Saved from hell or saved from sin?

Saved from hell or saved from sin- was the question that led the majority of our conversation last week at house group.

Our Wednesday night house groups have been such a blessing to us. We love the great fellowship and discussions, and the time to flush out what was preached to us on Sundays,

We have been in Titus for the past few weeks and have learned so much about what is expected from elders of the church. We are now settling in Titus 2:11-14 for a couple weeks which is centered around the aggressive grace God pours upon us. There are SO many things we are learning but this one question has really stayed in my mind lately. Pastor Jeff has presented it before so it wasn't new but being able to talk through it was really great.

Here are some points that were made that night:

1. grace is more than just a judicial movement
2. it is more than simply getting you from hell to heaven
3. grace has a powerful and practical implication for life
4. it brings salvation to all people
5. it trains us to renounce ungodliness- to live self-controlled lives- upright and godly, but this must be done, and can not be done without discipline
6. grace necessarily disciplines

If grace were simply saving us from hell, we would not be required to really respond in any way. It would be like checking off the box- we're good to go. But hell is not the problem, our sin is! We are wretched sinners in desperate need of a savior, and hell is the consequence for not knowing and loving Him. The thought of just getting our "get out of hell free pass" does not require a daily repentance, or hope on a living God. Grace saves us from our sin- we have been rescued, and by nothing we could do on our own. But, if we indeed have been saved by this amazing grace, our lives sure must reflect it.

We left with these questions:

1. Do I look like I have been affected by grace?
2. Is their measurable fruit in my life?
3. Have my affections been altered?

We left feeling overwhelmed with such good thoughts and convictions, but ready to fight and win together and with Christ.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness, and worldly passions, and to love self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. . ." Titus 2:11-13

Valentine's Week-end!

Brandon's amazing Valentine's surprises led us to Newport Beach last weekend. We stayed in an awesome hotel-The Embassy Suites!We got in late Friday night because we went on an awesome hike up Mt. Rubioux with the youth earlier that night. But Brandon had great plans for us on Saturday.

First we enjoyed a nice time walking around Newport Beach-enjoying the beautiful ocean and weather!

Then we went into Huntington and decorated a candy dish at Color-Me-Mine!

This is something we have talked about doing for a while. I was so excited that he remembered and planned it for this weekend!

(The candy dish is not glazed in this picture, so the color is much bolder now)

Then we went to Panera for lunch and then saw Valentine's Day the movie.

It was nice to relax but we did not really enjoy the movie. Julia Roberts was by far the best part though!

Then we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Claim Jumper!

And of course we had to end our night with some great yogurt!

Even though we weren't there very long, it was such a nice get away for us! We were so thankful for this great quality time together. I am so thankful for all the great planning and thought Brandon put into every part of this trip! We talked about the importance of alone times like these and we can't wait for more in the future!

We were sad to leave!

Valentine's Week- Day #3

On Wednesday, Brandon slipped another sweet card in my school bag that I found once I was at school. He has taken the time to write inside 3 different cards this week (this is something that he knows really fills my love tank :) ) So I thought that was it and was SO pleased especially because he even wrote me a poem, until another teacher came and told me something was in the office for me- he sent me flowers!!

I was totally surprised, and again- what perfect planning this all took. My heart is overflowing with love for this amazing man. I do not deserve any of this. What I also love is how excited HE has been about doing it all. It has all been done out of his incredibly unselfish heart.

Thank you Love!!

Valentines Week- Day #2

So on Tuesday, Brandon printed out our vows from our wedding and put them in frames and placed them on both sides of the picture that people signed from our wedding. It brought me to tears. This is why he said he wanted to do this . . .

This is what you see right when you walk into our apartment. Our vows are very important to us and we spent much time choosing them and making them what we thought would be God-honoring and Christ-centered. What better place to have them shown right where everyone can see so when you come into our home, you know exactly what our home and marriage are founded on.

We love our vows and this is something I mentioned to Brandon months ago-that I would love to have them hanging somewhere instead of just in our wedding book. And he did it! I absolutely love it. It is his thought and planning behind off of these things that means the most, and this one is something that will last forever!

Valentine's Week- Day #1

So my amazing husband has been pretty sneaky the past couple weeks, and it has finally been revealed why- we are celebrating Valentine's Week! Each day this week Brandon has been surprising me with something different. I have been so overwhelmed with happiness! He blesses me so much!

Here is day one:

He sent me out the door Monday morning with a big Valentine's gift bag. In it was a beautiful card and this adorable jar with candies and pencils for my students and I to enjoy!

Special

What can we say? Punkin is a special cat. . . she loves water!
Whenever one of us gets in the shower she comes running from whereever she is to sit on the side and get soaking wet! We then, of course, have to dry her off and then she gets a fuzy head!
She loves it ans we love her!