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an interesting take on how the story of the nativity might have read had a social network existed at the time of Jesus’s birth.
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celebrating His advent,
t
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p.s. two more day ’till i announce the winner of this!
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alright, cookie lovers! do you have a holiday party to go to? a christmas gift to give? stockings to stuff? or a sweet to tooth to satisfy?
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this is the cookie for you: white chocolate cranberry bars.
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amazing!
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in a bowl, mix together:
and set aside.
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in another bowl, cream together:
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mix the two together. and add:
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spread the batter onto a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. oh, make sure you spray the pan thoroughly before. you know what will happen if you don’t.
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cook at 375 for 15 minutes.
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after it’s cooled, ice with cream cheese icing.
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from the can, baby. unless you want to make scratch. and then i say: more power to ya!
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sprinkle the top with the remaining white chocolate chips. maybe some more cranberries.
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and if you’re feeling really adventurous: drizzle with almond bark. yum!
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slice ‘em. serve ‘em up. and let the compliments roll in!
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*** AND…if you haven’t yet, check out this weeks giveaway here! don’t forget to comment to be eligible!
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happy holiday eating, peeps.
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it’s monday! poor monday, it really gets a pretty bad rap.
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to cheer it up, i’m starting a new series: monday must haves! where i’ll highlight my top five fav things from the previous week. check ‘em out.
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plus! special this week! a giveaway! just for you! (note: you can tell i’m excited by the exorbitant amount of explanation points i’ve just used.)
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1. my fav new blog: today’s letters. emily fills her blog with letters to her husband, mr. loerke. and to the other significant things in her life. like woobies (her blanket) and tim tams (cookies) and their biscuit (bed). and everything in between. she’s cute. and fun to read. i think i want to be her when i grow up. except she’s younger than me. drat. oh well, you should check ‘er out.
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2. my fav new accessory: 3D glasses. as every fashionista knows, these should only be worn while viewing the latest narnia movie. the voyage of the dawn treader. and should be accompanied by a good friend. if you haven’t yet, go see it over christmas break. you’ll be glad you did!
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3. my fav new book: mini shopaholic. i love. love. love. all the shopaholic books. maybe you’ve seen the movie? that’s good too. but the books. oh my! the funniest! and the latest didn’t disappoint. need a fun read over the break, check it out.
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4. my fav pastime: painting with mixed media. oils and paper. nothing takes the stress away like spending quality time wrapped in paint thinner fumes. especially when i should be grading.
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plus. bonus for you ~ i’m giving it away! leave a comment telling me your favorite procrastination activity. i’ll randomly select and give you the painting. you’ll have to be local though, cause i’ve got no money to ship. or you can pay for the shipping, baby. it’s 14 X 18 on a thin canvas panel. add it to your christmas gifts!
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you have until friday. then a winner will be announced!
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5. my fav christmas song: christmas wrapping by the waitresses. man, it’s good. makes you want to get up and dance. there is no music video of the song. just the song itself. enjoy!
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over and out!
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whatever else be lost among the years,
let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:
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whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
let us hold close one day, remembering
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its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
let us get back our childlike faith again.
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it seems this year, time has gotten the better of a few. you’ve let the days sneak up on you. every day is like the next. and you’ve forgotten the joy of the season. you’re thinking you may just skip the christmas decorations this year.
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don’t do it!
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celebrate the season. embrace the wonder. deck your halls.
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and go in peace.
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quote from the internets. author unknown. photos from trehrig’s home.
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he lives in china. he is a son. a brother. a husband. a father.
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and a christian.
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he has spent his life teaching his family. his neighbors. anyone who will listen. about his Savior.
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it is illegal to tell others about Christ in china. he has lost his job. been beaten. ridiculed. threatened.
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but he does not fear. he does not stop. he can’t stop.
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like a doctor who has the cure for cancer. he must tell the truth. the good news. that he knows.
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he must.
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he was arrested. for preaching. for teaching. about his Savior.
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his family is worried. his wife has no money. his son misses his father.
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he sends them messages. exhorting them to not fear. to keep their faith. to know he is in the Lord’s hands. in the Lord’s will.
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it’s hard.
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he grows discouraged. wondering if he will see his wife again. if he will see his son again.
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he knows God sees him. he knows God cares. but does anyone else?
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this christmas, instead of spending all your family time playing games. or eating candy. putting together puzzles. or watching movies. would you take a few moments to write a letter to a persecuted christian. to a prisoner in chains.
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voice of the martyrs offers an easy. effective. opportunity to do just that.
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take a few moments. write a few lines. interceded on their behalf.
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and let them know. they are not forgotten. God does care. and so do you.
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“remember those who are in chains as if you were chained with them.” hebrews 13:3
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when i was in high school, i read a book on prison ministry. a book that i’m desperately trying to remember the name of now. don’t you hate it when you forget things? important things? like the names of books that you want to mention in your blog things?
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google was no help.
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any way. since then, i have been impressed with the opportunities ministers have with men and woman who are spending their life behind bars. away from their families. suffering the consequences of their sin in a very tangible way.
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last sunday, my church announcements included a plea for involvement in project angel tree. it was stated that there were over 200 angle tree children in the 73114 area code alone. that seems crazy.
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angle tree children are boys and girls who will be spending time alone. away from either their mother or father. this christmas season. because one or both of their parents are currently incarcerated.
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we have an opportunity to show them God’s love. to break the cycle. to offer them hope.
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did you know:
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again. that’s crazy.
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as i continue my quest of presenting opportunities to reach out. to serve. to give. this christmas. will you consider project angel tree? will you help share the true meaning of christmas – jesus christ? as they aspire to reach over 400,000 children this season.
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perhaps this is something your church is doing. perhaps you heard the announcement sunday morning. don’t put it off. don’t let this be something that you forget. the time is now.
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several years ago, i was given a blanket for christmas. at first glance, a blanket seems kind of lame. for a christmas gift. but this wasn’t just any ordinary blanket. it’s one of those thermal. keep you warm in a snow storm. never need to buy another blanket in your life. price possession. kind of blankets.
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and it’s pretty. bonus.
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i love my blanket.
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and every year, as it gets cold. i tuck my blanket into the foot of my bed. spread it out over my sheets. lay my comforter on top. and i’m good to go.
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at night, i snuggle up under it. tucking the edges around my ears. thankful for the warmth it provides.
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outside of that blanket, i have a closet in my hall. full of other blankets. hand-me-downs. lighter weight. not as pretty. but still blankets. available for use. when needed. but mostly just taking up space. until it gets colder. or company comes to stay.
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i have no need for more blankets.
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sudanese christians have been facing horrifying persecution for years. voice of the martyrs estimates that two million sudanese have been killed during two decades of civil war. with the recent peace accords, there is a glimmer of hope available to them. an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives.
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these sudanese christians own few material possessions. need few material possessions.
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some things. however. are essential to their survival.
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for them. one blanket can make a difference.
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voice of the martyrs offers an opportunity for those of us blessed with so much. to give. to those who need so little.
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through their blanket and a bible outreach. you can do just that. along with each blanket sent, VOM will include a copy of he lived among us and an illustrated bible storybook.
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and it’s easy too. all you have to do is:
1. collect good quality, new or used blanket(s).
2. add $2 per blanket for handling, shipping into sudan (VOM will add the books)
3. send blankets and funds to “sudan: blanket and a bible” at the VOM address.
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with your blanket. your christmas gift to a sudanese family. you will be telling them they are not forgotten. and standing with them as they rebuild their live. full of hope.
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and as you snuggle up under your blanket tonight. remember those christians. persecuted. suffering. because of their faith in our savior. use this chance. to offer them hope. and warmth.
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i’m thinking of doing this to my house this year. what do you think?
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and does anyone want to come help?
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this morning, i woke to the sound of my phone alarm ringing under my pillow. i pushed the snooze. twice. maybe three times. so i could stay in my warm bed, snuggled under my pretty purple and pink comforter. the one that matches my salmon colored walls. my fan was purring in the corner, to provide the perfect white noise necessary for slumber. the heater was blowing gently from the ceiling vent. i tucked my fluffy pillow back under my head as i contemplated getting out from my cacoon.
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a world away, she raised herself from her bed of straw on the dirt covered floor as the noise of the dog fight outside her pane-less window awoke her. wiping sleep from her eyes, she squinted at the moon still high in the sky. she could tell by it’s placement that it was time to get up. time to roll up her mat. and face the day. she wrapped the thin blanket that covered her more closely around her shoulders and thought about the task ahead.
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i threw back the covers and slipped on my house shoes as i made my way to the bathroom. turning on the shower, hot water flowed instantly from the pipes. i stood for a moment on the thick bathroom rugs and looked at myself in the mirror. the effects of sleep were written on my face. but my complexion was still one of youth.
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as the moon began to sink and the sun began to rise, she tied a rag around her hair. she had done the best to wash it the night before, dunking it in rain water and running a comb through the tresses. as she splashed that same water on her face this morning, she looked at herself in the reflection of a broken mirror. she looked old. older than her 30 years. the effects of a hard life etched in the lines. she sighed as she tied on her apron, ready for work.
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i made my way into the kitchen, habitually filling my coffee pot and heating up oatmeal. i wished i had something else. but since i hadn’t gone to the store, my cabinets were empty. well, not empty. but bare of what i wanted. while in the kitchen, i considered packing myself a lunch for work. but decided to buy out instead. it seemed more convenient. and more inviting than the plain turkey and mayo sandwich that was my alternative.
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she looked around her small house. one room, really. with her bed already folded neatly in the corner. and her meager belongings stashed on shelves. she pulled out the left over rice from last night’s meal and set it aside. she would save that. for someone more important. she wished she had milk. or eggs. something with protein. and nutrients. she fixed herself a small square of bread and a cup of tea.
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leaving for work, i stopped by the gas station for a coffee. made fancy style. bundled up inside my coat, gloves, and scarf, i faced the wind on the walk inside my building. my coworkers greeted me warmly. asked about my night before. and my day ahead. my students respected me and listened to my instructions. i complained because i was too busy. too wanted. had too many responsibilities. felt i should be compensated more for my talents.
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she wrapped her scarf tightly around her slim shoulders as she headed out her door. being quite not to wake the others in her house. her mother. her son. she is a widow. and fatherless. her young child and elderly mother, the recepients of last night’s rice, are dependent upon her to provide. for everything. she slowly makes her way to the field where she will spend the day in the sun. manual labor. hard labor. and come home with a dollar more to her name.
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i’m an american. a citizen. i have rights. and priviledges. my voice is heard. and my opinion matters. peoples around the world want to be like me. want to have what i have. though i am a woman, i am considered equal. unless something happens that i don’t like and i’m asked to submit. then i feel taken advantage of. when in reality, i’ve only been placed in my biblical role.
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she is a dalit. a member of a group of people living in india. calcutta. she is considered “unclean”. not fit for any profession but the most degrading. the most bitter. the most discriminating. the cast of her shadow turns people away. she has no way of changing her situation. no one to turn to for help.
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as my day ends, i come again to a nice, warm home. decorated in the manner of my liking. i think about my blessings. i think about my needs. i wish for a more reliable car. a cuter wardrobe. more friends. always more money.
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with the moon high in the sky, she comes home to her mother. her orphaned son. her continued responsibilities. she thinks about her blessings. she thinks about her needs. protection. shelter. food. hope.
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where are you in this tale? do you have the wants and the needs of your heart? could you give to someone who doesn’t?
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gospel for asia offers an opportunity to change the lives of the people of india with your gifts this season. something tangle. something useful. something needed. a chicken – for eggs, for livelihood. a goat – for milk, for income. a sewing machine. a rickshaw. clean water.
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will you consider shopping from their christmas catalog this year? and change her life. offer her hope. forever.
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were you warm when you woke up this morning? did you have enough to eat today? were you greeted with warmth and care at work? is your opinion valued? your presence wanted?
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you are blessed. what more could you want?
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more, i know. it’s the season to want more. we’re shopping and writing our “wish” lists. hoping. wishing. for more. more time. more money. more space. more… more… more…
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but what if you decide you have enough? more than enough. what would you do then?
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it’s the season of giving, you say. in order to give, someone has to receive.
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yes, you’re right. you should give. and someone should receive. but i challenge you, consider who you are giving to. who is receiving.
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for the next few weeks, i plan to present to you opportunities to give. to bless. those who don’t usually receive.
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and in return. be blessed yourself. more. than you ever imagined.
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stay tuned…
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“from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
luke 12:48b
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