I don't know about you, but when I used to think about couponing and saving $, I thought it was something for those cheap crazy people who had a lot of extra time on their hands. C'mon now, .$25, why bother?
First, I went into Americorp. Try living at the poverty level for a year and see how frugal you become.
Second, get married. It was amazing to me how different it was to manage your finances when there were two of you than when its just you. It's not just your money to do whatever you want with. Being the one doing most of the shopping, I suddenly felt a greater responsibility to be smart with our money.
If you're at all like me, the idea of coupons and deal shopping can be overwhelming and somewhat out of reach. But you know what I've found? Its really not that hard. And its well worth your time.
So here you go. Here's 10 of my money saving secrets-some simple and easy ways that I've learned to live on a budget:
1. Coupons: I do cut coupons, but rather than saving all of the inserts, I just go through them each week and cut out the ones I need. I keep these in a coupon organizer in my purse. I also go online to coupons.com, redplum.com, and smartsource.com about once a month (preferably the beginning, they do run out after so many people print them) and print off coupons. These change each month. Be sure to keep printing until you reach the limit on items that you would buy more than 1 of. I also subscribe to All You magazine which contains several coupons each month. Some stores also have coupon books from month to month-you can combine manufacturer coupons (the ones you cut or print) with store coupons (the ones offered by the store) and really save a lot.
2. Walgreens & CVS: One of the biggest ways I've learned to save money is by taking advantage of these 2 stores. I buy the majority of my milk, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, cereal, coffee, makeup and many other supplies from these 2 stores. And guess what? I pay less than I would at Wal-Mart! The key is watching their sales and combining coupons with the sales to get the best deal. Both of these stores also have their own reward program where you can earn money back at the register in the form of store coupons that can be used like $.
Here's an example: This week CVS had a 2 days sale on Pepsi products. The sale was 6 12 packs for $20. Not that great, right? If you spent the $20, however, you earned $10 back in "ExtraCareBucks" (a $10 coupon that prints at the register to use on your next visit), meaning you got 6 12 packs for $10. I rarely see anything for less than $2 a pack.
It's best if you can reuse your register bucks to buy more things that will give you register bucks so that you're never really spending much out of pocket, but I usually end up paying some out of pocket.
I hardly ever buy milk anywhere besides Walgreens. They almost always have the best price, unless a grocery store has some kind of special going on.
Every week I read both of these stores ads and make a list, but I also refer to a couponing website called www.frugalcouponliving.com to help me out. They post a list every week of sale items along with places you can get coupons, whether they're using coupons from the Sunday paper or something they've found on the Internet. This has been the biggest help for me.
3. Read your ads!!! My grocery list for the week is comprised mainly of sale items that are found in the ad. Whenever there is a really good sale, I stock up. I also usually look at the online ad, as it has some additional items that are not found in the print ad (HyVee is my grocery store of choice). I also always do my grocery shopping on Tuesdsays b/c every Tuesday my HyVee offers 2 free items with a $10 purchase. Last week I got a free roll of pork sausage that I used to make supper.
4. Meal Planning: Personally, I do better planning my meals based on what I have on hand rather than planning meals and then buying the supplies I need. When you do that you're usually going to end up buying things that aren't on sale. Instead, I stock up on things that I know I use regularly and find different meals based on the ingredients I have. Bettycrocker.com and kraft.com allow you to put in the ingredients you have and come back with a recipe that includes those ingredients.
5. Eating out: Where we eat usually depends on what coupons we have. B1G1 Free coupons are usually the best deal, but there are many other things you can do without spending a lot of $. One of our favorite types of food is Mexican. There are several authentic Mexican restaurants in our area, and most of them have what is called an "al a carte" sp? menu. Whereas most entrees come with sides like rice and beans which I rarely eat, this menu allows you to pick and choose what you want for a much lower price. They also usually offer complimentary chips and salsa which my husband loves. Another favorite of ours is Little Caesars, which offers ready made pizza's for only $5. We usually also go online and get a coupon which allows us to get Crazy Bread for 1/2 price. Instead of going out every weekend, we also sometimes stay home with a Redbox movie and a Tombstone Pizza which I generally get at WalMart for less than $3.
Another thing you can do is buy an Entertainment Book for your city. If you go out a lot, it is well worth the $. As the year goes on, they become cheaper.
B-Day Clubs: Many restaurants have special birthday offers when you sign up online. Kev had a birthday recently and got a bunch of freebies. Restaurants I know of include Steak and Shake, Culvers, Coldstone, Ruby Tuesdays, Carlos O Kelly's, BWW's, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, and many more!
6. Retail Coupons: Before I go shopping, I usually jump online to make sure and print off any store coupons that might be out there. I hardly ever go to JCPenney's, Gordmon's, Bath & Body Works, Old Navy, Payless or Younkers without a store coupon. Every time you shop at Penny's, look on your store receipt to see how you can fill out a survey for a 15% coupon on your next visit. From my experience, Penny's will combine these survey coupons with other store coupons, so you can really save some money that way. Gordman's sends me a 20% off coupon every month for signing up for the email list, which also lets me know when they're having things like an extra 33%-50% off their clearance. Old Navy has a website called oldnavyweekly.com where you can search for store coupons by clicking around. Although I usually think of Younkers as a more expensive store, they almost weekly send out coupons in their ad which can help you get some good deals. Today I got new bath towels there for under $3 and got Kev two new dress shirts for about $8 a piece. With places like Bath and Body Works and Payless, I am also signed up for their emails which have coupons, or you can go to a website like www.wow-coupons.com which has a whole list of printable retail coupons. Bath and Body Work has a Semi Annual sale in December-January and June-July where they offer many items 75% off. I've done a lot of Christmas shopping at these sales.
Last Sunday/Monday Old Navy had an additional 50% off their clearance items. I think I got at least 10 items for $40, which is usually more than I would spend but I had a $37 gift card and a $20 credit.
Right now, Payless has a 15% coupon out there and is having a B1G1 50% off sale. I got two pairs of shoes today for $12.
7. Thrift Shopping: Even though I am able to find some good deals at retail stores, by far the best deals are found at local thrift stores like Goodwill and also at yard sales. Every Monday, the local Davenport Goodwill has a $.25 day where items with a certain color of tag are only $.25, and every Tuesday its the same thing in Bettendorf. I have found some really good deals on these days. I've also had some really good finds at yard sales.
8. Household Deals: I'm sure all of you have heard of Craig's List, which we have here in the QC, but we also have another website known as QC Online where you can get good deals on used furniture, appliances and many other household items by buying directly from the seller. We'got our couches, our refridgerator, our stove, our headboard, our dishwasher, our kitchen table, our washer, our entertainment center, our patio door and many other things all from QC Online/Craigslist for a fraction of the cost of a new one. You can also post and sell things on this website for free.
9. Home Updates and Repairs: We are blessed with Kev being able to do many of the repairs around our house. When it comes to updating our house, however, one of our favorite places to go is the local Habitat for Humanity Store. This store offers many items that can be used in your home at a very low cost. For example, we found a vinyl window to replace our existing original windows for $20. If you're looking to do any home repairs, be sure to check here.
10. Menards Rebate Program: Menards has several items on rebate each month/week which make them free to much less than they would normally be. If you buy a rebate item (these are advertised in the ads and a list can also be found on websites like frugalcouponliving), the rebate "slip" will print out at checkout. All you have to do is include this slip with a small form that you get from the store and send it in to receive a check back for the rebate amount. This month we got some paint for $4.99 or so a gallon after rebate that we're going to use to paint our utility room. They have anything from paint brushes to tools to caulk often times for free.
Now, that's a pretty long list but these are simple and easy ways for you to save money. It might take a little extra effort, but the savings will make it well worth you while. Just think, if you were able to save only a $5 a week, that $250 a year! And believe me, you will be saving much more than that if you are committed to finding the best deals. You'll learn to be more careful with how much you spend when you know how much you could be saving.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Isabelle & Jazzie
If any of you know me, you know that I hate geese. With a passion. My Dad has geese and I hate them. Every time I'm there they chase me and I throw things at them. When Dad asks why there is a football or basketball near them I tell him that they wanted to play with it so I tossed it to them.
In light of this information, the two geese on my front step present a slight irony. If I hate geese so much, why do I have some those horrible statue type "lawn" geese on my front step?
If you know my Grandmother, you know that when she gets an idea in her mind, you might as well go along with it because any attempt to argue will be completely in vain. One day Grandma up and decided that it was time for the geese to move to my house, and next thing I know here she is at my house with my new "friends."
Not only did she personally deliver them to my house, but she also brought along their "laundry," which is what it says on the outside of their clothes box: Isabelle & Jazzie's laundry. And if you hadn't guessed by now, they even came with names.
Their original outfits were special "Purdue" dresses, and the big one-I assume this is Isabelle, even had a Purdue helmet. For Christmas they got brand new John Deere colored winter outfits. They even have little stocking caps to match. These were specially crouched by Grandma's 80 year old friend Earline.
Aren't they lovely?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Unplanned Saturdays
Since I am behind this is actually from last Saturday, so bear with me while I catch up.
Last Saturday Kev had many things to do on his to do list as usual. Before he got to any of those things however, he thought he should further investigate the mysterious piece of metal that showed up in the driveway one morning after he backed his truck out as he was leaving for work.
If you've ever seen a brake pad, this little piece looks a lot like what half of one would look like. Since he had recently plowed the driveway with the lawn mower, he thought maybe it had come from there but wondered how it didn't get buried when he pushed the snow around.
After some investigation, he found that not only was it indeed a piece of a brake pad, and not only were his brake pads totally shot, but that his rotors were also damaged from the brakes being so bad. If he were to have ever to have slammed on his brakes, there would be a major problem.
Interestingly enough, the day before he was very close to having to do that. As he was crossing the I-74 bridge, he felt his truck start to "dance." Fortunately he was able to get things slowed down and under control, but if he would've had to hit those brakes, there probably would've been a major problem. On top of that, he happened to look over towards the median and saw an SUV that had apparently did the exact same thing and ended up over there. Had Kev not have felt that and been able to slow down, he probably would've ended up much closer to that SUV than he would've liked.
It's amazing how God's protection is on us when we don't even know it. Had he not found that piece of brake in the driveway it probably would've been awhile before he noticed. Nonetheless, 3 trips to OReilley's, $300 poorer and 9 hours later, he hadn't exactly spent his Saturday as he had hoped to:
Last Saturday Kev had many things to do on his to do list as usual. Before he got to any of those things however, he thought he should further investigate the mysterious piece of metal that showed up in the driveway one morning after he backed his truck out as he was leaving for work.
If you've ever seen a brake pad, this little piece looks a lot like what half of one would look like. Since he had recently plowed the driveway with the lawn mower, he thought maybe it had come from there but wondered how it didn't get buried when he pushed the snow around.After some investigation, he found that not only was it indeed a piece of a brake pad, and not only were his brake pads totally shot, but that his rotors were also damaged from the brakes being so bad. If he were to have ever to have slammed on his brakes, there would be a major problem.
Interestingly enough, the day before he was very close to having to do that. As he was crossing the I-74 bridge, he felt his truck start to "dance." Fortunately he was able to get things slowed down and under control, but if he would've had to hit those brakes, there probably would've been a major problem. On top of that, he happened to look over towards the median and saw an SUV that had apparently did the exact same thing and ended up over there. Had Kev not have felt that and been able to slow down, he probably would've ended up much closer to that SUV than he would've liked.
It's amazing how God's protection is on us when we don't even know it. Had he not found that piece of brake in the driveway it probably would've been awhile before he noticed. Nonetheless, 3 trips to OReilley's, $300 poorer and 9 hours later, he hadn't exactly spent his Saturday as he had hoped to:
Friday, January 15, 2010
2009 in Review
I got this idea from others that have done it, but thought it was a good idea to start the new year out about reflecting on the previous one. So here goes: the Hendress 2009 year in Review...
January: It seems like we always start the year off with changes. In Jan 2007 I started going to LeClaire and met Kev. In 2008, we were on our honeymoon. By Jan 2009, we were starting out in our "new" church. May not seem like a big deal, but it was a pretty big deal to us. We loved our church in LeClaire, but after much praying and a "coincidental" lunch with some friends, we felt God very clearly leading us to a new and different one.
At that same lunch with friends that went to what would be our new church, we also happened to run in to another friend that invited me to a Bible Study that was just down the road from us, so I also started attending that in January.
Oh, and let us not forget, Kev turned the big 3-0 on the 11th!
March: We are finally able to finish off our 2nd bathroom! Kev started building this back in 2007 when he bought the house. His plan was to finish it off with a drop ceiling, which he did in March, my plan was to finish it off with some much needed paint and some decorative flair, which I did in the next couple of months. I also painted our upstairs bathroom.
April: Kev decided that it was time to start his garden. Rather than doing the gardening in pots this year, we decided to go ahead and dig up a piece of our yard. I think he got a little carried away-we ended up with 18 tomato plants.
June: Having been in our new church a few months by this point, I was involved in getting the VBS program up and running, which took place in June. We had 30 kids that came and went throughout the week with 5 salvation decisions!
We also replaced our deck in June into July. It was basically rotting at the seams, so it was good to get done.
July: I had strep on the 4th of July, so we got to watch the fireworks from the comfort of our truck on some back road outside of Grand Mound. Shortly after my strep began what became a long drawn out health issue for me lasting all the way up to, well, now. Thankfully I was able to see a specialist that finally helped me to determine the cause, but n
ot until October, which made for a long next few months.
My aunt Pam also got married in July! I was her personal attendant and also did her invitations and programs for her.
And how could I forget, Kev's annual "Tractor Pull" at Walcott Days. For July, it was amazingly chilly as you can tell by coats and sweatshirts!
August: In an interesting turn of events, we actually ended up leaving the church we had felt "called" to as we were never able to feel at peace with joining and felt it was finally time for us to look elsewhere. We are still without a church "home."
We also made our annual State Fair trip with my family. This year we got to see Steven Curtis Chapman along with Jeremy Camp. My Mom also rented a car this year so we could all drive up in one vehicle, which made things a little more interesting than usual.
Kevin's parents also came over for a visit and helped us replace our patio door. It was also rotting and once we took it out the glass started to fall out of the door.
September: I guess I forgot to mention that sometime in the spring of 09 I was asked to be a discussion leader in my Bible Study, so I began that in September. We also made another annual trip to the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Plea
stant.
October: I was finally able to get in to see the specialist and get relief from the health issue I had been struggling with for several months. We also took a trip to Dubuque to look at the leaves and enjoy the colors of fall.
November: Since Kev's parents had just made a trip over in August, they opted not to come in November when they usually do so Kev and his Dad can go to the Dyersville National Toy Tractor show. So guess who got to go instead?
December: Kev applied for a new job (within Deere), but a much anticipated change as it allowed him to move up a pay grade. Although it involves being on call for a month at a time, its said that they are lucky to get one call after hours in that month, if any. Having just got off call where he got 5 calls in one day on a weekend, he's really looking forward to that.
Doesn't sound like much when you write it all out, but we did a lot of growing this year, and I'm sure we'll continue to do so in the upcoming year. Things didn't always turn out how we expected, in fact, they usually don't, but we know that God is good and he will see us through whatever he brings our way. I'm sure next year will have its ups and downs as well, but every year is another year to see his goodness as he continues to work in and through our lives.
Have a blessed 2010!
January: It seems like we always start the year off with changes. In Jan 2007 I started going to LeClaire and met Kev. In 2008, we were on our honeymoon. By Jan 2009, we were starting out in our "new" church. May not seem like a big deal, but it was a pretty big deal to us. We loved our church in LeClaire, but after much praying and a "coincidental" lunch with some friends, we felt God very clearly leading us to a new and different one.
At that same lunch with friends that went to what would be our new church, we also happened to run in to another friend that invited me to a Bible Study that was just down the road from us, so I also started attending that in January.
Oh, and let us not forget, Kev turned the big 3-0 on the 11th!
March: We are finally able to finish off our 2nd bathroom! Kev started building this back in 2007 when he bought the house. His plan was to finish it off with a drop ceiling, which he did in March, my plan was to finish it off with some much needed paint and some decorative flair, which I did in the next couple of months. I also painted our upstairs bathroom.
April: Kev decided that it was time to start his garden. Rather than doing the gardening in pots this year, we decided to go ahead and dig up a piece of our yard. I think he got a little carried away-we ended up with 18 tomato plants.
June: Having been in our new church a few months by this point, I was involved in getting the VBS program up and running, which took place in June. We had 30 kids that came and went throughout the week with 5 salvation decisions!
We also replaced our deck in June into July. It was basically rotting at the seams, so it was good to get done.
July: I had strep on the 4th of July, so we got to watch the fireworks from the comfort of our truck on some back road outside of Grand Mound. Shortly after my strep began what became a long drawn out health issue for me lasting all the way up to, well, now. Thankfully I was able to see a specialist that finally helped me to determine the cause, but n
ot until October, which made for a long next few months.My aunt Pam also got married in July! I was her personal attendant and also did her invitations and programs for her.
And how could I forget, Kev's annual "Tractor Pull" at Walcott Days. For July, it was amazingly chilly as you can tell by coats and sweatshirts!
August: In an interesting turn of events, we actually ended up leaving the church we had felt "called" to as we were never able to feel at peace with joining and felt it was finally time for us to look elsewhere. We are still without a church "home."
We also made our annual State Fair trip with my family. This year we got to see Steven Curtis Chapman along with Jeremy Camp. My Mom also rented a car this year so we could all drive up in one vehicle, which made things a little more interesting than usual.
Kevin's parents also came over for a visit and helped us replace our patio door. It was also rotting and once we took it out the glass started to fall out of the door.
September: I guess I forgot to mention that sometime in the spring of 09 I was asked to be a discussion leader in my Bible Study, so I began that in September. We also made another annual trip to the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Plea
stant.October: I was finally able to get in to see the specialist and get relief from the health issue I had been struggling with for several months. We also took a trip to Dubuque to look at the leaves and enjoy the colors of fall.
November: Since Kev's parents had just made a trip over in August, they opted not to come in November when they usually do so Kev and his Dad can go to the Dyersville National Toy Tractor show. So guess who got to go instead?
December: Kev applied for a new job (within Deere), but a much anticipated change as it allowed him to move up a pay grade. Although it involves being on call for a month at a time, its said that they are lucky to get one call after hours in that month, if any. Having just got off call where he got 5 calls in one day on a weekend, he's really looking forward to that.
Doesn't sound like much when you write it all out, but we did a lot of growing this year, and I'm sure we'll continue to do so in the upcoming year. Things didn't always turn out how we expected, in fact, they usually don't, but we know that God is good and he will see us through whatever he brings our way. I'm sure next year will have its ups and downs as well, but every year is another year to see his goodness as he continues to work in and through our lives.
Have a blessed 2010!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
New and Improved!
As you can see I've made some changes...my hope is to become a more frequent blogger-so far I'm struggling, but I'm working on it. So here it is: new and improved. Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
So this is Christmas...
I don't know about you all, but Christmas seems to be approaching this year at lightening speed. I keep thinking that we just got back from traveling over Thanksgiving, like it was last week or something. And Christmas is only 15 days away. 15 days!
That leaves me in a bit of a panic. Thank goodness I started Christmas shopping early this year, but I still have several presents to get out there and buy.
Trying to be proactive, I started praying before Thanksgiving about keeping my schedule out of the hectic level and keeping my mind focused on what Christmas is really about. Nonetheless, my weekends have become totally booked. Today I'm finding myself selfishly hoping for as much snow as possible so that my Bible Study is canceled so that I can get my Christmas cards done. And lately rather than enjoying an evening of cuddling on the couch with my husband, I'm sitting next to my husband with my computer on my lap trying to frantically to finish up some online shopping while he reads his farm paper.
What happened?
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I look forward to it all year long. I even go through a sort of minor depression every year after its over because I can't believe its over already. For goodness sakes I got married at Christmastime because its my favorite time of year.
So why am I finding it so hard to slow down and enjoy it?
My parents always told me that things move faster as you get older. Now, I'm not that old yet, but I definitely am noticing the pace starting to pick up. I don't have kids yet, but I am starting to see why parents are always saying those things that you usually roll your eyes about, how they remember your infants days like it was yesterday and now you're all grown up and on and on..
Slow down for a minute and think about the word "Christmas." Christ-mas. Christmas wasn't meant to be about trees, or gifts, or friends and family: its about Christ. Over 2000 years ago, God sent his one and only son, through a lowly teenage girl to be born as a baby in a manger. With the birth of that baby, Christ came into the world to save us from our sins.
Now that's a cause for celebration. But here's another thing to remember: God sent his son to die. He had to. That was the only way that we could be reconciled to God-a perfect atoning sacrifice was required-and God provided that through the sacrifice of his sinless son.
Is this thought frequenting your mind this Christmas season? Not only do we need to remember the birth of our Savior, but we also need to remember why he needed to come. To save us from our sins.
One of the things that have really made a difference in making me think about what Christmas is really about is the Christmas songs that I listen to. We have a station that plays Christmas songs 24/7, which I love. But one of the things I've noticed is that the majority of these songs don't point to what Christmas is really about. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a little Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, but we shouldn't let the "traditions" and "fun stuff" of Christmas overshadow our focus on what its really about.
One of those really great songs that helps put the "Christ" back in Christmas for me is a maybe not so well known song that focuses on things from the innkeepers point of view. Of course, you have to know the story, and most of you probably do. But just in case you need a little refresher, here it is, straight from Luke 1:1-7:
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
There's no room...no room in the inn,
If you were someone important we might try to fit you in,
but there's no room in here for you.
There's no room...no room to lay your head,
If you were wealthy we might find you a bed,
but there's no room in here for you.
'Cause I'm cold, and tired of working my whole life away,
Every hand, needing one thing more, comes knocking at my door,
I got a hundred people calling out my name today, and you come to my door,
And I can't care no more, unless you can save me.
There's no room for you and your little lady,
There's a manger in the stable; should be just fine for your little baby,
There's no room in here, no.
'Cause I'm cold, and tired of working my whole life away,
Every hand, needing one thing more, comes knocking at my door,
I got a hundred people calling out my name today, and I can't care no more,
And you come, asking for something for nothing,
What can you give me? Can you save me?
Oh, please, little baby, can you save me?
Little baby, can you save me?
Can you relate to that innkeeper? Cold, tired, tired of working, tired of worrying about everyone else's needs, tired of life. And here this couple comes, just one more hand asking for a little more of his time. If they had been someone important...we might try. If they had been someone wealthy, we might find you a bed. But for this lowly couple, it wasn't worth his time. In his mind they had nothing to offer. He didn't want to have to be the person to help them. He needed someone to help him.
Little baby, can you save me?
Maybe they didn't have money to pay. Maybe there really was no room left and he didn't want to make the effort to help them find a place. Either way, it was just easier to say "no room."
Can you see where I'm going with this? In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, surely you're not feeling tired. And certainly you can't relate to feeling overwhelmed by everyone else's needs.
I hope you sense the sarcasm. Of course we can relate to feeling tired and overwhelmed. So many gifts to buy-to wrap-to give-so little time. So many activities to get to-how many can I squeeze them all in? Do you ever find yourself yearning to experience the Christmas spirit-a little time and peace and quiet to sit down and enjoy the lights, the trimmings-after all, that is what its all about, right?
There's no room in here.
Shopping? Lights? Gifts? Do you have any room? If not, I challenge you: slow down. Put the Christ back in your Christmas. Give him the time he deserves-and if you haven't submitted your life to him, believing that he truly is the son of God and submitting your will to his, do it now because guess what: that little baby can save you. Let go of all those other things that fill up your rooms and make room for the only one that really matters.
Believe me-it will transform your holiday season.
That leaves me in a bit of a panic. Thank goodness I started Christmas shopping early this year, but I still have several presents to get out there and buy.
Trying to be proactive, I started praying before Thanksgiving about keeping my schedule out of the hectic level and keeping my mind focused on what Christmas is really about. Nonetheless, my weekends have become totally booked. Today I'm finding myself selfishly hoping for as much snow as possible so that my Bible Study is canceled so that I can get my Christmas cards done. And lately rather than enjoying an evening of cuddling on the couch with my husband, I'm sitting next to my husband with my computer on my lap trying to frantically to finish up some online shopping while he reads his farm paper.
What happened?
Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I look forward to it all year long. I even go through a sort of minor depression every year after its over because I can't believe its over already. For goodness sakes I got married at Christmastime because its my favorite time of year.
So why am I finding it so hard to slow down and enjoy it?
My parents always told me that things move faster as you get older. Now, I'm not that old yet, but I definitely am noticing the pace starting to pick up. I don't have kids yet, but I am starting to see why parents are always saying those things that you usually roll your eyes about, how they remember your infants days like it was yesterday and now you're all grown up and on and on..
Slow down for a minute and think about the word "Christmas." Christ-mas. Christmas wasn't meant to be about trees, or gifts, or friends and family: its about Christ. Over 2000 years ago, God sent his one and only son, through a lowly teenage girl to be born as a baby in a manger. With the birth of that baby, Christ came into the world to save us from our sins.
Now that's a cause for celebration. But here's another thing to remember: God sent his son to die. He had to. That was the only way that we could be reconciled to God-a perfect atoning sacrifice was required-and God provided that through the sacrifice of his sinless son.
Is this thought frequenting your mind this Christmas season? Not only do we need to remember the birth of our Savior, but we also need to remember why he needed to come. To save us from our sins.
One of the things that have really made a difference in making me think about what Christmas is really about is the Christmas songs that I listen to. We have a station that plays Christmas songs 24/7, which I love. But one of the things I've noticed is that the majority of these songs don't point to what Christmas is really about. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a little Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, but we shouldn't let the "traditions" and "fun stuff" of Christmas overshadow our focus on what its really about.
One of those really great songs that helps put the "Christ" back in Christmas for me is a maybe not so well known song that focuses on things from the innkeepers point of view. Of course, you have to know the story, and most of you probably do. But just in case you need a little refresher, here it is, straight from Luke 1:1-7:
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There's no room...no room in the inn,
If you were someone important we might try to fit you in,
but there's no room in here for you.
There's no room...no room to lay your head,
If you were wealthy we might find you a bed,
but there's no room in here for you.
'Cause I'm cold, and tired of working my whole life away,
Every hand, needing one thing more, comes knocking at my door,
I got a hundred people calling out my name today, and you come to my door,
And I can't care no more, unless you can save me.
There's no room for you and your little lady,
There's a manger in the stable; should be just fine for your little baby,
There's no room in here, no.
'Cause I'm cold, and tired of working my whole life away,
Every hand, needing one thing more, comes knocking at my door,
I got a hundred people calling out my name today, and I can't care no more,
And you come, asking for something for nothing,
What can you give me? Can you save me?
Oh, please, little baby, can you save me?
Little baby, can you save me?
Can you relate to that innkeeper? Cold, tired, tired of working, tired of worrying about everyone else's needs, tired of life. And here this couple comes, just one more hand asking for a little more of his time. If they had been someone important...we might try. If they had been someone wealthy, we might find you a bed. But for this lowly couple, it wasn't worth his time. In his mind they had nothing to offer. He didn't want to have to be the person to help them. He needed someone to help him.
Little baby, can you save me?
Maybe they didn't have money to pay. Maybe there really was no room left and he didn't want to make the effort to help them find a place. Either way, it was just easier to say "no room."
Can you see where I'm going with this? In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, surely you're not feeling tired. And certainly you can't relate to feeling overwhelmed by everyone else's needs.
I hope you sense the sarcasm. Of course we can relate to feeling tired and overwhelmed. So many gifts to buy-to wrap-to give-so little time. So many activities to get to-how many can I squeeze them all in? Do you ever find yourself yearning to experience the Christmas spirit-a little time and peace and quiet to sit down and enjoy the lights, the trimmings-after all, that is what its all about, right?
There's no room in here.
Shopping? Lights? Gifts? Do you have any room? If not, I challenge you: slow down. Put the Christ back in your Christmas. Give him the time he deserves-and if you haven't submitted your life to him, believing that he truly is the son of God and submitting your will to his, do it now because guess what: that little baby can save you. Let go of all those other things that fill up your rooms and make room for the only one that really matters.
Believe me-it will transform your holiday season.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Pleasant Pain
This one's for you SIL!
For the last month or so I have been struggling with a health issue. I won't go in to details, but its one of those nagging things that just won't go away. And of course, the longer it endures, the more I worry.
I've been to the Dr for this issue three times, and will return for the 4th visit today which will probably lead to my being referred to a specialist. Although I will do anything I need to do to help make this better, I was really hoping this could be avoided. But I digress.
The real reason I brought this up is because it has really made me think about some things.
As I told my SIL in an email conversation the other day, I am a chronic prepare myself for the worster. I can turn the common cold into life threatening respiratory failure in a matter of days. That "twang" in my stomach-could it be cancer? I'm too young to die! What about my poor husband?!!!And of course, the more I worry, the worse my symptoms become. Your body really can respond to your mental perception of things.
And that's just a taste of the out of control spiral that my mind begins to descend. It's really quite ridiculous and would be somewhat embarrassing if you could actually hear the thoughts that run through my "creative" mind.
Now, I know a couple of people that have been dealing with health issues lately. One of them is my dear SIL (sister in law to those of you who haven't caught on to that yet). Her latest battle has not only been her health, but the consequences of having to miss work because of her health, having to miss one of her best friends wedding's because of her health, along with the uncertainty that went with her condition before she was officially diagnosed.
Before I had this issue that I'm dealing with that has caused me worry, I don't think I fully appreciated what she was going through. The uncertainty that she was facing might have broke me. She has gone for months and even years not knowing what was making her feel so awful, and here I am, having had an issue for a month, and I am in inconsolable despair.
Where is my faith? Well, apparently doubt has taken its place. These kinds of things not only help me to catch a glimpse of what others might be going through, but they also show me just how small my faith really is.
And how far I have to go.
I shared with her that "God disciplines us because he loves us." If that is true, why do I worry so much? Shouldn't I be at rest in the fact that God is refining me, and this trial is part of what will promote my Christian growth?
Honestly, I have to take my worry to God every day. Every day, with every symptom that occurs, significant or not, I have to honestly come to him with my worry and ask for his peace. And as he walks me through this trial, I learn to trust him a little bit more...
Every day.
If you let him, God will use your pain to draw you closer to him. I know this because he's done it before. He uses trials to grow your faith, to make you stronger.
Check out this verse that I came across today: "I am concerned for you and will look down on you with favor, you will be plowed and sown. "
Let's face it, the thought of being "tilled" isn't very pleasant. Sewing isn't that much fun either. But the fruit of these efforts leads to a harvest of blessing which is what makes life truly worthwhile.
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who've been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
For the last month or so I have been struggling with a health issue. I won't go in to details, but its one of those nagging things that just won't go away. And of course, the longer it endures, the more I worry.
I've been to the Dr for this issue three times, and will return for the 4th visit today which will probably lead to my being referred to a specialist. Although I will do anything I need to do to help make this better, I was really hoping this could be avoided. But I digress.
The real reason I brought this up is because it has really made me think about some things.
As I told my SIL in an email conversation the other day, I am a chronic prepare myself for the worster. I can turn the common cold into life threatening respiratory failure in a matter of days. That "twang" in my stomach-could it be cancer? I'm too young to die! What about my poor husband?!!!And of course, the more I worry, the worse my symptoms become. Your body really can respond to your mental perception of things.
And that's just a taste of the out of control spiral that my mind begins to descend. It's really quite ridiculous and would be somewhat embarrassing if you could actually hear the thoughts that run through my "creative" mind.
Now, I know a couple of people that have been dealing with health issues lately. One of them is my dear SIL (sister in law to those of you who haven't caught on to that yet). Her latest battle has not only been her health, but the consequences of having to miss work because of her health, having to miss one of her best friends wedding's because of her health, along with the uncertainty that went with her condition before she was officially diagnosed.
Before I had this issue that I'm dealing with that has caused me worry, I don't think I fully appreciated what she was going through. The uncertainty that she was facing might have broke me. She has gone for months and even years not knowing what was making her feel so awful, and here I am, having had an issue for a month, and I am in inconsolable despair.
Where is my faith? Well, apparently doubt has taken its place. These kinds of things not only help me to catch a glimpse of what others might be going through, but they also show me just how small my faith really is.
And how far I have to go.
I shared with her that "God disciplines us because he loves us." If that is true, why do I worry so much? Shouldn't I be at rest in the fact that God is refining me, and this trial is part of what will promote my Christian growth?
Honestly, I have to take my worry to God every day. Every day, with every symptom that occurs, significant or not, I have to honestly come to him with my worry and ask for his peace. And as he walks me through this trial, I learn to trust him a little bit more...
Every day.
If you let him, God will use your pain to draw you closer to him. I know this because he's done it before. He uses trials to grow your faith, to make you stronger.
Check out this verse that I came across today: "I am concerned for you and will look down on you with favor, you will be plowed and sown. "
Let's face it, the thought of being "tilled" isn't very pleasant. Sewing isn't that much fun either. But the fruit of these efforts leads to a harvest of blessing which is what makes life truly worthwhile.
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who've been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
Hebrews 12:4-11
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Rest for the Weary
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Okay, I admit, it has been quite awhile since I have written anything. I would say its for lack on inspiration, but the truth is its probably more of a lack of motivation. Since I'm sitting here not in church this morning due to a malicious case of strep throat, I figure now is as good a time as any to get back on the bandwagon.
Rather than jump right back in, I'm going to rely on the writers of my "Women's Devotional Bible" to help me get started. Recently, my devotions have been in the book of Ecclesiastes. Rather than trying to put this in my own words, I'll just share part of what I read today:
Solomon discovered that finding pleasure is as elusive as catching the wind. He pursued everything imaginable to achieve lasting bliss. But the smartest man alive still had a restless mind. The richest man in the world couldn't buy happiness. The most powerful person in the kingdom was unable to satisfy his own heart. And although he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, he never found true love. His conclusion? These pursuits were meaningless, completely unsatisfying.
Securing happiness in our own life is like trying to catch the wind. We can try to chase it, but it will always remain just out of our reach. The Bible teaches us that instead of searching for happiness, we should allow God's joy and peace to reign in our hearts. Instead of striving for the things we think will satisfy, we can learn to find true contentment by looking to God, whatever our circumstances.
If I were to have read this a few years ago, I would have had a completely different perspective. Allowing "God's joy and peace to reign in my heart was a foreign concept to me. Sounds great, but how in the world do you get there?
Well, here's the thing. That word allow may be easy to rush past, but really its the key part of that sentence.
Try reading it this way: Instead of searching for happiness, allow God's joy and peach to reign in our hearts. Instead of searching...allow.
God never meant for us to go searching for our own way to make ourselves happy. Have you ever tried it? Of course you have. I have. But, like Solomon, and with God's intervention, I too soon realized that our searching is nothing more than "chasing after the wind."
Instead of searching...allow. So what exactly does that mean? How do you allow God's joy and peace to reign?
Ecclesiastes talks a lot about all the things Solomon attempted to do to bring himself happiness. Take a look at chapter 2. He tried cheering himself with wine, undertaking great projects, buying things, accumulating things...yet in the end he determined: "nothing was gained."
I too tried to bring myself happiness. But the only true happiness I found was when I surrendered to God's will. That's where the allow part comes in. For me, I had to put off trying to strive for all these things. I made room for God's peace by clearing the rest of these things out of my heart. Many of them were dreams, but they were selfish dreams. By holding on to them, I was not truly allowing myself to rest wholly on God's sufficiency. When we hold on to them, we don't trust that God is enough.
Does that mean I let these things go and I was done with it forever? Of course not. It's a daily choice. The world is going to tempt you everyday. This or that, if you only had that then you would be truly happy.
Here's the end of the devotion:
The Bible often uses the word blessed, which means "oh how happy." To God, blessed people are happy people and happy people are blessed. Solomon's father, King David, said blessed are those whose sins are forgiven (see Psalm 32:1), who trust in the Lord (see Psalm 40:4), and who draw near to God (see Psalm 65:4). The true source of pleasure is God. Don't waste your time trying to catch the wind; instead, find true happiness by laying hold of the Wind Maker.
Tired of striving, only to find yourself weary and still searching? Instead of searching, try allowing God's peace and joy to reign. Go to the only one who can truly bring you rest.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
United States of America, looks like another silent night
The heart of a nation resides in the hearts of its people.
Most of you of Iowans have probably heard about the court decision that was made last Friday. Many are proud. Many are surprised. A select few are bothered.
The pages of our Saturday newspaper was and continues to be smattered with headlines: Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban, Hundreds Celebrate Decision, Clergy Have Mixed Feelings Over Ruling, Law Professor Calls Unanimity Significant. Its not hard to conclude where this paper stands.
But what about the rest of us? Its hard to hear you amidst the roaring majority.
United States of America, looks like another silent night
I could make this into an argument about what is right and what is wrong. I could write about the decline of family values in America and the inarguable ties to the degradation of the marriage covenant. Or how about our so-called "rights" and who gets the say in which ones we get to enjoy.
But its not about rights. Its about truth. And its hard to find it when we are constantly bombarded with ideals that are contrary to the Word of God.
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies, that save the trees and kill the children
Times like these make you think about what you really believe. Who will you ultimately answer to? This world? Does your life lie within two bookends, from one year to another?
Or is there more?
And while we're lying in the dark, there's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
Where does your eternity lie? In your own ability to do the best you can? Or does it lie in the power of an event that changed the lives of all who believe, saving a lost and dying world from the wages of their sin?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites sinned by rejecting the Lord's provision. He had provided them "bread from heaven," but they rejected it time and time again by complaining and grumbling about their seemingly hopeless condition: "There is no bread! There is no water!..."
So he sent venomous snakes amongst them...
For the Bridegroom has returned, and has carried His bride away in the night
Finally they confessed their sins and asked Moses to pray for the Lord to take the snakes away. But he didn't take the snakes away. Instead, he had Moses make a snake and put it up on a pole, so that, "anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
"Look." That's all they had to do to be healed. "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14-15).
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
In John 6:35 Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe."
Come. Look. Believe. Its that simple.
Will Jesus come again and leave us slumbering where we lay
Have you heard and not believed? Are you trying to find sustenance elsewhere? Are you depending on something other than Jesus Christ, the true and only "bread of life" to sustain you?
Are you more concerned with your "rights" than your eternity?
America, will we go down in history as a nation with no room for its King
The Bible says that one day we will all stand before the Lord.
Will we be sleeping?
Those who believe and have accepted Christ's atoning sacrifice, the blood he shed on the cross, will have their answer: Christ died for my sins. He bore the punishment so I wouldn't have to.
What will be yours?
Will we be sleeping?
...And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
Most of you of Iowans have probably heard about the court decision that was made last Friday. Many are proud. Many are surprised. A select few are bothered.
The pages of our Saturday newspaper was and continues to be smattered with headlines: Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban, Hundreds Celebrate Decision, Clergy Have Mixed Feelings Over Ruling, Law Professor Calls Unanimity Significant. Its not hard to conclude where this paper stands.
But what about the rest of us? Its hard to hear you amidst the roaring majority.
United States of America, looks like another silent night
I could make this into an argument about what is right and what is wrong. I could write about the decline of family values in America and the inarguable ties to the degradation of the marriage covenant. Or how about our so-called "rights" and who gets the say in which ones we get to enjoy.
But its not about rights. Its about truth. And its hard to find it when we are constantly bombarded with ideals that are contrary to the Word of God.
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies, that save the trees and kill the children
Times like these make you think about what you really believe. Who will you ultimately answer to? This world? Does your life lie within two bookends, from one year to another?
Or is there more?
And while we're lying in the dark, there's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
Where does your eternity lie? In your own ability to do the best you can? Or does it lie in the power of an event that changed the lives of all who believe, saving a lost and dying world from the wages of their sin?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites sinned by rejecting the Lord's provision. He had provided them "bread from heaven," but they rejected it time and time again by complaining and grumbling about their seemingly hopeless condition: "There is no bread! There is no water!..."
So he sent venomous snakes amongst them...
For the Bridegroom has returned, and has carried His bride away in the night
Finally they confessed their sins and asked Moses to pray for the Lord to take the snakes away. But he didn't take the snakes away. Instead, he had Moses make a snake and put it up on a pole, so that, "anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
"Look." That's all they had to do to be healed. "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14-15).
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
In John 6:35 Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe."
Come. Look. Believe. Its that simple.
Will Jesus come again and leave us slumbering where we lay
Have you heard and not believed? Are you trying to find sustenance elsewhere? Are you depending on something other than Jesus Christ, the true and only "bread of life" to sustain you?
Are you more concerned with your "rights" than your eternity?
America, will we go down in history as a nation with no room for its King
The Bible says that one day we will all stand before the Lord.
Will we be sleeping?
Those who believe and have accepted Christ's atoning sacrifice, the blood he shed on the cross, will have their answer: Christ died for my sins. He bore the punishment so I wouldn't have to.
What will be yours?
Will we be sleeping?
...And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
Matthew 25:10-12
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Let Your Light Shine
We've all heard the woes of our economic situation. The waves of negativity seem to crash endlessly against our foundations, wearing us down, little by little it erodes as it washes our "hope" away.
If you haven't experienced this, you must live in a closed box without radio, tv or any modern day communication. Either that, or you are blessed with an ability to tune it out. I've found that if you even begin to feel a glimmer of encouragement, there are plenty of people out there ready to remind you of how terrible things really are.
And its only going to get worse. At least that's what they tell you. If you really think about it though, that's saying that things are going to get better. It can be a pessimistic statement, but then again, it can be an optimistic one. Its all about perspective.
After listening to a church sermon recently about our flailing economy, I really had had enough. Forget the economy. The thing that is most discouraging to me is our reaction to it. And if you hadn't guessed it by now, when I say "our"--I'm talking about Christians.
Please understand, I do not mean to downplay the loss of jobs and uncertainty that many people are facing. Our economy is not something that we can find much encouragement in these days.
But it is what it is. God promised that things would not be easy in this world, and its amazing to me the negativity I encounter among people of faith. If this life was so great, than what reason would we have for looking forward to the next one? We're supposed to hold loosely to this world, and the worse it becomes, the easier it is to look ahead.
But that also points to something else. If we truly are living in the "end times," then our divine purpose is ever the more critical-to win people to Christ.
And rather than preaching warnings about the doom and gloom of our economy, lets look to the Bible for the real "warnings" we should be heeding, and these are just a couple I found:
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Look back at that Proverb. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
And then take a look at this one: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:7)
Did you catch that? Peace. Is a heart full of worry and fear about our economy at peace? I'm going to venture to say that its not. If our hearts are full of worry and fear, are we really trusting in a God who has it all under control. This verse says peace is what guards our hearts. When we're not at peace, our hearts are not guarded. They're vulnerable. The very things Jesus warned about "watching."
So what is my point in all of this? Can I say my heart is totally at peace amidst the chaos that seems to embody our world? No, I probably can't. But I do know this: focusing on the bad is not helping. Its hurting. Instead of heeding the "warnings of the world," we should be looking even more to the Word of God. Through devotion and prayer and with the help of the Spirit of the Lord, watch and pray.
And above all else, guard your heart. And remember, you are the light of the world. It may be pretty dark out there, but you're holding the flashlight.
If you haven't experienced this, you must live in a closed box without radio, tv or any modern day communication. Either that, or you are blessed with an ability to tune it out. I've found that if you even begin to feel a glimmer of encouragement, there are plenty of people out there ready to remind you of how terrible things really are.
And its only going to get worse. At least that's what they tell you. If you really think about it though, that's saying that things are going to get better. It can be a pessimistic statement, but then again, it can be an optimistic one. Its all about perspective.
After listening to a church sermon recently about our flailing economy, I really had had enough. Forget the economy. The thing that is most discouraging to me is our reaction to it. And if you hadn't guessed it by now, when I say "our"--I'm talking about Christians.
Please understand, I do not mean to downplay the loss of jobs and uncertainty that many people are facing. Our economy is not something that we can find much encouragement in these days.
But it is what it is. God promised that things would not be easy in this world, and its amazing to me the negativity I encounter among people of faith. If this life was so great, than what reason would we have for looking forward to the next one? We're supposed to hold loosely to this world, and the worse it becomes, the easier it is to look ahead.
But that also points to something else. If we truly are living in the "end times," then our divine purpose is ever the more critical-to win people to Christ.
And rather than preaching warnings about the doom and gloom of our economy, lets look to the Bible for the real "warnings" we should be heeding, and these are just a couple I found:
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
That's Matthew 26:36-41. Some of Jesus's last words before he was "betrayed into the hands of sinners." He knew how weak we are. His warning against this?: Watch and pray. Watch what? Watch your back? No, I don't think that's what he was saying. I think he was talking about our hearts.Look back at that Proverb. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
And then take a look at this one: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:7)
Did you catch that? Peace. Is a heart full of worry and fear about our economy at peace? I'm going to venture to say that its not. If our hearts are full of worry and fear, are we really trusting in a God who has it all under control. This verse says peace is what guards our hearts. When we're not at peace, our hearts are not guarded. They're vulnerable. The very things Jesus warned about "watching."
So what is my point in all of this? Can I say my heart is totally at peace amidst the chaos that seems to embody our world? No, I probably can't. But I do know this: focusing on the bad is not helping. Its hurting. Instead of heeding the "warnings of the world," we should be looking even more to the Word of God. Through devotion and prayer and with the help of the Spirit of the Lord, watch and pray.
And above all else, guard your heart. And remember, you are the light of the world. It may be pretty dark out there, but you're holding the flashlight.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Heritage of Faith
...you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Psalm 61:5
If you were to look at my Bible, you would notice that I write in it. Underlined passages, side notes, highlights throughout the pages.A few years ago, I was going through some books in my parents house and came across several bibles. Every one of them was so worn that the edges had to be taped so that the cover wouldn't fall off. As I flipped through, I noted the underlined passages, side notes, and highlights throughout the pages. Whoever had owned these had obviously spent a great amount of time in them, reading them, memorizing them, "hiding these words in their heart."
As I flipped back to the front of the Bible, inscribed on the inside of its cover I came upon the name of its owner: Cliff Allen-my Great Grandfather.
Although I never really knew him, my Great Grandfather spoke to me through these keepsakes. Several of his Bibles were passed down to my father, all weathered and torn by the years spent in the hands of a faithful man. They were given to my father because it was his grandfather that took him to church, that exemplified a heart of faith, that instilled the faith that he carried on to his own family.
My great-grandfathers faith spoke through the generations and came to rest on me as I flipped through the pages of that old worn out Bible.
Who's hands will my keepsakes fall into? My kids...my grandkids...my great-grand kids? I don't know-but I do know this: I know what heritage I want to leave, and that is a heritage of faith.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Signs of Aging
Something must happen when you get married. I really thought it would be the opposite, you know, being single and feeling old. Not so. These are some things that I have noticed since I've been married that can only mean one thing: ITS AGING ME!
1. First and foremost-I HAVE GRAY HAIR! My mother and aunt warned me about this, but I still am not prepared for the 3 strands that have seemed to appear right in the front where everyone can see--yes, that's right, 3. (I don't remember seeing any before I got married)
2. One word: cellulite. Enough said.
3. Every Saturday night we watch Gaither Homecoming reruns on Public Television.
4. I get excited on Sundays because that's the day the sale ads come out.
5. Every Tuesday I go to HyVee along with the entire population of Davenport's Senior Citizens for two for free Tuesdays. Old people aren't the only ones that like free things! I think at least 90% of the people I see are 40-50 years older than me.
6. I worry not I'm not dressing modestly enough, or that I'm dressing too young for my age.
7. I have a bad back. If I sit too long, it usually takes awhile to get up, and when I finally do, I say, "oh, my back!"
8. If I'm still up after 10, its getting late.
Now off to go work out, put on some hip clothes and dye my hair!
1. First and foremost-I HAVE GRAY HAIR! My mother and aunt warned me about this, but I still am not prepared for the 3 strands that have seemed to appear right in the front where everyone can see--yes, that's right, 3. (I don't remember seeing any before I got married)
2. One word: cellulite. Enough said.
3. Every Saturday night we watch Gaither Homecoming reruns on Public Television.
4. I get excited on Sundays because that's the day the sale ads come out.
5. Every Tuesday I go to HyVee along with the entire population of Davenport's Senior Citizens for two for free Tuesdays. Old people aren't the only ones that like free things! I think at least 90% of the people I see are 40-50 years older than me.
6. I worry not I'm not dressing modestly enough, or that I'm dressing too young for my age.
7. I have a bad back. If I sit too long, it usually takes awhile to get up, and when I finally do, I say, "oh, my back!"
8. If I'm still up after 10, its getting late.
Now off to go work out, put on some hip clothes and dye my hair!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lucky #7
"I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out my untiring hands
and my soul refused to comforted."
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out my untiring hands
and my soul refused to comforted."
My senior year of college was not as great as the three previous ones had been. It was my senior year and I really still had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I figured I get a job somewhere doing something, and that would suffice for now. I'd figure the rest out later.
I searched and searched for a job to go to after I graduated but seemed to come up empty handed. I randomly applied for the Americorps program after a friend recommended it, which ended up being my one and only option. I didn't really want to take it, but I did.
At this point I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Any remnant of faith that I had was quickly diminishing.
Then, one night, nearly 6 months into my senior year, I picked up my Bible. Flipping to a random passage, hoping to find some glimmer of encouragement, I happened to flip to this passage. Why this one? Well, if I remember correctly, 7 was my "lucky" number, and Psalm 7 wasn't really doing anything for me, so I tried Psalm 77.
And this is what it said:
"I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint."
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak."
"I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered the songs in the night
My heart mused, and my spirit inquired:
Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never show his
favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise
failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger
withheld his compassion?
This is exactly how I was feeling. "Yes!...YES!" I thought through tear-stained eyes. I was so amazed and relieved that someone in the Bible itself actually had these same feelings.
But as I kept reading, I discovered that this person had a very different perspective than I did. And it all revolved around this very important word: Then.
"Then, I thought, ''To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.
' I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty are you redeemed your people,
the descendents of Jacob and Joseph.
"What am I doing?" I thought. I had spent all this time trying to go my own way, then feeling sorry for myself when I suddenly realized I had no direction. How did I get myself here? I had completely disregarded God's goodness, the "deeds of the Lord." I wasn't "meditating on all His works," instead, I was dwelling on my own inadequacy.
I remember very vividly (though not exactly) the words I cried out to the Lord that night: "Lord, I don't know how I got myself here, but I'm sorry, for all my selfishness, for all my feelings sorry for myself...I don't know how I got here, but I pray Lord, that from this moment on, I will surrender...to you, to your will, to all this selfish ambition. Lord, please forgive me."
That was my prayer that night, and that's the moment my life changed.
How exactly did it change?
I used to use language I shouldn't of, and with the Lord's help, I stopped, and I have never done it again. I had a terrible pattern of negative thinking that was causing me to be depressed and had been for quite some time, and with the Lord's help, it also stopped. The music I listened to changed. Three months before I graduated, I started going to a nearby church every Sunday. And I began to read my Bible every day, not just randomly, but consistently, and I've done so ever since.
He cleansed me and made me knew. He set a hope in my heart. "He knew the plans for me...plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.From then on, I would call upon him and come and pray to him, and I knew he would listen. I would seek him and find him, now that I was seeking him with all my heart. I found him, and he brought me out of my captivity." (Jeremiah 29:11-14, paraphrased)
And here's the most amazing part of all. The only door that was left open in terms of a job was to go serve in Americorps for a year. And the closest place I could go to home was Clinton. So, reluctantly, I went. I knew nobody, I felt totally alone and I was completely overwhelmed with the responsibility they gave me. I tried to find a church, but ended up going home every weekend so I could go with my parents. After a few months of driving an hour and a half home every weekend, they suggested that I try the church in LeClaire.
So...I did.
Six months after moving to Clinton, I met my husband. Where was he? At the church in LeClaire. How did I end up in LeClaire? By going to Clinton.
Was this all in the Lord's plan? Of course it was. And that whole having no job thing and not knowing what I was going to do for the rest of my life? I'm a housewife, and I believe that was God's plan all along. I had never even considered the possibility of being a housewife. It was a foreign concept to me. If you met the women in my family, you would understand why.
But here I am.
How did I get here?
By God's grace, and nothing more.
Friday, March 6, 2009
10 Blessings
Recall the gifts God has given you. Which of the blessings would make your top 10 list?
When facing discouragement, frustration, or when you just need to be reminded of God's goodness, look back at your list, pray, and thank God for these blessings. Trust me, it will help!
10 Blessings
1. My husband. In the months before I met Kevin, I prayed that God would send me a man who would respect me, cherish me, and love me for the person of faith that I was. I think he answered that prayer.
2. My home. Though we consider it more of a "first" home and hope to move to the country later, I'm very content with the house we live in.
3. Family. Not only my own family, but the family I've married into and been blessed with.
4. Provision. When I was in Americorps and supposed to be living at or below the "poverty" line, I had to learn to trust the Lord to provide. And He always has. He has never failed me in this regard as long as I have tithed faithfully. Did you know its the only place in the Bible that the Lord says to "test Him?" If you faithfully "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse (for us we take this to mean 10% of our income)," he says he will "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10)
5. Along with #4, I am blessed as a wife by being able to stay at home. When Kev and I were dating I was working, and its amazing the difference its made in the quality of time we spent together. I consider taking care of my husband and my home my #1 priority (after God of course), and I can do that so much better when I don't have to spend the day working at a different job. Its a step of faith to rely on one income, but I believe its worth it (and my husband does too).
6. This may be materialistic, but I'm thankful for our vehicles. They do have their required maintenance (especially mine), but for the most part they're pretty reliable. What's really a blessing is Kev's ability to do the maintenance and repairs on them so we don't have to take them to the shop. I can't imagine how much money we've saved with him doing most of the repairs.
7. Along with #5, my husbands job. Although he does have to be on call every few months, for the most part he works set hours, and when he leaves work to come home, he actually leaves work. Besides the whole family rivalry thing, its not such a bad place to work.
8. Our health. I think its easy to take this one for granted.
9. My creativity. In college, I tried to utilize this to pursue selfish goals (to gain recognition), but at some point I decided that I was going to set that aside until the Lord showed me how I could use it for Him. Now I use my creative flair to do things like make or put together gifts for people, to cook, in decorating the house...its amazing all the opportunities there are in everyday life to express creativity.
10. My salvation, as well as my husbands. I can't imagine how different our marriage would be if we weren't both saved. At one point in my life I didn't think it was all that important to marry a believer, because after all, maybe God wants to use me to lead them to Christ. It can happen, buts its much easier for them to pull you down than for you to pull them up. God knew I needed someone to pull me up.
When facing discouragement, frustration, or when you just need to be reminded of God's goodness, look back at your list, pray, and thank God for these blessings. Trust me, it will help!
10 Blessings
1. My husband. In the months before I met Kevin, I prayed that God would send me a man who would respect me, cherish me, and love me for the person of faith that I was. I think he answered that prayer.
2. My home. Though we consider it more of a "first" home and hope to move to the country later, I'm very content with the house we live in.
3. Family. Not only my own family, but the family I've married into and been blessed with.
4. Provision. When I was in Americorps and supposed to be living at or below the "poverty" line, I had to learn to trust the Lord to provide. And He always has. He has never failed me in this regard as long as I have tithed faithfully. Did you know its the only place in the Bible that the Lord says to "test Him?" If you faithfully "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse (for us we take this to mean 10% of our income)," he says he will "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10)
5. Along with #4, I am blessed as a wife by being able to stay at home. When Kev and I were dating I was working, and its amazing the difference its made in the quality of time we spent together. I consider taking care of my husband and my home my #1 priority (after God of course), and I can do that so much better when I don't have to spend the day working at a different job. Its a step of faith to rely on one income, but I believe its worth it (and my husband does too).
6. This may be materialistic, but I'm thankful for our vehicles. They do have their required maintenance (especially mine), but for the most part they're pretty reliable. What's really a blessing is Kev's ability to do the maintenance and repairs on them so we don't have to take them to the shop. I can't imagine how much money we've saved with him doing most of the repairs.
7. Along with #5, my husbands job. Although he does have to be on call every few months, for the most part he works set hours, and when he leaves work to come home, he actually leaves work. Besides the whole family rivalry thing, its not such a bad place to work.
8. Our health. I think its easy to take this one for granted.
9. My creativity. In college, I tried to utilize this to pursue selfish goals (to gain recognition), but at some point I decided that I was going to set that aside until the Lord showed me how I could use it for Him. Now I use my creative flair to do things like make or put together gifts for people, to cook, in decorating the house...its amazing all the opportunities there are in everyday life to express creativity.
10. My salvation, as well as my husbands. I can't imagine how different our marriage would be if we weren't both saved. At one point in my life I didn't think it was all that important to marry a believer, because after all, maybe God wants to use me to lead them to Christ. It can happen, buts its much easier for them to pull you down than for you to pull them up. God knew I needed someone to pull me up.
Friday, February 27, 2009
ADVENTURES IN HOUSE HUNTING
Recently, my husband and I discovered that in the ailing economy, it has become more realistic that we may able to afford a house in the country. After doing some research, we came across a very reasonably priced house not too far from what would be considered a reasonable driving distance. So, we called our realtor and set up a showing. He did, and as we were driving out to view the house, he mentioned that the other realtor had said it was a little rough. We should have turned around then. Or if not then, we should have turned around when we went to pull in the driveway and couldn't because there was what could reasonably be considered a small cistern. OR if not then, when we were greeted by a dead possum! And no, it was not playing dead. Below is a summary of our visit as related in an email to both sets of our parents.
Anyway, the house. Let's just say we will not be pursuing that house any further. We prayed that the Lord would help up to have a clear yes or no. You know how Kev's one thing he can't handle is the pets in and all over the house? They had a total of 6 dogs, and several cats in the house. The lady wanted us to wait to go in so she could sweep some "presents" the dogs had left off of the screened in porch. It was fairly disgusting. She had locked cats in the basement without a litterbox, so you can imagine what that was like. You had to watch where you stepped. They had "new" carpet, however, I think you would basically have to replace it all.
Even before that though, we went to pull in the driveway and discovered there was a 1 1/2 ft deep washout in the driveway entrance. The realtor had to park at the end of the driveway because you couldn't go any further or you would fall in the abyss.
And to top that off, when we walked up to the house, there was a dead possum in right by the front door! They were like "uh, yeah, the dog killed that last night and we haven't got rid of it yet." Really we should have left at that point.
There were several windows in the house that were broken out that were covered with plastic and duct tape, several of the extra bedrooms were filled with "stuff," the only bathroom they had had a "shower" that Kev wouldn't have been able to stand up in, it angled down toward the back.
Kev said if it wouldn't have been for the pets he would've thought about it more, but that's the one thing that he really can't stand. And I can't stand possums, so we figure that's a pretty clear way for the Lord to tell us that is not the place for us. The only way we could've worked with it was to live somewhere else while it got fixed up.
So, we will keep looking.
Anyway, the house. Let's just say we will not be pursuing that house any further. We prayed that the Lord would help up to have a clear yes or no. You know how Kev's one thing he can't handle is the pets in and all over the house? They had a total of 6 dogs, and several cats in the house. The lady wanted us to wait to go in so she could sweep some "presents" the dogs had left off of the screened in porch. It was fairly disgusting. She had locked cats in the basement without a litterbox, so you can imagine what that was like. You had to watch where you stepped. They had "new" carpet, however, I think you would basically have to replace it all.
Even before that though, we went to pull in the driveway and discovered there was a 1 1/2 ft deep washout in the driveway entrance. The realtor had to park at the end of the driveway because you couldn't go any further or you would fall in the abyss.
And to top that off, when we walked up to the house, there was a dead possum in right by the front door! They were like "uh, yeah, the dog killed that last night and we haven't got rid of it yet." Really we should have left at that point.
There were several windows in the house that were broken out that were covered with plastic and duct tape, several of the extra bedrooms were filled with "stuff," the only bathroom they had had a "shower" that Kev wouldn't have been able to stand up in, it angled down toward the back.
Kev said if it wouldn't have been for the pets he would've thought about it more, but that's the one thing that he really can't stand. And I can't stand possums, so we figure that's a pretty clear way for the Lord to tell us that is not the place for us. The only way we could've worked with it was to live somewhere else while it got fixed up.
So, we will keep looking.
CONFESSION OF A HOUSEWIFE
So, I finally caved. I've decided to enter the world of blogging.
Bear with me, I'll try not to be boring.
Its now 3:30 and I've spent most of the last 3 hours cleaning my house. Some have informed me that they can easily clean their house in less than an hour. Apparently I am a little slow (no pun intended).
Cleaning my house, getting groceries, doing laundry, doing the taxes, painting the shutters, mowing the lawn, cooking supper-this is my job description. When I considered which profession I would like to pursue, this is not what came to my mind. But its what God intended for me. And He knew there was nothing that would make me happier.
When my husband and I were in marriage counseling with our Pastor, he asked us to answer the following: If you could have or wish for anything, what would it be?
Of course, those of you who know my husband can guess his answer. But mine? That I would not have to work. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a lazy person, and I never actually intended that this wish would be granted. After all, "lazy" and "farm girl" don't often occur in the same sentence. But 3 months before I was married, I felt the Lord leading me to quit my job. So I did, with every intention of finding another one after I got married. I signed up at temp services, I interviewed, I searched and searched. Doors opened, and then they closed.
So here I am, over a year later, a housewife.
"So what do you do?" people ask. "I stay home."
"Oh."
Though people are getting more accepting of a mom who stay's at home, to be a wife that stays at home-what in the world do you do all day?
I take care of my house. I take care of my husband. Someday I will take care of my children. I do what God intended for me to do.
Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a working woman. My mother was a working woman. She still is. My Grandma was a working woman. For some its a necessity. I consider it a blessing that the Lord provides in such a way that I don't have to go out in the working world.
But there's plenty of work to be done at home.
What do I do?
I work, just like you.
Bear with me, I'll try not to be boring.
Its now 3:30 and I've spent most of the last 3 hours cleaning my house. Some have informed me that they can easily clean their house in less than an hour. Apparently I am a little slow (no pun intended).
Cleaning my house, getting groceries, doing laundry, doing the taxes, painting the shutters, mowing the lawn, cooking supper-this is my job description. When I considered which profession I would like to pursue, this is not what came to my mind. But its what God intended for me. And He knew there was nothing that would make me happier.
When my husband and I were in marriage counseling with our Pastor, he asked us to answer the following: If you could have or wish for anything, what would it be?
Of course, those of you who know my husband can guess his answer. But mine? That I would not have to work. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a lazy person, and I never actually intended that this wish would be granted. After all, "lazy" and "farm girl" don't often occur in the same sentence. But 3 months before I was married, I felt the Lord leading me to quit my job. So I did, with every intention of finding another one after I got married. I signed up at temp services, I interviewed, I searched and searched. Doors opened, and then they closed.
So here I am, over a year later, a housewife.
"So what do you do?" people ask. "I stay home."
"Oh."
Though people are getting more accepting of a mom who stay's at home, to be a wife that stays at home-what in the world do you do all day?
I take care of my house. I take care of my husband. Someday I will take care of my children. I do what God intended for me to do.
Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a working woman. My mother was a working woman. She still is. My Grandma was a working woman. For some its a necessity. I consider it a blessing that the Lord provides in such a way that I don't have to go out in the working world.
But there's plenty of work to be done at home.
What do I do?
I work, just like you.
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