Tip of the Day 6/8/12

99 Days of Summer: We are very blessed to live in an area that after the sun goes down the temperature drops and we can enjoy cool pleasant evenings. This is especially nice for lighting a fire in the fire pit. Since it is still early in the summer most of us should still be experiencing cool evenings, so how about a fire this evening? Roast hot dogs, make s'mores or what we call s'mothers (sub peanut butter cups for the chocolate bar), and sing some fun songs. Linger outside and enjoy the beauty of a cool summer night.

Word for Today, Linger: Do you have a favorite fragrance? Maybe it is a perfume or a flower. When we love the smell of something we want that fragrance to linger. Memories and people or events are often associated with a fragrance. Sometimes we can walk into a room and know who was there before us because of the lingering fragrance. Incense has a very strong fragrance that lingers and you are able to enjoy it for a long time. The Bible tells us that, "our prayers rise as incense before the throne of God." What a beautiful picture of our words, the cries of our heart, lingering before God for Him to enjoy. Our words do not just go in one ear and out the other. They cling to Him and He enjoys them. What do you want Him to think about you today?

Tip of the Day 6/7/12

99 Days of Summer: Summer and Garage Sales just go together. We live in an awesome garage saleing community. The sales usually run Thursday - Saturday and I can easily go to 15 - 20 within a 5 mile radius of my house. Most people do not even put an ad in the paper, just good signage, and they will have a great turnout. As I have become a fan of this type of "green" shopping I have developed a few strategies that work well to get the most for my money. I never go first thing in the morning when the big crowds hit. It is frustrating and I believe there is nothing that important that I need to fight a crowd for. By waiting until later in the day when the crowd thins out you are usually able to bargain more. This is even better on the second day. Shop with a sense of adventure, but also with some purpose. It is true that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but it is also true that one man's trash can still be trash even when another person buys it. Really think before you make the purchase. Take measurements with if you are shopping for something specific like curtains, don't settle for something just because it is a "bargain," clutter is still clutter. Take a chance on a big bargain box. As a crafter and sewer I am always willing to pay up to $5 for the big box of mystery craft or sewing supplies. Even if I only end up with 2 or 3 usable items from the box it is a good deal. Last year I purchased 2 huge boxes of sewing supplies for $1 each. The brand new pair of Fiskars Pinking Shears in one of the boxes more than paid for anything I couldn't use. The key to this type of purchase is to go through the box as soon as you get home, sort out the keepers and put the rest in the give away box immediately. The key to successful garage saleing is just like any other shopping, do it with purpose, in other words have a list, and enjoy it. Come home with the occasional, "I don't know what I will do with it, but I had to have it" item. Just don't make it a habit. Happy saleing.

Word for Today, Forget: Due to some medical issues in the past I have some major memory lose for a portion of several years. It has been a cause of stress for many reasons and also a source of sadness as I realize there are events I cannot remember. One of the reasons I took on my project of sorting photos to send to my girls was to try to bring back some memories. But as I struggle to bring back those memories I realize only the Lord can bring them back. Wouldn't it be awesome if all the bad things in our lives could be taken so completely from our memory. We often hear people say, "I have forgiven that person, but I will NEVER forget what they did." This is so opposite of what our Savior does for us. When we bring up a sin we have confessed and asked forgiveness for His response is, "I have no memory of that." Teach us Lord to not just say we forgive, but to be able to forget. "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."

Tip of the Day 6/6/12

99 Days of Summer: Today is the anniversary of D-Day and would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about "The Greatest Generation." Saving Private Ryan or The Longest Day are two accurate portrayals of the events of that day. Lest we forget.

Word for Today, More: Most families have favorite lines from movies or songs that we quote to each other. Or there are inside jokes and sayings that only those closest to us "get." A couple of years ago the movie "Tangled" inspired one of my granddaughters to always say "I love you more" whenever I say "I love you" to her. It is very precious to me because I know she means it as much as any person can. We are told in the Bible that, "We love Him (Jesus) because He first loved us." "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is the ultimate, "I love you more" statement.

Tip of the Day 6/5/12

99 Days of Summer: Today is the release of the much anticipated new album by The Beach Boys, "That's Why God Made the Radio." The album is to celebrate their 50th, yes you read that right, anniversary. It is the original band members and was recorded at their original studio. Their voices are still strong, the words and the music can still transport you to a simpler time, and it is just fun to listen to. Enjoy the memories and introduce your kids to some fun summertime tunes.

Word for Today, Live: "In Him we live and move and have our being." This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It humbles me and at the same time causes me to rejoice. I recognize from these simple words that I am nothing and God is everything. In myself I have nothing to boast of. Without Him I would not even exist. "By the grace of God I am what I am." I love knowing that God wanted me to exist. He not only loves me, but He actually likes me. He wants to spend time with me and I love spending time with Him. He sees the good in me when others see the bad or inadequate. "He, being full of compassion, remembered that we are but flesh."

Tip of the Day 6/4/12

99 Days of Summer: One of the favorite summer activities of kids is forming a club. "Boys Only" or "No Boys Allowed" signs might appear on a backyard playhouse or garage door. Made up passwords and rules to follow. Weekly meetings that consist of drinking lemonade and reading comic books or these days playing video games. Why not help your kids form a backyard club this summer. Maybe you have always wanted to be a part of a book club or cooking club. If you don't know where to join one, start your own. Maybe you could teach some friends how to crochet or knit. If you aren't ready to start one yourself check your library or bookstores for a book club, a local craft store can direct you to a knitting group. Whatever your interests you can find a group of people to join in the fun.

Word for Today, Robe: Have you ever stayed at a hotel that had big fluffy white robes in your room or maybe you spent a day at a spa and they wrapped you in a fluffy white robe afterward. I have a big fluffy white winter robe and a lighter weight white robe for summer. For some reason most fluffy robes seem to be white. The feeling of being wrapped in one after a shower or long bath is luxurious. You feel clean and secure. We have been promised a white robe of righteousness to be wrapped in for all eternity if we only believe that we can do nothing to earn it. It is a gift from God when we believe in Jesus and His righteousness. My robe of my flesh is like filthy rags, but He covers me in His clean white fluffy robe forever. "He has covered me with the robe of righteousness." "The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe."

 

Tip of the Day 6/2/12

99 Days of Summer: It is a beautiful early summer Saturday and the perfect day for a trip to the zoo. The animals will be happy you came. Pack a picnic lunch and head out. Consider purchasing a membership. Many zoos offer memberships that are good at other zoos and museums. This can be a great value for a family. Many also offer grandparent memberships. Have fun!!!

Word for Today, Inheritance: Do you know what your inheritance is? Most of us have said at some time in our life that we wish their was that wealthy relative we were unaware of that would decide to leave the $$$ we didn't know they had to us. Chances of that happening are pretty slim. But we have been given a great inheritance that is worth more than all the $$$ in the world. I am so grateful that my parents passed it on to me, just as their parents passed it on to them and we have sought to pass it on to our children and grandchildren. It is a gift of knowledge of eternal life. My parents taught me that I cannot enter heaven just because they believe, I need to have my own faith and acceptance of Jesus. Maybe you did not receive this gift of knowledge from your parents, but that doesn't exempt you from becoming an heir of Christ. Belief in Jesus as your Savior is the "secret." Not hard at all. He is so awesome, why would you turn down the inheritance He has promised you. " O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance." "Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ."

 

Tip of the Day 6/1/12

99 Days of Summer: Stop at your local Chamber of Commerce or Tourism office and pick up some brochures on activities in your area and plan to be a "tourist" this summer. It is amazing how many things you can find to do in your own town that you never think about. Put each of the activities on a slip of paper and pull one out each time you are looking for someplace to go for the day.

Word for Today, Longsuffering. We live in an agricultural smorgasboard here in southwest Michigan. From May - October there are fruit stands on seemingly every corner and the Farmer's Market is bursting with new produce every week. Starting with the asparagus and ending with the grapes and pumpkins, with everything in between our taste buds are delighted. As we enjoy the literal fruits of our neighbors labors it is easy to forget what he has gone through to produce this feast for us. This spring brought an early heat wave to our area followed by some late freezes which destroyed a lot of the grape and apple crop. It is heartbreaking to see a farmer that can't make it through another year. They are a picture of true longsuffering. As Christians we are told that longsuffering is part of the fruit we bear in this life. It is actually a sign that we belong to Christ and are filled with His Spirit. When we read the list of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives we love the other ones, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, but God put longsuffering right in the middle of that list. Just like the farmer we must endure everything thrown our way in order to bear good fruit. We are not alone in the journey. We are told God is longsuffering and will help us as we seek to be as well. "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth."