Woo! How crazy that I have done 100 posts since starting this blog in like September or October of this past year 🙂 I don't really have anything too exciting, like a giveaway, to commemorate it though. So hopefully you just love me and the stuff I ramble about 😉

Yesterday we did end up being able to make it out of the stupid steep hill at the front of our neighborhood to make it to the birthday get together for our niece. It's always nice to spend time with family.

Niece Vanessa

Last night we just got subs and I finished up my book. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton.

A Kinsey Millhone Mystery

This is just another book in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series. I didn't like it quite as much as the three I have read so far, but I did still enjoy it. I am always a fan of mystery books where you try to figure out who the bad guy is too. The series starts with the book A is for Alibi and so far she has written through the letter U. I plan on reading them all. 😉

Today was teaching Sunday School. I didn't make it to service because Peter kept M home due to her hopefully getting over this bad cough and I had to get back to help him with her. Our Sunday school class was good though. So today's Good Life Sunday topic will go along with what we talked about in class. We discussed how some cultures that were in central and influential locations during the ancient times would sacrifice their children in the fire in the belief that their lands would be blessed with fertility and produce. Now, when considering that it is very easy for us to be disgusted and wonder how in the world they could have done that!? But, even today, we will sacrifice parts of our life to attempt to gain prosperity. No, it may not be by giving our children up to burn to death, but how many people in our culture idolize money, power, fame, sex, other's opinions, even watching TV, etc. We all have things that we put on a pedestal and that can remove us from where our focus should be - our faith and all the good it provides us. I know I've been guilty of idolizing food, workouts, etc and desiring recognition from others about how dedicated I am to my body. There was a time where it went from being healthy and working out as a way to take care of the body and health God blessed me with, to idolizing it and letting it control my life. So even good things can work against us if we allow them to be idols and cause us to sacrifice things that really matter. So, in summary, today's Good Life Sunday lesson to consider is where do you put your focus? Is there something that consumes your life, that perhaps shouldn't or should be more balanced with other areas?

And on a fun note...check out the cute Valentine I got from Peter and Makenzie today. Even if, M got into it before I was able to snap a good picture 😉 I had to chase that girl down to get that chocolate from her!

Dark Chocolate Bliss Heart

I like chocolate!!!

I'm a bit late on two of my weekly things - Fun Fact Friday and Good Life Sunday (last week's).

So, here are two facts for you to decide between. Will I fool you again? 😉

1. I was voted 'Most Spirited' in high school.
2. I refused to join a sorority in college.

Onto more serious things. Good Life Sunday. The topic of our recent sermons will probably not be met with the most open arms from some. I do not mean it to offend. But -  I will share and I will stand by my beliefs. I do not judge any other beliefs. I do not look down on anyone with different beliefs. I do my best to love every person I come across and show nothing but support and care. But - I will follow what is most important in my life and that is to do what God calls me to do. Jesus asks his followers to share about him and what he did. So that is what I am doing here. I am sharing the truth that is Jesus. Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life. There is no way around that.

Some may say that Christians who believe this are arrogant. That we show a spiritual suprematism. That we should all be tolerant of all religions because they are all the same thing in essence. In reality, all religions are certain their beliefs are the truth and others are wrong. After all, truth by definition is exclusive. Because if something is true, then anything in opposition has to be false. So, followers of Christ professing that Christ is the truth and not agreeing that other beliefs are the same is understandable. And in reality, not all beliefs are the same. Christianity is the only belief with Christ, and a God who shows mercy and grace through him.

This is not to say other faiths are wrong or bad. They still have wonderful teachings, insightful messages, and should be treated with respect. I will never tell you your beliefs are wrong or that you won't get to heaven. What I will do, as I am called to do, is share what I know of Christ and what there is to gain from learning about the love of Christ. Jesus is the truth, because if he wasn't why would he have been sent? Every religion has information on how we are to live, lessons to learn. Humanitarians will say that all we need to do is follow our human nature and be good to each other. Well, the truth is that our nature is sinful. It is harder to follow a giving, kind, compassionate life that is based on sound teachings than to follow our instincts. We never solely needed lessons and teachings from God. That was not enough. Christianity provides more. It provides the truth that Jesus was sent to us to bring salvation. It shows us that God is not only a God of justice with commands on the right way to live, but is also a God of mercy. No other faith shows such grace and love in addition to the other important aspects. Jesus is the truth, because God is good and He provided what we needed - a savior. You are free to believe whatever you choose, but I do hope you will open your mind to consider and perhaps get to know what a relationship with Christ can bring. The freedom, the hope, the mercy, the love. Nothing compares. If you are interested in hearing the full sermon you can click here and then listen to the sermon titled "The Only Way".

I hope you all are having wonderful weekends....last night's dinner and hockey game were excellent and I will be heading out soon for a visit to my friend's new apartment to see her, her new fiance, her new ring and watch The Superbowl. 🙂 PS - Giveaway alert!!! Jamie at Food In Real Life is giving away some Chobani 🙂