Embracing Faith Encouraging Hope

Making Memories This Christmas Season

We are celebrating Christmas differently this year. My husband and I attended four live performances in the past two weeks. We enjoyed two theatrical programs on our own and two events with our two youngest grandchildren, hoping to make long-lasting memories.

Our grandchildren joined us for Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge, an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, presented by Packard Playhouse in Columbia, Tennessee. A cast of talented adults and children brought the story of Ebenezer Scrooge to life, as the miser Scrooge transformed into a warmhearted and generous man.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17, NIV

Last weekend, Kenn and I attended a matinee at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, Tennessee, for another live performance, White Christmas, presented by Audience of One Productions. Truly a delightful musical with gifted performers. A story of kindness and helping a friend in need. Of course, I enjoyed the romance too.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16, NIV 

That evening, we gathered up our two youngest grandchildren again and celebrated the birth of our Lord as Nashville’s Christ Church Choir sang and worshipped. We received a blessing from the beautiful songs, scriptures, and exceptional talent.

All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.
Psalm 66:4, NIV 

On Wednesday, we drove to Granville, Tennessee, for a live performance at the Mayberry Dinner Theater. We enjoyed a delicious meal and laughed as the actors portrayed scenes from The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy. My favorite characters were Gomer and Goober. A real hoot as we say here in Tennessee!

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22, NIV 

This year, we will have another new experience since returning to Tennessee. Our church rarely has a choir, but they put one together for our Christmas Eve services. Kenn and I are joining in and are excited to sing with a choir again.

Are you making new memories to celebrate Christmas this year? Or would tampering with a cherished tradition put you on someone’s naughty list?

Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, spent with family and friends, making lasting memories. May your days be joyful and full of love as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

The Simpler Life

Do you remember “the simpler life”? The era of wringer washers and hanging clothes outside on the clothesline to dry? Perhaps, like me, you tried hiding behind bedsheets flapping in the breeze during hide-and-seek, but your exposed feet gave you away. And after washing and drying the dinner dishes by hand, did you settle down to watch programs on your black and white television set like we did? Those were the good old days.

I know I am sharing my age here, but who remembers The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Dick Van Dyke Show? Good, clean humor, along with family values, and couples with twin beds. Maybe not always realistic but at least family friendly.

Think of the 50s and early 60s. Would you like to travel back in time? Perhaps to a place like Mayberry? In the past few months, hubby and I have watched several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and laughed at those simpler times. I have read that a similar place to the fictional Mayberry is Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith’s childhood home.

Although I have never been to Mount Airy, ten days ago, my husband and I drove to Historic Granville, known as Tennessee’s Mayberry Town. A town filled with southern charm. They have a small museum with I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show memorabilia. Items include one of Andy Griffith’s personal guitars (he often played and sang during his show) and a 1964 Ford squad car that sits out front.

We grabbed lunch at the TB Sutton General Store, which has been a major part of Granville since the 1800s. After my delicious chicken salad sandwich, we toured an old homestead and a pioneer village, viewed outdoor fall harvest decorations, as well as visited an antique car museum. 

Our tour included a stop at Aunt Bee’s Farmhouse, home to the Tennessee Quilt & Textile Museum, a quilt shop, and a bakery. Although I do not quilt, I admire the complex designs, craftsmanship, and the love poured into these beautiful masterpieces.

We are masterpieces too. God’s artistry is evident in each one of us. We are His magnificent creations. More delicate, complex, and marvelous than all those quilts put together. His love-filled craftmanship within us cultivates our inner beauty and compassion.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Psalm 139:13-14, NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10, NLT

We had a pleasant time in Granville and plan to return next month to enjoy their Mayberry–Lucy Christmas Dinner Theater and festive Christmas decorations throughout this historic small town. Here is a link to find out more about Granville: https://www.granvilletn.com/.

Are you ready to enjoy “the simpler life”? Check out one of those old black and white television shows and let me know your favorite.

LOL! After I wrote this post, our dishwasher broke down. I got reacquainted with “the simpler life” by hand washing our dishes like in the good old days!

Wisdom and Understanding

Have you ever shaken your head, questioning if the entire world has gone completely bonkers? If you are like me, you have come across social media posts and news stories that leave you feeling surprised, frustrated, or even shocked. It is clear to see that not everyone follows Christ.

One of the teaching pastors at my church (Shaun Groves) shared a message two months ago called, “The Path of Prayer.” He stated this in his sermon: “Only the people of God, given the Spirit of God, can discern, desire, and do the will of God.”

Wow! That hit home with me! Why do I allow myself to get so upset with some people for what they say, believe, and do? True wisdom and understanding come only from the Holy Spirit.

His statement was based on 1 Corinthians 2:14.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things
that come from the Spirit of God but considers them
foolishness, and cannot understand them because
they are discerned only through the Spirit (NIV).

People can’t hold a Biblical worldview if they don’t have the Spirit of God living within them. They think that those of us with Christian values who believe in the Bible are foolish.

I shouldn’t be surprised, frustrated, or shocked by what I see or read on social media or in the news by those who don’t follow Jesus. They don’t understand the truth of God’s Word.

Pastor Shaun also shared a few points from Colossians, Chapter 1:10-12 regarding the life God wants for those of us who are followers of Christ.

  • Bear fruit in every good work, to both believers and non-believers alike.

  • Grow in your knowledge of God by having a daily relationship with Him.

  • Be strengthened with God’s power to endure and remain patient in challenging circumstances with difficult individuals.

  • Express heartfelt gratitude to our loving Father with joy.

I desire to be one of God’s people, follow Christ, and do what pleases Him.

 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and
the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13, (NLT)

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From Dry Bones to a New Heart

Last month, I shared the first of two real-life events that mirror the experiences of the heroine in my soon to be released book, All Things Possible.

This Christian Contemporary Romance follows the journey of Maggie Stone, the gossipy owner of a cozy bed-and-breakfast in a small town, as she reunites with her first love, Wade Ruby. Wade, a rugged rancher, returns to town after two decades to take over his father’s cattle farm.

Today, I will share the second of two similar events from my life found in the book, adding more to a story I have told in earlier blog posts.

Fifty years ago, a young evangelist, fresh out of seminary, held a revival at the church where my mom and I had attended for two weeks. On the last night, this preacher shared a message from Ezekiel, chapter thirty-seven. The story of the Valley of Dry Bones.

Up to that point, I thought I was a Christian because I believed in God and knew about Jesus. But during the message, the Holy Spirit stirred something deep within me and revealed that faith in God went far beyond intellectual belief.

As he preached, I related to those lifeless bones that lacked hope and realized I needed the Holy Spirit to dwell within me. Just like those bones, I desired to be filled with the breath of God.

The Lord called me to follow Him that evening, but I couldn’t move. I clung to the edge of my seat with my heart pounding loudly in my chest. If I had stood, I would have run out the back door—not forward to pray. Fortunately, the Lord didn’t let me rest throughout the next week. He continued to draw me.

The following Sunday, after the pastor preached and gave an altar call, I stood on shaky legs, made my way to the front, and knelt. I not only believed in my head, but I believed in my heart. My life changed that day, although I am still growing and learning. God filled me with hope, peace, joy, and love when He gave me a new heart and breathed His Holy Spirit into my dry bones.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9, ESV

Two months after my new birth in Christ, the evangelist who preached the message that changed my life forever came back to my church as the new pastor. Three weeks ago, we traveled almost 500 miles to celebrate with him and his family his fifty years of ministry there. Fifty years of preaching and teaching God’s Word in the same church, resulting in many lives being transformed by the power of Christ.

I hope you enjoy reading Maggie’s story and how the message the Lord used to draw her to Him mirrors my story.

Was there a specific message or verse that opened your eyes to God’s love for you?

Photo by Marcelo Novais—Unsplash

Coming soon!

All Things Possible

Jesus looked at them and said,

“With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26, NIV

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