We must remember this,
Amidst the noise and fuss,
JESUS is the subject of Christmas,
And the object of Christmas is US.
*LS*
Merry Christmas from Gloryteller.com!
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A Christmas Who’s Who
06 Dec 2014 6 Comments
in Christ, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, Forgiveness, God's Gifts, Good News, Gospel, Salvation Tags: christianity, Christmas, Jesus, Subjects and objects in a sentence, The true meaning of Christmas
Move On, But Remember To Keep Celebrating His Arrival
29 Dec 2013 4 Comments
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A friend of mine posted this observation:
“Christmas is over and it’s time to move on from celebrating the birth of Jesus to following the life of Jesus.”
I get his point.
(I don’t think He intends to minimize Christmas)
For one thing, it is all too easy to become fixated on this one aspect of Jesus’ incarnation,
thus missing the importance of His whole life, and the purpose of His presence here.
I think my friend wants to emphasize the importance of following Him
in trust, and in obedience, above all else.
To do that, it’s crucial that we “move on” and take Him from His manger bed,
(even though there is nothing like having a new baby to hold)
to love Him and watch Him as He learns to talk, and then to walk,
as He grows in wisdom and knowledge,
as He learns to use His hands to build and to heal,
as He becomes an adult who teaches, preaches, and ministers to His people,
as He carries His cross to a culmination of crushing sacrifice,
as He conquers death and is resurrected.
And not only lovingly watch, but lovingly participate in these things with Him
as He enters, invited, into our hearts.
Understanding Him, and following His life and His Word are the priority for a believer.
I must be true to myself, on the other hand,
and say that I disagree that “Christmas is over”.
The seasonal celebration may be over.
The secular holiday may be over,
but my heart’s celebration of my Savior’s birth will never be over.
The upwelling, unrivaled, unquenchable joy that my Lord’s arrival brings will never end.
I will not be moved.
His birth is the culmination of all the pre-Nativity preparation,
planning, decision-making, and
the very character, the nature, and the acts
Of Father God, and of His Son, who is the Word, the Creator, the Sustainer.
Jesus’ birth is the beginning, on earth, of something so miraculous,
so mysterious,
so remarkable,
so astounding,
so important,
so world-changing,
so life-changing,
that I cannot, and I will not be moved from it.
Its implications bring me to worship in a special way.
The story of His birth pulls me into a deeper relationship with Him.
The story of His life brings me to better relationships with people.
The story of His sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection,
and the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit
allow me a deepening relationship with our Father God.
It’s my hope, and my desire, to celebrate His birth,
His whole life, everything He was, and is, and will be,
every day.
That’s a tall order, I know, but I have a beginning point that
The Father provided in this one amazing birth;
“the birth that shook the earth” –
“the birth that shaped the earth”-
“the birth that saved the earth”.
Without this one birth – Jesus’ birth – there would be
no controversial Nativity Scenes,
no Santa Clause to argue about,
no Christmas trees,
no carols,
no Christmas parties,
no brightly wrapped gift packages,
no rampant commercialism,
no Christmas vacations,
no decorating,
no pretty lights,
NO LIGHT IN THE WORLD AT ALL,
no Savior,
no hope,
no real love,
no GOD WITH US.
Imagine a world, a life, without the birth of Jesus in it . . .
That would be a nightmare.
That is why I won’t be moved,
nor lightly “move on” from it.
The beginning of His Story is the beginning of so much!
That is why I hold close the holy celebration of Jesus birth.
That is why I celebrate His whole holy life from birth to ascension.
Even what He was before that.
Holy!
Even what He is and will be beyond that!
Glorious!
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Have a
Happy
Joyous
Christbirth
Celebration
All Through
The Year!
Blessings, dear reader,
from me, your gloryteller.
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A Gift of Musical Joy, Peace, and Hope, Just For You
23 Dec 2013 1 Comment
in Belief in God, Christ, Christian Music, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Love, Good News, Inspirational Music, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Worship, Worship Music Tags: Ceelo Green, Children's Christmas Carol, Christmas, Christmas Carol, Heaven, Kari Jobe, Kristyn Getty, Mary, Sandy Howell
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A Children’s Christmas Carol for Everyone
I lift up Keith and Kristyn Getty and I thank them for this beautiful song.
Remember, JESUS is the subject of Christmas, and the object of Christmas is US.
LS
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“The Perfect Christmas Gift”,
written and performed by Sandy Howell.
Uploaded by Bob Marshall.
Many thanks to you both.
My friend, I give you the gift of a song; music with a video. It speaks for itself.
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Hope Came Down
He came down so that we could live – really live – with Him and our loved-ones in Heaven.
Forever together.
We need that hope more with each passing day . . .
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Mary, Did You Know?
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Not One, Single Life Can Compare To His . . .
21 Dec 2013 2 Comments
in Christ, Christbirth, Christian Writing, Christmas, Evangelism, God's Glory, God's Provision, Good News, Gospel, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Worship Tags: Christmas, James Allan Francis, One Solitary Life, The birth that shook the earth, The most important life in history for the good of mankind
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One Solitary Life
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never owned a home.
He never had a family.
He never went to college.
He never put his foot inside a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born.
He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself.
He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His divine manhood.
While still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him.
His friends ran away.
One of them denied Him.
Another betrayed Him
He was turned over to His enemies.
He went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property
He had on earth while He was dying—and that was his coat.
When he was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend.
Twenty wide centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched,
and all the navies that ever were built,
and all the parliaments that ever sat,
and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this One Solitary Life.
Dr James Allan Francis in “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons”
© 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia
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As eloquent and powerful as this piece is,
I feel that even this is inadequate to explain
the full importance of our Immanuel’s life,
sacrificial death, and resurrection on this planet.
–Your Gloryteller
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On Using Seemingly Questionable Christmas Traditions For Good
19 Dec 2013 2 Comments
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“What do you think about the lie of Santa Clause?” asked nobody.
“Sure, I’d be glad to weigh in on the Santa controversy,” I replied . . .
It has been said, ad nauseum, that secular traditions such as Christmas trees, Santa Clause, and even the word “Christmas” should be condemned by Christians because they distract and detract from the true meaning of Christ’s birth.
I disagree.
Those many traditions are so ingrained into society that they cannot be reversed nor abolished. They can, however, be used in a positive manner. I’ve previously discussed how the Christmas tree points to Jesus Christ. It is easy for me to tell, as well, how Santa’s (“Saint Nicholas‘ “) life and existence points, to the life and teachings of Jesus.
I only implore you, dear reader, not to foster the lies about Santa Clause, St. Nicholas, or Father Christmas, but tell the factual truth about them. It’s the same for the the gift-giving, the lights, and the joyous celebrating. One can ignore any or all of it, but I believe that we should not only accept, as a fact of life, the secular traditions; the things that have been distorted and perverted away from the original intent of honoring the Christ-child, but turn them back upon themselves to their true purpose which is to celebrate His birth, to point to Him, to highlight Him, and to glorify Him in the unfettered, hopeful, optimistic, rejoicing manner in which the host of angels announced His arrival to the shepherds, and to us.
Those traditions can be used to help us illuminate Him in a darkened world. I believe that is our commission, our duty, and our pleasure, as believers and as beneficiaries of The Father’s miraculously humble, and humbling gift.
The gift of The Savior Child is given to every one of us, but it must be accepted before it can be unwrapped and enjoyed.
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Whatever you do,
Whatever you think,
Seek Him in all things
And have yourself a happy,
Have yourself a joyous,
Have yourself the merriest Christmas!
Above all,
Remember Who is glorious,
Give Him all your glory,
Keep it Christmas-Story-ous!
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A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!
17 Dec 2013 Leave a comment
in Belief in God, Biblicly-based Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian Writing, Christmas, Evangelism, Faith, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God's Gifts, God's Glory, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision, Good News, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Writing, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Metaphor, Salvation, Thankfulness and Gratitude Tags: "The Godsend", A message, a word from God, Adoption, Adoption charities, Adullam Youth Outreach, belief in Jesus, Birth of Christ, Christmas, Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, Godsend, History of the writing of "The Godsend", Kindle, Santa Claus, Smashwords, Sony Reader, The Call, Wendy's Wonderful Kids
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“The Godsend” is already two years old!
It was written to bring forth the message of Christmas in a new way.
It also brings messages about adoption, belief in God, and belief
in Santa Claus, all interwoven in an inspiring, Christ-centered story.
Please understand that I don’t deem myself an exceptional writer,
and I don’t think “The Godsend” is going to be award-winning literature,
but I do know that it is God-commissioned, God-ordained, and God-given.
The mission of this book, like most of what I write, is to tell the story of Christ,
present His grace, mercy, and love within a new kind of story, to reveal His glory,
to help people come to know Him, and/or to lead the reader into a new, deeper relationship
with our Highest Lord and King.
Needless to say, it’s all for His great glory, not my own.
I’m only the messenger . . .
The first version was posted here, on Gloryteller.com, in December, 2011:
Its late posting date, relative to Christmas, 2011, was unfortunate
because not many people had time to read it during that busy time.
I hadn’t intended to pursue the little story any further, . . . then God intervened . . .
Only a month after it appeared here, my friend,
William, told me of the “The Godsend’s” impact on him.
“The whole time I was reading”, he said, “I was seeing something
special in my spirit. It was the image of a mother reading your
story aloud to her child. It was having an effect on them both. I had
the impression that they had a lot in common with the Christopher family,
and that their family was led closer to God, and His peace,
all because of your story. You must publish this,” he insisted.
And insisted. And persisted. And insisted.
I felt the tug of the H.S. on my heart, and I thought, “Yes!
If for no other reason than for that one mother and one child, I will expand and publish it!”
So I set out on the LONG, difficult, journey into digital publishing.
I studied, I rewrote, and, as God gave me more and more each day, I edited, I re-rewrote, and re-re-edited again,
and I formatted, and re-formatted. Over and over. Like all writers must.
Then I had to learn how to make a virtual cover – oh man!
Hours, days, and months of painstaking labor (a labor of love).
In the process of making the cover, God led me to, and I became acquainted with, an artist, a woodcarver, and a Santa. Each of those Christians had an impact on my walk of faith. A wonder occurred: The Santa, (Santa Cliff ) “God-incidently” shares my last name, but is not directly related to me!
On November 26, 2012, I announced the premiere of the E-book “The Godsend”.
I was a little discouraged, though, about the low sales volume that season, even though I offered the book for free on an introductory basis.
I corresponded with one of my writer friends, Lizzie, who had written on her website about how The Great “I AM” worked in her circumstances. God used her writing for my encouragement, and healing:
” Dear Lizzie,
After hour upon hour of revision, proofreading, and formatting, I published “The Godsend” on Amazon and Smashwords. Out of the 400+ people in my church and in Facebook friends, I sold six units. Discouraging, right? I keep forgetting that I told Him that if I can help one person to know Him, the hours of work would be worth it. I keep forgetting that I AM is faithful even when I am not. I keep forgetting that, in His hands “The Godsend” cannot fail its purpose. I keep forgetting that He never gave up in the face of crushing discouragement and suffering. Thanks Lizzie, for reminding me in your lovely post that I’m not alone as a writer nor as a believer. You and I are so much alike in spirit. Finally, I’d like to report that I, too, am constantly experiencing His restoration, love, healing, peace, and forgiveness. Let us continually be aware of the miracle of the Great I AM, not only standing beside us, but occupying us with His presence!” Thanks Lizzie!
Finally, I’d like to promote the reading of this book by pledging my donation of ALL its proceeds (not just profit) to three worthwhile ministries:
“The Call” , who facilitates the much-needed adoption and foster care of Arkansas children: http://thecallinarkansas.org/about-us/
“Wendy’s Wonderful Kids“, – the “Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption“, a national organization for the adoption of hard-to-place children: http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/wendys-wonderful-kids/
“The Adullam Youth Outreach”, who provide refuge, teaching, and so much more to children in distress: http://www.adullamyouth.com/index.html
“Seed money” is already on its way to these organizations. I intend to make nothing for myself from sales of this book.
So, there you go – a chance to entertain yourself and help others. That families and children who need peace might be led closer to the Lord and find His peace; that children be adopted, cared for and loved; and, that children in stressful and distressful circumstances be gathered under wings of protection and love. Give it to someone for Christmas – It’s a win, win, win, win, win, all because God told me about the plight of Davey Christopher and Nick Smith, to reveal more of His great glory.
The Godsend is available on Kindle or Kindle for PC here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godsend-ebook/dp/B00A8TPVPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944048&sr=8-1&keywords=lenn+snider
The Godsend is also available on Smashwords, for PC (in PFD format), Sony Reader, Nook, Apple I-Pad, Kobo, and most e-reading apps ( including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256725
Many thanks, dear reader for your help by reading, helping to promote, or reviewing “The Godsend”. Blessings be yours!
Sincerely,
Gloryteller
IT’S CHRISTBIRTH! I Don’t Like “Christmas”, But I Really Like Christmas.
10 Dec 2013 2 Comments
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Please let me explain my title.
No, I don’t like the word Christmas.
I don’t like the word Easter either.
But I very much love what those two words represent.
Words are only symbols that we use to convey,
or identify, things, events, or ideas. Often, the words
we devise (or, in this case, that are devised for us) are
less than ideal, or appropriate, to represent the actual thing
being described. I believe that “Christmas” is such a word.
I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to delve into the origins,
meanings, and protests concerning the word “Christmas”.
I have been through it, and it’s not pretty.
Some say it’s downright blasphemy, wickedness, and sin to use it.
However,
Nevertheless,
and, Be That As It May,
The event that has come to be known to us as “Christmas”
is the event that shook the earth.
It is the truth of the event that is important, not the word we have adopted to
describe it. To me, the birth of Jesus was, and is, the most momentous
occurrence in history. It is to be celebrated – its story told and retold in truth
to the ends of the earth.
So ( Blast semantics!) I say Merry Christmas, and by that I mean
Rejoice!
Celebrate enthusiastically!
For, to us a child is born! Our Savior lives!
I prefer the word
“Christbirth”
(which I think I have invented, haha, but probably someone beat me to it)
to represent this wondrous, marvelous Event,
but, no matter what word we use in reference,
in His birth, the very Word of God came to live among us, with us,
and in us, so that we too might be “born” into a new world, a world
of faith, of hope, and of love;
born in a new, a wondrous, and a marvelous way.
Happy Christbirth!
Merry Christmas!
Rejoice!
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Happiness Is Being Born TWICE!
04 Dec 2013 2 Comments
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Today is the anniversary of my second-birth day.
My rebirth day.
My original birth was kind of like Christmas;
Without it, there could have been no Resurrection Day.
Without my first birth, I could not have been reborn.
My life could not have been repaired, resurrected and redeemed.
First was my birth day,
Then an Advent of sorts – a long time of waiting and preparation.
(even if I didn’t realize some of that stuff, that garbage was preparation)
Then the great gift of joy in a second-birth day!
Needless to say, for my birth and rebirth
I am extremely thankful!
Happy birthdays to me,
Happy birthdays to me,
For both, I am thankful!
Happy birthdays to me!
Thank you, Jesus,
For making it possible!
For me, and for all people!
Thank you, our Highest Lord!
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An Astonishing Act of Worship In A Retail Store
03 Dec 2013 1 Comment
in Belief in God, Bible, Christian Music, Christian Writing, Christmas, Christmas Music, Evangelism, Faith, God's Glory, Good News, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Music, Jesus Christ, Worship, Worship Music Tags: act of worship, astonishing proclamation, Christmas, Flash mob, Handel's hallelujah chorus from The Messiah, He shall reign forever, Jesus, Macy's, Wanamaker Pipe Organ
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I like to kick off the Christmas season with this astonishing
act of worship and public proclamation of the glory of Jesus.
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Jesus is born!
Jesus lives!
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He is worshiped and adored even inside the huge Macy’s store in Philadelphia. This highly organized flash mob sings along with the world’s largest working pipe organ.
The “sounding joy” — the full, immense amount of joy served-up is overwhelming!
In the fullness of time, every knee will bow to Him, and
“He shall reign for ever and ever.”
A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!
02 Dec 2013 Leave a comment
in Belief in God, Biblicly-based Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian Writing, Christmas, Evangelism, Faith, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God's Gifts, God's Glory, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision, Good News, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Writing, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Metaphor, Salvation, Thankfulness and Gratitude Tags: "The Godsend", A message, a word from God, Adoption, Adoption charities, Adullam Youth Outreach, belief in Jesus, Birth of Christ, Christmas, Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, Godsend, History of the writing of "The Godsend", Kindle, Santa Claus, Smashwords, Sony Reader, The Call, Wendy's Wonderful Kids
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* * *
“The Godsend” is already two years old!
It was written to bring forth the message of Christmas in a new way.
It also brings messages about adoption, belief in God, and belief
in Santa Claus, all interwoven in an inspiring, Christ-centered story.
Please understand that I don’t deem myself an exceptional writer,
and I don’t think “The Godsend” is going to be award-winning literature,
but I do know that it is God-commissioned, God-ordained, and God-given.
The mission of this book, like most of what I write, is to tell the story of Christ,
present His grace, mercy, and love within a new kind of story, to reveal His glory,
to help people come to know Him, and/or to lead the reader into a new, deeper relationship
with our Highest Lord and King.
Needless to say, it’s all for His great glory, not my own.
I’m only the messenger . . .
The first version was posted here, on Gloryteller.com, in December, 2011:
Its late posting date, relative to Christmas, 2011, was unfortunate
because not many people had time to read it during that busy time.
I hadn’t intended to pursue the little story any further, . . . then God intervened . . .
Only a month after it appeared here, my friend,
William, told me of the “The Godsend’s” impact on him.
“The whole time I was reading”, he said, “I was seeing something
special in my spirit. It was the image of a mother reading your
story aloud to her child. It was having an effect on them both. I had
the impression that they had a lot in common with the Christopher family,
and that their family was led closer to God, and His peace,
all because of your story. You must publish this,” he insisted.
And insisted. And persisted. And insisted.
I felt the tug of the H.S. on my heart, and I thought, “Yes!
If for no other reason than for that one mother and one child, I will expand and publish it!”
So I set out on the LONG, difficult, journey into digital publishing.
I studied, I rewrote, and, as God gave me more and more each day, I edited, I re-rewrote, and re-re-edited again,
and I formatted, and re-formatted. Over and over. Like all writers must.
Then I had to learn how to make a virtual cover – oh man!
Hours, days, and months of painstaking labor (a labor of love).
In the process of making the cover, God led me to, and I became acquainted with, an artist, a woodcarver, and a Santa. Each of those Christians had an impact on my walk of faith. A wonder occurred: The Santa, (Santa Cliff ) “God-incidently” shares my last name, but is not directly related to me!
On November 26, 2012, I announced the premiere of the E-book “The Godsend”.
I was a little discouraged, though, about the low sales volume that season, even though I offered the book for free on an introductory basis.
I corresponded with one of my writer friends, Lizzie, who had written on her website about how The Great “I AM” worked in her circumstances. God used her writing for my encouragement, and healing:
” Dear Lizzie,
After hour upon hour of revision, proofreading, and formatting, I published “The Godsend” on Amazon and Smashwords. Out of the 400+ people in my church and in Facebook friends, I sold six units. Discouraging, right? I keep forgetting that I told Him that if I can help one person to know Him, the hours of work would be worth it. I keep forgetting that I AM is faithful even when I am not. I keep forgetting that, in His hands “The Godsend” cannot fail its purpose. I keep forgetting that He never gave up in the face of crushing discouragement and suffering. Thanks Lizzie, for reminding me in your lovely post that I’m not alone as a writer nor as a believer. You and I are so much alike in spirit. Finally, I’d like to report that I, too, am constantly experiencing His restoration, love, healing, peace, and forgiveness. Let us continually be aware of the miracle of the Great I AM, not only standing beside us, but occupying us with His presence!” Thanks Lizzie!
Finally, I’d like to promote the reading of this book by pledging my donation of ALL its proceeds (not just profit) to three worthwhile ministries:
“The Call” , who facilitates the much-needed adoption and foster care of Arkansas children: http://thecallinarkansas.org/about-us/
“Wendy’s Wonderful Kids“, – the “Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption“, a national organization for the adoption of hard-to-place children: http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/wendys-wonderful-kids/
“The Adullam Youth Outreach”, who provide refuge, teaching, and so much more to children in distress: http://www.adullamyouth.com/index.html
“Seed money” is already on its way to these organizations. I intend to make nothing for myself from sales of this book.
So, there you go – a chance to entertain yourself and help others. That families and children who need peace might be led closer to the Lord and find His peace; that children be adopted, cared for and loved; and, that children in stressful and distressful circumstances be gathered under wings of protection and love. Give it to someone for Christmas – It’s a win, win, win, win, win, all because God told me about the plight of Davey Christopher and Nick Smith, to reveal more of His great glory.
The Godsend is available on Kindle or Kindle for PC here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godsend-ebook/dp/B00A8TPVPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944048&sr=8-1&keywords=lenn+snider
The Godsend is also available on Smashwords, for PC (in PFD format), Sony Reader, Nook, Apple I-Pad, Kobo, and most e-reading apps ( including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256725
Many thanks, dear reader for your help by reading, helping to promote, or reviewing “The Godsend”. Blessings be yours!
Sincerely,
Gloryteller
Meet Xian
07 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
Meet Xian
AKA, Chi – My Kind Of Guy
He has shown up twice in my latest posts.
Who is he?
Reader, meet Xian.
This is his story:
When I first started reading Christian-oriented material, “Our Daily Bread”, for example, I used symbols to mark and highlight passages that were important and inspiring. I used the five-pointed star: 
It is easy to draw without lifting the pen, but it has pagan connotations, so I went to the six-pointed star:
Two triangles, voila – a Star of David. But that takes a little too much time to draw, so I went to the asterisk:
Three quick, simple lines that intersect. My ODB, and books, and Bible are full of them. However, for some reason, (who can explain ME) I recently began to take the X out of the aster, and just use that. I may well have been led to do it:
So there it is. X .
You knew I would get around to this, didn’t you…..I began to think about how the X in Xmas stands for Christ. I found that the X is actually Chi, the first letter in the Greek word, Χριστος. I hope I got that right, because, hey, it’s Greek! Anyway, that Greek word means Christos – the Anointed One – which is a translation of the Hebrew “Messiah”. The X in Xmas is derived from the Chi (pronounced “Ki” which rhymes with “my”, or “guy”) in this word: Χριστος. X came to denote “Christ” sometime in the sixteenth century. Xmas is often misinterpreted as a modern secularization of “Christmas”, thinking that it is an attempt to remove religion from the holiday. If it is, it has backfired! “Xian” has been -used as an abbreviation for “Christian”, as well. These are merely abbreviations, not to be used in formal writing, and words are symbols, so maybe it is much ado about nothing, but the things words stand for, especially when they stand for people, and God, and Godly concepts, are important. But I diverge.
One morning, I looked at the X and saw a figure with hands raised. I don’t know what made me put a head on it, but that’s what I did. A trinity of lines.
It came to life! Xian (Christian) was born! (You can surely tell that art comes naturally for me).
Xian has since become just slightly more than a symbol to me, more than a stick man. He is naturally worshipful. You can see how he surrenders his all to the Almighty. His hands are raised in surrender and praise. He somehow expresses “giving glory to God in the highest”. Sometimes I call him “Chi – my kind of guy”. Three simple lines with a lot of heart.
God Gives That We May Give To Him
20 Feb 2013 6 Comments
At Christmastime, when I was a boy, my dad understood the relative poverty of his children, so he would give us each a small amount of money to be spent on gifts for the other family members. What was a small amount to him was a small fortune to us, so we each happily shopped with Mom and picked out trinkets and treasures for our siblings and parents. Wrapping the gifts was fun, but the best part was the excited anticipation we had for Christmas morning when the family would partake in what we children had built in our minds to be the Olympics of giving and receiving. It was as good as it gets, and after all the unwrapping, and showing, and laughing, and modelling, and cheering, and thanking, we all felt richer and more blessed than we were before. But it was Dad and Mom, I think, who felt the most blessed, for having given to us so that we could bless each other with gifts. The money they gave us came back to them, multiplied, in seeing generosity, unselfishness, and brotherly love instilled into us and put into action. And so it is with God. He gives out of His abundance, into our poverty, that we may bless others.
Remember:
God gives to us out of His riches,
The gifts we receive are to bless others,
Which is our greatest gift to Him, in turn.
Whether the gift of writing, of singing, of making music, of delivering a message, of healing, of encouraging, of hospitality, of giving time or treasures, of working or helping, of giving testimony, of sowing seeds, of doing a kindness, of giving a hug, or a simple smile, you do have one gift – or more – that you can share with others who are destitute until they receive your unique offering. All these things came from God. Shouldn’t we make sure they get back to Him through the proper channels?
Her First Christmas Card
24 Dec 2012 2 Comments
in Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, Faith, Forgiveness, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Good News, Inspirational Writing, Jesus Christ Tags: Beloved, Christmas, Christmas card, Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve Romance, God, Merry Christmas, Morning Star, Philippians 1:7, Reconciliation, Relationship redeemed, Silent Night
To my own
Morning Star.
Her First Christmas Card
Between. That’s where he was. Dave was between sleep and consciousness. Between clarity and the fog brought about by unbidden change. Between the deep mystery of Christmas Eve and the lambent hope he always found on Christmas Day.
He was warm and relaxed under Mary’s favorite comforter. Although teetering on the rim of the slope leading back down into the pool of sleep, he began to remember. Years of Christmas memories. Welcome, warm ones. She was in them all from the beginning. He remembered the card he had bought her before their first Christmas together. Undelivered that first Christmas, he had left it in his sock drawer under his mother’s Bible. It had remained undelivered, regretfully, because of circumstances better left buried. Complicated days, those had been. Yet, they had worked their way through them with love, and with indispensable Divine help. He gave her the card the next year, when it could be wholeheartedly given.
Even now the demands of the season had come between them. Kept them apart yet again. Highlighted their differences. Hampered communication. Brought frustrations, then prevented resolution of those frustrations. When he tried to picture them together in unity, in oneness, the image of “One Being” kept sliding apart into two, like that of binoculars which refused to stay in focus. How he longed to have everything right and perfect between them.
So it was right, tonight, that he remember that card, for reading it together had become one of the centerpieces of their unity during many Christmases ……
“Because You Mean So Much”,
it said, above pine branches and a sprig of holly complete with red berries. He smiled in the recalling.
Gilded around the edges. Swirling red flower stems and buds as a background for the message. He had memorized the front:
“I believe that God brings certain people into our lives for a reason.
Some days it’s to help us see something new and wonderful.
Sometimes it’s to encourage us and strengthen our faith.
And sometimes it’s to remind us that we are never truly alone….”
He nodded in affirmation. Mentally, he opened the card. The same evergreen pine and holly
above a verse:
“How natural it is that I should feel as I do about
you, for you have a very special place in my heart”, Philippians 1:7.”
The two tears which began forming in his ever-green eyes testified to the truth of that scriptural passage. How appropriate that the verse was centered on the left-hand page, for it had been the heart of his message to her. He had to pry his attention from it to the continuance of the main message found on the last page:
“Whatever purpose God had in bringing us together,
I’m just grateful that He did.
You’ve been a real source of understanding in my life,
and it means more to me than I can ever say
to have the gift of your friendship and caring.”
“Merry
Christmas”
He grinned unreservedly.
He had held his heart too close – or maybe not close enough. Missed some chances back then. It took months to recover his balance, but thanks to prayer, God had sent blessings, grace, and miracles.
He was wide awake now. All was calm and all was bright. Too calm and too bright? Moonlight traced a bright rectangle on the carpet as he became aware that her warmth and her steady breathing were absent. She wasn’t next to him in their big bed. Throwing back the comforter, he moved his legs over the edge, put his bare feet on the floor, and stood up intent on finding and joining her. Almost through the bedroom door, he turned back. There it was, right where he kept it under the Bible, behind the socks. He grasped the red envelope which contained his first Christmas greeting to his Beloved.
As he passed the arched doorway to the kitchen, the new stove caught his eye with its bright, clean, modern lines. The old one had been serviceable, but was badly worn. It had had none of the new digital gadgets. It was ordinary. “Kind of like me?” He mused. He missed the old thing.. He was sentimental that way. He remembered all the times they had danced near that stove, especially while meals were being prepared upon it. It had been a place of comfort in the chill of winter. Amused, he remembered the big pots of chili being prepared for company – with large pans of cornbread in the oven. Ahhh, the smells! Ahhh, the dancing in the close embrace of his Beloved…..
Down the hall he turned the corner and there she was, silhouetted in front of the glass doors which opened onto the deck. Looking out upon the snow-covered cornfields, she was radiant even in her white flannel pajamas – the ones with the little candy canes among the faces of angelic-looking sleeping children. Moonlit brightly! The filmy, sheer blue gown she wore over her ‘jams’ added to her mystery. Heartwrenchingly lovely! His Morning Star! Gosh, she was something truly special!
“I knew you would come, I felt it,” she said quietly. Had she been crying? “Our moon is perfectly full tonight of all nights!”
“Mary.” He kept his voice soft and low. “Just for us, do you think? Wow, it
is big! I think that’s the brightest, most beautiful one I’ve ever seen, and so unusually far to the northeast!” Perhaps he was annoyingly analytical at times. He put his arms around her from behind.
“Yes, I’m sure this one is just for us”, she whispered………… “Dave? I was just thinking of my lovely, perfect, Christmas card that you like to read to me every year on Christmas Eve. Would you read it to me later, in bed? I really need that tonight.”
“My love, I have it right here.”
“Wow,” she exclaimed in wonder and delight as he gently turned her to face him. Then he kissed her. It lasted. They paused, and, inspired, he began whispering the words to ‘Silent Night’. She joined him then, and they were softly singing together, for only with him could she truly sing her heart’s song…..And he, his. Only with her.
They sang, began swaying, then began dancing. In close embrace. Rejoicing together by the light of the Christmas full moon.
Angels danced unseen, and sang as well. They could feel them. “Silent
night, holy, holy, holy, night. All is calm, all is bright.”
Right on cue, the grandfather clock began “chiming twelve” as if to say, “Re-joice, re-joice, for-Christ-the-Lord-is-born-this-day!”
He counted the syllables aloud just to make sure, for he was compulsive that way. She giggled happily. Ring-ringing! Exactly twelve chimes – twelve wondrous sounds with meaning reverberating through eternity.
They looked into each others’ eyes and said in unexpected unison, as was their habit and their gift, “Happy Birthday Jesus” ……………. Eyes wide – always amazed when this happened.
Then : “I Love You, always remember that!” In unexpected unison, they had done it again!
Green and brown sparkles swirled as their eyes twinkled……………..
Their images resolved into One.
Under the brilliant full moon,
All Heaven and Earth
celebrated, rejoicing with them.
The angels kept dancing,
And so did they.
***
Peace, Love, and Hope
Beyond your understanding,
Be yours tonight.
Merry Christmas, 12-24-2012
© Copyright by Lenn Snider 12-24-2012
Breath Of Heaven – Mary’s Song
21 Dec 2012 2 Comments
Not even one of us can fully understand nor appreciate Mary’s plight…….
Rest in Peace, Donna Summer. We still have your amazing voice.
These are video clips from The Nativity Story, upload thanks to Peperamico.
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A Christmas Who’s Who
06 Dec 2012 Leave a comment
in Christ, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, Forgiveness, God's Gifts, Good News, Gospel, Salvation Tags: christianity, Christmas, Jesus, Subjects and objects in a sentence, The true meaning of Christmas
We must remember this,
Amidst the noise and fuss,
JESUS is the subject of Christmas,
And the object of Christmas is US.
*LS*
Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven
05 Dec 2012 2 Comments
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A Children’s Christmas Carol for Everyone
I lift up Keith and Kristyn Getty and I thank them for this beautiful song.
Remember, JESUS is the subject of Christmas, and the object of Christmas is US.
LS
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The Godsend
20 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
This is my first Christmas story. It started as a small seed of an idea, but the Holy Spirit grew it in His usual epic way:
In “The Godsend”, Davey Christopher, a very young, post-war detective seeks difficult answers in a world that is almost too big, too formidable. But who knew? God provides! See how He did, in The Godsend. I sincerely hope you enjoy this little story.
Merry Christmas!
Alone in the Rockies.
Gloryteller 