Disappointed

Since we have reduced our family to one vehicle I have been challenged to maintain the same social schedule as before.

I am not able to attend our woman's bible study at church because of our current car situation. I thought God may have a different plan for me. I thought maybe He was challenging me to start a new bible study.

I went bold. I asked Elijah's preschool teacher if I could put a note in the children's back packs asking if they were interested in a bible study. The teacher was excited and thought it was a great idea.

It read: Want something fun to do while your child is in preschool? Let's start a bible study. If interested call Eli's Mom, Dana at (insert phone number)


That was almost 2 weeks ago. No one responded. Not one. I was disappointed.

Elijah attends a Christian preschool. I have to assume that a majority of these parents are Christian. There are 20 kids in his class. Was it wrong for me to assume that 2 or 3 Moms would be interested. But not one.

What's wrong with this? Do these Moms practice their faith only on Sundays? Could they just be shy? I thought this would be easy.

Don't most woman attend a bible study? Do you?

yesterday's soda intake: none :)

Matthew West CD giveaway!

I love Matthew West's music! He has a fresh contemporary Christian style. Give it a listen!

A little while ago I won his cd from a local radio station. I've never won anything before so I was really excited.



Now I want to share that same joy of winning with you. I'm giving away my Matthew West cd to one lucky winner! Why am I giving this away - well I already owned most of the songs from itunes :)

All you have to do is leave a comment below to be included in the draw. I will draw on Friday, October 10th at 8:30am Good Luck!

Should we Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas has become so far removed from Christ that it makes me wonder how should we celebrate it - or should we even celebrate it?

I know what you are thinking - of course we should celebrate Christmas! But should we? I know this post will go against the grain for a lot of Christians.

But read on...

I believe we should always go to our bible when we have questions of how to live our lives. I believe God's written word provides us with everything we need to live a life that glorifies Him and allows us to enjoy Him forever.

My question is: Where in the bible does it tell us to celebrate the birth of Jesus?

There is no mention in the bible to celebrate His birth. (correct me if I'm wrong here) However there is mention in the bible to celebrate his death. Jesus says in Luke 22:19b This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Jesus requires us to celebrate what He did for us - dying on the cross. We do this during The Lords Supper.

So the bible does not answer me - How should I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - or should I at all?

I'm pretty sure the Lord doesn't want me to study the toy wish book from various retailers. I know he doesn't want me to go into debt buying the latest toys for my children, but does He not desire praise from us for the wonderful awesome gift of His Son? Does He want us to celebrate Christmas?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Studying for Christmas

Every year the Christmas season seems to come earlier and earlier. I believe it's still on the 25th of December, right? Then why did I get a Christmas catalog in the middle of September?!

Last week we received in the mail a toy catalog from Kmart. My kids have been studying it like it was the bible and they knew the date of Jesus return! They've circled things, categorized things and told me again and again how much they need these things. Elijah keeps saying, "let's go buy it!"

It's time I stood on my soapbox and screamed ENOUGH!

I'll admit it - each year, on some level, I do get sucked into the marketing of Christmas. I love the lights, the tree and how people seem to turn around and have a heart to give. How can I make this year different and still special?

It's time to start thinking about Christmas - how do I want to celebrate? Sure, we will still celebrate at church and participate in the church Christmas play. I mean beyond that. How will I celebrate? How will I weave in my new frugal lifestyle?

One thing I know for sure - this toy catalog is going in the recycling today... and every other one that comes in my mailbox this year!

Do you plan to celebrate differently this year?

The 10th Commandment

I openly admit I'm a sinner - saved by faith by the blood Jesus Christ, through the grace of God. The 10 commandments are a hard bunch of rules for man to live by. I go through waves of issues I deal with in regards to following God's commandments. There is one, however, that is consistently difficult: The 10th Commandment.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

I ask you this: what is the difference between coveting and admiring? For me it's a real thin line.

front view

About a 1/2 a mile away this beautiful house is being built. I drive past it almost daily. If I was to build my dream home.. this would be it. I love the stone, the windows and angle the garage is to the rest of the home.

back view

At what point does coveting occur? When you don't want the owners to have what you want? or when you are just not happy or even content with what you already have? Something to chew on today. I know and understand that my life here on earth is only temporary compared to eternity with our Heavenly Father... It amazes me how deep my sinful nature can be.

This is just Cool!

What a great way to show you love Christ in a BIG way! Seeing this has to make you smile:) It did me!

Matthew 28:15

Recently I posted that Matthew 28:15 is my favorite bible verse. I was asked by Rachel from SmallNotebook why this is my favorite - I hope this answers it.

Matthew 28:15
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

It's kind of odd verse to be a favorite. A lot of people like the Psalms or Proverbs, I've noticed. I love those too. But Matthew 28:15 spoke to me.

Let me give you a little information about what's going on in the bible around this verse. The soldiers that were guarding Jesus' tomb went into the city to tell the priests and elders that His body was gone! The guards were told to spread lies saying they fell asleep and someone must have stolen His body. The guards were paid and the lies were spread.

Have you ever told a lie?.. of course you have! You may have lied about something small, that you thought wouldn't effect other people much. My guess is these soldiers felt the same way. No big deal, lets cover up our tracks. They took the money they were given and didn't think twice. Turns out, this lie - letting the Jews think Jesus' body was stolen - is the biggest lie of all time.

How could the future have been different if that lie was not told to the Jews?

* Would there still be Jews?

* How many gentiles would have become followers of Christ?

* How would WWII be different?

* Would the church have grown bigger and faster? Maybe the apostles would have died differently.

* Would the Muslim faith become what it has today?

Think, for a moment, how else this lie has changed history.

I don't want you thinking this is my favorite verse because of the lie. The lie shows the power that words and actions have. Our words and actions can change the future! The lies the soldiers told changed many people's futures. What we are doing and saying today has a direct impact on our future and possibly many generations too. Makes you think, eh?

The lyrics of Matthew West's song History express how the choices in what we say and do have an impact on the future. I love all of Matthew's music - this song has a special place in my heart.

Here is just a few lines from that song:

Would you believe that you are history in the making, in the making?
Every choice that you are making
Every step that you are taking
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
History is in the making
History is in the making

What kind of history do you want to make today? Are you making history like the soldiers in Matthew 28:15 or do you have something better in mind?

A Quiet Morning

I currently have a sense of a loss of control in my life. My head has been real scatter brain lately. I thought this feeling may be normal for us Moms in the dog days of summer - the few weeks before school starts up again. You know - the kids staying up late, eating dinner whenever we are hungry or just plain having no structure to our days.

I've let things just go...

I need to get back some control. I need to get some schedule going soon. I need to have a plan before the day begins.

Early this morning all was quiet. Jim had left for work and the kids were still sleeping (those late nights do have their rewards)

Then God spoke to me. I needed to read my bible.

God desires a relationship with me. I can't take the summers off with Him. It amazes me that I can so easily get wrapped up into the little things in life so easily. I worry about small things: grocery budgets, my husband's schooling, the trip to Disney World, my step son moving out (and his farewell party), and even my daughter completing his summer to do list. These things can be important and should not be ignored; however, my relationship with Jesus Christ must come first, always.

So in my quiet time this morning I opened my bible and spoke with God. He brings such peace into my life. He is always waiting to hear from me. He places my heart gently to where it needs to be. He reboots me :)

Let me share with you my favorite bible verse.

Matthew 28:15
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

How do you measure success?

Merriam Webster defines success as:
a: degree or measure of succedding b: favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

Growing up I felt success was measured by having a good 9-5 office job with good benefits. (I grew up in a liberal home in Canada) I remember thinking, that's it? That's all? I knew I wanted more, I just didn't know what or how to achieve it.

In hindsight, I was looking for a relationship with Christ. It took until the age of 34 to realize this.

Success is not wealth, or favor with friends and family.

Success is understanding (1 Corinthians 7:23a) You were bought at a price; (the blood of Jesus Christ) Success is striving for the attributes of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

Success is knowing God's gifts of love and grace.

Grocery Spending:

Piggly Wiggly $19.94

Subway (hubby) $5.91

It's been recently that I have decided to get serious about money, budgeting and our debt. I must rid myself of the term entitlement when it comes to shopping. If I really want to simply my life this is going to a process and this is going to take some time. Some serious time. There are no quick fixes here.

I need to think about this every single time I make a purchase (and consume that purchase ie. gas/food):

If I currently have credit card debt (which I have plently of) every purchase I make, even if I'm using cash, is like paying with a credit card. And not only is it like paying with a credit card - it's like paying with your highest interest credit card.

The cash I am spending today could have gone towards paying off my debt.

Let's bring out that scary amortization schedule to learn the true cost.

Here is a small example: take the kids to a movie vs renting a movie

4 movie tickets: $36
popcorn/drinks: $15
----------------------
total cost $51

rented movie $2
microwave popcorn and drinks: $1
-----------------------------------
total cost $3

difference $47


$47 x 15% interest (credit card) x 2 years

real cost: $54.69

If you pay cash for the movie but you have credit card debt it' like you are really putting this on credit. Would you put a movie outing on a credit card? I hope not!

I asked Sara to pose for a picture with some cash - it appears I've already done a lot of damage with my materialism daughter.

Do you float your credit? from month to month - with never ending paying interest? I do. I am so ashamed. I've been a poor steward with God's money. This needs to change. I'm starting to see things completely different. I feel like I'm now starting to walk around with my eyes open!

Grocery Spending:
Shopko $17.61 (shipping to mail package & cash for tonight's babysitter - bible study)
Burger King (hubby) $6.42
McDonald's (hubby) 3.57

Looking back...

It's been a little more then 2 weeks since I started writing down my grocery spending here. Rremember, it's not just groceries/food that comes out of my grocery budget. It's everything else - clothes, entertainment, prescriptions etc. There are two things that stand out big time!

1/ I need to stop going to Piggly Wiggly. What happens is I need one or two things... but I never get just those things. If I just stay away from the store I don't spend money! I need to just deal with what I have at home.

2/ Jim eats out too much!!

Why do these two problems exist? I need to be more organized. More meal planning. And not just suppers.... I must include breakfast and lunches too for hubby. Jim said he was going to eat honey nut shredded wheat for breakfast - need to get back on track.

This is a process. By writing things down here it keeps me on my toes. I don't know if I'm writing this just to write this or if someone is reading. I do need to be held accountable.
Jim and I need to become better stewards of our money. God has blessed us over and over again. We must take better care of what we have.

Fell into tempation with Madame Blueberry

I am a sinner. However, I am thankful for God's grace.

Saturday Jim and I decided that it was okay for me to take the kids out - shopping. We did, however, have a plan. I had a budget of no more then $100 for the day. We didn't need anything. This was pure sinful desire. Sara and Eli both got two small toys and I got some makeup. I honestly felt a little like Madame Blueberry from Veggie Tales. Total damage: $56.61