from Hidden Treasures... to Sparkling Jewels

I can't believe it's been 25 years!  What a journey.  Eric and I celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary on September 6, 2011. Recently we woke up one morning and couldn't seem to find his wedding band.  He puts it in the same place each night yet we both continue to be baffled as to what happened to it.  So we decided to get him a new one.  I thought about those with Hebrew writing and remembered Texas' James Avery has them AND they specialize in silver.  But when I found it on their website, my eye was drawn to THE one I knew was just for him.  I showed it to him and we knew this was a total "God thing."  And, ironically, it had my birthstone.

James Avery Martin Luther Wedding Band

Luther's Engagement Ring and his Wedding Ring: Creative and Meaningful


Martin Luther on Marriage as a School of Character


Eric is related to Martin Luther.  I have his Grandma Borah's wedding rings.  She left them for him when she passed away when he was just a kid.  Now both of ours reflect his heritage.  In addition, he came home a few weeks ago with an anniversary gift for me from James Avery as well.  He got me two Avery Remembrance Rings, one to represent each of our birthstones:  a January garnet of transparent fire for me and a February amethyst of royalty for him: 

You just can't plan these things.  But that is how God seems to work in our lives.  And oh, by the way... we'll let you know what we find in the vacuum cleaner bag.  But for now we view the "disappearing ring" as something pretty special.

"Without God's touch in our lives - His work in us to will and to do His good pleasure - there is no sparkle or scant joy. But when we allow Him to work within us - when we feel His hand upon us - we are no longer hidden treasures; we become sparkling jewels that beautify His Kingdom." 

- from Devotions for a Sensational Life

(I told you in a previous post I had more on sparkling jewels coming.  Even MORE about sparkling jewels later...)

Three Days

After the long trek from Christmas to Easter, how will I live from May-November?

This year my catalyst lies in the time from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Little did I know the wealth that awaited me during this small block of time from Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

God would bless me with three videos... and an amazing cup of tea.

Death: There is no such thing as anti-aging...

My conclusion? God is preparing me for Heaven. I choose to age gracefully and naturally.

Burial: There is Hope...

This song has special significance for me. My father had a near-fatal stroke when I was 11. I remember praying to a God I did not know to heal him and let him live. He miraculously survived without brain damage or long-term paralysis, despite given less than a 10% chance of even surviving the brain surgery. He awoke in ICU seeing me "sitting on a window ledge waving" (I was in the doorway - not quite 12 yet so I couldn't go in) and "hearing" Elvis singing How Great Thou Art. It was a long, hard rehabilitation while he learned to walk and talk again. His doctors called him the Miracle Patient. Some things medical science just can't explain. And they were ok with that.

Resurrection: The Gift of Life...

Dear Recipient


My name is Sonia, the proud wife of Francisco Rodriguez. The reason for my letter is that I learned you are a recipient of my husband's donation and through this letter, I would like you to know a little bit about him. I'll start by mentioning that Francisco was a very loving husband, father and friend and most importantly, of a truly humble and kind heart, which to me made him extremely special. He was very dedicated to his family and his career. My husband was a professional athlete, who loved the sport with a passion … my letter is that I learned you are a recipient of my husband's donation and t


Hello Sonia,

My name is Alexis. I am the recipient of your beloved husband's heart. … I am 26 years old and single. I have future plans on becoming a nurse anesthetist. … I was diagnosed with heart failure in March 2005. After that, life became difficult for me as my health rapidly declined. My family began to make preparations for the worst …

letters

My Cup of Tea

"His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower." ~ William Cowper

"There came a time when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." ~ Buddha

via Green Ganesh: "In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet" - or in this case, in their tea

John 11:24-26

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁴ Martha *said to Him, “^(A)I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her,“^(B)I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in Me ^(C)will never die. Do you believe this?”

Welcome to 2011!

I'm Caren Hoehn. The '85 Chicago Bears were awesome! I love DA-Bears, even when they're DUH-Bears. I froze in 24 below zero Lake Michigan weather to see them lose the NFC Championship at Chicago's Soldier Field. I got a personalized, autographed football from Walter Payton for my 15th birthday (thanks dad!) I met my husband Eric at a football game. I got to fly in an open cockpit plane. There's no place like Portillo's. I started water skiing at age 5. I LOVE yoga. AND? I can tell you something about most everyone on my Facebook friends list. ZOOM ZOOM!

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (v.10,11)

“Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (Deuteronomy 8:6)

JESUS LIVED WORTHY OF HIS CALLING: HE DIDN'T SETTLE. SO WHY SHOULD I?

Christmas to Easter dragged, until the continuity of December-April struck me: anticipate the birth of our Savior (Christmas Eve), behold his arrival (Christmas Day), walk with him through his life; ponder his death and burial (Good Friday); celebrate his resurrection (Easter Sunday). Now I see it differently.

New Years and Valentines Day occur between Christmas and Easter; Thanksgiving precedes Christmas. Does January leave me unexcited about fresh opportunities before me? Do I miss the reminders of God’s love in February? Does November find me ungrateful? Or does the season in between Jesus' birth and resurrection change me? And how do I live from May-November? Am I tempted to settle for less than what God intended?

I can imagine the Israelites had some long, drawn out times trekking from Genesis through Joshua: Prepared, Redeemed, Taught, Tested–FAIL!, Taught, Tested–PASS! How much easier it would have been if they just passed the test the first time. Me too.

Jesus didn’t settle. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Who: Jesus, the Son of God
What: led by the Spirit
When: after fasting for 40 days
Where: into the wilderness/desert
Why: to be tempted by the devil
How: “it is written”, “it is also written”, “away from me Satan, for it is written”
Result: then the devil left him and angels came and attended him

1) Despair and Distrust (v.1-4)

Jesus KEPT GOD’s WORD, believing God would sustain him.

2) Pride and Presumption (v.5-7)

Jesus WALKED IN GOD’s WAYS, knowing “it’s not about me”.

3) Idolatry and Worldly Glory (v.8-11)

Jesus FEARED GOD THROUGH WORSHIP, convinced it’s all for God’s glory.

Jesus aced the test the Israelites failed. In Deuteronomy 8, they were challenged to remember God so they wouldn't forget him and go after, serve and worship other gods instead. Would they listen to God’s voice? Disobey because of pride? Choose the land–the center of God’s will for their lives–for their own good? Would they obey God from the heart?

Satan wants to annihilate the competition. He wants to be the superstar. Don’t cheat off his test. Don’t settle like he did. Live worthy of your calling.

"What" STRATEGY: Live Worthy of Your Calling.

from The Real Deal by Dan Webster...

1) Face Truth

What could be the consequences of my “Fatal Flaws” (areas I'm vulnerable to temptation)?

2) Accept Pain

Do I EXPECT Jokers, Valleys AND Graces in my life?

You must pick one: kidney stone or give birth? Similar pain, yet only one has a payoff!

3) Intercept Entropy

We walk away from God one step at a time. Am I confessing or covering up my sin?

"How" TACTIC: Don't Settle.

"Downshifting" by Bill Hybels...

yesterday’s highlights (Psalm 77:11)
clearing my conscience (Proverbs 28:13)
saying “thanks” (Psalm 111:1)
Lord, I need Your help with (1 Peter 5:7)
Lord, do You have anything to say to me? (John 10:27)

Spend 5 minutes daily getting in touch with God and your heart by downshifting. Stay focused-use your margin to log today's to-dos for later.

source: www.authenticleadershipinc.com