A Step in the Write Direction
December 22,
2014
Update: My prayer is that each
of you has a good Christmas Day, and that no one will be alone. If you are,
think of someone you can invite, or volunteer at a local Salvation Army dinner
or another place serving meals. I’m thankful to live in a country where we can
freely celebrate Christmas, even if some want to call it by another name. I’m
thankful my husband is still with us after four hospital stays this year and for
our children and granddaughters (and yes, my son-in-law). Even though it’s not
Thanksgiving week, why not make a list of what you’re thankful for this
Christmas and share it with your family.
Thought for
Today:
One day, a
rich dad took his son on a trip. Wanting to show him
how needy someone can
be, they spent
time on the farm of a poor family. On the way home, Dad
asked, "What did you
learn today?"
The son replied, "We
have one dog, they have four; we have a pool, they have rivers, we have lanterns
at night, they have stars; we buy foods, they grow theirs; we have walls to
protect us, they have friends; we have encyclopedias, they have a Bible." Then
he added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."
Song for
Today:
Thou didst leave Thy
throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to
earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home
there was found no room
For Thy holy
Nativity.
O come to my heart,
Lord Jesus;
There is room in my
heart for Thee.
—Emily E.S. Elliott,
“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”
Laugh for
Today:
How Many
Christians Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?
(tongue in
cheek, of course)
Charismatics:
One. Their hands are already in the air.
Pentecostals:
Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of
darkness.
Presbyterians: None. Lights will go off and on at predestined
times.
Roman
Catholics: None. Candles only.
Baptists: At
least fifteen. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the
change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried
chicken.
Mormons: One,
and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Methodists:
Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are
loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring
a bulb of your choice to
the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to
pass.
Nazarenes:
Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting
policies.
Lutherans:
None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.
Amish: What’s
a light bulb?
Writers’
Tips: (Next week I’ll return to actual writers’
tips.)
An Unexpected Sound
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God (Luke 2:13).
A
local discount store was closing its doors for good at midnight on Christmas Eve. My husband and I—barely making it on
his pastor’s small salary—thought it would be a good chance to shop for our
three children 3, 2, and 11 months. The store was nearby, the children were
asleep, so we left them with my two teen-age nephews.
When
we returned we found the two boys huddled together as close as they could get on
our sofa. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“There’s…there’s…someone in the attic,” one replied shakily.
“Yeah,” the younger one added, his face ashen. “We can hear them
pounding up there.”
We
listened. Bang…bang…bang…the sound reverberated throughout the living room. We
laughed, and took the two shaking boys outside where they saw the wind blowing
the “parsonage” sign against the front of the house.
Unexpected sounds can be scary at night—but not when they signal
good news. It was night when the angels appeared to the shepherds, singing,
"Glory to God in the highest.”
When
a sound awakens you in the night, don’t be afraid. It may be an angel bringing
good news.
Lord,
thank You for the good news You gave the shepherds in the middle of the
night—and to me today—peace on earth! May it begin with peace in my heart.
Have a good week spreading
the
gospel
through the printed page.
Donna
Clark Goodrich
www.thewritersfriend.net
"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"
"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"
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