TO CELEBRATE OR NOT TO CELEBRATE -- THAT IS THE QUESTION

I have been in a quandary today. I had intended to take down my Christmas Village, but this winter weather has me back in the Christmas spirit. I just took down the rest of my decorations last week, but just couldn't yet part with the village. (I love Christmas and always hate for it to end. Yes, I know that it was over two months ago.)

But, Easter is only three weeks away, and I haven't even started decorating for it. I have these beautiful eggs that I put on my dining room table. And if I don't get them out soon, I will not be able to enjoy them. I personally don't like Easter coming this early, but nobody asked me!!!

So, do I celebrate Christmas and winter, or Easter and spring???

I looked out at my patio where I sat yesterday enjoying the spring weather and the Forsythia and Hawthorn in full bloom. There lay a sprig of mistletoe that had blown down from the tree overhead.

Definite sign, celebrate Christmas!!

But then my husband came in and to settle the issue for me. He was carrying a large bouquet of spring flowers for me. Absolutely gorgeous. Is he in the habit of doing this??? Definitely not!!!!

You see, today is our anniversary, and he remembered. Now that is something to celebrate!!! That either one of us can remember anything is something to celebrate!!!

So, I kept up the Christmas village to remember that LOVE came down at Christmas, I put the arrangement of eggs to remember that LOVE hung on the cross for me, and I look at my flowers and remember that LOVE has kept two cranky old people together for 37 years. - jl

"This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it"

Paul Wilbur - Entrare a Jerusalem

Click below on "Watch and Listen" and Enjoy! - jl

Watch and Listen -

Recipes

One of the blessings of the Monday night study group is the good food and fellowship we have enjoyed. Many have requested recipes, and three of you have shared yours. I hope to be able to post more in the next few days.

Black Bean Salsa
Shea Harmon
2-15oz cans black beans, drained

1-16oz can whole kernal corn, drained

1-10oz can Rotel tomatoes

6 tbs lime juice

6 tbs vegetable oil

1 cup medium picante sauce

1/2 cup chopped purple onion

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

*Serve with chips

Sausage Dip

Angie Haynes

1 pound of sausage
1 can of Rotel
1 8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese
Brown sausage, drain add cheese back with sausage and then add in
rotel. (I doubled the recipe)

Sausage Bagels

Julie Hinds

1 pound sausage
2 cups of shredded cheddar
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 to 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 bag mini bagels, halved

Brown and drain sausage. Mix sausage, cheddar, soup and mayo. Spread mixture over bagels. Bake on 350 for 10 minutes.

Seven Biblical Feasts of Israel

Some of you requested a graph of the Feasts of Isreal. I found this, and hope it is helpful to you. jl-------

There are seven biblical feasts of Israel. The four annual feasts celebrated in the Spring have been fulfilled by Yeshua, Jesus. The three remaining feasts celebrated in the Fall will be fulfilled upon His return. The era between these two periods in history are the 'Church Age.' The chart above shows the yearly cycle of feasts and their relationship to these periods in history.

Four Feasts - In the Spring
(Already Fulfilled)

Pesach - Passover:
(Jesus was our Passover Lamb)

Unleavened Bread:
(Jesus was our sinless Messiah)

First Fruits:
(Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead)

Shavuot - Pentecost:
(The Holy Spirit descended)

Three Feasts - In the Fall
(Yet to be fulfilled)

Rosh Hoshanah - Yom Teruah, 'The Blowing of the Shofar'
(Will announce Jesus' return)

Yom Kippur - Day of Repentance
(Judgment Day)

Succot - Feast of Tabernacles
(The Kingdom banquet)

Beth Requests Prayer for Travis

On the Living Proof Ministry blog this afternoon Beth is request prayer for Travis :

"He is really sick (nothing serious but pressing and almost travel-prohibitive - fever, etc.). He's got several huge things coming up at once that need his utmost attention. First of all, it's his and Angela's darling Levi's fifth birthday (that's their baby) and they have his party today, then EARLY in the AM he's got to board a flight to Puerto Rico for work with the International Mission Board THEN he goes straight into a city back in the States to serve at a church later in the weekend."

Click here to read more . Isn't it great that we don't know him personally but can pray deeply.

I Lifted Up My Eyes

Yesterday, Suzi Morgan shared this poem that she wrote several years ago while studying "Believing God". Since that time, she has had to walk the road of cancer. But her testimony of the Peace of God is an encouragement to all. I asked her to share this poem with us, as it says exactly what we have learned in our journey of ascents.

I lifted up my eyes and what did I see.

Truth and beauty looking back at me.

From high in the heavens a great sound came;

"My child, it is me, I do know your name.

Do you not see or understand that all of this is in my plan,

That you're not alone; we walk hand in hand.

Come rest in my arms, I have just the place;

Let me be your guide 'til the day when we're face to face.

As the days grow long and you're feeling weak,

Yes, sometimes your way may even seem bleak.

Take heart my sweet child; you shall soar on high,

Just remember, take one day at a time, and then you too shall fly."