Happy Valentine's Day

For Better or For Worse

(click on the comic to enlarge it)

Seventeen years ago today Scott and I were married. When we said our vows we meant them... For Better or For Worse! Thankfully, there has been more better times than worse and more health than sickness. We have never been rich in the monetary sense, but richer than kings in our love and commitment for each other and to God.

It's been a great 17 years, and I look forward to the next 17!

Garfield Grins

This would definitely be Scott's thoughts as well! LOL

Lenten Season

I've always thought of things like Advent and Lenten as Catholic traditions, but I've recently discovered that many protestants celebrate these things as well.

A couple of years ago, I bought the kids these disposable Advent Calendars that had a piece of chocolate under each window for the 24 days leading up to Christmas. They had so much fun with those that I did it again this year. I couldn't find the ready-made calendars in the store, so I made them myself. We made it a part of our daily devotions time, and it was really wonderful. Before next Christmas, I plan to make an Advent Calendar that can be used over and over. I got this idea from a friend, and am planning to make one. Or I may make this one.

I was listening to Revive Our Hearts radio program yesterday, and the hostess Nancy Leigh DeMoss mentioned that they will be celebrating the Lenten Season with special programming starting the first day of Lent (March 9th) and running until Easter. They will be going through the book The Incomparable Christ by Oswald Sanders, and will follow the themes covered in that book. I am planning to get the book and listen each day as they go through it. I also got to thinking Lenten Season would be a nice thing to incorporate into our homeschooling, as I did with Advent. So, for the next couple of weeks I will be gathering information and ideas to do with the kids during this special time. If any of you have any ideas, please leave them in the comment section. I can use all the help I can get!

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and rightly so as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but I think Easter (though it doesn't get as much "commercial" recognition) is even more important. It is the time that we remember Jesus' purpose. We remember WHY the "babe in the manger" left the perfection of heaven and came to this sinful earth. Why he took the form of a frail human. It was to die for sinners like me, who was given forgiveness when I don't deserve it. THAT is something we should remember, not only at Easter, but every day!

Gratitude for Grace

"Thank You, dear Lord, for the beautiful way You teach us. Thank You for Your patience when we fail. Thank You for Your understanding in the midst of all our own confusion. Thank You for reaching down to us when we would never have reached up to You. Thank You for stopping us when we were running in the wrong direction, for setting the hounds of heaven after us. Thank You especially for Your grace. For by grace we have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. What a great reminder." *Charles Swindoll*

I have been reading my daily devotions from Insight for Living by Charles Swindoll. The above quote was taken from today's devotional called Gratitude for Grace. The part that stood out to me most was God's patience when we fail. I'm so grateful for that because at times it seems I fail more than I succeed. Thank you God for Grace, and for Forgiveness!

Garfield Grins

I always love a good dream! :)

Taking the Power Back

Back in June of 2010 I had an incident where a couple of people (non-Christians) said some things about me that were very hurtful and untrue. I have been carrying this around all this time, allowing it to cause depression.

Today in church the pastor was talking about when people wrong you, and what your response to it should be. He said that when someone says things bad about you (bully you), even though it hurts, you should think of it this way:
1.) Their words and actions are really showing me how truly sinful, lost, and apart from God they really are.
2.) That person is not God....they don't know you the way God does. They do not have the power of God, unless you allow what was said to affect you in such a way that would cause you to sin, or if you allow it to cause you to go into depression. If you do that, then you are giving them power.

That really hit home with me. That is exactly what I have been doing. I was allowing them to continue to have power over me. I am taking the power back, and giving it to God who really knows me.

If you love God and try to live according to His Word there will be persecution, but the eternal reward will be worth it if you continue to persevere.

Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."