Cookie Night!

Hubby and I met in college. We attended a very strict Bible college which did not allow any "public displays of affection" of any kind. We could not even hold hands on campus in public. One of the romantic things we started doing then was walking to the reservoir which was on campus but was blocked from view, it was the only place on such a small campus that a young couple could be alone. It was there we started observing "cookie night". On the full moon (when it was easier to see where we were walking), we would pack some cookies and head up to the reservoir to spend some much needed time alone where we could talk...yes, talk... out of the earshot of every other student on campus. I enjoyed those walks so much. It was dark and quiet and afforded us the chance to really get to know each other. I remember one night in particular that we were walking along the dirt road...this tiny campus was out in the sticks...and we heard the sound of hooves pounding on the ground. It wasn't until we were nearly run over by a herd of deer that we knew just how close they were to us! One other time I decided to make a batch of no-bake cookies, problem was, I forgot to allow the mixture to boil for a few minutes and we had to eat our "cookies" by scooping wet globs out of the dish...I should have taken a spoon!

Over the years we observed cookie night on occasion, but with the coming of children and a business to run and other activities, it was mostly forgotten or remembered after the fact. I can't tell you how many times I said..."oh last night was the full moon, I should have made cookies". Well...since tonight is the full moon and a blue one....making it extra special...today I baked cookies. I guess when we take the dogs out for their last walk tonight we will take some cookies with us and look at the moon.

Counting My Blessings

^{I was reminded just yesterday how truly blessed I am to be in a faithful marriage relationship. At the same time I realize how fragile such relationships are. I say I am counting my blessings because I realize I am not perfect, my husband is not perfect, therefore it is impossible for us as imperfect human beings to have a perfect marriage. I am blessed however because after 30 years we are still together and know it is because of the grace of God that we are. I marvel because I don't know why we don't seem to struggle with the petty things that seem to be the beginning of the downfall to so many marriages. I don't understand why God has preserved us the way He has, but after witnessing the pain and destruction to so many lives that the opposite causes,  I am grateful this morning.} 

^{From Mark chapter 10:}

⁶ “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. ⁷ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,⁸ and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

¹⁰ When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. ¹¹ He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. ¹² And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

From Ephesians 5:

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; ² and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

³ But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; ⁴ and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them; ⁸ for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds ofdarkness, but instead even expose them; ¹² for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ For this reason ^[i]it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Therefore be careful how you ⁽walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of your time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; ²¹ and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Marriage Like Christ and the Church

²² Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ²⁶ so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. ²⁸ So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of His body. ³¹ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

^{We have also been blessed with three wonderful children who love the Lord and to date have chosen day by day to walk in His way. Again, I know this too is a fragile condition and I am not so blind to believe that this couldn't change at any moment, but I am thankful right now, this moment in time that my children are healthy, and their lives are not dictated by drugs, alcohol, per-marital or extra-marital sex.  I pray daily for my children that this will continue.} 

Ephesians 6:1-4

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

^{I didn't intend to get preachey this morning, but this is what is on my heart.}