Free today on Kindle: More than the Sum...a love story. Brittany's journey after divorce leads her through catastrophe to find the value of empathy, faith, and true love. Check out the reviews!
http://www.amazon.com/More-than-the-Sum-ebook/dp/B009R4ZIJS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356707561&sr=8-2&keywords=more+than+the+Sum

An angel visited Joseph; in a dream...

One interesting detail of Joseph of Nazareth's acceptance of his calling to rescue Mary and her unborn child is how God spoke to him. Both Zechariah and Mary were visited with a manifestation of an Angel who appeared to them...while they were awake. They actually conversed with him (Gabriel).But, not so with Joseph. Joseph was sleeping; a restless sleep, to be sure. He had just learned of the pregnancy of his betrothed and was pondering the ramifications - for him, for her, and for the community, once it became public.
That leads us to the unmistakable realization of how much God knew about Joseph's character and who he was. Joseph was visited by the angel in a dream, arose immediately, and rescued the girl - not on a white stallion, but took her away on a donkey. The obscured part of the story is pondering just exactly who he was and how, after over four hundred years of God remaining silent toward the Jews, that Joseph was in position to be chosen for the most important role in all of history.
Here is an excerpt from Joseph; the heart of the Father.  While the book touches on the Christmas story, it is a much larger exploration of Joseph - the Messiah's adopted father.
Excerpt. Chapter two: A shaft of pure white light slanted across his slumped figure.shining down on him from a small window high in the wall opposite where he slept. When he awoke, the full realization of his years of searching the scriptures and crying out to God to speak to his people again became his new reality. The angel said, "Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife, for the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She shall have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."
The light continued streaming across the room, blanketing him with a peculiar sense of peace.
Every abstract though and pondering of  his entire lifetime had crystallized, the words of the scriptures springing to life within him. Yes, God would visit his people. They would have their redeemer.
He must go to Mary and tell her everything was going to be all right. Mary was carrying Israel's hope within her. It was the will of Jehovah that Joseph be their protector.
Joseph; the heart of the Father is available in eBook, paperback, and audio through most internet booksellers. There are many reviews on Amazon, in particular. http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-The-Heart-Father-ebook/dp/B003CT4BKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356108434&sr=1-1&keywords=joseph+the+heart+of+the+father

The best gift...

I think my best gift as a little girl was my Tiny Tears doll. She was a rubber doll, her arms and legs moved, and she had a curly dark toupee glued to her head. And, she drank from a bottle and cried tiny tears from little tear ducts by her eyes when squeezed. Somehow she managed to survive my childhood and I gave her to our daughter, Melissa, who promptly soaked her head and her hair came off. Sadly, what made her unique was gone and she became 'just another doll', soon to be forgotten.
I often muse about what each of us have allowed to be discarded that made us unique and memorable. Life does shape us, alter us, and manipulate each of us to change from who we really are, and, often, we gradually morph into what someone else, or a lot of someone else's, want us to be.
I grew up on a small town (Peotone, Illinois), with a  population was twelve hundred. I had grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who all lived in close proximity, so I was blessed with a lot of affirmation. Well, except from one person. My mother.  I now see how the withholding of affection and affirmation from her changed me.  
Over the years we either morph into who we think others want us to be or we become defiant, acting out of what has hurt us. Some do both.  Other's develop significant, often  undiagnosed personality issues. Whether rejection is real, or perceived, it casts a huge shadow over us. And, if we continue to move through life acting out of something negative, we will pass the mantle on to the next in line.
My own story, while still evolving, is, by God's grace, to have chosen to not let those issues define me. The victim role is a tough one, and usually wears the people around us out. But, if given to God-really given to Him-He will restore you and  use life's bitter pills by creating empathy. 

The best gift, outside of finding Christ and His unconditional love for me, was to embrace empathy and the power it has, if used. 

I have a granddaughter, Peyton, who was discovered to have cancer at age twelve. Peyton loved to dance, so that was the biggest heartbreak at the time, when she just didn't have the energy to do it anymore. She was strong in many ways, but wasted into a shadow of who she was before the cancer. And, of course, she lost all of her dark brown, straight hair. She is now seventeen, vibrant and full of life, dancing and defying gravity. And, her hair grew back. She is a beautiful brunette with a head full of curls; more beautiful for the testing. And, that reminds me of my Tiny Tears Doll, whose identity was in her tightly wound, glued on curls. Had I known then what I know now, and been a wiser mother, I would have made up a story, and made her a heroine of overcoming virtue. 
The best gift we give ourselves is knowing who we are, accepting our humanity, and then offering others the value of YOU. Only you can do it!

Dedicated to the children who died in Sandy Hook Elementary.

I'm dedicating this to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary sin Newtown, Connecticut shooting last Friday. God bless and keep each of the families.

Twas' eleven days before Christmas, around 9:38, when twenty beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate. 
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is Heaven", declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas in God's house!"
When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their Savior; the children gathered near.  
He looked at them and smiled and called them by name. And, in that moment, was joy that only Heaven can bring. 
He looked at them and smiled and they smiled just the same. Then he opened his arms and he called them by name. 
And, in that moment was joy that only Heaven can bring. Those children all flew into the arms of their King, and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked up at Jesus' face.
And, as if he could read all the questions she had, he gently whispered, "I'll take care of your Mom and Dad". 
Then he looked down on earth, to the world far below and he saw all the hurt, the sorrow, and woe. 
He closed His eyes and outstretched his hand,  "Let my power and presence re-enter this land! May this country be delivered from the hands of the fools. I'm taking back my nation; I'm taking back my schools!"
Then he and the children stood up without making a sound. "Come now, my children, let me show you around." 
Excitement filled the space; some skipped and some ran - all displaying enthusiasm only a small child can.
And, I heard him proclaim as he walked out of sight, 
"In the midst of the darkness, I AM the Light."    
Written by Cameo Smith.

A cry for help...

Today my blog will be brief other than to encourage you to read the accompanying link. It is sobering and breaks my heart for the moms, dads, siblings, and grandparents who must bear such a heavy load; heavier today because of what happened last Friday morinng in Connecticut. Our society, through church's, synagogues, and mental health facilities must come alongside families with assistance. Obviously, the stakes are very high. And, what this tragedy will do, will be to give the federal government more power to legislate and intrude. 

Continuing to pray for the families directly affected by the terrible tragedy and for each of us to have new sensitivities for the issues at hand. God bless!

If the link isn't live, please copy and paste into your browser. And, if you want to make a comment (this is the comic relief for the day!) click on 'no comment' and it will take you to a comment box. I am getting a lot of comments (via email) that people want to make comments but have been unable, so that is the 'glitch' in the Blogspot Blogger! 

http://gawker.com/5968818?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_facebook&utm_source=gawker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

New 5* review on More than the Sum...

Fran Riedemann Books: New review on More than the Sum...: I'm sharing a new review for More than the Sum...so much fun to wake up to! And, so much fun to see someone else catch hold of the magic! Wh...

New review on More than the Sum...

I'm sharing a new review for More than the Sum...so much fun to wake up to! And, so much fun to see someone else catch hold of the magic! When I wrote the book I had no intention of it having a Christmas theme, although it begins and ends with the holiday. The rest of Brittany's year is the story...
Review:
5.0 out of 5.0 stars.  Best Proposal Ever  December 15, 2012
Format: Paperback
The worst Christmas of Brittany's life led to the best Christmas of her life!
Read how a fallen marriage can lead to a life of warmth, love, and new beginnings. How one with no hope can find hope in the true meaning of Christmas.
This is one of the best proposals I have ever heard of. Don't miss it!

One man, out of all time and space, was selected to raise the promised Emmanuel. Joseph of Nazareth, four hundred years after the last prophet spoke to his people, walked in righteousness before the Father.

Fran Riedemann Books: The tale of a Jewish daddy...: An excerpt from Joseph; the Heart of the Father: Many of his kinsmen no longer believed in the promise of a redeemer, but when Joseph recal...

Joseph - The heart of the Father

Joseph; the heart of the Father, excerpt from Chapter 4: Joseph remained uncomfortably slumped in the corner of the room holding his head in his hands. He pressed his temples with his fingertips, as if some miraculous discernment might be expressed.if he squeezed hard enough. Oh, Mary, Mary, what am I to do? What can I do? Oh, God, help me,
He realized it would be only a short time before someone would make it their business to inform the elders that Mary was with child. If the charge brought against her proved true, her fate would be determined according to Moses Law. The Law was clear. She would be stoned.Nothing like this had ever happened in Nazareth in Joseph's lifetime. Presuming they believed it was his child, he was as uncertain what might happen to him as well. Both of their lives, and futures, were inextricably damaged. He immediately reminded himself of the word of the Lord,  My heart is confident in you, Oh, God. It seemed impossible, but he sensed God with him even in the midst of his despair.
Available through Amazon in eBook, Paperback, and audio.

All I want for Christmas is you....

The Christmas song, All I want for Christmas is you, was just playing on the radio. What a wonderful thought that is...that there could be one special person who would be enough - totally enough - to make our holiday. Voila! Done! Our holiday is complete because that one special person fills our needs, our wants, and satisfies us enough that we need, or want, nothing else.
While the song's sentiment is sweet, it misses the mark because the Reason for the Season is often buried under so much tradition (Heaven forbid we add a new ingredient to Grandma's stuffing recipe), seeking to satisfy or be satisfied, or even the once a year compulsion to be charitable, that we, even while aware the holiday does exist because of the Reason, we let ourselves be sucked into the Wind Tunnel we call Christmas and be swept along in it.
It is important to remind ourselves that Christmas was not instituted by Jesus, so if we wanted it to be a purely secular part of our life, that wouldn't be a mortal sin. Perhaps the sin is to pretend he is front and center when he isn't.
I have always had a difficult time with singing "I surrender all" on command.  Is that possible on a human level? Personally, I don't think so. What if it means we put our cell phones in a drawer, and check our Bibles during the day (or night) like we do our cell phones. Or, if it meant giving up Starbucks or our favorite TV fixes. Or shopping... Or, gossip... Or, that friend who affects us like a pretty pink drink with an umbrella in it.
All I want for Christmas...what do I want for Christmas? In actuality, I want to be gathered with family, a few special friends, and be allowed to be a little sad, remembering back to those who are no longer with us, and when I could say Merry Christmas without wondering if it might offend someone . I want to be aware of my blessings; so aware, in fact, that it humbles me.  I want to give each of those I love a small piece of myself that far outshines any gift; something that is personal, deep, thought provoking, and kind; and I want them to always remember it, because the rest is temporal. And, that shining piece of me that I give away, may it be aglow because of the anointing of the Spirit who indwells me and knows that deep down all I really want is Him.
Jesus, I know even as I say it that in my humanity I will fail, but all I want for Christmas is You. And, because he is who he is, the blessings will come...

The Savior Came!

"Separation of church and state" has become a tired and misused mantra...well, unless, you're an attorney working in behalf of those who would silence the Christmas message across our land. Yes, I realize that December 25th is the wrong date, some of the traditions morphed from pagan rituals, people lose monetary sense of reason during the holidays, and there are mini-Grinch's lurking everywhere who will point out the obvious. But, in defense of the holiday, celebrated by Christians around the world, when else can you hear the message of a Savior born into human flesh,  His coming heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds and wise men alike, bedded in a barn,  born to live in our human condition, die for it, and rise with 'healing in his wings' sung from every street corner, grocery store, market, and mall across the civilized world?
So, I'm a big girl, and I choose to not let the Grinch's steal my joy. Even if the Grinch's won, and took away the trees, and nativity scenes, the ringing bells, and even erase the "Merry" from "Merry Christmas", they won't silence me! He came, He conquered, He died. He is the King of Glory - the Lord strong and mighty - and the enemy wins if we let him get us off message. It isn't angels singing about the entrance of the Messiah into human history; it should be us!
The common men and women from all faiths benefit from this season of giving. Because of the Gift sent from Heaven the homeless and poor are visited, soldiers and prisoners receive gifts, cards & recognition, the plight of orphans and widows is felt by society, and turkey dinners are personally delivered to homes where the meal truly will be celebrated as a feast.
Of course, the takers are there, too...takers take. But, they can't steal my joy in giving. I'm no angel, but the angel tree helps me individually target special children that my husband and I can bless (and even dare to go over-budget in the blessing). And, I dare say, who, in the end, is more blessed?
So, let the Naysayers neigh (not a pretty sound, really).. It is a sad commentary on their souls - not our own. Put a dollar in the Salvation kettle (even if they got you last time), and celebrate why they are there and the great work of charity they do. The Reason for the Season is glorified every time we reach into our pockets.
The courts will be busy, and apparently the Grinch's have deep pockets themselves. Some judges will shake their heads in dismay while others side with them, legislating from the bench. It is a misuse, for sure. But, dear ones, then it is incumbent upon us to not be hidden under a bushel somewhere, but to let our light so shine that the world will know the Savior came, and that He came for all who will believe, and that He is going to return - and it could be soon. Spread the word. The Savior, Christ the Lord came, and He's coming again!
Maranatha and Merry Christmas.

The real Superhero

I used to tell people that my husband, Ken, believed in Santa Claus. We have grown children now, but throughout our married life I have done the shopping, and Ken (at the latest moment possible) buys for me. So, on Christmas morning, when our kids were small, he was as surprised as the kids where all the gifts came from. That may be a slight stretch, since if anything required assembling he had to do it, but to be a bystander during the busiest month of the year is certainly a privileged position. Our family has grown to 22 people and, even with help now, it is a daunting task to buy for everyone.

My daughter, Melissa, is an overachiever like her mom. She cooks and bakes, entertains, and buys and ships.One of her self-imposed traditions is to make her own Biscotti, along with a myriad of other Christmas cookies. While delicious, if you have never made Biscotti, the thing that adds to the 'incredibleness' of her making it at Christmastime is that it has to be baked twice.  Her husband, Gary, is much like Ken (an observer) and scolds her because she stresses out.  But, the truth of it is, the season is replete with overkill for most of us.

One Christmas holiday, when our youngest daughter was about nine, I was watching a Christmas broadcast. The minister had the nerve to announce that "Santa is a myth' in prime time. Emily was walking through the room about that time. She walked on, so I thought "Phew. She missed that.", but a few moments later she came back, stood in front of me, and asked, "Is that true?" I knew what she wanted, but said, "Is what true?" Emily - "What he said about Santa.; that he's a myth." My genius answer was, "Every culture has a different idea about Santa, and each one has a slightly different myth, but, yes, he's a myth." "Oh." she said and left the room. I decided to leave it there. When curious about something, Emily was not a child who left things alone.

The next day she bounced out of her bedroom, announcing, "There are only twelve more days until Santa comes." I waited for her to add a disclaimer, but none came. She simply wasn't ready to digest that Mom and Dad were Santa. And, for two more years, whether she did believe, or not, we played the game.

The child in all of us wants a Superhero. I think Santa is preferable to Spider-man or Spider-woman. The season's true meaning was never lost on us, and our children's ideas of God and the Savior he sent were not diminished by Santa. If anything, they were more diminished in seeing their spiritually flawed parents working out their salvation before their little eyes. The magic of Christmas is that most of us somehow seem less flawed in the midst of the nostalgia and fuss, generosity and giving, smells and songs, and festivity that surrounds us and remind us of family; and of one very special family in particular. God, who is not a myth, gave his precious Son a daddy and a mommy. 

How amazing it is that, overall,  it isn't Santa that offends the masses...the more of them the merrier. It is the picture of that particular mommy and daddy, kneeling before a manger, that creates the frenzy. 

But, for one more year, the carols ring throughout the world, reminding mankind that the best gift came a long time ago. The real Superhero came as a baby and was laid in a manger. And, the mystery is, how some parents would rather their kids believed in Spiderman.

Not my day to be politically correct. :)

Fran Riedemann Books: Allergic to Peanuts...: I grew up with peanut butter; so did my husband, Ken. To this day, given a preference, Ken would turn down just about anything to enjoy a pe...

Allergic to Peanuts...

I grew up with peanut butter; so did my husband, Ken. To this day, given a preference, Ken would turn down just about anything to enjoy a peanut butter sandwich at lunch time. It is, in many ways, a comfort food for many.

The nut allergies are new. I don't know what alternative there is for a kid with allergies to a white bread sandwich, filled with ooooy goooey peanut butter, and a smear of grape jelly, but I hope they have one. A PB&J stands as a icon in its own right.

Back to the nut allergies. While I am sympathetic, it does make one wonder how those with the allergies (yes, I know it isn't the kids, but their over-zealous parents and attorneys) who have all but made it illegal to bring a PB&J sandwich onto a plane, or into a school? In the early years of flying, smokers were asked to sit at the back of the plane (which was ridiculous because smoke is pretty hard to contain). So, come on, at least section off a few rows of airplane seats or cafeteria tables, and give  peanut lovers a break (or better put - TOLERATE US.)  

This holiday there is a new allergic reaction to Peanuts, only it isn't the kind we eat, but rather the kind Charles Schultz made famous.  An elementary school in Little Rock had the audacity to decide to do "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" this Christmas. Now, there is irony in this if one really wants to look at it...first of all, the play contains Peanuts, a Christmas message (is it or is it not the season?), and of all things, the title itself shouts from the rooftops "Merry Christmas".

Well, not surprisingly, a few parents were aghast, and although the school gave a generous 'opt out' to anyone who didn't want their kids to be involved, taking their offense to the ACLU.  (I'm allergic to the ACLU), who is taking this to the courts. So much for tolerance....

This is not my hill to die on, but I must say that if people who share my views don't begin to stand up and be counted, refuse to give up their PP&J sandwiches and peanuts on planes, and stand up to the bullies, there will be little left to celebrate. 

Several years ago one of our granddaughters was in a reading contest in her school; it was this time of year. She read her little heart out, won the contest, and the 'prize' was to read any book of her choice to the entire first grade class. She chose a book about Christmas- how fitting!. Her teacher informed her that she couldn't read a book about Christmas, and, instead, had her read a book about Kwanzaa  What a lesson in moving the target that was! Thankfully, it only made her stronger because her parents were wise enough to talk her through it and recreate the lesson positively. 

This exercise has made me hungry for a peanut butter sandwich, but I don't have any Wonder Bread to put it on... But, less I digress, join me in the fight to keep our Christian heritage and traditions alive. After all, we live here, too! Let's cheer on Charlie Brown!

Wishing everyone a very blessed holiday of choice, and to you Christians out there...Merry Christmas to all! 

Fran Riedemann Books: Contest for My Subscribers!

Fran Riedemann Books: Contest for My Subscribers!: As a thank you to all of my subscribers, I am giving away two signed copies of More than the Sum.  Please tweet a message, leave a blog comm...

The tale of a Jewish daddy...

An excerpt from Joseph; the Heart of the Father:
Many of his kinsmen no longer believed in the promise of a redeemer, but when Joseph recalled God's Covenants made with Abraham, Joseph's faith was refreshed again. He knew that one day God would fulfill every promise He had made with his chosen people, the Jews.
Joseph lay on the ground on top of his robe. It had been four hundred years since God had spoken to His people through the prophet Malachi. Many Jews no longer believed in a Messiah, but there was still a remnant that still looked forward to the One who was to come and would relieve their oppression.
Joseph feared the price would be their own blood if his kinsmen got the kind of leader they were asking for. Joseph believed the redeemer would come to change their hearts first. The Jews were  a stubborn and rebellious people and Joseph cried out in their behalf.  Only by obedience to God and His law given them through Moses would they ever dwell in safety. Most had all but forgotten His mighty works in their behalf.
"Create in your people clean hearts,oh Lord, and Rock of our salvation," he cried.
Yes, God would reveal Himself to His people. Perhaps it would happen in his lifetime. One family, one day, would be called upon to fulfill the prophecies that began with God's words to Eve; that a woman would one day bear a child who would crush the head of the evil one. One day the curse on all mankind would be lifted.
God was true to His word. His promises were eternal. Joseph called upon the God of Covenant to again reveal Himself to the people He called "The Apple of His eye".
Available in eBook format, Kindle, paperback, and audio at Amazon and on most online bookstores.