Happy Valentine's Day

LOVE BUG

An affectionate embrace

Or hug of love,

Is so reassuring and comforting.

Every time my love hugs me

I feel safe and secure.

My mind wanders

To my Father

In Heaven.

His embrace and His love

It endures forever.

It is perfect.

It is kind.

It is everlasting.

It is patient.

It never forsakes me,

Or leaves me.

It never keeps a record

Of my wrong-doings.

An embrace is a sacred thing

I say bring it on!

It makes me feel safe.

So take a leap of faith

And be embraced.

Be refreshed, be reassured!

As I am held

I breathe in and breathe out

With a cleansing breath.

Oh so healing, Oh so good.

My heart leaps with joy.

I never want the embrace to end.

Life calls.  I hear it in my head.

 I  take the moment in

And reluctantly release the embrace.

                                                                   I look forward to the next hug.

I am hooked

I am transfixed.

 I’ve got that “Love Bug.”

PUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON A SHELF

ADMIT and ACKNOWLEDGE-YOU NEED A HIGHER POWER.

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV) 1. God first

                   2. Husband/Wife 

                   3. Children

                   4. Work/Whatever you can get to.

Parenting tip-Family-All For One; One for All-teamwork-Three Muskateer Bars

AWARENESS-THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Parenting tip-LGB (laundry, garbage, bathroom) What's your plan?

1. God has a plan for your life.

2. Look at life experiences as a OPPORTUNITY.

3. Psalm 139-You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are not a mistake. Do you put yourself down? What do you say about yourself.

ACCEPT-MAJOR MIND OVERLOAD

Ephesians 4:22-24  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1. What needs improvement.

2. 5 things you must know about God - (hand print) God is who He says, He is. God can do what he says He can do. I am who God says I am. I can do all things through Christ. God's word is alive and active in me. 

3. Know Gods word. Do a word study on the words you feel you are lacking.

4.  Know your enemy. Satan. 

5. Put on the Armor of God. The sword of the spirit is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-18.

Parenting tip-Toothpaste game-You can't take your words back.

ACTION-TRAIN YOUR BRAIN.-PUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON A SHELF. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. (The Message)

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Parenting tip-3 bags (throw away, put away, give away)

1. Make your list of things you need to improve. weakness, decision-making, values, morals.

2. Powerful God tools.

3.  Seek this verse when deciding to confront or resolve a conflict. What is your motive? James 3:17  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 

PERSONALITIES - 

4 TYPES - 

1.  OTTER - Let's do it the fun way.

2.  BEAVER - Let's do it the right way.

3.  LION - Let's do it my way.

4.  GOLDEN RETRIEVER - Let's do it the easy way.

AVAILABLE-SHINE FOR JESUS

Philippians 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

 When you Admit, Acknowledge, Accept God's word, (Action) live God's word

You become strong and then you are Available for God.

Something to Ponder:  When you look at Paul's life, Paul's sanity was protected by his certainty.

Publishing rights @ Elaine James Ministry

Fun games to remember. 

1. Toothpaste game-object to teach that you can't take words back once they are said.

2. Go To The Throne Before The Phone-pray about everything.

3. It's a Snare to Compare - idea is not to hurt someone but help they to understand we are all created differently and we each have our own plans for our lives.

4. Philippians 4:8 - Yell it out! Be careful little eyes what you see, hear, do. Does it line-up with Philippians 4:8?

5. Popeye Moment - If life is really getting someone down ask them "Did they eat their spinach today?" Meaning God and spinach both give you strength for the day.

6. Measuring Stick - Do you sit down, slow down, quiet down enough to grasp how GINORMOUS God's love is for you?

7. Umbrella - Good reminder that an umbrella and Jesus are a lot a like. If you have them both with you, open and covering you then they can protect you from storms.