Valentine's Day

My husband and I were talking about Valentine's Day over the weekend.  He believes it is a holiday for women.  I do see his point.  He jokingly talked about how so much emphasis is put on getting the right thing for the woman in a man's life.  He wondered why I was getting offended as he kept saying how the holiday is all about women.  I tried to explain as best I could that I try really hard to make it about him, also.

As I was thinking more about it this morning, I realized that it means so much to me, because it symbolizes a dream come true.  It's not just another day on the calendar when we go out to eat.  I don't care if I get a nice present or even flowers (although I love flowers:).  It means so very much to me because of what has happened in my life.  This day symbolizes the breaking of longstanding captivity.  Those bars were tight, heavy and seemingly unbreakable.  Until, God answered prayers prayed long ago by many people.  My husband is the answer to those prayers and the key to my freedom.  Without God's intervention, I would have never realized he was the key, right under my nose, to a world I could only imagine.

So honey, I want to make today as much of a celebration of you as it is of me.  I am utterly blessed that you are in my life.  This day means so much to me, because you have shown me love.  Our love has broken bondage, and will continue to for the rest of our lives.  You are my heaven-sent Valentine.  I love you babe.

The Journey with God

I was thinking recently about the uncertainty of life.  And, I was kind of feeling in the dark.  It seems there are times in life when you step on a land mine.  It's out of nowhere.  It's shocking on so many levels.  And it changes your life.

I feel that way at times.  I feel that I am just walking along my merry way, when BOOM!  I am paralyzed from head to toe as I lay face down, stunned and bewildered by what has just happened.  Have you ever been there?  When you have no idea what is happening, but you know you sure aren't in Kansas anymore.

I know that the path was paved long ago.  The dangers installed there were cleverly placed by satan.  If we realize that Jesus is always beside of us, that may help.  Then, we wonder why he didn't tell us what is ahead...now that can just be infuriating, until, we see that it's not about those ticking time bombs.
It's not about the pain inflicted by them.  It's about the journey.  It's about the calm, serene peace he gives during those times.  It's about forming callouses where you've been hit, so that next time, you aren't as debilitated

My husband is a hunter.  I have to admit, I get a little bit sad when he tells me "he got one".  But on the other hand, I love eating deer meat.  My husband began hunting in an area this past year, where the deer are plenty and the hunters are few.  He had a lot more "success", because these deer are oblivious to the warning signs that a hunter is on the prowl.  They did not know the smell of the hunters.  They are taking their time, moseying along, when out of nowhere, they're hit.


It's the same with us.   You cannot assume the road will be paved smoothly and no dangers will be there just because you are protected.  God never said that we would not experience hard times and pain.  He never said we would understand everything.  He said trust him.  He said he will always be there with us to teach us how to deal with our enemy.  God protects us by educating us on how to handle these attacks, so that we can fight better in the future...for ourselves, for others, and for him.

A deer's best defense: identifying the smell of danger and fleeing.  A Christian's best defense: detecting satan's snares and praying.  Thank God he hears every word.  Thank God for those heavenly embraces.

Grace Today

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."    ~I Corinthians 15:10

I wonder..do I really know Grace?  Do I know what it is to be filled up with the more than enough of God in all aspects of my life?  I don't think I do.  I think I have only glimpsed what his Grace in my life can accomplish.  I know that my so-called self-sufficiency has been the thief of unmerited favor and relief.

Grace does not merely save our souls...it creates life.  Grace does what we could never do.  It makes mountains, mole hills.  Grace is what makes a "good Christian".  Not works...it's the grace of God to do that work.  It's Him.  Period.

I am seeing areas in my life where grace does not abound.  Where I take it upon myself to handle the situation and glean from my own minuscule understanding.  I pray for God's grace to fill me today.  Because what I see as a strength, is most likely my greatest weakness.

A Real American Patriot

Listen carefully to this verse that most of us have never heard from our Star Spangled Banner.  What a tribute to soldiers and to the God who has and does bless this country.  May he continue to bless America.

Just Another Piece of the Puzzle

1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Have you ever wondered what the point is?  What is the point of the work you are doing?  Are you really making a difference?  Does your work even matter?  I certainly have.  I have been so tired, both physically and emotionally, and felt that God had abandoned me in my exhaustion.

I have learned that the work of God is not necessarily what we may assume.  The work of the Lord is what he has entrusted us to do that day.  Whether it is mopping a floor, meeting with a friend, taking care of a child, cooking dinner, doing paperwork, or going to a meeting, God knew these things would transpire and has a plan.  Each conversation and task is an opportunity to see God.

So, in the minutiae of life, remember, it all matters.  Every little detail comes together to paint the portrait of your life.

Starving for Nothing

We're going to come into this world with nothing, and we're going to leave with nothing.  So, why is that we try so desperately to fill our lives with so many somethings? 

I love it when the refrigerator and cabinets are full of food.  It makes me feel really good.  I know it's because we did not always have money when I was a child to come close to that.  But, then I think about how much food I can throw out.  I think of that waste.  I do think of those starving children around the world that would love my scraps.  Why can't I be satisfied with what I need instead of longing to fill up and overflow my refrigerator, and my life, with what is not necessary?

You know, it really doesn't matter if I have a lot of food.  It just matters that I have food.  I am reminding myself today, not to get caught up in having stuff, but remember to put value, and spend what I have to give, on the relationships in my life.

Praying for a Better Life

John 16:23-24
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

Have you ever heard that saying, "Be careful what you ask for!"?  I was thinking about that in light of our relationship with God...and in fact, in light of our relationship with anyone.  Thinking like that and accepting all that those words imply, mean we are gulping down fear instead of spitting it out.  We are allowing it to put chains around us so that we stay right where we are.  We think we are safe in our lives where nothing will change, but instead we are bound by closed thinking and living.  Is not the Christian life one that requires guts and recklessness?  Did Christ live a life where he was careful about pushing the limits?  If you have ever read the Bible, you know that he lived a life so daring, yet wise, that he baffled the heads of state and the most lowly of people.  Was he careful about what he said?  He said what he knew to be true.  He said what the father told him to say.  He prayed the way the Father and Spirit instructed.  I find myself hesitant at times to pray the way that the Bible states.  It's risky, yes.  It will definitely change your life.  You will be answered, in one way or another, in unexpected ways, in crazy ways at times.  But, it is SO worth it. 

I am not going to be careful for asking God for miracles, to love others more, for him to bring circumstances into my life so that those prayers can be answered.  Yes, it's kind of scary to think how he could answer prayers we pray that will directly challenge us and make us decide if we will take the chance to do things he wants us to do.  He may ask us to step completely out of our comfort zones for his glory and our benefit.  We may not realize it at the time.  So, why avoid praying in such a way that leaves you open to the unknown?  The benefits outweigh the risks by and large.

It reminds me of how children are.  We are the children of God, so it makes sense that God would treat us as a good parent treats their child.  A good parent knows and understands their child to a point where they can tell when and how they should teach them lessons.  If you try to teach your two year old Algebra, you will probably get disappointed.  If you don't teach them to share and play, you will be dealing with more behavior problems later in life, and they will.  God knows where we are.  He knows when it's time to teach us things.  If the child never asks for things, even though we know they may be good for them, we may believe they aren't ready for those lessons.  Thank goodness, God is aware of when and how we are ready.  But he wants us to communicate with him...to commune and have a deeper relationship with him.  He wants us to want him.  And that is what those good and perfect gifts lead us to.  They lead us to him.  I am praying through my fear today for those things that I lack in my life that he is so willing to give.  I pray you do the same.