"Love is a Verb" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

We love because he first loved us.

-1 John 4:19

God's love is such an amazing gift.

I believe that we don't really grasp the complete picture of how great His love is for us.

A tiny small picture of His love for us is captured in the love we have for our children.

We would do anything for them.

Love is a verb.

Sometimes we do love well and other times we struggle.

Our children are watching and mimicking us so closely of our words and our actions.

How we treat our husbands.

How we talk to our kids, when no one is around.

How we act toward our neighbor.

These are just a few of the ways that we can demonstrate His love for us.

Love is a verb

So lets act on it today. 

Start by using kind words, be His hands and His feet by showing others His love.

Starting at home with your family

Love because He first loved You!

All I Want for Valentines Day Is....

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"What would you like for Valentines Day?"

A question we have either asked or been asked at one time. Oh there's a few things I would love to get from my honey. And those sweet nothings I enjoy picking up for my kiddos...just to see them smile and know they were thought of.

But I started to ponder how Jesus might answer that question if asked.

I mean really...what would the Lord like for Valentines Day? What could I give him that he doesn't already have? He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, right?

One gift that doesn't cost much financially, but will cost something sacrificially - is living out this verse in the life of someone less fortunate. Maybe it's taking your kids to visit a nursing home to talk to the residents. Or making cupcakes for that widow in the church with a love note tucked in with tons of verses telling her how much Jesus loves her. Maybe it's asking those singles in the church to come over and hang out for a meal with you and your family. Or could it be...decorating some Valentines Day craft, with your kids, for your neighbor to enjoy? Maybe you keep it really simple and craft a card filled with what you love about that neighbor who seemingly never smiles.

Valentines is a day we tend to focus inwardly on us and what we might get, but instead God challenges us to look around and bless others with something simple that tells of God's love.

How will your family share the love of Jesus this Valentines Day? 

Be creative. Be simple. It means a lot to the ones receiving! Make memories with your kids.

My Best Valentine!

         I have been blessed with sweet memories of Valentine’s.  Yes, “romantic memories” but my favorite memory remains my first memory of Valentine’s.

         I was six years old the first Valentine’s I remember.  What made it memorable was waking that morning to a single long stemmed red rose from my daddy. I remember feeling special and loved and even grown up.

(Google Image)

         My dad also made a practice of taking me on dates with him. We would go to the Howard Johnson’s restaurant for the turkey dinner or fried clams.  We went to see movies and took rides to see his co-workers at the rescue squad. I have vivid memories of getting excited about my time alone with dad.

         Last week while walking through a local restaurant my heart watched as a dad and little girl skipped in.  He took her to a small two-topped table with a bouquet of miniature red roses.

         The little girl scrambled to sit on her knees and lean over to chat with her daddy, complete with holding his hands with only the bouquet separating them.  The little girl giggled as she talked with him and the daddy seemed totally awed by her presence.

       

(Google Image)

 Life is so full, so busy, so demanding.  We have to be proactive in finding ways to make our children feel important. We can take them on a “date” or give them a special gift. Who knows? This Valentine’s Day may be your child’s best!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39nmX3yZHcg

This Was One of Those Weeks!

SO... this week has been a DOOZIE! I mean a certifiable Category 5 hurricane that came out of NO where! There are those moments in your life where so many random, difficult things violently bombard you at the same time, that you KNOW it is the devil.  Even the secular genius would say it's statistically impossible!  The devil has over played his hand!

This was one of those weeks!  The question is ... how do I respond? What does the Lord want of me?  Thankfully the He left me some directions.  (Literally, a stranger walked up to me and gave me this verse!)

1 Peter 4:12 &13 says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

How I go through these trials reveals where my trust is.   God uses all things, even my response in trials, for His glory.  He wants me to be victorious as I walk through the fiery trial.

Practically speaking for me it looks like this:

1.  I am trying to capture every thought.  If it doesn't bring glory to Him, I don't entertain it.
2.  I look for Him in the circumstance.  He is with me in it. I need only look to see evidence. (Like the stranger giving me this verse!)
3.  I pray not to sin in it.  I may suffer deeply and want to defend myself, but my situation pales in comparison to what my Lord suffered for me.  I want to be blameless before Him.
4.  I trust Him to fight the battle.  My hope is in Him and not in circumstance or man. These battles are spiritual battles and will be won in the spirit realm, by my Defender.  
5.  I remember that I am His, and it is His responsibility to take care of me. I am in the best Hands ever...Hands that have scars in the palms that prove His love for me!
6.  I remember what my husband told me once, when I was whining about being very pregnant..."This too shall pass."  Ha!  Our Lord allows me to go through trials, but He NEVER leaves me in them.  He will bring me safely to the other side and I will look more like Him :)
7. I am praising Him in the middle of the trials, because He is ALWAYS worthy to be praised!  

Whatever you are facing, giants, storms, nay sayers, doubt... PRAISE HIM... HE IS FAITHFUL!

"He Knows" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

Psalm 139: 1-3

Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately aquainted with all my ways.

My husband texted me "PSALM 139" when I was having a hard day this past week.  

I was in such a mood, that I choose to purposely not open up the bible and read it after I recieved his text.  

So this week, Psalm 139 has shown up two more times and it was not coincidental. 

I got over myself and sat down and read it. This whole chapter is life giving, but these first three verses spoke straight to my heart.  We've all been there...and all we need to know is

He knows.

No matter how hard our day is, or how difficult the kids are being, or how stressed out you are

He knows.

Your child that you are praying for fervently, trying to figure out "what works" 

He knows.

The changes or hardships that your family is facing or going through right now

He knows.

Whatever happens today, tomorrow or the days to come

He knows.

If you are fighting an uphill battle, maybe you feel that you are in a valley, or everything is going great! No matter what, this is such a beautiful promise that we can rest in the fact that He is so in love with us and cares for us in every detail of our life. 

Cheer De Leader

Let’s face it…it is hard to find an activity, a restaurant, a movie, a television channel or an ice cream flavor that the entire family will enjoy. As far as activities are concerned, about the only agreement our family has found is our love for football.

         We all cherish the season Greg coached little league.  His father and our oldest (daughter) were his assistants.  Our son played and our youngest was a “Cheer de Leader.”  No that isn’t a misprint; it is the way our baby pronounced “cheerleader.”

(Google Image)

         I was reminded this week of her early “cheer de leader” days when she played for me one of her new favorite songs.  I don’t know the singers name or even the title of the song.  The song seemed like a love song.  He was saying he had found a girlfriend who was a cheerleader for him, and he needed just that.

         I told our youngest how much I really liked the sound of the singers voice and I even liked the words of the song.  She agreed but admitted she didn’t understand why he said he “needed” a cheerleader.  This was a great conversation when I was able to talk to her about a man’s desire to be encouraged and believed in.  I gave her examples of my attempts to communicate to Greg that I believe in him.  We talked of ways we had “cheered” him on to be all that he could be.

         This week, I saw my mother once again be the poster child for encouragement, belief and “cheering” on others.  Our oldest had a crazy opportunity (that is a blog in itself.)  It was kind of risky but it was a chance of a lifetime.  She took on the challenge.  My mother was the first to send cards of encouragement to our oldest.  Moms cards were filled with the excitement and approval of her attempt.

         I have been inspired to look for ways to be a “cheer da leader” to my husband and children this week.  May you too, be inspired to cheer on those closest to you!  

Verses for Valentine's Day

Looking for fun Valentine's ideas that are Christ centered?  Julie, the Happy Home Fairy herself, has some great ones posted on happyhomefairy.com.  My favorite is A Valentine's Countdown, pictured above.  Click the link for details.  Happy Valentine's Day!