From this day forward

On a day that is marked by greeting cards and chocolates, my wife and I begin a journey.

We're actually a day late however, but none the less, we begin our lent now.
The day after Ash Wednesday.
Valentine's Day 2013.

We agreed upon things we wish to give up.
Fried Foods and Sweets (including sodas)
We're excited, and encouraged.

And just as I started to feel selfish for us picking things that are seemingly for our own benefit, my wonderful wife, who God has blessed me with, makes another Lent proposal.
That we hold each other accountable to doing our individual daily devotionals with the Lord.
Though our Lent sacrifices of fried foods and sweets is all well and good, and we intend to continue our dedication to it,
the greater part of this Lent season will be our dedication to God.
We're beginning a journey of devotion and habit-forming.
And I must say, I feel guided and blessed by God to do so.
(And I ask that our friends in Christ hold us accountable to it as well)

And then:

Day one: the February 14th entry of my devotional book "God Calling", there's a paragraph that stands out:


"You are making one spot of earth a Holy Place, and though you must work and spend yourself ceaselessly because that is for the present your appointed task, yet the greatest work either of you can do, and are doing, is done in this time apart with Me. Are you understanding that?"



The day we choose to spend a time apart from one another in devotional time with God is the day I read this.....

Wow!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Love

Happy Lent season

May your love, devotion, habits, and life flourish this day, this lent, and this year.

Paradoxical Portfolio

Ok, so I'll admit right away that this has nothing to do with money, or stocks, or dividends.

But it does have to do with some very important assets, and with investments which we have the opportunities to make every single day.

Investing your money can be stressful and risky at times, but what about lending some other assets?

Assets which you own, possess, and which are free to give.

What about giving away some of the things that make you you?
Your attributes?
Your talents?

But let's not stop there.

Lets diversify.

What would happen if you would give away some things that are more precious and valuable than all of those other things?

What if you gave something that yields much higher dividends than you could even imagine with money or skills?

You see, there's a bit of a paradox however.

A page of your portfolio that may almost definitely reflect a beneficial unbalance of you returns on investments.

A page that would reflect your most precious assets as investments.

But it's not necessarily your money,
nor your skills,
nor your advice,
but your best assets.


Consider this:

Invest in

Patience...
Smiles...
Kindness...
Hugs...
Joy...
Friendship...
Righteousness...
Love...
Selflessness...
Hope...
Peace...


Here's the paradox:

You give what you got without decreasing what you've got.

Unlike money, which must be divided before it's dispersed, these inherent defining principle qualities and attributes and actions can actually be multiplied before being shared, and as such, should be.

This in-turn also yields a higher return.

It allows us to share what we have with those around us in wonderful ways.

You've got something to give.
Something that could not only brighten your day,
better your life,
and calm your anxieties,

but also
when shared in-kind
it comes back around
and exponentially
saves life.

You have the opportunity to better someone's day through your
kindness,
patience,
love,
smile,
gentleness,
friendship,
selflessness,
and hope.

And consider
that your day may improve too!

Live Love my friends.

Invest in life.

Be the light of someone's day.

Be patient,
Be kind,
Be honest,
Be respectful,
Be true.


Not just from your mind,

Not just from your possessions,

But investments of your heart.