I wrote this last year on December 24th. It’s my first re-blog of a previous post.
The faith of the Canaanite Woman always confused me until I got revelation on the true meaning of this story. Some crumbs have a much bigger meaning.
May it encourage you and refresh your faith.
Merry Christmas!
Read about bold faith here:
via Cookie Crumbs
Hebrews 13:3
I had the privilege to participate in an Angel Tree Party last Saturday. It’s a Christmas party for children of prisoners and their families. Before entering the prison, we waited in a line outside. Every volunteer and family member must be searched, and patted down. Cell phones, and pretty much all personal items are not allowed inside. After all the necessary safety precautions, we joined the party that was already in full swing.
Christmas music was playing. There was dancing, games, food, prizes, smiling children, and smiling dads. Local churches partner with Angel Tree to make it a fun, festive, happy occasion. Myself and a few friends from my small group helped with the craft area. Kids got to decorate a holiday frame with a picture of their dad. These kids were so precious, and so happy to be with their dads. There were little bitty toddlers all the way up to teenagers. So many of the children put “I Love My Dad” on their picture frames.
The kids are only allowed to see their fathers twice a year. Once at the Angel Tree Party, and once in June, around Father’s Day. That’s it. No children are permitted in the prison beyond those two days. So this party was a big deal and a very special time for all the families involved. There were also many wives, girlfriends, moms, and grandmas there.
Angel Tree is a year round organization under Prison Fellowship. Angel Tree has camps, mentoring, and sports clinics. There are over 2.7 million children of incarcerated parents in the U.S. Imagine the fear, shame, and loneliness that these kids must experience. Angel Tree is a blessing to these dear children.
I loved being involved with one tiny part of Angel Tree, but I only helped for a few hours. The real heroes are those who serve in this ministry year round. Like my sweet friend Holly. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, Holly is just all heart. She leads a men’s group at this prison called Alpha. It’s a mentoring/discipleship program. We got to meet some of the men in Holly’s group and she’s so proud of these guys. How awesome to have someone rooting for you when so many in your life have not.
This prison is for men who have done their time and been reformed. It’s a Christian program that gets these guys ready to go back into the world upon release as leaders and contributors to society. This special program allows only the select few to participate. These men know Jesus and they are forever changed. Gang bangers, murderers, dealers, and all kinds of hardened criminals radically changed by Jesus Christ. That’s the Gospel. The Good News. That’s the hope for all of us.
Jesus is not a respecter of persons. Jesus came for sinners like me and you.
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
Please remember those in prison. Prisoners need the love of Jesus just as much as your co-workers and neighbors. Pray for prisoners. Pray for their children and wives and families. Pray for ministries like Prison Fellowship.
I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36
As I looked at the dads in white clothing, many covered in gang tattoos, I saw my brothers in Christ. I saw hope in their faces. I saw love for their children and wives. That room was filled with the Holy Spirit. It didn’t matter that we were behind prison walls. That won’t stop Jesus. Nothing can, except a hard heart. Let’s pray for soft hearts to the gospel.
“The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Chuck Colson, Founder Prison Fellowship
Love you all,
Meghan
Praising God in Prison by Meghan E. White
Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay
We all have Christmas traditions. One of ours is to play the movie White Christmas while the tree is being decorated. I love all the music from that classic movie. Of course the iconic “White Christmas” song by Irving Berlin is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. And I do love that song. But there’s another song from the movie that I love. “Count Your Blessings” was also written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it during a time he was suffering from insomnia brought on by stress. A doctor suggested to count his blessings instead. Good advice.
I think about a nursery,
and I picture curly heads,
and one by one I count them
as they slumber in their beds.
If you’re worried and you cant sleep,
just count your blessings instead of sheep
and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.
I’m giving away a copy of my book Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale and I want that winner to be you! It’s my debut Middle Grade Novel. Perfect for ages 8 and up. Both kids and adults have loved my little book. It’s a fun, adventurous story that happens to have a deeper message. To trust God.
But that’s not all. I’m giving away a T-shirt too! As you can see from the picture, the T-shirt has the theme of the book. It’s an adult size medium, and is unisex. It would easily fit an older child or small adult. My husband’s friend Adrien made these T-shirts for me last year, and my friend Nick designed them. The blue is actually much more vibrant than the picture is showing.
If you want a different kind of children’s book that will encourage your faith, and maybe teach your kids something new about faith in God, then enter my contest. It will cost you absolutely nothing. Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale makes a great gift, and a fun read aloud with your kids.
How to enter the contest:
It’s that easy to enter the book and T-shirt giveaway.
The winner will be chosen and notified next Friday, December 6th.
It is my pleasure to share Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale with you and your children! It was a labor of love. I never wanted to write anything, let alone a children’s book. God asked me to write, and you can learn more about why I wrote here: Why Did I Write A Children’s Book?
You can listen to an interview I did with Kid’s Stuff Podcast here: http://kidsstuff.libsyn.com/interview-with-childrens-book-author-meghan-white
Enter my contest today! It will cost you nothing and you may be the lucky winner!
P.S. I will sign the copy I giveaway. That’s right. You will have the signature of a famous author. OK, that’s not even close. You will have the signature of an unknown author.
Love you all,
Meghan
Charcuterie (pronounced shar-koo-tuh-ree) is the French word for pork-butcher shop. Now say charcuterie ten times. It’s the art of preparing cured meats. In fifteenth-century France, charcutiers shop windows were filled with all sorts of cooked and cured pork since they were not allowed to sell uncooked pork. French charcuterie involves pates, mousse, and things like rillettes.
Today, charcuterie has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s no longer just meat. You can find charcuterie everywhere from Instagram to restaurants. It’s made a comeback and I am thrilled. This is my kind of eating. Unpretentious, grab what you like, kind of eating. The sky’s the limit with what foods you place on your charcuterie board.
There are no rules or complicated recipes to follow. You can use cutting boards, plates, or a large serving tray like I did. Add cured meats, cheeses, bread, fruit, nuts, or whatever suits your fancy. And, there is no cooking involved! Charcuterie can be a creative appetizer or a meal. I had so much fun making this charcuterie board and I hope you will make one too.
Wow your guests during the holidays with charcuterie. They will think you are the coolest host in the world. No more spray cheese and stale crackers for you. Not that cheese from a can is all that bad on occasion, but this time you’re going big. You’re going grand. It’s time to change things up when it comes to appetizers. If you’re not ready to take the leap, then by all means stay safe. But, I really hope you at least try and make your own charcuterie board. You won’t be disappointed.
Happy eating!
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Charcuterie Board
Here is the list of food I used for my board:
How to assemble your charcuterie board:
My tips:
Have fun with your charcuterie board! Be creative and enjoy!
You can read my latest article in the link below. Check out Mustard Seed Sentinel for fantastic content.
https://www.mustardseedsentinel.com/post/meghan-s-corner-charcuterie-board
Meghan E White 