MUCH STUDY WEARIES THE BODY

Earlier this month I mentioned that Ecclesiastes 12:12 spoke to my heart as a writer.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

I related that there is an unending stream of books I have written, am writing, plan to write, may one day write. Because there will always be books to be written.

Today I express my agreement with the second half of this scripture as it relates to writing books and the business of book publishing.

Because no matter how much of a craftsman or artisan a writer considers herself, if she writes books, they need to be published. And if they are published, most likely they are sold. Publishing is a business, whether you seek to become wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice, hope to make a tidy profit, or just want to get your ideas into the hands and minds of others.

I have been writing for publication for 12 years. I’ve had my share of publishing success, with four books published traditionally by educational publishers. I haven’t made big bucks. I’m not enormously famous. But I’ve achieved a measure of success because a publishing company has thought enough of my ideas to pay to have them turned into paper and ink products—to print them, bind them and make them available to those lucky purchasers.

But the publishing business continues to change. And it has dragged many of us writers along with it, amid much moaning and gnashing of teeth. Even my traditional publisher has turned some of my books into ebooks.

I recently purchased a kindle. I regularly purchase ebooks for it. And I have gotten past the I-miss-turning-the-page and the new book smell and the silky feel of the cover in my hands. Now, I look forward to the convenience of finding a book, purchasing it and reading it 2 minutes later; of locating an author I enjoy and purchasing several of her books for less than the cost of one print book.

That’s from the point of view of a reader.

From the point of view of a book creator, I’m still gnashing my teeth. If I consider self publishing ebooks or self-funding publication print books, then I must become familiar with:

• Kindle, nook, pdf, ebook, print on demand, apps
• Adobe InDesign
• Smashwords, KDP Select Pro, CreateSpace
• .mobi formatting
• pixel sizes and thumbnails
• verso, retro, folio, outer margin, inner margin, gutter
• trim size, font size, font type/size/words/page; lines/page
• typography; oblique spacing, open, expanded, touching, italic, sans serif
• old style, transitional, modern, square serif, sans serif, cursive and scrips, text letters, and decorative type faces
• half title page; frontispiece, bleeds
• widows and rivers
• calculating spine width and content
• Gimp; aliased; antialiased art; bitmap vs jpeg, vector based images, rasterize
• unembeddable faux fonts
• Lorem ipsum

That’s just some of the technical stuff. Then there’s the marketing, platform building, pricing, and on and on. All of it has to be learned.

…much study wearies the body.

I’m a writer. Of making books there is no end. So I write and I study and I endeavor to persevere.

Because God made me this way.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us minds. Please help us use them and our talents in the best way we can. Please help us create things that will glorify you and lead others to you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What study wearies your mind?

CREATING HEIRLOOMS

I’ve become guardian and protector of many of our family heirlooms. I’ve also begun the creation of new family heirlooms.

Not all of these new heirlooms have great intrinsic value. But to me, the creation of a new heirloom is more about sentimental, than intrinsic value. If it has no sentiment behind it, chances are it’s just "stuff."

So, although my awesome and amazing turbo whisk is incredible—it will never be a family heirloom. It neither has intrinsic value nor sentimental value.

My collection of necklaces and ear bobs may have intrinsic value, but to my son they’re just minerals.

Our collection of Dickens Village houses, however has become a family heirloom in the making. Each house was selected and added to the growing collection over a period of more than 25 years, with each family member in mind.

Daughter Nicole chose the Cratchet family house with the real smoking chimney and the Nicolas Nickelby house to match her nickname.

Doug liked the train station and the mill with the rotating water wheel because—well, wheels back in Dickens’ day were as close to cars as a young boy could get.

Each year the boxes were opened amid delighted squeals and "ooohs." Each house was placed under the Christmas tree with care and adjusted and tweaked until that moment when the power strip trailing 20 cords attached to 20 houses was flipped on, bringing the village to "life."

The memories of the village include the train track that ran around the tree and through the village, the train never quite making it beyond its first rotation before jumping the track and landing in a polyester snow pile, but adding charm to the village nonetheless.

Memories include the daily readjustment of the wobbly trees and fences.

Memories include the white kitty cat who each year concluded we had placed the fluffy snow cloth under the tree for his specific sleeping pleasure.

Memories include sitting in the dark together, looking at the tree and the lights and the village and the cat. Not speaking. Just being together

As we close the end of 2012, once again I look forward to digging out those family heirlooms—only one generation old—and reliving the sentiment behind them. Family heirlooms in the making.

PRAYER: Thank you God for families and memories we can make together. Please give us more opportunities to create memories together and reminders of treasured times past. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a new family heirloom in the making?

　

This post is part of the Christian Writer’s Blog Chain. Our theme for November is "heirloom." Please click on the links to the right to see what my friends have to say about our theme.

MORE PRAYING NAMES

Each month I create prayers for people we love based on the meaning of their names. These names are then added to the ongoing list at the tab to the right titled, "PRAYING NAMES."

If you don’t find the name of your loved one listed, please leave a comment below. I’ll research it and create a prayer for a future month.

Dennis: god of wine; mountain of Zeus

Heavenly Father, I pray that Dennis will live the meaning of his name. I pray he will remember the true God and that you live—not on a mountain—but are everywhere in this amazing universe. I pray that Dennis will be reminded of the many miracles that you performed on earth, Jesus, beginning with the very first miracle in Canaan—turning water into wine. Amen.

Edward: protector; guardian

Heavenly Father, I pray that Edward will live the meaning of his name. I pray that he will live his life as a protector and guardian of his strong faith in you and that he will seek to aid people who need protection from evil in this world. Amen.

Martha: lady

I pray that Martha will live the meaning of her name. I pray that she will live with graciousness and kindness to all, reflecting the graciousness and kindness that comes from you. Amen.

Roxanne: star, bright, dawn

I pray that Roxanne will live the meaning of her name. I pray that she will illuminate the world around her and that her light will be a reflection of God’s love to mankind. Amen.

AND SO IT BEGINS

Yep, I did it again. Ate too much yesterday. Have too many leftovers left over today.

Then again, I’ll get more exercise than usual. Because it’s that day.

The day we decorate the house for Christmas.

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, for the feast you allowed us yesterday. Please be with those people who don’t have enough food and provide for them. Please show all of us how to feast upon your love and guidance throughout our lives. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Does the day after Thanksgiving begin the Christmas season in your house?

A NATIONAL HEIRLOOM

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. More than anything, to most people Thanksgiving means a feast. And most people’s Thanksgiving Day feast contains very specific items:

• Turkey – oven roasted, deep fried, smoked or microwaved. The scientific secret to assuring everyone of that superlative afternoon nap in front of the TV
• Mashed potatoes – with garlic, cheese, hunks of skin still attached, or just out of the box
• Gravy – you absolutely can never have enough because, let’s face it, everything tastes better when it’s covered with gravy
• Stuffing – with sausage, onions, celery, raisins, walnuts and smothered in so much gravy it doesn’t matter what you add—or don’t add
• Cranberry sauce – jellied and canned although a few staunch households make it fresh
• Green bean casserole with just enough green beans underneath the fried onions to be able to count it as a vegetable
• Yams or sweet potatoes dripping with brown sugar
• Pumpkin Pie –wait! There’s pie under the whipping cream?

There may be a few variations or additions, but let’s face it, 90% of the Thanksgiving Day feasts in American homes will include most of the above. The standard menu is almost like a national heirloom.

Enjoy.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for occasions to celebrate our blessings with family and friends. Thank you so much for these times. Thank you for making us part of your adopted family. Please be with those people today who have no family or no feast. Please give them an extra portion of your love today. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Which part of your Thanksgiving Day feast is your favorite?


This post is part of the Christian Writer’s Blog Chain. Our theme for November is "heirloom." Please click on the links to the right to see what my friends have to say about our theme.

THE 10 + 1 BUILDING BLOCKS OF RELATIONSHIP: COMFORT (EMPATHY)

Empathy is the building block, if you will, of being able to recognize that a person needs comfort, and then having the sentiment, the positive feeling, emotion or notion to do something good about it. Comfort is the net result.

This is the stepping stone that leads to compassion. Maybe think of providing this level of comfort as pouring out your cup for someone. You're giving someone else a part of you, something that can't be bought in the store. When you think about it, this is at the very heart of 10 + 1... you're sharing a love that is true, pure, and unconditional.

When we provide comfort, we're putting someone else's needs first, even when it may require an extra effort on our part. Here's an excellent example from the Bible:

"All night long on my bed

I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

I will get up now and go about the city,

through the streets and squares;

I will search for the one my heart loves.

So I looked for him but did not find him.

The watchmen found me

as they made their rounds in the city.

Have you seen the one my heart loves?

Scarcely had I passed them

when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go

till I had brought him to my mother's house,

to the room of the one who conceived me." Song of Songs 3:1-4

Caring about someone to this extreme exemplifies one person's love for another... a love that would get up from bed after fretting all night out of concern for them, and to go to find them and comfort them. Sometimes we'll do this all day long too, when caring for a loved one... making comfort foods, like chicken noodle soup, bringing nourishment to them in bed or turning the living room over to them as a place of peace and solitude while they rest and recuperate, running to the store or pharmacy for medications to aid in their recovery... and back again when they think of just one more thing that may help.

Of course, many of us can identify with this scenario. Certainly not all, I'm sure, but many can, right? So Jesus leads us to take comfort to the next level.

I want to take you back to the Bible now, to very end of one book that describes the life of Jesus. This account was by Luke, his last words (and shared memory) of his time with Jesus...

Jesus said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:44-53

Our great comforter, in our most vulnerable moment, foresaw our need, and in His perfect way, God gave us the comfort found in the Holy Spirit. In turn, the power of compassion and love filled our hearts with the desire to spread the Good News and to soldier on, passing this wonderful sentiment along to the next person who needs comfort in our world.

When I think of comforting someone, it's usually when they're sick, or have suffered some loss. What examples can you come up with of when we comfort someone else?

THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: APPLICATION

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12)


The Beatitudes are Jesus’ teachings of how he wants us to live—a life modeled after him—having Jesus’ heart (mourning for the human condition, being meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart, being a peacemaker, being persecuted).

The Beatitudes are about understanding at a soul level that we are unworthy of the God’s love, grace and mercy. It’s about living with gratitude because God loves us anyway, grants us grace anyway. Is merciful to us anyway. Even though—especially since—we don’t deserve it.

The Beatitudes are about submission to God; being humbled; knowing that we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things; but God loves us anyway.

The Beatitudes are about being merciful to others because God is merciful to us.

The Beatitudes are about living like Christ in all things, no matter how difficult; no matter how opposed it is to our personal nature; no matter, no matter.

Jesus never promised life would be easy when we followed him. In fact, he specifically said it would be hard. But there are rewards. Blessings. Given freely, not as brownie points but because we have a God who loves us unconditionally and blesses us abundantly, smiling on us when we turn our hearts to Him and when we become like Him in the tiniest way.

The application of the Beatitudes, is to follow Jesus’ example. Jesus temporarily set aside his divinity and became human. We must set aside our humanity—our sinful inclinations and worldly ways of thinking. We must recognize that nothing we can do on our own will save us. Only God can do that. And when we accept that truth and live accordingly, we are blessed.

We just need that "can do" attitude; that "to be" attitude.

 
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your example of living and for preserving for us some of your precious sermons. Thank you for making us teachable and for revealing truths to us through your parables and teachings. Help us apply your truths in a way that points others to you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Which of the Beatitudes spoke loudest to you? Why?

　

STEWARDSHIP OF GOD'S WORD

An heirloom is generally a possession that has intrinsic and/or sentimental value and is handed down from generation to generation. Sometimes an heirloom is a piece of furniture, jewelry, china, books, photographs or papers. Usually there is a story behind the item or at least a name of the original owner and who they were in the family tree.

I have become the protector of many of our family heirlooms, but it is my husband who has taken responsibility of the one of the most precious heirlooms of all time: God’s Word.

Our very most precious heirloom of course is Jesus. As believers, we have been adopted into God’s family. We have inherited salvation through our belief that Christ died for us. And by godly teaching and example of right living, by explaining our faith and testifying to it, we can pass that faith from generation to generation.

That heirloom is true and beyond value and although it can be felt and understood, it cannot be touched or held.

But God’s Word can be—in the form of the Bible.

That is where hubby comes in. In our safe, we have several versions of God’s Word. Some of the Bibles were printed before 1800; some after. Many have been enhanced with glorious illuminated script; others with minutely detailed black and white etchings.

Whenever hubby removes a Bible from the safe and shares it with a friend, he does so with reverence and care because, as he says, he does not own the Bible. The Bible belongs to God. He is merely its steward.

And so, the small collection of Bibles in our safe will probably be handed down from generation to generation within the Peterson family. But while we will maintain stewardship of them, they will always and forever belong to God.

As do we.

Praise God that our faith, our lives and everything we are belong to God. We are a living heirloom because we are part of His family.

PRAYER: Thank you Heavenly Father for everything in this world. Thank you for adopting us into your family and giving us salvation as our eternal heirloom. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Is faith an heirloom that has been passed down through your family?

+  +  +

 

Today's post is part of the Christian Writer's Blog Chain. Our theme for November is "heirloom." Please click on the links to the right to see what my friends have to say about this theme.

BOOKS UNENDING

As I was writing last Monday’s post, I spent some time in Ecclesiastes. As a writer, my eyeballs often skim the words and get stuck on thoughts related to writing. So it was last week when I read Ecclesiastes 12:12:

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

I’m the first to admit that I’m freely taking this one line of scripture out of the heavy duty Book of Ecclesiastes. But it speaks deeply to my heart as a writer.

Of making many books there is no end.

No sooner do I begin writing one book than my brain creates ideas for three more. No sooner do I get the first draft of one book completed than the outline for a seventh book is begun. No sooner do I complete a book of fiction than the characters jump up and demand that it become a series.

Of making many books there is no end.

Which is why I write. Because there are books to be created, stories to be told, words to be shared. King Solomon’s reputation for the wisest man who ever lived, is still secure.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for words and ideas. Thank you for being the master communicator. Thank you for giving us the ability to use words to share your love with others. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a book in you waiting to be written? Why haven’t you started writing it?

NOTE: Stay tuned for part 2 of Ecclesiastes 12:12 later this month.

THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-11)

　
We look at the early Christian martyrs and marvel at their courage and faith. But many Christians today are martyred for their faith—many statistics say that in this century more have been martyred than in the first 20 centuries of Christianity combined.

In many countries today it is against the law to be a Christian.

In this country we profess to have freedom of religion, but in reality, more and more Christians feel apologetic about their faith. Not apologetic as in C.S. Lewis’s argument for the faith; but feeling that they cannot declare their faith to others without feeling like they are somehow offending them.

• Children are not allowed to pray at school.
• Nativity scenes are not allowed at public buildings.
• The Ten Commandments are removed from courthouses.
• The phrase "Evangelical Christian" when spoke in politics is said with a sneer.

The suffering of Christians is not about being punished for evil or unlawful acts. The suffering and persecution Jesus spoke of was being punished for being righteous.

Have you ever known someone who lashes out against a friend for doing good? Not because the friend did good but because doing good shows the rest of us up for who we really are—falling short of our duty, our ideals, what we know to be right and good.

People who are righteous show others up. Sometimes the unrighteous hate the righteous because the righteous illuminate their own dark hearts and show the world who they really are.

When believers try to live a righteous life, they become distinguished from the rest of the world. The world may misinterpret our conduct and view us as feeling as if we are above them; better than they are; hoity-toity.

To many people, sin is fun. It is associated with pleasure, living life on the edge, it’s all fine as long as it’s between consenting adults. The Holy Spirit has the power to convict people, but if we sin, we don’t want to be convicted. We may secretly feel guilty and so we lash out at people who struggle not to sin—making fun of their struggle, encouraging them to give up, cheering when they fail and fall back into sin.

Blaming others is always easier than accepting responsibility and doing what is right. Blaming Christians, making fun of them, persecuting them feels good and distracts attention away from the ungodly for a moment.

A sinner fights against God. He can’t get back at God so he does the next best thing—he attacks those who follow God.

Jesus told us that if we follow him, we will be persecuted.

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.  (John 15:20)

Jesus came to Earth and lived as a human so that he could show us an example of how to live. If we truly desire to follow him, we desire to be like him and live like him. We don’t always succeed, but we try. When we do, he tells us—promises us—that we will be persecuted.

So what if you do not feel like you are being persecuted? Could it be that you are just one of the lucky few?

Or are you perhaps not living as righteous a life as God wishes?

Or perhaps you are not letting God’s light shine so brightly through you that the world even knows that you are a Christian.

Fortunately when we are persecuted, we are not alone. Not only do we have the companionship of other believers to support and encourage us, we also have the strength of the Holy Spirit living in us. And the strength of Jesus that enables us to do all things.

And each time we are persecuted and survive, we become stronger and more assured in our faith. Each time God delivers us, we trust Him more.

And when we are persecuted we understand:

• The strength of our faith.
• Our faith is worthy of our suffering.
• We have been chosen by God.
• We are children of God.
• Our salvation is sure.
• We are truly not of this world even though we are in this world.
• We are in good company.
• Ours is the kingdom of heaven.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus for your example of living. We do so want to live a life worthy of your sacrifice. We want to be more Christ-like in everything we do, say and are. Please help us stand firm and in righteousness, even amid persecution. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you sometimes feel persecuted for Jesus’ sake?

THE STUFF OF HEIRLOOMS

Today's post is part of the Christian Writers blog chain. Our theme for November is "heirloom." Please click on the links to the right to see what my friends have to say about this theme.

Heirloom: A family possession passed down from generation to generation.

Like many folks our age, hubby and I are ready to downsize. We’ve said it for years, but we finally are walking the talk. That means trying to sell this enormous house that we have crammed full of "stuff."

It means getting rid of at least a third of the "stuff" we’ve accumulated over 34 years of marriage, two kids and six moves between two coastlines. It means finding a smaller house and hoping we have gotten rid of enough "stuff" that the rest will fit into the new smaller nooks and crannies.

Somewhere along the line, though, I became the holder of the family heirlooms.

All those family treasures passed down from generation to generation from my mother and father, my mother’s mother and father, my father’s mother and father, along with items from hubby’s family as well.

They were precious enough to have escaped the trash bin for over 100 years and have landed safely in my possession—some with little notes attached as to who was the original owner and a date of ownership, if known, such as:  "Carol’s mother’s mother’s aunt and uncle’s platter received on the occasion of their wedding 1829."

I carry some of these heirlooms with joy; others with a great burden. This was important to someone. This is of value. I am its protector.

But do I care? Do I have enough energy to be its steward for another 30 years? Who will care if I don’t?

What with china, baby clothes, tea towels, hand-embroidered linens, jewelry, toys, books and furniture entrusted to my care, plus my own soon-to-be heirlooms of infinite value (or not), it’s nearly to the point that if we got rid of all of our "stuff" except for the heirlooms, we still might not fit into our planned smaller home of our dreams.

Sigh.

Yet our children are not yet ready to receive the pass on of these heirlooms. The solution? It is time to allow some of these heirlooms to become heirlooms for others. Sold to the antique stores or on Craig’s list. Given to people outside the family who would appreciate their intrinsic value even if they do not understand the family meaning behind them.

Which brings the point to a head.

The value in heirloom "stuff" is not so much in the object as in the memories behind it; the love of the people who treasured them. If stories about the object can be handed down and can become part of the "heirloom," then they are of more value because the love behind it is what is treasured.

When going through heirloom "stuff," if there is a note attached, it usually gets packed back up and stuffed securely in a box. If an heirloom is uncovered without knowledge of where it came from, who originally owned it or without any reason why it might mean something to this generation, if it isn’t loved right now by this generation, it might have to become an heirloom for someone else’s family.

Because the value of an heirloom is often based on the love the object represents. I think my mother’s mother’s aunt and uncle would understand.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes we get caught up in the value the world places on our stuff. Please help us remember that—just as we should focus on storing up treasures in heaven—that more important than stuff is how we love other people. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you treasure family heirlooms? Do some of them make you feel burdened?

THE DUTY OF MAN

Tomorrow is Election Day. Soon we will learn whether we will be governed with four more years of the same or four years of something new.


California has pretty much already decided upon whom it will dedicate its electoral votes. But we’ll vote anyway, because we can; because we should; because it is our right, our privilege and our duty.

Our duty at least from the conventions of man.

Ecclesiastes states a more profound duty, when wise King Solomon wrote The Conclusion of the Matter:

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Fear God and keep his commandments. That’s it. That’s the number one duty of mankind. Everything else is meaningless under the sun.

So tomorrow we will do our civic duty and vote our conscience. And leave the results to God. He is in charge. He has a plan. And fortunately, His plan extends well beyond the next four years.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we praise you for your plan. We know it is good because you are good. Please give us wisdom as we vote in our earthly elections. Please help us make decisions that fall into line with what you have in mind. And please grant our government officials wisdom and right thinking as they make decisions on our behalf. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? You’re gonna vote, right?

CAROL'S GEMS: TOPAZ AND CITRINE--HARVESTING SUNSHINE

Every month has a birthstone. The birthstones for the month of November are yellow topaz:



 

and citrine:



And they both remind me of Jesus.

 

 

A Gift From The Sun

 

Both of these golden gemstones are the color of sunshine. Yellow topaz is naturally occurring; yet rare. Golden citrine—quartz—is also rare in its natural state. Most commercial citrine today started out as purple quartz (amethyst) or smoky quartz and was turned golden by applying heat.

 

Ancient Egyptians believed that natural yellow topaz got its color literally from the sun; or rather from the rays of the sun god, Ra. Romans similarly affiliated topaz with Jupiter—who was the Roman god of the sun.

 

Ecclesiastes tells us though that there is nothing new under the sun. In other words, there is nothing new down here on earth. Above the sun, in heaven, is another story because above the sun—as well as in our hearts—is where Jesus resides. Jesus is not the sun god. He is the Son of God.

　

Symbolism

 

Topaz is a symbol of wisdom, friendship, love, honesty, faithfulness, tenderness and purity. Sound anything like the fruit of the Spirit?

 

Citrine is said to bring the wearer health, hope, energy and warmth. In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against snakes and evil thoughts. Instead of pasting together a dozen fig leaves, Adam and Eve should have encased themselves in citrine!

A gift of citrine is symbolic of hope and strength. Jesus is our only hope of heaven and our sure strength for all trials.

　

Harvest

 

More than any other birthstone, yellow topaz and citrine represent their month—at least for the Northern Hemisphere. Both gemstones are the color of harvest—the color of leaves after the first frost-cold night; of persimmon cookies, pumpkin pie and butternut squash. Both stones capture the warm glow of autumn and bring sunshine to the first days of the long winter to come.

 

As a reminder of harvest, yellow topaz and citrine point to the eternal harvest Jesus will begin when he returns. That harvest of souls. The one you and I are so eager to be part of.

 

Happy birthday to everyone born in November.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for seasons. Thank you for the reminder of the warmth of summer and the coolness of autumn. Thank you for harvest time on earth that reminds us that those of us who call upon your name are assured of the eternal harvest to come. Amen.

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you own any yellow topaz or citrine? Want some?