When hubby brought my coffee to me this morning he also handed me a Valentine card. Inside was a gift card for Amazon and a very nice note from him. He really does try to please me. He knows that I will spend the Amazon card - it may not all be on me, but I use it for whatever I want - and it means that it doesn't come out of my checking account. That's always a good thing. I haven't bought/created him a card yet.... I have an account at Blue Mountain so can create a card from there - which has been my intent all along. I can print it and make an envelope to put it in - or just give it to him. I suppose I will do it later today since tomorrow he will be at the hospital. His gift was ordered a couple weeks ago but has not arrived yet. He knows what it is; just doesn't 'know' it is also his Valentine's day gift. Yes, that was my plan when I ordered it.
Today is Sunday and we do plan to plysically go to the church we have been discussing to experience their worship. I say it that way because worship isn't just the music, which is what most people say it is. Worship is the entire service - giving all glory and honor to God. I must admit I'm apprehensive about he message - if that is right word. What I heard on the computer hasn't been one that would draw me to that church. However, with that being said, my friends who go there say that to really 'hear' the message, one must attend in person. So that is what we are going to do this morning. We still listen to Jentezen Franklin and other messages online so are still getting the Word in us. I'm really praying and hoping that we both will feel drawn to attend; I miss the fellowship of other believers. Being in person is much better than listening online. Even though I do have to get dressed to go.... don't think they'd appreciate my pajamas and footies.
I started cleaning my bookcase in this room yesterday - not intentionally. And not completely. A grandson signed up for Ancestry.com and it came up that I was his 'close relative'. That always cracks me up but am glad it is in our DNA or genes or whatever it is. (Another grandson signed up and it came up I was his mother!) I emailed him the family tree I have of my mother's side. I have started to update it a few times right now my 'line' but never finish it. I really should do that. Or at least pull out 'my side' of the family line. But what started the 'cleaning' was my search for a typed copy that I had received years ago. I know I have the 'original' somewhere, but cannot find it. I did find - after going through several cabinets and boxes out in the garage - a copy. It goes back to the 1400's. And it covers my grandmother, not so much my grandfather, which is what the emailed copy is. Two different people worked on it. I scanned that document into my computer and emailed it to the grandson as well. Which reminds me, I need to find that email and save that document to this computer, versus just leaving it in an email.
As I was searching for that document, I cleaned off the bottom two shelves of this bookcase. Found I had lots of spiral notebooks that are blank. Found some journals I had written in. Anyway, straightened it up - especially after finding 'tons' of papers that I had brought home from the office in 2019, when I was sent home to work, thinking I might need them... well, they are in the trash. I haven't used them in two years so figure everything has changed since then. Made that bottom shelf look better; plus I took about 8 books to the bookcase in the other room. And brought back two that I wanted to re-read off of one of those shelves. :-)
I started reading in the book of John this morning in my Bible. I love the book of John. John was the beloved disciple of Jesus - but did you know he never identified his name in the book of John until the next to the last verse! John was in the 'inner circle' of three with Jesus. (Peter and James were the other two) John had a very special relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus loved all His disciples (and us!), but just like we connect - or love - each of our children, sometimes we have a special relationship that connects us with each one in a different way. One may be because they are so loving and caring to us. Another we may 'love more' because we have a lot of the same interests. And yet, another you may love more just because..... for any reason. I have a unique relationship with each of my children.... whether they know it or feel it - or not. But I love each one of them .... with all my heart .... but sometimes it is differently. And I love each one more. And I love each one the same. Just like you do. It isn't about 'favorites' - although even my siblings played that game growing up ("I'm mom's favorite!")... and yet, they all knew that I was the favorite. :-)
We often say the book of John is about love. And it is. John loved Jesus, and he was the 'beloved disciple'. He shows in this letter that Jesus is all about love. Just as we should be. Sometimes when a person chooses to follow Jesus they think they must start in Genesis and read the Bible all the way through. That's old stuff. Yes, it is still vital to know and I am reading through the Old Testament in the evenings. But I love the New Testament because it is about Jesus. The New Testament shows us how to live as a 'Jesus follower'. The book of John teaches us how to love like Jesus loved. I also like the book of Philippians because it encourages me to have 'Joy' in my life, regardless of my circumstances. Sometimes I have to read it frequently as a reminder. Paul, who wrote Philippians, was in prison when he wrote that letter to the church at Philippi - and encouraged and exhorted believers to have joy in all of their circumstances. If they were being persecuted, be joyful, because you are a follower of Jesus. If you have plenty, be joyful, for the Lord has provided for you abundantly. If you are in need, be joyful, for the Lord is all you need and will be your Provider.
I can remember a time when we had nothing... to the point I had to learn to cook from scratch because if I didn't, I didn't know what we could eat. When we grow up we are used to having hamburger, bread, etc. because our parents always supplied it. But when you are away from them and have your own family - it's like - 'what do I do now?' I learned how to make homemade noodles for 'chicken and noodles'. I learned how to make many dishes - some just by experimenting, most by using a cookbook. I learned how to make homemade tortillas... and I kid you not, even though it is much easier to just buy a package (and a lot less messy) of tortillas to put our taco food in, the taste is much better when you make your own. I still make my own at times - but not always. But God provided. He put that desire in my heart to take what we had, and make it into something we could eat.
My sister has told me frequently that I am the cook of the family. It is because I had to learn how to cook to provide food my family would eat. I love cookbooks and love finding new recipes to try. I have my favorites - not always hubby's favorite. But they filled the belly. I like bringing colors together. It always makes it look more appealing. For example, last night I grilled a steak and divided it between hubby and I ... then fixed green beans with it, sliced tomatoes, cut up a cucumber, and fixed some kiwi to go along with it. So we had brown, green, red, and two other shades of green. Ok - it was still all good. I love to cook - especially if it is for others.
Take joy in all that you do. Sometimes we think what we do is mundane, but if we change our perspective of it, we will find that well, maybe it isn't so bad. Find your joy in life.
Blessings on your day!
