Rebecca's Journey - 121

Dear Friends,

I love meditating during this time of year, from gospel to gospel, on the Christmas story. I never tire of it! Yesterday, as I opened the Scriptures, the Lord said, "Preparation!" I re-read the Christmas story and realized that in every situation, before He spoke or moved, He had prepared all the characters of the drama.

John the Baptist was the first I considered. His lifestyle prepared him for his task 30 years later - preparing the way for Jesus.

And Joseph! I wonder what circumstances God used to prepare this man to receive His Word so readily, and to take the young, pregnant Mary into his heart, and then to lead his new family on a harrowing escape to Egypt?

And Mary! What preparation had He done in that young girl's heart to receive so willingly such a life-changing word, one that would plunge her into misunderstanding within her community, and cost her so much. "Let it be done unto me according to Your word." It may well have had its roots in her family.

The shepherds! Did He even prepare them? They certainly heard the angels! And all immediately agreed, "Let's go!" I wonder how many of them there were? I'll bet there weren't too many or they never would have come to such a consensus so quickly! :-) But, they were ready to go. What did they do with their sheep? Maybe they took them all along, and left them on the outskirts of Bethlehem with one attending while the others went to see the baby.

Of course, the wise men were well prepared. They'd been looking and preparing for many years. Like the others, they were ready to go.

I've had so many people ask me, "How could you and Paul so readily receive Grace for the dramatic changes that came after your accident?" We always say, "He was preparing us our whole lives for that moment. All that went before enabled us to step through, with His grace, into His new purpose."

For that first Christmas morning the Lord had prepared His people to receive His gift. As we approach this Christmas season, let us pray that we will be open to His of preparation and turn our hearts toward the good gifts that He will bring. "Prepare our hearts, Lord, to receive all the good things that You have in store for us."

A blessed and happy Christmas to you and your families!

Love,

Rebecca

Rebecca's Journey - 120 (book now available)

An Important Announcement
from Paul and Rebecca Petrie
Rebecca's Book is Now Available


Dear Friend,

This is to announce a new book from Rebecca Petrie, Falling into His Grace: The Power of a Life Laid Down. You probably know Rebecca as author of a widely distributed inspirational email and web blog, www.RebeccasJourney.com.

Falling into His Grace: The Power of a Life Laid Down tells her personal story and God's overwhelming grace as she lived through an almost fatal accident in 2001.

FROM THE BOOK:

Rebecca was lifeless when her friends found her at the bottom of the stairway. She had been descending the steps following a lady's prayer gathering when she lost consciousness, falling head first down the stairs. She broke her neck at the second vertebrae which stopped her heart and paralyzed her lungs. After five and a half months in the ICU, a number of surgeries, and another 14 months in hospital rehabilitation, she has emerged even more convinced of God's love and all-sufficient grace. This book tells her story. Now, as before the fateful accident in 2001, Rebecca Petrie is a woman of God called to encourage and help those God has placed around her.

This book will be a treasure to those facing life challenges and an encouragement to their journey with God. As Rebecca says about her book,

"I trust it will be an encouragement to you. Not only to those who are in similar situations, but to those who need to know today that Father is abundantly faithful wherever we are."

Gabriella Press has released this book in time for the holidays and it is available at the following link. Ordering options include both UK/Europe and USA based sources. Order yours now!

We are also asking for your personal attention to consider a few very important actions to help us:

• Please consider buying several books soon to receive copies for gifts during the coming holidays. Order now.

• Buy a case of books for your church bookstore or small group. For information about bulk discounts, please send an email to info@gabriellapress.com.

In this new-release stage of the book, it would also be very helpful if you would partner with Rebecca. Please share a link to www.gabriellapress.com on your website, MySpace, Facebook, blog site, etc., and please ask your friends to do likewise.

• Please ask your place of worship or favorite book store to order the book. They can place a bulk order at discounted rates by writing to info@gabriellapress.com.

• Do you know gate-keepers with e-mail lists of groups like churches, social, political or religious organizations, service groups, etc.? Please ask them to pass on this announcement, with a recommendation to purchase.

• Do you have any other ideas for getting the word out? Please follow up contacting Rebecca's son Matt Petrie, at matt@gabriellapress.com.

Thank you so much for taking time to help out during this important roll-out week! All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to their continuing work, as well as the medical care of Rebecca. Learn more about Rebecca by visiting www.rebeccasjourney.com.