I don’t often recommend movies, but during Christmas, who doesn’t like a good Christmas movie with the family? Here are a few of our favorites!

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Who doesn’t love the original Charlie Brown movie? I grew up watching it and every year, we never fail to watch it as a family. It’s a good reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and a chance to escape the commercialism of the media. And of course the movie features the good old King James Bible! You can’t beat that!

Christmas Oranges
This is a new one for our family! We just watched it this month and we fell in love! With a back drop of an orphanage in 1917, this is a story about forgiveness, broken dreams, friendship and love. And I’m not talking romantic love either! This move was very clean, no qualms on showing it to all ages and perfect for a family movie night. Come prepared to laugh, cry and be moved through the story of Rose and Iron Gates. You’ll never forget it!

Seasons of the Heart
This movie isn’t all about Christmas, but the movie wraps up at Christmas and it plays a crucial part. We’ve had this movie for over 15 years, and we love it so much. It’s got it’s funny parts, but the movie is more of the touching kind and asks the question, “What season is your heart in?” Could you love another mother’s child when God chose to take your own? Watch this movie. It’s a powerful, touching film.

Silent Night (2002 Hallmark History film)
If you love history and have means to do a little editing, this movie is great! It’s based on a true story, set during the winter of 1944 in Nazi German. Like I said, it needs editing. There are a few words I had to cut and a few scenes that needed editing for content (Santa, a brief mention of alcohol, etc.) and age sensitivity (realities of post-war PTSD). I recommend an adult watch it first, edit the content (you can write down times when things need to be muted/skipped or get a free editing program like Freemake Video converter *this is not sponsored; I just like this program. I did purchase a license from them at a discount, and I recommend it. Just the basic package. It gets rid of branding, etc.*) But seriously, who wouldn’t like a story of American GI’s and German foot soldiers getting stranded in a cabin for Christmas together? It’s very interesting and inspired my short story from last year (click here for the first part!)

Don't forget to check out Faith's post of the day!
 
That’s all for now! Have a Blessed Day and Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

So today is the official first day of the 12 Days of Christmas! Last year, I posted everyday…that is not happening this year 😉 But I do have some fun posts planned to share with you over the next few days. And I will link a few posts from last year as well!

Today, I have a few new Christmas books to share with you! So let’s hop right in!

The Quiet Little Woman and other stories by Louisa May Alcott
Never thought I would be recommending one of her books, but here I am! Granted, I’ve only read this one and Hospital Sketches (it was pretty good, but there were a few parts that made me want to shake her!) but I’ve heard some things that have made me leery of her writing. This book was great! So sweet and perfect for a winter evening!

A Providence Christmas by Rebekah A. Morris
This book was so sweet! I enjoyed the setting and the sweet story of a girl without a home. It was old-fashioned, and a sweet Gospel presentation. And it’s even better if you have some colonial style music to listen to in the background! (Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as a beta-reader from the author. I was not required to review the book or to give a positive review.)

A Police Force for Christmas by Rebekah A. Morris
Another new Christmas short story from Miss Morris! This one was so sweet! I love Police officers and this book didn’t disappoint. While Christmas isn’t about the presents, it’s so sweet to see others reach out to those who don’t have what others have…or have been struck by a random act of meanness. Also a good lesson in paying it forward to our friends walking the Thin Blue Line!

In the Heart of the Christmas Pines by Leona Dalrymple
Now to me, this seemed more like an old-fashioned winter story, since there wasn’t just a whole lot mentioned about Christmas, other than the giving of gifts to the poor and someone dressing in a red suit in one scene towards the end (I do not condone this!), but it was a sweet story about how a widow woman, a young heiress, a soldier and a hermit boy find out what really matters: People, not things. Relationships, not prejudice. Very sweet, innocent and old (1914!).

Christmas Quilts by Rebekah A. Morris
Okay, I’ve read a lot of her books 😉 Anyway, this one was super sweet! I love the story line, the sibling banter and the story of the quilts in general. Be sure and check this one out!

Don't forget to Check out Faith's Post and more Christmas fun here!

Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Okay, time to break out the Christmas books! Tomorrow, I will have a whole list of Christmas books to share with you, but today, I wanted to highlight an Audiobook that I just recently finished and just had to share about ahead of time! So, without further ado, let’s hop right in!

Through the Tunnel
By Rebekah A. Morris
5 Stars

About the Book: “I hate being a foster kid!” Fourteen-year-old Lissa had thought those words dozens, if not hundreds, of times over the last twelve years. She and her twin brother, Leigh, had been foster kids for as long as they could remember. Naturally shy, this life of bouncing around from one foster home to another, of changing schools mid-term, and of never having a real place they could call home had left Lissa with feelings of insecurity and doubt. Would they ever have a real home? Why didn’t anyone want them? Then one cold, winter afternoon, Lissa persuades her brother to make believe that a tunnel under a snow covered bridge is the entrance to a new world and a new life; together they walk through it, and it changes their lives forever.

My Review: This book was so sweet! I’ve always had a tender spot for orphan/foster kids and this book made the that spot even more tender. The relationship between Lissa and Lee was precious. Lissa seemed more like a 12-year-old to me than a 14-year-old, but then, not everyone matures the same way, and she definitely didn’t seem like a baby, but more like a frightened kitten afraid to love. The Salvation story and explanation of eternal security were simple enough for all ages to understand. Oh, and did I mention CHRISTMAS? Most of the story centers around Christmas and I just loved the scene about them decorating!

Note: There is a mention of stockings, but not of Santa Claus. Other than that, I have no complaints!

I highly recommend the book and audiobook, so please, check out this story and enjoy it with your family! I have an eBook and audiobook, but I really hope to get a paperback someday! Click here to purchase! When you do, you are supporting a self-published author, and believe me, all us Self-Publishers appreciate that!

*I received this book through a giveaway and was not required to write a review for the author. I was not compensated for this review.*

Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

I love Christmas! Who doesn’t, right? Well, maybe there are a few scrooges out there, but pretty much everyone you meet is ecstatic over this blessed Holyday! (Yes, I purposely didn’t use the word holiday 😉) There’s all the music, décor, the general happy atmosphere, the foods, the cozy sweaters…ahh…

Christmas is very pleasing to the five senses, ha-ha! But in all the hustle and bustle, good though they may be, have you taken the time to remember exactly why we have Christmas in the first place? Okay, I know you haven’t forgotten that Jesus was born, but has the significance become old for you or sorta matter-of-fact? Let’s take a moment to reflect on what Jesus actually did by coming to be born to die…

1. He left His Glory. Let that sink in. Jesus had everything. As the Son of God, the world was at His fingertips. He had angels praising Him all day long for His Love and Mercy. He had daily, face to face contact with God the Father. He had it all. And He gave that up for you. He gave up the throne to be born to a poor carpenter and his wife, in a smelly, unsanitary stable. He gave up the companionship of God and the angels to be with sinful man. He gave up respect to be spit on and crucified.
2. He knew God would turn His face away from Him. When Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, when He bore the sins of the whole world, God turned His face away from Jesus. He is perfect and cannot look on iniquity. Many people are confused about this, but in the Garden when Jesus asked God to remove the cup from Him, He wasn’t asking God to keep Him from death. He was asking God not to turn His face away from Him. Picture perfect Father-Son relationship right there. But even so, He said, “Not my will but Thine be done.” He was willing to suffer the grief and agony of His Father’s rejection and judgment on sin for you. He loved you that much. Let that sink in. You probably don’t feel worthy of that kind of love. You probably think you don’t deserve it. And you are absolutely right. You don’t deserve it. None of us do. We are so unworthy of Christ’s perfect Love. But He doesn’t care about our worthiness. He just cares about you. He. Loves. You. And Jesus was willing to go through anything and everything to make sure that you could go to Heaven when you die if you will only ask Him to save you.
3. He Showed that Your station in Life is Unimportant. Jesus, no doubt, was pleased with the ones God decided to bless with His birth. A Virgin, a lowly carpenter, a group of smelly, uncivilized shepherds, wisemen, an aged prophetess and prophet who had waited their whole lives to see Him. The poor and the wealthy. The simple and the Wise. The well to do and the people others looked down upon. He didn’t care. He loved them just as they were.
4. He opened Himself up for Ridicule. Up to this point, Jesus had never been mocked by man. He knew coming to earth most that would not believe the miraculous story of His birth. Most would deny the fact that He was Messiah, God with Us, the Son of the Living God. They would not think twice about asking for His execution, much less spitting in His face. Spitting in the face of God Almighty! But He endured it all for you.
5. He Bridged the Gap Between God and Man. By coming to live in the flesh, to die for us, Jesus allowed us to have fellowship with God and come to live in Heaven with Him when we die. He made it possible if we will only reach out and accept the gift.

We take so much for granted in our lives; our friends, family, the background of our favorite Holidays. Don’t let that be you. Take time this month to thank God for sending His Son. Thank Him for allowing Himself to be humbled to Save you. If you have never received Christ as your Savior, why not do it today? Don’t put Him off any longer. Accept what He did for you.

Another month had come and gone, and CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE! Need I say that this is one of my very favorite Holidays?!? November was busy as usual but in a good way! We had a lovely month, and I can’t wait to share a few things with you!

November Favorites

Bible Verse: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

This verse has become very special to me over the last several months, and even now, it has permanently become one of my favorites. The visual picture of God as the Father of Lights…it’s breath-taking and mind-boggling. We serve such a truly awesome God. All I can picture is the Northern lights. With our God being the Father and Creator of Lights like that, can you imagine what Heaven will be like? And knowing that every good thing that happens to us, all the blessings we receive, are special gifts just for us from God, is such a special feeling!

Song: I know…I’ve mentioned this song multiple times, but Every Good and Perfect Gift by Adam and Megan Morgan is still on my radar and was an especially loved song this past month.

Event: Getting to gather with my family for thanksgiving two weeks in a row! It was such a blessing to spend time with family, especially those we don’t get to see as often. We had a wonderful time!

Book of the Month: Worth Dying For by Rorke Denver. Mr. Denver is a Navy SEAL and this book…wow, it was profound. He explained why he thinks there is such a divide between military and civilians, how the problem can be fixed, and the whole reason Americans fight. Why we are so dedicated to what we believe in. It was a rare, raw glimpse at the Warrior’s Heart and is not something I will soon forget. His analogy about Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs was so good. Now, there were one or two words I had to mark out, but not used often. After editing, I would gladly hand this over to a 16-year-old. I’m not sure that I agree with everything that he said, but you know, few people agree on everything. Personally, I think every American should read this book, especially our politicians and our up and coming generation.

Ministry: Revival! We had a lovely week of revival with a pastor friend of ours in Liberty, N.C. We got to sing a new song for us girls, God of Wonders (ever heard me talk about that one? 😉). The services were excellent and God did a work in hearts.

Writing Update: We are still editing book 4 of The Battle for Heritage Series and am happy to report that it is going well. I am also drafting Book 5 and making headway. We’ll probably take a break due to Christmas, but we are right on track with our new goals! Also, since Christmas is such an inspiring time of year, I try to take some time to work on future Christmas stories, just for the fun of it!

A Book I am Anticipating for December: Quick note on last month’s anticipated read, The Real Lincoln was so good! 5 stars! If you are interested in that time era and learning some oft-hidden truths about the war, read this book! I’m really looking forward to all the Christmas books! I love this time of year, and I’ve heard about a few new ones I want to check out, as well as reread a few, like Wind Chimes by Victoria Minks and Behold by Faith Potts! Might even dig out my copy of Faith Blum’s O Come All Ye Faithful! And I just realized all of these are collections…
 
And Now, Some Writing Prompts…

That's all for now!
Merry Christmas!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22