Children are a gift from the LORD;
they are a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3 NLT
Every mom . . . & dad . . .
need to memorize this verse
because
as sure as the sun comes up in the east,
there will be moments
when you need to speak it out loud
reminding yourself and that child . . .
“you are a gift”
“you are a reward”
We began to say to our children
from the moment they were born
“You are a blessing,
and
you will be a blessing!”
It was a warm spring day in May 1972
when we heard the words
you are not able to have children
Etched forever in my heart is
that moment
the house
the very room where I sat
and prayed . . .
God, if you give me a child
I will raise that child for you.
Within a month I was pregnant!
February 15, 1973,
a cold but snowless wintery day
a beautiful, baby girl
Heather entered our lives and our hearts
The promise to God kept
Heather is a beautiful woman
inside and out
walking in God’s love and grace
child of God
daughter
wife
mother
a Proverbs 31 woman
speaking to her children
“You are a gift”
“You are a reward!”
Happy Birthday, Heather!
We love you and thank God daily
for His gift of you to us!
P.S.
Another miracle child
a son
given to us June 19, 1980
his story later
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Love That Keeps on Giving
Valentine’s Day!
romance
roses
chocolate
candlelight dinner
Valentine card
We strive so hard this one day each year
to create and experience the
“perfect” expressions of “love”
unrealistic expectations
we put on ourselves and others!
Don’t get me wrong . . .
I love Valentine’s Day
and roses and chocolate!
It’s good to express kindness and love
on Valentine’s Day!
But I am being challenged
For God so loved . . .
that He gave
I, in return, am to love by
loving God with all my being
loving myself because God loves me
giving a smile
truly listening to the person who just needs to be heard
being patient, kind, and understanding
encouraging with my words
praying for and loving my enemy
forgiving and loving the person who hurt me
So tomorrow
on Valentine’s Day
and every day
use me, Lord,
to be the human expression of
your love
a love that keeps on giving!
romance
roses
chocolate
candlelight dinner
Valentine card
We strive so hard this one day each year
to create and experience the
“perfect” expressions of “love”
unrealistic expectations
we put on ourselves and others!
Don’t get me wrong . . .
I love Valentine’s Day
and roses and chocolate!
It’s good to express kindness and love
on Valentine’s Day!
But I am being challenged
For God so loved . . .
that He gave
I, in return, am to love by
loving God with all my being
loving myself because God loves me
giving a smile
truly listening to the person who just needs to be heard
being patient, kind, and understanding
encouraging with my words
praying for and loving my enemy
forgiving and loving the person who hurt me
So tomorrow
on Valentine’s Day
and every day
use me, Lord,
to be the human expression of
your love
a love that keeps on giving!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
45 & Counting!
February 11th . . . 45 years and counting!
How have we been able to reach this milestone?
"We love each other because He (God) loved us first."
1 John 4:19
And driving separate vehicles!!! Hehehe
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart (Ken Hiatt)
You are a true reflection of God’s love
I thank God always for you!
I love you more today than yesterday
but not as much as tomorrow!
How have we been able to reach this milestone?
"We love each other because He (God) loved us first."
1 John 4:19
And driving separate vehicles!!! Hehehe
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart (Ken Hiatt)
You are a true reflection of God’s love
I thank God always for you!
I love you more today than yesterday
but not as much as tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I Can Do All Things?
Excerpt from . . .
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
YouVersion Reading Through the Bible Plan
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Through Christ Who Strengthens You
Philippians 4:13 is a very popular scripture that is often quoted out of context. It says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That doesn't mean you can just do anything you decide to do because you want to do it. Paul was talking specifically about how he was able, through the power of Christ, to be content no matter what his circumstances were.(Emphasis added)
I do believe that, by God's grace, we can do whatever we need to do in life. I think that's a mindset we need to have. There's nothing that's too much for you if you're trusting God. You can handle whatever comes your way because God promises that He'll never put more on us than we can bear and deal with.
So keep a positive attitude no matter where you are right now, no matter what's going on in your life. Cheer up, God is on your side. Stop being upset about things you can't do anything about.
God wants you to know that He has an individual plan for your life, and He wants you to accept His unique plan for you and not compare your plan with anybody else's. (Emphasis added) You have to trust God knows more about what you need and what you can handle than you do. After all, He knows you better than you know yourself!
Prayer Starter: Lord, like Paul, I want my contentment to come from You, not my circumstances. Show me every day that Your plan for me is perfect and that I don't need to worry.
"I must continually ask myself . . . what "all things" am I applying this scripture to that maybe are not things God has given me to do???
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
YouVersion Reading Through the Bible Plan
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Through Christ Who Strengthens You
Philippians 4:13 is a very popular scripture that is often quoted out of context. It says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That doesn't mean you can just do anything you decide to do because you want to do it. Paul was talking specifically about how he was able, through the power of Christ, to be content no matter what his circumstances were.(Emphasis added)
I do believe that, by God's grace, we can do whatever we need to do in life. I think that's a mindset we need to have. There's nothing that's too much for you if you're trusting God. You can handle whatever comes your way because God promises that He'll never put more on us than we can bear and deal with.
So keep a positive attitude no matter where you are right now, no matter what's going on in your life. Cheer up, God is on your side. Stop being upset about things you can't do anything about.
God wants you to know that He has an individual plan for your life, and He wants you to accept His unique plan for you and not compare your plan with anybody else's. (Emphasis added) You have to trust God knows more about what you need and what you can handle than you do. After all, He knows you better than you know yourself!
Prayer Starter: Lord, like Paul, I want my contentment to come from You, not my circumstances. Show me every day that Your plan for me is perfect and that I don't need to worry.
"I must continually ask myself . . . what "all things" am I applying this scripture to that maybe are not things God has given me to do???
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
In the bleak midwinter . . .
My daughter, Heather, commented on this picture saying
“The snow on trees and objects affects the ears and eyes.
The quiet stillness . . . new dimension/fullness”
Her comments drew me back to
standing outside after snow has stopped
or pausing while shoveling
taking in the pureness of snow’s beauty
captured
etched into memory
through the windows of my eyes
the delicate touch of snowflakes on my face
taste and smell of newly fallen snow
its deafening quiet
stillness
solitude
peace
totally enveloping me
and my heart sings . . .
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone,
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
a song learned through many Christmas seasons
in the Lutheran church . . .
and again . . . I am in awe of God
these snow sensories
mirrors of God, through Jesus
a command from God to
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10a NLT
In the bleak midwinter
By Christina Rosetti
1830-1894
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
A Christmas Carol
Alternate Title: In The Bleak Midwinter
Words: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894)
appeared posthumously in
The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti,
Poem #426, 1904.
Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934
Tune: CRANHAM, Meter: Irr.
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