My husband and I had a lovely Valentine’s Day yesterday. He brought me roses and a huge box of chocolates, then took me out for dinner and a movie.

I wrote him a poem.

It’s not the first poem I’ve given him for Valentine’s Day, and it probably won’t be the last.

Although I wrote it specifically for my husband, it is really a tribute to all men like him — men who are not afraid to BE MEN in an age when masculinity is sometimes frowned upon.

So keep up the good work, guys! The world wouldn’t be the same without you!

In Praise of the Manly Man

Hip! Hooray for the manly man!
He is tall, dark, and handsome, and tan.
    Though he’s covered in hair,
    Like a big teddy bear,
    He’s a softy inside,
    Where his feelings reside
    For the joy of his life –
    His dear children and wife –
Whom he loves just as much as he can.
             He can.
Yes, he loves them as much as he can.

Three cheers for the masculine male.
Yes, he cares for his family well,
     A-sweatin’ all day
     As he labors away,
     Comes home when he’s able,
     Puts food on the table:
     Potatoes and meat –
     That’s what he’ll want to eat,
Just as soon as he’s looked through the mail,
             The mail,
He will dine when he’s done with the mail.

Give it up for the gentlemen’s gent!
Whether living in mansion or tent,
     His home is his castle
     And packed with a passel
     Of children who love him
     And think highly of him,
     And brag that their dad
     Is the best to be had.
(They’d go on, but their breath is all spent –
             All spent –
They’d say more, but their breath is all spent).

All hail to the heart-throbbing hunk!
He has oodles of vigor and spunk!
     He’s brave. He’s courageous.
     His laugh is contagious.
     He brings his wife candy;
     With tools he is handy:
     Have burgers? He’ll grill ‘em.
     See spiders? He’ll kill ‘em.
Flat tire? The spare’s in his trunk.
             His trunk.
He’ll exchange it for one in his trunk.

Bravo for the noblest knight.
In his armor, so shining and bright,
     He is savvy and smart,
     And he has a big heart.
     He provides and protects
     And he likes to have sex
     With his wife who adores him
     And never ignores him.
‘Tis perfectly fitting and right.
             So right.
To ignore him just wouldn’t be right.

Hurrah for the hale husbandman –
A sublime and superb speciman.
     His wife knows her place
     And she fills it with grace,
     Her heart full of pride
     As she labors beside
     This burly, this brawny
     (His muscles aren’t scrawny),
This strong, strapping stud of a man.
             A man,
This amazing, magnanimous man.

He’s a man among men,
So let’s hear it again,
For this jovial jock
Of superior stock!
     This gallant galoot
     With his size-13 boot.
     My captain. My chief.
     My heart-stealing thief.
How blest to be wedded
And faithfully bedded
By so great a talent,
So virile, so valiant!
     He’s stable and steady.
     He’s rugged! He’s ready!
     Robust and red-blooded!
     My heart’s simply flooded
With love for this marvelous man.
             This man.
This magnificent, masculine man!

            – Jennifer Flanders
              February 14, 2013

“Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6)

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My husband urged me to post this sneak peek today in celebration of Resurrection Sunday. We pray the day will be a blessed and meaningful one for you. May the risen Christ reign not only in heaven, but on the throne of your heart. Happy Easter!

This is the Tomb

This is the tomb where Christ’s body once lay
All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay….

This is the stone used to seal Jesus’ grave.
An angel stood next to it, fearsome and brave,
And spoke to the women who came to the tomb
All weighed down with grief, full of sorrow and gloom,
As they thought of the garden where Jesus had prayed,
Where he was arrested, abandoned, betrayed,
Then dragged before Pilate, who washed both his hands
And declared, “I can’t find any fault in this man.”
Yet he yielded to people who wanted Christ dead
Who cried, “Crucify Him! Free Barrabas instead!”
Then they drove heavy nails in his feet and his hands.
“O Father, forgive them, they don’t understand,”
Jesus prayed as the crown made of razor-sharp thorns
Was placed on his head by men laughing with scorn
As they lettered a sign to hang over his head:
“This is the king of the Jews,” it read.
It was fixed to the cross, all rugged and stained,
Upon which the Lord of Creation was slain.
Just before a long spear was thrust into his side,
“It is finished!” he shouted aloud as he died.
The women could see where Christ’s body once lay–
But the tomb was now empty! The stone rolled away!
The angel then spoke as their hearts filled with dread,
“Why seek you the living among the dead?”

Yes, Jesus has conquered both death and the grave.
He has died for our sins! He is mighty to save!
Eternity’s ours when his mercy we plead
And confess Christ is risen. He’s risen, indeed!

When my husband and I first married, we had more time than money, so much of our gift-giving consisted of poems and short stories we wrote for one another.

I guess old habits die hard, because we still fall back on handwritten gifts from time to time. Since Father’s Day is just around the corner, I thought I’d publish another poem I wrote in bygone days to honor my sweet husband, and all godly fathers like him:

“A righteous man, who walks in his integrity — how blessed are his sons after him.” (Proverbs 20:7)

Since my new book was released last week, I decided to make a printable coupon collection to go along with it. I thought it might be something wives might enjoy slipping into their husband’s Christmas stocking — and something their husbands would be happy to receive.

My own husband got a sneak peek at the coupon book I was assembling for him last night, however, and insisted I post it today. “It will be a great little Thanksgiving gift for your readers,” he told me, “and it will put their husbands in a really thankful mood, too.”

So, here it is. Click on the image above to download. After printing, you’ll just need to cut the coupons apart, put them in numerical order, and staple the stack together on the edge.

As an added bonus, I am also sponsoring a Rafflecopter giveaway. (Click on the link to enter.) The winner will receive eight copies of 25 Ways to Communicate Respect.

Why eight copies to one winner? Because the book lends itself so well to discussion. The post that inspired the book received over 1000 comments in sixteen weeks. That tells me that communicating respect is a topic women care about. (It’s certainly a topic men care about!)

I would have happily gone on discussing it, too, but my husband asked me to close the comments last December, so I did. But I still had more to say on the topic, which is how that original short post morphed into a full-length book–a book that I hope many wives will read and take to heart.

Offering multiple copies in this giveaway is my way of encouraging the winner to share it with her friends, so that they can discuss what they learn and hold one another accountable in applying it to their lives and marriages.

In an effort to keep the focus on Christ at Christmas, I offer you this poem as a humble reminder of the miracle we celebrate this season. May it ever echo in our hearts!

Heaven Song

A girl once lived in Galilee–
Let Heaven and nature sing–
Whom God sent Gabriel to see.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
Her name was Mary. She was young.
The angel called, “Hail, favored one,
“The Child you bear shall be God’s Son.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Then Mary asked, “How can this be?”
Let Heaven and nature sing.
“I’ve never known a man,” said she.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
“Fear not,” said Gabriel, “it is true.
“God’s Spirit shall o’ershadow you.
“The Babe will bring salvation, too.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

So Mary paused to testify,
Let Heaven and nature sing,
“The Lord’s handmaiden am but I.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.
Then joy within her heart was stirred,
“My soul doth magnify the Lord.
“May it be according to His word.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Soon Caesar issued a decree,
Let Heaven and nature sing,
Commanding all to pay a fee.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
So Mary, being great with Child,
Was put upon a donkey mild
And led by Joseph through the wild.
Let Heaven and nature sing.

They traveled unto Bethlehem.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
The inns there had room for them.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
Yet one innkeeper pity took
On seeing Mary’s heavy look
And showed them to a stable nook.
Let Heaven and nature sing.

There it was God’s Son was born–
Let Heaven and nature sing–
In the wee small hours of the morn.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
‘Twas in that dark and dusty place,
The Virgin Mother, full of grace,
First looked upon her Savior’s face.
Let Heaven and nature sing.

As shepherds watched their flocks by night,
Let Heaven and nature sing,
Lo, they beheld a wondrous light,
Let Heaven and nature sing.
To them an angel did appear
Who told the shepherds, “Do not fear,
“I bring you tidings of great cheer.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

“Good will be yours, and peace on earth,”
Let Heaven and nature sing,
“For I proclaim Messiah’s birth.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.
“A Child is born to you this day
“And in a manger now doth lay
“Upon a bed of fresh, sweet hay.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Then hosts of angels filled the sky,
Let Heaven and nature sing:
“All glory be to God most high,”
Let Heaven and nature sing!
And when the angels went away
The shepherds all began to say,
“We must go see this Child today.”
Let Heaven and nature sing.

In haste to Bethlehem they trod,
Let Heaven and nature sing,
To find the infant Son of God.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
All wrapped in swaddling clothes was He,
The One the shepherds came to see
With humble hearts, on bended knee.
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Some wise men traveled from afar–
Let Heaven and nature sing–
Led by a bright and burning star.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
“Frankincense, gold, and myrrh we bring
“As homage to the newborn King,”
They spake as they were worshipping.
Let Heaven and nature sing.

May all join in this song of old,
Let Heaven and nature sing,
The one the prophets long foretold,
Let Heaven and nature sing.
Emanuel, this Babe so small,
Was born within a cattle stall–
The Word made flesh, the Lord of all!
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Almighty God, the Prince of Peace–
Let Heaven and nature sing–
Did come to purchase our release.
Let Heaven and nature sing.
He came to open Heaven’s door
To you and me forevermore.
O come, ye faithful, Christ adore!
Let Heaven and nature sing.

Let all creation find its voice–
Let Heaven and nature sing–
And in the Lamb of God rejoice.
Let Heaven and nature sing!
Christ came to take away our sin
If we’ll but put our trust in Him
So that we might be born again.
Let Heaven and nature sing–
All Heaven and nature sing!

- Jennifer Flanders, 2013

I’ve been pondering what to get my husband this year for Valentine’s Day, as it’s only a week away.

In years past, I’ve written him poems, like this or this. And once I stitched him a silk-embroidered bed pillow, which has been broadcasting the same secret message for more than a decade now.

But just as I was starting to feel stumped for ideas, Doug made it super-easy on me.

“Valentine’s is coming up,” he reminded me earlier this week. “I thought it might be good for you to turn our Love and Respect lists into some sort of graphic we could post for the occasion.”

I told him I thought that was a great idea and got right to work on it. The next day, I presented him with two pieces of subway art: the one pictured here on communicating respect and another (which you can find on his blog) on expressing love.

Incidentally, Doug’s been making good progress on the book version of 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife, which should be available sometime this spring. The parts I’ve read so far are terrific! You can expect more detailed posts from him on related topics as he continues to work on that, so you may want to subscribe to his blog if you don’t already follow it.

Meanwhile, if you’ve not yet registered for our Valentine’s Day Romance and Respect Book Bundle Giveaway, you only have a week left to do so. Sign up here for a chance to win a copy of Heidi St. John’s Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Romance and my 25 Ways to Communicate Respect.

When I was in high school I dated a boy who would go all-out for Valentine’s Day: balloon bouquets, long-stemmed red roses, boxes of chocolates, candlelight dinners.

Every day for the week, some grand new token of his affection would be delivered to my doorstep.

But then, Valentine’s would be over, and that would be that.

Two years older and away at college, he would go entire semesters without so much as a phone call or a post card. The stark contrast gave me a little bit of a jaded view toward all things cupid.

In my mind, Valentine’s Day is just window dressing. It’s a public display that may or may not accurately represent what is truly stored up in one’s heart.

Our most telling declarations of love aren’t made on February 14th — they are made in the days and weeks and months that follow.

When my husband brings home heart-shaped candy boxes and fancy flowers this time of year, I know that it’s (at least partially) because he knows the nurses at the hospital are going to quiz him about what he got me.

But when he brings me hot tea when I’m sick? Or starts a load of laundry for me when I’m busy? Or runs my bathwater when I’m tired? Or makes a list at work of things he wants to tell me when he gets home? He’s not doing any of that for show. Nobody will ever ask him about it. He does those things purely because he loves me and takes pleasure in demonstrating that fact in practical, everyday ways.

I love that about him.

Wives can be just as guilty as men of pouring so much thought and energy into a single day that little is left over for later.

If you enjoyed an extra-special evening of romance with your husband on the 14th, terrific. But don’t expect that single interlude to carry him over until next Valentine’s Day — or even until next week.

Sometimes when a wife breaks out the candles, perfume, background music, and lacey negligees, she’s tempted afterward to think, Wow! I really outdid myself tonight! That should tide my husband over for at least a week or two!

Meanwhile, her husband is thinking, Wow! That was great! We need to do that more often. How about tomorrow?

Wives want to serve sporadic samplings of gourmet delicacies, when most husbands would be far more satisfied with a steady diet of meat and potatoes.

So… this is a plea for perseverance. Did you kindle some sparks this weekend? Fan them into a flame, then keep it burning all year long.

Since we all know that laughter is the best medicine, and since every April Fool’s prank I’ve ever pulled has backfired, I thought I’d celebrate today by spreading a little sunshine instead of playing tricks. Here are a dozen pins I’ve spotted on Pinterest that have actually made me laugh out loud. I hope you’ll find them funny, too:

1. Indisputable Findings

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I was initially excited to think that the little extra weight I’m carrying might benefit me somehow… then I realized this was written in jest. It’s undoubtedly an accurate observation, but a joke all the same.

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2. An Honest Mistake

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Those expressions are so priceless! I’d be a little afraid of making such a mistake myself if I had two babies at a time to care for. Don’t know how mothers of twins manage!

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3. A Tough Decision

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It would be in poor taste to play it, 50-point bonus or not. But he could play “veins” or “noise” instead and still get a double letter score out of it.

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4. Old Habits Die Hard

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I’ve often been tempted to do the same thing.

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5. Thanks for Telling Us

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Too late to do anything about it now…

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6. The Inimitable Bill Cosby

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He’s got that right!

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7. Beware of Eye Strain

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I’m sure this is what I must look like when I try to thread a needle early in the morning. Fortunately, most of my kids sleep through that spectacle.

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8. I Love Nerdy Humor

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(H2O is water, of course, but H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide. Nobody would want to drink that.)

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9. She Just Couldn’t Help Herself

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Gotta love that granny…

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10. What Would We Do without Social Media?

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Ha! If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I never post pictures of coffee cups… or of anything else, for that matter. (That’s right, I can understand all sorts of esoteric math and chemistry jokes, but I can’t figure out how to upload a single picture to the Instagram account I opened two years ago.)

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11. I’m Prone to Unrealistic Expectations, Too

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Or maybe it’s just a RECEIPT for the pony, which is quietly grazing in her backyard even now… Surprise!

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12. Don’t You Say These Things, Too?

And I had to include this one, because Anita Renfroe does such a brilliant job of putting all the things a mother says in a day into rhyming verse, then setting it to music. This song makes me smile every time I hear it.

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If you share my same quirky sense of humor, you will find more funnies on my Life Cracks Me Up Pinterest board, so connect with me there! Hope you have a happy April Fools Day. Don’t take any wooden nickels.

This month, we’ll be celebrating the greatest love story ever told. I know Good Friday is still a week away, but I finished the following video a little early and couldn’t wait to share it with you.

For almost eighty years, Disney has been captivating our imaginations with beautifully rendered fairy stories. But as J.R.R. Tolkien explained to C.S. Lewis, the Gospel provides us with an authentic, eye-witness account of a fairy tale that’s true.

The world may not need yet another cover of Frozen’s award-winning “Let it Go,” but it desperately needs the message embedded in this version. Let it’s truth sink into the depths of your heart and resonate within: Christ Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!

Let Them Know

I was lost and alone in the darkness of night, (Luke 19:10)
I was blind, but now I see, (John 9:25)
Imprisoned in isolation (Galatians 3:23)
Till my Savior set me free. (Luke 4:18)

Now His love fills me like a swirling sea inside, (John 7:38)
Couldn’t keep it in, even if I tried. (Acts 4:20)

I’ve been forgiven, been set free — (Acts 13:38-39)
I’m not the same girl that I used to be. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
It’s real, I feel His blessings flow (Psalm 21:6)
And my faith grow. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

Let them know, let them know — (Psalm 109:27)
Can’t hide the fact anymore. (Luke 11:33)
Let them know, let them know (Mark 16:15)
Jesus’ love has opened the door. (Luke 11:9)

His command (Mark 4:39)
Wind and waves obey. (Luke 8:25)
Let the storm rage on — (Psalm 50:3)
It won’t stop His love for me anyway. (Romans 8:38-39)

It’s funny how God’s greatness (Psalm 145:3)
Makes everything seem small, (Psalm 8:3-4)
And the fears that once controlled me (2 Timothy 1:7)
Can’t get to me at all. (Luke 1:74)

It’s time to see what God can do, (1 Samuel 12:16)
In every test He’ll see me through. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
My debt’s been paid, no guilt for me — (Romans 8:1)
I’m free! (Romans 8:2)

Let them know, let them know (Psalm 83:18)
Christ alone has the power to save. (Acts 4:12)
Let them know, Let them know (1 John 4:14)
He has triumphed over the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Here I stand (Ephesians 6:13)
In Christ I’ll stay. (John 15:4)
Let the storm rage on. (Matthew 7:25)

The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Left Heaven’s throne room up on high, (2 Corinthians 8:9)
He took on flesh (John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8)
And came to earth poor sinners for to die. (Mark 10:45)
Though in a tomb they laid Him (Acts 13:29)
Once He’d breathed his last, (Mark 15:37)
By God’s amazing grace, (1 Timothy 1:14-15)
It couldn’t hold Him fast! (Acts 2:24)
Let them know, let them know (Acts 2:32)
Christ arose like the break of dawn. (Luke 24:6)
Let them know, let them know (Romans 10:14)
Satan’s claim on me is gone. (Romans 6:14)

Redeemed I’ll stand (Psalm 107:2)
On the Judgement Day. (Hebrews 9:27, 1 John 4:17)
Let the storm rage on — (Proverbs 10:25)
It won’t stop His love for me anyway. (Jeremiah 31:3)

The children and I have been working on this little surprise for Father’s Day, based on the theme song from The Lego Movie. Of course, it’s almost impossible to keep a secret in a household our size. Since Daddy already found out about it, I decided to publish a week early.

You’ll have to excuse the audio. Rap music is clearly not the forte of this classically trained soprano, but we had a great time putting it together, anyway… because “everything is awesome when you’re part of a team.”

And for those who are inclined to sing along, here are the lyrics for our version:

Life with You Is Awesome!

Life with you is awesome.
Life with you is cool — I’m so glad we’re a team!
Life with you is awesome, ‘cause we’re living our dream.

Married life is better when we work together.
Side by side, you and I gonna stick together, in all kinds of weather.
Man and wife, I love you, you love me, we’re both working in harmony.

Life with you is awesome.
Life with you is cool — I’m so glad we’re a team!
Life with you is awesome, ‘cause we’re living our dream.

(Woooo!) 3, 2, 1. Go!

Have you heard the news? Everyone’s talking.
Life is good and people are gawking.
Baby’s due, our family is growing.*
We’ve got love and joy overflowing.

Life with you is full of adventures
I’ll love you even when you have dentures.
Food in my teeth? Oh, that’s just awesome.
Next time, tell me when I need to floss ‘em.**
Love is blind — now I know that’s true.
It’s so awesome to be loved by you (be loved by you).

Married life is better when we work together.
Side by side, you and I gonna stick together, both now and forever.
Man and wife, I love you, you love me, we’re both working in harmony.

Life with you is awesome.
Life with you is cool — I’m so glad we’re a team!
Life with you is awesome, ‘cause we’re living our dream.

Marriage vows, wedding rings,
I just named two awesome things.
Pledged my love, said, “I do.”
You know what’s awesome? Life with you!

Clean, fresh sheets upon our bed, a feather pillow for my head.
Let’s go soak in a hot jacuzzi.
Not too long, or we’ll get woozy.

Pools, tools, jewels.
They’re awesome.
Girls with curls and pearls.
They’re awesome.
Boys enjoy their toys.
That’s awesome!
Every day of life as man and wife
Is awesome!

Life with you is awesome.
Life with you is cool — I’m so glad we’re a team!
Life with you is awesome, ‘cause we’re living our dream.

We need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks is something that we are commanded repeatedly in Scripture to do. Obviously, it is important to God for His children to be grateful.

Space won’t permit me to list all the references here, but consider this small sampling of verses:

• “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
(Colossians 3:17)
• “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ …”
(Ephesians 5:20)
• “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name….”
(1 Chronicles 16:8)
• “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
(Psalm 100:4)

We owe a debt of gratitude to God, but this attitude should also spill over into our relationships with others, as well. Our lives and our conversations should be marked by expressions of thankfulness toward our fellow man.

And that goes double for the members of our own household.

Don’t take your husband for granted. Express genuine appreciation for everything he does for you, whether great or small.

Always say thank you. But don’t stop there. Real gratitude runs much deeper than words. It extends far beyond anything we can verbalize.

Our thankfulness should affect not only how we think, but also how we live and how we treat the people around us.

My husband and I are both list makers by nature, but we approach our lists differently.

I’m all about the details, which is why I’ve been known to start the New Year with as many as seven type-written pages of goals and resolutions.

My husband, on the other hand, tries to boil down his goals into as few words as possible. During his first year of residency, the goal was SURVIVE. Another year, his mantra was READ, WRITE, & RUN.

He informed me a few days ago that his goals for our family this year are going to be DISCIPLINE and JOY — as in, the more disciplined we are about doing what ought to be done, the more joy we’ll experience as a result.

I think he’s onto something.

Left to myself, I tend to set wildly unrealistic goals. I guess I’ve bought into the it’s-better-to-shoot-for-the-stars-and-get-off-the-ground-than-aim-for-a-lamppost-and-stay-where-you-are way of thinking.

The problem is, I sometimes let what should be secondary or tertiary goals take precedence over far more important priorities. Typically, the lesser goals are more easily quantifiable and don’t depend on anybody but myself, so I’m often tempted to work on those even when I know I should be working on something else.

This is especially true when my accomplishing something else depends on someone else who is being uncooperative or resistant or is in some other way thwarting my progress.

But that’s where the discipline and joy come in, which is why Scripture tells us:

• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
• “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

And that sums up my New Year’s resolution this year: I want to tend to the things that matter most, doing my work joyfully and whole-heartedly, and not growing weary, even if I don’t get the results I’m hoping for right away.

I still have a huge list of stuff I’d like to accomplish this year — certainly more than I could ever get done in my own strength. But God has promised to supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19), and that includes giving me the time I need to do the things that matter most to Him.

Of course, when I’m disciplined about doing the things I ought to do, I have less time for doing the things I’d like to do. That much should be obvious.

What isn’t so obvious is the fact that, when I’ve tended to first things first, I’m usually far more productive with the time that’s left over.

Like loaves and fishes, when I give each day to God, when I’m intentional about stewarding it wisely, when I faithfully do what He’s called me to do, there are enough fragments of time left over that I can make a serious dint in my dream-big list of goals, as well.

So that’s my plan for 2015. What’s yours?

In what is becoming an annual tradition, my family helped me create another Easter video over spring break this year. (You can watch last year’s video here.)

This new one is a cover of Meghan Trainor’s catchy song, “All About That Bass” — but with lyrics I don’t mind my little ones singing around the house.

Take a look, and let us know what you think. You’ll find the new words (along with Scriptural supports) printed below.

Best wishes for a blessed Holy Week. It really IS all about God’s grace… and we pray He will lavish that grace upon you!

It’s All About God’s Grace

You’ve got to know it’s all about God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — know your Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — it’s in the Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — read your Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace.

Yeah it’s pretty clear, this world is full of sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23)
But Jesus stands a knockin’ for you to let Him in. (Revelations 3:20)
Can’t get to Heaven any other way — (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
It’s all by grace and all through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

My Jesus came to earth; Your ransom did He pay (Matthew 20:28; Galatians 1:4)
To call you out of darkness into the light of day. (John 3:19; 8:12; 12:46
Now God is working in you — and He won’t stop (Philippians 2:13; Philippians 1:6)
’Till every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top. (James 1:4; John 17:23)

Yeah, my Jesus He told me, Don’t worry about your life, (Matthew 6:25)
Just rejoice and be glad even when you encounter strife. (Matthew 5:12; James 1:2)
You know God dresses the lilies and feeds all the sparrows, too. (Luke 12:27-28; Matthew 6:26)
In the same way your Heavenly Father will care for you. (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8)

Because you know it’s all about God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — know your Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — it’s in the Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — read your Bible.
It’s all ‘bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace.

But Christ will soon be back. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Go ahead, He tells us, be expecting that — (1 Peter 1:13; Luke 12:35-36)
And keep on praying. Spread the welcome mat. (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 10:25)
‘Cause I’m here to tell you, (Mark 16:15; Acts 5:32)
Everyone should trust in Jesus, ‘cause His love will never stop. (Romans 10:9; Romans 8:35, 38-39)

Yeah, my Jesus, He died on the cross ‘cause of all our sin, (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10)
But He didn’t stay dead — no, He came back to life again. (Matthew 28:6; Acts 2:32)
And NOW He’s in Heaven (Mark 16:18; Colossians 3:1)
Preparing a place for me (John 14:3; Psalm 23:5-6)
and building the mansion you’ll live in eternally. (John 14:2; 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Because you know it’s all about God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — know your Bible
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — it’s in the Bible.
It’s all ’bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace — read your Bible.
It’s all ‘bout God’s grace, ’bout God’s grace.

I woke up this morning with the following verses forming in my head, so in honor of Mother’s Day (and at the risk of stating the obvious) here’s why I think God gave us mothers:

Why God Made Mothers

by Jennifer Flanders

For giving birth — as moms do best,
For nursing babies at her breast,
For singing lullabies at night
For soothing fears and hugging tight,
For wiping teardrops from my eye
And sympathizing when I cry
While kissing boo-boos on my knee,
For bringing out the best in me,
For teaching me to tie a lace,
For using spit to clean my face,
For rocking me upon her lap
Cajoling me to take my nap,
For baking cookies by the batch,
For making sure the doors are latched
At night before she goes to bed,
For placing cold rags on my head
Whenever I am feeling sick
And fetching throw-up buckets, quick!
For bringing me “just one more” drink,
For understanding how I think,
For daily lifting me in prayer,
For combing tangles from my hair,
For teaching me to blow my nose,
For scrubbing stains out of my clothes,
For reading stacks of picture books,
For complimenting my good looks
And calling me endearing names,
For driving me to football games,
For watching o’er me as I play,
For spanking when I disobey,
For letting me help wash the dishes
After dinner — so delicious,
Coaxing me to eat green beans,
For being patient in my teens,
For measuring how fast I grow,
For holding on, for letting go,
For all the many things you do,
I’m grateful, Mom, God gave me you.

Today is Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

Whether you celebrate such occasions by sending up the Stars and Stripes or not, I hope you will make it your practice to send up a prayer for our country — and not just on national holidays.

America needs prayer. She needs it now more than ever.

We all do.

But God has promised,

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Won’t you join me in praying for our country?

Here’s my prayer. If you’d like to make it yours, as well, just scroll to the bottom of the post for a free printable copy of this guide:

Praying for Our Country

C is for Conviction of Sin

Pray that God would open our eyes to personal and corporate sin and would call us out of darkness into light. Ask Him not to abandon us to wrong thinking, but to forgive us and cleanse us and break the chains that bind us. Pray that He’d give us the strength and willpower to forsake, repent, and turn completely away from the sin that entangles and enslaves us. Pray that He’d enable us to live as servants of righteousness instead. (Acts 26:18, Romans 1:28, 1 Kings 8:50, Psalm 51:2, , Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 55:7, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, Hebrews 12:1, Romans 6:18)

O is for an Outpouring of God’s Spirit

Ask God to revive our hearts and draw us unto Himself. Pray that He’d fill us with His Spirit, that we might speak the Word boldly and with such authority that others would recognize we have been with Jesus. Pray that He’d empower us to walk in His presence, according to His calling, dedicating ourselves to the good works He prepared beforehand for us to do. (Psalm 80:18,John 6:44, Acts 4:31, Titus 2:15, Acts 4:13, Psalm 140:13, 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 2:10)

U is for Understanding and Wisdom

Pray that God would grant us an extra measure of wisdom, that He would fill us with knowledge and understanding and discernment. That we would see things as He sees them and would stop calling that which is good “evil” and evil “good.” Pray that we would center our minds on what is true and right and noble and pure and lovely. (James 1:5, Philippians 1:9, Psalm 119:125, 2 Kings 6:17, Isaiah 5:20, Philippians 4:8)

N is for News You can Use

Ask God to raise up an army of journalists, reporters, and newscasters who are more concerned with proclaiming truth than with pushing politically-correct propaganda or propping up ratings. Pray that He’d break our country’s addiction to celebrity gossip and sensationalized accounts of current events and that we’d instead learn to use the news, not as entertainment, but as motiviation to pray and to make a difference in our world for good. (1 Corinthians 13:6, Proverbs 22:21, Galatians 1:10, Exodus 23:1-2, Proverbs 16:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Colossians 4:2-3, Matthew 25:35-36)

T is for the Truth to Prevail

Pray that truth would be spoken in love, that it would be proclaimed, not only over our newswires, but in our homes, in our churches, in our schools, and in our courtrooms, as well. Pray that parents would guide their children in the truth, that pastors and teachers would rightly handle the Word of Truth, that judges and juries would uphold the truth, that the Holy Spirit would help us discern truth from error. (Ephesians 4:15, 3 John 1:4, Deuteronomy 11:19, 2 Timothy 2:15, Zechariah 8:16, John 16:13, John 8:32)

R is for Righteous Leaders

Pray for those in authority over us, that they might fulfill the purpose for which God placed them in their current position. Pray that those elected/appointed to office would be trustworthy and God-fearing, and that they would issue decrees that are just. Ask God to grant wisdom and discernment, both to the elected and to those doing the electing. (1 Timothy 2:2, Romans 13:1, Exodus 18:21, Proverbs 8:15, Daniel 2:21, Acts 1:24)

Y is for Yourself — Where Real Change Starts

Humble yourself before God and plead for mercy. Pray that whatever work He wants to do in your country would begin in your own home, in your own heart. Ask Him to enable you to recognize and address the log in your own eye, rather than focusing your attention on the speck in your brother’s. Pray that He would deliver you from evil and help you live an exemplary life in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. (James 4:6, 2 Chronicles 34:27, Luke 6:42, Matthew 6:13, Matthew 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:2)

[Click on image to print B&W version or here for full-color version]

I know many of my readers are not from the US. I would encourage you to pray for your country and its leaders as well. Other than the clip art, this guide is not specific to America. :-)

From the archives: As you count your blessings today, take time to tell those living, breathing blessings in your life how much you appreciate them. They won’t know it unless you show it!

I love New Year’s and the fresh start January represents, so I normally kick it off with a list of resolutions as long as my arm.

Some of my goals are specific and easily quantifiable: write a letter a day, read a book a week, lose 50 pounds before my son gets married in May. I believe in dreaming big! Even if I only pen 100 letters or read 40 books or lose 30 pounds, I’ll be better off than I am now.

But some of my goals – the really challenging ones – take the form of more general reminders. Here are ten I think should be on everybody’s list:

1. Smile more.

   Science has shown that smiling – even when you don’t particularly feel like it – actually makes you happier. Wouldn’t the folks with whom you interact rather see a smile on your face than a scowl?

2. Spend less.

   I’ve always had something of a use-it-up-wear-it-out-make-it-do-or-do-without mentality, and while that sometimes drives my lavishly generous husband crazy, there is much to be said for being content with what you have. Plus, living below your means translates into less stress over finances and bigger reserves from which to help others.

3. Stay active.

   So much of modern life is sedentary: sitting at desks, riding in cars, attending meetings. Let’s make 2017 the year we get up and get moving. It doesn’t matter what you do for exercise, as long as you do something.

4. Eat smarter.

   We need to be more intentional about what we put in our mouths. More whole foods, less junk. More leisurely meals around the kitchen table, less grabbing fast food on the fly.

5. Don’t worry.

   Worrying accomplishes nothing but to make us miserable. That’s why I gave it up years ago, opting to do #6 instead:

6. Pray harder.

   The Bible says we don’t have because we don’t ask. Let’s spend 2017 delighting in the Lord and allowing Him to align our desires with His. Then we can boldly approach the Throne of Grace, confident that God will hear and answer our prayers.

7. Hug your loved ones.

   I once read that people need at least seven hugs a day to stay healthy, so embrace those closest to you at every opportunity and tell them how much you love them. You never know how many more chances you’ll get to do that!

8. Count your blessings.

   Instead of dwelling on what you lack, focus on what you have. This is a practice we’ve worked hard to instill in our children, and one that would benefit a lot of adults we know, as well.

9. Listen before speaking.

   I sometimes try to answer questions or objections before I’ve heard the other person out. Proverbs 18:13 calls this habit “a folly and a shame.” Let’s use our ears more and our tongues less in 2017.

10. Own up to being wrong.

    My husband once accused me of being unwilling to admit when I’m wrong. He was right (although I was unwilling to admit it), so I spent the next several years actively looking for opportunities to admit being wrong without prompting. I got pretty good at it, but have lately found myself slipping into old habits, so #10 is back on this year’s list, too.

The trick to making good on any new goal is to post it in a prominent place and review it daily until it becomes second nature. Here’s wishing you every success in 2017!

Note: This article first appeared in Family Matters, a weekly column I write for the Tyler Morning Telegraph. And a bare-bone version of it was published on this blog in 2012.

The post 10 Resolutions for a Happier New Year appeared first on Loving Life at Home.

[photo credit: Matti Flanders]

Have you ever noticed there’s a quirky holiday for just about everything under the sun? My family once tried to think of something outlandish that didn’t already have a commemorative day assigned to it, and we couldn’t do it. Every implausible idea we googled was already a thing!

National Make a Hat Day. Dogs in Politics Day. International Talk Like a Pirate Day. National Crush a Can Day. Those are all real calendar events. In fact, they are all in September, as is one of our family’s favorites, National Crème-Filled Donut Day. (That one’s today!)

Once a year is about as often as my husband and I can tolerate crème-filled donuts any more, but there was a time in our lives when those calorie-dense confections were standard fare.

Back in college, we both joined a gym and worked out together two or three times a week. And by workout, I mean we spent about fifteen minutes lifting weights, five jogging on the treadmill, and the rest of our time sitting in the hot tub.

Then we’d change into dry clothes and drive across the street to Dunkin Donuts (conveniently located on the corner opposite the gym) where we’d split an even dozen — six for him and six for me. Chocolate éclairs, Boston crèmes, donuts filled with raspberry jelly or lemon curd and rolled in powdered sugar. Yum!

Not exactly a grueling workout, I know, but I still managed to lose 30 pounds on that plan (all the weight the dorm cafeteria had packed on during my short-and-studious-but-sedentary stay on campus). Moreover, after just one month of minimal weightlifting, my muscles felt as hard as rocks. Such is the metabolism of a twenty-something.

Fast forward thirty years, and now I can barely think of a crème-filled donut without gaining weight. If I knew then what I know now, I would have skipped the donuts for an all-fruit smoothie or maybe even a plate of raw veggies and hummus. Double-yum!

Why is it that we have such a hard time fully appreciating things (like toned muscles and high metabolisms) until they’re gone?

What we lack is perspective.

• If the toddler-mom could see through the eyes of an empty nester, perhaps she’d be less inclined to complain about childhood messes and sleepless nights.
• If the young wife could see through the eyes of a lonely widow, maybe her husband’s dirty socks on the floor would be less of an irritation.
• If the family in a starter home could see through the eyes of people who just lost everything to a hurricane, maybe they’d be more appreciative of their small closets and single bath.
• If the average American could spend a single week in a war-torn country under a truly oppressive regime — and live to tell about it! — perhaps we’d better understand just how blessed we are to live in the USA, even if our President is a little freehanded with his Twitter account.

Perspective is a marvelous thing.

If only we could view life through the lens of age and experience, I think we’d all do a lot less complaining and a lot more celebrating.

Who knows? We might even come up with a few new holidays that haven’t been thought of before. How about International Colic Doesn’t Last Forever Day? Or Dirty Sock Appreciation Day? Or Stand in Line for the Bathroom Day? Or even National Tweet Something Sweet Day.

Please Note: This article first appeared in Family Matters, a weekly column I write for the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

The post On Creme-Filled Donuts & Other Causes for Celebration appeared first on Loving Life at Home.

Well, we survived another Halloween. Rain kept all but the most determined trick-or-treaters away this year, but close to a hundred costumed cuties still showed up on our doorstep begging for candy.

The majority of them thanked us sweetly as we dropped the treats into their buckets and bags, although it took a little parental prodding for some to remember that simple courtesy. A few of the trick-or-treaters forgot their manners altogether, grabbing what we offered and dashing away without a word.

Whether that’s because they were so excited about getting free candy that it slipped their minds, or so tanked up on sugar that they weren’t thinking clearly, or so desperate to get out of the rain that they forwent the formalities, I don’t know, but their behavior got me to thinking about all the times I’ve forgotten to say thanks myself. All the times I’ve taken the kindness of others or the goodness of God for granted.

Gratitude begs to be expressed

Robert Brault once wrote, “There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.” Ouch! That stings, doesn’t it?

So as we roll into November, I’m determined to slow down, to count my blessings, to think on all the wonderful gifts I’ve been given in life, both by God and by my fellow man, and to say a heartfelt THANK YOU.

I’m determined to follow the Biblical command: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Want to join me? We can treat it like a treasure hunt: We’ll look for the good, search out the ways God has lavished His grace and mercy upon us, note all the kind and thoughtful things others do on our behalf, and be thankful.

But we’ll need to take it one step further than that, and actually say thanks.

Say the words: Thank You

• Has your spouse been especially patient or helpful lately?
  Say thank you.
• Did your coworker greet you with a cheerful smile?
  Let her know she brightened your day.
• Does your pastor prepare a new sermon each week?
  Tell him how much you appreciate his faithfulness.
• Does your neighbor keep a well-manicured lawn?
  Thank him for working so hard to keep your neighborhood looking nice.
• Did your waitress take good care of you at lunchtime?
  Express your gratitude (and leave her generous tip, as well).

For my part, I want to use written words to express my appreciation whenever I can. I’ve always been a big letter writer, so such a goal makes great sense to me: I’ll write one thank you note a day for the entire month of November. That should put me in the proper frame of mind before it’s time to carve the turkey!

When we are intentional about cultivating gratitude, we not only make life pleasanter for those around us, but we reap significant benefits ourselves.

Grateful people are happy people.

Let me repeat: Grateful people are happy people.

They are joyful and content and filled with empathy and appreciation for others.

Grateful people take the self-focused sense of entitlement that is so prevalent in our culture today and turn it completely inside out and upside down. That kind of heart change comes only by the grace of God, but it has the power to transform your life and to change the world.

And it all starts with accepting a Gift and gratefully acknowledging the Giver.

What blessings have you been taking for granted? Have you ever been treated with kindness and forgotten to say thank you? Tell me about it in the comments below. But even more importantly — whether you communicate your gratitude in spoken words or put it into a written note — remember to thank the kind person responsible as soon as you possibly can!

Blessings,
Jennifer

PS. Want more ideas for cultivating an attitude of gratitude? Check out my new devotional journal for Thanksgiving:

The post On Remembering to Say Thank You appeared first on Loving Life at Home.

Spring is here at last, and I’m so thankful for that fact. This season inspires lots of people to work in their gardens. You can see the beautiful fruit of their labors all over town as bulbs bloom and well-tended shrubs burst into color.

Spring rouses other folks to exercise. I’ve been seeing a steady stream of these go-getters running and jogging and power walking along the sidewalks of our neighborhood for a couple of weeks now.

Spring makes me want to burst into song. All that fresh air and sunshine has always planted a melody deep in my heart. I can envision myself on a mountaintop alongside Julie Andrews, breathing in the beauty of God’s creation and belting out notes from The Sound of Music with all the energy I can muster.

I usually sing hymns or arias, but I’m also fond of show tunes. I admire the talents of the composers and lyricists alike, although I don’t always agree with the messages modern lyrics convey.

That’s why, for the past several years, I’ve channeled my springtime music-making-impulse into writing new words for popular songs and posting them on YouTube. Here’s the one I published this morning, just in time for Good Friday.

It’s a celebration of the great love that compelled Jesus to die on a cross in our stead. The revised lyrics are based upon one of my favorite passages in Romans:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– Romans 8:38-39

Maybe springtime and sunshine and contemplating Christ’s love for us has the same effect on you as it does on me. If so, you can use these words to sing along:

Never Enough

I know neither life nor death,
Neither height nor depth,
Can separate me from
My Savior’s unending love.

Nothing here and now,
Nothing future years may bring
Can make his hand
Loosen its grip on me.
He’ll hold me forever!

All the strength of a thousand armies
All the powers of evil and darkness
Will never be enough —
The victory’s been won!

Satan can try, but he’s too little—
His ruse may woo the world but it’ll
Never be enough
To sever Jesus’ love
For me.

Never, never
Never sever
His love
For me
For me

Never enough
Never enough
To sever His love
For me
For me
For me

All the strength of a thousand armies
All the powers of evil and darkness
Will never be enough —
The victory’s been won!

Satan can try, but he’s too little —
His ruse may woo the world but it’ll
Never be enough
To sever Jesus’ love
For me.

Never, never
Never sever
His love
For me
For me

Never enough
Never, never
Never enough
Never, never
Won’t sever His love
For me
For me
For me
For me

The post Never Enough (to Sever Jesus’ Love for Me) appeared first on Loving Life at Home.