Inspirations

“God cares more about your healing and growth than he does about your comfort."  When I first heard it, I cringed.  The thought unsettled me.  I like to think that God wants me comfortable and happy.  Consequently, I started checking the Bible to see if maybe, just maybe, this person was wrong.  I thought of the Children of Israel at the Red Sea.  He did not give them a get out of trial free card.  Nope, they had to go through the sea.  He wanted them to trust him and not turn back.  I thought of the times in the New Testament when Jesus said things that seemed harsh.  It occurred to me that possibly some of what we see as harshness is only Jesus loving the person enough to care more about their spiritual condition than about their comfort. Wow!  I think we live in a time where we are so afraid of hurting someone that we fail to say what they need to hear.  A few years back, I was pushing 200 pounds.  I would get on the s...

My children and I have some of our best conversations in the car.  Maybe it is because we are not as distracted by other things, so we actually focus on talking with the other person.  Sometimes it is just a word or two and they really get me thinking.  I had a conversation like this with our middle daughter the other day.  As I was driving, I turned to her and said, “My goal is to survive life”.  My daughter looked at me laughed and said, “Mom no one survives life”.  We both laughed, but as I thought about that very short conversation realized how right she was.  I thought about how often I let the cares of this world invade and steal my peace and joy.  God reminded me through my child that there is nothing in the world worth worrying about.  In fact, I had been doing that very thing right then.    Unless Christ returns before we die, none of us will leave this world alive.  That means I do not have to worry about whethe...

Ok so, one thing I decided to do this year is to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Right now, I have been reading in Exodus; Exodus 30 to be exact.  The Children of Israel have just promised Moses that they would do whatever God says to do.  Moses went up on Mount Sinai to await further instruction from God.  You know the story while Moses is getting God’s instructions; the Children of Israel got tired of waiting and convinced Aaron to create a god for them.  So what happened to “Whatever God says to do we will do”? One of the things that God said was, “You shall not make for yourself an image of anything in heaven, on the Earth, or under the Earth”.  It appears that the heat of the moment swept them up.  In other words, God had come near enough to them that, in that moment, they promised God that they would do whatever he wanted.  However, when they had to put it into practice, they found it harder than they imagined. They wer...

Who among us has not thought, at one time or another, “If only I could find “the perfect” job”.  “If I could meet just the perfect man or woman …..”  “If only my family were perfect …..”  In Christian circles, we say, “If I could find the perfect church….”   Everyone seems to be looking for perfection.  After all, God created us for a perfect world.  The danger is in forgetting that perfection cannot exist in a fallen, broken and sin polluted world.  Although we dream of perfection, we have to hold on to the fact that others are not perfect.  Therefore, as much as I may want a perfect job, as long as it is in this world, there will be some deficiency. The same goes for a spouse, or church, or even family.  As long as people are involved, we cannot expect perfection because people are imperfect and sinful.  What this means, for me, is that I will cut others some slack and stop demanding from others, perfectio...

It is good to give praise to God!  Often we forget to share the wonderful things that God is doing.  Today, I want to share with you what God has been doing.  This year started out with a broken laptop Lappie, as I call him.  I ended up needing to replace him.  I am sorry Lappie. Praise God for giving me Zippy in his place and for the ability to set it up myself.  I have had to do this a lot now that my nerdy children are out of the house.  On the heels of my laptop breaking, I broke out with hives. This was an allergic reaction to shampoo, near as I can figure.  My eyes swelled shut and itched like crazy.  I looked like a chipmunk. Only by a trip to the doctor and a very strong allergy medicine corrected the problem.  Anyone who knows me knows that I only go to the doctor when I absolutely have to go; which is a rare occasion.  I go to God first, then to a doctor. I am praising God that he gives doctors wisdom of the human bo...

As I'm wrapping up my thoughts about finances, I thought I would leave you with some tips I have learned about saving, spending and finding a balance between the two.  Most of it I learned the hard way. Be content.   This one thing will enable yo to strike a balance between saving and spending.   If we are content, we will have no desire to spend what we do not have, and we will avoid the trap of keeping up the Jones'.  Being content means that I can look at others and what they have and be happy for them, without feeling the need to run out and get it for myself.   I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,  whether living in plenty or in want.  Don't worry . This seems to go right along and possibly hand in hand with being content; like salt and pepper.  If we are content with what we have, then we will not be anxious and upset about our finances. By not worrying  we ...

You might a cheapskate if .... You dumpster dive for food so that you don't have to buy food. Dumpster diving is only acceptable if, and only if, your bank account is at or below zero and you have not eaten for a day.   You shower with your clothes on, so they get washed when you shower.  Again, this does not count as washing your clothes and should only be done IF the washer quits working You only buy one meal and ask for two plates when you are on a date.  Ladies, if a guy takes you to a restaurant and only buys one dinner for the two of you it better be humongous.  If it isn't run for the exit door.   You dry out wet paper towels so you can reuse them.  Reusing paper towels is completely unacceptable.  Suck it up buttercup and buy more paper towels.   You coast your car down hills to save gas. Anyone who tries this, they are foolhardy.   I wouldn't ride with them.  Most new cars won't even ...