He Has Risen!

What a glorious day! The sun was shining reminding me of God's glory and the fact that Jesus had in fact risen! Church was wonderful and inspirational and just perfect. Then lunch was even more perfect - yummy goodness at Cracker Barrel with the family. After Ethan's nap, the rest of the family came into town (Chris' side) and we awaited the prince to awake for his egg hunt. It got to be so freakin' hot outside that we literally had the egg hunt for 10 minutes then headed back inside to cool off. We then proceeded to open all FOUR baskets for Ethan! I mean really?!? Does a two year old really need all that candy? He certainly thinks so! :) He also got goodies that he cared more about - a set of 8 books from Cars, a wooden choo-choo train, Easter books and bubbles. Not just any bubbles but non-spill bubbles. I wish I would have thought of that one! We topped off the afternoon with a yummy carrot cake and creamy lemonade pie made by yours truly. It was a wonderful Easter!

The delish carrot cake - it was GONE at the end of the day too! High five!

Little Tid Bit for the Day

Thanks to a good friend of mine, Carolyn, I get these wonderful inspirational tid bits every morning from a website called The Vine. It helps me to get my day started and I'm so thankful for them. I thought I'd share with you all what I got yesterday!

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 NKJV

Often the toughest times in life are those moments when all we know about God doesn't seem to help or get us the results we want. That's when we learn about His silence. Whenever God doesn't say a word, He's teaching, even in stillness. He's allowing us to grow by forcing us to think, study and arrive at conclusions while He stands by like the loving parent He is. Faith comes by hearing, but patience comes by silence. Patience is what God gives you when bad things remain unchanged. It's His sedative for the troubled heart. It's the balm He rubs into your aching muscles when it feels like you're being stretched to breaking point. These are the times when the pain lasts so long that only God can release the patience required - the sheer grace to get you through it.

There are great benefits to waiting. For example, if you learn to wait and observe, you'll make better choices. The thing you think you can't live without today, you may be glad to live without tomorrow. '… No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly' (Psalm 84:11 NKJV). So when God says, 'Wait,' trust Him. Either it's not what you need at this time, or He has something better in mind for you. You say, 'But what am I going to do in the meantime?' The Bible says, 'Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart… ' (Psalm 27:14 NKJV). Stop fussing, stop pushing, allow God to work and you'll come out of this stronger and with a better result.

AMEN Sista!

Love Sex God

Did I get your attention? Most of us conservative Southern Baptists are probably writhing in our seats right now, and believe me I was one of them. Last week our church started a new series in honor of the month of February. It's on love, sex and God and the book Song of Solomon. It was certainly interesting and an awesome sermon that everyone can relate to whether you're single, dating, or married. This past Sunday's sermon was on Courtship. When you break it down verse by verse Song of Solomon is poetic, like Shakespeare! This section talks about the love that two people have for each other, but by waiting for marriage before "consomating your love" (eek can you tell I'm turning red just talking about it), and letting love run it's proper pace, it falls in to God's plan.

Song of Solomon 2 (Contemporary English Version)

Love Makes Everything Beautiful

1I am merely a rose [a] from the land of Sharon, a lily from the valley.
2My darling, when compared with other young women, you are a lily among thorns.
3And you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest.
Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet.
4You led me to your banquet room and showered me with love.
5Refresh and strengthen me with raisins and apples. I am hungry for love!
6Put your left hand under my head and embrace me with your right arm.
7Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles [b] never to awaken love before it is ready.
8I hear the voice of the one I love, as he comes leaping over mountains and hills
9like a deer or a gazelle. Now he stands outside our wall, looking through the window
10and speaking to me. My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
11Winter is past, the rain has stopped;
12flowers cover the earth, it's time to sing. [c] The cooing of doves is heard in our land.
13Fig trees are bearing fruit, while blossoms on grapevines fill the air with perfume.
My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
14You are my dove hiding among the rocks on the side of a cliff.
Let me see how lovely you are! Let me hear the sound of your melodious voice.
15Our vineyards are in blossom; we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards. [d]
16My darling, I am yours, and you are mine, as you feed your sheep among the lilies.
17Pretend to be a young deer dancing on mountain slopes [e] until daylight comes
and shadows fade away.

* Love has a proper pace *

Another good point - fathers, date your daughters. So simple and yet it makes perfect sense. When a girl is growing up she looks to how her father treats his wife and his daughters respectively. That sets the example of what they want in a mate. It is so true. My father is a perfect example of this. He is so humble and sweet (although he has his stubborn moments), and has always been so strong in his faith. He showers my mother with love, affection and attention and for that I am thankful.

The band played a version of "To Make You Feel My Love" and it was just beautiful. I've never listened to it and applied it to the love that God has for us. Looking at it from that perspective is life changing.