Sunday morning was especially interesting as we considered entering into the “rest” of God. Even more so the thrust of Hebrews 4:1-13 is the promise of entering into the rest of God. When God makes a promise, He keeps His promises! (You can listen to the sermon by clicking here!)
Sunday evening we spent our time looking at how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and sent plagues 8, 9 and 10. The tenth plague was the worst as the firstborn of all the Egyptians died because of Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites go. (You can listen to the sermon by clicking here!)
This is the first Valentine’s Day that we get to have with our two Sons. They planted some Monkey Grass in two little planter pots for their Mom and Dad. Their cards were awesome! Giovanni (2 years old) had his hand prints cut out and pasted to his card. Elijah (6 years old) had all of his favorite Valentine’s stickers on his card. They have worked on these cards for several days and just couldn’t wait to give them to us.
Mom had two Valentine’s bags full of candy and a Slinky for each of the boys. Of course we put their names on their Slinkys so they know who’s is who’s. Here’s how the morning conversation went:
Elijah: Dad! Happy Valentine’s Day! I made something for you!
Me: Huh? What time is it?!?
Elijah: I don’t know, but I woke up before you did!
Me: Are you already dressed and ready for school?!?
Elijah: Yes. I made something for you!
Me: O.k. I need to wake up. Where’s Mom?
Elijah: She’s in the kitchen.
(Enters Giovanni.)
Giovanni: *Grunt*
Me: Hey, Little Man!
Giovanni: *Grunt*
Mom: Hey, Gio!
Me: What did you say?
Giovanni: *Grunt*
Mom: Boys, there are bags for you on the table! Look!
Elijah: AAAAAAAAWESOME!
Giovanni: *Grunt*
Me: I need coffee.
Paul the apostle had this to say:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13)
I love my Wife, Cheryl, and my two Sons, Giovanni and Elijah. I’m most grateful that the Lord has loved us enough to give us His only begotten Son as our Lord and Savior…the greatest of these is love.
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
We give thanks to You, O God
For Your name is near
We give thanks to You, O God
For You have brought us here
You chose this time
You chose this place
You chose these people to show Your grace
We give thanks to the Father of Mercy
We give thanks to the Author of Love
We give thanks to the Giver of the Son
We give thanks to You, O God
For You have seen us through
We give thanks to You, O God
For what You said will come true
We give thanks to You, O God
For You have seen us through
We give thanks to You, O God
For what You said will come true
You chose the poor
You chose the lost
You chose the nails, betrayal, and cross
As for us, we’ll declare this forever
We will sing to the God who loves
We will stand up and fight for the last
Until the first shall be lifted up
D.J. Gorena 