Christmas Light for Dark Days

Today at church, our pastor spoke about "Christmas Light for Dark Days". (Isaiah 9:2-7). He said somethings today that I haven't ever thought about before that I wanted to share with you. December 21st has always been a special day to me, because it's my dads birthday. (which is coming up next weekend). But December 21st is also the first day of winter or it is sometimes called the "winter solace". Last year, Kevin proposed on Dec.20th and we got married June 21st so we almost got engaged on the first day of winter and married on the first day of summer, which we thought was kind of cool. Anyway, Dec.21st is the darkest and longest night of the year. Which our pastor pointed out how Christmas comes just a few days after the darkest night or day of the year. Christ was born to be the light of the world, he gives us our hope. Even as Christians, we have many dark days. But Christ is our light that we are to look too. Here are just a few verses that you can look up where the word light is mentioned:

*Genesis 1:3

*2 Samuel 22:29

*Psalms 27:1

*Psalms 119:105

*Isaiah 9:2

*Matthew 5:16

*John 8:12

*2 Corinthians 4:6

*1 John 1:5

Here is a quote that I saw once in college and I liked it so much that I use to keep it written down on an index card and I had it posted in my room. Now I have it written in my Bible.

"I believe in Christ as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything."
-C.S. Lewis

Fire Proof:Week 6

Focus this week: A Better Way of Loving

This week the focus was on how to love your spouse unconditionally. You should think of your spouse and their needs before your own. You should learn what makes your spouse happy and try to please them and make them happy, even if you are not. You shouldn't just go through the motions of loving your spouse, you need to do it with all your heart, soul, and mind. No matter if they say "thank you" or not.

The main verse for this lesson was: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

"...Love never fails...." (vs. 8)

" And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (vs.13)

This chapter is so powerful. Kevin and I have 1 Cor. 13 engraved on our wedding bands. I think this verse is so powerful, because it tells about the love that God has for us. How He loves us and tells us how we are to love not just our spouse, but everyone. God is love and He created it. We wouldn't be here without His love. We wouldn't have a hope of heaven, for those that are saved by His grace and through His son Jesus Christ, we wouldn't have a reason to live, without love. We all need love in many different ways and there are many different sides to love.

Something to think about: Do you know how to love your spouse unconditionally?

Fire Proof Recap: To end this bible study, today we gathered with another Sunday school class that was also going through this study and had the opportunity to renew our vows. Kevin and I did not, only because we had just married 5 months ago. I think the thing that most of learned was that by this study, we are not fireproof and have not fireproofed our marriage, but hopefully we know where the fire hose is when we see a small spark and take care of it before that spark sets a blaze.

Fire Proof: Week 5

Focus this week: Forgiveness "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

This week talked about forgiveness and the ability to forgive your spouse when they do something to you. Some things are easier to forgive than others. Sometimes just a sincere apology will do, other times it may be a daily act of forgiveness. Why forgive? Because we were forgiven the day that Christ got on that cross and took all of our sins upon himself. When we sincerely ask for forgiveness from God, he does. He doesn't say, " Okay I will let it go this time, but not next time." or "Do you remember when you did this? How can I forgive you now?" When God forgives, He remembers the sin no more. I know that something Kevin and I learned in a marriage conference that we went too last year, was that when you are arguing or at a disagreement, or apologizing, never, never bring up the past. You need to just focus on the problem at hand, and your goal should be to get to a solution.

Something to think about: Is there something that you need to forgive your spouse for doing? Is there something you need to ask for forgiveness for?

Fire Proof: Week 4

Okay, I know that it has been a long time since I have posted anything about Fireproof. The truth is that we finished that study today. But I wanted to still fill in you in with each week.

Focus this week: Breaking Free "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

This week was talking about temptations and addictions, no matter how big or small they may be. For this week's lesson, we broke up into groups with girls in one group and the guys went next door to another room. The biggest temptation that was discuss in the book that is talked about in the movie was pornography and adultery. Those seem the most obvious to us, but those two sins cause so many break ups of marriages and families. Our flesh is so weak, but we must find the strengthen that God can give us and flee from this type of immorality. It talked about how "parasites" can get into your marriage and parasites will slowing eat away at you, until there is nothing left, but you and that sin. Some other parasites that were common in marriage were: eating disorders (whether it's too much or too little), Internet-based addictions, gambling, alcoholism, and drug addiction. Of course you and I know that there are many, many more, but these were the ones that the book mentioned. It discussed how to flee from sin. You can either take yourself out of the situation, or destroy the sin it's self. Something we discussed in the girl's group were that there were all kinds of sins and everyone has something that can take the place of putting that sin above our spouse. We have to been on our toes at all times. The Devil makes sin look so good and it will seem satisfying. I compare it to a candy bar. (Chocolate is a food group as far as I am concerned, which is something I struggle with). But that candy bar looks so good, it smells heavenly, and the taste, there's nothing like it, but in under 5 minutes that candy bar is gone. What are you left with? Sticky hands, dry mouth, trash, and a few days later, you are needing a bigger size in your pants. The Devil will go after your weakness. He's like an opposing team, they will watch your tapes for days, weeks, months, and can pinpoint your weakness and will strike just at the right time. You have got to be aware of the enemy.

Something to think about: Are there any parasites in your marriage that you need to confess to God? To your spouse? Admit to your self?

You know you are a teacher if.

One of my fellow teachers at my school sent this email to us and I just had to share it. If you are a teacher you will find it very true and somewhat funny that we (teachers) can all relate.

You know you are a teacher if..... (From Jeff Foxworthy)

1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. _________" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you mom/dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and conference period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 7:15 to 3:15 and have summers off".
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least one thing!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
And...
21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.

Our Honeymoon

Here is a video of pictures from our honeymoon. We went to Negril, Jamacia and stayed at a Sandals resort. We highly recommend it! It was so beatuiful and very relaxing. Even if you don't make it to Jamaica, and you are wanting to travel somewhere with your "honey" look into a Sandals resort. It's awesome! Here's the Sandals website: http://www.sandals.com/

Our Wedding Day

This video is pictures of Kevin and I from our wedding day. To view more professional pictures go to www.bozwellphotography.com and click on wedding photos, name: pickelsimer-mccormick, event date: June 2008 password: 062108.