CHRISTmas

We talk glibly of the "Christmas spirit," rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis. But...the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing of human lives of the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all the year round.
J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

Excerpt from Tree in the Trail by Holling C Holling

The Tree in the story has lived a long life and when a twister destroys it, it is made into a yoke.

'Seems funny not to see her spreadin' above us, don't it?" said Jed. 'But if a tree could think, I'll bet she's mighty glad to be a yoke, swingin' along, tinklin' pretty. That tree was too held down. Always pointin' as if she wanted to follow us on the Trail (Santa Fe Trail). Now she can go beyond her hill, away out yonder-- father than she ever dreamed.

Maybe it's that way with people, sort of. They git rooted down, too. Along comes some disaster, or what looks like it, an' they feel lost. But, maybe, if they only knew-- all that's happened to 'em is that they've been freed. Freed to go farther than they ever thought. Maybe they's bells waitin' for them, too. Bells that will tinkle inside 'em somewhere...'

Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ Ch 3

"Happy is he whom truth by itself doth teach, not by figures and words that pass away; but as it is in itself (Psalm 94:12).

Our own opinion and our own sense do often deceive us, and they discern but little...It is folly to neglect the things that are profitable and necessary, and give our minds to that which is curious and hurtful: we have eyes and see not.

...Who hinders and troubles thee more than the unfortified affections of thine own heart?

...This ought to be our endeavor, to conquer ourselves, and daily wax stronger and to make a further growth in holiness. All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixed with it; and no knowledge of ours is without some darkness."

Great Version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

We discovered a treasure already in our home library! We just read Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Retold and Illustrated by John Patience from the Once Upon a Storytime Series. It is definitely THE best telling of this story I have ever read or heard!

First of all, for you living book lovers out there, it is told in great story telling language (no twaddle here!!) The story tells of how Goldilock's mother told her to stay in the meadow and never go in the woods. However, Goldilocks grows bored in the meadow one day and decides to explore the woods any way, even being careful to see if her mother is watching first. Well, this comes be a regret she will never forget after all she encounters!

Our local library does not seem to have any of John's books. Use this link to the authors website to find them on Abe Books http://www.patience.co.uk/john/fairy.shtml
ENJOY! PLEASE GIVE ME FEEDBACK IF YOU LIKE THEM TOO!!!!

Edges of His Ways, November 5

Gather my thoughts, good Lord, they fitful roam
Like children bent on foolish wandering,
Or vanity of fruitless wayfaring--
O call them home.

See them, they drift like the wind-scattered foam;
Like wild sea-birds, the hither, thither fly,
And some sink low, and others soar too high--
O call them home.

Wherever, Lord, beneath the wide blue dome
They wander, in Thy patience find them there:
That undistracted I may go to prayer--
O call them home.

.

Edges of His Ways, November 4

In St. Augustine's words: "To Him Who is everywhere, men come, not by traveling, but by loving."

And Amy Carmichael writes:

It is not far to go for Thou art near,
It is not far to go for Thou art here;

And not by traveling, Lord, men come to Thee,
But by the way of love, and we love Thee.