Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity....

This was a prayer posted on my grandmother's refrigerator. 

 To accept the things I cannot change;


I remember it vividly.

The courage to change the things that I can;

A purple magnet with white lettering.


And the wisdom to know the difference.


Stuck onto a fridge with so many other things that I don't think I could force myself to remember even if I wanted to.


I don't know why this particular magnet sticks out to me.  My grandmother certainly wasn't a recovering alcoholic.  I don't know why this prayer means so much.  We weren't the type to pray rehearsed prayers.  The only rehearsed prayer I remember growing up was my grandfather's dinner blessing:  "Gracious Lord, remember us in mercy and grant us this blessing which we are about to receive.  We humbly ask in Your Name's sake.  Amen."  I can still see his face when my eyes should have been closed.  I can still hear his voice with all of the inflection of every word.  There was so much sincerity in those words from him.  He knew he was speaking to his Gracious Lord.  He knew the Lord heard him.  He knew that his meal would be blessed just for the asking.  He knew we all needed that mercy.  I can hear him counting because he needed the patience to give us the mercy we needed...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (emphasis his).  I hear his voice whenever I go across the "Dames Point" bridge saying that it is not the Dames Point bridge, it is the Napolean Bonaparte Broward bridge.  When I see a speed limit sign, I can hear him saying that is the maximum possible speed you should reach under the best possible conditions. 

It's funny what you remember that you never tried to remember and all of the things you try to remember that you just can't seem to.

What about you?  

What simple things do you remember?

More great shopping!

Well, another great shopping experience at Publix today.  Their stores are so clean and their staff is very friendly.  With the great prices, why would you shop anywhere else?

Top notes for today's trip:

• Spent $71.44 out of pocket (oop) and saved $108.27!  Savings of 60%!!
• Betty Crocker Muffin Mix - boxed - $0.80 each!
• Green Giant Canned Vegetables - $0.15 each!
• Progresso Soups - $0.32 each!
• Kraft Chunk Cheese 1-lb - $2.00 each!
• Yoplait Yogurt - $0.38 each!
• Purex 64 load and Purex Complete 3-in-1 sheets (24 pk) - $3.99 for both!!

Feel free to share how God is blessing you financially!

Is Your Table Wet?

A good friend asked me this question recently referring to the familiar verse in Psalm 23 (v. 5).  If your cup is running over, then your table must be wet, right?

It makes me think of so many things, but the first thing that comes to mind is that even our blessing require a little elbow grease!  God never promised us that things would be easy this side of glory.  When our cup runs over, we leave a little excess on the table that requires our attention.  When we handle it correctly, that excess spills out into the lives of others.  When we don't, it spills out into the lives of others!

How are you handling it?

God's Country

Ever visit a place and feel God's presence so much more than at home?  For me, that place is in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Whether standing on the top of Chimney Rock or tubing down a snowy hill or even just driving down an expressway with glorious mountains on either side of you, I am amazed at God's beautiful creation.

I guess the same could be said about the sandy beaches near my home, but there's something about being in such a drastically different place that allows your soul to speak and listen.  My soul is centered and the focus is clear:  God, husband, children.  A peace ensues that never wants to end.

So, the question is raised:  Can we carry this feeling on from vacation and into life?  If I lived in the mountains I don't know if I would feel the same about being there or if I would succomb to the day-to-day monotony.

Lord, teach me to find Your peace
no matter where my location.

Trusting Him

Some time ago, I made a decision to trust God with a new part of my life. Something I had never even considered I was keeping from Him until then. And, as they say, you can't "un-ring" that bell. Once you have realized what is going on, you cannot go back and presume to believe otherwise. Oh, you can pretend to believe otherwise, but you are only fooling yourself.

Of course, that decision wasn't made lightly and it brought with it so many things to ponder. And with all decisions, I was not the only one affected. Several months have passed and I am still making that decision on a daily basis. Not because I am uncommitted to the decision, but because the roaring lion is seeking me to devour. he is constantly placing stumbling blocks in my way because he was able to keep me doing nothing for so long. (see my previous Quotable Quotes post).

While I can't change the past, I will not carry with me guilt over the things I did without knowing they were wrong. That just gives him the upper hand. I can go forward in my walk with God knowing that my future holds more of His will than mine.

Enjoying the freedom of life in Christ 

when I surrender daily to Him.

The Battle Between Good and Evil Wages On

At least it was in my heart last night.

When I know to do good and do it not, it is sin.

When you're in a situation where the thing you want to do is not wrong, but the circumstances surrounding it make it wrong - the line between right and wrong gets smudged.

But only here on earth!

You see, to God, the line is so broad and deep that there is no such thing as a smudge.  There is only right or wrong.  No gray areas.  No time off for good behavior.  It's not the thought that counts.  No good end result with wrong steps to get there.  No.  Man looks on the outward appearance.  God looks on the heart.  "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness."  (Romans 10:10a)

Fortunately, God was with me and helped me to make the right decision.  Although it wasn't easy, I was able to find ways to turn my mind in another direction.  He used the words hidden in my heart to carry me through to the other side as He so often does.

And He said to me, 

"My grace is sufficient for you, 

My strength is made perfect in weakness."  

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Quotable Quotes

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

-Edmund Burke

More Shopping

All of this for $25.75 at CVS and I received $2 in EB's!!  I actually purchased an Icy Hot Sleeve for only $1.24 and Valentine cards for about $1.50 each and I'm about half-way into receiving another $10 in EB's.  

God has truly blessed our new financial goals and is showing His approval in leaps and bounds! 

Really, it was only $19.65 out of pocket because I had a couple of gift cards with small balances and CVS is always great about using up those last few dollars.  Total savings on this receipt:  $60.74!!

Today's Shopping

Here's the photo from today's trip to Publix.  Lot's of great sale match-ups with coupons.  Totals today were $159.06 worth of groceries for $49.67!! 

• Knorr Sides for $0.17
• Pillsbury Toaster Strudels for $0.25 per pkg
• Contessa Meals (frozen) for $1.50 each
• Suave shampoo & conditioner for $0.50 each

Thank you Lord for your continued blessings!!

Blogtipping Day

I recently read an article that states the first day of each month is "Blogtipping Day."  This is a day where you pick three bloggers you know and give each of them three compliments and one tip.  Evidently, it's been around for a few years, but I just heard about it.

Here's a quick article you can read about blogtipping:  http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/2006/09/28/blogtipping-inventor-easton-ellsworth/

Well, I'm going to give it a try this month and maybe we'll make it a regular posting. 

3 Strand Romances - Michelle Rodgers.  I'll start with my sister Michelle's blog.  Michelle has a strong desire to be a published writer.  On her blog, she writes reviews of books, tells about her writing adventures and life in general.  She's even had the opportunity to interview a few authors.  Michelle is also a self-taught pianist and is very involved in music.  I enjoy reading her posts and my only tip would be to please write more on the blog.  Thanks Michelle, you have been invaluable in helping me get my blog going (and going again!)

Dirty Shame -  John Blase.  John's writing just grabs me and draws me into a whole new world.   John had a book published last year also, Touching Wonder .  So much warmth and feeling in his words.  John, thank you for not being judgmental.  I confuse easily, so my only tip here would be to add the date to your postings.  But, somehow, I think that is part of your charm.

Frugal Fun and Fortune - Meagan.  I have to acknowledge Meagan especially because this is where my couponing really started.  Meg was featured on our local news for her coupon savvy and even though I had seen other couponers, Meg is so down-to-earth and easy-going that she really made it sound like I could actually do it.  You can tell that she has a heart for God and a heart for others.  If at all possible, would we be able to print all of our coupons match-ups for this week's ad all at once??  That would be great!

Taking a tip from Meg, what about you?  Who will you be blogtipping today?

Manna From Heaven

Do you remember the story about the manna God sent for the Israelites?

(Exodus 16)  Shortly after they fled Egypt, where they were servants at the hands of a tyrant, the Israelites began complaining that Moses had led them into the desert to die of starvation.  Moses prayed and God sent manna in the morning and quail in the evening.  The Bible tells us that the manna continued for 40 years while they were in the desert, until they reached the Promised Land. 

There were conditions, however.  The Israelites were to take only enough for their household.  If they took too much, it would spoil and be full of maggots in the morning.  On the sixth day, they were to take enough for that day and the Sabbath and it would miraculously not spoil, but be good for the following day.  Even with all of God's provision, they still disobeyed.  They would take too much, they would go out on the Sabbath looking for more manna. 

It reminded me of our current economic situation.  Now, I am in no way promoting capitalism or a socialistic society.  Don't get me wrong here.  But, can you see the parallel where those who took to much saw their excess spoiled? 

For those of us who are making adjustments in our budgets to accommodate the current situation, are you experiencing God's manna?  For those hard-core tithers, do you know what I'm talking about?  We can feel God's provisions no matter what our circumstances when we trust in what He has provided and live within our means.  But we must live within the means God says, not what we want.  Trusting in God to provide for the next day. 

Thank you Lord for your provision.

Good To Be Alive

You Will Keep Him in Perfect Peace...

Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Doesn't it sound wonderful to be kept in perfect peace? 

This reminds me of those "if/then" statements we used to have to do in math class.  Forgive me, Mrs. Logan, if you're reading this...I wasn't very good at those then and it appears not much has changed! 

If we keep our mind stayed on HIM and trust in HIM, then HE will keep us in perfect peace.  He keeps us in perfect peace because we trust in Him.  The way we show that we trust Him is to keep our mind set on Him.  It's just that simple. 

Airplane pilots landing on a battleship in the ocean "call the ball" to ensure they have their eyes fixed on the landing place as to not fall short or overshoot the small landing strip on the ship.  Baseball, hockey, tennis and football greats keep their "eye on the ball" (or puck) when catching or swinging at it.  They know where their focus must be.  Runners don't cross the finish line looking down at their shoes or up in the stands.  They cross it looking straight ahead, turning neither left nor right. 

Our Christian life must be the same.  Keeping our mind focused on the One who gave His life for us.  Looking ahead at the prize before us.  With just a glimmer of heaven and the perserverance of all those who came before us.  Running the race with endurance that is set before us.  (Hebrews 12:1)

What is your mind stayed on today?

Squeezing God In

We recently went through the steps of registering our two youngest children for preschool that begins in the Fall.  I know, I hear you saying:  "What?  You register in January for classes that don't start until September?"  Yes, we do.  The faith-based preschool our two youngest children attend is not open during the Summer.  They follow the local public school calendar and are only open a few hours a day and only available for a couple of days a week.  It is more of a "morning out" than a day care facility. 

During my boys' first chapel this morning, the director came up to make a few announcements and took the opportunity to thank everyone who had registered their children for Pre-K.  She had mentioned that the program is nearly full, just with current students.  This is an amazing accomplishment in our current economic environment especially because our local board of education provides free voluntary Pre-K.  Naturally, the director received a lot of questions last week about why our preschool does not participate in the free program.  I was blessed and touched to hear the director explain that since the board of education governs the Free VPK program, their curriculum must be used.  Since we would have to use the government created curriculum, we would have to "squeeze God in wherever we could," and thankfully, we are just not about that. 

Well, it got me thinking.  Isn't that how we are as Christians many days?  We squeeze God in where we can.  I really believe this is what God meant about being "lukewarm" and being spit from His mouth.   (Revelation 3:16 NIV)  We turn God on whenever we need Him, whenever we are in trouble, whenever something has gone wrong.  We may even be guilty of turning Him on for praise or to thank Him, when it feels good to us, when we are overcome with emotion.

God is just not about that!  God wants to have a relationship with us.  To walk with us and talk with us as the old hymnal In The Garden goes.  He wants to be the light shining through the cracks in our vessel because without Him, it's just utter darkness.

We hear so often about giving God the "first fruits" of our money.  What about the "first fruits" of our day, our time, of our lives?  Where you can actually hear God's voice and feel the walk with Him. 

• Have you shared the joy? 
• What is the melody that He gave to you? 
• Where is He bidding you to go?   

Quotable Quotes

The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they're right if you love to be with them all of the time.

Julia Child

Praise the Lord for His bounty!

Here is "the take" today.  I am again AMAZED at how when you pray for help with your finances God answers in a BIG way!

The total before coupons and advertised savings:  $202.44, the final result:  $67.50!!!

Here's a little to whet your appetite: 

• 
  
  Weight Watchers Smart One frozen items for less than $1 each!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Uncle Ben's Country Inn Rice for about $0.25 per box!!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Quaker Instant Oatmeal 10 pkt boxes less than $1 each!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Dannon Activia Yogurt for about $0.38 each!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Air Wick Freshmates refill for $0.50!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables for $0.69 each!
  
  
  

Remeber to go to http://www.iheartpublix.com/ and http://www.frugalfunandfortune.blogpsot.com/ to find out how to have these amazing results for yourself.

When God Moves

Sometimes subtle, sometimes bigger than a blimp.  When God moves, do people notice?  Do they know it's Him?  Does Jeannine know?  Does Chris know?  Does Jean know?  Does Mo' know?  Does Sharon know?

When God moves through me, do I notice?  Do I recognize His touch?  His words flowing from my mouth and the Spirit's intercession...I have to confess, I do not always recognize.

Experiencing the blessing of knowing that God has used my tongue to touch someone's soul is an AMAZING thing.  "That's Paradise!"  A euphoria that can not be experienced in any other way.  I want this feeling every day of my life.  For the person who experiences peace, comfort, healing through something only God can do.  For the complete interaction of being in God's presence. 

When words leave your mouth and you are acutely aware that they are not of your own doing, every item in your being cries out that they are only possible through His miraculous work.

Yet, I don't put forth the effort I know that it requires.  The daily walk with Him that gives me the freedom of enjoying His beautiful service. 

It's our job to make sure people notice, to make sure they know it's Him.  Because "There's more to this life."

Am I "Abandoning all for the sake of the call"?  Or, am I holding something back because of fear or pride or self-doubt?  Am I preventing God's work in someone's life, that could count for eternity? 

Stephen Curtis Chapman is on my MP3, in case you were wondering..."chasing thoughts inside my head."

A Fabulous Storm

What a renewing there is after a storm.  Just moments ago, there were Tornado Warnings, school lockdowns and complete chaos.  Not to mention two three-year-olds that couldn't contain themselves from the feeling of everyone else's stress.  Now, the birds are chirping and there's a sense of calm cleanness in the air. 

Amazingly, the storms seemed to split and the worst of the weather went north, south, east and west to form a realm of impending tornadoes around us.  Reminiscent of life, sometimes, isn't it?  Calmness is all relative to the storms around you.  The weather we had today was strong, severe and threatening.  But, it was a blessing compared to what was happening just a few miles away. 

Realize the dangers around you, but don't succomb to them.  Have an awareness of the chaos, don't become part of it.  Sense the stress, don't let it consume you.  Most of all, enjoy the calm.

And a special "Thank you" to all those prayer warriors out there that kept the storm at bay.  Blessed are the intercessors.

More Coupon Information

I just picked up on a great new coupon resource and just have to share it.  Will you be a "Krazy Coupon Lady" in just 10 days?

Check out this link and the rest of the website for great information.  I have her book on my wishlist!!

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/10-days-to-become-a-krazy-coupon-lady-day-1/

Bidding Websites

Ok, question for everyone...Have you ever used one of those "bidding websites" that talk about getting a $100 gift card for $0.92 or a 10" netbook for $2.47, etc.?  Are they scams or are they like the internet version of Big Lots??