March 7, 2012: The Bond of Believers

3 gifts in the kitchen:

• a pretty little dish I bought in the Bahamas, a souvenir from our 25th anniversary trip. A reminder of the blessing of marriage.
• my tea kettle.  Because there's just nothing like a cup of herbal tea to comfort and refresh.
• new friends.  We started meeting tonight with a group of people from church to study and discuss the book of Ruth for the Lenten season.  It's such joy to have an instant connection with other believers because of the bond we have in Christ.

February 7, 2012: Gifts Wrapped in Red

  
3 gifts red:

• Red velvet cake, so generously delivered by my thoughtful friend, Patti.  She brought us some to-die-for minestrone soup, chock full of vegetables and Italian sausage, a loaf of crusty bread, and a slab of absolutely delicious looking red velvet cake.  Loved the soup and bread, trying to hold off on the cake until later.  The food was a gift, but more than that the friend is a gift.
• Bags of Valentine treats, all prepared for the other leaders and the women in my Bible study group.  I'm excited about them--such a cute idea that I found on Pinterest :)
• My sins, formerly red, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

January 30, 2012: He Makes All Things New

3 old things seen new:

• a friendship.  I had dinner with my dear friend Brenda tonight (actually I have 2 dear friends named Brenda).   She was one of my first friends at church, a gift from God when I really needed one.   An old friendship is made new again whenever we spend time together. She knows my heart and loves me anyway.
• the old old story.  I couldn't sleep last night and after laying in bed for a couple of hours, finally got up to read.  I finished in one hour a little book called "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger" (David Gregory) about a man who receives a dinner invitation from Jesus, the Gospel fresh and new.  It's a simple story, but it answers so many of the questions and doubts that many of us have.  He invites you too and has already picked up the tab!
• my Grandma's depression glass.  She was a farmer's wife and didn't own many fancy things, but I love this pink glassware that now has new life in my home.

January 28, 2012: The Gift of Friendship

3 graces found in your friends:
This was both very easy and very hard.  Very easy because I have such wonderful friends, but that made it very hard to choose, so I went with the first three God brought to mind.

• Grace in the way my friend, Louayne, speaks so freely of the Lord and how he is working in her life.  She teaches and reminds me to do the same.
• Grace to endure suffering.  My friend Diana endures many trials, yet she clings to Jesus as her lifeline.  God's glory is indeed revealed in her. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
• Grace of spirit.  That's my friend, Sharon.  She has the most gentle, loving spirit of anyone I've ever known.  She inspires me to speak graciously and to look for the good in every situation.