I Forgot Friday Funny?

I posted today and forgot my ~Friday Funny~.....oops!

Friday Funnies:
When Nathanael was little, he and I were making dinner together. We were 'chatting' about all kinds of things dear to his little heart. Many I don't remember, this one I do remember!

Nathanael: Mommy, I want to marry you when I get big.
Me: Oh sweetie, Mommy is already married to Daddy.
Nathanael: He won't mind...you can be his wife and my wife too!

What little sweet things we remember about our children. What delicious, precious things kids say!
What a 'cutie' to make dinner with!

Random Thought Friday ~

~ Today is Friday! I usually 'clean' on Fridays and today is no different! Put on the music and hit the gas on the vacuum! The girls and I have it down to a science these days. If we all pitch in we can get it done in a couple hours or less! I like to do it every week so we stay on top of it, but we have at times been so busy and running that we didn't get to it for a few weeks. I must say, just so you know, the bathrooms and kitchen always get cleaned.....no matter what!

~ We speak the body language of 'hugs' at our house, we use it often. I've learned when words aren't enough, holding my kids in a hug says volumes. Kids outgrow laps but never hugs. I hug my kids everyday! Even the big ones!

~I have learned to put things near their use. For some reason this took a long time for me to learn this. We hunted and hunted the tape for years. Now I have 3 tape dispensers. One in the school room, one in the kitchen and one in my desk. Same with scissors, string, note paper, comet, dust rags, duct tape, any books and keys (by the door), they all go near their use. With some things I am a slow learner.

~My kids don't need me to be a buddy, sidekick or a maid. They need me to be their mom. Kids need a mom to set limits and set an example. Anyone can be a friend. Only a mom can be a mom. That is the highest calling!

~ I am excited when my kids 'get it'. That happened this week. I didn't need to say anything...one of my kids saw and heard a situation and quickly discerned (AND mentioned to me openly--nice!) the wrong and right of it! Amazing! YES! God is at work!

~ Games we played during the Blizzard of 2010! (I found your list Natascha!)
-- Scrabble
-- Mexican Train
-- Apples to Apples
-- Who Nu
-- ETC
-- Stocks and Bonds
-- Compatibility
-- Scattergories
(Natascha had more on the list, but we didn't complete the list!)

~ Friends are wonderful! They make life sweeter still! I ask myself often "what kind of friend am I ?" My Dad told me long ago "better to be a true friend ~ then you will always have one. Don't look for friends, just be a 'real one' and God will take care of the rest." That being said, I fail much of the time! Jesus is my example and HE really IS the bestest friend of all. Yet, we were made for relationships. It's the old porcupine analogy. Draw close....stick....pull away.....draw close....stick...pull away! We learn what GRACE is. We love because HE first loved us! The earlier my kids learn this HUGE lesson the better equipped they will be to make a difference in their relationships with people. I need huge amounts of grace, I give huge amounts of grace. It is NOT about me.

~ I have come to accept the blessing of SNOW! God has his reasons for it...smile! Being 'snowed in' is rather lovely ~ especially when it is with people you love and enjoy being with!

Delighting in Jesus, Hugs, Lynette

Preaching to myself again!

I preach the GOSPEL to myself everyday of my life. I 'talk' to myself. This is what I say to myself. Why? Because I can't live without it! So how do I preach it to myself everyday? I remind myself what it is! What is the GOSPEL?

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

1. God created us to have fellowship with him every moment of every day.

2. But like Adam and Eve, I am a sinner. Everyone knows this, whether they admit it or not. Even one lie proves it. So then I don't have fellowship with God.

3. Jesus came, lived a perfect sinless life and gave his life for ME, a sinner. The sinless (Jesus) one died on the cross for the sinful (me) one.

4. Jesus righteousness is accounted to my account. When God the Father looks at me, he sees Jesus blood and righteousness covering me.

5. All my sin is forgiven, past, present and future sins are in the deepest sea. I am different, a new creation in Christ.

6. Because I am forgiven, I forgive. My heart is forever aware of the sacrifice given for me. The Holy Spirit lives in me, bearing fruit unto righteousness, and providing fellowship with God who is my loving, heavenly Father.

7. I have JOY! Well, better said, HE is my JOY!

So everyday I preach the gospel to myself. HE loves me. When I am happy, when I am sad, I preach the gospel to myself. When someone 'hurts' me, I preach the gospel to myself. When I mess up, I preach the gospel to myself. When others do wrong, when my kids disobey, I preach the gospel to myself. When I am afraid, I preach the gospel to myself.

I love the GOSPEL because it is my only HOPE! You see~ the GOSPEL really really is the GOOD NEWS! The BEST NEWS ever told, so I tell myself everyday!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

SURPRISE!

I love surprises, don't you? I received a BIG surprise today...well, not today ~ I was told the surprise today!

May 16th Dave and I will be married 40 years! THAT is a long long time...yet it seems like yesterday! How can that be? Well that is the truth---40 years! He told me this morning he is taking me away for a whole week, a whole week...just he and me!!!! HE and ME!!!! YAY.....We get to have time all to ourselves for a whole week! We will be heading to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and the BEACH! It takes real love, time invested and resources spent to make such plans! True love! Love is action...a verb! It is a noun too ~ but mostly a verb!

We have a 'history' of BEACHES. I grew up 30 minutes from Malibu Beach, California. Dave asked me to marry him late one night at Zuma Beach (that is a whole story for another day!). We spent some of our honeymoon at the BEACH. I guess you could say we are 'beach people' ! We enjoy Sunset Beach, NC and Nags Head, NC so much. I am so excited to visit a new beach, neither of us has seen. So come May, Lord willing, we will drive the 10 hours to visit Hilton Head Island. What excitement and anticipation is in the air!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in you presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16: 5-11 (ESV)

My lines have fallen in pleasant places. The LORD is so good. He is faithful and true. My heart rejoices in His grace given abundantly to us. He has done it, and to HIM we are so grateful!

Our lives are full. Has it always been 'easy'? No it hasn't, lots of tears shed, yet HE is with us always, calling our name. HE really is what life is all about. Happy, sad, frustrated, fulfilled, challenged, easy, mad, glad, disappointed, grieving, rejoicing, hurt, encouraged, helped, alone, together, crushed, built up, poor, rich, naked, full, hungry, searching, seeking, praying, listless, hoping, sick, healthy, loved, hated, gossiped about, full of sin, misunderstood, homesick, lonely, secure, lifted up, surprised, supported, relaxed, quiet, noisy, accused, defended, thought ill of, forgiven, loved, never receiving what we truly deserve which is death! HE has meant it all ....ALL for our good and HIS GLORY! GLORY to JESUS!

40 years! Seems like yesterday we were just starting out as newlyweds. How fast life speeds by. How like a 'vapor' 40 years is. Yes, we are old by some measures! Yet it only gets better and better! I love my honey MORE today than I ever knew I could on our wedding day! Isn't that the way the LORD works?! With HIM it only gets better and better and better! Until one day one of us will lay the other into the arms of Jesus! How GOOD HE TRULY IS!

Surprises are nice! Many are precious here on earth with my lovey Dave! YET the best is yet to come in heaven with THE LOVE of my LIFE Jesus! ---sitting at HIS feet! HE provided the way! Won't that be the BEST of all!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Another Good Book !

My hubby gave me a book recently titled "Prayers of an Excellent Wife" by Andrew Case. It is a different kind of book though. Not one to sit and just read through. It is a book to be prayed by me for him. I like it. I am using it during my quiet time in the mornings and then again before bed. Andrew Case has taken scriptures and woven them into prayers to be prayed out loud or in secret. I personally like to 'whisper' them in the mornings as I am alone and then secretly at night.

Here is the one I prayed this morning for the love of my life here on earth---my Davey Baby!

"Changeless God,
May Dave, my husband never forget all Your benefits. Help me to remind Dave relentlessly of the ONE who forgives all his iniquity, who heals all his diseases, who redeems his life from the pit, who crowns him with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies him with good so that his youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Please work righteousness and justice for Dave when Dave is oppressed. Make known Your ways to Dave, your acts to Your precious son Dave.

O beloved, hear again of our marvelous God! The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with you lovey according to your sins, nor repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove your transgressions from you.

O LORD, as a father shows compassion to his children, please show compassion to Dave. For You know Dave's frame; You remember that Dave is dust.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen, we long and wait for You" (Psalm 103)

What a privilege to pray for my husband. We have a GOD who cares and he not only 'hears' our prayers, HE answers as we pray. Our prayers are God's means of grace ! This world cannot comprehend the power of the prayers of a faithful christian. I know I don't pray enough. But I want too!

Brother Lawrence was a 'washer of pots' as he called himself. He was a monk who worked in the kitchen long ago. As he worked and washed pots all day long he would pray. I like this quote of his.

"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God." ~ Brother Lawrence

That is the kind of life I want! To pray continually. Confidently. Biblical. Deeply!

I'm off to put the next load in the drier and the whites in the washer! Monday is MY day for wash! Lots to pray about as I am a 'washer of clothes and sheets'....smile!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Random Thought Friday ~

Today is Saturday. Yesterday was Friday and I didn't do Random Thought Friday....so today we will back up (can you do that?) and do Random Thought Friday! Sorry for the mix-up, it has been one long mix-up week for me ~ have you ever had one of those?

- We survived 2 blizzards here in Maryland! It was lots of fun being 'stuck' inside for a week. We had Game Marathon Day (Natascha made a list and we did play MOST of them!) We baked lots of yummy things, like Cinnamon Choc. Chip Cake, Cookies, Potato Skins, and lots of biscuits. My hubby and Caleb love homemade biscuits with honey. Did I mention Caleb was at Shawn and Andi's place taking care of Libby and their place ~ it was his pleasure to do it! He enjoyed the 'quiet' too.

- I like to braid my girls long hair. Rebekah often asks me to 'french braid' her hair and I love doing it. Looks so pretty and she has such nice thick hair, fun to brush and braid. After having four boys, playing with long hair is fun and relaxing to do. I miss the days of trying all the fancy braiding (in and out, round biscuit braids, ponies flip in and out etc.) and cute hair styles. I admit I don't miss the tangles and 'ouchies' that go with it all....smile girls!

- This past week had Valentine's Day in it. The 2nd year we lived here my honey took me out to dinner on Valentine's Day and the food was cold, the place was crowded and the service left us disappointed. He said "never again" on Valentine's......so we have always done the week after, or shortly following. This year we had Matthew Scott, Natascha and Joschua here so we had a lovely Valentine Dinner Sunday night. Red and white table cloth, nice napkins, candles, low lights ~ the whole nine yards. We had baked ziti, garlic bread, big green salad and delicious dessert. Sweet music in the background and after dinner we played a game called "COMPATIBILITY", while Caleb took Joschua and ran around playing 'tickle bug' which Joschua loves. It was a nice ending to a lovely Sabbath Day!

- I am challenged by the Sunday School Class I am in right now. It is so good. It is so biblical. It is so delighting yet so challenging. It is so much to think about. It has consumed much of my thought the last 3 weeks. I work, I do things, I go places, and I keep coming back to thinking about this class. So much so, I stopped 'blogging' for a bit! Swirling thoughts! Good for me!

- More snow? I hope not. Someone told me this week that the Farmers Almanac says we have 2 big snows coming this way still. I am glad the Farmers Almanac is not in charge....GOD IS!!! We will see. I trust the Lord to do HIS pleasure!

Friday Funnies:
When we lived in Woodstock, New York our back yard was all woods. So much so you couldn't see the houses around us very clearly. We had 2 and a half acres and the boys loved being outside, that was their favorite place to play. They knew every tree, rock and hole. It seemed a long way to go inside (run to the house, climb 2 sets stairs, into the screened in porch, into the kitchen, down the hall and turn into the bathroom) to use the facilities. So my manly husband told them they were allowed to 'pee' on any tree (as long as no girls around, and backs to the house). All was fine. Until we were at the Sunday School picnic at a wooded park. Can you guess? Yes, our youngest proceeded to 'pee' on a tree----YIKES!!!! I don't think everyone thought it was as embarrassing as I did. A lesson learned by all!!!!

~My Three Sons Club~

We have not always lived here. We have lived in a number of interesting places. We spent 5 years in upstate New York, the city of Utica. BTW---Home of Utica Cutlery---one interesting fact!

When we lived in Utica, New York we were in the 'My Three Sons Club' ! Well really, it wasn't a true 'Club'....it was more like a friends loving friends group! We had 3 sons, Robert, Nathanael and Matthew Scott. All three were very active and busy as beaver little boys. We had friends in our Church with 3 sons also. Actually there were 5 families with 3 sons each. We understood each other. We knew the looks. We understood the need for sleep. We knew what life was like for each other. Trucks everywhere. Dirty faces and hands. Running in the house. Never having enough clean shirts for today. Patches on the knees. Running out of fruit. Messy hair. Dripping strawberry jam all over the 'church' shirt just as we are leaving for church. Missing shoes, one from one pair and one from the 'other' pair. We just knew....no need for words! We laughed A LOT!

I loved those years. I am grateful I had them. I always knew I would be a Mom of boys. I love little boys and big boys too. I think I was made to be the Mom of boys! Boys are fun. Boys forgive easily and sometimes wonder what you are asking forgiveness for. They are very affectionate to Mommy. They help well. They learn well. They are active and noismakers.....brrrrr....
mmmmm.....shr....... all the noises as they play with their cars and trucks, guns and yo-yo. Most aren't quiet like little girls are. They are messy and don't notice dirt. They don't care if YOUR hair is messy. They like adventure! They soon learn they have muscles and want to always carry the 'heavy' stuff for their Mom. My Three Sons Club members all know all these things. We had such fun laughing and laughing together about having boys! Oh the JOY and the fun we had when our group spent time together!

I was just recently thinking about all this. Maybe because we had Joschua here for a week during our blizzard. Oh the delicious noises he makes. Mmmmmmmm...... I love it!!!! Yet, I stop and wonder what delight the Lord takes in HIS children! How HE loves US! How GOOD HE is to us. How HE lavishes HIS LOVE on us. HE is the perfect FATHER! HE gives, and gives, and gives. Do I notice? Do I thank HIM? Do I ENJOY HIM? Yes...I do. Yet not as much as I should or could or might!

"Bless the LORD oh my soul and all that is in me, bless the LORD."

Lord ~ in YOU my soul rejoices! YOU are GOOD, so good...how can I know it!!! The sum is beyond me!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

PS. More about the joys of girls later...smile!

"DU"

"DU" means Destination Unknown. My husband came up with the idea of 'destination unknown' when our Rob, Nathanael and Matthew were little boys. They had so much energy, I used to say we would be millionaires if we could find a way to bottle all that energy and sell it. Money was tight during those years, very tight. We had so much fun yet we had very little money for 'fun' things. Our idea of fun was pop-corn and a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi on a blanket in the living room. When a couple has very little money they need to become very 'creative'.

I remember when Dave and I were first married, we had zero money. Our date nights back then consisted of going to the Park and swinging on the swings (in Texas), long walks in the neighborhood (Salinas, CA), picnics at the lake, or going to the local Fire Station (Texas again) and climbing all over the Fire trucks for fun (allowed). Cost---zero.

Back to our DU's. It was a fun and creative way to enjoy being with our boys. Dave would spontaneously say, "We are going on a DU! We all went wild with delight! We would pile into the car with all sorts of questions.... none of which he would answer. We would buckle up, and drive away. Let's GO! Turn right, go straight, turn right, turn left....oh, turn around. We would ride sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for 5 minutes. Everyone would guess where we were headed on our DU. Most of the time I didn't know where we were headed either, but sometimes I did, secretly. We might be heading for ice cream at a new joint. One time we rode around for 15 minutes only to pull into our driveway and go inside for a special snack and movie! We went to TCBY or to visit friends. We went sledding, or to the park to ride on the merry-go-round. Our boys still talk about all the fun we had doing our DU's. Whenever we needed a pick-up or encouragement.......a DU would appear ! It was fun just being together. We were always surprised to arrive! Dave never was though...he always had a plan of fun just for us!

In life we have DU's too. Sometimes they are surprises, like the one we had today. A surprise dinner out with friends---their "treat". Or sometimes they are not so nice, like illness, a big disappointment or a death of someone we love. Sometimes we arrive quickly and sometimes we are in 'process' on the long drive. We are always surprised where our DU takes us! Yet, GOD is never SURPRISED! He has a plan just for us! He is trustworthy and HE IS GOOD! HE is with us. We can 'ride' in the car of life and enjoy the getting there, because HE loves us and WE love HIM!!!! Do you see the connection?

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

I am so thankful for all the DUs my fun loving hubby took the boys and I on. What great memories we made together. Funny stories we have to remember and laugh over. YET even more thankful I am for the DUs I've experienced walking with my GOD. And I am thankful ahead of time for the DUs GOD has planned just for me as I 'ride along' in His Love and Grace! Are YOU thankful too?

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Ladybugs.....

We are inundated with ladybugs at our house this fall and winter. Everyday we have dozens of them. On the ceiling, in the lights, on the floor, by the windows, flying around. They seem to be only on the south side of our home. Where oh where are they coming from? I have asked my hubby and family members this question a dozen times. No one seems to know. We do know our neighbors have them too. One sunny autumn day we came home and our house was covered in ladybugs. My curious husband walked next door to see, and yes, they had them all over too. He opened the garage door and took a broom to brush off all the lady bugs so we could enter the house. Amazing!

Yesterday as I was 'hunting down' lady bugs (I do this with a passion at least once a day with a 'wet' paper towel & no regret in killing them...squish squish, another one dead!) I was hit with the thought that I do this with regularity and passion. Do I 'hunt down' the bugs (sins) in my heart with such passion? It gave me pause as I pondered the analogy. How easily I let my tongue "flap" in saying things I shouldn't. How easily I 'fly around' in grouchy words. How I neglect the greater good of time spent in prayer. I am impatient when God wants me to have gentleness. How I 'explain' away my shortcomings. Bugs, bugs, bugs and more bugs.

God doesn't squish squish me. He calls my name. He forgives me as I run to him for mercy. He loves me. He gives me grace upon grace upon grace. How GREAT is our GOD! HIS mercies are new everyday....everyday!

I read in Philippians 2:12 (ESV) ~ "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

I am to 'hunt down' the little ladybugs in my life. They are not termites that crumble the whole house, they are little ladybugs that irritate and cause distractions. I know HE cares. He enables me to not only 'see' them but HE is the 'cure' for them! I am sooo GRATEFUL!

I don't know when the ladybugs will be gone, yet I am thankful for the reminder they bring. Silly to some, but good for me. I will NOT look at ladybugs the same ever again!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Mondays~

Today is Monday, another Monday to get the laundry done! When my visiting son Matthew Scott saw all the laundry being 'sorted' this morning, he said "Wow...that is ALOT of clothes!" How quickly we forget what a large amount of laundry a family manufactures! Yep...I still do all our laundry in one day...the rest of the week I am free from laundry! I get it done. Smile! Matthew Scott and his adorable wife and cuddly son were heading to PA before the snow gets here.

BEFORE the snow gets here!? Did I say that?

We survived 2 blizzards here on Lake Vista Road in the last week. The snowbanks are as high as my shoulder. I don't see how the school bus will make it to our development, but we will see. School is supposed to start up again tomorrow after 7 school days off (Today is President's Day). We home school so we aren't affected too much by that, although Hannah does take an Algebra class and History class at Open Bible, where I am secretary 2 days a week. AND Open Bible is our home Church, not to mention we have an awesome Pastor.

God is good. God is good on the good days. God is good on the not so good days. God is good on the mundane days. God is good on the energy busting days. God is good always. HE is what my days are about. Things come, things go, things break, things disappear, things mount. Yet GOD is GOOD! I have today. God holds tomorrow. I choose how I will spend today. By HIS GRACE!
So I choose to look to HIM for those things I choose to do. What will that be?, you ask.

Today I will do a mound of laundry. To the glory of God. We spilt salsa on our shirts as we watched the blizzard blow. I spilled coffee all over my favorite long sleeve white tee. Some dripped ice cream on their pants. Joschua got cereal all over his socks. Dave coughed with a mouth full of drink. So I will do the laundry. I will do it with intent. I will do it with zest, at least as much zest as I can find-ha. I will do it as unto the LORD. I will pray as I put Caleb's pants in, Bekah's shirt in, Hannah's PJs in, Dave's socks in. I will pray for me as I put my favorite white tee in. I will count my blessings. I will see this as my opportunity to pray over my family, getting the large amount of sheets, towels and socks washed, dried and put away.

Mundane? Yes! Work? Yes! Joy? Yes---because I am doing it as unto HIM the Creator of all things!

Here comes the snow.....okay, I am ready! God is so GOOD ~ Snow or not!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Hold it ~ Plans have changed!

The Blizzard of 2010 hit us here in Baltimore! February 6, 2010 we received, from the LORD, 28 inches of snow straight from the heavens. Wow! THAT IS A LOT OF SNOW! It came on Friday night and lasted into Saturday afternoon. We won't be dug out for a couple more days! 4 feet in some places! Our driveway is very very long! Fun for the kids, work for my hubby ~ I am so thankful for a STRONG husband who uses those muscles to dig us out! Our son Caleb is staying at friends, house sitting and watching their puppy while they are in sunny Florida, on vacation! We own one snow shovel as our other one bit the dust. He won't let me dig....he is so kind! No snow plow in sight!

Lots of TIME to read my bible, think, ponder and pray!

All Churches were closed today! The snow is too deep to get out. So our family gathered together upstairs in our family room for worship. Dave leading~

Rebekah played the guitar as we sang:
Forever,
Holy and Anointed One,
How Deep the Fathers Love
Here I am to Worship.

We read Luke 16:1 - 9. We then watched the DVD of John Piper
#5 of TULIP ~ Total Depravity.

We are doing this DVD in Sunday School with one of our Sunday School classes for Adults. I am grateful for the learning taking place in my own heart. I was not prepared for today's lesson, I must add.

I am blown away, totally speechless. I couldn't be more deeply affected. Wrong thinking by me. Cleared up some lazy things in my thinking! Clarity of how tremendously deep my sin really is ~ I am so happy I am HIS!

"....but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:20-21

So much so that I am discontinuing my "Love Month Challenge" for this BLOG and for Face Book! I have lots to 'think' about and 'pray over' before continuing with those! I hope you understand and pray for me as I run to Jesus!

Keep reading your Bible and running to Jesus moment by moment ~ HE is LIFE ~ HE is mercy ~ HE is GOD!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Back to Love~

I love to "talk" about love. Every human heart wants to BE loved. We were made for relationships. Yet to have deep relationships one must 'know' the author of love ~~God the Father & Jesus Christ. When you know HIM your love life will never ever be the same again. You will be transformed into a new creature. Your eyes become opened! You will know HE died for YOU. The sinless ONE gave his life for ME, chief of sinners. Seek HIM out if you don't know this LOVE! Read the book of John in the bible and you will never wonder what love is again.

February is the month our world chooses to celebrate LOVE. The kind of love they celebrate is different than "real love". Some think it is a tingly feeling, an all consuming thought of a girl or guy. Some think it is physical, or about giving gifts, or how handsome or kind a guy is. A thousand times NO! Real love gives, sacrifices, denies self and wants the best for the object of one's love.

God is LOVE. To know "real love" one must know this love. As I look at 1 Corinthians 13, I am taking one verse at a time. A couple days ago I started with verse 4. Love suffers long. I continue with verse 4 today....and a few more days after today---smile!

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. John 13:4a (ESV)

Love is kind. Love demonstrates itself. It is the nature of love to manifest itself. It is hard to hide love. So I ask myself questions again today:

1. Am I kind, considerate and respectful ?
2. Do I search for opportunities to be helpful? Am I useful to those around me?
3. Do I share with those less fortunate? (look around!) Am I a giver? In 'little' and big ways?
4. Am I kind at home with my family? Am I kind with co-workers, even those that irritate me?
5. Am I kind with my tongue (I so struggle with this one---ouch), using wise, well chosen words to encourage others? (I am constantly running to Jesus with this one~)
   

If you are like me....these questions make you squirm. I have a long way to go...but the grace of God is at work in me. Praise HIS name! I am set free from the slavery of doing what Sherry wants. I am not my own....I belong to a NEW master! A loving God and King! In fact I often think of myself as scripture calls me....a daughter of the KING! I cannot 'do' these things apart from the enabling power of the cross. Jesus knows it. I know it. I don't lament in how BIG my sin is (it is WAY bigger than I can know) but in HOW BIGGER God's GRACE is to cover my sin. I am so grateful. Is isn't about me at all----it is about HIM! HIS GRACE is sufficient for ME!

Sherry's JOY is full. Sherry's love isn't really Sherry's love---it is HIS love shed abroad in Sherry's heart. Oh to BE loved by HIM is without words. Oh that you would know this love too! It is found in Jesus--run to HIM!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Random Thought Fridays~

A Friday interruption due to "Random Thought Fridays" today!

~Snow is heading our way so I am lining up my books for the 'blizzard' of the decade, although it may never make it here. God knows. That makes me happy and comforting to know God is in control and HE has a plan. We rest in knowing HIS plans never fail.

~I did something fun yesterday and "Kidnapped" my hubby and took him to lunch at a place we have never been. Basta Pasta is a local Italian place and the food was great. We sat and chatted with no interruptions or distractions which I like! Actually this wasn't the first time I have kidnapped him. A few years ago I kidnapped him to go to the Gun Powder to see the bluebells and have a picnic lunch with Ann, Dieter and Annie during the Spring. What great memories we have of that day with them! Dave had no idea and was surprised to see me in his office saying " let's go....drop what you are doing and follow me." (I had checked ahead to make sure his calendar was clear of appt. and meetings too) I think every wife should try this at least once....if it won't work during his work week try it on Saturday! If you have 'littles' it will take more forethought and planning but will be soooo worth it!

~ Since this is February and in the middle of winter we should all be 'thinking' of ways to say "I love you" in a fresh way! Love is action. Just saying "I love you" is great but if that is all there is, it is empty. Put action into the words. Give yourself. Demonstrate your love. Make your man his favorite dinner, or dessert, or snack. THINK about what HE LIKES. My hubby likes 'quiet' in the mornings. So I am quiet (if I am up, ha---he rises VERY early). He likes to be greeted at the door with a big smile, so I try to get there! Smile more! Laugh more. Hug more. Talk sweetly more. Whisper in his ear, he will love it! Your husband has likes too, just observe, watch and listen. Become a student of him. Try everyday to make HIS day special in some way, even tiny ways count. Going to bed early is nice too! Smile! Time passes quickly, what we do everyday is way more important than what we do once in awhile!

~So I am off to read, read, read, make cookies with my girls, chat with Caleb about history, play games with the family and enjoy those I love during this coming snow storm. Salsa is available in large amounts and we have lots of pop corn to pop in Hannah's air popper. Who knows, I may even venture outside for a snowball or two knowing I have the hot chocolate & coffee ready and waiting inside. (I'm not fond of snow) We have today! The LORD holds tomorrow in HIS hands! Isn't HE WONDERFUL!!!!

Friday Funny:
When Rebekah was born our four boys were so excited! "A sister!" they kept saying. My children are all spread out in ages. Caleb was 4 years old when Rebekah was born. About a week into her life, they were each saying 'she's MY sister' as a game. From the other room I heard the back and forth, back and forth.....with little Caleb getting more and more irritated. Caleb came running to me with big alligator tears in his eyes and said "Mommy, she's MY baby---right?" He was so cute and so serious I have never forgotten it!

What is Love?

Since it is February, I am going to BLOG all month about LOVE!

Being a girl, I love all things about love. I love' love' stories. I love 'love' songs. I enjoy 'love' movies. I like quotes about love. I enjoy love poems. I love being in 'love'. My hubby many times has written me love poems for special occasions. (Wow! the one about the 'Blue Bird of Happiness' was something to read!) The world has stolen the word 'love' and given it a different meaning these days. It is NOT just a feeling, although feelings are involved. It is not about me getting something. It isn't about the tingly 'feeling' the world tells us it is. Love isn't something I can 'get'. It is giving. Love is actually an ACTION word!

God is love. The Bible tells me what love is. Scripture tells me that God loves me. In Romans 5:8 we are told God demonstrated His love for us while we were enemies. ENEMIES! Not best friends, but enemies! That is the atmosphere that God chooses to love us in---ememies! Jesus came to help us 'see' the love of God. One definition of love "totally giving of oneself to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return." Not exactly the 'modern' definition of love, is it?

We get confused, don't we? Let's look at what GOD says love is! How do we 'show' love?
Pursue love (1Corinthians 14:1). Put on love (Col. 3:14). Increase and abound in love (1 Thess. 3:12; Phil. 1:9). Be fervent in love (1Peter 4:8).

How can I 'show' love in these ways? I must first know this love. I can love because I am first loved by God. We love because HE first loved us. 1 Corinthians 13 is the answer! For the rest of February I will look into the LOVE chapter more closely! Come with me and let's find out what REAL LOVE looks like!

Read each verse and 'think' about it during your day. I will ask myself some questions and you can too.

Love suffers long. 1 Cor. 13:4

1. How do I respond when people mistreat me?
2. Is there anyone I am trying to pay back for how they hurt me?
3. Am I patient when someone bothers me or inconveniences me? At home & work am I patient?
   
4. Am I long suffering when others take advantage of me? Do I express irritation or anger?
5. Do I genuinely demonstrate concern for those who have wronged me?

You can add your own list! During the day, take 1 minute and ask yourself how you are doing! Lord willing, I will do this. Are you going to God and 'asking' for HIS grace to up your 'love quotient'? If you fail, seek forgiveness and START OVER again!

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13(ESV)

Isn't LOVE great? Yes!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

WORDS~

Words. "Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." I heard this as a child. It is a lie. Yes, stick and stones may break bones yet words do hurt at times. We all know it. Words sting. Words bruise. Words wound. Words can even kill. Many a person still remembers childhood words spoken to them that still sting. Truth be told, I was not only the recipient of ugly words, I am sure I gave out my share. To someones else s hurt, words that I am not even aware of that hurt. Not only as a child but as an adult also. You see, I am a sinner, and I know it. There is no good I can do apart from Jesus.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Words are powerful. In John we read "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-5

The LIGHT has come and that LIGHT is Jesus. He is THE WORD! He is the LIGHT and he gives us light to really 'see'. He has shown me his grace and forgiveness. He took my selfishness and gave me his righteousness. He died on the cross for me. He took my ugly words and did not count them against me. He not only forgives me by his grace, he puts HIS good words in me.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise re prover to a listening ear." Proverbs 25:11 & 12 I love these words because it gives me hope. I want my words to count for HIM. I cannot count the times I have 'missed' the opportunity to 'speak' a word fitly spoken. I didn't speak up. I let the moment pass. I was pre-occupied. I was blind to the conversations around me. I was selfish. I held back. Yet Jesus tells me to run to him....to not give up. To fight the good fight.

So today I ask HIM to put gracious words in my mouth; actually in my heart, for out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth speaks. My difficulty isn't my words actually. It is my heart. Out of the heart flows the issues of life. Out of my mouth flows what is in my heart. Unkind words, unkind heart. Gracious words, grace living in me.

You see death and life are both in the power of the tongue. I can use words for death. I can use words for life. I am the recipient of many gracious 'grace giving' words during my lifetime. God has used others to 'give grace' to me. I want to BE that way. Yet it isn't me, it is HIM!

What words will you speak today? Let's be 'grace givers' today and tomorrow~ only by HIS grace we can!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette