Christmas is my favorite time of year, but it hasn’t always been that way. For many years I looked at December as a list of duties and obligations. The decorations, parties, events, and gifts. Everything! The thing is, we are the ones in control. We choose what we allow into our holiday celebrations and what… [Continue Reading]
christmas
Teaching About Christmas Past to Reduce Christmas “Presents”
Helping our children understand the importance of the season can start by Teaching About Christmas Past. This guest post and FREE printable from Sarah Sundin can help reduce the desire for “presents” and help us all to bask in the true gift–His presence. I hope it blesses your family. Merry Christmas! Teaching about Christmas Past… [Continue Reading]
A WWII Christmas | Through a Story Window: Using Historical Fiction to Teach History
Through a Story Window: Using Historical Fiction to Teach History by Sarah Sundin “Another boring history special?” My ten-year-old daughter heaved a sigh and plopped into the armchair. I smiled in understanding. At her age, I was bored silly when my father watched Victory at Sea. Now, since I write novels set during WWII, I… [Continue Reading]
My Unexpected God Gifts
My Unexpected God Gifts! There were three things that I wasn’t going to have at our Thanksgiving table: Deviled eggs Jello Salad A Large green salad Well, it turns out we ended up with two out of three on our table, and I didn’t make either! First, I got a text Wednesday night. My neighbor Cindy… [Continue Reading]
Holiday Gift Guide: Educational Kids’ Toys
My kids love to play games and learn at the same time (as evidenced on my many Instagram pictures of them having fun)! I think your kids would love to open one of these gifts on Christmas morning! Most of these have been tested by my own kids and pass the fun test (for them)… [Continue Reading]
Holiday Gift Guide: Great Christian Books for Boys Ages 6–10
Being a writer, I like to make sure books are a part of my entire family’s life. Some of the hardest books to find are ones with good values for boys ages 6–10. Below are some of my favorites books that will teach them more about God! Are there any books I’m missing? Let me… [Continue Reading]
A Heart Wide Open Christmas: Day 6 | How to Get More of Jesus (even when you’re scared to!)
When our “Just enough Jesus” turns into “I can’t get enough Jesus,” we find Him to be a gracious plenty. –Shellie Rushing Tomlinson There are many Christmases during my teenage years when connecting with Jesus was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to have fun in high school. I wanted to date boys…. [Continue Reading]
Simplifying Christmas | 10 Ways to Simplify Food & Decorations by Sarah Sundin
Do you break out in hives just thinking about the craziness and chaos that comes with Christmas? It doesn’t have to be that way. Inspirational authors Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer share about Christmas’ past in their new novella collection Where Treetops Glisten. Their three stories “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,”… [Continue Reading]
A Heart Wide Open Christmas: Day 5 | How to Extend God’s Love to Hard-to-Love People
We want Him to conform to our limited ideas of who He is because we’re scared of letting Him be I AM. –Shellie Rushing Tomlinson Just a couple of weeks ago I was leaving a church function with my daughter-in-law Katie and my 7-year-old daughter Bella. As we walked to our cars, we saw a… [Continue Reading]
A Heart Wide Open Christmas: Day 4 | When Jesus Gives You Surprise Gifts
When we yield our wills to God’s, the question, “What’s in it for me?” is answered with a resounding, “Everything!”– Shellie Rushing Tomlinson A few years ago I was under a major writing deadline that put a hinder on my Christmas preparations. I’d been asked to write a special book that would reach a lot… [Continue Reading]
Simplifying Christmas | 9 Ways to Manage Your Schedule This Holiday by Cara Putman
Do you break out in hives just thinking about the craziness and chaos that comes with Christmas? It doesn’t have to be that way. Inspirational authors Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer share about Christmas’ past in their new novella collection Where Treetops Glisten. Their three stories “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,”… [Continue Reading]