Tip of the Day 6/21/12

99 Days of Summer: Strawberries are one of the sweetest things about early summer. Today would be a great day to find a u-pick field and have some fun. If you can't indulge in picking your own, at least buy a quart and enjoy a fresh strawberry salad and then shortcake for dinner tonight. I am hungry just thinking about it.

Word for Today, Others: There is a commercial currently on TV that I actually enjoy seeing. It portrays people doing what we have come to know as "paying it forward." "Random Acts of Kindness" has become a catch phrase in our society. So often, it seems, the news only tells us about the ugliness that people commit toward their fellow man and then they tag a "feel good" story on the end of the broadcast. It is like being kind to others is an after thought and sadly the exception to man's behavior. Would that we would purpose in our hearts to, "let each esteem others more highly than himself." What can you do for someone else today? "Jesus of Nazareth...went about doing good."

Tip of the Day 6/20/12

99 Days of Summer: We have already been enjoying many weeks of summer temperatures and activities. For most of us we view Memorial Day as the official start of summer and that is what the "99 Days of Summer" is based on, Memorial Day to Labor Day. However, today at 7:09 PM EDT is the official Summer Solstice. This is when the sun reaches its furthest point north of the equator. The sun appears to stand still and we experience the longest day of the year. This would be the perfect day to do something you can only do in the summer. A lot of our summer activities can be done at other times of the year, but there is one you can only experience in the summer, watching the fireflies come out. If you have never experienced the beauty of this, plan a vacation to an area where you can. It is worth it. Enjoy every minute of today.

Word for Today, Fair: There is a story in the Bible about workers being hired at different times of the day, but all being paid the same. The workers that labored 8 hours didn't think it was fair that the ones that only worked 2 hours were paid the same amount. The employer kept his part of the agreement and therefore it was fair. So many people complain about unfairness, and yet if we have entered into an agreement with someone, whether it is an employer or sales agreement or other transaction, if both parties act according to the original agreement, it is fair. Whining has become an epidemic, someone else is always at fault. When we do not feel we are being treated fairly we need to examine our own actions first. Have I done all I agreed to do in this agreement. It is hard to examine our own hearts and acknowledge we are wrong, but if we follow David's example and acknowledge our own failures we too can be called, "a (man) after God's own heart." That is fair. "Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor."

 

Tip of the Day 6/19/12

99 Days of Summer: One of the rights of passage in childhood is the day the training wheels come off your bike. We rejoiced in the freedom of flying down the road on the two wheels of our bike. We could hop on our bike and go anywhere. It was our first source of independence. I still have my first bike, a red Roadmaster. It brings back so many memories of simpler times. We all road without helmets, locks were rare, we clipped baseball cards to the spokes, and had fun bells or baskets. I have found the bike I plan to purchase, it is a "nostalgia" style. I love seeing families out on rides together. Why not plan a ride today. If you don't own a bike consider getting one. Remember the freedom and the fun.

Word for Today, Continual: We are surrounded by things that often seem continual, the neighbors dog barking, rising gas prices, laundry, people complaining, draining bank accounts. When we think about continual things our minds often go to the negative things. In the Bible we are told to set our minds on the things above. Whatsoever things are lovely, pure, of good report, think on these things. We are told to pray without ceasing and for His praise to be continually in our mouth. This may seem impossible living in this fallen world, but we can make the choice to do these things. It isn't easy and it is a continual choice. Choose you this day whom you will serve. Will you dwell on the negatives or seek to praise the Lord through it all and rejoice in Him continually. "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." "Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever."

 

Tip of the Day 6/18/12

99 Days of Summer: How would you like to help bring back some great childhood memories, save some money, and be green all with one simple action? Consider putting up a clothes line and hanging your sheets outside to dry. As a child I loved it when Mom hung the laundry on the line, but especially the sheets. On a hot day it was so nice to stand between them and cool off. The smell of line dried sheets is heavenly.

Word for Today, Huge: Just over ten years ago the Lord directed Richard and I to move to the St. Joe area and plant a new church which became Calvary Chapel Sunset Coast. As we talk to people we are often asked, "how big is your church" or "is your church growing?" The answer to those questions are not what people see with their eyes, you have to look at the heart of the people of CCSC to know we are huge and have grown so much we can't contain it. We have about 35 people when everyone is there on a Sunday, that includes the children. You see we haven't measured our growth by a head count, we have looked at the hearts and actions of the people that call CCSC their church. We are a body of servers, reaching out to others because we have learned that God's word tells us to be His hands and feet. We came here with the vision of "being the church" to this community and by God's grace we are huge. "You have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my Name." "Who has despised the day of small things?" "Your faith grows exceedingly." What you are doing for the Lord may look small in the eyes of some, but it is HUGE in the light of eternity.

 

Tip of the Day 6/16/12

99 Days of Summer: We are experiencing a very dry summer here in southwest Michigan. Our yards have already reached the "crunchy" feel that normally doesn't come until August. A lot of people are already watering their lawns. As the temperature has gone up and I have observed the sprinklers going I have wanted to jump into them like we did as kids. Today would be a great day to head to a water fountain park. We are blessed with an awesome one here in St. Joe and I know many towns have them in all shapes and sizes. Of course you could just resort to a sprinkler in the yard and water that dry grass at the same time. Let's do some splashing today.

Word for Today, Walk: Throughout time walking has been a consistent form of exercise. In the past people did not have to work walking into their busy schedule, it was the main way to get anywhere. As fewer people walked our body weights went up. Several years ago a book was written about why French girls could eat the way they do and still be skinny. The secret, they walk everywhere. No wonder the Bible tells us over and over to, "walk by faith," "walk in the spirit," "walk in truth," etc. It is the way to live a healthy Christian life. One of my favorite people in the Bible is Enoch. You may not be familiar with him because there are only 7 verses in the Bible about him in Genesis chapter 5. We are told he was the father Methuselah, the longest living man ever, but that is not why he is a man we should know of. Genesis 5: 24 tells us, "Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, because God took him." Enoch never died, he was "raptured" by God. From what we are told in the verse the most important aspect of his life was that he "walked with God." We do not know why God took him, but this is an example to me and I want to have it said of me, "she walked with God." Are you walking with God? It is the key to your eternal health.

 

Tip of the Day 6/15/12

99 Days of Summer: Ice Cream is one of the greatest food groups. Yes, some of us consider it a food group. I personally believe all ice cream should contain nuts. Every one has their personal favorites. Ice cream parlors are always coming up with new flavor combinations. Last summer we took a couple of our grandchildren to a yogurt shop where you pay by the ounce. You start out by putting in the flavors of yogurt you want then add all the toppings you want to try from huge dispensers. When the kids were finished building their bowls they had almost $20 worth of yogurt and toppings. Ice cream sundae bars are the perfect summer dinner, in my opinion. It can be healthy, sort of, and still be a blast. Set up a table filled with as many toppings as you can come up with. Be creative, not just the usual sprinkles, syrups, and nuts. Try some fresh herbs and fruits, cereal, pretzels, etc. Healthy cookies and cakes make a great base and stick with just Real vanilla ice cream to build on. Your kids will love you for this "dinner." This is a also a fun "dinner" party for adults.

Word for Today, Secrets: One of my favorite childhood books is, "The Secret Language." It is the story of two young girls in a boarding school who come up with their own language to communicate with each other because they feel left out. My friend, Sharlene, and I tried to come up with our own because it was like a special bond between us. We all have friends that we can communicate with in special ways. As parents we can understand the babbling of our children and spouses can communicate without even speaking. Often I have heard people say, "I have tried to read the Bible, but can't understand it." We are told that God spoke to us "in Son." This is like a secret language if you don't know His Son. "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear (know) Him." Jesus said, "I call you friends." If we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior we are His friend and will understand all He says to us. It will no longer be a "Secret Language."

Tip of the Day 6/14/12

99 Days of Summer: Today we celebrate Flag Day. Most people don't even know that this day exists and just like D-Day don't know what it stands for. June 14 is the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America in 1777. This would be a great day to re-learn the proper care of our flag. This used to be taught in school, but is no longer. We see the flag hung at half mast for all kinds of people, torn flags, and on and on. Let's teach our children the proper respect for this symbol of our freedom and demonstrate our pride in our country once again. You can find information at www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

Word for Today, Content: It is so easy to get caught up in chasing after what we think we need to bring us the elusive feeling of contentment. If I only made more money, if I only had a bigger house, if I only had a different spouse, if I only ... Maybe there are unfulfilled dreams that you are pursuing because you believe that will bring the contentment you feel you are missing. Sometimes these things are good and sometimes they are bad for us. How can we know the difference? If what we are pursuing in seeking personal satisfaction is at the expense of relationships with our family, friends, and most of all God, it is wrong. The "thing" itself may not be wrong, but we may need to examine our method of pursuit. Is it all consuming? Many people misquote the verse in the Bible regarding money. It does not say, "money is the root of evil," but rather, "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." What are you pursuing in this life that has drawn you away from seeking the Lord and His righteousness first? "The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." " Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."