This video was uploaded to Youtube on January 10th and already has over 800,000 hits. I really loved it, and agree with all that he has to say. I had to share.
{#764-#788}
~a message for children from my Pastor. Simple but powerful words.
~the example of Paul, the joy he found while in chains
~my new hat from a friend
~coconut milk vegan vanilla creamer
~lemon water served in a wine glass. “Cheers” with a friend.
~hugs from so many I have not seen in a while, while at Sunday church
~introducing my friend from Cali to my friends, showing her where we worship
~a visit from my Cali friend. We met on this blog. We text, we FB, we chat, we telephone talk. She flies to meet me. We have 3 precious days together.
~her ability to “get it” for she is a fighter/survivor, too!
~her example of bravery, as she shares her heart. Her realness shows such courage. Her heart matches and connects with mine.
~late-night kitchen beauty shop girl time. The sassy new cut/color I get to give her.
~sushi, sushi, sushi, SUSHI!
~my girls getting loved on, their tears when she had to leave. Little hearts had connected, too.
~Reading Psalm 91 together.
~her last night here. We sit cross-legged on the bed. Heads bowed, hands clasped, sometimes unclasping to wipe tears. We come before our God, thank Him for gifts and grace, and beg Him for healing and mercy. Our heads lift and we are amazed at how good He is to give us each other.
My friend, Duane Scott of “Scribing The Journey” shared a facebook status about a group he was going to be a part of, and I immediately wanted to be part of the group, too! The group is called “Read through the Bible in 2012” and I am giddy excited to be a part of it! It is a group of people, committing to read through the Bible in 2012. There are many suggestions of reading plans, and lots of encouragement already happening at this group!
I went to work trying to figure out a plan that would work best for me. I recently bought a Nook book reader, so I knew I would need to be able to read the Bible from it to be successful. I take it everywhere, and life provides many opportunities to pick it up and read–i.e. waiting in the car when picking up kids!
I was excited when I found the “One Year Chronological Bible” version. I love the idea of the Bible in chronological order. Those who have read this version commented on how it reads more like a story. One said that right after reading about David going to battle in one part of the Bible, you then get to read the Psalm he wrote of his thoughts and fears during that battle. Pretty cool.
When I think of the words, “Happy New Year,” I know that true happiness means knowing my Creator more. Resting in His plan for me. The grace and peace He brings, no matter what comes my way…that, my friends, is true happiness. What better way to find this than to read His Words?
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Have you ever read through the Bible?
Is it something that you would ever want to do?
Is there a reading plan that you love?
Would you like to join Read through the Bible in 2012 group? We would love to have you. If so, click here.
{Elaine & I, during our fight with breast cancer}
I am so excited to introduce you to one of my favorite writers and people, Elaine Olsen of “Peace For The Journey.” I have never met her in person, but our hearts are entwined despite. We both were diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2011. She was a gift to me, walked with me and is still by my side with her words. Her words got me through and lifted my head so many times during the fight. Her mouth speaks truth, the type that shoots straight to the heart. This post she wrote did exactly that, I am so thankful to have her words (despite her lack of voice, as you will see,}here at New Nostalgia!
{from Elaine}
My voice has been silenced in the last twenty-four hours. Literally. Sickness has claimed my vocal cords. This has never happened to me before, not completely in the way it has happened for me this time around.
My whispered shouts for the attention of others are met only by their silence. Not because they don’t care about me, but rather because they can’t hear me. Their listening isn’t prone to my whispering, so mostly… I’m ignored. Probably a relief to most of those in my household, but to a woman who’s used to being heard… a great frustration indeed.
And I’m thinking…
About my voice. About my words. About needing to be heard. About what I will say when I am, again, able to say.
And I’m thinking…
About quietness. About the value of forced silence. About going inward with my thoughts instead of outwardly displaying every single one of them.
And I’m thinking…
About God. About his voice. About his needing to be heard. About his willingness to keep company with silence… with his thoughts, instead of outwardly displaying every single one of them.
And I’m thinking…
About how very connected I feel to Him in all of this. About how my inability to speak amplifies the volume of God’s witness.
How many times has the Father whispered my name in the midst of my chaos, only to be ignored because of the noise surrounding my life? My hearing isn’t prone to his whispering. But in silence—in this period of fewer, personal words—I more clearly hear the phrases from heaven.
Beautiful, peace-filled, stilled expressions of understanding from God’s heart.
My ninth grade English teacher once wrote in my yearbook, “Elaine, if silence is golden you can forget it.” Apparently, I was destined for poverty. Thirty years ago, I hadn’t a clue what she’d meant, and I couldn’t have cared less.
Today, I have a clue. Today I care more, exceedingly more. Today, silence really is golden, because silence has given me access to the whispers of home. And whenever that happens, friends, I’m the richest person alive.
I’m so glad I know Jesus. I’m so glad he knows me. And I’m exceedingly glad for those moments when I am able to clearly hear his voice. What tender grace is mine as a daughter of the King! I pray that you know him, hear him, worship and celebrate him in the quiet, closing moments of 2011. I believe that God has something vital and important to whisper to each one of us. I’ll be anxious to hear from you in coming days. As always…
Peace for the journey,
Elaine is also author of the book: Peace for the Journey. You can learn more about this amazing guide book to peace below.
I’m so pleased to be able finally tell you that “peace for the journey: in the pleasure of his company” is now available in an e-book format through:
Winepress (DRM free version, allowing you to read it on all popular readers)
In addition, “peace for the journey” is available in paperback from many online retailers, including:
Well, I shared with you my new favorite Christmas song, so I thought I would continue the theme and tell you about my new favorite Christmas story book called “The Nativity
We purchase a new Christmas story book every year, and when I found this one at Indigo Bridge bookstore, I just immediately fell in love with it. It delighted me, made me laugh out loud in the store, and was just a refreshing change from typical.
Janice Harayda gives a great explanation of a few of the delights from this book:
The Nativity has several big advantages over most other picture books about birth of Christ and the arrival of the shepherds and wise men. One of these is that it tells the story through the rich and resonant text of the Gospel of Luke from the King James Version of the Bible, dropping only a phrase or two here and there for clarity or space. (“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” becomes “Fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy.”) Another advantage of the book is that the characters have no fixed race, so all kinds of families can identify with them. A third is that Vivas provides dynamic but offbeat and deglamorized watercolor illustrations — no gilt halos, no foil star, no flocked sheep. So The Nativity is more accurate than many of the books that have a Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who might have come straight from a DreamWorks casting call.
I fell hard for this book, I think it is a beautiful example of “New Nostalgia.”
The text comes right out of the Old King James version I read, memorized, and fell in love with as a kid, but the art is a completely different story. The characters are a bit sloppy and tatty. The angel gabriel has a ripped wing and is wearing boots that are flopping open with shoe strings untied. There is a page where Joseph is helping very pregnant Mary onto the donkey, bending down and making a stirrup with his hands for her to step into..my girls think that is so funny. Another one I love is while the angels tell the shepherd about their Savior, a couple decide to fly down and take a little ride on the sheep. The illustrator is able to, in my opinion, have a perfect balance of humor, whimsy and genuineness, without ever crossing the line into irreverence. There is a page where baby Jesus is exactly how he came into this world, before he was swaddled. Nothing that a little sticker couldn’t cover if you so desire.:)
You can browse through some of the pictures and purchase the book The Nativity
A few others we love are:
by Lori Walburg
Dale Tolmasoff
I have always loved this song, but it took on a special meaning for me last Christmas, as I was weak from finishing 4 rounds of chemotherapy, and knew a double mastectomy was coming my way right after Christmas. I found much comfort in this song, especially the chorus. I find myself continuing to cling to the words the last few days. My MRI was finally approved by insurance, and I will have it on Monday night, results a few days after.
I honestly don’t know what I would do without the hope of Heaven, and His comfort– His breath whispers to me– as I continue to face my own mortality. It is a place I don’t like being, but at the same time, it is a place where I have the opportunity to release myself completely to His plan, and to practice a deep trust. It is a place where I am able to practice what I proclaim, and a place where what I proclaim has become so very tangible and real. These are the gifts, ones I am beginning to think I would not trade, even for health.
For my heart is healing, which is so meaningful and life-giving. Far beyond physical healing. Of course I would love to stay physically healthy, but I now know deeply what matters. Would I have been able grasp this without the tangible fear of death? Would “I know, that I know, that I know,” without pain and suffering? I do not think so. Would I be able to “remember the works of the Lord” and who He became to me in these moments? The memories would not be so vivid, they would not “stick” so easily.
Would I know what it means to be “held together by the breath of Heaven?” Maybe, but I don’t think it would be as sweet, and I would not allow myself to be held as readily as I do now.
The breath of this God-child, this God who “became flesh and dwelt among us,” to bring hope & healing–this is why I celebrate, and this is why I love Christmas.
Countdown to Christmas, another day to cross off.
Little one begging me to work on this with her.
I tell her yes, after some laundry loads.
Another little one, found creating antlers…
…for her TV.
Said laundry, I have 2 more piles this size elsewhere in the house.
Keeping it real, people.
Simple gifts ready to go. Can you tell I am not planning on doing my usual Christmas Cookie baking?
An unexpected drop in by Grandma bearing Christmas treats!
My oldest, measuring the melting.
I looked everywhere for that glass measure this morning!
The only Christmas decor my pre-teen would allow in her room. Makes me smile.
Thank you notes and festive art left by my youngest.
Sounds of Christmas as they practice before Saturday morning piano lessons.
Headboard wrapped in Christmas lights. Fa-la-la-la-laa, la, oh-la-la!!
Touches of silver sparkle next to a honeymoon picture.
Do you see me in the reflection?
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I walk around finding myself wanting to grasp on to the moments. I am so thankful for each one. I love our family life and our home. Life is precious, and good.