Pamela sent me this email and I felt he prhase was very true. Whatever is inside of us eventually overflows to be what we present as oneself.
“Watch your thoughts ; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. “
It reminded me of Pauls verse in Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Just a little something for you to reflect on today.
Coupons saved my home. No, I am not about to tell you how two years in couponing has paid of my mortgage, it hasn’t. However, coupons once lead me out of the way and saved what could have been a major emergency.
If you have been following me for awhile know, you might remember my refrigerator recall a little over a year ago. One Sunday I was reading Parade Magazine searching for coupons when I stumbled upon a recall that included my refrigerator (the first way coupons saved my home.) Like a good consumer and home owner, I called the recall hotline that Monday and had an appointment scheduled for Friday to fixed the recalled part.
Three days later, on a Thursday (the day before the appointment), I went to the Sprint store. The line was incredibly long and would take 45 minutes. Instead of waiting I came home to get the coupons I hadn’t brought with me on my errands. I needed to go to Publix. This was a little frustrating, because when running errands no one wants to run out of their way to go home and get the forgotten coupons.
I walked in the house and paniced. Clearly SOMETHING was burning. My initial response was that it was the dishwasher (It has been on and I assumed plastic fell down around the metal)…it wasn’t. I check the fire place (gas) the laundry room, everywhere (but the refrigerator.) After calling 911 (my mother instinct told me something was REALLY bad) I carried the baby, doggies, and cat all outside to the front yard (with my LOVELY neighbors – thanks friends.) My husband, who was on the phone with me asked if I got my computer (haha) – I had not, but I did go back inside, okay so I shouldn’t have.
The fire department ending up coming and took care of identifying the problem – it was the refridgerator (not up in full flames yet, but rather small electrical parts burning.)Had a waited longer…well you know the rest.
What to take away 1.) I am taking these recalls seriously – getting them done ASAP 2.) I will NEVER be fearful to call 911 when my daughter and I could be in trouble 3.) The Biggest and MOST IMPORTANT Lesson – GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. I was NOT supposed to come home for a couple of hours and God arranged the events of the day so that I did. Thank you, Lord.
Sometimes things are our plans, while he has other plans. I get frustrated about detours in my life, but this story reminds me that God wants me where and when he wants me there.
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
I have missed these posts. Glad to be posting again.
I must tell you, I am in a bit of a rut. Summer time is just beginning in our home (yes we began early his year with our annual start of summer trip the first week of May.) I don’t know about you, but summer time usually can be defined as kids are out of school, there is less of a schedule, a more relaxing atmosphere. As a teacher, the previous things are true, but I create a home where that can not be felt. The plans begin before the bell even rings on the last day of school. Monday through Friday, we go from one thing to the next. Play group, swimming, the beach, gymnastics, etc.
So with that being explained, summer time has began in my mind and I am beginning to feel busy. This summer time schedules has created an anxious mood that has taken a turn into a place of lost joy. I almost feel like the laughter has been sucked out of me the past couple of days and I hate it. I don’t want to claim it as my own! I had been waiting around a few days for someone or something to replace that joy. After hating this feeling, I came to the conflusion that it is no one else’s responsibility – it is mine! With that new found perspective, I woke up this morning claiming back that joy.
I can choose the perspective I have on each day. I can choose the activities that take place, and I can create an environment that won’t be frustrating for my kids. I can claim back my joyous spirit! Such freedom and victory in Christ.
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
So who are you? Are the the person who says the glass is half empty or half full? I admit I am the first of the two, pessimism comes very easy to me. This can be a positive thing as I quickly recognize when my daughters might be in a dangerous situation as I foresee the negative about to happen. However, when it comes to relationships, I lack words of affirmation. My friends might not agree with me because I work very hard to swing the pendulum the other way and praise people for exciting events and accomplishments in their life (big or small.) I was once told as an educator to give five positives for every one negative. I have recently been told that has change to ten positives to every one negative. Regardless, the point is that your praise should far exceed your criticism.
In addition to having a weakness in words of affirmation, I am not very good at finishing a book. Well what does one have to do with the other? Let me continue. I have ready many great fiction and non-fiction books. This winter/spring I had begun two great books – I told you about HERE and HERE. My problem, I read great books and NEVER finish them. I am terrible at picking up a good with perfect intentions of completing them and then putting it down because I get distracted, get behind, get frustrated, or one thousand other reasons I could list. So I placed both of my great books down, now the bible studies are coming to an end, and I (on my own) and moving on to the next book – I hope to finish (crossing my fingers). This book gives me more hope, however, because it is a daily devotional – The Power of Being Positive by Joyce Meyer.
Positive – something I need to reflect on more and more in my relationship with not only others but myself. It is no lie that our worse critic is ourselves. You know what, Joyce makes an excellent point in the start of her book…
If your thoughts are negative, so is your mouth, so is your life!
I am adopting that! So true! I never enjoyed the phrase, What Would Jesus Do? Not because I didn’t believe it, or work to immolate it, but probably because of how easily adopted and used incorrectly it was. I, however, have been repeating that mantra in my head lately. I TRULY must ask myself, What Would Jesus Do in every situation I am faced. I am working hard to throw my negativism out the door. If I don’t, my actions/words will be a direct result of my thought and thus not glorify my Father.
Take the notes on Proverbs 23:7 – as one thinks, so he is.
I am adopting positivity – anyone on board with me!?!
I have to say that this group, Philips, Craig, and Dean are one of my favorite songs. I was going to leave you with Don Francisos, “He is Alive” but when I watched the video to P,C, & D’s Revelation Song I had to share it.
He is Risen!!!!!
If you want to, you can check out He is AliveHERE. It is folk, not my typical choice, but the lyrics/story are just amazing. My parents would play it every Easter on the way to church.
A friend recently shared with me about how she uses Resurrection Eggs to teach her children the story of Easter each spring. I found it to be a fun, inexpensive way to share with children a concept which can be harder to grasp and understand.
Resurrection Eggs #1
Bread – Consider using a toy loaf of bread, a crouton, or even a cracker.
Matthew 26:26 ”While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” “
Resurrection Eggs #2
Coins – Consider using real money, toy coins, or foil-wrapped chocolate ones are always fun and yum!
Matthew 26:14-15 ”Then one of the Twelve the one called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.” …
There is a great video tutorial HERE on how to make your own set of Eggs.
There is a nice set of bible verses attached to each egg HERE. This link also gives you a list of ideas around the home to place in each egg.
If time and craftiness is just not for you, there are a couples places that have them around the web.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances…”
Below I embedded one of my favorite songs – Richie McDonald’s song “Hey God.” It sort of weaved into Amy’s post for me, especially when he speaks about being humbled by God’s grace and remembering our blessings even in difficult times.
Many of you could relate to last weeks post. Some of you shared with me your own feelings of failure of the many roles you play as a monther and some of you advised me to not be so hard on yourself – I agree with that advice.
This week in bible study the same concept/idea came up. As women, as mothers we are SO difficult on ourselves. We recognize our on failures and shortcomings rather than praising all that we do get done or accomplish. In most cases, the demands we put on ourselves are from no one else but ourself. We set for ourselves goals so high that anyone would feel like a failure.
In light of these shortcomings, I decided to try a concept that a mentor introduced me to over 10 years ago. I try it from time to time but never really stick to it each day – listing the accomplishments of the day (even if it is was ONLY folding one towel – it is one less I have to fold tomorrow.)
Today I…
Got the kids out of their pjs
Soaked a shirt that was the recipient of spilled milk
Changed 12 diapers
Got lunch made
Cleaned spit up three times
Changed ones child’s clothes after they got dirty
Made the bed
Got 20 posts up
Spent 20 minutes in the sand box
Went down the slide seven times
Chatted with a good friend
Successfully got the baby down for a nap
Gave my older child an hour of one on one time
Heated up leftovers for dinner
Kissed two “ouchies”
Watched Barney four times
Got one child bathed
Pour three cups of milk
2 Cornthianas 4: 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Honestly, I am not sure who I am. If I had to go to a dinner, where I knew no one, and they asked what I did, I am not sure what I would answer. For the roles I hold, I have attached frustrated to them because I am not the master of any them.
I am a Wife…I failed to thank my husband for brining home dinner the other night, instead I complained about how much it cost. FAILED
I am a Mom…most of the time my kids think my face is attached to a computer and I miss an opportunity to enrich their lives or make them feel loved. FAILED
I am a Stay at Home Mom…not true, I work 40 hours a week! FAILED
I am a Work at Home Mom…not true, I run around cleaning diaper explosions off my carpet that was just professionally cleaned. FAILED
I am a Housekeeper…my tub has a soap ring around the brim and my playroom has had Oreo’s crumbs in the corner for 2 days! FAILED
I am a Cook…tonight we are having eggs and toast for dinner, last night we had boxed mac and cheese (the powder kind.) FAILED
I am Frugal…I went to Walmart today without a coupon (ran into a friend who had a stack of them!) FAILED
I am a Stylist…today’s shirt has the remnants of wiping one daughter’s nose and the spit up of the other daughter. FAILED.
I am a Friend…I have missed so many phone calls and gatherings because I could think of 1,000 other things I needed to be doing. Today, I cancelled a shower at my home with 25 friends because the flu is running rampant in my home. FAILED.
You know what!?! I can’t find my truths in these identities. If I put all my hope and affirmations in the identities above then I will constantly feel like a failure.
My truth and identity must be in Christ. I am a daugther of our King. I have been saved by his grace. I am not a failure in his eyes. While I am full of sin and failtures, his blood has washed me clean – what can wash away my sins? NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
I AM A DAUGHTER OF OUR KING!
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
A few weeks ago, I had to opportunity to attend a women’s retreat with my church. The speaker was Nancy Guthrie, the author of a book I am currently reading. I was actually speaking at this conference about saving money and had made the commitment months ago (even before my 5 month old was born.) It turned out my folks (my constant babysitters) were supposed to be out of town, my husband had a board meeting with work, there was a blogging conference that weekend in Nashville, and I had a 5 month old who was attached to mama because she refused a bottle. Everything in me wanted to stay home or join other bloggers on a conference, but my pride (too ashamed to cancel after I made the commitment) kept me booked.
So off I went, and THANK GOD! What an amazing weekend! God truly works on you when you are not looking for it most, sometimes when you go with a heart of stone (I have found that true in my own life.)
Note: As I move a head, I am using some of Nancy’s words to describe how much God touched and all that I learned.
Immediately, with in the first talk, on the first night, I was being changed.
I can tell you that I am not sure why hurricanes happen. I am not sure why the people of Haiti have found themselves in deplorable situations. In fact, today I found myself unsure of why daughter would not stop screaming – these are frustrations and difficult trials (some obviously much larger than others.) I know that when Adam and Eve tasted the fruit, we became a fallen world – a world of shame, guilt, pride, trials, etc. I still find myself asking God WHY I (and others) go through these difficult situations. Usually they help me to grow and gain wisdom and most importantly a stronger relationship with Christ, but they are painful, annoying, and sometimes in my human eyes unnecessarily.
Nancy spoke to us about Paul. In 2 Corinithians 11: 24 – 27, Paul writes “24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” Okay, clearly this man has been through a lot. Significant things – many (if not all) more than I!
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, despite all the larger things Paul has been through, he askes for an annoying thorn in his flesh to be removed. He pleads for God to take this away in verse 8 – how often do we do this? I just did it rather angrily today with my crying child. In verse 9, God responses His grace is enough – his power is made perfect in these times of weakness. In other words, what is God’s response – a big fat NO! You will go through trials, basically is what Paul is (and we are) told. We will have thorns in our side. But with this no, we are given a gift. A gift of grace to endure. We are not given that grace of endurance when it is not needed, not when we are making cupcakes and delighting with friends, but we are given grace that will how us to faithfully endure trials and weakens – endurance through a belief that we are okay in God’s protection.
So I went on the retreat, with my doubt, my weight of “to dos”, my list of reasons I should remain home – but God has a plan. God wanted to remind me he is all I need. He gives me strength during these times and He carries me through.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in YOUR weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I apologize about a few weeks off from Treasure in Heaven. It isn’t that I haven’t learned much, or I haven’t had much to say, I just really wasn’t able to really express it all into words.
I am not sure if it is the weather (blue sky and beautiful temperature) or the following of some powerful weeks of growth, but I can’t stop signing “My God, how great Thou art!”
God truly is amazing!
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
A marriage group that my husband and I are in, started the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I recently was introduced to a couple who made some radical decisions after reading this book (of course there were other influences.) After creating their dream home, they decided to sell it and live on the bare minimum (though they make well over) donating the rest to those in need. This brought some fear to me as I was afraid of what crazy plan God make roll into motion after I went through the book…but shouldn’t I welcome and not tremble at the plans God has for me?
So in fear and intimidation, I began chapter one of Francis Chan’s book. Francis Chan brought up Revelation 4, when John has a vision of God. God is so magnificent that John can’t put him into words. He is indescribable. John describes him the best he can – brilliant as gemstones, glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow, from the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder, and there was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. Surrounding Him were a countless number of angels.
A friend compared it this way. Our minds are soda cans, God is the ocean. If asked to describe him, we are asking for God to just pour a small portion of himself into our soda can mind. How can we possible describe the ocean only have 12 ounces of it’s existence?
So this is how I picture God…
You know the Sistine Chapel picture painted by Michelangelo in the 1500s. This god has big and has white hair and a beard – sorta like Santa.
Now when coming before our father, I am going to take on a new picture. I am going to picture a being, adorned in jewels, glowing, fire around Him, indescribable in words. A God who would make your jaw drop. Who would make you speechless – this is hard to do to me. This is my new image of God, this will remind me how MAGNIFICENT he is and how small I am in comparison.
I am the created, not the creator!
Note: There is a FREE copy of the audio version of Crazy Love but I am having trouble finding it. If you find it, please leave a comment below.
Just a friendly reminder that while linking back to me and sharing my coupons/deal finds are great, please remember that blog posts are protected by copyright laws - just like everything else. Please do not copy and paste text from Frugal Coupon Living without my expressed written permission. Thanks!
I was actually speaking at this conference about saving money and had made the commitment months ago (even before my 5 month old was born.) It turned out my folks (my constant babysitters) were supposed to be out of town, my husband had a board meeting with work, there was a blogging conference that weekend in Nashville, and I had a 5 month old who was attached to mama because she refused a bottle. Everything in me wanted to stay home or join other bloggers on a conference, but my pride (too ashamed to cancel after I made the commitment) kept me booked.
Just a friendly reminder that while linking back to me and sharing my coupons/deal finds are great, please remember that blog posts are protected by copyright laws - just like everything else. Please do not copy and paste text from Frugal Coupon Living without my expressed written permission. Thanks!
