Hallmark

I've never been a fan of those store created holidays. Reading Mother's Day cards reminds me of all I have missed over the years. "Thank you for always being there for me." "Thanks for supporting me and loving me unconditionally." "You molded me to the person I am today."

I had a bit of a "hallmark moment" in the middle of the Hallmark store this week. (A hallmark is an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity, or any mark or special indication of genuineness and good quality.)

I didn't have a hallmark family, but I have been adopted into a new family, the family I received when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Because of that I have my own hallmark (a mark of good quality).

Ephesians 1:13 says "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." When God looks at me, he doesn't see my sin or weak attempts to do good. Instead He sees my Hallmark, given to me through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

I'm not a fan of those Hallmark (store) holidays, but with my Hallmark of Christ, I really have a reason to celebrate. God...He cared enough to send the very best: Jesus.

Ephesians 1:13-14 -- And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. (NIV)

Romans 8:15 -- So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (NLT)

Galations 4:4 -- You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. (The Message)

5 Things About Marriage

Today is my 15th wedding anniversary. Though I was 28 when I got married (old by many standards), I feel like I was just a kid. I know I still have a lot to learn, but here are some of the things I have learned. I hope they may help you as they've helped me.

So, join me over at Titus 2 in Action where I am a guest contributor today, to find out the 5 things that can help your marriage.

Singing in the Rain

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain,
what a glorious feeling,I'm happy again!
Singing in the Rain, Gene Kelly, 1952

Singing in the Rain is one of the great movie classics. Long time blog fans know I love musicals! The musical hit song, "Singing in the rain" has Gene Kelly singing and dancing, happy again. Are you able to sing in the rain?

Let's face it, real life is tough stuff. We often get caught in the rain. Sometimes just a shower, but other times we are hit hard with the storms of life. Where do you turn in life's storms?

In Matthew 8, Jesus and the disciples were in a boat when a storm came. In great fear, the disciples thought the might die. But Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was then completely calm. The disciples were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

There is a Christian song that talks about life's storms. The lyrics state, "Sometimes he calms the storm. With a whisper, 'Peace be still,' he can settle every sea...but that doesn't mean he will. Sometimes he holds us close, and let's the winds and waves go by. Sometimes he calls the storm, but other times he calms his child."

Being a Christian doesn't mean we don't have storms. But as Christians, we know that Jesus is near, even in the storms.

Did you know there is an additional verse in the Singing in the Rain song, not used in the musical? It goes like this,

Why am I smiling and why do I sing?
Why does September seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get ups each morning and start?
Happy and head up, with joy in my heart
Why is each new task a trifle to do?
Because I am living a life full of you.

Yes, I have storms in my life. But I'm able to sing in the rain, because happy and head up, with joy in my heart...I am living a life full of Jesus. Here's praying that with Jesus you can be singing...and dancing...in the rain.