Grocery shopping can be a pain and costly. However, if you are serious about wanting to make extra money and willing to CHANGE, then one of the answers can be as simply looking in you refrigerator or kitchen cabinets! If you want to save money or make money it is time to start trimming the fat from your life and it can start with grocery shopping!
One of my mentors put me to this challenge 1 1/2 ago. (she is a Christian, married, mother of 5 an a self-made millionaire! . If you want to debt free, have a better relationship or open a business, then get people in your life you can learn from. You don't want to be them but learn what they have done.) It has taken me this long to get it down! However, with a little attitude adjustment and willing to change, we have saved lots of money and are no longer in debt! ( I should say no longer in debt minus the house)
Cooking is not my favorite nor am I good at it and I love to eat out! However, I knew this wasn't healthy, good on the pocket book nor was it teaching my kids on how to be wise with their money or how to run a house hold. I pulled up my big girl pants and was willing to do what needed to be done!
I have saved money and this is without coupons but as soon as my sister in law teaches me how to save money with coupons I will be saving even more money!!!
Challenge yourself to 100.00 per week for groceries! I know it sounds nut but it can be done. How bad do you want to go on that vacation? How bad do you want to start a small business? How bad do you want to stay at home with your kids or pay off your credit card? If it is bad enough, well you can do it!
Here is what I do:
1. Obviously, make a list and plan for only a week! ( I say obviously, but a few years ago, I never made a list and just bought whatever I wanted and way too much and that is gluttony. We should only be buying what we really need. (for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothe them in rags. Proverbs 23:21)
2. A friend of mine told me a few years ago, how she only shops on the outside aisle and never in the middle. I buy a few things in the middle aisle but only a few.
3. stop buying all that crappy junk food! I buy snacks but try to stay focused on healthy snacks. If you have a sweet tooth bake! Think about it, if you have to bake your cookies you are not going to be eating them everyday because it takes time and work! It cuts down on cost and your waist line! ( we are lucky Mark works for a baking company, so when we want store bought doughnuts he can surprise us and bring them home! Also, I try to keep Mark away from grocery shopping too! He would buy more snacks and less healthy food!!!)
4. No more boxed food! once I learned what is in all of that, I stay away. If I have to buy something in a box,I try to buy organic.
5. By cutting down on buying snacks, junk and more than I need, I'm able to buy organic milk, fruit, eggs and cereal.
It's really not hard at all it just takes discipline and work! Stop eating out and start cooking at home. Maybe you are reading this and say DA Kim!! If so, you rock! Unfortunately, evn though I may have known these things, I was off course and thankful for the people God put in my life to help get me back on track!
Remember, "Luke 16:10 Anyone who can be trusted in little matters can also be trusted in important matters. But anyone who is dishonest in little matters will be dishonest in important matters." This applies to how and where we spend our money and yes even at the grocery store matters to God!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Is God trying to shut the door and why?
I couldn't agree more with the devotional I read on FB this morning. The title, "When God Closes the Door." I don't know about you but that is sometimes really hard to understand at times, let go and follow God's lead especially when it is something we love doing, been doing for years or when you KNOW God has placed a dream on your heart but yet he just hasn't opened the door you want to be opened yet!
If you read my blogs, you may or may not know what I'm passionate about and what dreams God has placed on my heart. A few years ago, he gave me a glimpse of what he wants me to do, but he knew I only believed in him and he needed me to have a relationship with him. He didn't just shut the door he slammed it! I didn't want to give that dream up because I felt like I was failing or quitting. God spoke to me, ( not in a way were I heard his voice! I felt it in my spirit loud and clear and in his word) He told me it wasn't time yet, to wait on him and for me not to be tempted to push myself out there just to prove to other people what HE has called me to do. Wait on him and so I am. (waiting on him doesn't mean I'm just sitting here and doing nothing either! I'm studying, reading, and let God work on me everyday. So when he calls and says it times, I'm ready! Whatever you are facing, don't stop working on yourself and your relaionship with God.)
But let me tell you, if I didn't listen to him and kept on pushing and pursuing a dream on my time, I would of missed the biggest blessing I could ever ask for and that is homeschooling my kids. I could never of imagined myself doing this and yet God did. It's not a glamours job and the world may not know my name but my kids sure do know who their mom is and I definitely know my kids too!
If God is trying to shut a door, especially if it is with something you love. It doesn't mean it is over. It just means he has something better for you or he just has to do some work in you first! Trust God and just keep moving forward! I know that sounds easier than it really is. We have to let go of whatevery one else thinks and get rid of our big ego's! As soon as you do, you will be amazed by what God will bring in your life! God knows before I can go out and speak his word, He needs to work on me and for me to pay attention to what matters first and that is God,my husband and kids! At the end of the day that is all that really matters...
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
If you read my blogs, you may or may not know what I'm passionate about and what dreams God has placed on my heart. A few years ago, he gave me a glimpse of what he wants me to do, but he knew I only believed in him and he needed me to have a relationship with him. He didn't just shut the door he slammed it! I didn't want to give that dream up because I felt like I was failing or quitting. God spoke to me, ( not in a way were I heard his voice! I felt it in my spirit loud and clear and in his word) He told me it wasn't time yet, to wait on him and for me not to be tempted to push myself out there just to prove to other people what HE has called me to do. Wait on him and so I am. (waiting on him doesn't mean I'm just sitting here and doing nothing either! I'm studying, reading, and let God work on me everyday. So when he calls and says it times, I'm ready! Whatever you are facing, don't stop working on yourself and your relaionship with God.)
But let me tell you, if I didn't listen to him and kept on pushing and pursuing a dream on my time, I would of missed the biggest blessing I could ever ask for and that is homeschooling my kids. I could never of imagined myself doing this and yet God did. It's not a glamours job and the world may not know my name but my kids sure do know who their mom is and I definitely know my kids too!
If God is trying to shut a door, especially if it is with something you love. It doesn't mean it is over. It just means he has something better for you or he just has to do some work in you first! Trust God and just keep moving forward! I know that sounds easier than it really is. We have to let go of whatevery one else thinks and get rid of our big ego's! As soon as you do, you will be amazed by what God will bring in your life! God knows before I can go out and speak his word, He needs to work on me and for me to pay attention to what matters first and that is God,my husband and kids! At the end of the day that is all that really matters...
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Monday, March 7, 2011
Are you Nagging your marriage to death?
Have you ever looked at your spouse and could point out a million things wrong with him or her? You try to point things out or nag him to deaf because you know if he could just let YOU fix HIM the way you want, life would be so much better! What about when it seems like everyone else around you is driving you nuts! You see everyone Else's faults and failures, but never take a second to look at yourself. You think it has to be the everyone else, it couldn't possibly be you!
I have news for you, its called PRIDE! There was a time in my life when everything and everyone drove me nuts! I could tell you what was wrong with everyone even our dog, but thought I was doing just fine! What a JOKE! I nagged my husband to death and could only focus and only saw the negative. I couldn't focus on everything awesome he was doing. There were time I would say to God, I think I made a mistake. I don't think I was suppose to marry Mark. I was suppose to marry a man that was more successful, had bigger dreams. Basically, I was blaming my husband because I was not happy with me.
Then one day, I was listening to one of my favorite speakers Dani Johnson and what she said smacked me right in my face. She asked, how would you treat the man of your dreams? Would you get yourself up in the morning and make yourself look good for him? Would you cook for him? Would you ask him how his day was after when he came home from work? Would you treat him like a King? All kinds of thoughts entered my head! She then said, No you wouldn't. You wouldn't treat him any better than you are treating your husband now. Sooner or later it would get old and you would find something wrong with him too. Its not about changing him, its about changing you. The husband you are married to is that man if you would only begin to see him the way God See's him. If you only knew what God plans for his life. You need to treat him like the King God has called him to be.
Once I stopped trying to fix everyone else especially my husband and began to focus on me, my life changed and so did my marriage. We can't fix anyone, we can only love and let God. do the fixing. We need to love people right where they are in life. Once you can stop taking everything so personal and realize that we are all hurt and all at different walks in our life, you will begin to be able to love people and accept them for who they are. (This doesn't mean you will always like everyone or even have to agree with someone. But I do believe the stronger we build our relationship with God, we begin to see people the way God see's them.)
FYI: The more I nagged Mark the farther apart we became. Once he started seeing me change and stopped nagging him, he began to open up and let God change him! God has brought us together now than we ever have been before. I'm not trying to be his mom or to fix him. Instead we are best friends walking together hand and hand.
Pride is a tricky. You really want to make sure you are asking God to search your heart to make sure pride doesn't sneak in. Because Pride does come before the fall. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of falling down!!! Please know, I don't write these things because I think I'm better than anyone else because I don't. I only share these things because it is what God placed on my heart. Trust me, without God I'm a mess and thankful everyday for my savior Jesus Christ because with out him, I'm nothing....
I have news for you, its called PRIDE! There was a time in my life when everything and everyone drove me nuts! I could tell you what was wrong with everyone even our dog, but thought I was doing just fine! What a JOKE! I nagged my husband to death and could only focus and only saw the negative. I couldn't focus on everything awesome he was doing. There were time I would say to God, I think I made a mistake. I don't think I was suppose to marry Mark. I was suppose to marry a man that was more successful, had bigger dreams. Basically, I was blaming my husband because I was not happy with me.
Then one day, I was listening to one of my favorite speakers Dani Johnson and what she said smacked me right in my face. She asked, how would you treat the man of your dreams? Would you get yourself up in the morning and make yourself look good for him? Would you cook for him? Would you ask him how his day was after when he came home from work? Would you treat him like a King? All kinds of thoughts entered my head! She then said, No you wouldn't. You wouldn't treat him any better than you are treating your husband now. Sooner or later it would get old and you would find something wrong with him too. Its not about changing him, its about changing you. The husband you are married to is that man if you would only begin to see him the way God See's him. If you only knew what God plans for his life. You need to treat him like the King God has called him to be.
Once I stopped trying to fix everyone else especially my husband and began to focus on me, my life changed and so did my marriage. We can't fix anyone, we can only love and let God. do the fixing. We need to love people right where they are in life. Once you can stop taking everything so personal and realize that we are all hurt and all at different walks in our life, you will begin to be able to love people and accept them for who they are. (This doesn't mean you will always like everyone or even have to agree with someone. But I do believe the stronger we build our relationship with God, we begin to see people the way God see's them.)
FYI: The more I nagged Mark the farther apart we became. Once he started seeing me change and stopped nagging him, he began to open up and let God change him! God has brought us together now than we ever have been before. I'm not trying to be his mom or to fix him. Instead we are best friends walking together hand and hand.
Pride is a tricky. You really want to make sure you are asking God to search your heart to make sure pride doesn't sneak in. Because Pride does come before the fall. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of falling down!!! Please know, I don't write these things because I think I'm better than anyone else because I don't. I only share these things because it is what God placed on my heart. Trust me, without God I'm a mess and thankful everyday for my savior Jesus Christ because with out him, I'm nothing....
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What does Pride look like and is it killing you?
Pride was one of the major reason that kept me from living the dream God has placed on me on many different levels. I could never figure out why certain things kept showing up in my life. Why I couldn't get out of the hole that I was in. It just seemed like it was getting deeper and deeper. Saying you have a dream, takes more than just waking up and saying I have a dream! We all have dreams of living a better life but lets face it most of us are not willing to do the work on ourselves. We would rather complain, blame everyone else, hold grudges or surround ourselves with people who will tell us what we want to hear. (Those people are telling you what you want to hear because they don't want you to change. They want you to stay the same so they have someone to hang out with! They don't want you to become better because it will make them feel uncomfortable with themselves. This doesn't just go on in the world, it goes on in the church as well.)
Once you realize what Pride is, what it looks like and break free from it, you will see your life change. God has been working diligently on me these last few years. It seemed like once one life lesson was learned he had five more waiting in line! Seriously, I was feeling like I was schizoprhatic at times. I heard one of my mentors say, "God is trying to refine you, so you won't destroy you." It is so true! How awesome is that when you think about it! He has a huge plan for your life, if you let him do the work on you. He doesn't want to see you get hurt or burned anymore!
I know many people who have huge dreams and want to do make every second of their life count, but they keep making the same stupid mistakes. Most of what is holding you back from financial freedom, successful marriage, better relationship with your kids, going after a dream of yours, is PRIDE!
Trust me the reason I can write about this, is because I was very prideful. Just in my every day life there was pride. I cared more about what others thought of me than I did my husband, my kids and most importantly God. I wanted to be accepted and was looking for approval from man. (FYI: God already loves you and you are already accepted just the way you are.) I had to have the latest phone so people thought I was cool, I had to go and spend top dollar on my hair so I could look good,( I couldn't go somewhere and not have my makeup or hair done. What if someone would see me. If you want to see if there is any pride in your heart, ask yourself if you could go out in public with no makeup and hair a mess? I think it is important to look good and take care of yourself, but if is to try to impress others, then there is a problem.) I had to get my nails done, spend money on clothes for the kids and myself that we really didn't need, drive a new car, live in a certain neighbor hood and the list can go on and on. I wanted others to think I was successful! Yes, Mark made some great money, but it was never enough and we spent more than we had. Why, because we were caught up in what the world says success looks like! Maybe we looked like we had it all going on from the outside, but inside was a different story.
Pride even kept me from stepping out and doing what God has placed on my heart. What if nobody likes me? What if I offend someone by what I say? What if nobody ever buys my book ( BTW the book will be done sooner now than later), what if nobody comes to hear me speak? Take this blog, for an example. If you only knew the head game that went inside my head! I knew once I starting writing, there would be many people out there laughing and making fun of me! Guess what, I don't fear man instead I fear God! His opinion is much more important to me than any persons will ever be! So, if you have similar questions going on in your head then you need to ask yourself what and who are you really doing it for?
I can write on and on about pride, which I will share a few more blogs on in the next couple of weeks. But if pride is something God is trying to work on you with, just know it is only because he loves you. The last thing you want to do is get in more debt, or become debt free and get back in debt because you haven't learned the lessons, put in years in your marriage to have your marriage fail,(which BTW marriage takes two. If your spouse isn't willing to work with you and together or your marriage has ended in divorce, just make sure you learn the life lessons so you don't repeat it in your next relationship or pass it down to your children.) or never live with peace, love and joy in your life. It will take looking at yourself deeper and not caring about the 98% of the population is doing, unless you like being miserable and broke!
Once you realize what Pride is, what it looks like and break free from it, you will see your life change. God has been working diligently on me these last few years. It seemed like once one life lesson was learned he had five more waiting in line! Seriously, I was feeling like I was schizoprhatic at times. I heard one of my mentors say, "God is trying to refine you, so you won't destroy you." It is so true! How awesome is that when you think about it! He has a huge plan for your life, if you let him do the work on you. He doesn't want to see you get hurt or burned anymore!
I know many people who have huge dreams and want to do make every second of their life count, but they keep making the same stupid mistakes. Most of what is holding you back from financial freedom, successful marriage, better relationship with your kids, going after a dream of yours, is PRIDE!
Trust me the reason I can write about this, is because I was very prideful. Just in my every day life there was pride. I cared more about what others thought of me than I did my husband, my kids and most importantly God. I wanted to be accepted and was looking for approval from man. (FYI: God already loves you and you are already accepted just the way you are.) I had to have the latest phone so people thought I was cool, I had to go and spend top dollar on my hair so I could look good,( I couldn't go somewhere and not have my makeup or hair done. What if someone would see me. If you want to see if there is any pride in your heart, ask yourself if you could go out in public with no makeup and hair a mess? I think it is important to look good and take care of yourself, but if is to try to impress others, then there is a problem.) I had to get my nails done, spend money on clothes for the kids and myself that we really didn't need, drive a new car, live in a certain neighbor hood and the list can go on and on. I wanted others to think I was successful! Yes, Mark made some great money, but it was never enough and we spent more than we had. Why, because we were caught up in what the world says success looks like! Maybe we looked like we had it all going on from the outside, but inside was a different story.
Pride even kept me from stepping out and doing what God has placed on my heart. What if nobody likes me? What if I offend someone by what I say? What if nobody ever buys my book ( BTW the book will be done sooner now than later), what if nobody comes to hear me speak? Take this blog, for an example. If you only knew the head game that went inside my head! I knew once I starting writing, there would be many people out there laughing and making fun of me! Guess what, I don't fear man instead I fear God! His opinion is much more important to me than any persons will ever be! So, if you have similar questions going on in your head then you need to ask yourself what and who are you really doing it for?
I can write on and on about pride, which I will share a few more blogs on in the next couple of weeks. But if pride is something God is trying to work on you with, just know it is only because he loves you. The last thing you want to do is get in more debt, or become debt free and get back in debt because you haven't learned the lessons, put in years in your marriage to have your marriage fail,(which BTW marriage takes two. If your spouse isn't willing to work with you and together or your marriage has ended in divorce, just make sure you learn the life lessons so you don't repeat it in your next relationship or pass it down to your children.) or never live with peace, love and joy in your life. It will take looking at yourself deeper and not caring about the 98% of the population is doing, unless you like being miserable and broke!
Friday, February 25, 2011
People really can change!!!
For those of you who are praying for change, think someone can't change or praying someone you love comes to know Christ, there is hope!
If you would of told me three years ago, my dad would be in Cambodia talking about Jesus, I would of said you are smoking something! I could always see my mom doing something like that but not so sure about my dad! MAYBE going to Cambodia but not the preaching about Jesus!!! (my parents believed in God but didn't know him and we didn't grow up with God as the center of our lives.I'm not talking about religion either. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what matters is if you believe in Jesus and truly knowing him will change your life forever.)
See, God knows what he is doing and if you don't give up and keep praying and seeking God, he answers prayers. , he will begin to wake you up and begin to pull you closer to him and when he does don't shut your eyes because it will be the most incredible thing that will ever happen to you! As he begins to tug on your heart, you may even resist and begin to kick and scream because you are afraid of change. Trust me, don't turn your back. Listen and begin to walk with God! I know that freaks people out, but it is the truth! Just because you have God in your life now, doesn't mean you can't have fun anymore either!! It doesn't mean you will be all weird, like me!!! However, it doesn't mean it will be an easy ride, because when you begin to live for God, all kinds of crazy stuff will enter you head especially doubt, fear and people making fun of you! (Once you are tired of living to please everyone else and wanting more for your life, those thoughts begin to slowly go away and soon you can tell them to shut up when they try to creep back in your head again. It is just the enemy trying to stop you from growing closer to God and its your job not to feed them. ) My dad and I have even gotten in some heated arguments these past few years about faith and God but My mom never gave up on my dad. I've seen some awesome changes in my dad! I thank God everyday and the funny thing is God knows exactly what to do to get our attention and to listen to him. I guess he knew he had to take my dad across the ocean to a third world country for him to really hear him!!! What ever it takes! It has not been a dull ride since mark, myself and my parents rededicated our lives to Christ, but it has been worth every single moment.
My dad has been posting a few comments on his fb page and I can already tell by his post what God is doing in him. It just blows my mind how awesome God is and I'm just so thankful for all he is doing in my parents especially my dad! He was no easy nut to crack!
Don't give up on the people you love. Remember we are all at different walks and stages in our lives. Give it to God and he will do the work! If he can change my family he can change anyone!!!
Here is what he posted this afternoon:
Sunny and hot . What i seen today was hard for me to take . Shedding tears and feeling so sad for theses kids . Debbie and I hope we can reach out to other christian churches, Friends and our family to be able to share what we have learn and seen from this trip.
For my friends in Michigan the weather is cold but your kids are sa...fe
Lets pray for the Kids Here in Cambodia
If you would of told me three years ago, my dad would be in Cambodia talking about Jesus, I would of said you are smoking something! I could always see my mom doing something like that but not so sure about my dad! MAYBE going to Cambodia but not the preaching about Jesus!!! (my parents believed in God but didn't know him and we didn't grow up with God as the center of our lives.I'm not talking about religion either. It doesn't matter what religion you are, what matters is if you believe in Jesus and truly knowing him will change your life forever.)
See, God knows what he is doing and if you don't give up and keep praying and seeking God, he answers prayers. , he will begin to wake you up and begin to pull you closer to him and when he does don't shut your eyes because it will be the most incredible thing that will ever happen to you! As he begins to tug on your heart, you may even resist and begin to kick and scream because you are afraid of change. Trust me, don't turn your back. Listen and begin to walk with God! I know that freaks people out, but it is the truth! Just because you have God in your life now, doesn't mean you can't have fun anymore either!! It doesn't mean you will be all weird, like me!!! However, it doesn't mean it will be an easy ride, because when you begin to live for God, all kinds of crazy stuff will enter you head especially doubt, fear and people making fun of you! (Once you are tired of living to please everyone else and wanting more for your life, those thoughts begin to slowly go away and soon you can tell them to shut up when they try to creep back in your head again. It is just the enemy trying to stop you from growing closer to God and its your job not to feed them. ) My dad and I have even gotten in some heated arguments these past few years about faith and God but My mom never gave up on my dad. I've seen some awesome changes in my dad! I thank God everyday and the funny thing is God knows exactly what to do to get our attention and to listen to him. I guess he knew he had to take my dad across the ocean to a third world country for him to really hear him!!! What ever it takes! It has not been a dull ride since mark, myself and my parents rededicated our lives to Christ, but it has been worth every single moment.
My dad has been posting a few comments on his fb page and I can already tell by his post what God is doing in him. It just blows my mind how awesome God is and I'm just so thankful for all he is doing in my parents especially my dad! He was no easy nut to crack!
Don't give up on the people you love. Remember we are all at different walks and stages in our lives. Give it to God and he will do the work! If he can change my family he can change anyone!!!
Here is what he posted this afternoon:
Sunny and hot . What i seen today was hard for me to take . Shedding tears and feeling so sad for theses kids . Debbie and I hope we can reach out to other christian churches, Friends and our family to be able to share what we have learn and seen from this trip.
For my friends in Michigan the weather is cold but your kids are sa...fe
Lets pray for the Kids Here in Cambodia
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
When we need to slow things down a bit
Finally, kids are in bed, mark is watching the MSU basketball game and I just finished reading a book called, "Heaven is for Real." It's a great and easy read. I just picked it up at Target on Sunday and finished it today.
After a really busy two weeks, it was time to pull the plug on all activities and get our life back to normal. I love doing things with the kids. I especially love helping my kids develop their God given talents and watch them use them, but it is important that they understand that all outside activities outside the house are privileges and I refuse to let gymnastics, karate, friends and even volunteering at church rule our life. There is nothing wrong with any of those things as long as we the parents keep our priorities balanced and be able to recognize when life is getting a little out of control.
In our family it is God, family and then whatever comes next. If my kids can't get along with each other, do their share in the house and we are to busy to sit down and eat together as a family, then a big red flag goes up. I understand sometimes we are busier than other days, but its so important to regroup as a family and that is exactly what we did today.
Normally, the kids have their share to do around the house everyday or they don't go anywhere. But since the last two weeks were special occasions, things around the house were a little chaotic then normal. It was a great day to catch up on school, clean the house, kids played with just each other. ( i believe is so important. Kids don't always have to have something going on or be entertained.) I didn't burn dinner and we were able to make homemade ice cream! Marie really enjoyed not having to go anywhere too! She had fun rolling around the floor and grabbing and wanting everything the kids had out!!!
Some days we mom's have to say NO and regroup our families and ourselves. If we are ragged and run down then the entire house feels it. Be careful that your kids outside activities, as much as you love being a part of them, are not running you and your family.
After a really busy two weeks, it was time to pull the plug on all activities and get our life back to normal. I love doing things with the kids. I especially love helping my kids develop their God given talents and watch them use them, but it is important that they understand that all outside activities outside the house are privileges and I refuse to let gymnastics, karate, friends and even volunteering at church rule our life. There is nothing wrong with any of those things as long as we the parents keep our priorities balanced and be able to recognize when life is getting a little out of control.
In our family it is God, family and then whatever comes next. If my kids can't get along with each other, do their share in the house and we are to busy to sit down and eat together as a family, then a big red flag goes up. I understand sometimes we are busier than other days, but its so important to regroup as a family and that is exactly what we did today.
Normally, the kids have their share to do around the house everyday or they don't go anywhere. But since the last two weeks were special occasions, things around the house were a little chaotic then normal. It was a great day to catch up on school, clean the house, kids played with just each other. ( i believe is so important. Kids don't always have to have something going on or be entertained.) I didn't burn dinner and we were able to make homemade ice cream! Marie really enjoyed not having to go anywhere too! She had fun rolling around the floor and grabbing and wanting everything the kids had out!!!
Some days we mom's have to say NO and regroup our families and ourselves. If we are ragged and run down then the entire house feels it. Be careful that your kids outside activities, as much as you love being a part of them, are not running you and your family.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
My Prayer Tonight
Dear God,
Thank you so much for all that you have done in my life not only the good but the ugly to. Everything that has happened in my life has helped me get where I'm at today and that is with a relationship with you. God my prayer tonight is that you use mark,the kids and me in anyway you need to bring light to this dark world and that you will be able to use us to bring more people to know and love you. I pray that we will do whatever you ask us to do to bring glory to your name. I know God that there are people that will be reading this blog and might think this is weird or that I have lost my mind because of the love I have for you, but God I hope you can help open their heart and mind to turn to you and not to this world. I pray that they don't let people and even other Christians stand in their way to know you that they understand that we are human and we will always make mistakes but not to focus on people but you God. People will always fail but you are always faithful even in our darkest moments. I pray that during good and bad times not only do you help mark and I stay focus on you and to continue to grow deeper but you help others know that there is nothing better in this life than living for you. I pray that people know that living for you is anything but boring. Its freedom and its so exciting! It gives life so much more meaning and purpose. God, I know I have so many prayers and so many things I want to do with my life for you but the one thing that means more to me than whether I speak your word, write a book, go on mission trips, make money, go on vacation, etc., is that my kids will always know your son Jesus Christ and live for him and him alone, I pray Mark and I do our job as parents to help them grow their faith. The one thing Mark and I want is when we die and go to heaven we want our kids to be with us there one day too. I pray that my family, friends and people you put in our lives will know and love you too because not only do I want them to have heaven on earth today but I also want to spend eternity with them too. Yes, even the people who drive me nuts! God I pray that whoever is hurting tonight that they ask you into their heart and to know they are not alone. God I ask that you restore relationships between husbands and wives, parents and kids, families and friends. I ask all of this in your mighty name Jesus!
God, thank you for loving me enough to give me ears to hear you and for forgiving me and changing me in ways that I will always be grateful. Amen
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son for whoever should believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Thank you so much for all that you have done in my life not only the good but the ugly to. Everything that has happened in my life has helped me get where I'm at today and that is with a relationship with you. God my prayer tonight is that you use mark,the kids and me in anyway you need to bring light to this dark world and that you will be able to use us to bring more people to know and love you. I pray that we will do whatever you ask us to do to bring glory to your name. I know God that there are people that will be reading this blog and might think this is weird or that I have lost my mind because of the love I have for you, but God I hope you can help open their heart and mind to turn to you and not to this world. I pray that they don't let people and even other Christians stand in their way to know you that they understand that we are human and we will always make mistakes but not to focus on people but you God. People will always fail but you are always faithful even in our darkest moments. I pray that during good and bad times not only do you help mark and I stay focus on you and to continue to grow deeper but you help others know that there is nothing better in this life than living for you. I pray that people know that living for you is anything but boring. Its freedom and its so exciting! It gives life so much more meaning and purpose. God, I know I have so many prayers and so many things I want to do with my life for you but the one thing that means more to me than whether I speak your word, write a book, go on mission trips, make money, go on vacation, etc., is that my kids will always know your son Jesus Christ and live for him and him alone, I pray Mark and I do our job as parents to help them grow their faith. The one thing Mark and I want is when we die and go to heaven we want our kids to be with us there one day too. I pray that my family, friends and people you put in our lives will know and love you too because not only do I want them to have heaven on earth today but I also want to spend eternity with them too. Yes, even the people who drive me nuts! God I pray that whoever is hurting tonight that they ask you into their heart and to know they are not alone. God I ask that you restore relationships between husbands and wives, parents and kids, families and friends. I ask all of this in your mighty name Jesus!
God, thank you for loving me enough to give me ears to hear you and for forgiving me and changing me in ways that I will always be grateful. Amen
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son for whoever should believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Please God help reveal to me if pride is still in my heart....
I've been praying and reflecting its amazing how much pride I use to have in my life.I never really understood what pride meant and to be honest still learning exaclty what it means and looks like. I know from past experiences its something I never want to enter my heart again. I'm human and make mistakes and its something that can sneak into your heart if you are not careful. Just because God has set me free from pride and many other things in my life doesn't mean it can't happen again . Its so important for me to keep my head and heart in the Bible and stay focused only on God.
I know opening up isn't easy and growing deeper can make you feel very vulnerable. I know as much as I love learning more about myself the initial part is scary for me still to this day. I'm afraid that people will see that I'm not good enough, laugh or think less of me. However, those thoughts are crazy and not true and the enemy wants you to believe them so you stay the same. When you stay the same you can't help grow God's kingdom and you are then not a threat to the enemy. I'm thankful for the people in the past and the people God has placed in my life today that they love me enough to challenge me to grow but with love, patience and gentleness.
The next few blogs, I will be sharing with you how I was filled with pride and what it looked like and how and what God has reveled to me now about pride. When you can humble yourself and ask God to show you his ways, its awesome what will happen in your life. The Bible says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -Proverbs 16:18.
I would like to share with you what my friend/mentor has shared with me.
Below is a list of just a few rewards we will gain if we have true humility.
~God's rewards for Humility~
We get to have peace when we are humble
God give's us His grace when we are humble *James 4:6
He crowns us with salvation when we humble our self before Him *Psalms 149:4
Our prayers are heard when we are humble
Confidents that we have done our best for HIM when we do things with humility
God honors the humble *Proverbs 15:33, 18:12 Mt 18:4
He sustains the humble *Is 66:2b
Humility brings godly wisdom *Proverbs 11:2 James 3:13
We will depend on Him if we are humble
He shows favor to the humble *Is 66:2b, Ps 25:9
We defeat Satan when we are humble!
False humility is feeling guilt and shame when you have already been forgiven thru repentance. This false humility is pride. Pride says are ways are higher then Gods ways and the cross isn't enough.
I know opening up isn't easy and growing deeper can make you feel very vulnerable. I know as much as I love learning more about myself the initial part is scary for me still to this day. I'm afraid that people will see that I'm not good enough, laugh or think less of me. However, those thoughts are crazy and not true and the enemy wants you to believe them so you stay the same. When you stay the same you can't help grow God's kingdom and you are then not a threat to the enemy. I'm thankful for the people in the past and the people God has placed in my life today that they love me enough to challenge me to grow but with love, patience and gentleness.
The next few blogs, I will be sharing with you how I was filled with pride and what it looked like and how and what God has reveled to me now about pride. When you can humble yourself and ask God to show you his ways, its awesome what will happen in your life. The Bible says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -Proverbs 16:18.
I would like to share with you what my friend/mentor has shared with me.
Below is a list of just a few rewards we will gain if we have true humility.
~God's rewards for Humility~
We get to have peace when we are humble
God give's us His grace when we are humble *James 4:6
He crowns us with salvation when we humble our self before Him *Psalms 149:4
Our prayers are heard when we are humble
Confidents that we have done our best for HIM when we do things with humility
God honors the humble *Proverbs 15:33, 18:12 Mt 18:4
He sustains the humble *Is 66:2b
Humility brings godly wisdom *Proverbs 11:2 James 3:13
We will depend on Him if we are humble
He shows favor to the humble *Is 66:2b, Ps 25:9
We defeat Satan when we are humble!
False humility is feeling guilt and shame when you have already been forgiven thru repentance. This false humility is pride. Pride says are ways are higher then Gods ways and the cross isn't enough.
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