"Planting Tulips"

Let me share with you. I do not have a garden. I've never actually planted tulips, nor do I even know if I have a green thumb. What I do know is that I aspire to always be "planting tulips" in every area of my life. In work or play, with family or friends, in marriage or raising my children, I pray the tulips will always be blooming. TULIP is an acronym for the Doctrines of Grace. They are five points supported by the scriptures to explain who God is and who I am in Him.

"These five points are still at the heart of Biblical theology. They are not unimportant. Where we stand on these things deeply affects our view of God, man, salvation, the atonement, regeneration, assurance, worship, and missions... 1. We experience first our depravity and need of salvation. 2. Then we experience the irresistable grace of God leading us toward faith. 3. Then we trust the sufficiency of the atoning death of Christ for our sins. 4. Then we discover that behind the work of God to atone for our sins and bring us to faith was the unconditional election of God. 5. And finally we rest in His electing grace to give us the strength and will to persevere to the end." - John Piper (see http://www.desiringgod.org/ Resource Library, Article by Date - 1985)

By God's grace and His soverignty, I am called. Because of this I pray to always praise Him and make Him known, giving Him glory through my relationships, raising my children, daily activities, and in my own heart. So if I am cleaning, scrapbooking, shopping, cooking, spending time with family and friends, or disiplining my children, may I always be planting tulips!