The Lord's Prayer

Many of us have heard The Lord's Prayer and may even have it memorized (Matthew 6:9-13).  Have you ever really studied the words contained in the prayer?  What about the verses right before the prayer?  I'm going to take the next few posts to talk about the specifics and I welcome your comments! 

Adapted from the outline of Dr. Larry Lea, the teachings of Marcel Murray and personal study.


First, let's look at the verses right before The Lord's Prayer.  Jesus had only recently recruited some fishermen to follow Him, to make them fishers of men.  He was already being followed by multitudes of people because of his teaching, preaching and healing.  He went up into a mountain with His disciples to escape the crowds and spend some quality teaching time with His disciples.  We understand from Luke 11:1, that at some point during His praying, His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.  Then Jesus said to them in the very beginning of Matthew 6:9, "After this manner therefore pray ye:" (KJV).  The Living Bible says, "Pray along these lines:."  When we review these two statements, we can see that Jesus intention was not for us to recite the prayer exactly as He has said it, but instead, to use this prayer as a guide for how to pray.  Think about that as you read the prayer.

"Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen." 

Next, we will take the first portion of the prayer and talk specifically about how we can use it as a guide in our own prayer life.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Something to Think About

Estimated cost of raising a child born this year:   over $300,000

     Average lifetime income with a 2-year degree:  over $2,000,000

          Average cost of retirement:  over $1,000,000

                Eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior: 

PRICELESS!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Honest Scrap

My first ever blog award - The Honest Scrap Award!  Wow, I am completely humbled and really not sure what to say!  The good thing is, this award comes with instructions on how to proceed!  I'm not sure how I missed this when it came around back in April, but a wonderful woman with a great blog of her own granted this award to me and I will be passing it along.  Read here to see Mrs. Claus' original blog post.
Ok, 10 honest things about myself.  This may not be easy...

1. I am a wife and mother (soon to be 5 children!).  I LOVE my kids so much even though they sometimes drive me NUTS!
2. They call me a "Stay-at-home mom" but I am rarely ever home and never stay in one place!  I prefer the title:  Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.  (You just have to read this one!)
3. My favorite color is purple - almost any shade of purple.
4. I have lived within 40 miles of my birth home my entire life.  However, someday, I hope to live in the mountains.
5. I once won a beauty pageant in my city by default.  I was the only one registered in my age group!  I went on to the state competition where there were 11 women and 10 winners - I was not one of them.  Although, I did win a trophy for Best Personality.
6. I am trying desperately to live debt-free in Jesus name!
7. I am a coupon fanatic!  I found out at the beginning of this year that I could get more groceries with less money by shopping at my local Publix rather than the big warehouse stores.  It just takes some planning to cut your grocery bill in half!
8. One day, I hope to publish a book.  Right now, I am working on a cook book.  Feel free to send me your submissions!
9. I am super thrilled at every new Facebook friend and every new follower on my blog!  It is so exciting to know that people are out there listening to what God puts on my heart to share.  There are many, many times where the words are not mine and only His and I can only pray that they touch someone, somewhere.
10. I was blessed to have music as a huge part of my life growing up and I am saddened that my children are not exposed to as much musical enrichment as I was.  I really believe that God uses music to speak to us and to teach us things in ways we may not otherwise be able to learn.

Now, passing this on to 10 other bloggers:

1. Life At 7000 Feet
2. 3 Strand Romances
3. Frugal Fun and Fortune
4. Simple Saving Secrets
5. Want What You Have
6. My Cup Runneth Over
7. A Day in the Life
8. Carpool Queen
9. Kim's Space
10. The Fairhope Foodie

Run, don't walk to these fabulous blogs and find out what fun and exciting things they have to share with you today!  

ChristinaLynn }i{

When I Say...

"When I say... 'I am a Christian, I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin.'
I'm whispering 'I was lost; now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian,' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow."

Carol Wimmer

 ChristinaLynn }i{

What God Has Promised

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives thro’;
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

God has not promised
We shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;
He has not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.

But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the laborer,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Annie Johnson Flint

Summer is coming!

Preschool has ended, speech therapy has ended and the public school calendar is nearing its end as well.  It is long past time to have planned what to do with four kids for 10 weeks, so why haven't I?  Normally, by this time of year, I would have a detailed schedule of daily activities planned with alternate options for rainy days and a budget down to the penny.  So what happened?  Well, everything...life...so many things have taken priority. 

The biggest roadblock this year is that my creativity for summer activities has taken a back seat to my limited budget.  Last year, we were blessed to be able to fund our summer activities and our vacation without the use of credit cards.  Through some lack of self-control, we got ourselves into some debt since then and have determined that we are going to pay that off before we have any "luxury" expenses. 

So, I'm taking your suggestions for free and low-cost* activities to keep my kids busy this summer.  Just leave a comment here, feel free to include links.

*Let's say under $10 total or $2 per person
 
ChristinaLynn }i{

When You Want to Give, But...

While sitting in church on Sunday, reading the bulletin, I noticed two particular donation opportunities that weighed heavily on my heart.  Several thoughts went through my head.  If the economy were doing better.  If only money wasn't so tight right now.  If we were just debt-free, I would have the money to support these.  If I could just find some of those "freebies" I hear so much about on the coupon websites.  I had to fight back the tears.

There is a need, and yes, we could "make do" with a lot less - a lot of families in other countries have much less than we do.  God has blessed us to live in this country with the privileges and the technology to reach so many.  He expects us to use our resources for His glory.  If we hadn't allowed ourselves to get into debt in the first place, we would probably be able to help others more often.  We will be able to help others again very soon.  God never expects us to go into debt in order to help others.

I will have faith that if God's plan is 
for me to help these causes, 

He will provide the funds.

What do you do when you want to help or give to others on a very tight budget?

ChristinaLynn }i{

What Can You Buy With $27 At Publix?

Quite a bit if you don't mind spending 30 minutes to an hour preparing and stick to the list!

Actually, it only cost me $19.34 OOP (out of pocket) due to $7 in ECB (extra care bucks) from CVS.  Twenty-two items for an average of $0.88 each!  And a total savings of 76%!!  Here's the run down:

• Kleenex Cottonelle Toilet Paper - 12 roll pkg
• 4 Oscar Meyer Beef Bologna
• 2 Jose Ole Taquito
• 2 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats
• 2 Kraft chunk cheese
• 2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta
• 2 pints grape tomatoes
• 4 A-1 sauce
• 2 Vigo yellow rice (rain check from last week)
• 1/4 watermelon

The websites I use to make this possible:  http://www.frugalfunfortune.com and http://www.iheartpublix.com

Share your savings!!



ChristinaLynn }i{

Why?

Ever want to ask God, "Why?"

Whether because of a lost loved one, or an illness or injury you or a family member are facing, or maybe it's financial troubles.  In reality, it could be just about anything that we just don't understand.

I don't think He condemns us for asking or for feeling so helpless.  But maybe it is like Mary when the angel visited her to tell her she was going to have our Lord.  She asked, "How?" 

"How is this going to come to be?"  With a little bit of encouragement from the angel she realized that with God, all things are possible.  Our faith is being tested, made stronger. 

Lord, I need Your encouragement now.  I feel so helpless, so confused.  How am I going to get through this?  What is this going to do to me?  To my family?  Although, I know that I may not have these answers this side of Glory, help me to believe that You would not put anything in my path that isn't for my best for Your Kingdom.

ChristinaLynn }i{

In Memory Of...

A special thank you to Joanne who wrote this beautiful obituary for our mother.  Although names and locations have been removed for privacy, I know that you can feel the love and loss.

Mom has peacefully left this Earthly world and entered into the Kingdom of Heaven freeing her from the pain and suffering she fought over the last year in a very brave, determined and almost regal fight.

Mom, born in New York, was the only child of loving parents and was the light of their lives. She brought light into someone else’s life at a very young age. At 15, she met a handsome 17 year old boy with beautiful wavy hair. They would marry some four years later and she waited for him while he was stationed in the Navy during the Korean War.

They welcomed a son and four years later, another son. Since the house was a little too quiet with only two boys, they decided to have three – and thirteen years after the first birth, came their last. Her (and his) greatest source of pride was and always has been her sons and as they grew, their families. Her house was always filled with unconditional love and awesome Mother Love. Even all these years later, all of her children have lived no more than minutes from her.

She worked part-time for a local community college all while her boys were growing up, so that she could still be there for them when they needed her. She and her husband provided an idyllic childhood for their boys – vacationing every summer, boating every weekend, neighborhood parties and barbecues. Family was always first and foremost with her.

She opened up her good heart to the women that her sons brought home to be their wives. And never liked the word “daughter-in-law”. It was always DAUGHTER. And she ALWAYS made her sons’ wives feel like her daughters and the “daughters” always felt like she was their “other” mother.

Nothing could make her face light up faster than a grandchild. Recently she found out that her youngest son and his wife were expecting their fifth blessing. She probably had a smile on her face for days with that news. One of her grandson’s visited his Nana on the day that she passed. He brought up a special lunch that he’d made for her. When she told us of his visit later that night, you could see the love and light in her face as she spoke of her second grandchild. She was like that with ALL her grandchildren.

This past March, our family got together to celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our parents. All the family was there. It was a beautiful day with lots of smiles and laughing and good memories and many, many hugs. All of us will be forever grateful for that day and for the love and life of Mom. We will always miss you and you will always be in our hearts and in our lives. And we know that although our family chain is now broken, one day, we will all be together and the link will rejoin. We love you Mom and Nana.
 
ChristinaLynn }i{

It's Me Again

Well, I have been so out of the loop lately.  I usually don't post very much personal/family information here, but I feel I owe you all an explanation as to my recent absence.

It has been quite a roller coaster ride these past few weeks.  Shortly before Easter, we found out we are expecting another child!  Our fifth!  And, it was quite a surprise.  We all know that God works in mysterious ways and the mysteries are still unfolding for us all.  Besides the usual morning sickness (which lasts all day!) and afternoon exhaustion, I was hospitalized for an overnight stay due to a severe migraine with complications.  Then, near the end of April, my dear sweet mother-in-law went home to be with Jesus.  Although she has been ill, we wanted so many more years with her and miss her terribly.  I will make a separate post with the beautiful obituary my sister (in-law) Joanne wrote.  Very touching.  Currently, I'm taking care of one of my little ones who has a fever.

That being said, our family would really appreciate all of your prayers as we go through these difficult times.

Although I missed several posts, Blogtipping, 10 on the 10th, etc for this month, I hope to get back on track now and keep up through the summer even with all of the kids home from school.  I don't expect to post too many more of my shopping trips unless there are just some awesome deals.  I think you all get the idea of how that works and there are so many great websites that you can go to for that information.  If you really like those posts, just let me know and I can determine if they are worth putting back into the rotation. 

I struggle regularly with schedules and keeping on task, so that is always a challenge for me.  Wish me luck!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Let's Roll!

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of hearing David Beamer, father of Todd Beamer, speak at my church.  You may remember Todd Beamer as the voice saying, "Let's Roll!" right before the cockpit was charged on the last plane high-jacked on 9/11.  Interestingly, David's question to us was, "What about 9/10?"

If it hadn't been for who Todd Beamer was on 9/10/01, we wouldn't have known him as a hero of 9/11/01.  We all remember where we were when we heard about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon, and even Shanksville, PA.  But how many of us remember what we were doing the day before?  Just the day before, Todd and his wife were returning from a trip to Italy that Todd had been awarded for his hard work with his company.  You may remember that Lisa was expecting their third baby.  Todd was fully expecting to fly to California for a company meeting and fly back that same evening to have breakfast on 9/12 with his wife and children.  What a difference a day can make.

But, if it hadn't been for David and Peggy Beamer having raised a God-fearing son, we may not even know the name of Todd Beamer today.  So, today I thank God not only for Todd and Lisa Beamer, but for David and Peggy Beamer and whomever led them to Christ, even though I don't know their names.  And I pray for the three children that Todd Beamer will meet again one day in Heaven.

It would be easy to ask:  "Why didn't God allow Todd to sleep in that day and miss his plane and still be here with his family since he was a Christian?"  Well, simply put, what do you think would have happened that day if Todd and the others who stormed the cockpit hadn't been there?  How many people would have lost their lives in quite possibly, our nation's capitol building?  How different would our nation look today?

I leave you with David's exhortations to us yesterday:

• Do you need Jesus?
• Do you know someone who needs Jesus?
• Hug your loved ones today.
• Pray for them today.
• Don't let anyone steal your joy!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Me - MIA

I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks due to a number of reasons, but I hope to be back in touch very soon.

ChristinaLynn }i{

I Believe

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior.

I believe that God only wants what is best for me and sometimes that is not what I want or expect. I believe He gives me free will and yet is sovereignly always in control.

I believe that God's will is what is best for me and that through faith and trust in Him and obedience to Him everyday, I grow closer to Him and experience more of His grace and blessings.

I believe that God loves me unconditionally and that He paid the ultimate sacrifice through Jesus so that I might accept the gift of eternity with Him. I believe in His gift of the Holy Spirit to guide me through His will.

Do you believe?

ChristinaLynn }i{

CVS & Walgreen's Savings

Amazingly, I was able to purchase 2 milks, Colgate toothpast and Jelly Belly jelly beans today at CVS for only $4.79 on $16.08 worth of groceries for a savings of 70% and I walked away with another 4.99 in ECB's!!  The jelly beans were not that great of a deal, but the twins were with me and I always find myself getting them a treat.  Maybe I should start planning ahead for that!

Walgreen's was good this week also, but only if you know what you're looking for!  I was able to purchase three packages of Huggies diapers (27 ct), 2 pkgs of Oscar Meyer bacon and 2 pkgs of pumpkin seeds (my husband's favorite!) for $25.41.  These items without sales would have been $50.39, so there was a savings of 50%.  Plus, I walked out with $6 in RR that I then used on my Publix trip.  Not too bad!

All in all, my shopping today totaled $83.30 for $206.07 worth of items, a savings of 60% and I still have $4.99 to spend (probably on more milk!).  I went a little over my budget of $75, but I had a little left over from my shopping two weeks ago. 

I am continuously blessed by how God is teaching me to be more responsible with my finances.  Additionally, I will be attending a coupon workshop this weekend and hope to pick up even more tips and tricks of the trade.

Be blessed.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Publix is Great!

Today at Publix I spent $53.10 for $139.60 worth of groceries, for a savings of 62%!  Yeah!  Here's what I purchased

• 16 Yoplait Yogurt
• Brawny Paper Towels 8 roll
• Kleenex Cottonelle toilet paper 12 roll
• 4 Publix frozen Steam in Bag vegetables
• 2 Hillshire Farms sliced lunchmeat
• 5+ lbs Sirloin Tip Roast
• 2 single roll Chips Ahoy
• 4 boxes Mueller's pasta
• Bananas
• 2 Fast Fixin's Chicken Tenders
• 2 Prego sauce
• Publix chocolate syrup
• Dove shampoo
• Dove styling spray
• 2 Oreo Cakesters
• 2 Taco Bell dinners
• 4 boxes Kellogg's cereal
• 2 Lance snack cracker 8 pks
• Pop tarts

 More to come from my CVS and Walgreen's trips.  Feel free to share your savings!

ChristinaLynn }i{

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Last night I prayed that God would wake me up refreshed and ready to study His word.  And He did.

It may seem like a small thing to you, but our typical night includes at least one trip to the bathroom, nightmares, "it's a beautiful day" calls when it's plainly still dark out and of course, the "just because" wake-ups.  This is all preceeded by the evening rituals of "I need water," at least one trip to the bathroom even though they've just been, consistently knocking on the door for attention, the choice to play instead of sleep and the "I can't sleep" routines.  For me to have more than four hours of sleep at a time is the norm.  So, yes, for me to sleep for 6-1/2 hours uninterupted is rare.  What is the standard?  Seven?  Eight?  Yeah, right.  Not in this house!  Since naps are becoming even more rare, it makes for a long day and a very short night.

Now, of course, I've been interrupted at least six times since I woke up and that was less than 45 minutes ago.  The first was classic.  "I can't find my dinosaur."  And he only wanted me. 

However, between interruptions, I was able to read God's Word, which is such a blessing.  And I know that God will be pleased with my persistence to come back to His Word time and time again. 

And I will pray again tonight that God will wake me up refreshed to study His word.  And maybe I'll also ask for just twenty minutes of uninterrupted time with Him.

What will you ask for?

ChristinaLynn }i{

This Week's Savings - Part 2

Ok, so here's part 2 of this week's savings from CVS and Walgreen's.

CVS:  spent $12.63 - saved $32.63 and walked out with $6 in ECB!  Savings 72%

• 4 Degree for Women deoderant
• 2 Dove deoderant
• 1 Dove chocolate bar
• Aussie Moist shampoo
• Aussie Volume conditioner
• Herbal Essence 2-in-1
• Herbal Essence gel
• 1 Betty Crocker Warm Delights cake
• 1 box Sweedish Fish*  (as a treat for twins shopping with me)

Walgreen's (not pictured):  spent $5.11 - saved $11.77 and walked out with $3 RR which I then used on my Publix shopping - Savings 70%

• 2 boxes 30 ct Band Aid
• 1 Neosporin
• 1 Wonka candy bar* (filler item)

*only things NOT on sale and/or coupons

So, this week I spent a total of $79.53 and saved a total of $125.25 for a savings of 61% and I have $6 in ECB that I will probably spend today on more milk. 

How did you do this week?

ChristinaLynn }i{

This Week's Savings

Some great sales this week!  I'll be sending two posts to show everything.  Here's the first:

Publix:  spent $61.79 - saved $79.85 - Savings 56%

• Glad Plug In Warmer
• 2 Glade Plug In Refills
• Publix Qt Freezer bags
• 1 gallon Milk
• 2 Nabisco graham crackers
• 2 Renu contact solution
• 2 Barilla pasta
• 2 Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds (LOVE these!!)
• 2 Publix bagged salad
• Dannon Danimals 6 pk*
• Bag of Golden Delicious Apples
• 1 Digiorno 200 cal pizza
• Red Creamer potatoes
• 4 Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake cookies
• 3 Nectarines
• 1 Bird's Eye Steamfresh Meal for Two
• 2 Yoplait Yo Plus yogurt 4 pk
• 2 Hebrew National hot dogs
• 2 pkgs Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (just over 2.5 lbs)
• 2 Jimmy Dean Breakfast biscuits

ChristinaLynn }i{

Safe In the Arms of LOVE

You know, forever love.  The kind of love God has for us.

Sometimes, when I am praying and telling God about my day, the frustrations, the disappointments,  the small successes, I find myself drifting off to sleep.  A Christian singer/song-writer Nia described it once as falling asleep in your Daddy's lap.

What a wonderful picture of the relationship God wants with us! 

To be safe and secure and completely dependent in His arms.  A Daddy's girl to the ultimate!

Lord, let me always know that you love me with a forever love, that I can be safe and secure in Your arms.  Let me always be Your girl.
 
ChristinaLynn }i{