The Love Dare - Day Thirty-Six

Love is God’s Word

For some people, the Bible seems just too big to understand.  It’s like an impossible challenge.  They don’t know where or how to begin.  But as a Christian, you’re not left alone to try grasping the major themes and deep meanings of the Bible.  The Holy Spirit, who now lives in your heart by the way of salvation, is an illuminator of truth. And because of His internal lamp, the Scriptures are now yours to read, absorb, comprehend, and live by.

But first, you’ve got to commit to do it.

Be in it.  If this is not already a habit of yours, now is the time to begin reading a portion of the Bible every day.  Ideally, read it together as husband and wife – in the morning, perhaps, or before bed. 

Stay under it.  You’re right; the Bible can be deep and challenging.  That’s why it’s so important to be part of a church where the Word is faithfully taught and preached.  By hearing it explained in sermons and Bible study classes, you’ll get a broader, more balanced view of what God is saying through His Word.  You’ll also get to join with others who are on the same journey you are, wanting to be fed by the truths of Scripture. 

Live it.  Unlike most other books, which are only designed to be read and digested, the Bible is a living book.  It lives because the Holy Spirit still resonates within its words.  It lives because, unlike the ancient writings of other religions, its Author is still alive.  And it lives because it becomes a part of who you are, how you think, and what you do.  

Jesus talked about people who build their lives on sand – their own logic, their best guesses, the latest reasoning.  When the storms of life begin to blow (which they always will), foundations of sand will only result in total disaster.  Their houses may light up and look nice for a while, but they are tragedies waiting to happen.  Ultimately they collapse.

When your home is founded on the rock of God’s unchanging Word, it is insured against destruction. That’s because God has the right plan for everything, and He’s revealed these plans in His Word.  They’re right there for anyone who will read it and apply it.

Every aspect of your life that you submit to, God’s principles will grow stronger and more long-lasting over time.  But any part you withhold from Him, choosing instead to try your own hand at it, will weaken and eventually fail when the storms of life hit you.  It may, in fact, be the one area that hastens the downfall of your home and marriage.

Wise couples build their houses on the rock of God’s Word. They’ve seen what sand can do.  They know how it feels when their footing gets soft and the foundation gives way.  That’s why must determine to build your life and marriage on the solid rock of the Bible, and then you can plan on a stronger future – no matter how bad the storms get.

Today’s Dare

Commit to reading the Bible every day.  Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance.  If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you.  Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.

Blooming Lollipop Card

I found this cute idea at Homemade Simple. I thought these  three-dimensional paper flower cards  are so adorable and wanted to let those with children know about it.  I know my kids would have loved this when they were younger. 


Supplies
Downloadable templates 
Scrapbook paper
Craft paper
Scissors
Glue stick
Pen, paint pen or marker
Lollipops

Instructions

1. After cutting out the two templates, lay the larger of the two on a piece of solid-colored craft paper— pink and red are perfect for the occasion—and trace the outline onto the paper. Cut out the shape.
2. Trace the outline of the smaller template onto a piece of Valentine’s Day patterned scrapbook paper and cut out the shape.
3. Use a glue stick to apply a coat of glue to the back of the patterned craft paper cutout (the smaller piece). Glue this on top of the larger solid-colored cutout so that the smaller cutout is now perfectly centered within the larger one.
4. At this point, have your child write a special Valentine’s Day note to a friend or classmate. This can be done on the petal of the card or you can glue a strip of paper to the lollipop with a personalized message.
5. Poke a hole in the center of the paper heart petals and push the stick of a lollipop through it to act as the stem of the flower.
6. Bend the petals of the flower upwards using the dotted lines from the petal template as your guide, and your card is complete!

Tips for Personalization:

• To make each card unique, purchase a variety of seasonal scrapbook papers and lollipop flavors so that no two cards are alike. Feel free to repurpose materials like newspaper and book pages as substitutes for craft paper.
• Metallic pens, paint pens and markers are great for letting kids personalize each card with a special message. Try using a variety of colors like white or pink.
• Consider making your cards shimmer with glitter glue, or add texture with puffy paints. Try using a yellow puffy paint to add a polka-dot effect to the petals of the flower.