An Old-Fashioned Christmas Drama

Several years ago, BLM had the wonderful opportunity to take our Christmas drama to a radio format!  It was aired on a local radio station and hundreds enjoyed the comedy and creativity that led to the beautiful Christmas message that our drama team and our friend and producer, Garth Hjelte.

This month, we will be airing the 3 parts of our story each week before Christmas, so you and your family can gather around the computer and tune in for what happens in this story.

As I prayed about it and began to write and create the script, as usual I saw how God used the talents of the  Bakkers and Traci Cox, along with Garth's brilliant mind, to develop something that was reminiscent of what my parents listened to on the radio as children.

I thought it was time to bring drama back, use our imaginations, and visit the Christmas story from a different angle.  Tune in to this link to give a listen to Part I! 

Click Here to Listen:  Christmas Drama Part I 

Photo by:  Christal Ruppert

Ask Dr. Deb

Question:  This is the season (right before the holidays) where I always seem to get sick.  What steps can I take to try to prevent getting a cold or flu?

Dr. Deb: The beauty, joy, and busy pace of the Christmas season are upon us. It seems that the hustle and bustle of this time of year often wear us down and negatively impact our health. Here are a few helpful hints to remain healthy over the holidays.

1. Wash your hands. And when you don't have ready access to a sink, use hand disinfectant. Both can help prevent the spread of the many respiratory viruses that are common during the winter months.

2. Don't overeat. Yes ... there are so many goodies that we only see once a year... however, moderation will keep you feeling better

3. Get enough rest. There are never enough hours in the day, especially during the busy holiday season. Listen to your body... rest and healthy habits are more important than a perfect tree or perfect cookies or perfect gift-wrapping.

4. Consider taking Vitamin C and Vitamin D over the winter months. Most of us live far enough north that our daily dose of vitamin D is sorely lacking over the winter months. Vitamin C can also help he immune system. Speak to your health care provider about what daily doses would be best for your health.

5. Remember the "reason for the season."  Christmas celebrates the birth of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus. Simplifying your holiday in order to keep the focus on Jesus can be liberating. As we remember His birth with humble, thankful hearts, we are reminded that Jesus paid it all ... no amount of rushing around on our part changes anything ... so why not take time to rest at Jesus feet?

Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 (8 oz.) cans each refrigerated crescent rolls (can use reduced fat)
1 cup cherry pie filling

Powdered Sugar Glaze (powdered sugar, milk, almond extract), optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and extract together until smooth.  Remove the rolls from cans. Save 4 pieces of dough and arrange the other 12 pieces on a 15" diameter pan (I use my stone) with the long points in the center. (The pieces will hang over the edge of the stone) Push the dough together to cover the stone, leaving the center open. Fold up the center tips of dough to leave a hole in the middle and "roll" up the edges evenly around the outer area of the stone to form an edge. Flour the dough very lightly if your fingers or roller sticks to it.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough. Top with pie filling. On a small lightly floured cutting board, press perforations on saved dough and cut lengthwise into 8 strips. Twist each strip and lay over filling like spokes on a wheel. Fold dough over spokes or tuck spokes under outer and inner edges. Brush dough with beaten egg white if desired.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on a rack. Drizzle with glaze if desired. Serve warm or room temperature. 

 

For 112 years, Frank Lake Covenant Church stood tall and strong, overlooking the nearby fields and waters of Frank Lake.

Two years ago, this August, it was lifted up and moved 20 miles down the road to our grove here on Hwy 29 outside of Benson, MN.

We rejoice, and we celebrate that God has blessed Dean and I, and our ministry, Best Life, with such a wonderful representation of God's goodness, His great work, and His dealings in our everyday lives.

It's the end of another year and your chance to give generously to our ministry.  We need your help to support staff, take conferences to churches, publish magazines, write books, and spread the gospel of Jesus to women everywhere.  We have been working diligently over the past two years to restore the Best Life headquarters at the Church in the Grove.  We are grateful to everyone who has donated this past year and see God using you to help us!

We are an approved 501(c)(3) ministry, so your contributions are tax deductible. 

Please consider a one-time year-end donation, or sign up online for a monthly donation  for 2015.   You can mail us a check to Best Life Ministries, PO Box 73, Benson, MN 56215, or use our paypal and your charge card.

For more information about donating, visit: http://bestlifeministries.com/donate-to-best-life-ministries