Michelle Ule's Blog, page 32
December 24, 2019
Christmas Eve in Food & Music
How do you spend Christmas Eve?
(Why are you reading this post?)
We spend it centered on preparing food, eating food and music.
Preparing the Ule Log
When I married into the Ule family, I suggested we serve a Yule log for dessert.
My husband’s family claimed to have never heard of a Bûche de Noël called a Yule log, so I began a tradition.
I turn on Handel’s Messiah and we all cook together.
Some years the younger generation has held contests to see who can make the best Ule log.
Ule Log Recipe
1/4 c. cocoa1 tsp baking powder1 c. cake flour or 3/4 c. all-purpose flour1/4 tsp. Salt3 eggs1 c. granulated sugar1/3 c. water1 tsp vanilla1 c. whipping cream, sweetened and whipped
Directions:
Heat oven to 375o . Line jelly roll pan, 15 ½ x 10 ½ x 1 inch, with aluminum foil or waxed paper; grease. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In small mixer bowl, beat eggs about 5 minutes or until very thick and lemon-colored. Pour eggs into large mixer bowl; gradually beat in granulated sugar. On low speed, blend in water and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until batter is smooth. Pour into pan, spreading batter to corners.
Some years they also make Slovenian poticaBake 12 to 15 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Loosen cake from edges of pan; invert on towel sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar. Carefully remove foil; trim off stiff edges if necessary.
While hot, roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on wire rack. Unroll cake; remove towel. Spread whipped cream over cake. Roll up. Ice with chocolate buttercream frosting.
Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
Chocolate buttercream frosting: about 4 cups of sifted confectioner’s sugar, 2-4 Tbsp cocoa, 3/4 stick of margarine/butter, 3-4 Tbsp milk (needed to thin). Beat together until smooth; adjusting amounts to taste.
Traditional Slovenian Sausage meal
My husband’s family likes to remember their Slovenian heritage on Christmas Eve.
Sausage meal, ready to cook!We gather and eat a traditional meal: Slovenian sausage, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and bread.
Our children start to ask about the sausage around Thanksgiving. “Have you ordered it yet?”
I purchase it every year from Raddel’s Sausage in Cleveland, which now sends me an email every year in November!
They ship promptly and so we usually send a few pounds to our niece who lives far away.
We bought 10 pounds this year. I hope it’s enough!
You boil the sausage most of the afternoon (usually while making the Ule log), adding potatoes, cabbage and carrots at the end.
We actually prefer mashed potatoes, so we don’t cook the vegetables in the same water with the meat.
Everyone loves it.
Except for the Sicilian, who has a small piece of meat to be polite and then focuses on the vegetables . . .
Christmas Eve Music
For our family, Christmas Eve ends at church.
Photo by Thomas Galler (Unsplash) We attend the 10:30 service–which goes until midnight–and sing from the choir loft.
This year, as in years past, we’re singing selections from our Christmas cantata.
We usually leave the choir loft and sit in the congregation toward the end of the service, picking up a white candle along the way.
As we quietly sing “Silent Night,” to end the service, we light the candles, from the pastor to the person on the aisle, to the end.
It’s a hushed, solemn moment, remembering how different things will be the next morning.
Invariably, we leave quietly into a silent, chilly, dark night and home.
Some of us have Christmas stockings to fill on Christmas Eve!
Whatever your plans for Christmas Eve 2019,
blessings and Merry Christmas.
The post Christmas Eve in Food & Music appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
December 17, 2019
Christmas Vacation Travel Tips
Christmas vacation, particularly with kids in college, can be a good time to travel.
It was the one time in the year we could guarantee they’d be home and able to go.
It can be convenient if you have children in school (we had both), when you can block out two full weeks to travel.
I’m not talking about going “home” for Christmas vacation with relatives.
I mean taking an actual trip to a different part of your normal world.
Here are five tips to consider.
“Celebrate Christmas” early
If you have children, they’re probably expecting some sort of holiday traditions.
You don’t have to go all out.
I wouldn’t bother with a Christmas tree, for example, which will only dry out while you’re gone.
Why not make cookies?But if you traditionally bake Christmas cookies, do so. You can always freeze them or give them away.
Or, bring some with you!
If you have relatives who are not traveling, have an evening with them.
Some people plan “large” gifts–open them the week before.
Advent calendars, services, stories, Christmas caroling, all can be done up until you leave in December.
Consider flying on Christmas Eve or Day
You’d be surprised how many people take to the skies on Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve can be even more crowded.
Some are traveling because of their vacation time, but others, like us, specifically chose that day.
Reserve a parking place at the airport well in advance, but otherwise it’s a holiday at the airport.
We’ve even sung Christmas carols on some flights.
Don’t abandon all traditions
We spent nearly three weeks camping through New Zealand one Christmas.
While the trip itself was the gift–endowed by an inheritance–I knew the five kids would want to acknowledge the holiday.
Note the Christmas lights dangling in the RVSo, we packed miniature Christmas lights, our traditional mint M&Ms, and everyone’s Christmas stocking.
I explained well in advance that all gifts would be souvenirs purchased in New Zealand and small enough to fit in the stockings.
Since we arrived ten days before the holiday, that gave everyone an excuse to shop as we traveled.
It worked well.
Christmas vacation and church
We always look for opportunities to attend church while on vacation, Christmas or not.
We relished singing traditional New Zealand-version Christmas carols in Queenstown.
Note the palm treesWe’ve hummed along to Hawai’ian versions of Christmas carols.
I loved the twist on carols, too, in Mexico and Costa Rica.
Pointing out the differences in creches, for example, between home and elsewhere is always a good experience for children.
Christmas vacation Blues
Recognize Christmas Eve can be a problem overseas.
Unless you’re traveling to a specific tourist destination, it can be a challenge to find a place for dinner on Christmas Eve.
In our case, we wound up at a Hard Rock Cafe with a bunch of drunk businessmen.
I sat in the noisy restaurant wondering why I wasn’t at my sister-in-law’s house eating Slovenian sausage and enjoying a fire.
My son’s girlfriend had to be wondering why she’d left her family to join us.
The next day, Christmas, we made a reservation at the only restaurant open in the town.
It was a fine meal, but sitting in a restaurant didn’t feel like “home” or Christmas.
Some of the children questioned our judgement in taking a Christmas vacation so far from home that year.
The good news
Years later, everyone remembers our trips fondly.
We’re still laughing at watching a woman bungee jump on Christmas Eve while wearing a “Father Christmas,” hat.
(We later saw a woman who had to be pushed off the bridge in the Queentown church for the service!)
Luau dancingWe appreciated being home for Christmas the next year.
Trips far away enabled us to focus on the true meaning of the holiday.
Singing “Feliz Nevidad,” on a bus from a Maori dinner event still makes me laugh.
I lost the opposum socks I found in my Christmas stocking. My now-daughter-in-law also misplaced the necklace our son purchased for her in New Zealand.
But we remember them!
We’re still eating mint M&Ms and using the same Christmas stockings.
And we’ve never hesitated to travel at Christmas vacation time since–though we prefer, always, to go together!
Feliz Navidad, Mele Kalikimaka and Kirihimete koa!
Tweetables
5 trips for vacationing over Christmas vacation. Click to Tweet
Vacationing at Christmas? 5 ways to make the trip work. Click to Tweet
5 tips for how to make a vacation with kids easier at Christmas. Click to Tweet
The post Christmas Vacation Travel Tips appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
December 10, 2019
Favorite Children’s Christmas Books
What are your favorite children’s Christmas books?
I asked some friends and got a very fast response that included 15 books!
My friends are writers, parents, artists and all book lovers.
They were happy to share their favorites–and those of their children.
There’s still time to pick up a few before Christmas.
The list is divided into books new to me and a cover gallery of more familiar Christmas stories.
Enjoy!
Favorite children’s Christmas books
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
by Gloria Houston. Illustrations by Barbara Cooney.
“Ruthie has been waiting patiently for her father to return from the war.
“As Christmas approaches, Ruthie’s mother begins to worry about the Christmas tree tradition in their small Appalachian town of Pine Grove. But without Ruthie’s father home, how will they provide a tree?
A Maine mother of boys
Why the Chimes Rang
by Raymond MacDonald Alden. Illustrations by Katherine Haward Greenfield
A beautiful story in the tradition of many Christmas tales where giving the best you have, no matter how simple or small, is what’s important; not the presents.
A librarian and mother of boys.
Santa’s Favorite Story
by Hisako Aoki.
“No, no, no,” said Santa in a kindly voice, “Christmas hasn’t got anything to do with me. Sit down and I’ll tell you all the story of the first Christmas.”
“Santa’s Favorite Story” is an attractively illustrated (with watercolors) picture book for children, which helps to de-emphasize Santa’s role in Christmas, and place the focus where it belongs. I’m sure the real Saint Nicholas would agree that it’s part of his favorite story as well!
Editor who owns a lot of Christmas books
Papa Panov’s Special Day
by Mig Holder. Illustrations by Julie Downing
The heart-warming story of a lonely shoemaker who sits down to read the story of Christmas from the Bible and soon nods off to dream of Jesus.
Things do not turn out at all as he thought … but by the end of the day the sparkle is back behind his little round spectacles.
The original story was adapted by Leo Tolstoy.
Novelist and mother of four
The Donkey’s Dream
by Barbara Helen Berger
He was just an ordinary donkey, but on his back he carried a miracle. He carried the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem on the night she gave birth. Along the way he dreamed he was carrying a city, a ship, a fountain, and a rose.
He dreamed he was carrying a lady full of heaven–and he was. Barbara Helen Berger’s glowing artwork and lyrical text perfectly convey the beauty and majesty of the story of the Nativity.
A new grandmother who can hardly wait to start reading
Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski. Illustrations by P. J Lynch
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!
Jonathan Toomey’s wife and son died and ever since he has been cranky and kept to himself. But one day he is asked to carve a Nativity set for Mrs. McDowell and her son Thomas. Thomas keeps telling Mr. Toomey what he is doing wrong, and slowly his heart begins to soften until the miracle occurs.
Grandmother of four or five . . .
Christmas Day in the Morning
by Pearl S. Buck. Illustrations by Mark Buchanan
A wonderful short story that shows how love is truly the best gift that you can give your loved ones.
The story is about a boy, who even after becoming a man, remembers a Christmas when he truly realised the meaning of loving and how it was the perfect gift for his father.
Love does not need any money or even effort, it just is and when it is, it’s easy to express.
Children’s Christmas books you probably know!
These eight books were well known to many of my friends–and probably you–but these are their favorite versions!
Which of your favorites did I miss?
Tweetables
A collection of favorite children’s Christmas stories. There’s still time! Click to Tweet
15 great Christmas picture books for children. Click to Tweet
Writers, editors, librarians and grandparents on favorite Christmas books for kids. Click to Tweet
The post Favorite Children’s Christmas Books appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
December 3, 2019
No Santa Claus for Us
Santa Claus is a topic that often comes up in December for Christian families.
Should he be part of the holiday tradition?
Why, or why not?
My husband and I chose not to include Santa Claus in our traditions while we raised our children.
“What do you mean no Santa Claus?“
My mother was aghast. “You’re going to take all the magic out of the holidays for my grandchildren?
I tried to explain.
I don’t want to lie to my children. Why tell them about a mythical character when they’re little and impressionable and then later have to tell them we lied?
Wouldn’t that undercut our teachings about God and Jesus if they couldn’t our trust our word?”
Mom still didn’t like it
But, she respected our decisions as parents and, sadly, went along. The Christmas gifts didn’t come from Santa (though they might have been wrapped in Santa paper), they came from Grammy and Grandpa.
St. Nicholas instead of Santa Claus
That doesn’t mean we ignored the concept. We attended an Anglican church when our oldest children were pre-schoolers.
Since they celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6 as part of the church calendar, it was easy to honor a man of God who exemplified the same generous characteristics of Santa Claus.
St. Nicholas and the Three Virgins by Gentile da Fabriano (Wikimedia Commons). Read the full story here. Our priest even entered the Sunday service dressed in a similar style to St. Nicholas and carried a shepherd’s crook.
The boys enjoyed it all–including the story of how St. Nicholas left gifts for children.
What about other kids?
Early on, we had to teach the boys that while we knew Santa Claus wasn’t real, a lot of other children didn’t. “It’s fun for them to pretend,” I explained.
But I didn’t leave it there.
We need to pretend with them to make them happy. Can you do that? You must never tell other children Santa isn’t real. Their parents need to tell them.”
Was that honest?
Sort of. It was the best I could do. As far as I know, the children never revealed the truth–until their friends already knew.
When we encountered Santa Claus in the mall, the kids smiled at me and we went on. They seemed to like having a secret. Maybe I should ask them . . . ?
They played along, singing Christmas songs about reindeer and elves, the jolly man, and not taking any of it seriously. We all enjoyed the movie The Santa Clause.
Christmas Stockings
I love the Christmas stocking tradition–the idea small gifts are waiting in a stocking.
St. Nicholas let me have that one.
So, we always had stockings. You could open them first thing when you got up Christmas morning–even if your parents weren’t awake. That always worked well.
Sneaking in gifts when your sibling wasn’t watching was the magic in our stockings!
The Santa Claus Chronicles
I read a new book this season called The Santa Claus Chronicles: Heartwarming Tales from a Real Life Santa by Dan Short and Rene Gutteridge.
Dan tells stories of many years working as Santa Claus in malls and other venues.
I met him last summer and he’s just as lovely and congenial as the character he portrays each winter.
From his book, I learned about Santa University, and the great lengths and training he received to ensure he gave families a good experience.
I appreciated the book, loved the stories, and look at all those many men in red each winter, with greater appreciation.
The best Christmas visitor
Other than Jesus, of course, my favorite visitor story came from our submarine days.
My friend Penny pushed a crowded grocery cart to the check out counter at the Navy Commissary a few days before Christmas one year.
The kind checker, wearing a Father Christmas hat, leaned over the counter to hand her two preschoolers a candy cane.
She smiled gaily, “Who’s coming to your house soon?”
The earnest Josh, who also didn’t believe in Santa Claus, looked up with wide eyes and big grin.
“Daddy!”
Who needs Santa Claus when your dad comes home on Christmas Eve after a long deployment?
No Santa, but what instead?
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This offer is good through December, 2019.
Tweetables
How and why a family doesn’t include Santa Claus in their Christmas. Click to Tweet
What do you mean no Santa Claus? and other holiday traditions. Click to Tweet
The post No Santa Claus for Us appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
November 26, 2019
The Advent Season Basics
The Advent season is upon us. Here are some basics.
In my family, the concept of Advent is slightly different from that of Christmas.
It can be so easy to forget about the real reason for the season: the long-awaited Messiah’s arrival on planet earth.
Having a plan for Advent can alter the family’s point of view from the busyness of December and its many wonderful traditions, to focus on Jesus’ birth.
I suffer from this problem every year.
But this year I’m ahead of myself. I actually found the Advent wreath before Advent started.
In the meantime, while I hunt for the candles, here’s a review of what it can mean to celebrate Advent–as well as Christmas.
What does the Advent season mean?
The Advent season in the liturgical church year (vestments are blue), is the four Sundays prior to Christmas day marking the anticipation of Jesus’ birth.
The word “Advent” is a shortened form of adventus Domini, meaning “the coming of the Lord.”
The Advent season anticipates three events:
The celebration of Christ’s birth this year.His resurrection celebration in Easter next year.His promise to return–anytime.
How to celebrate the Advent Season at home with the candles?
Many people prepare an Advent wreath with evergreens and four candles that they light on the four Sundays of Advent, lighting all four candles to celebrate Christmas.
I usually forget to light the first candle.
If you forget to light the first candle on the first Sunday in Advent (which is December 1 in 2019), light it with the second candle on the second Sunday of Advent (December 8).
Jesus’ life and death are about grace.
There’s no reason to feel guilty at Christmastime.
Check out these posts to learn what you can expect for each candle of the Advent season:
Other ways to remember the Advent season
One friend suggested helping to keep Jesus in mind by reading a chapter from the Gospel of Luke every day during December.
Since the book has 24 chapters, you end on Christmas eve and “wake up Christmas morning knowing who and why you celebrate.”
You could also celebrate Advent by singing a Christmas carol in place of saying grace before dinner.
Read, sing, review a book like The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Suprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs by Andrew Gant.
Maybe your family can read a book based on the nativity? (A list of suggested Christmas children’s books is coming here on December 10).
Or, you could tell a story about a personal Christmas past.
You might read Christmas cards aloud, or pray for the people who send them to you.
If you participate in a program to provide gifts for others, why not pray about your gift? Or for the people who will receive it?
If you have children, you might appreciate Karen Whiting’s book: Christmas is Coming! But Waiting is Hard!
My church handed out an entire Advent season calendar with something simple to do every day.
Another look at the Advent Stories
I’ve written a number of blog posts about the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ coming nativity.
These collected blog posts start with “Mary’s Challenging Year,” and follow the family all the way to Jesus’ Childhood.
You can read the stories starting here.
Enjoy Advent, Christmas and the newborn King this December!
Tweetables
A variety of ways to celebrate Advent this year! Click to Tweet
Do we need candles to celebrate Advent? Click to Tweet
Advent basics to celebrate the reason for the season. Click to Tweet
Winners for Michelle Ule’s Newsletter Christmas Collection Extravaganza!
A copy of A Log Cabin Christmas Collection goes to: Robin W.
A Pioneer Christmas Collection‘s winner is: Suzanne S.
A copy of The 12 Brides of Christmas goes to: Patti B.
One copy of Treasured Christmas Brides goes to: Lori S.
The winner of all four books is Jaye S.
Thank you to all who entered.
Enjoy your Advent season this year!
The post The Advent Season Basics appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
November 19, 2019
Why Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is next week in the United States and I’ve been getting prepared.
Mostly, I’ve been working on my heart, which always needs scrutiny in the thanksgiving department!
But this fourth Thursday in November holiday is one of my favorites because it’s family reunion time.
I won’t be there this year, but the knowledge I always can go home and see my Sicilian relatives warms my heart.
As a genealogist, spending time hearing my family’s stories is always important.
Really, more important than the food.
But some years, it’s just a challenging trip.
Or, I’ve just seen them at a family wedding.
Why go home for Thanksgiving?
I go home for several reasons which I’ve articulated on this blog site over the years.
Yes, I go home for Thanksgiving to see everyone.
As a Navy wife far from home with a husband out to sea (of course) over several Novembers, I packed up the kids and traveled across country.
I needed to touch base with people who had known me my whole life and who loved me.
Thanksgiving past!We’d stay longer than the one day, but on that day, I sat listening to voices telling stories around me and sighed with contentment.
I don’t agree with them on everything. We have many differences.
But they’re my past, my present and part of who I’ll always be.
I love them. I miss them. We all celebrate when we’re together.
No matter how long it’s been.
What if you’re not invited?
It doesn’t always mean you’re not welcome if you’re not invited.
With family, well, anyone can show up at my brother’s house for the big meal.
But when I lived far from from home, I realized I may not have been invited to dinner (while my husband was out to sea, of course), because no one knew I needed an invitation.
No invite? Does anybody know you need one?
That particular year, I voiced my single status (other than the two toddlers), to our pastor.
He announced from the pulpit that a Navy wife needed a place to go for dinner that Thanksgiving.
Several people invited me.
It was wonderful.
Why not set a new tradition?
Then there were the Thanksgivings my husband was NOT out to sea, but we lived too far to go home.
So, we improvised.
No one in my family will ever forget the year we nearly starved one Thanksgiving weekend.
(Okay, it wasn’t that bad, but the kids thought so).
And then discovered every grocery store on the island was closed for the weekend.
The children survived because we could attend the Moloka’i rodeo!
Adapting for the family
One year, we savored eating Thanksgiving dinner with our vegetarian relatives.
Ah, the food tasted so good and featured such different entrees!
Several years, we joined the “big” family and shared family history.
I brought my scanner and my cousins had photos I’d never seen before.
We met a new relative another year and entertained ourselves with an elaborate family tree that filled a wall.
Everyone got a detailed nametag describing how they were related to my grandparents.
We laughed as we introduced ourselves to a new cousin–and the name tags helped some of the old ones identify just who the younger children belonged to!
What’s the real point of Thanksgiving?
Being thankful.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
A meal, a time, with family and friends gathering together makes being thankful easy.
You’ve got a week. Can you find a way to be thankful–and to provide a reason for someone else to be thankful–by Thanksgiving day?
Tweetables
Four thoughts on Thanksgiving–every year. Click to Tweet
Why not provide a reason for someone to be thankful this week? Click to Tweet
The post Why Celebrate Thanksgiving? appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
November 12, 2019
The Significance of a Prayer Partner
What is a prayer partner and why are they valuable for our spiritual growth?
I hadn’t given the question much thought until recently.
My prayer partner is moving.
I’m sad.
My life suddenly looks very different and lonely without her.
I hadn’t realized we’d been walking around the lake and praying together for 18 years.
That’s a long time to share my heart, my confessions, and my hopes with someone outside of my family.
But the relationship has been of great value to me–and others–because we’ve prayed.
Here are five ways my prayer partner has been significant in my life.
Praying
Obviously.
We began because I was helping with the children’s choir and one of our singers couldn’t control her behavior.
I invited my new friend, the choir director, to join me on my weekly walk around a local lake. We could brainstorm how to handle the children and then finish with prayers.
We just continued, weekly, ever since.
Sometimes trying to figure out God’s will together felt like this. Photo by Seth Doyle (Unsplash)Our relationship grew, of course, and we trusted each other from the start.
Through four seasons a year, in beautiful weather and frigid weather (well, it had to be above 30 degrees or I wouldn’t walk), we circled the lake and then prayed.
Over the last few years, we’d share a concern and then pray as we continued walking. We always ended sitting in the car to pray–usually for as long as half an hour or more.
We’ve also learned to pray hard prayers.
I don’t think I could have voiced some of those prayers without the agreement of my prayer partner.
Confession
Confessions is good for the soul and we made good use of it.
The Scriptures advise us to “Confess your sins one to another,” and it’s been helpful for me.
Telling someone else your failings “airs” them out. They’re not secrets anymore and therefore have no power.
It’s also been helpful to be told what I thought might be sin wasn’t really sin. Guilt stalks me. She often clarified if what I felt came from genuine repentance or from an over-sensitive people-pleasing nature.
I needed that counsel–especially if I found myself falling into complaining or gossiping.
I had to confess those sins way too often.
On the other hand, knowing I would have to confess the sin to her often helped me avoid it in the first place.
Advice
We have eleven children and nine grandchildren between us.
Some times you just need a different perspective! Photo by James Haworth (Unsplash)Not to mention two husbands.
While we were careful about how and what we discussed–see above– we also provided insight into relationship issues that stymied us.
I’m a better family member because of the wisdom my prayer partner shared with me.
Encouragement
Like it or not, the poor woman has had to listen to all my writing life stories
She heard every novella, novel or essay before I wrote it!
When I bewailed not knowing what I was going to say at the next talk, she’d laugh. “God probably hasn’t given you the example yet.”
She’s always right.
Love
My prayer partner never showed me anything but love.
Photo by Miguel Orós (Unsplash)She has my best interests and that of my family at heart.
Sure, we sometimes despaired of the situations we found ourselves in personally, but I knew she would assume the best.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 4-8
Love never ends. hopes all things, endures all things
A common faith
My faith in the God I’ve known for a long time grew over the years.
My prayer partner is better trained as a Lutheran than I am, and occasionally “translated” teachings for me to be a better Bible study leader.
She knows theology forward and back. She can explain musical concepts in ways I can understand.
Her love of God makes her an excellent confidant and I’ve been blessed by her commitment to Jesus.
I’m going to really miss her.
We also spent a lot of time laughing.Photo by Abigail Keenan (Unsplash)
Now what?
I’ll continue walking around the lake without her.
Maybe we’ll Facetime or call when she’s established in her new home–10 hours away.
I’ve been blessed over the years with good friends with whom I’m still in grateful contact.
And, of course, we’ll always be able to catch up in eternity.
God just has us in different places for the next season of our lives.
But I’m going to miss her.
Hold your spiritual kinfolk close–and make sure you always pray!
Keep living generously, Rachel!Amanda Geaney is the winner of my four Christmas Collection novellas raffle.
I’ll be holding an even bigger raffle in my newsletter on Friday, November 15–you can still sign up here!
Tweetables
What’s a prayer partner? Click to Tweet
5 important roles of a prayer partner. Click to Tweet
The post The Significance of a Prayer Partner appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
November 5, 2019
An Educated Person and Bible Knowledge
Why? Why not?
Back in the Dark Ages when I attended college–and earned a degree in English Literature from the University of California at Los Angeles–a familiarity with basic Bible stories was very helpful.
But it wasn’t universal, even then.
English Literature–obviously
I once received a high grade and exclamation points on a paper I wrote about “Methought I saw My Late Espoused Wife,” by John Milton.
The TA had never realized the veil in the following passage of Sonnet 23 might have a Biblical allusion:
Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind;
Her face was veil’d, yet to my fancied sight
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin’d
Moses came down from Mt. Sinai wearing a veil because he had looked upon God. Moses’ face shone with such glory, no one could look upon him and live.
It seemed to me, Milton referred to that concept when describing his wife in heaven; her face required a veil because she saw God.
Etching by Phillip Medhurs: Moses delivering the Law (Wikimedia Commons)
(Bible knowledge helped immensely in reading Paradise Lost!)
Educated Persons agree
I read the Bible because I was a Christian, but also because my favorite writer at the time, Madeleine L’Engle, once said everyone should be familiar with Bible stories.
Many educators agree.A December 11, 2014 Washington Times article cited a Bible Literacy study featuring 39 English professors at 34 “major” US colleges.
“Almost without exception, English professors, we surveyed at major American colleges and universities see knowledge of the Bible as a deeply important part of a good education. The virtual unanimity and depth of their responses on this question are striking.
“The Bible is not only a sacred scripture to millions of Americans, it is also arguable (as one Northwestern professor stated), the “most influential text of all of Western culture.”
Another question left them in near total agreement:
“When asked, “Some scholars say Western literature is steeped in references to the Bible. How would you respond to that?”
38 of 39 English professors agreed; 24 strongly. When asked, “In your opinion, how important is it for students who take your courses to be familiar with the Bible?” 38 of 39 professors said it was important.”
Archaeology
I remembered this discussion recently when an article appeared in many newspapers heralding headlines like, “Scientists Find Evidence That Ancient Canaanites Survive Today. Was the Bible Wrong?”
Naturally, I always assume the Bible is right, but the headline disturbed me.
I thought some of the Canaanites survived and presented a problem for the Israelites forever after.
A 4th century B.C. Canaanite coin . referencing Yahweh. (Wikimedia Commons)
Indeed, one of the major problems of the Old Testament‘s recounting in Judges, Kings and Samuel had to do with the Canaanite people (which included everyone not an Israelite in the promised land) continuing to fight with the Israelites.
You can argue the question of why God ordered them killed–because He viewed sin that seriously.
(You know, the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other God before me?” There are ten commandments . . . )
But that’s not the point here.
The Canaanites survived and thrived, as this article by David Klinghoffer explains:
“The Bible is detailed and unambiguous in relating that the Canaanites survived Joshua’s invasion. So it’s no wonder they have living descendants.
I’m not here to pass judgment on ancient Canaanites or ancient Israelites, on the Bible, Joshua, or anyone else. But come on, reporters, where’s your elementary cultural literacy, of which knowing a thing or two about the Bible is a key element?”
How much is enough?
A working knowledge for Americans, at least, about what’s in the Bible and what happened is probably sufficient. (I admit the Canaanite question probably required checking).
Educated folks should know basic New Testament stories about Jesus, the Gospels and a bit about Paul. (Beyond he hates women–which is not true).
The Psalms sooth the heart, no matter your beliefs, and the Proverbs are to the point in a good way.
It’s always helpful to be knowledgeable about the book on which your culture, literature, heritage and laws are based.
At least, I think so.
Tweetables
Does an educated person need to read the Bible? Click to Tweet
Why is the Bible important for English majors? Not to mention everyone else? Click to Tweet
Here’s a related Breakpoint story about another way a general knowledge of the Bible was useful.
Another raffle opportunity
Meanwhile, with the approach of the Advent season, here’s an opportunity to win four Christmas-themed novella collections–to read yourself or give away.
The big Christmas Collection extravaganza features winning all four copies of my Christmas novella collections, A Log Cabin Christmas Collection, The 12 Brides of Christmas, A Pioneer Christmas Collection and Treasured Christmas Brides.
The winner will be announced next week, here on my blog.
Contest runs today through midnight on November 10.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The post An Educated Person and Bible Knowledge appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
October 29, 2019
“A Mighty Fortress” in Wittenberg
“A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” sung in Martin Luther’s very church!
What could be a better experience than that for a Lutheran?
My husband, daughter and I inadvertently took a “Reformation History,” tour of Poland, the Czech Republic, and eastern Germany in spring 2018.
The highlight was a Saturday night service in St. Mary’s Church, “The Town Church, or Stadtkirche,” where Martin Luther preached for many years.
It’s the home church of his most famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
And since the three of us are choir members, we sang the hymn with gusto!
Martin Luther, himself
I’ve written several posts about Martin Luther here, here and here.
Not to mention, October 31, 1517, Reformation Day.
But I’ve not written about him as a hymnologist.
Luther wrote many hymns. Here’s a list.
“Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” is the most famous, written in the late 1520’s.
Often referred to as the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation,” it encouraged those who chose to follow Luther’s move away from the Catholic Church.
John Julian records four theories of its origin:
Heinrich Heine: “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” was sung by Luther and his companions as they entered Worms on 16 April 1521 for the Diet.
K. F. T. Schneider: it was a tribute to Luther’s friend Leonhard Kaiser, who was executed on 16 August 1527.
Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigné: it was sung by the German Lutheran princes as they entered Augsburg for the Diet in 1530, at which the Augsburg Confession was presented.
It was composed in connection with the 1529 Diet of Speyer, at which the German Lutheran princes lodged their protest to Holy Roman Emperor Emperor Charles V, who wanted to enforce his 1521 Edict of Worms.
From Wikipedia
Regardless, singing it in Luther’s home church thrilled us.
Stadtkirche , home of “A Mighty Fortress”
The town church was Martin Luther’s home church for most of his life.
He married, baptized his children, and preached from the pulpit some 2000 times, according to Rick Steves. (In his guide to Germany)
Steves suggested we arrive in Wittenberg on Saturday so we could attend the English service held at the church.
Baptismal fontWe’re so glad we did!
(For more information, check out Wittenberg English Ministry. Services led by Lutheran pastors from Canada, USA and Australia run from May to Reformation Day).
We arrived early to tour the church, stopping to admire the paintings and the very pulpit where Luther preached.
I ran my hands along the smooth baptismal font and tried to imagine the great Reformer baptizing his squalling children.
I laughed at the painting sporting his son’s illicit signature.
The church is far simpler than grand St. Peter’s in Rome, but then, so was the man in comparison to any pope!
A simple service
The simple service matched the setting.
We sat facing the baptismal font, three rows back as is our custom!
It was too much fun not to bring him!About 100 people joined us that Saturday night, most in tourist garb.
The big pipe organ in the choir loft played familiar hymns–perhaps all by Luther, I’m not sure.
An American pastor led us in the worship service and preached a straight-forward sermon welcoming us to the church.
Several volunteers read the appointed lesson in different English accents!
We just felt happy to be there.
A Mighty Fortress from a mighty organ
The service fittingly ended with “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
As I sang with a big grin, I couldn’t help wondering how many times that church had heard that song.
Would the pulpit ever scream, “enough!”
Of course, we sang four verses! Here’s the second:
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth is his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
Honestly, I felt like marching when it was over!
Wittenberg itself?
We called it Lutherland and are glad we visited.
But the highlight really was singing in Martin Luther’s church.
Tweetables
The joy of singing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in its birthplace. Click to Tweet
Singing Martin Luther’s hymns in their home church. Click to Tweet
All the little Luthers were baptized here! Happy Reformation Day with A Mighty Fortress! Click to Tweet
The post “A Mighty Fortress” in Wittenberg appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
October 22, 2019
On Knowing a Prophet
Do you know a Christian prophet?
I’ve known several over the years.
They are understandably rare but important for the Body of Christ.
As a “mere” church member, I’ve always recognized the value of prophets, and the need to pay attention to them.
That’s especially true if what they say makes me feel uncomfortable.
What is a prophet?
It’s not a person in a turban predicting the future.
The Bible is full of prophets: here’s a long, alphabetical list.
Among the most famous are Samuel, Daniel, and Jeremiah.
They don’t always have happy endings.
But they were chosen and “called” by God to speak truth to His people.
Sometimes they predicted the future.
Sometimes, they merely called the people back to God or reminded them of what God had to say to them.
Yes, modern Christianity still has them.
Personal experience
Two prophets, in particular, stand out.
Rembrandt’s Moses demonstrates how devoted prophets are to God. (Wikimedia Commons)We knew the first one many years ago in Washington.
A brilliant man, David seemed like a gadfly and a problem for the church leadership.
He always had interesting ideas that made people feel uncomfortable.
If asked, he could explain them all with Biblical references that made sense.
Lots of people ignored him, it was just too hard to contemplate what he said.
One day, I ran into David’s wife in the corridor and asked about him.
She sighed, took a deep breath, and started to explain.
When I stopped her after a bit, she looked almost fearful.
“I may not like what your husband’s saying, but I know he’s a prophet. I have to pay attention to him.”
She visibly relaxed. “You understand.”
I nodded. I’m sure it’s hard to love a prophet.
He and his family eventually started a home church and as far as I know, served God faithfully ever after.
The prophet I know better
I knew as soon as I met the man that he probably was a prophet.
He just saw Scripture from a different and more applicable angle.
Matt was fervent, which could be intimidating with his size.
His spirit was humble–he had come through difficult times.
Photo by Andras Vas (Unsplash) We never knew what God would use him to suggest.
I’ve written about him here: how a parking ticket changed our church.
That ticket resulted in a ministry still going at our church more than 10 years later.
Prayer
Because their first allegiance is to God–nothing else–prophets spend a lot of time in prayer.
That’s their mode of communication with the Creator of the Universe, and their ears are sensitive to what He indicates.
They also love Scripture.
If you encounter a “prophet” who doesn’t spend time studying the Bible and praying, I’d question if they were a prophet.
Reading the above, a friend pointed out another aspect of a prophet:
Larry Christianson once preached on prophets and there was one thought I’ve never forgotten.
“God speaks to the one, not he many.”
While we test what a prophet says against scripture, there is to be no expectation others will hear the same word (actually that would be a sign it’s not from God – 2 Kings 22:12).
So saying “I’m not hearing God say that” is not a good response to a prophet. At Christenson’s church, all votes had to be unanimous, as the one dissenting voice could be a prophet.
Humble, but driven by love
Both prophets I knew were humble men, driven by their love for God. They did not apologize for Him.
Many years ago just prior to the second Gulf War, we scheduled a prayer meeting at church. This is what happened when our prophet prayed and how I reacted:
“Lord, some of these men were brought to this place for such a time as this. The whole purpose of their lives may be to die in this war. Please be with them.”
I opened my eyes in shock. All my motherly instincts rejected the idea God would specifically call someone to die in a war.
But if God ordains the days of our lives and knows us all the way down to the numbers of hairs on our heads, He does determine the time and place where we will die. It left me uneasy, but also served as an excellent reminder we do not worship a tame God.
It took a Vietnam veteran prophet to teach me.
from Loving God Without a Label
That concept eventually worked its way into A Poppy in Remembrance.
Clear Eyes
A prophet sees their “flock,” the people God put into their lives, with clear eyes.
This is not Matt, it’s Jeremiah by Horace Vernet (Wikimedia Commons; Amsterdam Museum)
Those people frequently break the prophet’s heart. (See Moses).
But they love their flock, almost as intensely as they love their God.
They keep returning to us–to warn us, to call us to prayer, to remind us of Scripture and often to embarrass us.
I’m thankful for how the prophets I’ve known help me seek God for my answers.
We need them in the church.
Thank you, Matt and David.
October 23, 2019: Matt died today with his wife of 50 years and family at his side. We’re all going to miss him.
Tweetables
Do you know a Christian prophet? How to tell. Click to Tweet
The thankless job of a modern Christian prophet. Click to Tweet
The dis-comfort of a modern Christian prophet. Click to Tweet
The post On Knowing a Prophet appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.
