May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all
generations.
We've celebrated Thanksgiving, and Christmas is coming.
Another holiday season has rolled around. Thanksgiving Day
we were blessed to spend time with some of our family, something we didn't get
to do last year. Nieces and nephews have grown by leaps and bounds, as have our
grandchildren. As usual on this holiday, too much food went into my mouth, but
my goodness it was yummy.
As I looked around the room and visited with folks, I thanked
God for the opportunity to spend time together. Something I'd taken for granted
before the pandemic. I also loved meeting my niece's puppies and seeing my mom
cuddle with one. The day satisfied in so many ways.
I know the holidays, along with joy, can bring stress and
busyness.
As I prepare my heart for the Christmas season, I want
nothing more than to focus on the reason we celebrate. Yes, I love the
decorations, the music, the movies, and the food, but more than anything, I
love Jesus and the reason He came.
Jesus fulfilled the prophets' words in the Old Testament by
being born of a virgin, in a manger. That sweet babe grew into the man who gave
His life for our freedom from sin. He's the reason we celebrate.
As you decorate the tree, thank God for the beauty He
created—as
you sing a carol, praise the Lord for his love and mercy—as you shop for gifts, pray
for the recipient— and every day, recognize the grace we have because of
Jesus. Let's roll from the Thanksgiving season into Christmas with a grateful heart.
Book
Description:
This gripping new novel from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense
author Colleen Coble will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very
last page.
A
wealthy hotel heiress.
Even though
Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, she’s happy to
arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll
Island.
A suspicious death.
But when
Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows it is more than a
tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming
by choice.
A fight for
the truth.
Torie goes
to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe
Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.
The more
Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. One thing is clear:
someone will risk anything—even more murder—to keep their secrets buried.
My Thoughts:
Gripping is right. Coble is a master at writing suspense that keeps you reading
and sticks with you after the story ends. Torie takes on her own undercover
assignment, even though she's not law enforcement. Joe, without knowing her
true identity, helps Torie search for the reason her best friend died; all
while protecting his daughter. I enjoyed A Stranger's Game and the twists
and turns that finally led to the killer. Colleen Coble's writing wraps you in
the story and leaves you breathless by the end. If you enjoy great suspense,
you'll want to read A Stranger's Game. I received a complimentary
copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2 Corinthians 3:15-17
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But
whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the
Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
The children waved flags in their honor.
 |
| Mrs. Blankenship's art classes made this beautiful flag. |
On Veteran's Day, I had the privilege to watch the program
the school put on to honor the men and women who served in the military. The
children lined the halls and waved flags and the vets marched around the school.
The scene brought back memories of an old-fashioned, small-town celebration. After
the march, the children gathered in the gym. My daughter, Sara, sang The
National Anthem, then the men spoke about their time in the military. A
student from each class got to ask a question and hear the responses. I admit
at times I had tears and chills.
One of the gentlemen in the group was a very special guest. Former Superintendent William Bick, who the school is named for, spoke to the students. At ninety-eight years old, he told them he served in WW2. What a treasure to have met this honorable veteran.
All the veterans who spoke represented the freedom they
fought for and the safety they defended for our country. They gave their time
to protect our freedom.
My dad served in WW2, my husband as an Air Force Reservist,
my brothers in the National Guard. I've always had great respect for our
military.
Our American freedom is not the only freedom we have.
Believers and followers of Jesus hold a freedom that can never be taken away. When
we receive the Holy Spirit, we also gain freedom from sin through repentance, freedom to live a
life following the Savior, and freedom from the world. No matter what goes on
around me, I know Jesus is with me and He comforts me.
I thank God for the veterans and military persons who serve,
and I thank God for the One who gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus loves us so much. He wants us to have the freedom He offers, the freedom
to love, forgive, and hope.
On Thanksgiving, give thanks for our military and for Jesus,
the one who sets us free.
John 1:4-5
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I like that extra hour of sleep when we fall back.
In the fall, I look forward to change. I love the way the
trees show off their red, orange, and yellow leaves. In Ohio we have a lot of
maple trees. They glow a golden yellow, and this year they have waved their
dressy branches in the most spectacular way. The cooler weather reminds me winter
peeks around the corner. Yes, I'm one who enjoys snow and bundling up or
cozying in for the colder months. Many folks may disagree with me, but I like
when the clocks fall back, and the hour of sleep I lost in the spring is
restored. The morning light wakes me, and in the evening, I can huddle in our
cozy home.
I've written about hygge before; the act of creating a comfortable
and inviting environment inside when the weather or time change gives us
darkness early. Part of the hygge experience is lighting candles, turning on
lights to brighten the darkness, and cuddling in a warm blanket.
When God created the earth, He made day and night—darkness
and light. As a believer, I experience a light, unlike the sun or a lamp. I
don't welcome the darkness of the world, a shadow of sin which Satan brings
with him. When that darkness falls, I cling to the light of Jesus. Psalm 119:105
says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
His word lights my way, and His light overcomes all darkness. Jesus is the
hygge I want when the darkness of despair, worry, sin, or sorrow try to smother
me. He is the light of the world. He alone brings peace and comfort in times of
darkness. As the dark surrounds me, Jesus' light of love and grace illuminate
my life.
Seek the light of Jesus.