A Journal, Rod Serling, and Arizona Steakhouse

All a vital part of our New Year's Eve 2010.

A Journal: For the past ten years I've set aside time on New Year's Eve to review the past year with the Lord -- losses, gains, insights, and wisdom for the year to come.

Rod Serling: The Twilight Zone, with all its twists, turns, and quirky endings is a fave at the Baker home. The New Year's TZ marathon is considered our final gift of the year with "Time Enough at Last" being one of the most popular episodes. In it, Burgess Meredith is the sole survivor of the H-bomb. Amidst all the destruction, he finds himself on the bottom steps of the library -- paradise for the avid reader that he is. Suddenly, the silver lining begins to emerge from the rubble. Everything necessary for happiness...eyeglasses and an entire library are at his disposal until...oops! The spectacles hit the ground and the sound of glass being crunched beneath a size 9 shoe is deafening. Poor Henry, if only he'd had a Kindle with audio capability.

Arizona Steakhouse: Thanks to my Mom and her awesome hubby, Steve, we will be using their Christmas gift card for our "Twilight Marathon Date night".


A time of soul searching with the One who knows me best and loves me the most, moments of laughter and suspense with my best friend, and eating steak with garlic mashed potatoes = our idea of a very blessed New Year's Eve.

Fuel or Comfort?

I'm convinced that my food choices can be defined as either Fuel or Comfort.

(Could someone please bring me a pillow and a stash of bon-bons? )

Unfortunately, all the hard work poured in to a healthier lifestyle earlier this year slowly dwindled away. I could give you all the excuses, but I don't have that many bon-bons to spare.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but an immense fan of fresh starts.

For me, part of this fresh start includes choosing food for fuel more so than comfort. I love my Starbucks Frappe's as much as the next person, but choosing to enjoy fewer of them will help to keep my body fueled and prepped for all God has planned. (Right, Beth?)

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." Jeremiah 15:16

Fuel or Comfort.

When feasting on God's Word with transformation as my desire, my mind, spirit, and intentions are fueled - lit ablaze - by the Holy Spirit.

It's all too easy at times, however, to view God's Word more as a delectable morsel of fine chocolate -- convenient to have on hand for those times when only comfort is sought -- choosing a morsel of Scripture that brings peace to the soul, if only for a few moments.

Fuel or Comfort.

Physically, spiritually, and emotionally, two words define my fresh start:

Fill'er up!

How about you?

I Was Dreaming of a White Christmas...

But no more!

Christmas afternoon wrapped itself in a crisp white blanket of snow and quickly became the gift that kept on giving throughout today as we were able to:

• Catch Andy Stanley's New Year's message from 2009. My favorite quote: "It is always a mistake to decide what you want to do before deciding who you want to be. "
  
• Enjoy a movie marathon.
  
• Stay toasty by a blazing set of gas logs (the perfect backdrop for reading my new book by Sage Cohen, "Writing the Life Poetic").

I don't remember the last snow that fell on Christmas Day as I was only a year old (1963), but rest assured, Christmas 2010 will go down in my history book as one of the best Christmases ever.

Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Jesus is my Savior, Not My Santa

As a little girl, I remember standing in line to see the big man dressed in red. He was larger than life and more jovial than most – and for good reason. He made everyone’s wishes come true. Ah, childhood.

Let's face it. My climb on to Santa's lap was done so with one mission in mind: To present him with "the" list -- my list of wants, wishes, and desires. That's all there was to it! A little exertion on my part, a quick rundown of my list, a cherry lollipop in hand, and I was on my way. All was right with the world.

I thought those days were behind me... until this past week, when I became all too aware of how many of my prayers began with:

"Show me..."
"Reveal to me..."
"Please heal..."
"Lord, bless..."

I had unknowingly traded a place at my Father's feet for a place on "Santa's" lap.

Granted, Jesus tells us throughout the New Testament to ask -- there's nothing wrong with asking. However, I would suggest that there is something very wrong in approaching our holy God much in the same way we once approached a minimum-wage ordinary man dressed up in a costume (and usually with a fake-o beard): a moment with Him, followed by a quick rundown of all our wants/desires, an expeditious departure from His presence, and a warm fuzzy feeling to boot (after all, we're adults, who needs lollipops?).

I am resolved to never trading in a place at my Father's feet again. Though warm fuzzy feelings are never a guarantee, the true presence of a holy, loving, forgiving and merciful Father is -- and that's more than this daughter of the King could ever ask for or imagine.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

Merry Christmas to all!

Rupert Claus

Granted, our Lhasa Apso, Rupert, isn't so excited about the Christmas hat,
but is he cute or what?

Taste and See

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8

A recent sampling of God's goodness...

• Meeting new friends and cultivating existing ones during Carolyn's Christmas Tea. Thank you, Carolyn. You are an amazing hostess who stirs up the love of Christ in all who enter your beautiful home.
  
• An inspiring message given at my uncle's funeral service on Saturday reminding my aunt that while this would be the most difficult Christmas she's ever experienced, it would also be one pregnant with hope because of the very One we celebrate.
  
• Our Sunday C4 Group's Christmas party. Fellowship is always a blessing, but fellowship in a church that numbers in the thousands? It's vital. And in our group, it's also a lot of fun!
• Breakfast with my buddies this week and the wisdom that flows from them -- a gift in and of itself.
  
• A daughter-in-law who works at Starbucks (there's a lot of tasting going on there).
  
• Registering for the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference in May. Now it's official!
• Being reminded once again of my hubby's God-given talent (see below - click on image to enlarge).
  

Gifts Missing From Underneath My Tree

When Brandon and Megan arrived Friday afternoon, they came bearing gifts of all sizes, but the true gifts received this past weekend were discovered in the heart, rather than underneath our tree.

Gifts such as:

• The gift of traditions. Decorating the tree, Hillshire Smokies, the judging of outdoor light displays, Christmas movies, board games, Toll House cookies, etc. -- all individual "gifts" melded together with much laughter to create memories that evolve, yet never diminish, over the years. Having Brandon, Megan, Zach, and Sarah close to home this weekend was the greatest gift Brian and I could ask for.
  

• The gift of impromptu ideas. On the spur of the moment, we all decided to jump in the Pathfinder and head to the mall on Saturday morning. Yes, the mall. Yes, on a Saturday morning -- two weeks before Christmas. Those of you who know me know just how impromptu this idea had to be. I'm not a shopper. I make a list, check it twice, go to the store, purchase it, and head to the nearest Starbucks for a breather. Our impromptu trip, however, turned out to be one of the best ideas of the weekend.
  

• The gift of self-sacrifice. I was eight years old when my parents divorced. As is the case with most divorces, there were ample reasons for bitterness, anger, jealousy, and destructive words. Throughout my life, however, both parents sacrificially gave me the gift of never having to hear one speak badly of the other, no matter how much it hurt to keep it inside. Forty years later, as a result of their gift to me, our family enjoyed an early Christmas meal around our farm table with all the kids, my dad, his wife, my mom, and her husband. Some may think it strange, but the fact that we could all gather under one roof (and enjoy it!), speaks to the depth of the gift of self-sacrifice. It is the gift that truly keeps on giving -- not only to me, but to our children, and the generations to come.
  

As Brandon and Megan headed out Monday morning for their home in Ohio, I was reminded of one last gift, as I attempted to hold back the tears: the gift of joy in seeing Brandon, Megan, Zach, and Sarah all loving and serving the Lord within their own spheres of influence. Two are many miles away, and two are only a mile away, but all can be found close to this mother's heart.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down
from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation
or shifting shadow.
James 1:17 NASB

Goal: GET WELL

Immediately upon hearing the diagnosis of "bronchitis" on Monday morning, my goals were set:

GET WELL before...

• Thursday's Christmas gathering of the Upstate Fellowship Writing Group @ Starbucks!
  

• Friday's arrival of our oldest son, Brandon, and his wife, Megan, who are coming home from OH for an early Christmas weekend.

• Sunday's C4 Group - teach it!
  

So far, so good.

This morning, I gave Edie and Beth a "heads up" that I'd probably only stay at the Christmas gathering for 30-45 minutes, seeing how it was my first true outing of the week. Wrong! As soon as I saw the smiling faces of Carolyn, Cynthia, Vonda, Lynn, and all my other wonderful writing friends, I knew I was there for the long haul. It was a feast for the heart as I left feeling incredibly grateful to know... and be known... by such an amazing group of people.

With Friday quickly approaching, the kids will be here soon and our weekend will be underway! We'll continue the tradition of eating dinner, jumping in the car to judge the surrounding neighborhood's outdoor light displays, and then heading back home for hot cocoa and a Christmas movie. When the boys were little, they wore their pj's while we drove around. I'm glad some things have changed over the years! (They have changed, haven't they guys?)

With study time limited this week, and a voice to match, my hubster reminded me that none of this caught God off guard and that I may need to plan accordingly for Sunday. So, while we'll continue our celebration of Advent, it will be a via a different route. It's moments like this I'm reminded of -- and thankful for -- the fact that God doesn't really need me to accomplish His will for this group. What a relief!

Thanks to those of you who've been praying for me. I can set goals all day long but we know God alone deserves the glory.

I am one thankful woman tonight.

God's Guest List Wins the Battle

My new Kindle could not have arrived at a better time.

Battling bronchitis and a sinus infection at home these past few days has proven to be a prime opportunity to break out the Kindle, brew some hot tea, and retreat from the world underneath the softest pink blanket ever created.

A battle of a different making was recently brewing on the home front: What book to download first?

Debbie Macomber's "God's Guest List" was the clear winner. It's the first book of hers I've read but it won't be the last. In it, she shares how the different (and sometimes difficult) people who cross our paths are God's gift to us--and how we in turn can be a gift to others.

The perfect read for this time of year!

Are you a Peace Lover or a Peacemaker?

The difference is found in the blessing.

Blessed are the peacemakers
for they will be called the children of God. (italics mine)
Matthew 5:19

Anybody can be a peace lover---but to be a peacemaker? It may require...

• Biting one's lip to avoid stirring the pot
  
• Freeing ourselves from the need to always be "right" or even understood
  
• Agreeing to disagree
• Forgiving the unforgivable
  
• A host of difficult decisions, including confrontation when necessary

It's a call to action. And one covered in God's blessing.

My Friday Fave

I would be amiss if I didn't share my absolute favorite Christmas CD:

Michael Card's Christmas CD, "The Promise"

If you're searching for Christmas music that resonates with your spirit, this is the CD for you. His original music offers depth and scriptural knowledge like no other (although Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" follows closely behind).

My favorite song this year? It's new and on Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" CD, "Winter Snow". I think it will be the perfect lead-in to our Sunday's Advent study on peace.

So, what's your favorite Christmas CD or song?