages long, so I think I’ll stop here and spare you any more torture. It was just fun looking back. And, as always, I'd love to hear any thoughts you care to/have time to share.

Some thoughts on AJ's blog

Check out my friend Avily Jerome's blog for her entry "Red Sea Rules Part 2". It got me thinking that for years I have wondered how the Father brings Glory to Himself through all my difficulties. And I guess I do not see my struggles as difficulties, but failures. And, for so long, I haven't been able to understand how leaving me in such failing waters could Glorify His Name. I think to myself; "If only You would deliver me, Jesus, just think of the Glory that would bring! Oh, such Glory! I would shout your delivering ways from the mountain top!" Standing in the echo of such thoughts, I realize -- How much Glory comes from easy? How much more Glory is brought to His name, when I shout His Name from the mountain tops, despite what struggles I swim in – all the while standing firm in the Faith that He will deliver me! My Deliverer is Coming! Yours too!