Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 71

In Others’ Words: Choosing Mercy

My friend Dee is visiting for a few, too-short hours, thanks to an extended layover. Conversation flowed as I drove south from Denver International Airport (DIA) back home … and so it will continue except for the hours we sleep.

One of Dee’s statements reverberates in my heart even now, a couple of hours later:

God is so merciful.

The word “merciful” resounded in my heart like a cymbal — but not a discordant clanging. More of a perfectly timed execution of music that echoed … merciful, merciful, merciful.

I’ve heard the different definitions of God’s grace and mercy. How he gives us what we don’t deserve and doesn’t give us what we do deserve.  That’s a fun sentence to unwrap, isn’t it? But tonight I’m embracing the truth of God’s mercy this way:

God is gentle with me. 

He doesn’t stomp into my life. He doesn’t scream or lash out or throw me around. He doesn’t berate me or ridicule me. He doesn’t pack my bags, open the door, and toss me out on the curb, telling me he’s done putting up with me.

God is mercifully gentle with me.

And tonight that beautiful truth is comforting as if I’ve heard it for the first time.

“For the LORD Your God is a merciful God … ” (Deuteronomy 4:31 NIV)

In Your Words: When have you experienced the gentleness of God? How do you reflect his image to the world and walk the gentle path?

Embracing the Truth of God’s Gentle Mercy Click to Tweet

How Do You Take the Gentle Path? Click to Tweet

In Others’ Words: Beyond Happiness

There were years I waited and watched for happiness. Hoped for happiness.

And then … well, I wanted more.

Happiness doesn’t stick around very long. It’s a minute by minute occurrence. Circumstantial.

And I can’t control my circumstances.

But oh, I’ve discovered I’ve changed through years of great happiness and great unhappiness — both fleeting.

And I’ve discovered I can grow out of fear into courage. Out of weakness into strength. And I’ve also discovered laughter is my favorite sound.

I can’t stay angry with someone when I share a laugh with them. And sometimes … sometimes, even as tears stream down my face expressing the ache in my heart, there’s an echo of a sweet laugh or two that softens the sharp bitterness of the moment.

So as I walk out of the shadow of 2013 and into the sunlight of 2014, I empty my pockets of the bits and pieces of happiness that have gathered there. Instead, I’m cramming them full with courage and strength and a liberal dose of laughter.

In Your Words: What would you wish for today? Happiness? Something else entirely? Join our first conversation of 2014 and tell me what you need most of all.

What is it that you need beyond happiness? Click to Tweet

The 3 things you need more than happiness Click to Tweet

In Others’ Words: Silent Night

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’ve shared some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. Silent Night tops my list of favorites — I love singing Silent Night at Christmas Eve services. 

 

In Your Words: What are some of your favorite ways to spend Christmas Eve?  

Christmas Music: Silent Night Click to Tweet

What Makes Christmas Eve Perfect? Click to Tweet

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! Click to Tweet! 

WE’RE DRAWING THE WINNER OF THE CHRISTIAN FICTION CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY AT NOON TOMORROW!

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **

I wish you a joyous Christmas. And I will see you in January 2014!

In Others’ Words: O Come, Emmanuel

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. O Come, Emmanuel is filled with such longing — and I love this instrumental rendition by The Piano Guys.

 

In Your Words: The meaning of the word Emmanuel is so significant: God with us. What makes you feel close to God during the Christmas season?

Christmas Music: O Come, Emmanuel by The Piano Guys Click to Tweet

How Do You Fill the Longing for God During the Christmas Season? Click to Tweet

In Others’ Words: Frosty the Snowman

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’ve shared some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. When it came to picking a favorite children’s song, there were quite a few to choose from. I settled on Frosty the Snowman because it’s always been a favorite of my children — and yes, I admit it, I love to watch the holiday special and sing along with classic tune. 

 

 

In Your Words: So, what’s your favorite children’s holiday song? Do you like to sing about Frosty or Rudolph or the Grinch or Santa Claus? 

Christmas Music: Frosty the Snowman Click to Tweet

The Ageless Fun of Christmas Songs for Children Click to Tweet

In Others’ Words: Joseph’s Song

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. Joseph’s Song by Michael Card, a modern day psalmist, tells a side of the Christmas story often overlooked. 

In Your Words: I’ve had the chance to sing in choirs and even had the chance to participate in Christmas performances. Listening to Christmas music is one thing — singing Christmas music is a whole other experience. So I’m curious: Any performers out there? What’s your talent: vocalist? instrumentalist? actor? And have you performed during the Christmas season? 

 

Christmas Music: Joseph’s Song Click to Tweet

Joseph’s Song — Another Side of the Christmas Story Click to Tweet

In Others’ Words: Carol of the Bells

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. I’ve loved Carol of the Bells since I was a child — and after listening to several versions, I chose the classic version by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

In Your Words: What Christmas song is your favorite — but only in the version you heard as a child? 

Christmas Music: Carol of the Bells Click to Tweet

What echoes from your childhood do you hear in Christmas music? Click to Tweet

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! 

 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **

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In Others’ Words: O Little Town of Bethlehem

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. This song, O Little Town of Bethlehem, was requested by my husband because, as he said, we’ve been there! We were chaperones for a high school mission trip to Israel when our son was seventeen — and we’d just found out I was (SURPRISE!) pregnant with our caboose kiddo, Christa, who was born on Christmas Eve 2000. 

(Note: Video may need a moment to load.)

In Your Words: When you think about it … Christmas is about surprises. I mean, God surprised us — amazed us, really — with the gift of his son, Jesus, who enfolded all of God’s thoughts towards us. All of his desires for reconciliation with us. What was your biggest Christmas surprise?

Christmas Music: O Little Town of Bethlehem Click to Tweet

What was your biggest Christmas surprise? Click to Tweet 

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts!  Click to Tweet 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **

 

In Others’ Words: How Many Kings

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. How Many Kings by Downhere became a favorite of mine last in 2012 — and I played it all during 2013.

In Your Words: What Christmas songs bring the hope of Christmas closer to your heart?

Christmas Music: How Many Kings by Downhere Click to Tweet

What Christmas Songs Echo Hope to You? Click to Tweet

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! Click to Tweet 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **