Week 1: “The Christmas Sweater” by Glenn Beck (FI Series)

“The Christmas Sweater”, written by Glenn Beck, tells the story of a 12-year old boy who desires only one gift for Christmas: a bike. Instead, he receives a hand-made sweater from his mom. His expectations of what he wants and what he receives makes him realize that “children and adults alike don’t always get what they want for Christmas.”

Through a series of events that take place in his (Eddie’s) life, he comes to grips with the real reason for the season–the story of redemption, and he learns that the greatest gift of all comes from the Father in Heaven: Love. Even though he resents receiving “just a sweater”, he quickly learns the significance of that “simple” gift that his mother had created with so much love in her heart.

Through the guidance of a mysterious stranger, Eddie finds his path through the storm clouds and finds his way back to his family, faith, and forgiveness.

Your heart will be touched as you read this novel based on a “personally true story” and you won’t want to miss the concluding, surprise ending to this heart-warming “feel-good” read that Glenn Beck does so well.

If you haven’t already read “The Christmas Sweater”, I would recommend you put it on your “must read list” for 2014. You won’t be disappointed.

What’s In Your Closet?

Self-help books have become a huge part of my library book collection, so I have decided to share some of these insightful books with you beginning with Jennifer Rothschild’s book, “Self-Talk, Soul-Talk.”

When I first presented this book to our women’s group as a possible women’s study at our church over two years ago, several women signed up unequivocally. Over a few short weeks, we discovered that our thoughts and self-talk (what we say when we talk to ourselves) impacts not only our relationship to God, but it impacts our relationships with our families and friends as well. Destructive, negative thoughts keep us from maturing and growing in the Lord and in His Word. We are a reflection of the way we think, and what we hide in our thought closets affects who we are.

Based on Biblical principles and filled with scriptures to help us on our Christian journeys, this study proved to be pertinent and insightful in helping us to develop as stronger, more loving individuals, who further learned to be more loving towards ourselves and to “love the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, and souls.” We also discovered ways to turn self-destructive negative thoughts into positive ones.

Since this book has become part of my self-help library, I have referenced it often. You can purchase a copy of this book at an online bookstore, a local Christian bookstore in your area, or visit Jennifer Rothschild’s website for additional information and for a list of other great resources.

Happy reading and blessings on you,
Yvonne