Your Shepherd has a heart for you!

Charles A. Watson

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Matthew 9:36

One of my favorite verses in scripture is the one above. Our Jesus, our God, sees us when we are confused, helpless, weary, carrying so many burdens in our private worlds. He did not react with disdain, or criticism saying, "They should be stronger and more perfect." Instead, he saw us as people who were made to be shepherded. We need direction, instruction, help, guidance in order to live well into the lives we have been given.

Truth is, sheep are easily overcome. They are pre-wired to need guidance, protection, someone to look over their needs and welfare. We, as His sheep, were never meant to just buck up, and do life without help. We were made to need and long for our shepherd's guidance and help and love and joy in our lives.

Today, the day after Christmas, so many are surrounded by the messes that celebrating Christmas brings. Often, women are depleted for many reasons--loneliness because they were not with loved ones--and Christmas was a reminder. Weariness because they have come to the end of their strength. Exhaustion from caring for sick ones or from being sick. Or just the same old personal problems that do not seem to go away.

However you are today--living in doubt, living in discouragement, filled with dreams and hopes, lonely or wishing for alone time, He loves you and cares about your heart and life issues with compassion and with the care of the heavenly Father--the heart that can't let us go, but just keeps giving and giving to us, his own precious ones.

The true comfort I have found over the years is that He cares deeply about you today, He wants you to feel His love, His care and guidance for you. He understands your struggles--He was and always has been made to be a shepherd of us, his sheep. He lives to take care of us, to feed us beside still waters, to guide us in the paths of righteousness. It is His heart--not his duty.

The Lord is my shepherd.

And so, when I wrote my new book, Own Your Life, it was my desire to point to Him, His desire to lead us, comfort us, teach us, and to understand better how He helps us to live into the very life we have been given--not alone, but with His strength, His wisdom, His love, His Spirit filling our lives each step of the way.

Today, rest, knowing His heart is one of compassion. Today, know that in 2015, He will show you the way to find even more secure footing to live into the life where you are--with purpose, with strength and with Joy. Praying His blessing for you all as you enter this new year.

 

To see inside a heart, to embrace, hold and respond, is the gift of Christmas!

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Hebrews 10: 24-2

We need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength,consolation. Because only when we fully realize that the cup of life is not only a cup of sorrow but also a cup of joy will we be able to drink it.” 

― Henri  Nouwen

This year, as we celebrate those we love, those at church, neighbors, children, husbands, let us look inside their hearts to see what is there and respond to them--even as Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion on them, because He saw inside their hearts that they had no shepherd, sheep with no one to comfort, to guide, to guard.

Candles lit, tables decorated, chairs counted, all preparations made as women started parading through the door.

Amazement filled my mind and heart. Why do they come? Snowy roads, a cold night, leaving their homes. Always, I am surprised as each month precious ones pile through the doorway. Why do they take the time to come, to meet one more time?

As I look at my own heart needs, I see how many years I have felt that deep down, hunger, longing, emptiness from lack of  community, wishing for friends who want to share life, for women--for someone who cares that I am alive and knows my struggles, my fears, my heart.

I am surrounded by people, crazy busy, rarely having a quiet, moment without the weight of life,

and yet, still so alone. But the places have now been filled by years of sweet, loyal, loving friends who have owned our friendship for years and years through it all. Such a gift.

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Yesterday, I spent an hour on the phone with a cherished friend. A precious, faithful, loving heart--yet she so alone in carrying heavy burdens of life, that when an unsuspecting stranger asked her how she was, the tears began to flow--

just to have someone ask, to pretend to want to know. Well beloved by so many and yet,

No one knows, no one helps or reaches out to her.

I understand--how many people are in my life, how few souls  have known the scope or depth of the my own soul battles--they are all busy and overwhelmed, too. And this leads me to want to see into the heart of others for what they bear, where they live.

We were made for friendship. Our hearts are prewired to be loved, to belong, to celebrate and share life together, in community--to bear each other's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

And so where would the evil one attack?

He would separate us to be alone, vulnerable, weak as one by ourselves in the battle for souls, so that we cannot be strong, joining arm in arm, heart to heart.

He would isolate us in neighborhoods where we live alone, with no knowledge or shared life with those nearest to us in proximity. With values and faith and ideals, that separate us from the world, but impossible to uphold alone.

He would break the close bonds of fellowship that church was made to uphold, the body knit together,  and let us go to large buildings filled with noises of music, people all around with nary an intimate friendship.

Loneliness, an epidemic. Here is the battleground.

That feeling in the dark of night that your life is invisible--Does anyone care? Does it matter that I keep dragging on day by day? Does anyone know the weariness of my soul? Do others swell with anger? Or wish for relief? Or feel a lack of worth? Or want to quit and don't even know what that means?

And so we gather, with food, drink, a little reprieve from real life, and touch someone else who shares our world. We gather to listen to His words--together. We gather to understand that our sacrifice is precious to the One who sacrificed all.

We gather to know we are not alone.

Our hearts are cherished and held by the one who counts our tears and sees our faith and knows our exhaustion.

We ponder Mary, alone on her journey through countries, through years of questions, through people seeking the life of her son,

but because of her heart, her boldness to believe, Mary, finding favor with God, being chosen by him to bring His life into her home, so that the son of God find comfort, beauty, love for the years he would live on earth.

Even as we provide life, beauty, comfort,  love so our children will not feel alone.

A simple mother, whose heart gave all that He might have a safe haven to find rest for his baby soul.

And so, we meet to find strength, love, laughter, understanding and hope-the hope that keeps our feet on the path, our minds steadfast on our beliefs, our hearts willing to take another step of faith one more day, one more month, one more year, because once again, we know our life of giving and our love poured out is changing the world.

And so this is the message of Christmas--making time to love, giving time to talk, to share hearts to show compassion,

The gift of our time to listen and to share--it is what the baby did when he came for our sake and what we need and what will keep us worshipping a little longer.

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 

You are not invisible to Him, the one who came because He loved saw you and loved you.

Someone else in your life also needs to know this truth.

Today, invite a friend, call a loved one, take initiative to make room for encouragement so that your own soul needs will be met.

Buying one more thing will not satisfy. Investing love and heart time will restore, redeem, fill bring life and hope. Who needs you today? Who do you need to celebrate life with today?

Life happens when you open your door, invite and welcome, look into eyes and share life--Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am in their midst.......

May God bless you with a new friend this season of celebrating the one who himself  took initiative in our lives, so that we would not be alone.

The Dreams in our Hearts: How will God use us to reach our world in 2015?

A Letter from all of the Clarksons

Sweet Friends,

For those of you who have followed my blog and ministry, you know that Clay and I have a ministry that we have built for 20 years together. We would so appreciate it if you would read our end of year letter and consider supporting our ministry if God puts it on your heart. Thanks so very much!

It’s That Time of Year – The Year-End Letter

Dear Friends and Whole Heart Partners, We celebrated twenty (20!) years of ministry to Christian parents in 2014. It all started in the spring of 1994 with about a dozen moms and dads in the living room of our small home in rural Texas. We held our first WholeHearted Child Home Education Workshop, then we published Educating the WholeHearted Child, and Whole Heart Ministries was born in September of 1994.Since that inauspicious beginning, God has allowed us to encourage and equip countless Christian parents through workshops, a children’s book catalog, fifty hotel conferences for moms since 1998, twenty print books and ebooks, national and international speaking and publishing, online ministries, training Intensives, Mom Heart Ministry, and more. If it all stopped here, we’d be thankful and content. God is good. But we believe God still has a heart for Whole Heart. And so do we.The Heart of Whole Heart Is Strong

As we enter what we are calling our “second generation” of ministry, we are thankful for all that God has done through Whole Heart. But we also realize there is so much more ministry left in our hearts yet to do. That’s why we are focusing so intently right now on what’s ahead in 2015 and beyond. We want to discover one thing: What is God’s heart for Whole Heart? In all our envisioning and planning, we are reminded of one simple truth: We would not still be serving Christian parents today if not for the generous support of so many friends of this ministry through the years. We need partners. We can’t do this alone. But before we get to that, we want you to know this: We will do what God calls us to do as long as we are able to do it.

We want to be among those “whose heart is completely His,” the ones God searches all the earth to find (2 Chr 16:9). The heart of our ministry vision has always been simply to help Christian parents—to encourage and equip them to raise godly children who will, as David said, “serve [God] with a whole heart and a willing mind” (1 Chr 28:9). As the biblical design for family is threatened by a tidal wave of cultural change, we want to make sure we can continue to “strengthen what remains” (Rev 3:2)—to keep helping families be faithful for Christ. At the end of this letter, we’ll share with you how you can help us help parents.

Will you take just a few minutes to catch a glimpse of our vision for Whole Heart?  We Want to Have God’s Heart for Whole Heart Every week we hear from parents who want us to know how Whole Heart Ministries has helped them. Whether they live in the heartland of America or in another land that doesn’t speak our language, our hearts and desires for our children are all the same. Here are two comments just from this week:

“[Your books] totally changed the mother I am and the way we have decided to parent and disciple our son. We are SO thankful to the LORD for your ministry!”   ~ a mother in California

“[Right] now there is a need in Poland for many excellent books you and Sally wrote, but we would like to focus on Educating the WholeHearted Child as we see specific need in rebuilding the unity and faith with Polish families ...” ~ a father in Poland

We have hundreds of similar letters in our files, from all over the world. Sally’s books have been translated into seven foreign languages, and our books and ministry reach families in English‐speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa. Young mothers are hungry for biblical perspective from a seasoned Titus 2 older woman, and parents want sound, biblical insight for building a Christian home and raising godly children.

God has given Whole Heart a mission field. We’ll Minister to the Beat of God’s Heart Like the Apostle Paul, we “press on toward the goal” (Phi 3:14) of fulfilling Christ’s call on our lives to strengthen families. But as our children leave home and find their own ways in the world, we are entering a new season of life and ministry. To stay effective, we are seeking God’s heart for Whole Heart. We want to invest in ministry choices that will last, and that will enable us to last.

We want to invite you, as a Whole Heart Partner, to join us in this ministry. Here’s where God is taking us:

• WHOLE HEART PRESS: We started Whole Heart Ministries with the vision of writing and publishing books to help Christian parents. That “ministry in print” will always be at the core of the Whole Heart mission as we write new books for moms, dads, kids, families, and small groups.
• WHOLE HEART ONLINE: Our ministry website, WholeHeart.org, is the online hub of this ministry. It’s a place where anyone can come to find out more about the books, resources, messages, media, initiatives, movements, and events that are the “ministries” of Whole Heart Ministries.
• MOM HEART CONFERENCE: Since February 1998, we have offered fifty WholeHearted Mother and Mom Heart Conferences in seven states to encourage thousands of Christian mothers to “come home to God’s heart for motherhood.” We believe in the power of gathering together as believers.
• MOM HEART INTENSIVES: Nearly fifty mothers attended the first three‐day Mom Heart Leader Intensive Training in our home in 2010. Other “Intensives” have followed, and now more are planned in Colorado and around the world as Sally trains mothers to minister to mothers.
• MOM HEART MINISTRY: Mom Heart Ministry is a strategic small groups ministry initiative to “restore moms’ hearts to God’s heart for motherhood.” On MomHeart.com, moms can find training, resources, media, encouragement, and connections to be part of this movement of mothers.
• STORYFORMED PROJECT: Sarah, our oldest daughter, envisioned, started, and leads Storyformed, a ministry initiative to champion the role of literature, story, imagination, and the arts in the home. As an author, she will oversee the Storyformed Books imprint and the Storyformed.com website.
• SALLYCLARKSON.COM: Sally’s online and in‐print ministry to Christian women and mothers has grown beyond Whole Heart to become her own personal ministry. Her heart is to be a biblical encouragement to women to become life‐givers who “own” the life God has given to them.

With Faith, and with Your Partnership, We Will Press On

We are, and always have been, just a small, family‐run, nonprofit, Christian, faith ministry. All that means is that we trust God to provide financially as we step out in faith. There are two needs we’re trusting God to provide for through this letter. First, looking ahead, we need financial partners who will move boldly by faith with us into our second generation of ministry.

Second, right now, we need partners to help us overcome a significant 2014 deficit. Because of an unanticipated shortfall of funds in August and September, we were forced to borrow against our 2015 budget to meet obligations. Your financial gift would be greatly appreciated at this time to help us remove the deficit and move into 2015 financially healthy.

If God puts it on your heart to support our ministry, you may donate HERE. WholeHeart.org. It is safe and secure, and will give you full control over your giving.

You can also send a check to the address below. Financial contributions to Whole Heart Ministries, a 501c3 tax‐exempt organization, are tax‐deductible. Thank you for your partnership! Your gift helps us press on in Christ to keep faith in the family.

Grace and peace to you and your family. Wholehearted blessings in Christ, Clay and Sally

Whole Heart Ministries Keeping Faith in the Family PO Box 3445 | Monument, CO 80132 719.488.4466 | 888.488.4466 | 888.FAX-2WHM www.wholeheart.org | www.momheart.com www.storyformed.com | sallyclarkson.com whm@wholeheart.org | admin@wholeheart.org — since 1994 —

Thanks for reading this. God bless you with grace and peace as you celebrate his coming to bring His light.

How can a Mother Find Favor with God? Mentoring Monday

The Annunciation Henry Ossawa Tanner

"Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you." Luke 1:28

Throughout the ages, artists have tried to illustrate the mysterious moment when the angel of God came to Mary and announced God's favor with her. But I think rather than seeing what the scene looked like, I would love to know what kind of woman, living in the unseen moments of her everyday life, would find favor with God?

Oh, how I wish these words expressed how God felt about me--would God see me as the kind of woman He would choose now to mother the most high God? By what means did she find favor, in the hidden moments of her life? These thoughts swirled around in my mind.

Mary lived in a tiny, obscure village amidst a humdrum life. Wheat was ground, bread was pounded out on wooden tables, crumbs were swept from the floor, children lovingly tended, mother and father presiding over the home, the Shema was listened to every day over shared family meals, the Sabbath was kept. Mary lived in invisibility in the moments of an ordinary, obscure life, as far as anyone in her own life knew. And yet, in the living of her life, quietly, faithfully, God noticed her, God saw her and she found favor and pleased His heart.

God always sees even when no one else is noticing.

Imagine being greeted by an angel, in the midst of a normal day, when no one else knew, "Hail favored one."

What would he find you doing? Believing? Saying? Loving?

And then, "Mary, do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God."

Really? She did not have a college degree or a ministry position or title and had never published a book or even spoken in the synagogue--and yet, in the midst of her quiet life, she of all women, had found favor with God. I have been pondering this.

But there are clues.Being the mother of Jesus would require a tenacious, steady, engaged faith. As his mother, her  life would be  in danger, Jesus would be  pursued by a crazy king, and at every point, people would cast doubt on her irregular, fantastical story.

 Satan would have wanted to prevent Jesus becoming savior and Mary would be his protector--a shelter from danger, a nurturer of his soul, a provider of truth, a teacher and trainer, a strength in storms--all of this she would be asked to be for God, the baby, entrusted into her hands, as his mother, a divinely appointed role.

She would have to move, put up with peer pressure of her own village, believe in the miraculous, obscure amongst the humble, live amidst despised Egyptians. Her life would be filled with stress, pressure, rejection, fear, loneliness and questions.

And yet, God had called her favored, He had seen her heart, he had noticed her response throughout her life, He had tested her willingness to obey, and she had been found faithful, and so she was favored.

Her response, ready on her lips, practiced in her heart.

"“Behold, the^]bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

God looked for one who would serve Him, willingly, readily, at the moment of His impossible request, one who would respond in utter submission.

I am your bondslave--a commitment he had seen in her prayers, through out her life as she engaged her heart in scripture, He had seen her practice of worship by choosing, through all the years of her training, her response of believing and her heart consecration to serve Him, to obey throughout the seemingly unnoticed moments of her life.

One who considers themselves a servant, believes and lives to accomplish the will of her master. Is that my heart--to obey, willingly, whatever He would ask?

Is that my response to this life He has given to me--be it done according to your will for I am your bond-servant? Even if it means sacrifice of the plans I hold dear? Even if it means being misunderstood? Rejected? Chased? Inconvenienced? Even if it requires me to have courage against fears that will assail my life?

And yet, we are left  another clue. Elizabeth, her older cousin, who had also lived above reproach and obeyed God, upon seeing Mary, responded,

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary believed God.

She had a ready heart to believe Him, trust Him with all that it would require of her, to await the miraculous, to live through long years of waiting and quiet and mundanity, as she awaited to see this little baby become the expected Messiah, the fulfillment of His role as a savior.

She believed there would be a fulfillment.

 She had practiced believing in Him her whole life and this, I think, was in part, what would qualify her to be the mother of the son of God, she was ready, willing to immediately respond to Him in belief--even to the impossible--even in the obscure place of dust, dishes, and duty.

And so God shined His light on my soul this early morning as I pondered Mary in His presence--am I ready to believe, to obey wherever He takes me, to await the fulfillment of His word and to choose to believe in His future fulfillment of faithfulness in my own life and in my own prayers--even if the ultimate fulfillment will take years and years, as it took Mary?

So, today, as I live amongst feasting, gift-wrapping, cleaning, sharing hearts and thoughts, singing beloved hymns at church, celebrating in the sparkle of our Christmas home, I hope that He will find me, in the integrity of my heart,  obeying, responding, bowing my knee to His will, a bondservant whose heart is ready to follow, obey, accept limitations of a world at battle for righteousness, and yet ready, in His strength, to believe.

May He prepare your heart today to worship in the quietness of your life, right where you are. May He bless you with His peace and grace.

I pray you have a most blessed and favored Christmas, and that God gently leads you, and me,  to embrace for our lives, the integrity that characterizes of the story of Mary, His choice to be the mother of his own son.

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Mom Heart Conferences are just the place we love to celebrate the eternal significance of motherhood. Hope you can attend one with us this year in Colorado, California or Texas.

Remember to enter our Christmas giveaway. Everyone who is registered by 11:59:59 PM on December 24 will be entered in a special Christmas Day drawing for another FREE REGISTRATION. Register Now! Hope you can come!

Hope you will consider getting my new book for a Christmas present and join my friends for an online book club to consider how to make plans to organize your life for the best new year ever, as you are inspired to live your life anew with God's purposes and with inspiration for living a life of intention and favor with God!

The Christmas gift my boys never forgot!

The Christmas Gift my boys never forgot!

“I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalm 40: 12

Driving through the maze of crowds, and bumper to bumper traffic during the Christmas holidays was a true test of my mama patience. I had an agenda and evidently the world did not know what it was because everything was slow on this particular day.

My boy’s chatter, loud noises and vying for attention was particular irritating when I was stuck in a traffic jam with time ticking away.

“Mama, he hit me.”

“No I didn’t, I just tapped him.”

“You did not, you hit me!”

Finally, we got off the freeway, made it to the main intersection of the mall I was seeking, when Joel piped up, “Mama, look at the poor man with one leg and one crutch. He has a sign that says ‘I’m hungry!’. Don’t you think since it is Christmas, we should stop and get him something to eat?”

It just happened I was reading the boys Psalm 40: 12,(“I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”), just the day before. and We had talked about the need to have compassion on those less fortunate, the poor, those who were sick, the downcast.

Nathan shouted out, “He is one of the poor and needy ones, mama, don’t you think?!”

The Lord gently put his finger on my heart and said, “Let go of your expectations, now! This is a moment to impress compassion on your boys’ hearts because this is a moment they are open to the Spirit and what they have been memorizing with you.”

Taking a deep breath, I slowed down the car and said, “Boys, I know a fast food burger place near here. Why don’t you roll down the window and ask the man what he likes best—a chicken sandwich or a hamburger.”

The two boys almost crawled out the window yelling at the top of their lungs, “Hey, mister, do you like hamburgers or chicken sandwiches best?”

Hamburger and coffee it was. So we drove to McDonalds and I supersized a cheeseburger, French fries and coffee order.

When we drove up, the little boy faces filled with pride, “Merry Christmas, mister, we thought you might want this for lunch.” They took out each item from the bag and handed it to the crippled, gaunt man.

When they were finished, the weather worn man practically leaned into the car and shook the boy’s hands fiercely.

My name is John. What are your names?” the man asked in a gruff voice.

”I’m Nathnn.”

“I’m Joel.”

A smile from someplace deep in the man’s memory slowly crossed the lines of his face.”

Today, I am writing for my sweet friend, Ruth, at TheBettermom.com

For the rest of this article, go to: Thebettermom.com

Get yours as a Christmas gift to yourself! 

Keeping Wonder Alive in our Hearts

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh, Christmas tree, .... Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls my mom made for me 50 years ago.

************************************************************************************************* Flickering candlelight, shimmering slivers, golds, reds, greens and blues sparkling on a real tree inside the house; familiar songs that beg swaying and dancing; the smells of pine boughs, vanilla, sugar, spices, cookies, coffee, breads filling the air with invitation each different time of the day, lots of friends and family and hugs and kisses and celebration and presents,stories to stir up imagination of babies, wise men, young mothers, animals--all of these wrapped in one short period of a few weeks--all to fill the heart and stir the imagination to new dreams and the heart with lots of love---what's not to love about Christmas?!

I have had many women write to me and ask if I thought it was pagan to celebrate Christmas and have trees and presents. Of course Clay and I pondered this many years ago and studied the Word and we came to our own conclusions as each family must do. But, we now see even more, how it was the delights of our home and the filling of emotional cups and the fun and making of memories and cherishing Christ and carols every day, that gave our children even more love for Him. Since our family is not pagan, the celebrations in our home are not pagan--nor the ways we choose to celebrate.

And I so love the family togetherness. When my children have lived far away, and now all four, coming home to celebrate together--to celebrate all that it is--is something they can hardly wait for--it is another of the invisible strings that ties our heart so strongly together..

When I think about the wonders of the first Christmas--astonishing, bewildering, unimaginable beings appearing on the earth; terrestrial choirs filling the heavenly sky; a heretofore unheard of star filling the night sky; wealthy, learned kings traveling from afar; a virgin birth in the midst of a love story; an old woman and an old man marveling and speaking of the messiah as the baby is dedicated- with celebration and feasting;--our Heavenly Father was the first to celebrate.

He was the first one to document the birthday of Jesus--supernaturally with music and feasting and amongst the humble and the kings.

I love seeing the feasting--usually for days--in the old testament. God is a God of celebration. Christmas is a time when we bring friends and family into our home to be refreshed. It is a time of personal worship as I mentioned yesterday and a time of joy-work and preparation to say I love you to our family, whom God designed for the passing down of His story and of His love.

I think that sometimes people are afraid to have too much fun or to celebrate life. Yet, it is only when we do this fully, from our heart that we understand the joy of the Lord--the God who gave us the ability to be satisfied, to laugh and play games and eat merrily.

So, our family makes time to delight together. It is the organic life of Christ, the tastes, smells, fun, love and theology that gives the whole picture of this baby become king and savior. And so in a spirit of love, we celebrate Christmas--His coming to earth--fully and happily.

A Merry Christmas Book for you! A Giveaway!

 

Own Your Life: Read for your own education, Read to Your Children, Invest in your Mind!

Sometimes I like to just look at my children. They are miracles to me--that they are mine, that they have grown into such interesting, engaging adults, and that they still love to be with us, and that they love the Lord. It is a gift more fulfilling at this point than I even knew it would be. I gave my life to serve them and God's grace made it a work that deeply satisfied my heart.

Having my boys home for 2 days by themselves, sitting at the dinner table for two hours talking about life helped me to see that they are growing stronger, and flourishing--a relief to a mama who has been praying while they are in worldly, large arenas.

One of their conclusions at the end of our table talk stayed in my mind and heart.

"Mama, we are who we are because of the stories we stored in our hearts as little boys, because of the books you read outloud, because of the devotions we celebrated every day, because all of these epic stories lived in our hearts and shaped who we are now as adults investing in the creative world.

Love of books, love of stories, on of the most profound sources of heritage we gave to our children, that has prepared all of them for their calling and living in the World.

Fast forward, and you will find Joel working daily on recording a book on tape that he enjoyed day by day. His conclusion as he finished it last week was, "We need to read this story out loud as a family. It is really a good story!"

I am soo delighted, for these reasons, to be able to introduce you to this wonderful author. He has generously given me 10 books to give to you for Christmas. It is a perfect gift for your middle school aged kids and high school. Here is his story!

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We almost never made it through the wardrobe and into Narnia. It was a close call.  Stung by the strident criticisms of his close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis was ready to abandon his Narnia series before it was ever published. Lewis was deeply hurt and discouraged because he respected Tolkien’s opinion so much. For his part, Lewis had been a longtime proponent of Tolkien’s own work. If not for the entrance of Roger Lancelyn Green, we would never have found our own way into Narnia.

Imagine that.

So what magical power did Roger Green exert on his friend and former tutor? What elixir was mixed or what castle stormed to save this magical tale from oblivion? I’ll tell you. Roger Green had words, words of encouragement, when they were most needed. Green’s enthusiasm and encouragement, by Lewis’s own admission, saved the whole project. What potent power lies in encouraging words.

My own story was, to borrow an expression, saved by childbirth. Specifically, my story would not exist were it not for the woman who gave birth to me and first read to me of Narnia. My mother believed--well, believes--in me. I have lost count of the encouraging encounters I’ve had with my mom related to my own writing dream. But it was when I was a child that her encouragement took root. I had never met an author, and you might as well have told me I was going to go to the moon as write books. But Mom convinced me it was possible. She encouraged me. So I worked on stories as a boy, and dared to dream. She always believed, even when I didn’t.

I’m 37. It’s been a long road, but my first novel is out in the world. The Green Ember is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. More, it might be a gateway to light for a child somewhere, perhaps one I don’t even know. That’s an incredible thought to me.

I’ve had more encouraging Roger Greens in my life than critical and discouraging Tolkiens, my mother being an early and regular one. But there have been more. My wife has been a rock of encouragement, our kids a chorus of enthusiasm. But it’s amazing how discouraging and derailing it can be to hear critical words. I’ve heard those too.

Don’t get me wrong. We all need to take criticism and coaching. What we want, however, is to avoid losing the heart for our calling in the midst of it.

 

I needed encouragement. All kids need encouragement. They also need equipping, and to be challenged. But what dreams are churning in our children’s souls?

Some of the Roger Greens in my life have been the Clarksons. Sarah is a dear friend and one whose opinion I deeply respect. She read a very early (think raw/bad) draft of The Green Ember and offered vital insights which have helped shape the story. But more than just constructive criticism, she had powerful words of encouragement. Sally too has been so encouraging to me as a new author, sharing insights and enthusiasm. Clay has been a wise mentor and friend for years and Joel has become a crucial creative partner.

There are more Greens to speak of, but this story of how Roger Green saved Narnia has more in it for us than just identifying, with gratitude, the enthusiastic encouragers in our lives. It raises another question.

Who in my life needs me to be Roger Green for them?

-----

The Green Ember by S. D. Smith is available here in both hardcover and paperback (ships now). 

It's also available at Amazon in paperback (out of stock at the moment, but restocked immanently) and also for Kindle.

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Join A Movement of Motivated Women and Make 2015 the best year yet!

I am so excited to finally be able to share my new book with you. It has been a project that has bubbled in my heart for many years--to take God at His word, to engage in His kingdom work, to love deeply, to live faithfully--to own the amazing life He has designed each of us to have!

All week, women from all over the world have been designing the most beautiful posters about how they are going to take responsibility for the stewardship of their own lives in 2015. We will be hosting several large online book clubs where you can sign up with other women to discuss the concepts developed in this book.

If you order it now, you can become a part of these clubs and discuss Biblical ideals and how to live them out within the demands of day to day life.

How will you own the legacy of leaving a heritage of faith to your children?

What ways can you cultivate your spiritual, emotional, intellectual and ministry life within the walls of your home to make it a life-giving place where all who come will find rest, inspiration and love?

What goals will you make for yourself this year so that you can realistically spend more time in the word of God, give yourself to times of prayer, and cultivate a more personal relationship with God?

All of these ideas and many more, you will find in the pages of Own Your Life.

We would love to see your own posters of how you will own your life this year. Share them on pinterest, instagram at #Ownyourlifebook or Sallyclarkson facebook page.- and I will share them with my own networks to encourage women all over the world.

Buy it now and get ready to join others in discussing how to live intentionally this  new year, 2015.

Start a group in your church or home to discuss these God-designed goals. I hope we can help establish a movement of encouragement all over the world. Won't you join us?

A Home that says Welcome! Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

"I go to prepare a place for you."

Jesus

PREPARE: TO MAKE READY FOR USE IN ADVANCE

"Oh, mama, I can hardly wait to come home. Let's have tea by the tree, share all of our adventures from the past few months, and just be friends for hours and hours. I just love home!"

Excited down to my tippy toes and filled with butterflies every time I think about it, I can't wait till my precious ones are all under my roof. We all belong to each other and we have all needed a place--

--A sanctuary for life, a holding place for all of our ideals, an atmosphere of love and a energy that engages dreams and inspiration. In short, my children and husband to not need a perfect home, or always organized and clean, but they need a mother and wife who is committed to whatever it takes to fully live the life of Christ in this home that they understand, taste and feel His reality.

God created the garden as a "place" for us to flourish--wild with color, confronted with beauty, texture, interesting sounds, a variety of food, companionship. He contemplated not only the needs Adam and Eve, his children would have, but he also pondered how to make their home a place of beauty, soul satisfaction, mind engaging and interesting and spiritually captivating.

Planning and providing are truly a glory of a woman, living into God's design. With my precious ones coming home,  I have been planning and preparing ahead of time, so that when they come home, I can focus on our time together, meet their needs and walk through the days with peace. With 7-10 people in my home for the next few weeks, three meals a day, will not totally overwhelm me as I prepare ahead of time for the few days I will have with my crew. If I am behind and in a "Martha" mode, I will miss precious moments with my favorite people. Relationship is the key to love and influence, so it is my goal to prepare to be patient, to stay up late to listen, to understand and to serve. I want them to leave my home to go into the world with the fragrance of Christ fresh in their hearts, minds and souls--and always thinking this is the best place to be.

A Place of Beauty and Tradition

Now in my 60's, I have had a whole lifetime of gathering precious treasures that speak to my children of family, memories--the way we have always done things, and to make our home environment one in which they will always think it is the best place to be.

Actually, I have learned that when I live in a tiny overseas apartment, or a sprawling older home, that it is the "me" inside of it that makes it home for my children.

Each of us, made to be like Him, has an endless capacity to bring beauty in our world as He did. We just have to practice. I tend to do things the same every year, because my life doesn't provide for much creative space right now--but for all the times I have built this in the past, it is now easy for me to put in place because of practice.

The gorgeous red dishes in the poster were very special dishes passed down from a great grandmother. The kids ate on these only on very special occasions at their grandmothers home. But they speak of heritage.

My grandmother on my mother's side constantly worked in ceramics and I grew up with this nativity scene from the time I was a little girl, so it sits on a hutch in our entrance and will speak of all the times we read the story out of look and looked at this precious scene. I grew up with this as a little girl.

As both of all of our parents passed away in the past few years, our house is stuffed with grandparent stuff, and great grandparent treasures. The rocking chair was needle pointed by my grandmother where she rocked my father to sleep when he was a child. The fireplace brass cover belonged to a great grandmother on Clay's side. The auspicious grand mirror hung in my mother's dining room my whole life. The silver tea set was my mothers and she would have up to 100 people in our home at a time and all of us children had to serve.

Since Clay and I have, at times, lived a much simpler life in small apartments and leaking houses in missions, we pondered how we would use all of this "stuff." But 6 years ago, we planned to have leadership trainings in our home and we serve all of the moms who come off of the old china, talk about heritage, keep literally over 100 people on our home each year, and so we consider it God's art as a place where people come for a refuge away from the world. And so it has become for my sweet children. Our house is a miss-mash of precious old antiques from family and 50 % off furniture from garage sales and furniture marts--but this is our puzzle, our story--every one's is unique and with effort becomes special to our children and friends because it reflects some of our story or background.

PREPARING FEASTS AND TASTES

Guess who was home last night--and the first thing we did was, EAT! We sat for 2 hours catching up, laughing, talking, being friends, and so once again, the atmosphere was set by food!

So to ease my stress, I cooked up lots ahead of time to help me every day when someone is hungry again!

Next comes planning for all the tastes and cooking so I do not have to always get overwhelmed when my children want to eat all the time.

I cooked 5 pounds of ground turkey and put into bags to use for easy meals--nachos, vegetable soup, shepherd's  pie, etc.

3 pounds of pecans, roasted, sea salt pecans with a toss of butter,  for munching that is tasty but not so sweet

Several dozen of their favorite Christmas cookies in dough balls so I can take a few out at at time and cook them fresh. (Peacan snow balls, oatmeal butterscotch and 3 dozen sugar cookies)

2 Dozen Turkey Meatballs--for a Swedish meal and  2 dozen for an Italian meal!

In the kitchen at all times, clementines, some kind of roasted nuts and dark salted chocolate almonds--

All the favorites of my homecoming kids.

PREPARING YOUR HEART

Every day, we have so many choices--what to do with our time, how to relate to people, what to value, how to deal with pressure and conflict, how to invest our lives at each moment of the day! But what we practice, what we cherish in our hearts and thoughts, we become. Truly, what we sow, we reap.

If I want my children to leave my home loving God, being morally strong, having emotional healthy foundations, living by faith, then I must invest in my heart--and make very specific goals for how I am going to become more excellent, more holy--set apart for God's purposes. It is my heart that feeds my children every day and gives them an appetite--a longing and desire to become the best they can be because they captured a vision of what God made their lives to be by being with me.

Daily, I have been spending time in Isaiah 40's about Jesus--and asking God to continue showing me what our amazing savior was really like. I have also been studying Mary--what made her such a wonderful picture of one who responds to and follows God.

Daily, I have been praying for my family and friends--because I know that all miracles begin with God--and His mysterious work. When I bow my heart before Him regularly, my faith grows so strong and at peace knowing that I have no control of anything, but by depending on Him, I am living a spiritually strong life

Daily, I make write down commitments: I will listen and look into the eyes of my peeps, I will not be on my computer, I will watch my tongue and use it to encourage, to build up, to create a peaceful place. And I will write down some of the things I want to pass on to them through the messages on my heart--this year it is a ministry heart. (More about that tomorrow!)

But when I take time to prepare my heart to be ready for the entourage, noise, work and interaction of these live adults who will invade for 15 days, I am much more likely to make good memories and to see that God was at work amongst us.

********************************************************************

I would be so honored if you would order and read my new book and find inspiration in its pages!

My Mama's Christmas Tradition Lives On! Happy Friday!

A big black fat book stood out on my mother's bedroom bookshelf that I always viewed with delight. I would beg for her to read it to me, "PLEASE, just one poem!"

The book held hundreds of poems, which she would read with passion, humor, skill, enacting each role with a different voice, playing each character as though she had become them. Once in a while on cold and rainy days, my mama would draw me on her lap and say, "Let's read!"

I remember even now, that I always cherished the times my mother would hold me close as we sqished in an overstuffed chair together and the deep tones of her reading voice would draw me into imaginary worlds. Sitting that close to the one I loved the best, feeling loved within the sweet smell of her lotion and soft skin, m longings for love were fulfilled to overflowing happiness to steal away this time from her busy days. A very clear memory was the first time she read me this Christmas poem. The story captured my attention and then as it unfolded, my little girl heart swelled with joy. Even now, at 61, the memory of it brings me soul comfort.

I will be reading it to my children again this year because it has become a precious story and a tradition that has gone on long after my mama quit reading out load to us. On this Friday, make a special time with hot chocolate or spiced tea and read it out-loud and begin a new tradition! Enjoy!

As for me, I will be bustling about getting the last touches ready for my own crew to begin coming home, starting Saturday. Oh the butterflies are flying and I am getting oh so excited.

Annie And Willie's Prayer

'Twas the eve before Christmas. "Good night," had been said, And Annie and Willie had crept into bed; There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes, And each little bosom was heaving with sighs, For tonight their stern father's command had been given That they should retire precisely at seven Instead of at eight-for they troubled him more With questions unheard of than ever before: He had told them he thought this delusion a sin, No such creature as "Santa Claus" ever had been. And he hoped, after this, he should never more hear How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year. And this was the reason that two little heads So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds. Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten, Not a word bad been spoken by either till then, When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep, And whispered, 'Dear Annie, is 'ou fast as'eep?" "Why no, brother Willie," a sweet voice replies, "I've long tried in vain, but I can't shut my eyes, For somehow it makes me so sorry because Dear papa has said there is no 'Santa Claus.' Now we know there is, and it can't be denied, For he came every year before mamma died; But, then, I've been thinking that she used to pray, And God would hear everything mamma would say, And maybe she asked him to send Santa Claus here With that sackful of presents he brought every year." "Well, why tan't we p'ay dest as mamma did den, And ask Dod to send him with p'esents aden?" "I've been thinking so too," and without a word more Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor, And four little knees the soft carpet pressed, And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast. "Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive; You must wait very still till I say the 'Amen,' And by that you will know that your turn has come then." "Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me, And grant us the favor we are asking of thee. I want a wax dolly, a teaset, and ring, And an ebony workbox that shuts with a spring. Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see That Santa Claus loves us as much as does he; Don't let him get fretful and angry again At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen." 'Please, Desus, 'et Santa Taus turn down tonight, And b'ing us some p'esents before it is light, I want he should div' me a nice 'ittie s'ed, With bright sbinin' 'unners, and all painted red; A box full of tandy, a book, and a toy, Amen, and then, Desus, I'll be a dood boy."

Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads, With hearts light and cheerful, again sought their beds. Tley were lost soon in slumber, both peaceful and deep, And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in sleep.

Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck ten, Ere the father had thought of his children again: He seems now to hear Annie's half-suppressed sighs, And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eyes. 'I was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said, 'And should not have sent them so early to bed; But then I was troubled; my feelings found vent, For bank stock today has gone down ten per cent!

But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere this, And that I denied them the thrice-asked-for kiss: But, just to make sure, I'll go up to their door, For I never spoke harsh to my darlings before." So saying, he softly ascended the stairs, And arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers; His Annie's "Bless papa" drew forth the big tears, And Willie's grave promise fell sweet on his ears. 'Strange-strange-I'd forgotten," said he with a sigh, 'How I longed when a child to have Christmas draw nigh." "I'll atone for my harshness," he inwardly said, "By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed." Ilen he turned to the stairs and softly went down, Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown, Donned hat, coat, and boots, and was out in the street, A millionaire facing the cold, driving in the sleet Nor stopped he until he had bought everything From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring; Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store, That the various presents outnumbered a score.

Then homeward he turned. When his holiday load, With Aunt Mary's help, in the nursery was stowed. Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree, By the side of a table spread out for her tea; A workbox well fitted in the center was laid, And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed, A soldier in uniform stood by a sled "With bright shining runners, and all painted red.' There were balls, dogs, and horses, books pleasing to see, And birds of all colors were perched in the tree! While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top, As if getting ready more presents to drop. And as the fond father the picture surveyed, He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid, And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear, 'I'm happier tonight than I've been for a year; I've enjoyed more pure pleasure than ever before; What care I if bank stock falls ten per cent more! Hereafter I'll make it a rule, I believe, To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve.' So thinking, he gently extinguished the light, And, tripping down stairs, retired for the night.

As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one, Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide, And at the same moment the presents espied; Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound, And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found. They laughed and they cried, in their innocent glee, And shouted for papa to come quick and see What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night (just the things that they wanted,) and left before light: 'And now," added Annie, in a voice soft and low, 'You'll believe there's a 'Santa Claus', papa, I know"- While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee, Determined no secret between them should be, And told in soft whispers how Annie had said That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead, Used to kneel down by the side of her chair, And that God up in heaven had answered her prayer. 'Den we dot up and prayed dust well as we tould, And Dod answered our prayers: now wasn't He dood?" 'I should say that He was, if He sent you all these, And knew just what presents my children would please. (Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf, 'Twould be cruel to tell him I did it myself.")

Blind father! who caused your stem heart to relent, And the hasty words spoken so soon to repent? 'Twas the Being who bade you steal softly upstairs, And made you His agent to answer their prayers.

- Sophia P. Snow

I Hope you will love my new book, coming out January 7!

For more information, Go HERE!