Choose Life

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NIV)

Spirit and Heart: A Devotional Journey

My devotion "New Year's Day Tuning," based on an entry from this blog, was recently published in a 30-day devotional book, Spirit & Heart: A Devotional Journey. I'm excited about this publication, not just because it's my first publishing credit, but also because my work is featured with that of 28 other Christian writers. Folks like Ann Tatlock, Yvonne Lehman and Candy Arrington.

If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the book, or in reading other great devotions, visit the publisher at http://www.christiandevotions.us/.

The Best Birthday Ever

Today is my birthday. My four-year-old daughter made it her mission to give Mommy the best birthday ever. She started a few days beforehand, when my best friend helped her make me a necklace and bracelet. Then she made hand-drawn wrapping paper for it. She picked out a card especially for me with Daddy's help. She told me all day how much she loved me and that she wanted me to have the best birthday ever. At one point while we were cuddling, she said, "Are you happy, Mommy?" "Yes, honey, I'm very happy." "Good, because you should always be happy, especially on your birthday."

So yes, my 35th birthday was the best birthday ever, thanks to a precious little girl who loves me way more than I deserve.