Archive for the ‘Scripture’ Category

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

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People choose to show emotions or hide them.

Regardless of what people do with them, emotions happen.

God has emotions and we were created in His image.

It makes sense that we would have them also.

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“The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain.”

Genesis 6:6

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“I am a woman who is deeply troubled; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.”

Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:15

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“Be angry and do not sin.”

Paul in Ephesians 4:26

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It’s okay to have emotions.

They are in the Bible and there is no rebuke for them.

Some emotions move us towards God and people.

These are constructive feelings.

Conversely, other emotions isolate us from God and people.

Those are destructive.

There are no right or wrong emotions.

Feelings should be examined and reflected upon to get to the core of what they are and why they are.

What are the motives behind them?

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I have this association that heartache of any type is bad.

I steer away from it.

I bend over backwards to eliminate the threat of it.

I hide my emotions more often than not.

Trained myself not to go there.

Not to let the pain in or out.

Though it would burst forth from me anyway.

In the form of anger, bitterness and impatience.

Usually directed towards people who did not deserve it.

My husband.

My children.

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I have very few relationships where I fully let my guard down.

One very important relationship, where I did share openly and honestly in all matters of my heart, has abruptly ended.

My heart ached and I wanted to do anything and everything to get the relationship back.

At one point, I stopped and examined my heart and my motives.

I found something I did not like.

Something that I had never noticed previously.

I was depending on the relationship more than I was depending on Jesus.

I prayed for closure and repentance.

I prayed for my broken heart and my former friends heart to be healed.

I believe the Lord listened and answered my prayers.

At least on my end.

I realized that I had choices I needed to make.

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I’m going to choose not to isolate and distance myself from God.

I’m going to choose to remain open and honest and lean on friends and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

I’m choosing a soft heart over a bitter heart.

There is no joy in a life that feels like it has no choice.

I choose to feel.

I choose to share those emotions.

I choose to believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.

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It’s okay to feel pain.

I need to absorb it, reflect on it and grow from it.

Grow closer to Him.

The following is not for the faint of heart, or in the least clean freaks beware. I give you reason 461 a parent should never leave children unattended. Not even for 10 minutes, and especially not when paint is involved.

In the above evidence we see: a plate filled to the brim with the contents of every paint bottle we own.  Smeared red paint all over the table. And a piece of paper so saturated with paint that it seeped through onto the mat underneath.

Two photos of paint on the floor. These do not cover other paint found on the floor of the kitchen and bathroom. Nor does it show me on my hands and knees scrubbing said paint with a brush and Brian mopping up after me. With the couch blocking Alex from the scene of the crime. He tried to help by swishing his hands through the dirt pile I swept up and was subsequently banished from the kitchen!

More evidence: Beautiful shiny artwork, created with use of the paint, hands were the tools of choice. Shiny because of how wet it is and because of the clear coat varnish mixed in with the paint!

The girls did in fact try to clean up, by using the hand towels in the bathroom. Always so thoughtful!

The surprise Brian brought home (thanks to his seller from work!). I promptly ripped open the package of the cream filled chocolate cupcakes and ate two of them! Making me feel slightly better.

Sweet, sleeping babes….. I’m left looking at them in wonder. My children’s crazy creativity gone wild is nothing in the grand scheme of things. This will be but a memory and after while, a distant one.

Before bed, the girls said they were sorry. I hugged and kissed them and told them I forgave them and that I loved them.

This little incident, how it all played out, made me seek out the Lord. And this is what I came away with…..

I sin on a daily basis, sometimes not even realizing I am doing it. The Lord has such amazing love and grace for me and for that, I am forever thankful.

Ephesians 1:5-8 NLT

⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Looking forward to a nice, quiet night!

Brian reads the Bible every morning. In an effort to be the spiritual leader of our house, he leaves a note for me on the counter with what he has read that morning.  I love and appreciate this so much. It shows me that he has taken the time to be in the Word and see what the Lord has to say. It starts both of our days out right! I’m just really thankful for my husband. He is a good man.  He of course is not perfect, but he tries his best to be the best for our family.

Today’s Scripture left for me to read was 2 Corinthians 3 (MSG):

God is a living, personal presence. Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

I love Brian. I’m so thankful that the Lord has brought us together!

Brian and I already exchanged gifts this morning.

I was too excited to wait until tonight. I got Brian a card of course, but I actually wrote something inside besides my name, he was impressed! The movie Facing the Giants, a coupon for an extra long back rub,  a giant Reese’s peanut butter heart, and a Valentine’s themed nightie (for ME to wear!)

Brian got me a card, which he wrote in, he’s a writer and always writes something extra! The movie Fireproof and a box of chocolates.

I need to decide on dinner. Brian said we could go out with the kids or eat in take-out after the kids are in bed.  I think I want to order in, maybe Chinese food. I’m really in the  mood for some pot stickers and spring rolls. Plus, I’m thinking Reese’s blizzards for dessert while we snuggle up together and watch a movie. And of course, sometime in the evening I will have to model his V-Day gift, (wink, wink, nod, nod)!

In honor of Valentine’s Day

I present to you the following giveaway!

Fireproof DVD

Kirk Cameron stars as Caleb Holt, a heroic fire captain who values dedication and service to others above all else. But the most important partnership in his life, his marriage, is about to go up in smoke. This gripping story follows one man’s desire to transform his life and marriage through the healing power of faith and fully embrace the fireman’s code:

Never Leave your partner Behind

and

The Love Dare

The Love Dare is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. It’s time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare!

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Love bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

To get a chance to win this giveaway do the following:

Comment with 1 thing you admire about your spouse.

Write about how you spent Valentine’s day with your spouse in your blog and link back to this giveaway somewhere in the post.

(Make sure you write a comment with the link to the post in your blog so I know you get another entry.)

The giveaway closes on  Thursday February 19th at 10pm (EST).

The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday!

Have a fantastic Valentine’s Day!