To the right are some links to articles I've written.  One of the magazines I write for - HomeLife- is now publishing an online edition.  So you can actually see the actual magazine online.. instead of just the article.  If you go to this link, you'll see the January 2008 edition. The cover has a picture of and an article about Dave Ramsey.  And then if you click on the cover story, "Husbands Who Won't Lead, Wives Who Won't Follow" you can read one of my articles. 

CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE RIGHT

They say that it's the thought that counts.  But what were these guys thinking when they bought these gifts for their wives????   These are, I kid you not, TRUE stories.  I am not naming names.  I am not one of the women listed below, although, I must admit I've had my share of returning some really "wonderful" things over the years.   These gifts are proof that men and women come from different planets.   Five husbands giving gifts to five wives.  

1.This husband gave a gift certificate worth thousands of dollars - to a local surgeon for augmentation of his wife's..uh..chest.  He'd made the appointment and everything.  He thought she would be pleased... he really did.  She was not. 

2. "A Month Of Free Babysitting Every Day" is how he worded it in an HONEST ATTEMPT (bless his heart) to do something about his wife's complaints about never having time for herself because she had two kids under the age of 3.   HER MOTHER IN LAW was the free babysitter!!! Flown in from Calilfornia!  Living IN THEIR HOUSE FOR ONE MONTH!!!  He thought she would be pleased..he really did.  She was not.  

3. A week-long anniversary getaway to Montana.Oh.  Wait. Did he mention that he might do some hunting while they were there?  Oh. Wait.  Did he mention that he'd invited five of his friends along? Oh. Wait.  Did he mention that she might have to cook for six men on this "anniversary" trip?  Oh. Wait. Did he mention she would have access to a wonderful washer and dryer to "help" with the laundry?  Oh. Wait.  She's crying?  Oh. Wait.  She's angry?  Oh. Wait.  She's throwing shoes at him?  He thought she would be pleased...he really did. She was not.

4.  A six month supply of Weight Watcher's meetings - paid for in ADVANCE.  The gift certificate IN HER BIRTHDAY CARD because he "wanted to do something" to help her lose those 15 lbs. she kept pointing out that she wanted to lose.  He thought she really wanted to lose them. He thought she would be pleased...he really did.  She was not.

5.Two weeks before their 24th Wedding Anniversary she told him she wanted to go to Hawaii for their 25th Wedding Anniversary. On their 24th Wedding Anniversary - he announced that a friend of his who owned a local car dealership had provided a part-time job and that every penny earned would be put in savings toward a trip to Hawaii.  What a  guy.  Oh. Wait.  The part-time job was for HER !!!   He thought she would be pleased???  He really did???  She was not????

Have a nice day, and go give your husband a hug.

My father-in-law, Michael Armenia, lived 95 years on earth never realizing through 94 times of living through March 10th that it was going to be the most significant day in his life. He died early this morning after a brief illness.   He lived through 94 March 10th's, never realizing it was going to be a more important day than February 21st - his birthday.   His deathday is March 10th.   

My father-in-law was my age when I met him 41 years ago.  He was a tough guy on the outside....with a heart that was soft toward the Lord on the inside.   He served in WWII - in the Navy. He served at the church he loved.   He loved Gateway Cathedral.  He loved Pastor Mercaldo.  He loved music.  And most importantly to me, when he was in his 40's he was brave enough to take a good look at his life and the kind of father he was.  And when my husband was 10 years old, he made the decision to take his family to church again.  And because of that, when my husband was a boy of 12....he gave his life completely to Jesus and NEVER LOOKED BACK.    I'm not sure if they read blogs in heaven.........but......if they do then I want the angels to find him and tell him that I appreciate the legacy he left behind.   "Thank you Poppa"   There's nothing more a man can leave his family than the gift of eternal life.

I've noticed an interesting pattern in myself and people I know.  We tend to "re-write history".  We have to have a "good guy" and a "bad guy" in every story.  Usually, we re-write history so that WE are the good guy.   Whenever there is some kind of relationship problem, human nature in us blames the other person.  It started in the Garden of Eden - where Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake, and the snake blamed God.   As Easter is approaching, I find that many of us have unknowingly re-written the story. Our cast of characters is: 

1. Judas is the Bad Guy and
2. All The Other Disciples Except For Peter are the good guys. 
   

Except that's not what the Bible says.  Judas Iscariot sold Jesus out for money, it's true. He led the soldiers to the Garden where Jesus was praying - but truth is - it was the appointed time for Jesus to be betrayed.  Jesus ALLOWED the whole thing to happen.  He was NOT captured but willingly GAVE HIMSELF.  

Judas is definitely NOT the good guy in the story.  Peter is the most "good guy" in the script.  He takes out a sword and tries to defend Jesus, at least.  OK... a few hours later he denies Him, but the Bible clearly says that in the Garden ALL the disciples deserted Him.   ALL THE DISCIPLES deserted Him.   It appears that betrayal is an intricate and often unseen part of human behavior.

Judas becomes remorseful and tries to give the thirty pieces of silver back.. but...they wouldn't take it.  And then his guilt ends his story.   He hangs himself.   Peter, who is also a betrayer... runs away... leaves the disciples... leaves the fellowship of believers.  He's ashamed of himself.   After the resurrection, when Jesus appears to the woman at the tomb, He specifically says, "Go get Peter too!".  

I've often wondered what would have happened to Judas if he hadn't taken his own life?   I wonder if Jesus would have said, "Go get Judas and Peter"? 

• Judas betrayed Jesus and he was sorry he did. 
  
• Peter betrayed Jesus and he was sorry he did.  
  
• Jesus restored Peter and made something GREAT out of his life.
  
•  But Judas removed himself from the story and was not able to be restored.  
  

This story shows us that we all betray at one time in our lives. It isn't a matter of WHO is a betrayer but which kind of betrayer are you? 

• A Judas Betrayer - who thinks he's gone TOO FAR to be restored and therefore ENDS all chances of it happening
  
• A Peter Betrayer who responds to Jesus call to be restored? 
  
• All The Other Disciples Kind of Betrayer - who never really thought of themselves as cowards because they keep their betrayals less public.

 I notice that both Judas and Peter ran away from the group of believers after their betrayal.   I notice that we tend to do the same thing.  We RUN AWAY from God's people when we do things we're ashamed of.

The first step in Peter being restored was for him to be reunited with the disciples.(who, were also betrayers but not OPENLY).   Judas allowed his betrayal to end his life.  Peter was restored.  Judas was dead.  There was hope for Peter... but Judas ended all hope for himself.

JESUS CONTINUES TO LOVE PEOPLE WHO BETRAY HIM.  JESUS CONTINUES TO WANT PEOPLE WHO BETRAY HIM. JESUS LOVES BETRAYERS.   Jesus is NOT finished with the man who cheats on his wife, or the wife who cheats on her husband; or the son who betrays what his parents have taught him, or the daughter who hates the parents who raised her; or the employee who is stealing from his employer; or the employer who robs the retirement of his workers; or the person who deserts his family; or the pastor who is secretly sinning; or the church member who is doing the same.   Are you a Peter betrayer who will ALLOW the Lord to forgive him and restore him?  Come back to the family.  Or are you a Judas betrayer who is sure that his betrayal is so unforgive-able that your life is beyond repair?   Don't be a Judas.  Be a Peter.   Jesus loves betrayers.  Trust me, I know.

(Hmmmmm.. just got home from church.. and our pastor preached about "JUDAS".. Amazing.... Of course his points were more eloquent... but... well.......coincidence?)