Sunshine On My Shoulders

Looking for Christ in "A Christmas Carol"

 
This plaque graced the walls of my mom's home. Loving it, she kept it up year-round.

For years, our family, like countless others, has enjoyed Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. We read it. We watch the movies, ranging from my favorite animated version, the vintage Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol, to my husband's favorite version with George C. Scott. We attend theatrical stage productions. Proudly, my husband wears his traditional  "God Bless Us Everyone," Tiny Tim tie every Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol has become part of who we are as a family, I think.

That is why I love recommending our latest "find," A Christmas Carol: Special Church Edition. It is a simple paperback book containing the complete novel with insightful, running notes by Stephen Skelton. Don't you love finding a classic novel, like Gulliver's Travels, for instance, with marginal notes which help you de-code the meaning of the book? Such does this one, with Mr. Skelton helping to reveal just how fully the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge was influenced by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

For instance, his notes referring to the title, A Christmas Carol:

While today we may think of a "carol" as a secular seasonal song like "Jingle Bells," Dickens is using the original meaning of a carol: a song celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

And the explanation of the use of "staves" vs. "chapters":

Dickens extends the concept of his book being a carol, a song celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, by calling each chapter a "stave," a stanza of a song.

Also available, the author has developed a Bible study series based on A Christmas Carol, and including a movie.

There is so much in history... in art... in nature...in literature... which points to Christ, if we but search for God's Hand. What a delight to see Christ in this classic Christmas masterpiece.

"I have always striven in my writings to express the veneration for the life and lessons of our Savior..." ~ Charles Dickens

William Bradford... his book, his infuence... but HIS-story

Day 23 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 

My husband is a lover of Pilgrim history. That is why years ago the kids and I awarded him this statue of Governor William Bradford, calling it the "Governor Bradford Award," to honor our daddy's leadership in our home. Dave even reads regularly from his Geneva Bible because that was the version Bradford and the Puritans used, refusing the King James version when it came out, for they objected to a king's name added to the Holy Script.

Something I find so fascinating concerns the original manuscript of William Bradford's famous book, The Plymouth Settlement (also titled Of Plymouth Plantation), about the history of the Pilgrims from 1608 through 1646. It is the single most important source document we have on these events, and so vital in understanding the Christian founding and shaping of our nation.

The history of the Bradford Manuscript is one no less remarkable than the Pilgrim epic itself. In the early years it was miraculously preserved from water, fire and loss. The Bradford estate would loan it out again and again to various clergymen. It was last seen in the tower library of Old South Church in Boston, disappearing for eighty years and considered a casualty of the American Revolution.

Quoting from the book (now out of print), The Hand of God In The Return Of The Bradford Manuscript, you will read how years later it was returned to our nation from England: 

"... just as America needed a reminder of her historic purpose, just before she was to endure her greatest ordeal of nationhood, the manuscript was discovered in 1855 reposing in utmost security in England. Not until the nation was partially recovered from civil strife did the Hand of God open up channels for its return after a probable absence from this country of more than one hundred and twenty years."

If you read carefully, you can deduct that the manuscript was returned to America just after the Civil War. Providential timing, was it not?

Looking for God's Hand in the course of history is exciting... and inspiring. As the Hebrew people in Old Testament days were so often reminded to review with their children what God had done for them in their past, we should hold before our families the awesome history, "HIS-story", of our nation.

As for me, if someone would allow me the privilege of choosing a name for a baby boy, I would choose the name Bradford. The child would always be reminded of his namesake, an incredible "used of God" Christian from our nation's founding... and my husband would be thrilled.

Meandering Thoughts of Gratefulness

Day 22 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

  

Today, as I am enjoying a day at home, I find myself filled to the brim with gratefulness, as I simply look around. I'll ramble just a bit, if you don't mind, and list some of my thoughts.

I am GRATEFUL for:

• the changing seasons. I love the brilliant colors of fall... like the maple tree in my front yard. This morning it looks magnificent, and tomorrow it will be even prettier.
• my cozy little study, with its huge picture window draped with fabric from India.. Right now I'm looking out at the squirrels playing in the magnolia tree. This is my room. Everything in it contains things that I love, or things that hold special memories for me. Okay... you've guessed it. It contains LOTS of books.
• the ability to send out a quick email to a friend who was looking for a Godly response in a parenting situation. "Thank you Lord, for the counsel of Your Word."
• my little black pug dog, Gypsy, who is snoring away in her sunny bench at the kitchen window. Haven't our pets brought us much joy through the years? I am grateful for our Brittany Spaniel, Mandie, our Ll-asa, Lady, and my first little black pug, Puggles. Each of these pets gave unconditional and consistent love.
• the sounds above the quiet in my house.... the ticking, and chiming of our family clock.... the melodious sound of the wind chimes on the patio... and the snoring I mentioned, of the pug dog. I love moments like these.
• the fluttering of my heart as I think of my husband. 

Life contains so many blessings. I am grateful for the chance to slow down a bit, and reflect.  

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."  ~Colossians 3:15

A Mixture of Blessings

Day 21 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 

These grateful pilgrims are holding bags of "Blessings Mix," a simple snack mix favor to remind us of things for which to thank God. 

 
Here is a peek at the gift tag which lists the ingredients... and corresponding blessings.

 
And here is my work table, as I assembled the bags of blessings. I chose my own proportions, but if you don't like guessing, you can check out the Blessings Mix Tutorial online.

 

The "Blessings Mix" bags were handed out in our Sunday School class this morning (the class being another huge blessing!), and also distributed during nursing home and hospital visits.

On Thanksgiving Day, my leftover ingredients will go into a huge bowl for munching, along with a framed label to let our guests know the meaning of the snack.

"Blessings Mix." A great (& tasty!) little project to make and share during the Thanksgiving season.

Giving Thanks... for the Memories

 Day 20 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 

If this little Pilgrim couple could speak, they would relate many Thanksgiving memories from the Messick house... 26 years of memories. I cannot bear to part with the little guys. Always having seasonal things that the kids could handle, my babies were allowed to carry them around, teething on the wax hats, and chattering gibberish to them. As young children, they used them in little Pilgrim skits. And then, as older teens, the Pilgrims were greeted with, "Oh, I remember them from when we were little!"

And so... during this season that draws families together... this season begun by grateful families of old... I thank God for our family's precious memories.

"I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people." ~ Psalm 77 11:14

more gratefulness

Day 17 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

There are times in one's life when one must turn off the computer. Such it has been for me for several days, and I have not kept up with my "25 Days of Thanksgiving" challenge. But each day I look around with grateful eyes, and so will try to "catch-up" by relating some of the things that randomly came to mind.

1. CONGREGATIONAL SINGING- How I love lifting up my voice with fellow believers to sing the songs of Zion! As I recall periods of time when I was sick and could not go to church, the thing I missed the most was the singing. That is why I try to have a sing-along when I visit someone sick, or in a nursing home. "Amazing Grace" seems to always fit the bill. Our church is especially blessed to still incorporate old hymns with their timeless truths. Singing God's praises together certainly does usher in His Presence, does it not?
2.  CHILDREN'S BOOK - MY HEART CHRIST'S HOME by Robert Boyd Munger with Carolyn Nystrom. How have I missed this marvelous book all of these years? It is a young children's version of the classic book, My Heart Christ's Homeby Robert Boyd Munger. Have you noticed that sometimes truth, presented with simple, beautiful stories, can be a most effective learning tool? I cannot tell you how much I love this little book... and how grateful I am to find it to teach children who cross my path. There is another similar children's book that I have on my wish list. IF JESUS CAME TO MY HOUSE has been newly re-illustrated, but I am wanting the original 1951 edition, with its charming vintage illustrations. 

Perhaps by sharing double... and triple blessings... I will soon catch up with my commitment. Don't you love what an intentional "Gratitude Attitude" does for your heart? And how it spills over, blessing others?

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15

Little Girl in the Red Hat

Day 15 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 
 
  

In case anyone is wondering... I am joyfully grateful to be a grandma!

Simple Song of JESUS

Day 9 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

  

Right now, this minute, I am listening to the song "Give Me Jesus," recorded by Fernando Ortega. It is a simple song that expresses... and emotes... the desire and purpose of my heart. I cannot listen to this recording without tears coming to the surface, and stopping to affirm my love to Jesus, and to acknowledge gratefulness to Him.

Ahhh... when you really know Jesus... you can really trust Him.

A Husband Who Listens

Day 5 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

My husband is a listener... a genuine listener. I love that about him. If you are one who is telling him a story, he is not just merely being polite, he really wants to hear what you have to say. He cares about the things I say to him too, never brushing me off. People are important to him. I am important to him. So he listens.

Dave is so full of information, on most any topic, and one of the reasons is due to his attentive listening skills.

I have watched him through the years fine-tune his listening ears with the Lord. I appreciate that the most about my hubby.

Ummm... well, he does not always listen in church.

If I ask him, "Honey, where did the pastor say the Scripture text was found?"

He NEVER knows.

And don't let him take a fast food order by memory, please. ALWAYS write it down for him. But these little attentive lapses can be forgiven, can't they?

A husband who listens. Yes, that is definitely something to be grateful for.

The Blessing of the PSALMS

Day 4 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 Google Image

As a young Christian, I struggled through reading the Psalms. Honestly, in my immaturity I thought, "What's the big deal? All that complaining is depressing!"

And then, as I began to face life's sorrows and struggles, I was drawn to the Psalms with a magnetic pull. Now, I begin each day in the Psalms. They are life sustaining food for me.

Someone taught me to read five Psalms a day. Today, being November 4, I began with Psalm 4. Then I continue adding the number 30 to the day's first Psalm, until I have read a total of five. Today I read Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, and 124. If there is a day 31 in the month, I focus on Psalm 119. That way I can read the entire book in a month's time. The connectivity of these particular Psalms is quite amazing.

Psalm 199 Wordle

Praying through the Psalms has been one of the richest blessings of my Christian walk. Each verse I read, I try to focus, and pray upward to God. I may praise Him for aspects of His wonderful nature and character. I appeal to Him concerning my own enemies and struggles. I pray for others, or for my nation. I rejoice at the references about Christ. Praise... confession... delight... appeal... cry out... plead... sing... joy... forgiveness... restoration... all of these words describe what can take place while praying through the Psalms.

Like the Psalmist, I may pour out my lament to the Lord, and then review His previous kindness to me, His unchangeable character... and then make the choice to trust Him. It is a choice... not based on feelings, but based on TRUTH... to trust God. And when I choose Him and obey, God quickens my spirit, and empowers me to do right.

"Thank you Lord, for leaving us your Living, Holy WORD. And today I thank you, in particular, for the book of Psalms."

Grateful for my Mom-in-Law!

Day 3 {25 Days of Thanksgiving}

 

Just finishing this special mother-in-law gift basket, I am amazed how much I was able to tuck in. You should see all the rest not showing in the photo! As my hubby is headed to the state of his birth for a special shoot-em-up time with the guy relatives, I wanted to send along a gift for my mom-in-law. As I have busied myself preparing the gift, gratefulness welled up in my heart for this Proverbs 31 lady who:

• Did such a marvelous job raising my Dave, the 2nd-born of her 6 children.
• Became a good friend to me. 
• Is incredibly gifted musically, and...
• I believe God honored her faithfulness to use this musical gift for Him, by gifting my two children in this way, too.  
• Has lived through numerous trials and struggles (including 4 tragic deaths in her immediate family), and yet remains free of bitterness, singing with her whole heart, "Because He Lives."
• Has an amazing sense of humor. And she knows every silly song that was ever composed!
• Is a gardening gal! Beautiful flowers... prize-winning tomatoes... and of course, Missouri corn!
• Always makes time for her family and friends.
• At the age of 81, and living alone on the family homestead, has disciplined herself daily, to read her Bible and pray, work in the yard/garden, play her organ, read magazines and books, play games on the computer (to keep her mind sharp, she says), and talks to her friends and family on the phone. And sometimes sews.
• Volunteers at the local nursing home, playing the piano, and holding sing-alongs. Hymns... oldies, like "Mairzy Doats & Dozy Doats." She knows them all.
• Does not answer her phone until after the recording... so she has fun with me! I always leave a message... with a silly song, usually one I make up on the spot. Then she will pick up the phone, and sing a made-up song back to me. We laugh and laugh.
• Loves to cook for her family. And loves to try new dishes and experiment with spices.
• Was totally devoted and madly in love with her husband, who is now in Heaven.

No wonder I am so thankful for this remarkable lady... my mother-in-law... a gift from God.

Beverly's HOPE

 
 

Today finds me grateful for the hope of Heaven, available for every believer in Christ who has been redeemed. Now this hope is not the, "Oh, I sure wish (wishful thinking)", implying maybe, but it is an "I know," kind of hope, based on Biblical promises. It is a blessed hope.

My friend, Beverly, had this blessed hope. Passing into eternity in the wee hours of the morning this past Sunday, she is now experiencing this hope to the fullest.

Beverly lived well over a year past what doctors expected after her initial brain cancer diagnosis. God's power and glory were on display so beautifully during the final months of her life.

One song of hope that she clung to was, "His Eye Is On the Sparrow." Beverly had a lot of heartache through the years. Her childhood years were painful. I'll allow you to take a peek into a portion of a note Beverly wrote to me after I presented her with a little Audubon song sparrow. You will read about the first time that God spoke hope to her, as a lonely little girl, through this special song.

  
 
Hope. Just breathing the word brings encouragement... and gratefulness to my soul.

 Beverly with her husband, and best friend, Colonel Jim. Picture taken at Christchurch Baptist, which became a sanctuary to them.

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." ~Titus 1:2

Elijah Under the Juniper Tree

 
Have you ever experienced the "battle after the battle"? In the Christian life, we can go through a period of spiritual warfare, intense service, or a mountaintop experience with God, only to be followed by a kind of wipe-out time of exhaustion. Physically, emotionally, spiritually... we are depleted.

Vividly, I recall a time this occurred to me in the early, and still "much to learn" days, of my Christian walk. I was simply exhausted, numb, and wondering where the truck had come from that hit me unawares. One evening my understanding husband presented me with a little gift, with the note "Elijah Under the Juniper Tree" attached. It was an adorable frog, sitting with arms folded, and looking heavenward, under a tree constructed from sea shells. It was such a precious visual aid to me, beginning a period of rest and refreshment from God's Word as I began to study the life of Elijah.

 
 
Don't you just love how God ministered to Elijah, who, after a mountaintop, victorious experience of faith, was now running away in fear from Jezebel ? God did not scold or reprimand. He fed Elijah, and then allowed him a much needed rest. Then later, through dramatic object lessons, God taught Elijah how to listen for His still, small voice.

My little "Elijah Under the Juniper Tree" is at least 30 years old. And each time throughout all these years, when I undergo a "battle after the battle," or teach about it, I search for my cherished visual aid, and recall how God ministered to me, and taught me further of His trustworthy character.

 

***Today marks the first day of the "25 Days of Thanksgiving" challenge I accepted from my friend at A Lady in Waiting. Each day from November 1 until Thanksgiving, I will be blogging about something I am personally thankful for.

Today, I am full of gratefulness for "Lessons from Life's Struggles and Trials." Without them, we would become pitifully proud, unsympathetic creatures, never realizing how much we need... and how we can trust... our Sovereign Lord.