I Am a Man!!!!

I am a man!!! I know this is a strange confession to make. To some it may come as somewhat of a shock. So stick with me and by the end of this it should all make sense. I am a man!! It just so happens that I am a "wo" man. I am a conservative, Christian, homeschooling, domestic engineer in charge of housing,transportation, education and finance kind of "wo"man. I love what I do and in no way shape or form feel inferior for being this kind of a "wo" man.

When God created man in the Garden of Eden here is what He said: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness....... (and then the bible goes on to say) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

There are always people out there who are offended that the word "man" is used in the bible. It is time we take this word in context to help ease the anxieties of all the women out there that take offense to this. The word man is used in several different ways in the entire bible. Sometimes, as in this case, it refers to mankind as a whole, a people group, human beings. Some times it refers specifically to men or males. The majority of the New Testament the word "man" is refering to mankind as  a whole unless it specifically mentions women. As women that means we are not off the hook we need to obey the commands that mention "man" as well as "woman", when it is refering to mankind as a whole.

Now, I am not talking about a feminist equality but a spiritual equality. The bible is very clear in Romans 14:12 that we will all answer to God for ourselves. Not for our husbands, not for our children but for ourselves!!!! Feminists cry out for equality here on this earth. There will never be equality in the flesh here on earth due to sin. God set a specific order in place here on earth. He created the flesh of man (male) then He created the flesh of woman (female). Our spiritual equality comes when we are willing give into (submit to) His plan for our lives. The husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church. Wives are to submit to their husbands as long as their husbands are submitting to Christ. (Abuse whether physical or emotional is a whole other blog. It is never tolerated by God nor should it be tolerated by "man"(mankind).) When we understand our sprirtual equality all other things in God's Word will fall into place in our life. If we look to the world we will always be dissatisfied with who we are.


 When God brought Eve to Adam he named her "wo"man. Genesis 2:23tells us Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." I like to think that when God brought Eve to Adam, Adam said "WOH"!! Man is she beautiful!!!" And that is where we get our term for "woman" from. I know it didn't happen that way but God did make us different. We are softer more squishy. We have emotions that sometimes can't be explained. We can be hard to understand (this is why God said for men to live with their wives with understanding). We have discernment when it comes to sprirtual things and also the character of others. We have been given a spiritual equality that transcends all other equalities. Let's dive into that equality to draw us closer to Him. Allowing His Image to shine through us to others. Being content with who God made us to be. Be confident with who you are in Christ!!! He made us Man!! We just happen to have the flesh of "wo"man. Draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you. Thank Him for creating you in His Image.

 So if God, who made me in His Image wants to refer to me as man, so be it!!! I am a Man!!!!

OH MY WORD!!!!!!!

All I can say is OH MY WORD!!!!!! If you are married watch this!!!!!! This was a post I put on Facebook the other day. With all my capital letters and exclamation points one would maybe think I was upset about something. Or maybe I was excited about something. Neither of these could have been father from the truth. The fact of the matter was I was so deeply touched by the sweet story in the video I was speechless and all I could say was "OH MY WORD"!!!! Not in an angry or excited way but in an awe inspired way by how this man after so many years loves his wife and cares for her in such a loving way. That was my "tone" when I wrote that.
All of this being said brings me to my point about the title of this blog "Oh My Word". I am the first person to be very "vocal" (if that is what you want to call it) on Facebook about my religious beliefs, my political beliefs and my love for something or someone. Before posting anything I check my heart to make sure that I am not posting something out of anger or hate, pride or arrogance. I know not everything I post will be "liked" by everyone on Facebook, nor will everyone agree with me, but the reason I post it is because that is what I believe. There is nothing more invigorating, or empowering than a good debate. Not a yelling match, not angry words or foul language, (which is unacceptable), which are not part of a good sound debate or conversation. I welcome challenges to my posts and my beliefs, I believe it helps both me and the other person become more confident in what we believe in. It also helps to hold us accountable one to another. When I have a great debate on Facebook I don't walk away being angry at that person or talking about them. I do walk away questioning "how can they believe that?" but by no means does that change my love for that person in any way. It is possible to love someone and not agree with them. Jesus was a great example of this. He continued to preach the gospel even though that was not the "Politically Correct" thing to do. We are to do the same!!!! We are to stay consistent in our beliefs according to the Bible and not change our beliefs because that is the "Politically Correct" thing that society is telling us to do. Our "tone" on Facebook should reflect the Bible.
Now for my last point. Be careful how you read another person's post. Too often we read a post and because we would say those same words in an angry tone, a happy tone, or a passionate or challenging tone, might not be how that person wrote it. If you question a post or a post offends you open up a debate with that person. You might just be surprised to find out that is not what they meant at all. If that is what they meant have a great conversation with them and you just might come one step closer to solidifying why you believe what you believe. Your heart holds the key to let you know when you are crossing over the line into anger, or pride. So when you read posts on Facebook ask yourself ,when you read something in a certain tone, whether it could be read a different way or ask someone else if they see it differently. If you aren't sure have an open debate with the person. Social media is one of the best places to have a clean and healthy debate. The next time you read "OH MY WORD!!!!" it might not be just anger or excitement, it could just be they are in awe of something and that is the best way they could express it.

(DISCLAIMER: I DID NOT WRITE THIS BECAUSE A COMMENT WAS MADE ON THE PARTICULAR POST I REFERENCED. I CHOSE THAT POST BECAUSE NO ONE COMMENTED ON IT, AND BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO WRITE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT FOR A WHILE. THIS WAS NOT WRITTEN TO OFFEND, I WELCOME ALL COMMENTS)

A Fork in the Road

 When your life hands you a fork what do you do with it? That is not usually the saying, the saying usually is when life hands you lemons what do you do with them? Well we might not realize it but we might actually get more forks handed to us than lemons. Forks are those times in life when you have to make a decision and whether you choose left or you choose right neither one is wrong. Yet we can agonize for days over decisions like these. Weighing the pros and cons sometimes doesn't even make a difference. The more we try to fill up our fork hoping it will make the decision for us ultimately ends with us still having to make a decision. Even praying about it doesn't even bring more clarity because we serve a God that has given us a free will, and whatever decision we make, thanks to His Grace and Mercy, might not be a "right" or a "wrong" decision. Don't get me wrong there are definitely "Forks" that will alter your life but most of our decisions if we are doing our best to obey God and His Word will keep our focus on Him. So when you are handed one of these forks the only question to ask is  "will whatever decision I make continue to fulfill what I know God has called me to do?" If your answer is yes than go for it either decision will get you there. If your answer is no then say no and be at peace with it, another fork will come along soon enough. So when life hands you a fork what are you going to do with it? Celebrate fulfilling His calling on your life and all decisions will become much easier.

My Big Toe

    Frustration sets in when you are laid up and cannot walk. Two days ago I woke up with gout in my big toe, by the next afternoon it had spread to my ankle. I can't have this in my life right now!!!! I have too much to do!!! Where did this come from? Everything I read online and also speaking to my doctor helped me to realize I am on the right track. My new eating lifestyle is just causing toxins to be released into my body, that toxin just happens to be uric acid and has settled in the joint of my big toe. How can I turn this around for something good? Well I am thankful for my husband and children that are willing to serve and help around the house. I am thankful for my mother-in-law that brings me things like Cherries and cherry juice concentrate (which is great for healing gout).

   What can I learn or share with you about my lessons learned from gout? I know it sounds so stupid to think about finding a lesson in gout but I think I have it. Sharp, piercing, needle like crystal's forming in the joints causing extreme pain in whatever joint they form in. Then I realize that this uric acid came from inside of me, being released from where it was stored in the weight I am losing. I go and do something good for myself only to seem like it is getting worse. I am not giving up!!! This is the time to grit my teeth and bear through it.

    Do you ever have pain in your life when you feel like you are doing everything right? Sometimes that pain is caused from things that were in us whether recent or long ago. Limiting beliefs that when once we make changes start to manifest themselves in our lives. Too often we give up and tend to go back to our limiting beliefs. Well, God tells you in Rom.8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. The bible also tells us in this same chapter that if God is for us who can be against us? Amidst the pain don't give up!!! Keep believing!! Keep doing what you know is good for you and you will conquer it!!

    I hope something as ridiculous as me and my big toe will help you and the ("Sharp, piercing, needle like crystal's" that you might be experiencing in your life), be a great illustration to press on and don't give up. Eventually they will break apart and you will move ahead in life once again one "step" at a time.

A Reason to Celebrate 13 years!!!

It is amazing how one phone call can literally change your life forever. Sitting in the movies on June 5, 1999 getting ready to watch October Sky when the phone call came. Not realizing that we ( Me & Hubby) should answer it we chose to ignore it. Not once but twice!! The third call came and we guessed someone was trying to get ahold of us. Not even 5 minutes into our movie and we get interrupted. Although this interruption is the kind you want to get you when you have been hooking up to a dialysis machine for the last 18 months. My hubby came back into the theater after taking the call and says "Life link called and they have a kidney for you". Leaving the theater I called Life link and heard these wonderful words "it is a perfect match, you won the lottery on this one. The only way you get a match this good is if somebody is living related to you". I hung up the phone and knew this is it!!! I guess they say third times the charm, this was the third time. I had been called twice several months before and those did not work out ( that is for another blog).

Off I went to receive the gift that would free me from hooking up to a machine every night. On June 6th 1999 I received a kidney transplant. Every year has been a celebration of life since.Today marks my 13th celebration of life. Each year I celebrate, I thank God for the gift I was given. Then my focus changes to not only thankfulness for my gift but also thankfulness for the family that decided to give that gift amidst their loss and tragedy. My gift came from the family of an 18 year old boy who died from a gunshot wound to the head. What a sacrificial gift for them as a family to change the lives of others when they had just experienced a tragedy.

  I encourage everyone to become an organ donor. Because you never know whose life you will affect.Take the time daily to celebrate life because you never know what others might be going through. They might be struggling physically because they have to hook up to a dialysis machine everyday. Or they might have just lost their son tragically. Take the time to celebrate everyone around you. You never know how long you will have them.

Celebrate Giving

What do you have to give? I just finished reading the story of the widow who gave her last two coins she had left to her name in Luke 21 and Mark 12. It is kind of amusing to think that a simple story of only about three verses came from Jesus sitting back observing what was going on around him. He saw the rest of the people putting in out of their abundance but this one woman put in all she had. It wasn't  out of her abundance it was all she had to give.
   Lately I have been feeling I have nothing of any value to give. All I have is who I am, and in my eyes this is not much. Until this morning!, my daughter was wanting to give an offering to an orphanage in South America for special needs children. She said to me I don't have much to give when other people can give so much more. That was when I thought of this story and shared it with my daughter. Those special needs kids are not going to say "so and so gave $xxxx but this 19 year old college student only gave$xx!!" . They will just be thankful for more food on the table, maybe some new clothes, diaper changes more often etc. I told my daughter give what you have not what you don't have. But more importantly don't hold back just because you don't feel what you have is enough.
  I needed to take that lesson to heart!! I was teaching myself in the process. I need to allow God to use what I have to give and not try to give out of a "super woman" status. I hope this helps someone. All I can give is who I am!!!! What are your two coins to give? Be willing to give  who you are and others will notice!!! Besides this whole story came about because Jesus was sitting back observing what was going on around him. I want him to observe me giving all I am and not just out of my abundance.

#Celebrating Blogging!!!

Today I am celebrating blogs!!! Is there anything better than people writing what is on their heart? I have had such a struggle blogging. The more I talk to others that have blogs the more I see and hear that the struggle to blog on a daily or even a weekly basis is a constant battle. So, today I celebrate all of you bloggers out there that are taking the time to share your passions and wisdom.
    I celebrate Julianne Howell's blog http://julieannhowell.wordpress.com/ . Her insight and wisdom to authors out there is such a help. Her passion for life and the written word is reflected in everything she does.
    I celebrate Lauren Miller's blog Legally Lauren. Her biblical wisdom is beyond her years!!! She shares such insightful things from the bible. You really se her heart and that she has put alot of thought into what she writes as a Law Student, but more so as someone striving for God's best in her life.
    Today I celebrate all you bloggers out there!!! Never give up!!! People are blessed by what you write even if you think noone is reading.

Celebrating Health

A picture of lettuce? What does a picture of lettuce have to do with celebrating? Several weeks ago I posted a picture of lettuce on facebook only to be inundated with comments and posts as to how I got that from my backyard. Little did I know that that picture would begin a journey of Celebrating Health!!! MDH(My Dear Hubby) and I have embarked on a journey of becoming plant strong. This journey has led us to a renewd sense of health and wellness to enjoy more of life together. 14 pounds for me and 17 pounds for him!!! The weightloss is great but the health benefits are even better. Lower cholesterol, clear thinking, & overall healthy feeling. How are you Celebrating your health today? The choices we make everyday will determine our future. Do you have a "picture of lettuce" that will help you examine your life and take you on a journey to celebrate an area in your life that you would like to change? Be willing to go for it!! The benefits will "feel" great!!!!

Celebrating Home School!!!!

Homeschooling might not be for everyone, but it still needs to be a choice and an option that is looked upon as a viable option in America today. Lately we seem to see more and more of our rights slipping through our fingers. Yet with more government control there seems to be less cohesiveness in our society. People seem to have to work harder, pay more yet having less time with their families. This especially seems to be evident in our schools today, the minute the children hit the school grounds all rights to parents seem to be forfeited for 8 hours a day (have you ever calculated how many hours a day someone else is influencing your children). In light of the "I (teacher) am going to give you a better lunch than your mother packed for you because I know what is better for you than the woman who God entrusted you with because I have the title of a unionized teacher" instance in North Carolina. Has really got me thinking about the options parents have for educating their children. Yes I am a homeschool mom but I am not so dogmatic that I don't think that more options should be available for parents. There are Charter schools (which the teachers unions would like to see gone also). There are virtual schools, private schools. There is even an awesome program that can give you the best of both worlds called Classical Conversations, where you can homeschool 4 days a week and get together 1 day a week with others doing the same thing as you. Homeschoolers also have the option of being involved in great co-ops where classes are available several days a week in all kinds of subjects. There are homeschool moms that are seasoned in what they do, that simply asking for help and how they did it could get you on a path of family togetherness once again. Is homeschool for everyone? I don't know, but let it be an option!!!! Besides you will be able to pick what they eat for lunch (and so much more)!!!!!!

Old Fashioned Bible Story Time 2

If my life was any busier I don't think I would have time to think. My goal back in August was to do an old fashioned Bible story time on a weekly basis. As you can tell it is now the beginning of November and I only ever got one done. What a better time for the second one than at a time of Thankfulness and Harvest!!! I am enjoying a most gorgeous day today and it gets me wondering about the beauty that occurred when God created the plants and trees Etc. My last story was about the darkness that existed before God created the Light. Now we move into the beauty that was created after the light came to be. How often have we heard the creation story yet so many Christians today even doubt whether God could do that. We buy into some scientist because he sounds smart and has an alphabet behind his name to discredit the very one who created us in His image. My soapbox comes as a result of different encounters with people that say I believe in God, "but". I was always taught that when a "but" comes you can forget everything that was said before it. Let's take our Lord at his Word. Since we already covered Day 1 in the last blog, we will take Him at His Word with, Day 2- Sky, Day 3, Land, Seas, Plants, Trees and Vegetation.   Day 4- Sun, Moon, and Stars. Day 5 Water creatures and Birds. Finally Day 6 Land animals and Man.
    When you look outside on a day like today especially here in Florida, Thank God for taking the time to celebrate us by Creating the very things we see every day. Give God the credit for the beauty we are surrounded by. Give the very One that endowed us with the ability to come up with the alphabet the credit for creation, not the scientist who has an alphabet behind his name. Let's not limit our infinite God with our finite mind!!!!!

Old Fashioned Bible Story Time

I was thinking how much I miss the old time bible stories. For those of us who grew up in the church, we learned to love, grow and base morals of life on these great and timeless stories.So I thought, what if ????? I were to take bible stories and apply them in a blog to real life situations? Then I also realized, with my lightening fast mind, that not everyone including me, might know the bible stories and this might be a great learning experience. I hope you enjoy OLD FASHIONED BIBLE STORY TIME!!!!!!
Let's start at the beginning!!!!!
Genesis 1: 1-5 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was[a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Have you ever been in such a dark place you couldn't see your hand in front of your face? Years ago we took a vacation to Hannibal, Missouri. We went into some caves on a tour and right at one point in the tour they shut off all the lights in the cave. You couldn't see anything!!!! Even if Ishut off all the lights in my house it still is not as dark as that cave. That must have been the darkness that existed before God created the light. But despite all the darkness that surrounded us in that cave and all the darkness that was before the light still God was there.
Even in life we experience dark times and sometimes feel like we can't see anything to bring light to our situation. Despite all the darkness God is there ready to speak to the light. He was there at the beginning of time and He is there in the darkness. What a joy to know that in this simple story of darkness and light we can still know God's presence was there!!!!!!!

Celebrating my Senior

My home school journey with my daughter is coming to an end. I by no means am saying that she will never learn at home anymore. I am talking about that day in day out doing school and choosing curriculum on a yearly basis that has taken place in our home for the last 9 years. With the end of this journey comes all the fun of getting ready for a home school graduation. Ordering announcements, planning a party, dress shopping for these events and the list can go on. I know many of you who have seniors this year, take the time to celebrate every moment. Don't let it pass without reviewing what you have done over all these years. Our teens are getting ready to graduate into a world like none other we have ever known. We have some strong kids that are getting ready to change the world for the better. Celebrate them big!!!!!!

Celebrating Freedom

How is freedom different in America today compared to 20years ago? Do we  still celebrate freedom today as we did even 15 years ago?
I think freedom means alot of different things to alot of different people but to those of us born in America  or transplanted here we should be celebrating every single day. Every single day of living in a country where we have freedoms no other country has ever enjoyed. Freedom to work where and when we want to. Freedom to drive a car. Freedom to worship or not to worship the way we want to. The list goes on and on. But with our freedoms come restrictions. Yes, we have the freedom to work where and when we want to, but that comes with the restriction of what kind of lifestyle we might want to maintain. Yes, we can drive a car with the restriction of age depending on the state we live in. Yes, we can worship or not worship when and where we want to. Wait!!! This is the one freedom we have that seems to not have any restrictions, other than where a church building can be built.
This is why not taking our freedoms for granted is so important. The majority of our founding fathers were Christians that believed that if we gave up relying on  God in this nation the very core of our nation would fall apart. Yes, with freedom comes restrictions but aren't those restrictions worth it to continue to have the one freedom that has no restrictions. America is a Christian nation founded on the principles of a loving God. Take the time to vote to keep our freedoms in tact.

Celebrating A New Kind of Strength

What can be more exciting then being asked to be on a talk show? Now mind you it is only a local talk show but nevertheless I am so apprehensive!! All those thoughts go through your head. "Can I do this?", "Why would anyone watch me?" But yet in all of this I have to reach to the strength that is beyond me!!! The Bible says "we are more than conquerers through Christ who redeemed us". "If God is for us who can be against us". Should there be any doubt in my mind. I can't do this on my own. I so desperately need Him to lead and guide me.
I love to celebrate but when it comes to celebrating my self I struggle. Hence I will not celebrate myself but celebrate what God is doing in my life. How I can be a blessing to others, and encourage them to seek Him for strength.
Celebrate not being able to do it in our own strength today and you will be surprised how much "Strength" you will really have.

What is Celebrate?

The definition of celebrate is so different to so many people and so many cultures. What one person finds to celebrate another finds odd or the least bit interested in celebrating. My challenge to everyone out there is to find a reason to celebrate. Disney has an old movie Pollyanna, in it a little girl always "finds a reason for being glad". She calls it the "glad game". Sort of a "when life hands you lemons" thing.
Our society here in America has gotten so far away from celebrating or finding a reason for being glad. It has almost become an "I deserve to be happy and it is up to you to make me happy" game.
My goal here on Celebrate is to turn it around. Make others glad and it will definitely come back to you. Seek to celebrate and make a difference in others lives. Celebrating is so much more than just special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries,etc. Create a memory, celebrate life and give someone a reason to celebrate for a lifetime!!! 

Published!!!

I took the plunge and am finally letting people know that I wrote a book. With a blog all about celebrating, I guess you could say my book is along those same lines.I am having major issues of inadequacy thinking why did I even do this. I know why! I love to celebrate others, I love to have a party, I want people to feel that they are recognized for what they do and who they are.We never know how long someone will be with us.

I noticed it has been a while since I blogged. The last time I did was over a tragedy. This one I want to be about celebrating those we still have. Celebrate your loved ones today!!!!!!Keep the memory alive of those you've lost. Go out to dinner with your spouse. Pick a flower and give it to your neighbor (just make sure it is not from one of their plants!!:))Smile at the cashier at Walmart.Spend some quiet time with God to let Him know you celebrate Him! If you are having a yucky day find a reason to celebrate, or my wish for you would be that someone would celebrate you.

I am trying to celebrate this new journey of being an author. I may be a little freaked out but I am having fun along the way.

I hope you choose to come celebrate with me. Share with me your unique ways you celebrate others in your life.

CELEBRATE LIFE CELEBRATE BIG!!!!!!!

Celebrate Life Amidst Grief

I got one of those phone calls you never want to get on a Monday morning or anytime for that matter. A friend of ours in his early 40's passed away on Monday morning from a heart attack. Being with his 34 year old widow on Monday morning so many emotions rushing inside her head and heart. Anger, frustration, blame, fear,etc. I couldn't even begin to put myself in her shoes.She just needed to feel, and vent, and cry all at the same time. Her heart breaking and wanting him back. "I just want him to walk in that door right now!!" she kept saying. This type of deep hurt is unexplainable to those of us who have never lost someone so suddenly and so tragically. Even to those of us that have Jesus and heaven, which our friend did, still does not make the hurt any easier.

She is surrounded by so many people right now knowing that a time is coming that she along with her children will have to face. When everyone that came for the funeral goes home. This is when she will need friends around her more than ever. People around her to help her and the children face their days of lonliness and missing him.

I will choose to celebrate her by praying for her and being there for her when all the out-of-town guests leave. I will choose to celebrate her by encouraging her to keep going for her children. Celebrating amidst the grief. Celebrating a life too short. Celebrating amidst grief, is that even possible? How will you celebrate those in your life that are struggling?

Celebrate Parenting

This past weekend we shared with a group the importance of taking a parenting class that has changed our lives and helped to make us better parents. We get so busy with life sometimes we even forget to parent, especially when our kids get to be 9 and older. We tend to not see as much because they are so independent. As parents we need to remember that they are still dependent on us for so much more than just the necessities of life.The reason we are not producing morally responsible children in our homes is because parental instruction too often lacks moral reason backed up with scripture.We tell our children what to do, or just expect them to get it through influence, but never tell them why they should. here is some good heartfelt scripture to remind us to celebrate being parents!!!!!~My behavior towards you is not based on what you have done to me but on how precious you are to God. Phil 2:3-5 teaches us to Imitating Christ's Humility :
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
I am so thankful for verses like these that help me get right back on track and reaching my children's hearts.

Valentine's Day! Love is in the air!

I love to celebrate as most of you have guessed by my blog. Always finding reasons to celebrate can be hard. This is why I love when special days are set aside to celebrate.
Valentine defined in Webster's is a gift or greeting given to a sweetheart, or also a sweetheart chosen or complimented on Valentine's Day. Who will be your chosen one on Valentine's day? 
The origin of Valentines day is sort of all over the page. The one thing that seems to reign true is there were several St. Valentine's who were all martyred for different causes they believed in, for those they cared about. From this has grown a huge holiday of candy, jewelry, flowers and cards, just some of the ways we show how much we love those we care about.
However you choose to celebrate Valentine's day remember the St. Valentines and give yourself unconditionally to your sweetheart and let them know you would even be willing to die for them you love them so much. Which brings me to the most sacrificial Valentine giver of all time. Our Creator Father God who gave His very own Son as a Valentine for us. So when you give your Valentines, whatever you choose to give, give sacrificially and unselfishly. The rewards will be great!!!!!

What is your Passion?

Have you noticed a change in peoples attitudes lately? There seems to be an attitude of survival yet almost with a desire to slow things down. As slow as the economy is right now more people are becoming introspective, and not scrambling around in a panic survival mode but more of a we can do this survival mode.We don't need the government to help us we will survive this by really thinking about what is important in life. This brings me to the topic today. What is your passion? Our passion, that God given gift inside you that screams YES!!!!!! that is what I was placed here for, coming out of us. That one thing that when you start talking to others about it you almost can't stop. What is your passion? Find your passion and celebrate it.