Happy President’s Day!

The federal holiday is to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. In honor of George Washington & President’s Day, here are some links to learn more:

Official Biography of George Washington

Official Site for Mount Vernon, Home of George Washington

On Sunday mornings, I teach a bible study to a group of married couples. Our class is called Marriage Matters. They are a wonderful group of people who faithfully attend to learn more about their relationship with Christ and with their spouse.

For the last couple of years, I’ve issued a Valentine’s Challenge. We alternate challenging the husbands and wives. Here’s the premise:

Do something extra special for your spouse for Valentine’s Day. It has to be special enough for your spouse to send me an email with the details (G rated, of course!). My wife and I take all of the emails, compare them and determine a winner.

Sounds easy, enough right? It has been a joy to see husbands and wives get outside of their comfort zone and do something fun & exciting for Valentine’s Day. Flowers & candy won’t get the prize. Neither will a mushy card. Here are some examples (and winners):

A husband went through the photo albums of previous vacations. He selected several photos and made a slideshow for each vacation. Then over the course of several nights leading up to Valentines, he prepared a meal centered around an enjoyable meal from the vacation. While eating, they watched the slideshow on the TV and reminisced about the vacation. So while they were eating steak, they talked about the great steak they had in New York several years ago and looked at pictures from their time in New York. Fun, huh?

One husband started 26 days before Valentine’s Day and gave his wife a handwritten note each day using a letter from the alphabet. A for adore, B for Beautiful, etc. No money spent, but the wife was ABSOLUTELY blown away. This husband was not a “writer” by nature. He went outside of his comfort zone and that decision benefited his marriage.

So today is Thursday, February 12. You only have tomorrow & Saturday. But I want to encourage you to get outside of your comfort zone and do something extraordinary for your spouse.

Also, I’d like more examples. What have you done, or heard about, that was extra special on Valentine’s Day?

Christmas is bigger than trees, wrapped presents and LED lights. It is bigger than even Santa Claus…yes, you heard it here first. Christmas is bigger than Santa Claus!

Or at least is should be… but somehow every year Christmas ends up being about the gifts and the consumerism. We buy, we give, we receive.

If you have any doubt whether Jesus is bigger than Santa, let’s compare:

• Santa lives at the North Pole… JESUS is everywhere.
• Santa rides in a sleigh… JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
• Santa comes but once a year… JESUS is an ever present help.
• Santa fills your stockings with goodies… JESUS supplies all your needs.
• You have to wait in line to see Santa… JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
• Santa lets you sit on his lap… JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
• Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”… JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.
• Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly… JESUS has a heart full of love.
• All Santa can offer is HO HO HO… JESUS offers health, help and hope.
• Santa says “You better not cry”… JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
• Santa’s little helpers make toys… JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
• Santa may make you chuckle but…JESUS gives you a joy that is your strength.
• While Santa puts gifts under your tree… JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

Merry Christmas!

The comparison is not unique to me. I'm giving credit to an anonymous author since I couldn't locate the actual source.