Happy New Year!

 

I just did this myself with a sparkler and time-release photography! Can you believe it?  I mean, how cool is that?

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!

Weekend Funnies: OCD Santa

You've gotta LOVE that! I mean, sheer genius.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Friday Free Association Chain

The word is........

CHRISTMAS!

First commenter free associates with the above word. Second commenter takes the first commenter's word and free associates, and so on.

Remember -- FIRST thing that comes to mind. GO!!

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Wish I could take credit for this, but it came in my inbox courtesy of the American Association of Christian Counselors on December 14th, written by Dr. Tim Clinton, and edited by yours truly.

A manger. The baby Jesus. Mary. Joseph. A star.

No Christmas play would be complete without the three wise men.

Matthew records the amazing story of the “Magi” who went to see the King of the Jews after his birth. Bible scholars agree that these wise men may have traveled upwards of 800 miles – a journey that could have taken anywhere from several months, to 2 years.

What’s interesting is that after the wise men’s interaction with Herod, Matthew makes a point to tell us that the “star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.” (Matthew 2:9 NASV)

The phrase “went before them” in the original Greek actually means to “lead by going ahead of”. There was no “trying to find” the Christ child. No going house to house making inquiry. The star simply led them to where they saw Jesus.

Throughout the Bible we are admonished to seek the Lord:

But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

If only we had a “star” to go before us and lead the way.

Good news! We do. Jesus promised in John 16 that He would send us a Helper. He called this person the “Spirit of truth” who “guides us into ALL the truth“ and will “declare to you the things that are to come.” (vs. 13 ESV)

Seek the Lord. Not blindly, or haphazardly, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – thinking…praying…meditating on His word.

This Christmas remember – wise men still seek Him…every day. Encounter Him. Fall down. Worship Him.

It will turn your life around.

Can I get an Amen?

Holidays and Trauma: Making Connections

Holidays can be a really tough time for people who don't have mental health challenges, much less those who do. In fact, the holidays themselves often bring about trauma for many people.

Christmas in particular is one of the toughest holidays for some to soldier through (pun sort of intended). Perhaps because it's a holiday where expected family interaction is coupled with presents, unlike Thanksgiving. Whatever the reason, Christmas can actually usher in a reexperience of pain for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

These individuals might feel like Ebeneezer Scrooge instead of Santa's Little Helper. Holidays can reinforce the feeling of being "outside and looking in," like you're watching a movie filled with happy, smiling people while you're stomach is twisted into knots as past events swirl around in your head instead of visions of sugar plums.

Of course, this further isolates the trauma survivor. A typical reaction of family or friends who don't "get" trauma might be, "What's wrong with you?" Even worse, trauma survivors might not even be able to verbalize what's wrong with them. Instead, they feel humiliated and wish they hadn't shown up at the holiday event or party.

For those of you who have family members in your life (or characters!) who have PTSD, be cognizant of how you offer to include them, as well as sensitive to even subtle cues from the person that they aren't comfortable. Survivors may need to create new rituals to help in their healing, and it's important for people in their life to support this by being open to change as needed.

Let's analyze: What have been your traumatic experiences over the holidays, either your own or someone you know? What helped to overcome those feelings?

Last Line Lemons

Since December is the last month of the year, I thought it might be appropraite to talk about the last lines of your books. Here are some memorable ones:

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)

“Tomorrow, I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.” Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind (1936)

“And they all lived happily ever after.” fairy tales the world over

When a last line resonates with the readers, it becomes somehow etched in their minds as a beacon illuminating the entire book. Some of the above examples are no doubt familiar to many of you. They have become immortalized in time. The perfect ending to inspire wonder, instill hope, allay fears, and clear up questions.

Click here to read the rest of my December article on Christian Fiction Online Magazine.

Weekend Funnies: A Contest

I've been waiting to break out my holiday funnies...and this one is one of my favorites, because I love the pop cultural reference. The first person who comments below with the reference will win a Writer's Guide of their choice from my Therapy Store. I'll pool all other commenters in another drawing for another Writer's Guide of their choice...so keep the comments coming!