Happy Hug Day & Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

Hugging releases oxytocin which creates feel-good hormones and reduces pain.  Hugs improve sleep.  Receiving a hug helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart disease.  It also eases anxiety.  So, follow doctor's orders and hug someone today (but no kissing, that's tomorrow).  Or you can eat some Hershey hugs, but that will never be a doctor's order.

I remember when we celebrated Lincoln's birthday ON his birthday.  Then in the 1970's, it was changed to fall on a Monday.  Lincoln's birthday was lumped in with Washington's birthday.  How can they arbitrarily change someone's birthday!?  Lincoln's real birthday (2/12) in still a state holiday in CA, CT, MO, and IL  Indiana celebrates Lincoln's birthday on the day after Thanksgiving; I have no idea why.  A wreath is laid at his birthplace in Kentucky and at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.  Although, I also read that the wreath-laying and reading of the Gettysburg Address in D.C. is held during President's Day weekend.  You can celebrate today by collecting or spending $5 bills and pennies.  Read the Gettysburg Address or watch a movie like Young Mr. Lincoln or National Treasure: Book of Secrets (AKA National Treasure 2).

Romans 8:15  The Holy Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father."