John 3:16 Commercial

I missed this commercial from Focus on the Family somehow while watching the Denver/Saints game  (I may have been hiding my eyes, since I was cheering for Denver!) but it was shared on Facebook and I thought I'd pass it on...

(youtube)

Contentment and Gratitude

As my years come and go, I am learning to know what it is to be content, to rest in God's presence and not desire so much in this world. It is a process for me, sometimes a two-step-forward and one-step-backward process, but as I dwell in His Word and focus on Him and not my house or my yard or whatever else may come up, I become more content, trusting God to supply all of my needs.

My husband had a response to our girls when they were growing up and asked for new jeans or new shoes or the latest ____ (fill in the blank); he would ask them, "Do you need it or do you want it?"  (I'll admit, it made me cringe at times, also.)

They hated this, of course, but he was, yes, I will say it here, dear Lauren, he.was.right.

It is a question that still comes to mind when I go shopping, especially now that we have moved into a much smaller cottage and organization is key to storing our things. I find I do so much better when I shop if I ask God to guide me and keep me within our budget, and as I look over items on the shelves, I do indeed ask myself, "Do you need it or want it?" Now, I am not so good at this that I always respond appropriately, in fact, I will admit that I have often bought things because I wanted them, I mean, who NEEDS Dove chocolates or a pretty pillow for the sofa or...never mind, I don't think I will tell all!

But I am realizing that I need to go further into this contentment process, and so I purpose to share with God what I am grateful for at the end of each day, perhaps as another post in my journal. I write in a journal after reading God's word, asking Him to reveal more of Himself to me from His word, and applying it to my life. I do better writing with pen and paper than using the computer, as I type poorly and I can let my pen flow with my thoughts.

I believe that this time of gratitude will put into perspective my needs and wants, and I will be able to one day say, as the Apostle Paul, even as he was imprisoned, wrote to the people of Philippi...

(heartlight)

P.S. To my dear friend Maddie in Alaska - If I looked up contentment and gratitude in the dictionary, your picture would be there, along with your entire family, especially now that it is -50 degrees there! God bless you each day, sweet Sister, as you all serve Him!

Make an Entrance

Since we've moved, one of the things I have missed

about our Dear Old House is the entry.

This is a picture of the entry, where Lauren

had planned on building a bench that the 3 large baskets would go under...

and this is what the bench would look similar to...

(Pottery Barn)

Our new cottage doesn't have an entry; instead,

as you come into the front door, there is a small area that

is supposed to be an entry of sorts, but really,

it is the living room.

Ahem, I don't have a picture of it; it's just too boring.

However,

Lauren is now planning on building that bench for this

new entry, and so we will have a nice perch to sit on

when pulling on boots. We also have an old mirror with hooks that we got from

Target years ago that we may hang above it.

(my photo)

I have been searching on Pinterest for a few entry ideas,

and I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

This has been a popular one;

apparently, many of us have small entries...

This one is pretty and useful,

and I like the shelf with the pegs on it for

coats and baskets for mittens, mail or whatever is needed.

This would make a great back door entry...

and this is just plain adorable.!

Who wouldn't enjoy a sweet spot like this?
                                  

                                                         

I love the clean look of this entry...

as the door reminds me of our old porch door...

(photo mine)

and so does this one from Pinterest!

This is a great back door entry...

and here are a few gorgeous front entries...

But hands down, this is my all-time favorite...

I love, love, love the French doors!

Returning to My First Love

I remember when I was a little girl and my mom would take me into town to buy a new pair of shoes.

As I put on the new shoes, my old shoes would look dingy and worn,

so I would ask if I could wear the new ones home.

Mom would usually say yes, and I would feel so special,

walking down the street with those shiny new shoes.

(While this photo isn't of me, it might as well be,

with those skinny legs!!)

(google)

Eventually, those shiny new shoes would get scuffed and outgrown,

and I would want a new pair; I'd lost my love for them.

Then, when I was a teenager,

there was the Dorothy Hamill wedge haircut...

(google)

Yep, I had that one as a teenager.

Loved it,

then didn't love it;

I'd lost my love for it.

My love for family has never faded.

(photo by Mark Kane)

Lauren and I have been married for 36 years,

 and my love for him has grown more and more with the passage of time.

We have been blessed with 2 wonderful daughters and their husbands,

and 4 grandchildren...

(my photos)

This is a collage of baby pictures of Jack, Eli, Maya and Benjamin;

I can't imagine that love ever fading!

The Church in Ephesus had persevered, doing good deeds and working hard, and they

did not tolerate wickedness or false prophets,

yet,

they forsake their first love,

that is,

their love for Christ.

This great love they first held for Him

may have been overcome by pride of good works

or a busyness in doing for the Lord while not really remembering

what brought them to Him in the first place.

John warned them to remember their first love,

their love for Christ.

Yet I hold this against you:

You have forsaken your first love."

Rev.2:4

I remember how sweet it was to first love Christ,

being introduced to Him as a child wearing those new shoes,

thinking about Him as a teen with that new haircut,

and then,

finally,

coming to Him with with my whole heart.

Too often, this love has been overshadowed by daily life,

by not having my priorities straight.

It is in these times that I need to

"do the things I did first"

Rev. 2:5

I remember how sweet it was to first love Christ,

being introduced to Him as a child wearing those new shoes,

thinking about Him as a teen with that new haircut,

and then,

finally,

coming to Him as an adult  with with my whole heart.

Over time, life tends to change how we prioritize the

things of our lives, and I know that I have had to

reprioritize many times,

to put Christ first.

This new year, one day at a time, I want to remember my First Love,

and prioritize my day according to this relationship.

I can only do this through Christ, and I know through Him I can ovecome.

God's Love Letter

A friend shared this on Facebook, and I, in turn,

want to share it with all of you.

 What a Father we have, who holds us close and loves us unconditionally.

I can hardly understand such love,

yet it is the gift of Christ given to those who believe.