Psalm 16 NIV

Psalm 16 NIV


A  *miktam*  of David.


1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.


2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”



3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”



4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.

 
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.


6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.



7  I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.



8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.



9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,



10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.



11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

* miktam -  pronounced -  mich-tahm


A term found in David's Psalm titles; of which the meaning is uncertain but thought to be a literary or musical term.

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USA - President's Day History

Monday, February 18, 2013

The History of President's Day


Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government.


Traditionally celebrated on February 22— Washington’s actual day of birth— the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

 

Presidents' Day: Origin as Washington's Birthday


The story of Presidents’ Day date begins in 1800. Following President George Washington’s death in 1799, his February 22 birthday became a perennial day of remembrance. At the time, Washington was venerated as the most important figure in American history, and events like the 1832 centennial of his birth and the start of construction of the Washington Monument in 1848 were cause for national celebration.
 

While Washington’s Birthday was an unofficial observance for most of the 1800s, it was not until the late 1870s that it became a federal holiday. Senator Steven Wallace Dorsey of Arkansas was the first to propose the measure, and in 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law. The holiday initially only applied to the District of Columbia, but in 1885 it was expanded to the whole country. At the time, Washington’s Birthday joined four other nationally recognized federal bank holidays—Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving—and was the first to celebrate the life of an individual American. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, signed into law in 1983, would be the second.



Presidents' Day: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act


The shift from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents’ Day began in the late 1960s when Congress proposed a measure known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Championed by Senator Robert McClory of Illinois, this law sought to shift the celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series of predetermined Mondays. The proposed change was seen by many as a novel way to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers, and it was believed that ensuring holidays always fell on the same weekday would reduce employee absenteeism. While some argued that shifting holidays from their original dates would cheapen their meaning, the bill also had widespread support from both the private sector and labor unions and was seen as a surefire way to bolster retail sales.
 

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act also included a provision to combine the celebration of Washington’s Birthday with Abraham Lincoln’s, which fell on the proximate date of February 12. Lincoln’s Birthday had long been a state holiday in places like Illinois, and many supported joining the two days as a way of giving equal recognition to two of America’s most famous statesmen.
 

McClory was among the measure’s major proponents, and he even floated the idea of renaming the holiday “President’s Day.” This proved to be a point of contention for lawmakers from George Washington’s home state of Virginia, and the proposal was eventually dropped. Nevertheless, the main piece of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968 and officially took effect in 1971 following an executive order from President Richard Nixon. Washington’s Birthday was then shifted from the fixed date of February 22 to the third Monday of February. Columbus Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day were also moved from their traditionally designated dates. (As a result of widespread criticism, in 1980 Veterans’ Day was returned to its original November 11 date.)


Presidents' Day: Transformation


While Nixon’s order plainly called the newly placed holiday Washington’s Birthday, it was not long before the shift to Presidents’ Day began. The move away from February 22 led many to believe that the new date was intended to honor both Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as it now fell between their two birthdays. Marketers soon jumped at the opportunity to play up the three-day weekend with sales, and “Presidents’ Day” bargains were advertised at stores around the country.
 

By the mid-1980s Washington’s Birthday was known to many Americans as Presidents’ Day. This shift had solidified in the early 2000s, by which time as many as half the 50 states had changed the holiday’s name to Presidents’ Day on their calendars. Some states have even chosen to customize the holiday by adding new figures to the celebration. Arkansas, for instance, celebrates Washington as well as civil rights activist Daisy Gatson Bates. Alabama, meanwhile, uses Presidents’ Day to commemorate Washington and Thomas Jefferson (who was born in April).
 

Washington and Lincoln still remain the two most recognized leaders, but Presidents’ Day is now popularly seen as a day to recognize the lives and achievements of all of America’s chief executives. Some lawmakers have objected to this view, arguing that grouping George Washington and Abraham Lincoln together with less successful presidents minimizes their legacies. Congressional measures to restore Washington and Lincoln’s individual birthdays were proposed during the early 2000s, but all failed to gain much attention. For its part, the federal government has held fast to the original incarnation of the holiday as a celebration of the country’s first president. The third Monday in February is still listed on official calendars as Washington’s Birthday.

Presidents' Day: Celebrations and Traditions


Like Independence Day, Presidents’ Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance. In its original incarnation as Washington’s Birthday, the holiday gained special meaning during the difficulties of the Great Depression, when portraits of George Washington often graced the front pages of newspapers and magazines every February 22. In 1932 the date was used to reinstate the Purple Heart, a military decoration originally created by George Washington to honor soldiers killed or wounded while serving in the armed forces. Patriotic groups and the Boy Scouts of America also held celebrations on the day, and in 1938 some 5,000 people attended mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in honor of Washington.
 

In its modern form, Presidents’ Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend the days leading up to Presidents’ Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents, often with a focus on the lives of Washington and Lincoln.

The Good Wife's Handbook

The Days of Whine and Noses


You wouldn't have to know me long.


Before you concluded I could use a break now and then.


You'd soon say, "I'm guessing that lady needs a tall latte. Maybe even a dark chocolate truffle." I wouldn't need to explain all this. You would just know.


As a woman, it'd be obvious to you.


You'd take one look at my full-to-overflowing days...and you'd understand exactly what was needed. A small retreat. Away from the noise, and the dogs, and the lives of my children (yes; I did just say that).


Yes. I'm thinking a 16-ounce latte and a quiet, uninterrupted conversation with a tall grown-up. Preferably him - the one who thinks so clearly and has such broad, caring shoulders. Oh, yeah, definitely him. That's what I need. 


Now isn't that readily apparent to you?


But for some reason it was NOT very apparent to my husband and I had a hard time believing he couldn't see it.

So; one day we had a conversation about this need of mine. It began by my asking, "Can I tell you a little bit about me?"

Uhhhh, Yeh sure Hun ... ?

"Well, I love being your wife. I love being a mother. I love being a grandmother. And I love being a good friend that can be depended on. And I most certainly can (and plan) to keep going like this for the rest of my life; God willing."

Small pause, so he'd see I was sincere.

"But you know something else about me? I do sooo much better when I get to step away from here occasionally. Not only get away, but go out and have time together with you. It would do me a world of good."

I drew breath and then finished with, “So do you think we could pull that off? You know ... arrange that on a regular basis?"

He started to laugh (though I didn't really see the humor).

His response? "Weird. I never looked at it that way."

My turn: "Ummmm .. So then how is it that you do look at it?"

"Well, I guess that since I'm away from the house all day, my favorite thing is to come home to you. I love it when we're sitting around together and don't feel a particular need to go back out again. And I thought you felt the same way."

So as it turned out, he really was unaware. I had to explain what I was hoping for and even what that looked like to me. I wasn't asking for an expensive dinner out - just a latte, please (though chocolate wouldn't hurt). Mostly I wanted time with him.

But in his mind, our evenings together at home counted as "time". It didn't count so much with me.

He didn't know what I needed.  That was something he had to hear from me; from my own mouth.

Can I ask how it is that you communicate to your man what you need from him? Can I give you some try and true advice?


1. Pray about it.

Bring it before The Lord first. Ask Him to help you say what you want to say in a loving manner. Also, ask Him to prepare your husband's heart to hear you.


2. Come with a clean heart.

Let go of any bitterness or resentment that might have built up before this. Come with a fresh spirit.


3. Prepare him for the chat.

Don't approach him with two guns blazing and loaded for bear. Simply, quietly and graciously let him know that you've got something on your mind and you're looking forward to sharing it with him.


4. Approach him. Gently.

With words seasoned with grace. Not accusing or demanding or whiny or aggressive. Lovingly and simply laying down your needs before him.


5. Be Patient.

Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to sink in. Men seldom ~get it~  the first time around. Or if you have to repeat your request periodically and in different ways. Patiently and lovingly remind him of your needs. Eventually he'll catch on.


6. Show some appreciation.

If he tries at all, then express gratitude for his efforts. Don't only say it in words, but also in your attitude. Make sure he sees what a difference it makes in your life.


7. Be willing to leave it there.

This is the hardest one. Some of our needs can go for a long time before they're ever met. Others never will be met. At least by him. Because God is the only One who promises to supply all you need (Phil. 4:19) and you have to be ready to live with that.


8. Encourage him.

Believe it or not you may not be the only one that may have needs that aren't being met. Really! In spite of trying to be the very best wife that you can possibly be; there may be some things that he would like to have from you as well. Encourage him to verbalize them. One of the single most important thing that I discovered in these many years of being married is that some times a man just wants to spend a little uninterrupted quality time with his car. Give him a can of Turtle Wax, a few old rags and/or some Armour-all and watch his eyes glaze over...



Being a loving, godly wife and a loving, godly husband doesn't mean that either of you don't have any needs. You can be very content in your marriage and still communicate those things that help you feel loved, feel appreciated, feel wanted or needed. You can bless his life by letting him know the ways he can help meet your needs and you his.

Some days what I need out of life is nothing more is a tall latte. Chocolate. With an extra squirt of whipped cream. And a little quiet time. Some days what I need out of life is time away with my man.

But you already knew that ...

Won't You Be My Valentine?

~ A Valentine From Jesus ~


I  love you.

You are mine.

Your name is written upon My heart.

Your prayers are precious to Me.

Your life is in My hands.

I  am always with you.

I  am nearer to you than your own heart.

I  gave My life so that you might live forever with Me.

All I ask in return is your love.


Won't You Be My Valentine,


~ Jesus ~

 

You Can Read All About My Special Valentine ~Date~

HERE:

 

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/very-special-valentines-date.html

Jesus - our Valentine

~ Jesus - God’s Valentine to You ~
         Until we meet in glory, these things I vow to you ...


I will  love you with an everlasting love
(Jer 31:3)

I will  never leave you or forsake you
(Heb 13:5)

I will  be pleased with your faith
(Heb 11:6)

I will  remain faithful, even if you are not 
(2 Tim 2:13)

I will  allow absolutely nothing to separate you from my love
(Rom 8:38)

I will  always be your refuge and shield in times of trouble 
(Ps 18:2)

I will  be your hiding place 
(Ps 32:7)

I will give you the desire of your heart as you delight in Me 
(Ps 37:4)

I will  be the strength of your heart forever 
(Ps 73:26)

I will  make your path straight as you acknowledge Me 
(Pr 3:6)

I will  give you rest for your soul  
(Matt 11:29)

I will  never condemn you 
(Rom 8:1)

I will  reveal myself to you 
(John 14:21)

I will  rejoice over you with gladness 
(Zep 3:17)


Anxiously waiting for you,
~ Jesus ~

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Let All That Have Breath; Praise The Lord!

Love Beyond the Chocolates

Love Beyond the Chocolates

If you want to capture someone's heart for a lifetime, it takes more than a box of chocolates. They need the kind of love that ignites the fire and keeps it burning throughout the years.

In the reading of Titus 2:3-5 in which it says, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

You see that little spot there where it says, "to love their husbands?" The Greek word for "love" there is "philos" meaning to be friends or to be friendly to someone.

The English language is complicated. We only have one word for love. I can "love" my husband, and I can also "love" those divine red shoes I spotted at the market the other day- the ones that sported a hefty price tag. Obviously the "love" of my husband is so much more important to my being than the "love" of a pair of red shoes. That's confusing for anyone. Don't you think?

The Greeks; on the other hand, have more clarity in their language. When they're talking about love, they spell it out clearly using one of several different words.

Here are a four of them:

Agape - This is a sacrificial love, like the one we read about in 1 Corinthians 13

Eros - This is passionate love. The kind that makes your heart race.

Philia - Friendship or showing affection

Storge - Affection usually within family relationships


While a strong marriage should have all of these characteristics of love working together I want to focus in on the one from Titus 2: Philia.

When God created man he noticed something about him, and that was the fact that Adam was alone and being alone was not a good thing for him. He needed someone to spend time with, someone he could confide in, someone he could laugh with, someone who was loyal, someone who would value him, and someone who would show him affection. God saw that He needed a companion and friend.

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18

God's gift to man in the Garden that day reminds me that I'm not just someone that my husband fell in love with. I was put on this earth with the purpose of being his helper, his companion and his friend -someone he can laugh with, someone he can confide in, and someone who values the man that he is. My husband is so much more than a yearly heart shaped box of chocolates. He is a priceless gift- my personal gift from God. Made just for me and me for him.

That's agape love. Beautiful; isn't it?

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Share Jesus Today!

Who Am I?

The Journey to Me


“You will show me the path of life.” Psalm 16:11
 

The Lord led the Psalmist David on an incredible journey. In Psalm 16:11, David said God had shown him “The path of life.” This path led him from his earthly father’s house to God’s Kingdom- and of course towards fulfilling his purpose as king of Israel. 


David declared in Psalm 23:6 that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You had/have your earthly father’s house and you have your Heavenly Father’s house where you live out the purpose God created you for. You earthly father's house is the place of preparation for life. Your Heavenly Father's House is the place where you live out your full identity and purpose for being born. However, many people have not yet discovered the joy of living and operating in their full identity and purpose.



* Study the following Scriptures and determine if you are living in the past or the future that God has for you:
 
Galatians 4:1

1 Corinthians 13:11

Jeremiah 6:14

Luke 4:18

Heb 3:7- 8

Hebrews 3: 9-10

Eph 2:2-3
 


* Study the follow Scriptures and see that living in future that God has for you means you are operating in your purpose.


You will know God as Father - 1 John 5:20


You will know what it means to be a son or daughter -1 John 4:6


You will know His love -1 John 4-7-8


You will know how to dwell in His love -1 John 4 12-18


You will understand what it means to be chosen for a specific purpose -Eph 1:4-5


You will know the leading of the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:14-17


You will know what it means to be an Heir - Eph 5:1-7


You will understand what living in purpose requires - Eph 1:1, Eph 4:1


You will have a seat at the table “Seated in Heavenly Places” - Eph 1:20, 2:6


You’re true Identity will be revealed - Eph 1:5, Galatians 4:5
 

* Take the time to look up these scriptures and apply them to your life.
 

Have You Discovered Your True Identity?
 

Everyone is born with a desire to know what God had in mind when He created them. This leads to two questions, “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?” These two questions apply to every race, gender, and generation. Every person that desires to discover their true identity must find the answer to these questions. Some people ask and some don’t. Instead of asking they quietly seek for the answers but all the while the deep longing causes them so much unrest. They may strive, over-work and over-achieve trying to get a sense of worth. But without a revelation of our own identity we cannot have the peace and satisfaction that comes as our destiny unfolds.
 

Have you come to a peace about your true identity?  If not, ask God to open the eyes of your understanding so you can fully see and embrace who God created you to be. He has given you a unique identity, but you must press in to a deeper relationship with Him to discover it. God may be waiting on you to embrace your identity so that He can promote you in His Kingdom and reveal you as His own.
 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30



Dearest Father God,

I  long to know my true identity and purpose. Help me as I read these scriptures, to know if I am still stuck in the past and to learn how to operate in the purpose and plan that You have for me. My desire is to receive Your full blessing as Your son/daughter. Lead me along the Path of Life as you did King David. Thank You that I am uniquely and wonderfully made and that You have a plan and a purpose for my life. I admit that I have struggled with knowing who I am, why I am here and with knowing my identify and purpose. Today, Lord, open the eyes of my understanding to fully see and to embrace who You created me to be. I want to walk in Your will, plan and purpose for my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen



* Further reading: Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:4-10; 29:11-12

Psalm 139 Woman - Psalm 139 Wife

~ Psalm 139 Woman ~

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.

Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

~ Psalm 139 Wife ~



1. Always choose love. Above all things. I Corinthians 13

2. Give him all your heart. Not only a part of it.

3. Laugh together. For the rest of your lives.

4. Forgive. “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” ` Ruth Bell Graham

5. And forget. Once it’s been forgiven, put it behind you and never pick it back up again.

6. Cling to each other in the hard times. Don’t let trials pull you apart, but bring you closer together instead.

7. Don’t let fear hold you back. Take risks and step out together.

8. Kiss him on the lips. Every day. For a long time.

9. Don’t try to change him. He’s a good man just as he is. He might have room to grow – but then again, so do you. Leave that work to the Holy Spirit.

10. Pray for him. Make it your daily ministry to lift him up before your Heavenly Father. He needs a praying wife.

11. Hold hands. When you’re walking together, when you’re driving together, and sometimes simply grab his hand for no reason.

12. Confide in him. Share with him your thoughts, your dreams, your fears, and your hopes. Never keep anything from each other.

13. Don’t be surprised when faced with a trial. It’s not something to tip-toe around, but something to walk through. So walk through it together.

14. Be quick to admit when wrong. Don’t waste a minute holding on to your pride.

15. Look for little ways to delight him. Be mindful of those small preferences of his.

16. Greet him with a loving smile. Who wouldn’t love coming home to that every night?

17. Allow him to make mistakes. Don’t hold it against him. “Everyone makes mistakes” applies to husbands too.

18. Protect your marriage. Set up safeguards together to keep things and people from harming what you’ve got.

19. Never leave off with the romance. It might not be the foundation of your love, but it sure makes for good glue.

20. Be sweet to him. He’ll always be glad for a little of that.

21. Care about your appearance. Not out of vanity, but in making an effort to put forth your best.

22. Speak well of him to others. Never put him down or make a slight.

23. Be trustworthy. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her” (Prov.31:11).

24. Give grace. He’ll need you to extend him grace from time to time. Don’t we all need that?

25. Seek to be servant-hearted. Take pleasure in serving him. “By love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).

26. Be filled with joy. “It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full” ~ A.B. Simpson

27. Be a wise woman. “She opens her mouth with wisdom” (Prov. 31:26a).

28. And speak kindness. “…and on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Prov. 31:26b).

29. Let the little things go. Don’t hang on to small annoyances.

30. Work through the big things. Take the time to talk those through.

31. Don’t go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26

32. Be honest. It’s important to speak the truth – in love – to him. Always.

33. Throw a little surprise in there. Every-once-in-a-while. Just for fun.

34. Enjoy the man he is. Don’t compare him to anyone else.

35. Be strong for him. “Strength and honor are her clothing” (Prov. 31:25)

36. Let him know when you’re feeling weak. Sometimes he might need to be reminded that, even still, you’re the weaker vessel.

37. Put you hope in the Lord. Psalm 71:5

38. Be willing to listen. Be quick to hear. James 1:9

39. Make his love your priority. Even above your children.

40. Give yourself room to grow. Love is not perfect – it’s just loving.

41. Remember he’s not your girlfriend. He won’t always understand or relate, so don’t have unreasonable expectations.

42. But be sure he’s your best-friend. Invest in your friendship.

43. Fall asleep in his arms. Whenever possible.

44. Show him respect. Especially in front of your children.

45. Let him care for you. It’s his job.

46. Set aside date nights. Whether at home or going out.

47. Admire him. Make sure you’re his biggest fan.

48. Stand by him. Your loyalty is invaluable.

49. Enjoy the passion. Keep the fire burning. Like, the … Song of Solomon!

50. Decide in the beginning that you’re going to stick together until the very end. ‘Til death do you part.”

51. Do him good. All the days of your life. Proverbs 31:12

52. Keep in mind that marriage can be hard work. But it’s so worth the effort.

53. Speak only those things that edify.  That it “may give grace to the hearer.” Ephesians 5:29

54. Sometimes the best thing you to do is not say anything at all.

55. Show appreciation for the many things he does.  For both the big and the small things.

56. Look to him as the leader of your home.

57. Make his dreams … your dreams.  Treasure them like your own.

58. Look into each other’s eyes.  Adoringly and each day.

59. Be extravagant in your love. Go big.

60. Work together. In the garage, the kitchen, the garden, or the barn. It’s always more fun with two.

61. Allow for hormonal fluctuations.  But don’t make it an excuse for sin.

62. Speak his love language – what says love to him.  And speak it fluently!

63. Don’t make accusations. Ask questions, but don’t begin with blame.

64. Start each day with a smile and a kiss. What better way to begin?

65. Share interests together.  As many as possible.

66. Welcome him into your world. Don’t keep him at a distance.

67. Laugh at his jokes. Yes, even if you’ve heard them before.

68. Remember the one you fell in love with.  Don’t let him get lost in the dailyness of life.

69. Abide in Christ. And then keep abiding. John 15

70. Cast all your care upon Him. Because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7

71. Fix his favorite foods. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart…

72. Communicate confidence in who he is and what he’s about. So powerful in a man’s life.

73. Keep tenderness in your love. Don’t let hardness or sharpness creep in to make it brittle.

74. Let him know what you need from him. It might not be as obvious as you think it is.

75. Differentiate what you need…from what you want.

76. Pray through problems. Don’t work it out on your own.  Romans 8:26

77. Convince him that he’s the man of your dreams.  And he’ll become that man.

78. Give thanks.  Always. For all things. Ephesians 5:20

79. Go to the Word when things seem dark.  God’s Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Psalm 119:105

80. Intertwine your lives wherever possible. Run errands, go for walks, curl up on the couch. Just seek to be together.

81. Make the most of little moments. Don’t wait for sweeping moments – those are mostly found in the movies.

82. Gratefully accept his gifts. Don’t mention the price or how he got it “wrong”. Just be thankful.

83. Always remain lovers.  Do the kinds of things that lovers do.

84. Judge him not. That you be not judged. Matthew 7:1

85. Celebrate your anniversary.  Do something special together and recognize the grand occasion that it is.

86. Don’t hang out with friends who put him – or their own husbands – down. So destructive.

87. Back him up in his decision-making. He’ll value your support.

88. Give up your need to be right. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

89. Cheerfully help him out.  You’re his “help-meet”, aren’t you?

90. The Lord can heal your hurts. Your husband cannot. So don’t resent him for something he can’t do.  Psalm 147:3

91. Write little love notes.  Tuck them in his lunch. Or write on the bathroom mirror. Send a text message, if you must.

92. Embrace your differences. If you were both the same? How boring would that be.

93. Express enthusiasm for his plans and ideas.

94. Timing can make all the difference in the world. Discuss difficult things when you’re both rested – and fed.

95. Make his priorities your own.  Bump them up to the top of your list.

96. Lovingly bear with him.  He’ll have his faults (as will you).  Ephesians 4:2

97. Fear the Lord. And you shall be praised. Proverbs 31: 30

98. Reach out and touch.  A tender touch can do so much good  - for you both.

99. Marriage is like a long, slow walk together. More a marathon than a sprint. So just keep walking. Together.

100. Always choose love – again and again.

The greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

~  Even More  ~

* Never go to sleep until you are both heart connected – Don’t allow yourself to go to sleep angry or upset… That’s when days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before you know it, months into years of built up anger and disappointment that creates a divide. 

* Make eye contact often – something about looking into each other’s eyes builds friendship, connection, intimacy, vulnerability, and romance.

* Notice what he does for you and the home, and thank him often.

* Find out his love language/s, and speak them diligently.

* Embrace his family as your own.

* Remember that he is not responsible for making you happy or fulfilling you. That can only come from God.

Sanctified & Set Apart

Set Apart
 
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew (chose) you,
before you were born I set you apart (sanctified you).”   
Jeremiah 1:5 
 

In this verse, God told Jeremiah that his identity was determined even before he was in his mother’s womb. God created him to be a prophet; one who would carry forth His Word. Jeremiah was set apart for God’s purpose and he embraced it. 


Like Jeremiah, the unique way God has created you is in line with His plan and purpose for your life. Just as a bird is created to fly swiftly through the heavens, you have been created to move forward in your purpose. God would not have created birds to fly and not give them wings. He did not create you without equipping you with a capacity to accomplish all He has created you to do.
 
If He has given you a dream or a vision that is burning on the inside, rest assured that He has created you in a very unique way with special gifts, abilities, and provision to accomplish what He has called you to do. But, like the children of Israel you may need to step into it before the water parts.
 
God told Jeremiah he was sanctified and ordained for his calling. To be sanctified means to be set apart from the world; set apart for a specific purpose. You too have been set apart, don’t run from it, embrace it and receive all He has for you.
 



Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gifts You have placed within me and the calling You have on my life. I receive this calling and I embrace who You created me to be. I choose to be set apart for Your purpose. I choose to walk by faith and believe that You will provide everything needed for this vision to be fulfilled.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Peep a Boo- I see You

Joshua and the Sun

Joshua 10.

As the chapter opens, we read that five opposing Amorite armies were planning to attack. Having decided to strike first, Joshua led his entire army toward the Amorites on an all-night march.  Sometime during that march, God spoke to Joshua.  He told him 'Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand.  Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'

At dawn, the Israelites unleashed a surprise attack, and right from the beginning the battle went well.  When the enemy lines broke, and the Amorites started to flee into the valley, Joshua's men chased them down.  And God got personally involved.  'As they fled before Israel,' the account reads, 'the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky.' 

Then, as the sun sank toward the horizon, Joshua faced a decision.  The victory wasn't complete, and once it got dark, the rest of the Amorites would slip away.  But Joshua was determined to fight on.  Perhaps he realized that if he didn't destroy the enemy now, Israel's conquest of Canaan would grind to a halt.  Maybe he knew that anything less than total victory would conceal God's presence and glory.  Besides, he remembered God's promise in the night. 

Most of us would have called it a day.  I've done all I can do.  I've exhausted every option.  I've given it all I've got.  But Joshua wasn't most people.  He refused to go out like that. That wasn't the way it was supposed to end.  This was where his spectacular faith began.  Joshua sized up the situation, summoned all his available courage, and delivered one of the most gloriously unorthodox prayers in the entire Bible:

" O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." (verse 12)

Joshua had the absolute amazing faith to ask God to make the sun stop in the sky.  To freeze time on behalf of His people.  According to scripture, God gave Joshua exactly what he ordered.  Just when the Amorites were hanging on for the cover of darkness, darkness never came.  Just when they thought the curtains were about to drop on their day from hell, God came out for an encore. 

"The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.  There has never been a day like before or since...surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!" (verses 13-14)

God chose to answer Joshua's outrageous prayer.

I believe that God intends for us to have this same kind of spectacular faith - the kind of faith that dares to believe God for the impossible - as a normal way of life!

This really gets to the heart of the matter for me.

Throughout scripture I don't see people of God praying wimpy "Dear God, if you could, please would you...".

I see them praying prayers where seas parted, the sick were healed, the dead were raised, teenagers took out giants with pebbles. What I see in scripture is that these spectacular faith kind of prayers were not the exception, they were the norm. Every time someone prayed something bold, crazy wonderful things happened!  God answered.

As I look at the way that I pray and live out my faith I must ask myself "What have I reduced God to and more importantly, why??" These things have been stirring in my heart for a few months now.

Let's face it. Times are tough for all of us. We are struggling financially, physically, mentally such as we never have before in our existence as a race of human beings. It seems like the whole world has turned upside down and it seems like it is getting worse by the minute. As we look at the broken world around us, the magnitude of the problems and issues can seem huge and impossible. 

But here's the deal. 

God didn't just put us here to survive from day to day until we die ... He put us here to transform the world around us. He put us here to enjoy His Favor so that we might share the good news of divine blessings for those that believe. He put us here to be blessed so that we might then be able to share those blessings with others. He put us here to be able to share fantastic, awesome testimonies of God raising us from a low place to a high place.

And! all of these transformations occurs as we come to trust and believe in the very nature of who God is, which then compels us to walk in deeper faith, praying spectacular faith prayers and EXPECTING God to show up and do what He says He will do, just as He did for Joshua.  By the way ... Joshua was not really anyone more special than you are to God. He just knew who God was and prayed accordingly.

Are we even praying boldy and with spectacular faith? 

Do we expect that if we pray and believe for the spectacular that God will answer?

What keeps us from praying the types of prayers that Joshua and many others like him prayed?

What can we do to change that?

The same God that answered the prayers of Joshua and stopped the sun on his behalf is the very same God that you serve today. Is anything to hard for Him?

I thought not.  

February - This Month in History

FEBRUARY In HISTORY


February 1

February 1, 1960 - In Greensboro, North Carolina, four African American students sat down and ordered coffee at a lunch counter inside a Woolworth's store. They were refused service, but did not leave. Instead, they waited all day. The scene was repeated over the next few days, with protests spreading to other southern states, resulting in the eventual arrest of over 1,600 persons for participating in sit-ins.

February 1, 2003 - Sixteen minutes before it was scheduled to land, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in flight over west Texas, killing all seven crew members. The accident may have resulted from damage caused during liftoff when a piece of insulating foam from the external fuel tank broke off, piercing a hole in the shuttle's left wing that allowed hot gases to penetrate the wing upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. This was the second space shuttle lost in flight. In January 1986, Challenger exploded during liftoff.

Birthday - Hattie Caraway (1878-1950) the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, was born in Bakersville, Tennessee. Her husband became the U.S. Senator from Arkansas. Following his death in 1931, she filled the remainder of his term, then was elected herself, serving a total of 14 years.

Birthday - Hollywood director John Ford (1895-1973) was born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Known for The Grapes of Wrath and The Searchers, he also served in World War II as chief of the Photographic Unit of OSS, and earned two Academy Awards for documentaries made during the war.


February 2

February 2, 1848 - The war between the U.S. and Mexico ended with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In exchange for $15 million, the U.S. acquired the areas encompassing parts or all of present day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas. The treaty was ratified on March 10, 1848.

February 2, 1990 - In South Africa, the 30-year-old ban on the African National Congress was lifted by President F.W. de Klerk, who also promised to free Nelson Mandela and remove restrictions on political opposition groups.

Birthday - Irish novelist and poet James Joyce (1882-1941) was born in Dublin, Ireland. His works include; Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses, and Finegan's Wake.


February 3

February 3, 1865 - A four-hour peace conference occurred between President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at Hampton Roads, Virginia. The meeting was unsuccessful as President Lincoln insisted there could be no armistice until the Confederates acknowledged Federal authority. The Confederates wanted an armistice first. Thus the Civil War continued.

February 3, 1870 - The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing the right of citizens to vote, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

February 3, 1913 - The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting Congress the authority to collect income taxes.

February 3, 1943 - An extraordinary act of heroism occurred in the icy waters off Greenland after the U.S. Army transport ship Dorchester was hit by a German torpedo and began to sink rapidly. When it became apparent there were not enough life jackets, four U.S. Army chaplains on board removed theirs, handed them to frightened young soldiers, and chose to go down with the ship while praying.

Birthday - The first female physician in the U.S., Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was born near Bristol, England. As a girl, her family moved to New York State. She was awarded her MD by the Medical Institute of Geneva, New York, in 1849. She then established a hospital in New York City run by an all-female staff. She was also active in training women to be nurses for service in the American Civil War.

Birthday - American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was born in New York City. Best known for depicting ordinary scenes from small town American life for the covers of Saturday Evening Post magazine.


February 4

February 4, 1861 - Apache Chief Cochise was arrested in Arizona by the U.S. Army for raiding a ranch. Cochise then escaped and declared war, beginning the period known as the Apache Wars, which lasted 25 years.

February 4, 1985 - Twenty countries in the United Nations signed a document entitled "Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment."

Birthday - Thaddeus Kosciusko (1746-1817) was born in Poland. He served in the American Revolution, building the first fortifications at West Point. He then returned to Poland and fought against a Russian invasion.

Birthday - Aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) was born in Detroit, Michigan. He made the first non-stop solo flight from New York to Paris, May 20-21, 1927.


February 5

February 5, 1917 - The new constitution of Mexico, allowing for sweeping social changes, was adopted.


February 6

February 6, 1788 - Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the new U.S. Constitution, by a vote of 187 to 168.

February 6, 1933 - The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted. It set the date for the Presidential Inauguration as January 20th, instead of the old date of March 4th. It also sets January 3rd as the official opening date of Congress.

February 6, 1952 - King George VI of England died. Upon his death, his daughter Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Her actual coronation took place on June 2, 1953.

Birthday - Aaron Burr (1756-1836) was born in Newark, New Jersey. In 1804, Vice President Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel over Hamilton's negative remarks and mortally wounded him. Burr was later tried for treason over allegations he was planning to invade Mexico as part of a scheme to establish his own empire in the Southwest, but was acquitted.

Birthday - Legendary baseball player George Herman "Babe" Ruth (1895-1948) was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Ruth held or shared 60 Major League records, including pitching 29 consecutive scoreless innings and hitting 714 home runs.

Birthday - Ronald Reagan, (1911-2004) the 40th U.S. President, was born in Tampico, Illinois. Reagan spent 30 years as an entertainer in radio, film, and television before becoming governor of California in 1966. Elected to the White House in 1980, he survived an assassination attempt and became the most popular president since Franklin Roosevelt.


February 7

February 7, 1795 - The 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting the powers of the Federal Judiciary over the states by prohibiting Federal lawsuits against individual states.

Birthday - Thomas More (1478-1535) was born in London, England. He was a lawyer, scholar, and held the title Lord Chancellor of England. As a devout Catholic, he refused to acknowledge the divorce of King Henry VIII from Queen Catherine, thereby refusing to acknowledge the King's religious supremacy. He was charged with treason, found guilty and beheaded in 1535, with his head then displayed from Tower Bridge. Four hundred years later, in 1935, he was canonized by Pope Pius XI.

Birthday - British novelist Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was born in Portsmouth, England. He examined social inequalities through his works including; David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby. In 1843, he wrote A Christmas Carol in just a few weeks, an enormously popular work even today.

Birthday - American social critic and novelist Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) was born in Sauk Center, Minnesota. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930. His works include; Main Street, Babbit, and It Can't Happen Here.


February 8

February 8, 1587 - Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at Fotheringhay, England, after 19 years as a prisoner of Queen Elizabeth I. She became entangled in the complex political events surrounding the Protestant Reformation in England and was charged with complicity in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth.

February 8, 1910 - The Boy Scouts of America was founded by William Boyce in Washington, D.C., modeled after the British Boy Scouts.

Birthday - Union Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was born in Lancaster, Ohio.


February 9

February 9, 1943 - During World War II in the Pacific, U.S. troops captured Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands after six months of battle, with 9,000 Japanese and 2,000 Americans killed.

Birthday - William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) the 9th U.S. President was born in Berkeley, Virginia. He took office on March 4, 1841 and died only 32 days later after developing pneumonia from the cold weather during his inaugural ceremonies.


February 10

February 10, 1942 - The first Medal of Honor during World War II was awarded to 2nd Lt. Alexander Nininger (posthumously) for heroism during the Battle of Bataan.

February 10, 1967 - The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, clarifying the procedures for presidential succession in the event of the disability of a sitting president.


February 11

February 11th - Celebrated in Japan as the founding date of the Japanese nation, which occurred with the accession to the throne of the first Emperor, Jimmu, in 660 BC.

February 11, 1929 - Italian dictator Benito Mussolini granted political independence to Vatican City and recognized the sovereignty of the Pope (Holy See) over the area, measuring about 110 acres.

February 11, 1990 - In South Africa, Nelson Mandela, at age 71, was released from prison after serving 27 years of a life sentence on charges of attempting to overthrow the apartheid government. In April 1994, he was elected president in the first all-race elections.

February 11, 2011 - In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak resigned amid a massive protest calling for his ouster. Thousands of young Egyptians and others had protested non-stop for 18 days in Cairo, Alexandria and elsewhere. Mubarak had ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, functioning as a virtual dictator.

Birthday - American inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931) was born in Milan, Ohio. Throughout his lifetime he acquired over 1,200 patents including the incandescent bulb, phonograph and movie camera. Best known for his quote, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."


February 12

February 12, 1999 - The impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in the U.S. Senate ended. With the whole world watching via television, Senators stood up one by one during the final roll call to vote "guilty" or "not guilty." On Article 1 (charging Clinton with perjury) 55 senators, including 10 Republicans and all 45 Democrats voted not guilty. On Article 2 (charging Clinton with obstruction of justice) the Senate split evenly, 50 for and 50 against the President. With the necessary two-thirds majority not having been achieved, President Clinton was thus acquitted on both charges and served out the remainder of his term of office lasting through January 20, 2001.

Birthday - Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) the 16th U.S. President was born in Hardin County, Kentucky. He led the nation through the tumultuous Civil War, freed the slaves, composed the Gettysburg Address, and established Thanksgiving.

Birthday - Author and naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was born in Shrewsbury, England. Best known for his work Origin of the Species concerning the theory of evolution.


February 13

February 13, 1635 - Boston Latin School, the first tax-payer supported (public) school in America was established in Boston, Massachusetts.

February 13, 1945 - During World War II in Europe, British and American planes began massive bombing raids on Dresden, Germany. A four-day firestorm erupted that was visible for 200 miles and engulfed the historic old city, killing an estimated 135,000 German civilians.

Birthday - American artist Grant Wood (1892-1942) was born near Anamosa, Iowa. Best known for his painting American Gothic featuring a farm couple.


February 14

February 14th - Celebrated as (Saint) Valentine's Day around the world, now one of the most widely observed unofficial holidays in which romantic greeting cards and gifts are exchanged.

February 14, 1849 - Photographer Mathew Brady took the first photograph of a U.S. President in office, James Polk.

February 14, 1929 - The St. Valentine's Day massacre occurred in Chicago as seven members of the Bugs Moran gang were gunned down by five of Al Capone's mobsters posing as police.


February 15

February 15, 1898 - In Havana, the U.S. Battleship Maine was blown up while at anchor and quickly sank with 260 crew members lost. The incident inflamed public opinion in the U.S., resulting in a declaration of war against Spain on April 25, 1898, amid cries of "Remember the Maine!"

February 15, 1933 - An assassination attempt on newly elected U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt occurred in Miami, Florida. A spectator deflected the gunman's aim. As a result, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was shot and killed instead. The gunman, an Italian immigrant, was captured and later sentenced to death.

February 15, 1989 - Soviet Russia completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan after nine years of unsuccessful involvement in the civil war between Muslim rebel groups and the Russian-backed Afghan government. Over 15,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the fighting.

Birthday - Astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was born in Pisa, Italy. He was the first astronomer to use a telescope and advanced the theory that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system.

Birthday - Inventor Cyrus McCormick (1809-1884) was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He invented the horse-drawn mechanical reaper, a machine that freed farmers from hard labor and contributed to the development and cultivation of vast areas of the American Great Plains.

Birthday - Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) was born in Adams, Massachusetts. A pioneer in women's rights, she worked tirelessly for woman's suffrage (right to vote) and in 1872 was arrested after voting (illegally) in the presidential election. She was commemorated in 1979 with the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, thus became the first American woman to have her image on a U.S. coin.


February 16

Birthday - Entertainer and politician Sonny Bono (1935-1998) was born in Detroit, Michigan. Following a career as a popular singer, he became mayor of Palm Springs, California, then became a Republican congressman, serving until his accidental death from a skiing mishap.


February 17

February 17, 1865 - During the American Civil War, Fort Sumter in South Carolina was returned to the Union after nearly a year and a half under Confederate control. The fort had been the scene of the first shots of the war.

February 17, 1909 - Apache Chief Geronimo (1829-1909) died while in captivity at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He had led a small group of warriors on raids throughout Arizona and New Mexico. Caught once, he escaped. The U.S. Army then sent 5,000 men to recapture him.


February 18

Birthday - American politician Wendell Willkie (1892-1944) was born in Elwood, Illinois. He was the Republican nominee for president in 1940, running against Franklin D. Roosevelt.


February 19

February 19, 1942 - Internment of Japanese Americans began after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order requiring those living on the Pacific coast to report for relocation. Over 110,000 persons therefore shut down their businesses, sold off their property, quit school and moved inland to the relocation centers.

Birthday - Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was born in Torun, Poland. Considered the founder of modern astronomy, he theorized that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system.


February 20

February 20, 1943 - German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel broke through American lines at Kasserine Pass in North Africa as inexperienced U.S. Troops lost their first major battle of World War II in Europe, with 1,000 Americans killed.

February 20, 1962 - Astronaut John Glenn became the first American launched into orbit. Traveling aboard the "Friendship 7" spacecraft, Glenn reached an altitude of 162 miles (260 kilometers) and completed three orbits in a flight lasting just under five hours. Glenn was the third American in space, preceded by Alan Shepard and Virgil “Gus” Grissom who had each completed short sub-orbital flights. All of them had been preceded by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who was the first human in space, completing one orbit on April 12, 1961 - a feat that intensified the already ongoing Space Race between the Russians and Americans. Glenn’s successful flight showed the Americans had caught up and was followed in September 1962 by President John F. Kennedy’s open call to land an American on the moon before the decade’s end.


February 21

February 21, 1965 - Former Black Muslim leader Malcolm X (1925-1965) was shot and killed while delivering a speech in a ballroom in New York City.

February 21, 1972 - President Richard Nixon arrived in China for historic meetings with Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Premier Chou En-lai.

February 21, 1994 - CIA agent Aldrich Ames was arrested on charges he spied for the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991.


February 22

February 22, 1956 - In Montgomery, Alabama, 80 participants in the three-month-old bus boycott voluntarily gave themselves up for arrest after an ultimatum from white city leaders. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks were among those arrested. Later in 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court mandated desegregation of the buses.

Birthday - George Washington (1732-1799) was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He served as commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and became the first U.S. President.


February 23

February 23, 1942 - During World War II, the first attack on the U.S. mainland occurred as a Japanese submarine shelled an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California, causing minor damage.

February 23, 1991 - In Desert Storm, the Allied ground offensive began after a devastating month-long air campaign targeting Iraqi troops in both Iraq and Kuwait.

Birthday - African American educator and leader W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Birthday - Historian William L. Shirer (1904-1993) was born in Chicago, Illinois. As a news reporter stationed in Europe, he witnessed the rise of Adolf Hitler and reported on the surrender of France. Following the war he wrote the first major history of Nazi Germany, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.


February 24

February 24, 1582 - Pope Gregory XIII corrected mistakes on the Julian calendar by dropping 10 days and directing that the day after October 4, 1582 would be October 15th. The Gregorian, or New Style calendar, was then adopted by Catholic countries, followed gradually by Protestant and other nations.

February 24, 1867 - The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson. The vote followed bitter opposition by the Radical Republicans in Congress toward Johnson's reconstruction policies in the South. However, the effort to remove him failed in the Senate by just one vote.

Birthday - Admiral Chester Nimitz (1885-1966) was born in Fredericksburg, Texas. He commanded Allied naval, land and air forces in the South Pacific during World War II, and signed the Japanese surrender document on September 2, 1945.


February 25

Birthday - Millicent Fenwick (1910-1992) was born in New York City. She championed liberal causes, serving as a member of the U.N. General Assembly and as a U.S. Congresswoman.


February 26

February 26, 1848 - The Communist Manifesto pamphlet was published by two young socialists, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It advocated the abolition of all private property and a system in which workers own all means of production, land, factories and machinery.

February 26, 1994 - Political foes of Russian President Boris Yeltsin were freed by a general amnesty granted by the new Russian Parliament.

Birthday - American frontiersman "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917) was born in Scott County, Indiana. He claimed to have killed over 4,000 buffalo within 17 months. He became world famous through his Wild West show which traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe for 30 years.


February 27

February 27, 1950 - The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting the president to two terms or a maximum of ten years in office.

February 27, 1991 - In Desert Storm, the 100-hour ground war ended as Allied troops entered Kuwait just four days after launching their offensive against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces.

Birthday - American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was born in Portland, Maine. Best known for Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and The Wreck of the Hesperus.


February 28

February 28, 1844 - During a demonstration of naval fire power, one of the guns aboard the USS Princeton exploded, killing several top U.S. government officials on the steamer ship, and narrowly missed killing President John Tyler.

February 28, 1986 - Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme (1927-1986) was assassinated in Stockholm while exiting a movie theater with his wife.

February 28, 1994 - NATO conducted its first combat action in its 45 year history as four Bosnian Serb jets were shot down by American fighters in a no-fly zone.