The Richest of Foods

By Cindy Williams | @nutritionchic 

Last Christmas was special. My whole family gathered together at our childhood home – a place of great beauty, good memories and peace. We dragged the dining room table and chairs to the end of the lawn and sat under the red flowers of the Pohutukawa tree dining on the richest of foods.

Afterwards, we lazed on the lawn in the sunshine enjoying the satisfaction of a good meal, enhanced by our body pumping out endorphins, the natural opioids often called the ‘feel-good’ hormones. Our body and souls were satisfied.

The loneliest day

This Christmas, some will eat the richest of foods and yet still their soul will be starved: those who have wealth but no wisdom, fame but no faith; those who are grieving or lonely or in families of anger and abuse. For some, Christmas day is the loneliest day of all.

As authors we can suffer that dryness of soul – as we stare at a blank screen, as we read yet another rejection, as we resist that cruel thought: ‘You’re wasting your time.’

'My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods' Ps. 63:5 

Psalm 63 gives the solution to all whose soul is in a ‘dry and weary land.’ It tells us to praise God, lift up your hands to Him, and sing songs of praise. In a time of distress, when we are awake with anxiety through the watches of the night, remember God and praise him - even if you don’t feel like it. It is not called a ‘sacrifice of praise’ for nothing!

If you set your mind to do these things, the word of God promises you will be satisfied as with the best Christmas meal ever.

May you be richly blessed this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

 About Cindy Williams 

With degrees in Nutrition, Public Health and Communication Cindy worked for many years as a dietitian for sports teams, food industry, media, and as a nutrition writer and speaker.

Her first novel, The Pounamu Prophecy, was short listed for the 2016 Caleb Prize. She writes stories of health, history, food and faraway places at www.nutritionchic.com.

Cindy lives in Sydney with her husband and son, writing stories of flawed women who battle injustice... and sometimes find romance.

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DEVOTION: Remembering Jesus

Leila Halawe | @LHalawe

And just like that, November is almost over and December is fast descending upon us. Blink and Christmas will be here, with all its tinsel and Christmas carols and fruit cake. I don't know about you, but I don't think I'm ready for Christmas because it feels like just yesterday that I was handing out Easter eggs. Surely it hasn't been eight months already?


Like it or, Christmas is coming. And so are all the crowds vying for the latest toys and hams. The gatherings will start up, which for some means stress and anxiety, while for others it will bring joy and community. For some, this season will bring unprecedented loneliness and heartache. So much happens during December in the lead up to Christmas and then before we know it, Christmas Day has come and gone and we start getting ready for the next social event.

Yet in the midst of all the crazy that December silly season brings, let's not forget to remember that there is a reason for the season, and it's far from silly. For in December, as we stop to observe Christmas, we stop to remember that Salvation came to earth in the form of a baby in a manger.

In this season, let's not forget to remember to give thanks for the birth of the Saviour.

In this season, let's not forget to remember Jesus, the One that left His rightful place in Heaven to come down and walk among those He created.

Let's not forget to remember that Jesus knew that coming down and taking on flesh would be the beginning of a journey that would end in Him dying on a cross while people cast lots over His clothing.

Let's not forget that Jesus was born for us, so that we could be reconciled with our Father in Heaven and spent eternity with Him.

In the midst of all that is happening around us, let's not forget to stop and seek His face; to fix our gaze on the One who loved us so much that He willingly came down knowing that He would end up dying for us.

As you prepare for Christmas and whatever that brings with it, I pray that you would have some moments of sweet fellowship with Jesus, knowing that His birth on earth was with you in mind.

This post was cross-posted at ICFW.

Leila (Lays) Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her via Facebook at Leila Halawe Author  and via Twitter at Leila Halawe.

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Merry Christmas

Cashing In On Christmas

My sister arrived back in the country two days ago from where she’s currently residing in Vancouver, Canada. It’s great to have her back with us – she’s probably the person (other than my husband) who understands and ‘gets’ me most, and it’s always fun to do those things we can’t do when we’re in different countries.

One of the things we love to do is watch Christmas movies. You know, the kind they stick on TV on Christmas Day in the afternoon, that usually involve a small town, snow, and two impossibly good-looking actors-I’ve-never-heard-of who fall in love in the Christmas season. (Bonus points if small children / carol singing / midnight church service / appearance by Santa are involved!) 

I love a good Christmas movie or novel / novella as much as the next person. (Probably more!) One of my favourite novella collections was last year’s Aussie Summer Christmas Collection by a number of Australian and international authors, including ACW’s Narelle Atkins, Meredith Resce, Andrea Grigg and Rose Dee. It was great to read Christmas stories set in the sun, with the beach a predominant theme – I found these stories far more relatable than those involving snowy landscapes, and characters rugged up in puffy jackets and beanies and gloves. It’s interesting to consider just how big the market for such things is.

Christmas-themed films and novellas is a huge industry. A quick scan of my (sister’s!) books reveals more than a few, such as these Barbour novella collections: Montana Mistletoe, A Bride by Christmas, Colonial Christmas Brides, A Big Apple Christmas, Connecticut Christmas, Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe, A Biltmore Christmas, etc, etc, with more releasing all the time. Hallmark Channel is this year releasing 21 NEW Christmas movies, with their ‘Countdown to Christmas’ promise of ‘Holiday movies All Day! All Night!’

It’s enough to make me wonder why. Is it the escapism involved, the chance to see a ‘happily-ever-after’ at a time so heavily promoted to be joyous, but which (cynical me believes) is often more stressful? Is it because they often have themes of second chances, that they suggest the 'magic of Christmas' where anything is possible? Is it the opportunity, particularly for North Americans, to watch a family friendly movie when the weather outside is frightful? For my sister and me, we enjoy the vicarious cooling effect of watching snowy landscapes when it’s 30 degrees outside – and playing guess who with the impossibly good looking actors who-we’ve-never- heard-of-so-we-need-to-learn- more-via-IMDB.

Hmm. It’s enough to make an author consider adding a Christmas element just to cash in 😊

So here’s a question for you: do you enjoy reading Christmas themed films / novels / novella collections? If so, what do you enjoy about them?

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked part-time as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, and The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, all available from Amazon, Book Depository, Koorong, etc

Connect with her:        www.carolynmillerauthor.com

                                     www.pinterest.com/camillering

 www.facebook.com/CarolynMillerAuthor/

 twitter.com/CarolynMAuthor

Review of An Aussie Summer Christmas with Giveaway

By Jenny Blake

An Aussie Summer Christmas 

Blurb

Melbourne Memories by USA Today bestselling author Marion Ueckermann 
Escaping his dangerous past, former British rock star Justin “The Phoenix” Taylor flees to Australia. Intrigued by the bearded stranger visiting her coffee shop, Ella Anderson decides to discover his secrets. But when Justin’s past collides with their future, Ella must decide whether they have a future at all. 

Next Door Santa by USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams 
Will Harris is proud of his no-complications life. So why is he drawn to his upstairs neighbor, who seems obsessed with Christmas? Can Bridie soften Will-the-Scrooge’s heart in time for Christmas? 

Seaside Christmas by Narelle Atkins 
Political advisor and former bad boy Gus Donovan is intrigued by Chelsea Somers, the girl he didn’t call after their one and only date, six years ago. Chelsea is impressed by the new Gus, but can she trust him with her family secrets ... and with her heart? 

A Christmas Resolution by Rose Dee 
Breeah has avoided returning to her Australian coastal hometown of Kiisay Point for ten years—avoided the mistake that changed her life, ruined her friendships, and soured her first love. She’s never returned to Resolution, the island where it all happened. But now she’s back, and having to face up to the childhood she loved, the man she can’t forget, and the future that won’t start until she lets it all go. 

All is Bright by Andrea Grigg 
Amy’s always been a good Christian girl…except for being in love with her brother-in-law. Josh is looking for love again, surprised to find it with his late wife’s sister. But will a mountain of guilt and an unexpected letter stop them from making it to the altar? 

Falling for Maddie Grace by Meredith Resce 
Australia’s first professional female football umpire, Maddie Grace, gets knocked out in an on-field accident, crushed beneath the weight of an athletic sports star. What is it about the visual images that has the media making up stories of a secret love affair? Escaping the paparazzi is one thing, but escaping each other is quite another.

My Review

I really enjoyed this box set. Each story is different but has the Aussie connection and a beach connection.

Melbourne Memories by USA Today bestselling author Marion Ueckermann 

This is the first book and I have to say I wasn't sure how I would like this book as Justin was a rock star and its not my sort of hero but I actually really liked the story. It shows how a chance meeting when someone has hit rock bottom can help change a life. Justin ends up in Australia where he comes in contact with Ella who wants to learn his secrets not knowing how it may affect her. I really loved the way it showed how Justin turns his life around and his wanting to make amends for his past. 

Next Door Santa by USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams 

I love Bridie, I think I like her cos shes has a job I would love. She is full of life although she has had plenty of heartache in her life. Will on the other hand seems to be more focused on working and not doing much else. We see an incident happen in which the two will be brought together and then need to work together. I enjoyed the story and learning both stories of why they are how they are. It also teaches not to judge by appearances as there is often more to a story than one thinks. 

Seaside Christmas by Narelle Atkins 
In this book we see Chelsea and Gus meet up again after 6 years. Chelsea wonders if Gus really has changed or if its just an act. She is also still grieving the passing of her sister. She has also told her father she will never reveal some of the details to her sisters death. She also wonders if she can handle someone who is in the political arena. I enjoyed their story and seeing how it unfolded. 

A Christmas Resolution by Rose Dee 
Breeah has returned home after the passing of her uncle. She hasn't been back for 10 years and wants to avoid some people. She made a mistake 10 years ago and still feels guilty. This story deals a lot with forgiveness and not just of others but of yourself. In many ways I felt like Breeah found herself in this book along with reconnecting with a former friend.


All is Bright by Andrea Grigg 
Amy feels she is bad because she loves her brother in law, she has loved him for a long time but knew he was off limits and never acted on the feelings or told anyone, she would never to that to her sister. Even with her sister gone for many years she still hasn't told anyone. Josh gets a letter from his late wife which changes everything between them. I actually found this book refreshingly in the way it showed Amy and her feelings and how she struggled with them. 

Falling for Maddie Grace by Meredith Resce 
Now here is a story I can appreciate. While I love cricket more I am an AFL fan. Maddie Grace is a umpire who has the misfortune of being knocked out by a star Zac. The media have a field day with this as Zac is also referred to as the Rev due to studying ministry and being squeaky clean. They know each other from years back when her father was the coach of Zac's team but nothing more. Seeing this story play out was interesting. Once again another good read.

Giveaway
Thanks to Narelle Atkins we have one copy to give away to one reader. Just leave a comment and the winner will be announced in the comments next Thursday.
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Merry Christmas

So this is Christmas...

by Andrea Grigg

December is by definition an incredibly busy month. 

Add in a wedding anniversary and our three kids’ birthdays (I know, I know … what were we thinking?!?) and our December could be a tad busier than yours. 

But I don’t care – I love it. 

It’s also a time of hope, although this side of Christmas, our hopes tend to be rather arbitrary, eg. I hope the turkey’s cooked properly … I hope it doesn’t rain … I hope Uncle So-and-So behaves himself … 

Back in 1987, I hoped our second baby would arrive on time. As it turned out, I could have played Mary in a Christmas pageant. 

Eleven days after my due date, I went into labour at 5pm on Christmas Eve. It was also our niece’s second birthday (I told you December’s big for us) so off we toddled to my in-laws for the party. By nine o’clock I was holding up the wall while one of my sisters-in-law timed my contractions. 

Eventually, a number of concerned relatives prised my husband away from his game of table tennis (it was a battle of honour between siblings) and ordered to shower before driving me to hospital. Almost two hours later, at 1:16am on Christmas morning, Hayley (no, not Holly) was born. 

New life is an incredible thing, and lying there holding our newborn daughter, my husband and I thought all the things parents do when seeing their child for the first time. Who would she take after? What was her personality going to be like? What would she end up doing? 

I would have loved to be a fly in the manger and heard that first conversation between Mary and Joseph. 

Bringing a life into the world is a powerful thing. And when I think that the Son of God came to Earth in such a helpless and vulnerable way, it’s pretty darn amazing. 

There was a world of hope in God’s gift of Jesus. But what is hope? According to Google, it is: A feeling of expectation and a desire for something to happen, a feeling of trust. 

It seems to me that this year has been a long and difficult road for many. Countless friends and relatives can’t wait for 2013 to be over and 2014 to begin. They are grieving the loss of loved ones, battling health issues, facing marriage problems and financial crises. 

My prayer is that as we remember the birth of Jesus this Christmas, our spirits will be renewed with hope. God loves us so much more than we can imagine. He sees our hearts, hears our cries, and feels our pain. He is Emmanuel, God with us; Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

God bless you all this Christmas.

ANDREA GRIGG lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and is a writer of contemporary Christian romance. Her first book, A Simple Mistake, was published in April 2012. Recently retired from primary school teaching, Andrea is currently writing her second novel, tentatively entitled, Too Pretty. 

Website: http://www.andreagrigg.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.andreagrigg?ref=hl 
Twitter: @andreagrigg https://twitter.com/andreagrigg

The Christmas Story

By Carol Preston

As Christmas approaches there’s a plethora of Christmas stories bought to our attention. Books to buy, movies to see; mostly focussing on family togetherness, holiday fun, the generosity of the human spirit; all great things, but often skirting around the central story of Christmas. 

I recently heard a speaker from the Dickens Society talking about the stories which Charles Dickens wrote about Christmas; A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, to name a few. A Christmas Carol, perhaps the most well-known, has been read and re-read, modernised, seen on stage, screen and DVD. I wonder if it’s better known and paid more attention than the real story of Christmas – the birth of the Saviour of the world.

Could there be a more compelling, moving, joyous story than that of Jesus’s birth? Especially when we know that it’s a never ending story, a life-giving and life-changing one for millions upon millions of people.

There are many beautiful aspects of the Christmas story which can be explored and applied in novels, movies, poems, pageants, plays and song. Themes of forgiveness, joy, grace, acceptance, love, reconciliation, peace can be brought to our attention in beautiful, challenging and moving ways. These are the themes I want to write about in all my novels, in the hope that a reader will be challenged to seek God.

However, Christmas gives a special opportunity to speak to hearts and minds that at other times of the year might be quite closed to these ideas. Many hundreds of people will sit at a Carol’s night in a park and sing songs about the baby Jesus, the Saviour of the World; people who may never talk of such things in their everyday life. People who don’t usually go to church will attend a Christmas service and hear the Biblical story, or watch a Christmas pageant, or gaze on the nativity scene. No doubt God’s spirit can do wonderful things with such an opportunity.   

I love this quote from Dicken’s Christmas Carol. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The spirit of all three shall strive with me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” 

How wonderful if more people could really honour the Christmas story – the coming of Christ to a broken world – all year, and allow His spirit to bring new life to them all year round. I pray this Christmas, the central truth of His story will begin in the hearts of many who have not really heard it before. 

Carol's novels are historical fiction, based on her family ancestry in Australia, dating back to the First Fleet.

You can find Carol on her website  www.carolpreston.com.au

Or on her FB author page www.facebook.com/writingtoreach

Or see her books on www.amazon.com/author/carolpreston

Why I Write What I Write

Some inspirations for my books

My Writing Journey

I’d rather mow the grass or go shopping or do anything before reading. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t come naturally to me. Yet I believe in the power of the written word. How come? Through hearing about or reading stories of how words changed lives,. There are many stories showing the power of words for great good or terrible evil. Then of course being drawn into ministry by the Lord has made me appreciate the wonder and awesome transforming power of The Word!

My first effort in expressing myself in words was first year in Bible College. My turn came to give devotions for the faculty and students. So I wrote out my five-eight minute presentation. I then gave it to our English lecturer. Oh dear! She used a red pen and made it look like someone had been slaughtered over the pages. I still have that devotional from 53 years ago. It at least tells me I have learnt something.

Being a minister means reading. It also calls for writing sermons, reports and other material. However I never entertained being a writer. I did make one or two tentative ventures which were really puerile in storyline and conversation mode. So I would never be a novelist. It was Jock Hunting from then Jewish Evangelical Witness, now David House Fellowship, who encouraged me to write for the Vineyard magazine. These were articles from Scripture in the light of current or historical events. He or others must have had great patience in editing.

I remember sending an article to a particular Denominational Editor. I typed it in red ink because my black had disintegrated and we were too broke to buy another at the time. You will realise how uncouth was my foundations in literary understandings and appreciation. The editor replied graciously saying the material was okay but the presentation left lots to be desired. He did offer some hints which I took on board. Thank the Lord for sympathetic editors who don’t crush the spirit of the uncouth but keen.

I did undertake an Australian Writers course, very basic but helpful. What was the refining, should I say chiselling work on my uncouthness was God Himself through His word and giving me my wife. Mary loves to read. She writes well and is a helpful critic. It has taken time and perseverance but I think I’m a little less prone to such things as red ink these days.

It is because I believe in the power of the written (and spoken) word that I’ve stuck at the discipline of learning to write what I am able to write. I still am unable to write novels . I did write a biography of John Thompson a Churches of Christ missionary with the Kanakas. My good friend and fellow minister Graeme Chapman edited it and ran off a few copies for our Churches Missionary archives. So what do I write? Devotionals! These actually began through two sources. One was my Mary who said I needed to pen my thoughts. The other was our experiences on three short term mission trips to Africa. I wrote thirty–one day devotional in a book entitled ‘The Neurotic Rooster.’ It was a fund raiser privately published for Eagles Wings mission to street children in Zambia.

I believe God’s Word is alive and active and want to share it as best I can. My devotional books which Even Before Publishing ( www.evenbeforepublishing.com ) have printed are all themed. God’s word offers challenges, blessings, instruction and warnings on life related matters. It is on such things I want to show in a devotional meditation manner how they work out in life. So far printed Children – God’s Special Interest, From Eden with Love (about Marriage), Captured by Calvary, Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby are available.  In storage or under construction are Signposts to Happiness (The Blessings in the Bible), Dynamic Aging, No Soft Option (re the Ministry), The Warrior Lord Returns and The Warrior Lord’s Sword (What the Bible says about itself).

I look back on my journey with words and writing and stand amazed at the patience and mercy of God. When I was in college I really felt overwhelmed by the brilliance, skills and wisdom of others. They had experience or views ranging from politics to secular and sacred history. Some had University and other training, I had none.

I remember talking to the Lord about it one starry night on the college lawn. I told Him what He knew.”Lord I’m no intellectual, I don’t have political skills or academic degrees but you have called me to be your minister. I can only offer you this, I’ll do my best to know your word, teach your word, love and live your word if you will help me.”

The latest in the series unveils the biblical understanding of the Babe of Bethlehem.
All books are also available as Ebooks.

So that is why I write what I write. I know I may never be a Spurgeon or a Watchman Nee but I can be Ray Hawkins – no longer uncouth but still being finely honed.