Fall Newsletter and a Little Inspiration

by Candyce Carden @CandyceCarden

Nothing says Fall more than Candy Corn with its autumn colors and connection to upcoming holidays. The candy is fun and sweet, and Fall is a fun and sweet time of year for me. I love getting family and friends together to watch the big games and celebrate the holidays.

Hospitality is on my mind this month as I begin planning Football Saturdays and family oriented holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I find joy in hosting family and friends with food and fun. Hey, I could also add food and fun to my alliterative title. (Apologies – I do get carried away.)

What does my other word, faith, have to do with Fall? I won’t go into a Bible study on hospitality, but hospitality was a highly regarded virtue during biblical times. Many Bible verses instruct us to be hospitable to one another. One of my favorites is

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

(1 Peter 4:9)

I sometimes get carried away and plan too much. This season, I’m working to let go of the impulse to overdo so as not to overtire myself. I want to be a Mary who serves with joy rather than a Martha who grumbles about it (Luke 10:38-42).

The Write Life or the Right Life?

In addition to hospitality, life has presented other opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus this season. So much so that writing got pushed to the back burner.

• A sick friend needed help with transportation and meals
  

• Increased time helping my daughters with my grandchildren

• Packing Saturday Sacks with my church for underserved children who would not otherwise have enough food to eat over the weekend.

When I fret over lost writing time, I’m reminded that time spent serving the Lord in any capacity is never wasted. Serving others makes us more like Jesus. and helps us grow spiritually.

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

(

Matthew 20:28)

Serving God by serving others is the finest use of our time. Writing is not the only way God calls me to serve, and I pray to remain open to those opportunities.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV).

2 Hospitable Ideas

Fun and Easy Snack Mix

6 Cups caramel corn2 Cups salted cashews or peanuts1 Cup candy corn1/3 Cup raisinsCombine all ingredients in a large bowl. Story in an airtight container.

Decorate a Tiered Tray

This white tiered tray came from Hobby Lobby. Adding seasonal or holiday decorations to it lends a festive touch to family gatherings.I usually don't have to buy anything new when I change it. I just pull from what I already have on hand.

A Bit of Writing News

I’m excited to have a couple of writing pieces included in the newly released book, Feed Your Soul with the Word of God Collection 2. My story, “Cattails in the Marsh” is about the difficulty in waiting on God’s timing with patience and cheerful endurance. The other piece is a devotion titled “Sunflower Wisdom.”

This banquet of thirty short Bible studies can be purchased on Amazon. Makes a worthy gift for anyone hungry for God’s word.

Until Next Time

That’s it for this newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you know someone who might enjoy receiving my posts, please consider forwarding them a copy of this newsletter. I plan to resume my regular biweekly blogging schedule next week. Unless God has other plans.

I appreciate your comments on my posts. But if you’d rather contact me directly, simply reply to this email. Your comment will appear right in my inbox. I love hearing from y’all.

Enjoy Fall!

Immersed in His Love,

Candyce