Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I have to admit that I love Valentine's Day! It's a combination on the colors, hearts, and chocolate!;-) Now, I don't get all crazy about decorating, and I don't hold a big party, but I do like to make a few treats for the family and it is a wonderful time to find new crafting ideas.

*I think it is the feminine touch- and how can one deny lace and ribbons!

I loved making valentine's boxes when I was a child. (I saved one for many years, finally I had to get rid of it---sort of wish I still had it around)

so I thought I would add some pics from Martha Stewart's web site. (again, I must say that I am not promoting her, but she does have some great ideas and crafts)

I would really enjoy seeing others crafts/recipes, and feel free to share any links of crafty web sites that you know of! **

All So True!

Christians Use Prophecy To Excuse Laziness by Chuck Baldwin, February 3, 2009‏
From:
Chuck Baldwin (chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com)
Sent:
Tue 2/03/09 11:49 AM
To:
mommyread@hotmail.com
Christians Use Prophecy To Excuse LazinessBy Chuck BaldwinFebruary 3, 2009 This column is archived athttp://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090203.html In response to my two previous columns regarding the current development ofa devilish New World Order, many professing Christians wrote me withcomments to the effect that we should not be concerned about whatever globaltyranny may be developing, because "it's all a part of God's plan," or"Jesus is coming soon," and similar statements. I, too, believe in theimminent return of Jesus Christ to earth. But, then again, so did Christiansfrom every generation over the last two millennia. In fact, the Apostle Paulwas looking for the return of Christ while he lived (Philippians 3:20). Butdoes anticipation of Christ's Second Coming excuse personal neglect,indifference, and downright laziness? Of course not. Had pastors and Christians of colonial America believed and acted as mostChristians believe and act today, this country would still be a Crown colonyand we would never have known the freedoms and liberties that our forebearsbequeathed to us. Christians of that era, however, believed that it wastheir duty and obligation to fight for right and do everything within theirpower to resist tyranny. They also believed that God would honor and blesstheir efforts, which He certainly did! It is extremely difficult for me to reconcile the apathy and slave-likementality that seems to permeate modern Christendom (in America) with bothour own heritage and the very Word of God. For example, the Apostle Paul isvery clear when he writes that a Christian must never "do evil, that goodmay come" (Romans 3:8). Yet, that is exactly what many, if not most,Christians are doing today. When confronted with an obvious evil (a burgeoning tyrannical New WorldOrder, not to mention a number of lesser evils), modern Christians willshrug and glibly say, "It's God's will; we must not oppose it," or words tothat effect. This attitude says, "I will tolerate or even condone evil inorder to hasten Christ's return." In the first place, no one knows when Christ will return, no matter how manybooks or tapes they have produced to say they do. In Acts chapter 1, Jesuswas asked by His disciples if He would, at that time, set up His kingdom.The first words out of His mouth were, "It is not for you to know." Oh, wecan speculate, surmise, and make educated guesses, but that's the best wecan do. It's time we were honest enough to admit it: only God knows whenChrist will return. In fact, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knowethno man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). In the meantime, millions of Christians across America are trying to playGod. They talk as if they know when Christ will come. It's actually worsethan that. They have the attitude that they have no personal responsibilityto defend freedom and resist despotism. They seem to look at God as somekind of glorified fireman, who is obligated to rush in at the last minute torescue them from a burning fire--a fire that they helped ignite, or atleast, refused to put out themselves when they had the opportunity to do so.It's the old, "God would not let that happen in America" syndrome. How arrogant can we be? Ask believers from despotic regimes around the worldwhat they think about God letting tribulation come, and they will quicklytell you, "We are already in tribulation." Are Christians in the UnitedStates really that arrogant as to believe that God loves them more than Heloves believers in other countries? If not, can we not see that if believersaround the world have suffered (and still suffer) the heavy hand of tyrannyand oppression, it is certainly possible for tyranny and oppression to cometo our land? The fact is, the only reason that Christians in America havenot (for the most part) suffered tyranny and oppression is because of thehard work and sacrifice of our forefathers. We are simply enjoying the fruitof their labor. In the second place, how do we know what God would do, if we only had thebackbone to do our duty? How do we know that God would not give America "anew birth of freedom" for our children and grandchildren, if we only had thecourage and fortitude to oppose the evil being thrust upon us by thesewould-be tyrants? America is only the "land of the free," because it was the"home of the brave." Take away the latter and we lose the former. And thatis exactly what is currently happening. In the third place, Christians have a moral imperative to resist evil, evenif their efforts are fruitless. We are not responsible for outcome, onlyeffort. Believers throughout history acted on principle, leaving the resultswith God. (Read Hebrews chapter 11.) Some were delivered; some were not.That did not matter. What mattered was doing one's duty. We Christians areto give our bodies as "a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). It is God'sprerogative to use our sacrifice as He sees fit. Therefore, there is no suchthing as a "losing effort," when it comes to doing right. Doing right(resisting evil) is its own reward. The three Hebrew children were notcommended because God delivered them from the burning fiery furnace; theywere commended because they were willing to go into the burning fieryfurnace. So must we be. I believe the real reason why so many professing Christians are so apatheticand indifferent to what is happening has nothing to do with the teachings ofScripture, Bible doctrine, eschatology, or anything of the like. It haseverything to do with old-fashioned laziness. Today's average Christian justflat does not want to be bothered. He has a comfortable house, an easychair, television, and a set of golf clubs in the closet. He takes two orthree weeks' vacation every year, goes to church on Sunday (a church thatdoes not intrude on his comfort zone, of course), pays taxes, and votes forhis favorite "pro-life" Republican candidate every two years, and assumesthat he is a "good" Christian and "patriotic" American. He is neither! A real Christian patriot would never allow his country to be taken over by agaggle of elitist goons bent on stealing his liberties--including hisreligious liberties--without doing everything in his power to prevent it. Areal Christian patriot is active, alert, engaged, zealous, and committed topreserving liberty. What if Jesus doesn't come for another 100 years? Another 200 years? Whatare we going to say to our grandchildren when they ask us what we were doingwhen our freedoms and liberties were being stolen? What will we say to ourChristian forebears when we meet them in eternity? They sacrificedeverything so that we could live in peace and freedom. What will we say tothem? What will we say to God, who handed this land of liberty to us on asilver (albeit blood-soaked) platter? Tell me again that "there is nothing we can do about it," or "it's God'swill," or "Jesus is coming soon." Better yet, tell it again to the sufferingChristians around the world; tell it again to our Christian forebears; tellit again to your children and grandchildren who are going to inherit a landof tyranny and oppression, all because you were too lazy to resist. I know unbelievers who have more character and determination aboutpreserving liberty than many who call themselves Christians. And I have aton more respect for them, too. Our Lord told us, "For unto whomsoever muchis given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). Yes, Christians inAmerica have been given the best of both worlds, and many do not evenappreciate it enough to see to it that their own children--their own fleshand blood--will live to enjoy the same blessings. They are pathetic! So, the next time you hear some piety-draped Christian talking about how hewon't engage the enemy and fight for liberty, because of prophecy, or someother spiritually-sounding platitude, just remember, it has nothing to dowith prophecy, or anything of the sort: it has everything to do withold-fashioned laziness. My feeling toward him is the same as that of SamAdams (a fellow Christian) toward the Tories of old: "If ye love wealthbetter than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contestfor freedom--go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms.Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightlyupon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" Amen! *If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute theseeditorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made bycredit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/donate.php (c) Chuck Baldwin