LOVE

We will be celebrating Valentine's Day this week. Here are some interesting facts about this day. In the United States Valentine's week is ranked number one in regard to chocolate candy sales. About 15 million Electronic Valentines (E-Valentines) were sent in 2010. About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. Teachers receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and finally, sweethearts. Men spend nearly TWICE the amount of money celebrating the holiday than women do.

We send all this – candy, flowers, greeting cards – just to tell someone how much we love them, when a simple “ I Love You” would probably do AND mean just as much, if not more. Just saying!!

All of us enjoy hearing these 3 little words, especially when they come from someone we love. My husband, children and grandchildren cannot say these words often enough. I melt when they are said. I cannot get enough of God reminding me how much he loves me as well. His words bring a joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. I usually end up by asking the question, “Why, God, do you continue to love a sinner like me?” He needs to give no reason. He just does. If no one tells you of their love today, or this week, let God be the one to do so.

God has much to say on this subject, so as you can guess, I chose the word “Love” to be the word highlighted this week.

Isaiah 43:4-5, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I LOVE YOU, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.....” Do you hear what God is saying? “I Love You”. “You are precious to me”. “You are honored in my sight”. Say it again God! I love to be reminded!

Rom 8:38-39 – “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Think about it! NOTHING can stop God from loving you. Are you feeling depressed today? Do you have the sense that no one cares? Wake up! God wants to love you through every emotion you are experiencing today.

A question; what is real love? The answer; 1 John 3:16.

“We know what real LOVE is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Who might you extend real love to his week? How might you have to give up your life (your time, your finances, your energy) to show someone else how much you love them? What will you do this week to express your love to Jesus, the one who loves you so.



Happy Valentine’s Day! May it be a day filled with LOVE, God’s kind of love!

Pralines ‘N’ Cream

2 Tbsp. butter (not margarine)
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cups pecans, toasted and chopped
Vanilla and/or coffee ice cream

In 2-qt. saucepan, melt butter on medium. Stir in sugar, cream and 1/8 tsp. salt. Heat to boiling on medium –high, stirring occasionally. Boil 2 min. stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and pecans. Cool slightly. Serve with ice cream. Sauce can be made up to 1 week ahead and kept in refrigerator in airtight container. If refrigerated, microwave on High 1 minute, stir, and cool slightly before serving.

My Super Bowl

(Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup)

Super Bowl Sunday! A big-deal for all sports fans out there. IF my husband’s favorite team were in the Super Bowl (which it is not), then today becomes a big-deal in our home. Nevertheless, for two teams this Sunday, they will be playing their best, to win the prize, so for them today is a "big-deal."

This particular Super Bowl Game takes on a little different challenge. It’s not just two teams playing against each other, two coaches trying to win the game of their life. It's two brothers, each coaching a different team, fighting against each other, so one might claim they are the best. Imagine those parents? Which team should they cheer for? Which son should win the deserved trophy? I’m glad I’m NOT those parents today. In their hearts, both deserve to win.

No matter which team wins, they will both have...

Done their best.

Played their hardest.

Gave their all.

and at the end of the day,

one will take home the coveted Super Bowl ring because they earned it.

As Christians, we are to do the same as we play this game called life. We are to do our best, leaning totally and completely on Jesus.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

We are to play our hardest as we receive our orders from our “coach” each and every day.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. “ – Philippians 2:14-16.

We are to give everything we have, do what we must, to win lost souls for Jesus.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19.

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” - 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Finally, when my life is over, I want to receive the prize, spending all of eternity in heaven with Jesus.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

I want to be a winner, I want to receive the prize. I want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord.” - Matthew 25:21.

This is my Super Bowl ring!! Running my race here on earth with such enthusiasm and faithfulness that one day I am eternally rewarded by my loving Coach Jesus.

God help us to stay in the game, run with all we have, keep our eyes on the goal and ultimately win the prize.


Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup

1 32-oz. bag frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
½ cup frozen chopped onion, thawed
1 medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 32-oz. carton chicken broth
1 cup water
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 8-oz. bag shredded American-cheddar cheese
¼ cup real bacon pieces
4 medium green onions, sliced

In slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water. Cover, cook on low heat 6-8 hours, stir occasionally.

In small bowl, mix flour into the milk; stir into potato mixture. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with bacon and green onions. (when the soup begins to bubble, you can add the flour mixture and continue cooking on low heat, if desired).