Forever Beloved

“Now choose life, so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:20

you choose to love or you choose not to love.  
we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us; it’s not something we control.  love doesn’t just happen to you.  love is a choice and it represents a commitment.  there’s no doubt about it, attraction is uncontrollable. but attraction is not love.

i have to admit i’m guilty of thinking love is uncontrollable.  when i married joe i had NO IDEA what love meant.  i thought we would just breeze through life because we loved each other, i thought that was enough.  i didn’t realize what a daily choice and commitment it would be. 
you must choose to love God
he won’t force you to love him (Deuteronomy 30:20).  you can ignore God and go a totally different way.  you can destroy your life if you choose to do that.  God still won’t force you to love him because he knows love can’t be forced.

out for now
~kisses

i’m enjoying a evening full of…

* grocery shopping
* pizza for the fam
* dvr’d shows (abdc and project runway)
* pajamas
* snugglin on the couch

tomorrow we’ll have an awesome day full of…

*sportsman show
* outback (le sigh)
* old navy and aerie
* all day long with my love (i’ve super missed him this week)
* movie night

out for now
~kisses

i recieved this email today and i thought it would be a nice thing to share…

How Do You Develop Self-Control?

“God does not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Successful people have one obvious trait in common: personal discipline. They are willing to do things that average people are unwilling to do.

It’s my observation that successful people express their self-discipline in six ways:

• Successful people master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. They do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it. “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 25:28).  i have not mastered my moods, just ask my family, lol…i am very emotional and can say without a doubt that most days my moods control me.  this is DEFFO something i’m trying to work on as we speak!

• Successful people watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: “Those who control their tongue will have a long life . . .” (Proverbs 13:3).   wow, another thing i need to work on.  normally i open my mouth THEN put my mind in gear.

• Successful people restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11).  again, not so good at this.  another thing to add to my list.

• Successful people stick to their schedule. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you! “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16).  this one is hard for me, especially now during the winter with joe’s schedule.  but i am sure trying to stick to my schedule.

• Successful people manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went: “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20).  i try really super hard to manage our money well, this is something i’ve been working on diligently for years.  i fail sometimes at it but that’s part of the learning process.

• Successful people maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: “Control your body and live in holiness . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:4).   yay, finally one i can say i am doing…i might not be in tip top shape but i sure am trying…

Now, where do you need to develop self-control?

The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself. Think about this promise from the Bible: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

The more I accept God’s control over my life, the more self-control he gives me!

out for now
~kisses