Money Matters, But What You Do With It Matters Most

       They say money can't buy happiness, which is true, but our goal in life is neither money or happiness.  Money is a tool, in which we can use to further the Kingdom and it's purposes.  "It is not your salary that makes you rich, but your spending habits."   Charles Spurgeon says, "Whatever a man depends upon, whatever rules his mind, whatever governs his affections, whatever is the chief object of his delight, is his god."  What does your bank statement say about your spending habits?   Do you give with others in mind, tithe regularly to your local church, and invest in the building of the Kingdom and it's purposes?  God uses money in your life to test your faith, responsibility, and honor with it.

       Things money cannot buy:  Manners, Morals, Respect, Character, Common Sense, Trust, Patience, Class, Integrity, Love, Honor, Blessed Eternity, Fruit of the Spirit, Time, and Peace of Mind.

      Hebrews 13: 5-6  " Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.   What can mere mortals do to me?”

      "When God blesses you financially, don't raise your standard of living.  Raise your standard of giving."   I believe giving activates abundance.  2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under  compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  "A rich man without God is just a poor man with money."

       Matthew 6:31-32  "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

       Romans 13:8  "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."

       2 Peter 1:3-7  "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."

      "How we handle money reveals much about our priorities. That’s why Jesus often talked about money. One-sixth of the Gospels’ content, including one out of every three parables, touches on stewardship. Jesus wasn’t a fundraiser. He dealt with money matters because money matters. For some of us, though, it matters too much."  [odb.org]

        "Walking on the narrow road requires faith, discipline, and determination. We all have desires—that is, fleshly appetites—that find the easier pathway more attractive." [odb.org]

If we pursue mere earthly gain,
We choose a path that ends in pain;
But joy and peace are in our soulWhen we pursue a heavenly goal. —D. De Haan

       

A Question of the Heart

Deuteronomy 4:39  "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

Deuteronomy 5:29  "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!"

Deuteronomy 6:5  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Deuteronomy 10:12  "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul"

Psalm 13:2 "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?"

Psalm 26:2-3  "Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness."

Psalm 51:10  "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 64:6  "They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning."

Psalm 81:12  "So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices."

Proverbs 20:9  "Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?"

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.    Who can understand it?"

       If your heart could speak to you, what would it say?  Sin begins in our hearts, when our will goes against God's will for us.  Our hearts can lead us astray, unless we turn and seek God in all things.  When the Bible refers to our heart, what is it referring to?  Our heart refers to our mind, intellect, thinking, reflections, memory, will, passions, feelings, conscience, character, motives, soul, understanding, the seat of our appetites, the seat of our courage.  Matthew 6:21  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Psalm 139:23  "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

        Proverbs 4:23  "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  We often let our hurt or damaged hearts affect other things in our life, even without meaning to.  Our hearts become bitter, and therefore so do our words, thoughts, actions and reactions result in bitterness.  When we are out of our depths, we must turn and begin to touch the depths of God.  Forgiveness isn't impossible, but with God, forgiveness is HIM-possible.   Guarding our hearts means to watch over, preserve, protect, and be proactive in our habits that keep our hearts in line with God's will for us.

      "Unless we respond correctly to conflict, we limit our potential to grow, because we aren’t learning what the Lord is teaching. Also, we can develop an unforgiving spirit, which leads to bitterness and resentment. Eventually, such an attitude can destroy relationships.  
      There is also a positive way to handle conflict. Luke 23:34 reveals how our Savior responded when He was wrongly accused, unfairly judged, and killed for something He didn’t do. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” [intouch.org] 

       "Circumstances often prove painful. But even when situations seem overwhelming, believers can trust that our sovereign Lord knows all, is in control, and lovingly works everything for His children’s good. We can rest confidently, knowing that the unchanging God of all creation is taking care of us."
[intouch.org]

        "The soul is cast down when our sorrow does not bring us to God, but away from God. There is no discouragement in any affliction or trouble whatsoever, but it is a lack of trusting in God. We may not know the reason God has allowed it, and this requires our trust. When we do not trust in God, we are trusting in ourselves, and we cannot experience victory in our own strength." - R. Sibbes

        As the saying goes, “Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it.”  Lord, please change our hearts and attitude about hard times. Bring about joy, perseverance, and maturity in each of us.  May our hearts be humbled by who You are and how powerful, just and loving You are as You watch over and protect us, even from our own heart's wickedness.

Wisdom

“Don’t copy the behavior or values of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 NLT

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm"  Proverbs 13:20

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart”  Psalm 40:8 NIV

"He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 NIV




         Do you consider yourself wise?  I don't consider myself 'wise', but I'm definitely wiser now than in my youth.  Hopefully, I am gaining wisdom daily through bible studies, experiences, listening to God in prayer, and from others in my close circle.

         Would you be wise enough today to ask for wisdom from God, like Solomon did?  1 Kings 3:5  "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon first recognized and acknowledged God's faithfulness in the past and present circumstances.  1 Kings 3:6  "Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day."  Solomon then humbled himself and recognized his need for help, guidance, and direction in the great task set for him.  1 Kings 3:7-9  “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  When we seek God for help in all things and think of others before ourselves, it pleases Him.  1 Kings 3:10-14 "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.  So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

        In Proverbs 1:7, we learn from Solomon "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Knowledge or wisdom is living out what we know.  We do not always do what we know to be best or right, but we are wise when we do.  Wisdom is the 'fear' of the lord..not reverence or respect, but terror, dread, afraid of.  Most people don't recognize how powerful and mighty God is. "God is the only rock on which we may rest safe in times of danger. Trusting in him brings peace in every circumstance." [Richard Sibbes]  

         Wisdom begins w/fear, but thankfully does not end there.  Jesus came to end the fear by cleansing believers of their sin debt.  1 John 4:9-10  "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  1 John 4:16-18  "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidenceon the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

         "Jesus drove out the fear---a loving god pursuing an unfaithful people, loving them despite their sin, loving them to the point of death on a cross."

          How can we put our trust in God, if we do not know who He is?  Just like an adopted child doesn't know who the new parent is, what they have in store for them, how they will feed and care for them... the same is true for putting our trust in God.  The more we know of and see His faithfulness to us, the more we can learn to rely on Him and not ourselves.

         Doubt in God comes from the enemy, Satan.   What we wonder about Jesus _____? Does God love me?  Does God want this for me?  What purpose does God have for me?  etc. 

         "God has given us a roadmap: the Bible. God has given us a compass: our conscience. God has also given us a personal guidance counselor: the Holy Spirit. Clearly, God wants to lead us in the paths of righteousness. This is important to understand, because God never intended for you to figure out the steps of your journey without him."  " The Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed us. He leads us. He doesn’t just correct us. He directs us."

  
We are wise, when we seek and follow God's voice in scripture.
We are wise, when we know God better each day.
We are wise, when we humble ourselves to His mighty and powerful name and ways.

Wait on the Lord

Psalm 62:5--"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."

           Today's blog is about waiting on God for all things and in His perfect timing.  First, we must seek God, in our questions and decision making in our lives.  God wants to give us direction in our journey of life through Scripture and prayer.  As we wait on Him, there are a few requirements to be met in the process.  God is not a genie or a bellhop waiting for a question, but He does tell us to ask, knock, and seek Him for all things.  We will receive according to His will and in His timing.  Our biggest faults are a lack of persistence in our prayerful asking and a lack of trust in His timing.  We give up too soon and think God failed to answer our prayers.  God may be saying yes, but not now.  God may be saying no, I have greater things in mind.  Let's discuss what we need to have in our 'question and waiting on an answer' process....

Requirements for waiting on the Lord 

1. Faith--Faith is knowing who God is and fulfilling His purposes through you. "No man knows his purpose until he knows the One who created him." [Paul Ojeda]  We must believe that walking in the will of God is the right path for our life's journey.  We must choose to listen and follow Him alone, not what the world says is right--at the time.   "Faith can do much for you. It is not enough to be healed of your disease, unless you take up your bed and walk. O the life of grace which I have seen in some! Their meat and drink is to do the will of God."  [Samuel Ward]  


2. Trust in God--We must believe His timing is perfect and always right. Trust in His timing before making a decision.  "God is the only rock on which we may rest safe in times of danger. Trusting in Him brings peace in every circumstance." -- Richard Sibbes


3. Patience--God’s timing is rarely our own, but it is always worth waiting for. You never waste time waiting on God.  Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."


4. Determination--We must be willing to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, even the whispers.  "To constantly fight against sin is a big part of mortification. We need to recognize the enemy we are dealing with and that he is to be destroyed by all possible means. The battle is a hazardous one that deals with issues of eternity. When a man sees his lust as a trivial thing, it is an indication that he is not mortified. We cannot go forward unless we recognize the danger of our own hearts." [John Owen]

5. Strength-- We must rely on the strength from God to say "no" to things that He does not want for us or in our lives, because our flesh is weak.  "The soul is cast down when our sorrow does not bring us to God, but away from God. There is no discouragement in any affliction or trouble whatsoever, but it is a lack of trusting in God. We may not know the reason God has allowed it, and this requires our trust. When we do not trust in God, we are trusting in ourselves, and we cannot experience victory in our own strength."  [Richard Sibbes]


6. Endurance--"You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again." Psalms 71;20  "How long, Lord, must I call for help?" Habakkuk 1:2 "As with Habakkuk, God hears our burdens. We must continue to cast them on the Lord because He cares for us. God hears us and, in His time, will give an answer." odb.org


        Many of us pray for our loved ones, but we may never see the results in our lifetime.  We must still persist until we do see the prayer answered or until we draw our final breath.  "God’s memory is perfect. He is able to remember our prayers not only for years but also for generations beyond our lifetime. He never forgets them and may move in response long after we first brought our requests to Him. Sometimes His answer is “no,” other times it is “wait”—but His response is always measured with love. God’s ways are beyond us, but we can trust that they are good."
        As for our family, we pray for a cure for our neuromuscular disease, CMT, but it's a prayer not just for us and those currently afflicted but for the generations ahead with it.  Unanswered prayers don't go in God's deleted file but maybe just in a future file to be dealt with later.

Lord, we need you in all things...in our darkest days, You are only hope.  Be the lamp unto our feet and light the way before us.  We need You!  Pull us closer and bring us to life.

Proverbs and Pride

           Today's blog is about the sin we all deal with, Pride.  So go put on some shoes to protect your toes.  I've got on boots myself.  "Pride will kill you. Forever. Pride is the sin most likely to keep you from crying out for a Savior. Those who think they are well will not look for a doctor.   I need to reach for the glasses of Christ-like humility, remembering that nothing good dwells in my flesh, and search my heart for secret pride and its symptoms." [desiringGod.com]  "Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people."[gotquestions.org]
          Let's begin with describing and defining what Pride is, so we can better identify it within us.  Pride is an attitude of self exaltation and superiority.  It is looking down on others.  It involves arrogance, self-sufficiency, and a refusal to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.  Pride is essentially self-worship.  There are two types of pride...inward pride and outward pride.  Outward pride is a numbness to the desires of God and others, because there is a focus on self.  Inward pride is an obsession with how others feel about us. None of us are exempt from pride, but before we think too highly of ourselves, we must remember we are all image bearers of God.

        Proverbs 21:2-4  "A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do what is right and just  is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.  Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin."

      Why is it so important to address the Pride within our hearts and minds? Pride is sin and sin separates us from God and blocks off the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

       Proverbs 11:2  "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

       Humility is about being planted in reality.  Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but of thinking of ourselves less.  Life is not all about us and our desires, but of fulfilling God's desires and purposes through us.  Humility is having an accurate and humble view of ourselves, not too highly or too lowly.  Humility is not having a need to be more than who you are.  Humility gives us the freedom to be generous, to give away our power, to give away privilege, to give away opportunities, to give up the need to be right, to have the last word, to give up defensiveness, to be generous without expecting anything in return, to give up feelings of entitlement.

     Matthew 11:28-  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

       When you feel convicted about the sin of pride, use that opportunity to pray and yoke up with Jesus and give that burden to Him.  "Reach for the glasses of Christ-like humility, remembering that nothing good dwells in the flesh, and search your heart for secret pride and its symptoms."

Seven sneaky symptoms of the infection of pride. [J. Edwards/Desiring God]

1. Fault-Finding--Instead of seeing our own heart needs of improvement, we dissect others

2. A Harsh Spirit--speak of others’ sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment.

3. Superficiality--Having peace with viewable sins, but little concern about hidden sin

4. Defensiveness--"True humility is not knocked off balance and thrown into a defensive posture by challenge or rebuke, but instead continues in doing good, entrusting the soul to our faithful Creator."

5. Presumption Before God--No regard to '‘Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.’ or thinking God's grace isn't sufficient.

6.  Desperation for Attention-- seeking the glory that comes from men, not God.

7. Neglecting Others--Pride prefers some people over others

        I hope this blog has helped you with your own area of pride.  A lot of my blog comments came from the women's biblical leadership conference called IF:Lead 2018.  I love how we can all encourage each other in this journey of life, including our sinful ways.

A Look Ahead

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again. Psalms 71:20

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things.  Who is like you, God?  Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,  you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.  Psalm 71:19-21 NIV


       I feel like the verses above are my life story right now in action.  I am so excited and thankful to be in the 'revive me again' phase.  I am seeing and living in God's restoration of me in His timing.  He is definitely 'comforting me once more.'  In this process, I want it to be clearly known that Christ is doing all these good things in me, and it's not by my strength at all.
      Don't you think life is so much easier when your will and God's will are in alignment?  Oh, I definitely do!  When our thoughts and actions are only about self and not about 'love one another', then we build fences and don't grow as God intends.  May we always pray for God to lead us and show us His way for our lives.  "Show me your ways, that I may walk with you, show me your ways, I put my hope in you,  the cry of my heart is to love you more, to live with the touch of Your hand, stronger each day, show me your ways."   
     Sometimes when we have been under a cloud of trials, the sun shining in restoration seems all the brighter.  I have felt the small things in life be huge frustrations, but with God's restoration of strength become miraculous milestones.  For examples, being able to drink through a straw again, sit on the side of the bed without being held, going longer without my mask to talk and eat, being able to swallow again my favorite foods, and more.
      My will during my darkest of days was to finish my race of life, but it wasn't God's will.  When I realized God's will was actually my will too, it made my life easier to deal with as I improved.  I had prayed, Lord, if it's your will, let me be active again in this world and let Your light and power shine brightly through me.  This was the will of us both and I am forever grateful.
     "We’re often looking for God’s will—especially when we’re in a difficult situation. We wonder, What will happen to me here? Should I stay or does God want me somewhere else? The only way to know for sure is to do what He asks you to do right now—the duty of the present moment—and wait for God to reveal the next step." [odb.org]

    "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."  Psalm 37:23

Where Do You Look?

       It is our natural tendency to look for answers to our questions, but where do we look?   "Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, but Faith looks up." by Ralph Waldo Emerson  It's sad but often true, that God is our last place to look to.  We find it easier to search in what we can see, than to trust in what we can't see yet.  God is always with us and waiting for us to seek Him in all things, circumstances, and in the questions of life.

       I found the quote above by accident, coincidence, or by God's leading.  However I found it, the quote describes my feelings as of late and put it into words for me.  As I have progressed over the past 3.5 months, I have realized there is a new me.  The new me struggles to get back physically, as much as possible, but I am forever changed in many other ways.  I have more empathy with those in chronic pain.  I have gained wisdom on the importance of knowing what you want or don't want on your last days.  I have gained strength in my faith, trust, and convictions with respect towards God and His sacrifice for me and the world.  I have increased my level of courage in what I am able to endure with God carrying me through various unwanted trials. 
       I have also lost some things along this trial too.  I have lost patience with negativity in my life, through words and actions of others.  This is highlighted by one of my doctor's perspective on me and his words of little hope for my wellness.  I have lost strength in my abilities and the little independence I had in a few matters.  I have lost a love for some worldly things and traded that in for a desperate longing for the Heaven that awaits me.  I have lost interest in politics and worldly matters, but I remain invested in my participation at the level I can be involved in.  I've read the end of the Bible and know that hard times are part of the end times, but God is sovereign and wins victoriously in the end.
      "Our world offers a multitude of ways to compromise on what we know is right, but if we’ll make up our minds ahead of time, we’ll be able to stand firm in our obedience to God. Although a world that does not believe may mock our values and lifestyle, their respect for us actually lessens when we waffle and give in to temptations. What’s worse, our witness for Christ is damaged.Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor. When the winds of opinion blow and the waves of temptation pound us, we can know with certainty the right way to respond. Don’t vacillate in your obedience to the Lord. Your unwavering stand for what’s right can powerfully influence others." [intouch.org]
       I have gained and lost all of these things, only by looking upward to God.  God gives and takes away, blessed be His name forever and ever.

      What a great quote on the valleys of life.  There would be no hilltops without the valleys and the view from the hilltops wouldn't be so magnificent without the valleys either.  The valley you are in may seem like the lowest point in your life but if you look up to God and ask Him to help you find His purpose in this trial then He will answer you according to His will.  Don't dwell in the valley, but climb out with purpose and as a better you.  Grow, mature and multiply the blessings you've gained and learned during this time God has been at work in you.
      "In retrospect, I can see that “wait” is the most precious answer God can give us. It makes us cling to him rather than cling to an outcome. God knows what I need. I do not. He sees the future. I cannot. His perspective is eternal. Mine is not. He will give me what is best for me. When it is best for me. As Paul Tripp says, “Waiting is not just about what I get at the end of the wait, but about who I become as I wait.” [DesiringGod]


When we know what God wants us to do,
But then we refuse to obey,
We’re ignoring the voice of the Lord,
And sinfully choosing our way. —Sper

Where Do You Live and Love?

"The humble soul endeavors more how to glorify God in afflictions than how to get out of them." -- Thomas Brooks

         It is said that the three basic needs of life are food, clothing and shelter.  Your shelter may be a room, an apartment, or a house.  How would you define your residence, a house or a home?  There is a difference.  Anyone can build a house but it takes more than physical strength to make a house into a home.  'Home' includes peace, love, security, emotional warmth, things you love, respect of others, and hospitality.  Unfortunately many families live in houses, not homes.  "“home” is a place we seek out, long to return to when away, and fiercely defend, whether against invaders or from the outsider who tells us that any place is better than the one in which we live." So what is missing?  God and his command to "love one another."
        "The Blessed will say 'We have never lived anywhere except Heaven.'  The Lost will say, 'We were always in Hell.'  And both will speak truly."  by C.S. Lewis
        One of the hardest places to live out the Gospel and be a true reflection of Christ is in the home.  We schedule our times with others and make sure it is a good day with a good attitude and are feeling our best.  In our homes, we see it all... the faults, the tempers, the need for personal space and just everyday reactions to life's unfairness.
        Proverbs 24:3-4  "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
        Proverbs 24:27  "[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home."
        Proverbs 11:29  "Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise."

        The next two quotes are from Our Daily Bread...... "C. S. Lewis wrote, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” We can thank God for the “pleasant inns” in life, but let’s remember that our real home is in heaven where we “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)."

        "A loving, spiritual atmosphere is the feature most desired in a home, and that can be found in a simple one-room house or in a spacious mansion.  Yes, I think we would all agree that love for our family and the fear of the Lord can turn any house into a dream home."         As Valentines Day approaches tomorrow, lets consider how much we show Christ's love to each other both inside and outside our homes.



Give me a house to call my own,
Family and friends to make it a home,
Love and kindness that never depart,
Enough to fill a thankful heart.