GIVE ME A SECOND

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “leap.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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There’s never enough time.

That simple sentence should be cross-stitched on a pillow. Or at least laminated and posted on the fridge. 

It’s an eternal truth. 

Well, then, congratulations! Good news! Halleluiah!   

This month, we get a whole extra day. An entire 24 hours. A complete set of 1440 minutes. 

February 29. Wow. That’s not something we get to see every year. It’s a gift. 

How often have you heard someone say that the best gift they’ve ever received is the gift of time spent with someone they love?

This year we get an extra day. A special gift to spend extra time with someone we love. 

God’s days are always special. God’s days are always an opportunity to spend time with Him. God is always with us; always waiting for us to turn to Him and say, “There you are.”

To which He responds, “I am.” 

Today if you ask someone for help and they say, “Just give me a second,” you go right ahead and smile.  

“No problem,” you can say, “today I have a whole 86,400 extra seconds.”

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for time. Thank you for giving us exactly as much time as you determine we need in this life. Thank you for promising that we have eternal, “forever time” in heaven with you. Please help us make the best use of the time you have given us here on this earth. Help us use it for your good purpose and glory. Amen. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Any plans for the extra day God gave you this year?

SHIELDS OF FAITH

Today’s post is the fifth in a series about putting on the full armor of god

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)

I didn’t grasp the fullness of this passage—from a warfare point of view—until I began studying movies set in the ancient world.  

Watching The 300 and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy explains what Paul was talking about. The archers didn’t aim at anyone in particular. They lit their arrows, directed them up into the sky and let go. The arrows arched up and headed back down onto the enemy. Fighting from above as well as from the front.

To guard against those arrows from above, ancient soldiers gathered tightly together. They lined up their shields next to each other and over their heads, deflecting the rain of arrows from above.

Knowing the enemy often lit their arrows, soldiers would soak their wooden shields in water before battle. Wet shields meant flaming arrows would be more likely extinguished, doing less damage.

Just so, the Devil attacks us at every possibility, trying to pierce our faith using fire-tipped arrows for even more damage

Paul tells us that one way to protect ourselves is to take up a shield of faith. Psalms 28:7 says that

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. 

(Psalms 28:7)

It is faith in the LORD that is our shield. Not faith in our battle plan. Not faith in our own strength. But faith in our Commander in Chief—the Lord himself. He is our shield.

So we arm ourselves against the attack from the evil one by taking up our faith as a shield, knowing that God is on our side. And if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Especially if we have soaked our shield in the living water—Jesus Christ.

Just as ancient soldiers worked together to shield each other from flaming arrows, so can Christians work together to battle evil. Just as you might slip under another soldier’s shield if yours is damaged, so too can you rely on another believer’s faith if yours feels temporarily weak.

When we are overcome by arrows from the evil one and feel we cannot even pray; we can ask those people whose faith is strong to lift us up in prayer and to keep praying until we are able to regain a firm grip on our shield and move forward in battle. Soaked in the living water of Christ, which is the Word of God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for your armor which can protect us from the flaming arrows of the Devil. Please help us pick up your shield of faith and soak it deeply in your Word each day before battle. Help us also live in community with other believers so that we are stronger together with you as our Commander in Chief. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you felt your faith was a shield against the Devil’s attacks? Are you doing individual combat or are you part of the army of God, helping shield others as well as letting their shields of faith protect you?

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE CRACKERS

Several years ago, a friend of mine wrote a bedtime story that was illustrated by a talented artist. When my friend first saw the proofs of the book, she was surprised. The illustrator had taken the visual story in a different direction than my friend had envisioned. Specifically, the illustrator showed one of the characters falling asleep on a stack of graham crackers during his bedtime snack.

After stewing over this development and wondering if she should talk to her editor, my friend finally shrugged her shoulders and decided not to worry about it. The book was published and it was delightful. 

That incident reminded me of life. What a blessing if we are able to fall asleep on a stack of graham crackers. They’re sweet, delicious and nourishing. That’s not something to worry about. It’s something to be thankful for. 

Am I thankful for the crackers in my life?

Or am I worried that eating those crackers will fill my bed with crumbs and make me itchy and uncomfortable?

Jesus didn’t feed the multitude with crackers. He gave them bread. But crackers are the same food category. If Jesus asked us to remember Him every time we eat bread, I can do the same thing every time I nibble crackers, too.

And I might as well remember him when I’m munching on cookies, French bread and waffles.

Nope, I won’t worry about the crackers. I’ll be thankful for them.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the crackers in our lives. Thank you especially for your body, broken for us. Help us remember your sacrifice each time we have bread, communion wafers or even sweet, crumbly graham crackers. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What crackers in your life should you be grateful for?

This is a reposting from More From Ruby an offshoot of  Ruby for Women ezine.

LEAP TO THE END

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “leap.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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Are you one of those folks who jump to the end of the book? Read the last chapter first? Try to take all the fun out of the journey?

Tsk. Tsk.

Books—fiction books at least—are meant to be read from the front cover to the back. In that order. The writer, after all, has spent many sweat-filled years, creating a story that leads you from scene to scene, character to character, plot twist to plot twist to give you the satisfying ending he designed.

So to you book jumpers, I say again, “tsk, tsk.”

But that’s for fiction.

You can sometimes get away with chapter jumping when reading non-fiction books. Non-fiction. That’s the real life stuff. The books filled with facts and history and truth.

Sometimes the author intends to lead you chapter-by-chapter to one ultimate truthful conclusion.

But sometimes each chapter can stand by itself.

Chapter 1: here’s something you need to know.

Chapter 27: If you want this, then…

Chapter 42: Here are 39 ways to…

Chapter 3: Don’t forget to…

With those books, each truth—each chapter—can stand alone. And each can stand as part of the whole.

Go ahead and jump to the end of those books. No tsk-ing required.

So it is with the Bible.

The Bible is our eternal non-fiction reference guide. Yet, it is written by the Master Author—with scenes in history, character development, plot twists and the ultimate ending that explains everything that came before the final chapter. And everything that comes after it.

Chapter 1: Here’s something you need to know. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Chapter 17: If you want this, then…follow Jesus.

Chapter 42: Here are 39 ways to…live like Jesus.

Chapter 3: Don’t forget to…obey God.

Conclusion, final chapter, Book of Revelation: God wins. So do we.

Go ahead and jump to the end of the book. In fact, LEAP to the end. It’s all good. It’s all very good. That’s why it’s called “The Good Book.”

Today—Ash Wednesday—begins the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter, when Christ was resurrected. It is a time for reflection and penitence. And thanksgiving for God’s gift of salvation. Go ahead and leap for joy!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest book ever written. Thank you for writing it in such a way that it can lead us through life, step-by-step to a final conclusion. Or it can be read book-by-book as a daily reference guide. Reveal your truth to us each time we open it. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? When you read fiction, do I need to tsk-tsk you?

STANDING FIRM

Today’s post is the fourth in a series about putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14).

Stand firm then…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

 

Roman warriors didn’t wear boots. Rather, they wore studded sandals like these replicas and then protected their lower legs with metal or leather greaves. Later, soldiers adopted boots as part of their armor.

Most Bible versions don’t mention a type of footwear in Ephesians. But many people refer to this portion of God’s armor as the “shoes of peace” or the “boots of peace.”

Stand firm then…

Paul reminds us that when we put on the armor of God, we are to stand. Not lounge comfortably, wearing our fuzzy slippers. We are to stand.

You gals who have taken a step onto ice, wearing 4” heels know the peril of simply standing. You guys wearing new dress shoes and stepping onto wet linoleum know the peril of simply standing. It’s hard to stand firm if you’re wearing the wrong shoes.

 

…with your feet fitted

We’ll be able to stand and move better if our footwear fits. Without proper fitting shoes, our feet blister. Too small and we limp. Too big and we trip.

Just like our faith. Too little and we limp along. Too much of ourselves thinking we know it all and we're likely to trip.

Without securing our properly-fitting shoes, we are not ready to stand. Much less are we ready to go where He sends us. 

…with the readiness

God can do all things in heaven and on earth. But lots of times, He uses us to get things done. With the Holy Spirit living in us, God is right there directing our actions. We can be God’s hands and feet in this world, accomplishing His purpose; fulfilling His plans.

If we are to be His feet, then, we should be ready to go where He sends us. Part of being ready is putting on our boots. Boots that are fitted to our feet with readiness. 

…that comes from the gospel of peace. 

Paul reminds us that we are to wear the “boots of peace.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace.” Therefore we should live a life like Jesus did.

But Jesus wasn’t always peaceful. He stood up for what was right and was ready—whip in hand—to make other people pay attention.

The United Nations sends out soldiers and calls them a “Peacekeeping Force.” Our police are referred to as “Officers of the Peace.” Sometimes peace is something we have to fight for. Or march toward. Or stand up for. All that peacekeeping requires us to put on the boots of peace, fitted for us by God.

And in addition to being peace keepers,we are also to be peace makers. One of Jesus’ beatitudes was: Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called Sons of God. As a child of God, I like that.

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One day, we get to slide into them golden slippers and walk all over God’s heaven.

Now those are boots of peace!

Meanwhile, wearing our boots of readiness from the gospel, we can first stand firm and then run Paul’s race with Jesus.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please put your armor on us. Please fit our feet with the gospel of peace so that we can stand firm and be ready to go where you send us, protected by your armor. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Did your mamma wear combat boots? Do you?

MORE PRAYING NAMES

Every month I create prayers based on the names of people we love. This ongoing list of names and prayers can be found at the top of this blog, on the tab titled, “PRAYING NAMES.”  

If you would like me to create a prayer based on a specific name, please leave a comment below. I’ll research the name and include it in a future month.

Duane, Dwayne: wagon maker

Heavenly Father, I pray that Duane will live the meaning of his name. I pray that he will be a source of encouragement to others; carrying them forward through difficulties, easing their burdens and helping them journey through life. Amen. 

Nancy: grace  

Heavenly Father, I pray that Nancy will live the meaning of her name. I pray that she will accept and celebrate the grace you have freely offered her. I pray that she will then share your grace others and be a living of grace in this world. Amen. 

Roger: renowned spearman 

Heavenly Father, I pray that Roger will live the meaning of his name. I pray that he will be known far and wide as one of your righteous warriors. I pray that he will be a leader in your army, fighting evil and pushing forward to win souls for your good purpose. Amen. 

Samantha: listener of God 

Heavenly Father, I pray that Samantha will live her name. I pray that in all things she will listen to you. I pray that she will seek you first whenever she needs wisdom, decision making, encouragement, counsel and peace. I pray then that she will hear your words and share then with the world so that others can hear you, too. Amen.

LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “leap.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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One of my personal goals for 2012 is to return to trading the stock market. After more than a year on the sidelines. 

I was doin’ hecka good as long as the market was going up. We all were.

But sometimes it goes down. That’s when I nibble my nails and hold my breath. 

What does this have to do with the February Christian Writers’ theme of “leap”? One of the options strategies I like is LEAPS—

Long-term Equity Antici-Pation Securities.  

Whoever named the strategy didn’t follow the rules of “proper acronym creation.” But that aside, the strategy is this: 

You buy an option that won’t expire for over a year. Then you sell shorter-term options against that long-term option, month after month after month. Or you simply exercise your option to buy the stock at that (by then discounted) price when it makes sense to do so.   

Some options trading strategies are less risky. LEAPS is one of those. “Conservative” even.  

I like that. A lot. 

God has given us people, things, and blessings and the responsibility to take care of them. The difficulty in finances for me is to not dig a hole and stuff it in the ground. When you do that, you don’t get a nametag that says, “Good and faithful servant.” 

Rather, you’ve gotta dig the talents out of the ground. Be a good steward—not only by not spend, spend, spending; but also by making money work so it can grow and flourish. 

There's a point somewhere in between burying finances in the ground and tossing it into the wind. The task is to find that point. The point might just be reached by a cautious, tiptoeing in LEAPS.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to be stewards of your world and everything in it. Please help us be good stewards and let it be for your glory. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you a bronco-riding cowboy when it comes to finances? Are you a slow and steady plodding turtle? Or something in between?

WEARING RIGHTEOUSNESS

This is the third in a series about putting on the armor of God.


Ephesians 6:14 ...with the breastplate of righteousness in place

One of the best scenes in the movie, A Knight’s Tale is when the lady blacksmith creates a set of sturdy, lightweight armor for Heath Ledger. While all the other knights are struggling to heave themselves up on their horses—aided by a multitude of strong servants—our hero simply steps up, swings his leg over the saddle and he’s ready for battle. 

But A Knight’s Tale was fiction. In reality, battle armor was heavy and bulky. I can’t imagine wearing the kind of heavy bulky armor the ancient warriors and knights had to wear. Still, if I had to go into battle, no matter how heavy and bulky it was, I’m sure I would prefer the weight and discomfort of armor in order to protect my vital organs. 

We talk about our hearts as the source of life. And surely, our heart is one of our most vital organs. If our heart is pierced, we’re gonna die. 

If our heart is pierced spiritually, our faith is in jeapardy. A breastplate of armor protected warriors’ hearts. God’s breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts spiritually. 

The point of a breastplate is protection; not comfort. The point of righteousness is not comfort either. Let’s face it: being righteous in an unrighteousness world is very uncomfortable. But it is the way God wants us to live. And living a righteous life—being obedient to God, faithful to Him, focused on Him—protects our spiritual heart.  

If the heaviness of the breastplate of righteousness feels like a burden, we can remember that Jesus told us that his burden is light and Paul followed up, reminding us that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.  

Not only does Jesus help carry our burden; he makes us stronger. 

Jesus himself is righteousness. If we wear Jesus’ righteousness as a breastplate, it will be comfortable anyway because it is light. And, yoked to him, he will help us carry it--stronger as we are through him. 

Tomorrow we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. It reminds us that hearts are a symbol of love as well as a symbol of life. So much better if they are a symbol of God’s love for us and ours for Him. 

That’s worth protecting; worth wearing God’s breastplate of righteousness. Ask God to put it on you. The burden is light. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please protect our hearts. Please put your breastplate of righteous on us. Protect us with your righteousness and make the burden light as we allow Jesus to strengthen us and help us carry it into whatever spiritual battle may come our way. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How will God’s breastplate of righteousness protect you today?

IRRESISTIBLY SWEET BLOG AWARD

Awarded by Linda Yezak

Thank you, Linda Yezak for this award. Your kind words of encouragement sent me soaring!

Linda and I met online over at ChristianWriters.com. Coincidently a girlfriend in my Christian book club contacted her about her newly released book, Give the Lady a Ride, which we then read as one of our monthly selections. It’s been a privilege to get to know Linda online. Go to her blog and get to know her yourself. 

It’s my pleasure to pass this award on to five deserving people.

Kathleen Tucker – Nearly one whole year ago, dear Kathleen told me to stop moaning about starting a blog and…start one! This week, she started her own. Her very first post went up Wednesday evening. Her travel consulting blog will be delightful because Kathleen is delightful. Her "Tucker Travel" "Tucker Travel." 

Janet Ann Collins – Janet recently presented me with the Liebster Award and it’s my privilege to return the favor. I love Janet’s heart for others; particularly her heart for children with special needs and the adults who love them. "OnWords" 

Sandra Lee – Sandy has just come on board at the Christian Writers forum, joining our blog chain with enthusiasm. She’s been blogging since 2010, but it looks like she’s now charging up full steam ahead. I hope this recognition will encourage her to use her blog to encourage many others in Jesus’ name. "TheEveryDayChristian"  

Victor Travison – Why am I awarding a manly guy with an “irresistibly sweet” blog award? Because I love his blog. It’s about the genre of science fiction and how Victor (not his real name) sees Jesus in the characters, plots, scenes and the genre he loves. I, too, am all about seeing Jesus everywhere. And since I, too, love science fiction, Victor’s blog is irresistibly sweet to me. "Lightwalker Files" 

Adam Collings – Here’s another guy who gets this sweet reward. The first thing you notice when you go to Adam’s site are the photos of he and his wife and kids. A godly man who loves his family is irresistibly sweet in my opinion. And his blogs are filled with glimpses of Jesus, too. How much sweeter can you get? "The Collings Zone"

Now, as required, here are seven things you don’t know about me.

I used to tell hubby not to spend money on roses. Then he discovered Costco. Bring ‘em on home, honey. 

I didn’t like dogs until Mollie came to live with us. Her breed? If there’s a sweet-but-goofy breed, she’s a pedigree! 

I’m almost 59. I know—hard to believe, right? OK, I said it. I’m OLD. 

I wanted to be an architect when I grew up. Then I grew up and became an architect. Well, not officially. Hubby and I designed and built homes for seven years. Been there, done that. Next childhood dream? Writing. 

I’m terrified of swimming in large bodies of water. Like the ocean. Lakes. Kiddie pools. What’s that coming out of the drain? 

My favorite thing to do is sleep. My second favorite thing to do is lie down and rest. Sometimes it leads to my first favorite thing. 

My dreams tell me if I’m overwhelmed (I’m packing my suitcase as the plane is leaving); worried (My final exam is starting and I can’t find the classroom); happy (I take a step and Grande Jete over the treetops). Sometimes God gives me nudges in my dreams, too—what I should be working on in my heart; people I should pray for; new writing projects.

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Thanks again to Linda Yezak for the “Irresistibly Sweet” blog award. Congratulations to the next set of winners. Please check out their blogs and learn seven things about them you never knew!   

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for placing people in our lives who encourage us. Please show us ways to use that encouragement for your glory. And show us ways to encourage others in your name. Amen. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How can you encourage someone today?

SUPER MAN; SUPER GOD

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “leap.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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"Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."

Matthew 4 tells us that after the devil led Jesus into the wilderness, he then took Jesus to the holy city where they perched on the highest point of the temple. 

“If you are the Son of God,” said the devil, “throw yourself down. For it is written: 

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Jesus was fully man and fully God. But better. Super Man and Super God. In fact, as fully God, Jesus could not only have thrown himself down from the tallest building in the holy city, he could have leapt over it.  

As Super Man, Jesus wore some pretty big sandals. John the Baptist knew that, when he said, he wasn’t worthy to even untie Jesus’ sandals.  

We certainly can’t fill Jesus’ shoes. But we can follow in his footsteps and we can walk alongside him.

The problem is: big shoes mean big footsteps. So sometimes we have to jog to keep up. Or run really hard. Sometimes we have to leap from one big footstep to another.  

Other times, Jesus has to stop and wait for us to catch up. 

Jesus is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. And he’s always ready to take us with him. Ready to hold us up, should we fall. Ready to cradle us when we do. 

I have several sayings that apply to my walk with Jesus. They vary depending on life’s circumstances. But they all remind me of who Jesus is. And who I am in him. 

• Hand in hand with Jesus.
• Clutching Jesus’ hand.
• Holding on to Jesus—for dear life.
• Dancing with my savior. 

In the final analysis, as much as I hold, clutch, grip or dance—it’s not up to the strength of my grip. Jesus has a hold on me. And he doesn’t let go.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for becoming human for our sake. Thank you for your example of living. Thank you for being Super Man and Super God. Help us hold more tightly and remind us that when you leap, we won’t slip. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a cliché that you apply to your walk with Jesus?

BUCKLE UP

Today’s post is the second in a series about putting on the full armor of God.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist ( Ephesians 6:14)

I’ve reached that point in life, when the clothes I love best are baggy shirts and elastic waist pants. I swore I’d never wear elastic waist pants. But that was when I was younger and thinner.

One of the things that’s so great about elastic pants is that your pants stay up all by themselves. You might have to tug and readjust, but you never have to worry that they will end up down—when you get up. No need for a pesky, uncomfortable belt.

Back in bible days, folks didn’t wear pants. They wore tunics—giant sheet sorts of things. Then to keep the big mass of fabric out of the way, so they could move and work, they wore belts. Sometimes those belts held tools. Sometimes weapons.

In Ephesians, Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God. And the very first piece of the armor he mentions is God’s belt of truth.

Other, more scholarly writers will point to God’s Commandment # 9 “Thou shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Deuteronomy 5:20) They’ll point out that, living a Christ-like life means living truth; abhorring lies.

Let’s take that as a given. We shouldn’t lie. Looking further, Paul gives us four instructions here in Ephesians 6:14:

1. Stand firm. Don’t worry that your pants will fall down or that everything will get in the way. With Jesus, we have confidence.
2. Buckle it. Don’t just hold truth against your body; don’t tie it with a slip knot. Buckle it. Make it secure.
3. It’s a belt of truth. A belt of truth keeps the big mass of lies out of the way, enabling a person to move and work. And truth is a weapon that can be used to fight the evil one’s lies.
4. Wear it around your waist. Don’t just attatch it to your pinky where it could slip off. Rather, buckle it around your waist. Attach the very center of you—to Jesus.

Most importantly: the truth IS Jesus. Jesus is the truth, the way and the life. What better way for God to protect us—to arm us—than if we wear Jesus?  

Remember the 1960’s TV jingle? Buckle up for safety. Everybody buckle up.

Seatbelts used to be annoying. Inconvenient. Uncomfortable. But after 50 years of wearing seatbelts, they are no longer a big deal. Now I buckle up even when I drive from one end of the shopping center to the other. The fact that I drive is another matter entirely…The point is that I buckle up.

I’ll probably wear elastic waist pants the rest of my life. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need God’s belt of truth buckled securely around my waist. A belt of truth might feel annoying sometimes. Or inconvenient. Or uncomfortable. But it will keep me secure.

And—just like a seatbelt—I’ll get used to it. Hopefully, I'll get so used to it that I will feel uncomfortable WITHOUT it.

Everybody buckle up!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please protect us by helping us into your armor. Help us today buckle the belt of truth—Jesus—securely around us and those we love. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What does the belt of truth mean to you?

IRISES & VIOLETS: FOCUS ON JESUS

Every month has a birth stone. The birthstone for February is the amethist.

Every month also has a birth flower, sometimes two. The birth flowers for February are the iris and the violet. And they both remind me of Jesus.

The iris is the main February flower. Its stalks are tall and sturdy; its flowers large and showy.  

Although we generally think of irises as purple, they come in all colors. In fact, the name “iris” comes from the Latin word for rainbow.

God’s promise to mankind is represented visually in the sky every time we see a rainbow. The rainbow reminds us—and Him—of His everlasting love for us. And of God’s love ultimately made incarnate through Jesus.

The leaves of the iris remind me of Jesus, too. They are sword shaped. The sword of God—according to Ephesians 6—is the Word of God. The Word of God, explained in John 1:14 is Jesus himself.

The word “iris” also refers to the part of our eye that helps focus our vision. It is the eyeball muscle, the thing that expands and constricts to control the size of our pupil.

Jesus recognized the relationship between seeing physically and seeing spiritually, when he asked the disciples: “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” (Mark 8:17-18)

The iris flower then is a reminder to see through Jesus’ eyes. To look where he points. To focus on Him.

Violets are the secondary birth flower for February. The small, soft blossoms and velvety leaves remind us that humility, humbleness and gentleness are precious to God.

Its name reflects the color most common to violets. Purple. The color of royalty. The color of King Jesus.

Both the iris and the violet represent faith and hope. More than anything, this reminds us that the basis for our hope of heaven is our faith in Jesus.

Happy birthday to everyone born in February.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us your glory in the beauty of the world you created. Help us to see you in everything around us. Help us to look for you and to be reminded of your character. And then to praise you for it. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Who do you know with a February birthday? Would they enjoy this post—like a bouquet from Jesus?

January Carnations 

December Poinsettias

November Chrysanthemum

October Marigold

September Asters and Morning Glories 

August Gladiolas and Poppies 

July Larkspurs and Lilies

June Roses

LEAPING FORWARD

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. This month, our theme is “leap.” Please visit my friends’ blogs by clicking on the links in the right-hand column.

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Welcome to February. 

Wait a minute. What happened to January? Did I blink? One whole month of this brand-new year is already gone. 

Did I accomplish what I intended? Did I accomplish more things or better things than I hoped? Or not as much? 

I thought I was slowly and steadily plodding along. But evidently, I took a step and leaped from January first right through to the next month on our calendar. <sigh> 

If time flies when you’re having fun, I just had a terrific January.  

With time flying like it is, I’m feeling grateful that we get an extra day this month. February 29. Nice.  

Happy February, folks. Happy Leap Year.

PRAYER: Holy God, I praise you and thank you for using me last month and for the work you’ve done in me. Please help me release the grip I have on my life so I can follow your leading with more conviction in February. Let this leap month be a leap of faith for me, following in your footsteps and with my hand in yours. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Was January a good month for you and your relationship with God?