Putting God Back in the Holidays: Celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays, and 12 Other Special Occasions with Purpose
Ebook
Overview
Instead of the joy-filled celebrations that we build up in our minds, the holidays (pick one, any one) can often become stress-filled, money-draining, joy-less days of the year that we just “want to get through.” And it is by our own volition that we have refused too many times to allow our holiday celebrations to be the spiritual experience they are meant to be.
This book has been conceived and designed over 30 years as Dr. Bill Thrasher has spoken to thousands of people, helping them realize the spiritual battle that surrounds their celebration of the holidays. Littered with practical thoughts, ideas, experiences, and stories, Putting God Back in the Holidays will help you and your family celebrate holidays and birthdays with biblical truth in mind.
Introduction
SECTION ONE – NEW YEARS
1. REALIZING THE SPIRITUAL PRESSURE OF THE HOLIDAYS
2. CELEBRATING A NEW YEAR
3. SETTING GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR
SECTION TWO - BIRTHDAYS
4. CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAYS OF YOUR CHILDREN
5. CELEBRATING SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAYS
6. HOSTING A “BLESSING” PARTY
SECTION THREE – GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER
7. ENTERING INTO THE MEANING OF GOOD FRIDAY
8. LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE MEANING OF EASTER
SECTION FOUR – THANKSGIVING
9. IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING
10. UNLEASHING THE SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL OF THANKSGIVING
11. CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING – PART I
12. CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING – PART II
SECTION FIVE – CHRISTMAS
13. WELCOMING THE LORD TO YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
14. ENJOYING THE LORD IN THE HOLIDAYS
15. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE IN THE HOLIDAYS
16. ENHANCING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST IN THE HOLIDAYS
17. TRUSTING GOD FOR REST AND REFRESHMENT IN THE HOLIDAYS
18. LEARNING TO BE A CHANNEL OF GOD’S LOVE IN THE HOLIDAYS
19. NOT FORGETTING THE “D” WORD DURING THE HOLIDAYS
20. PREPARING FOR TEMPTATION DURING HOLIDAYS
SECTION SIX – OTHER HOLIDAYS
21. CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
22. EXPERIENCING CHRIST’S LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY
23. HONORING A SOVEREIGN GOD ON PRESIDENTS’ DAY
24. CULTIVATING A MISSIONARY SPIRIT ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY
25. HONORING YOUR LORD AS YOU HONOR YOUR PARENTS (FATHER’S DAY & MOTHER’S DAY)
26. REJOICING IN THE FREEDOM THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST (INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS)
27. HONORING THE LORD ON LABOR DAY
28. RETHINKING HALLOWEEN
Conclusion
We often give but a passing nod toward traditional holidays without realizing that they were intended originally to be ‘holy days.’ This book will help put devotion on the agenda for our regular rhythms of life throughout the year, a sorely needed issue for many of us.
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If you are concerned that the Christian holidays are becoming muted in the midst of the growing welter of state and national holidays—do not despair. Bill and Penny Thrasher’s Putting God Back in the Holidays shows how you can better exalt Christ through the great days of the church calendar and, likewise, infuse the secular holidays with an elevating, life-giving spirit. What a positive read this is! And, because I know the Thrasher family, I can say that they live it out. Read this book and be encouraged and enriched.
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Product Details
- Title : Putting God Back in the Holidays: Celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays, and 12 Other Special Occasions with Purpose
- Authors:
- Thrasher, Bill
- Thrasher, Penny
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2010
- ISBN: 9781575678771
PENNY THRASHER- Penny Thrasher was raised in a home given to hospitality and feels privileged to carry on that tradition, especially in hosting large holiday celebrations. She contributed to her husband's book, Believing God for His Best -- How to Marry Contentment and Singleness. Penny is in her 17th year of home schooling and enjoys serving in their church, being part of a prayer group which supports missionaries, and mentoring younger women. Bill and Penny have three sons, Will, Michael, and David.