Our Daily Bread
I was listening to a song by Toby Mac on the way to work today. He was inviting God to talk over his show and speak to us. At one point in the song, he said something like "when God attends the show, our beats beat at the same time, beating at the same time."
I thought of this when reading the devotional about our spiritual hearts, the part of us that seeks and longs for God. The part of us that we often keep hidden (or try to). The part of us that we can't or won't always share with others even though we long to deep within. Finding the right people to share these things with is important for our spiritual growth. Just like the growth of a garden is dependent on the cross-pollination of plants, our spiritual growth is dependent on our "cross-pollination" with other seekers!
Lord, please help us point our hearts to you, all beating at the same time to your glory!
Teaching Tuesday
1, 2 and 3 John
For the sake of time this morning, I borrowed this summary from the Powell book:
"Some of the themes addressed in these letters probably reflect matters of controversy related to the schism. The letters insist on confession of Jesus as one who came in the flesh, that is, as one who was fully human. They insist on the reality of Jesus’ death as necessary for human atonement, and they offer somewhat ambiguous teaching regarding persistence in sin: Christians are described as people who no longer sin, but also as people who must confess their sin and not deny their sinfulness. The letters present “love for one another” as the prime commandment for Christian communities. In contemporary religious circles, they are often studied for what they reveal about power struggles and the dynamics of church conflict."
from Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey
by: Mark Allan Powell
************************************
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 niv).
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
All good things
Our Daily Bread
There is a great song called All Good Things by The Afters. It talks about how every good thing we have or have seen is from God. It is an interesting concept when we think of how we are so independent in our thoughts and actions. It is difficult to "rely" on someone else. Our culture leads us to think that relying on someone shows weakness!
Relying on God, however, shows our strength. It shows resolve that we acknowledge that we don't always make the best decisions or do what is best for us. God will lead us to good things, though they may not be the good things the world tries to define for us. Many Godly folks live in poverty as they help others in poverty. Many Godly people live in Third World countries that don't have the amenities of the U.S. or Europe. God's good things won't pass away. We know serving him is our life's greatest joy!
Lord, thank you for every good thing! We praise you and lift up your name above all names!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Spider Man 2 this weekend. It was interesting. I thought that the parts that were good were very good. Otherwise, it was slow in places. I guess I didn't have much patience with the love story in the movie, but that is just me. The webbed hero meets the villain Electro in this episode. We also get a look at some of the other villains coming up for the next movies.
I give this movie three bear paws for the special effects and the action scenes. Definitely see it on the big screen.
******************************************
Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire. - Our Daily Bread
There is a great song called All Good Things by The Afters. It talks about how every good thing we have or have seen is from God. It is an interesting concept when we think of how we are so independent in our thoughts and actions. It is difficult to "rely" on someone else. Our culture leads us to think that relying on someone shows weakness!
Relying on God, however, shows our strength. It shows resolve that we acknowledge that we don't always make the best decisions or do what is best for us. God will lead us to good things, though they may not be the good things the world tries to define for us. Many Godly folks live in poverty as they help others in poverty. Many Godly people live in Third World countries that don't have the amenities of the U.S. or Europe. God's good things won't pass away. We know serving him is our life's greatest joy!
Lord, thank you for every good thing! We praise you and lift up your name above all names!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Spider Man 2 this weekend. It was interesting. I thought that the parts that were good were very good. Otherwise, it was slow in places. I guess I didn't have much patience with the love story in the movie, but that is just me. The webbed hero meets the villain Electro in this episode. We also get a look at some of the other villains coming up for the next movies.
I give this movie three bear paws for the special effects and the action scenes. Definitely see it on the big screen.
******************************************
Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire. - Our Daily Bread
Sunday, May 4, 2014
In remembrance
Our Daily Bread
Do you remember Celebrate Life the youth musical by Burryl Red and Ragan Courtney? One of the most memorable songs from that musical is In Remembrance. Here are the words [video]:
in remembrance of me eat this bread
in remembrance of me drink this wine
in remembrance of me pray for the time
when God's own will is done
in remembrance of me heal the sick
in remembrance of me feed the poor
in remembrance of me open the door
and let your brother i, let him in
take eat and be comforted
srink and remember too
that this is my body and precious blood
shed for you, shed for you
in remembrance of me search for truth
in remembrance of me always love
in remembrance of me don't look above
but in your heart, in your heart
look in your heart for God
do this in remembrance ofme
do this in remembrance of me
in remembrance of me
Very cool! I met the guy who wrote these lyrics when I was in seminary. I really admired him and his wife. I remember talking with them about relying on God and depending on him. Ragan once said "Oh yes, for every BREATH!" His wife and I gave each other a confused look. It wasn't until I faced cancer a few months later and slowly learned what that meant!
As we take communion in our churches, let us remember and reflect on what it really means. Communion changes us!
Lord, please help us not only take communion, but let it take part in us!
Psalm Sunday
This is another one of those "let the evil folks get what they deserve" kind of psalms. All of us have felt this way at times! IMHO, the New Testament calls us to love these folks instead of wishing them ill will. That doesn't mean we can't express these very real and honest feelings to God before we do forgive and love them!
Psalm 141
Prayer for Preservation from Evil
A Psalm of David.
1 I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not turn my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
do not let me eat of their delicacies.
5 Let the righteous strike me;
let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
7 Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.
8 But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
and from the snares of evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I alone escape.
***********************************
Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire. - Our Daily Bread
Do you remember Celebrate Life the youth musical by Burryl Red and Ragan Courtney? One of the most memorable songs from that musical is In Remembrance. Here are the words [video]:
in remembrance of me eat this bread
in remembrance of me drink this wine
in remembrance of me pray for the time
when God's own will is done
in remembrance of me heal the sick
in remembrance of me feed the poor
in remembrance of me open the door
and let your brother i, let him in
take eat and be comforted
srink and remember too
that this is my body and precious blood
shed for you, shed for you
in remembrance of me search for truth
in remembrance of me always love
in remembrance of me don't look above
but in your heart, in your heart
look in your heart for God
do this in remembrance ofme
do this in remembrance of me
in remembrance of me
Very cool! I met the guy who wrote these lyrics when I was in seminary. I really admired him and his wife. I remember talking with them about relying on God and depending on him. Ragan once said "Oh yes, for every BREATH!" His wife and I gave each other a confused look. It wasn't until I faced cancer a few months later and slowly learned what that meant!
As we take communion in our churches, let us remember and reflect on what it really means. Communion changes us!
Lord, please help us not only take communion, but let it take part in us!
Psalm Sunday
This is another one of those "let the evil folks get what they deserve" kind of psalms. All of us have felt this way at times! IMHO, the New Testament calls us to love these folks instead of wishing them ill will. That doesn't mean we can't express these very real and honest feelings to God before we do forgive and love them!
Psalm 141
Prayer for Preservation from Evil
A Psalm of David.
1 I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not turn my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
do not let me eat of their delicacies.
5 Let the righteous strike me;
let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
7 Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.
8 But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
and from the snares of evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I alone escape.
***********************************
Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire. - Our Daily Bread
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Changed for good
Our Daily Bread
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you.
I have been changed for good."
These lyrics are part of a song from the Broadway musical Wicket. The two stars are singing about how getting to know each other has changed them...and probably for good!
As Christians, we know that meeting Christ has changed us... for good! For good in that we don't live our lives like the folks in the world do. For good in that God helps us make decisions that are really best for us. For good in that this relationship will last all eternity! Our lives have been changed. Let's live that way and tell others!
Lord, you change those that give themselves to you. Please help us give ourselves each and every day.
Simply Saturday
I chose Do Everything by Stephen Curtis Chapman for today's song. Feeling like you are in a rut? Not sure what you are supposed to be doing with your life? Check out these lyrics.
"Do Everything"
[video]
Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door
While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
[CHORUS]
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
[VERSE]
Maybe your that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day
Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same
While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do
[BRIDGE]
Maybe your sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe your a down and out rock star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are
Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget
To do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
*********************************
As wise King Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you.
I have been changed for good."
These lyrics are part of a song from the Broadway musical Wicket. The two stars are singing about how getting to know each other has changed them...and probably for good!
As Christians, we know that meeting Christ has changed us... for good! For good in that we don't live our lives like the folks in the world do. For good in that God helps us make decisions that are really best for us. For good in that this relationship will last all eternity! Our lives have been changed. Let's live that way and tell others!
Lord, you change those that give themselves to you. Please help us give ourselves each and every day.
Simply Saturday
I chose Do Everything by Stephen Curtis Chapman for today's song. Feeling like you are in a rut? Not sure what you are supposed to be doing with your life? Check out these lyrics.
"Do Everything"
[video]
Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door
While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
[CHORUS]
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
[VERSE]
Maybe your that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day
Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same
While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do
[BRIDGE]
Maybe your sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe your a down and out rock star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are
Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget
To do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
*********************************
As wise King Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
Friday, May 2, 2014
I always wondered
Our Daily Bread
Wow, I talked to a close friend of mine about this topic the other day. At different times over the past 28 years, I wondered why God spared me through all the physical issues I have. I praise him for being delivered, but judge myself and question God when I attend the funerals of others that seem far more valuable in my eyes than I am.
The devotional has the best explanation I have ever heard for this situation -- a tree of rest. Maybe that is why I have a chest the size of a large tree trunk! ha! Being a spiritual and/or physical resting place for others is a big job. Not everyone can do it. Not everyone can smile through the storms or even attempt to walk on the stormy waters. God sees something in each of us that we can't always see. For me it took 28 years to put it into language other than "God has a plan for you". Praise God for the plan he has for each of us. May we all seek to follow him each second of our life.
Lord, our time is in your hands. We say that every Sunday. Please help us be what we are supposed to be for your glory!
Foodie Friday
I found this recipe for an unusual appetizer that I want to try. I plan to add prosciutto ham to it for an extra twist.
Cheese Shortbread
By Mark Bittman
After just one of these crisp, melt‐in‐your‐mouth snacks you'll never want another of those bright orange cheese puffs again. The dough can be made ahead of time or the shortbreads baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container, making them ideal for parties.
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
2 cups grated Emmental, Gruyère, cheddar, or other semihard cheese
1½ cups all‐purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon paprika or ground cumin (optional)
Steps:
Heat the oven to 400°F. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse just until the mixture resembles a coarse meal; do not overprocess. (You can also use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the mixture to the same consistency in a bowl.) Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate until you're ready to bake the puffs.
Form the dough into 1‐inch balls. Line the balls on a lightly greased or parchment‐lined baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between them. Slightly flatten each ball with your fingers.
Bake until the pastries puff and turn golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, then sprinkle with additional paprika and serve.
Variations:
Blue Cheese Shortbread
Substitute 1 cup crumbled blue cheese for a cup of the Emmental cheese.
Pecorino Cheese Shortbread
Substitute 1 cup each grated pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese for the Emmental.
Herbed Cheese Shortbread
Add ¼ cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, like parsley, chives, dill, and/or basil, with a little tarragon.
Spiced Cheese Shortbread
Use 2 to 3 teaspoons garam masala or Hot Curry Powder for an Indian flair, caraway for an Eastern European flavor, or toasted cumin seeds for a North African twist.
Prosciutto Shortbread
Reduce the cheese to 1 cup and use finely grated Parmesan. Chop several thin slices of prosciutto into pieces and add them to the food processor in Step 1.
Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Copyright © Double B Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
***********************************
u r a bcog u r fawm
Wow, I talked to a close friend of mine about this topic the other day. At different times over the past 28 years, I wondered why God spared me through all the physical issues I have. I praise him for being delivered, but judge myself and question God when I attend the funerals of others that seem far more valuable in my eyes than I am.
The devotional has the best explanation I have ever heard for this situation -- a tree of rest. Maybe that is why I have a chest the size of a large tree trunk! ha! Being a spiritual and/or physical resting place for others is a big job. Not everyone can do it. Not everyone can smile through the storms or even attempt to walk on the stormy waters. God sees something in each of us that we can't always see. For me it took 28 years to put it into language other than "God has a plan for you". Praise God for the plan he has for each of us. May we all seek to follow him each second of our life.
Lord, our time is in your hands. We say that every Sunday. Please help us be what we are supposed to be for your glory!
Foodie Friday
I found this recipe for an unusual appetizer that I want to try. I plan to add prosciutto ham to it for an extra twist.
Cheese Shortbread
By Mark Bittman
After just one of these crisp, melt‐in‐your‐mouth snacks you'll never want another of those bright orange cheese puffs again. The dough can be made ahead of time or the shortbreads baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container, making them ideal for parties.
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
2 cups grated Emmental, Gruyère, cheddar, or other semihard cheese
1½ cups all‐purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon paprika or ground cumin (optional)
Steps:
Heat the oven to 400°F. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse just until the mixture resembles a coarse meal; do not overprocess. (You can also use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the mixture to the same consistency in a bowl.) Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate until you're ready to bake the puffs.
Form the dough into 1‐inch balls. Line the balls on a lightly greased or parchment‐lined baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between them. Slightly flatten each ball with your fingers.
Bake until the pastries puff and turn golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, then sprinkle with additional paprika and serve.
Variations:
Blue Cheese Shortbread
Substitute 1 cup crumbled blue cheese for a cup of the Emmental cheese.
Pecorino Cheese Shortbread
Substitute 1 cup each grated pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese for the Emmental.
Herbed Cheese Shortbread
Add ¼ cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, like parsley, chives, dill, and/or basil, with a little tarragon.
Spiced Cheese Shortbread
Use 2 to 3 teaspoons garam masala or Hot Curry Powder for an Indian flair, caraway for an Eastern European flavor, or toasted cumin seeds for a North African twist.
Prosciutto Shortbread
Reduce the cheese to 1 cup and use finely grated Parmesan. Chop several thin slices of prosciutto into pieces and add them to the food processor in Step 1.
Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Copyright © Double B Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
***********************************
u r a bcog u r fawm
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Whoa to Woe!
Our Daily Bread
The ODB site was down today so I found another devotional site. I liked the scripture and the message today:
Devotional Passage: Ezekiel 13:1-9
Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! - Ezekiel 13:3
Wow! This passage is from Ezekiel. If you fast-forward to the New Testament and the new Church, there is STILL the problem of foolish prophets! People will be people! While we can pray for discernment to know who to listen to and who not to listen to, I am also praying for discernment on what I need to say (or not say). I don't want to be a foolish prophet who follows my own spirit! Noooooo!
Lord, please help us know your voice and live in your Holy Spirit!
Technology Thursday
Space Shuttle Quest - Number 4
As we enter the month of May, I started to get excited about my trip to Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend to see the Space Shuttle Discovery. I visited the other three space shuttles over the past 18 months. Here is a picture of the Discovery:
I really like looking at the differences between the shuttles. It reminds me of the journeys that each of us make in our lives!
********************************************
Waiting for God is never a waste of time. - Our Daily Bread Jan 26 2014
The ODB site was down today so I found another devotional site. I liked the scripture and the message today:
Devotional Passage: Ezekiel 13:1-9
Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! - Ezekiel 13:3
Wow! This passage is from Ezekiel. If you fast-forward to the New Testament and the new Church, there is STILL the problem of foolish prophets! People will be people! While we can pray for discernment to know who to listen to and who not to listen to, I am also praying for discernment on what I need to say (or not say). I don't want to be a foolish prophet who follows my own spirit! Noooooo!
Lord, please help us know your voice and live in your Holy Spirit!
Technology Thursday
Space Shuttle Quest - Number 4
As we enter the month of May, I started to get excited about my trip to Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend to see the Space Shuttle Discovery. I visited the other three space shuttles over the past 18 months. Here is a picture of the Discovery:
I really like looking at the differences between the shuttles. It reminds me of the journeys that each of us make in our lives!
********************************************
Waiting for God is never a waste of time. - Our Daily Bread Jan 26 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Last minute
Our Daily Bread
While I am usually a very organized planner type of person. I have had several occurrences of "last minute"-itis in my life! Won't go into details. Sometimes things worked out OK. Sometimes not so much. Whew... At least I started my relationship with God early in life!
The devotional talks about the tragedy of waiting til it is too late to establish a relationship with God. Yikes! That is way more horrible than waiting til the last minute to turn in a writing assignment (not that I have ever done that...). WAY more horrible! Turn to God today. Pray for others today. Serve God today. This is the day the Lord hath made. Let is rejoice and be glad in it!
Lord, we rejoice in this day. Please help us overcome and not just survive!
Wellness Wednesday
I am sort of a frugal person. I joke that I spend less on the stuff I need so I can buy more of what I want! ha! Here is a cool article I found recently.
7 Frugal Habits Everyone Should Develop
[full article]
One of the most direct way to change your life, you need to change your attitude.
No one else is responsible for what happens to you but you, so you can either complain about the things you don’t like in your life or you can set about changing them. Not surprisingly, this directly relates to the state of your finances.
If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, having your phone regularly cut off, or making excuses to skip dinners with your friends, then you can use these seven habits to take control of your money situation and live a happier and more frugal lifestyle.
Habit One: Be Proactive
The first habit to develop is to take responsibility; if you fail, you have no one to blame but yourself. Regardless of how you were raised or how you were treated at school, you can choose your behavior now. Being proactive means understanding that YOU are in control of your day-to-day interactions, and thereby, the direction your life takes. This is in stark comparison to a reactive person, who is often affected by their environment and will find external sources to blame for their behavior. For example, if the weather is good, they’re in a good mood, but if the weather is bad, it affects them and they blame the weather for their bad mood.
[Here are 6 action steps to take when you feel financially vulnerable.]
What most people forget is that though you can’t control the stimulus, you can control your response. One of your most important choices is your words; the language you use is an effective indication of how you see yourself. If you use proactive language, such as “I can” or “I will,” you’re starting with a more positive attitude than someone who uses language like “I can’t” or “I have to” or “If only.”
How to be proactive for effective frugality:
Take the first step. You cannot take control of your finances until you make the commitment to do so; the more you ignore the situation, the worse it will get. Instead, take a long hard look at your finances — your budget, debts, income, and expenses, and try to understand where your money is going and where you can budget better. (To help you out, here are 25 ways to pay off your debt more easily.)
Tell people. Using proactive language to vocalize your hope of being more financially responsible not only helps you crystallize your goal, but it can also help you avoid the peer pressure that makes budgeting and frugality hard. If you explain to your friends and family that you’re trying to live a more frugal lifestyle, they’ll be less likely to pressure you into one more round of drinks or another dinner out.
Listen. Listen to yourself and to the reasons you give each time you make a purchase outside of your budget or decide not to put spare money into your savings account. Taking the time to stop and listen to the reasons you give yourself for spending more than you earn will give you the opportunity to hear just how shallow many of those reasons are. This can stop you from making purchases that impede your goal of effective frugality.
Habit Two: Begin with the End in Mind
Those who are effective in achieving their goals are able to envisage their desired end result in spite of the obstacles. Effective people adhere to this habit based on the principle that all things are created twice; there is first the mental creation, then the physical creation. The physical creation follows the mental creation the same way that a building follows its blueprints.
If you don’t visualize what you want, then you’re at risk of other people and external circumstances influencing your life – because you’re not influencing it yourself. Instead, begin every day and every task with a clear vision of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Make that vision a reality with your proactive skills from habit one.
How to visualize effective frugality:
Define your goal. There are many ways to live a frugal lifestyle, and you need to decide how frugal you want to be. Do you want to be debt free, build a savings account of a certain value, or live on one income in a two-income household?
Decide how you’re going to get there. This will again draw on your budget, but you need to be aware of the obstacles that are standing in your way. These may be literal obstacles, such as credit card debts, or they may be obstacles you’ve identified in your behavior. An example of a behavioral obstacle would be spending $10 every day on junk food on your way home from work, because you’re starving. Instead, you could be packing an inexpensive granola bar to keep you going until dinner. Or, do you find that when you go shopping with your sister, she always helps you justify a frivolous purchase, when you could leave your credit card at home?
MoneyNing Tip: Make sure your goals are SMART!
Habit Three: Put First Things First
Knowing WHY you’re doing something is an incredible motivator in helping you transform a mental creation into an actual physical creation of your goal. Ask yourself what the things are that you find most valuable and worthy to you. When you put these things first, you’ll be organizing and managing your time around your personal priorities to make them a reality.
For many people, it’s hard to say no, but this is exactly the skill you have to learn to keep your goals as your first priority. While we are constantly told we can have it all, in reality, having it all is really about prioritizing what is most important to YOU to have, and then focusing on that.
How to put effective frugality first:
Recognize the effects of your finances. You may not dedicate as much time as you should to managing your finances and practicing frugal principles because you feel there’s always something more important to be doing — whether it’s work, taking the kids to soccer practice, or getting ready for dinner with the girls. If your finances aren’t under control, however, and you’re regularly spending more than you earn, then they’re having a negative impact on every other aspect of your life, from your work to your family and friends. You need to recognize that being frugal is your first priority.
Just say no. It’s easy to spend more than your budgeted amount each month when you’re worried about missing out on a dinner with friends, feel as though you have to cater a birthday party for your son and 50 of his closest friends, or don’t want to wear the same suit to a work conference two years in a row. If you recognize that you don’t have to take on everything and that it’s okay to say no, then you’ll find you’re more in control of your spending and your budget.
Habit Four: Think Win-Win
Most of us are taught to base our self-worth on comparisons to others and competition against our peers. We think we can only succeed if someone else has failed. We’re also taught that there’s only so much pie to go around, so if you get a big piece, then someone else is missing out. When you think like this, you’re going to feel like nothing is ever fair. As a result, many of us retaliate and take the pie before someone else can take it from us.
Thinking in a win-win mindset allows you to see mutual benefits from all of your interactions. By doing this, you’ll see that the pie tastes even better when it’s shared. If you can approach conflicts and problems with a win-win attitude, you’ll be able to express your ideas and feelings with courage, while still maintaining consideration for the feelings and ideas of others. When you have an abundance mentality, you’re able to see that there is enough for everyone, and that by balancing your confidence with empathy, you can achieve your goals while helping others achieve theirs.
How to create frugal win-win situations:
Recognize that you don’t always know the full story. As you aim to implement frugal principles and stick to a budget, you may often find yourself thinking “it’s not fair.” It’s not fair that they get to go out to dinner. It’s not fair that they get a new car. It’s not fair that they get to go on vacation, and I don’t. Take the time to realize, however, that you’re only seeing a small part of the finances of your friends and family who seem to “have it all.” And though it’s hard to watch your best friend take a dream European holiday, or your brother buy the car you covet, you’ll get there, too — if you manage your finances frugally. And the best part? There will still be plenty of holiday destinations and fast cars when that time rolls around.
Understand the difference between possessions and net worth. While your friends and family may seem to have a fuller lifestyle because their house is bigger or their car is newer, you need to consider that it could just be a facade covering their mountains of debt. True wealth is not measured in possessions, but in assets. When the value of your assets is greater than the amount you owe on mortgages, car loans, and credit card debts, then you have a strong net worth and are truly wealthy. By trying to live a more effectively frugal lifestyle, you’ll be able to achieve true wealth, rather than just a life full of stuff.
MoneyNing Tip: When building wealth, remember to look at the big picture, too.
Habit Five: Communication
At its base, communication is the desire to be heard and understood. Most people will listen with the intention to reply to what you’re saying, rather than to understand what you’ve said. To effectively communicate, you need to first understand. If you communicate with the sole intention of being understood, you may ignore what others are saying and miss their meaning entirely. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk; pay attention to what people are trying to tell you.
How listening can help you be effectively frugal:
You are not the only person in your life. Chances are you’re married or in a relationship, have friends or children, or all of the above. As a result, you’re not the only person being affected by your decision to live a more frugal lifestyle. To be effective in your goal of frugality, you need to be able to listen to and understand the goals and behaviors of the other people in your life, too. Consider how effective your frugality would be if you were taking packed lunches to work and avoiding the afternoon coffee run, while your partner was going on shopping sprees during their lunch break. Instead of living a more frugal lifestyle, you’d really be saving on one end and spending on the other.
Understand the goals and needs of others. While it’s important to explain your desire to live more frugally, it’s also important that you understand the goals and needs of those around you. This way, you can find a way to be more frugal without them having to give up all of the things that are most important to them. You can’t know what those things are unless you listen.
Habit Six: Synergize
Interactions and teamwork are some of the most important ways you can learn new skills and more effective behaviors. Synergizing is the habit of creative cooperation — working as a team to find new solutions to existing problems. Synergy is not something that just happens. It’s a process where you bring all of your personal experience and expertise to the table, enabling more effective results than those you would have been able to achieve individually. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When you have genuine interactions with people, you’re able to gain new insights and see new approaches to your problems — ones you might not have thought of before.
How to synergize for effective frugality:
Look for new ways. In a society that excels at consumerism, you’ve probably already realized that you need to find new ways of doing just about everything to be frugal. It’s easy to buy your lunch every day, but it’s more frugal to pack it. It’s easy to drive to work, but it’s more frugal to take the train. It’s easy to buy a new cocktail dress, but it’s more frugal to make one.
Surround yourself with other frugal people. To be successful in your quest for frugality, surround yourself with like-minded people. Find people who are where you want to be by joining online frugal-living forums, striking up a friendship with a fellow coupon-cutter, or starting a sewing club. When you’re around people with the same goals as you, you’ll be able to share ideas and learn from each other.
MoneyNing Tip: Learn to embrace the positive influence of saving money.
Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw
You’re the greatest asset you have on your journey to achieving the lifestyle you want, so you need to look after yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Taking the time to renew yourself in these areas of your life will give you strength to maintain the previous six habits, which are essential for your success.
How to frugally renew yourself:
Physically. By eating better, you’ll feel better. Take it another step further and start your own vegetable patch, which will save you money at the supermarket and be healthier for you. Exercising keeps you fit and healthy, and it doesn’t cost you anything to go for a walk, ride a bike, or skip rope in the backyard. To rest your body, you don’t need to go to a day spa; you can simply relax in the tub at home.
Emotionally. Interacting socially with others allows you to make meaningful connections, and it makes you feel good. This can be achieved by chatting with the woman at the coffee shop or by calling your mom once a week.
Mentally. Exercising and expanding your mind through learning, reading, writing, and teaching can be done frugally. Visit your local library, or volunteer at a school or retirement home to teach others a skill you may be taking for granted.
Spiritually. Spend time close to nature and expand your spiritual self through meditation, music, art, or prayer. Take a quiet moment to center yourself and empty your mind before going to bed. Or, go for a hike and be grateful for the beauty of nature surrounding you.
Frugality doesn’t mean having to give up all the luxuries and things which make you happy. Don’t get burned out by developing habits one through six without taking the time to renew yourself. Frugality is something you want to develop and maintain for the long-term. Follow these seven habits, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a highly frugal person.
Do you consider yourself a highly frugal person? How did you get there?
This post was originally written by Alban, and a parody of the amazing book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He’s a personal finance writer for Finder.com.au.
*************************************************
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.- Psalm 117:2
While I am usually a very organized planner type of person. I have had several occurrences of "last minute"-itis in my life! Won't go into details. Sometimes things worked out OK. Sometimes not so much. Whew... At least I started my relationship with God early in life!
The devotional talks about the tragedy of waiting til it is too late to establish a relationship with God. Yikes! That is way more horrible than waiting til the last minute to turn in a writing assignment (not that I have ever done that...). WAY more horrible! Turn to God today. Pray for others today. Serve God today. This is the day the Lord hath made. Let is rejoice and be glad in it!
Lord, we rejoice in this day. Please help us overcome and not just survive!
Wellness Wednesday
I am sort of a frugal person. I joke that I spend less on the stuff I need so I can buy more of what I want! ha! Here is a cool article I found recently.
7 Frugal Habits Everyone Should Develop
[full article]
One of the most direct way to change your life, you need to change your attitude.
No one else is responsible for what happens to you but you, so you can either complain about the things you don’t like in your life or you can set about changing them. Not surprisingly, this directly relates to the state of your finances.
If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, having your phone regularly cut off, or making excuses to skip dinners with your friends, then you can use these seven habits to take control of your money situation and live a happier and more frugal lifestyle.
Habit One: Be Proactive
The first habit to develop is to take responsibility; if you fail, you have no one to blame but yourself. Regardless of how you were raised or how you were treated at school, you can choose your behavior now. Being proactive means understanding that YOU are in control of your day-to-day interactions, and thereby, the direction your life takes. This is in stark comparison to a reactive person, who is often affected by their environment and will find external sources to blame for their behavior. For example, if the weather is good, they’re in a good mood, but if the weather is bad, it affects them and they blame the weather for their bad mood.
[Here are 6 action steps to take when you feel financially vulnerable.]
What most people forget is that though you can’t control the stimulus, you can control your response. One of your most important choices is your words; the language you use is an effective indication of how you see yourself. If you use proactive language, such as “I can” or “I will,” you’re starting with a more positive attitude than someone who uses language like “I can’t” or “I have to” or “If only.”
How to be proactive for effective frugality:
Take the first step. You cannot take control of your finances until you make the commitment to do so; the more you ignore the situation, the worse it will get. Instead, take a long hard look at your finances — your budget, debts, income, and expenses, and try to understand where your money is going and where you can budget better. (To help you out, here are 25 ways to pay off your debt more easily.)
Tell people. Using proactive language to vocalize your hope of being more financially responsible not only helps you crystallize your goal, but it can also help you avoid the peer pressure that makes budgeting and frugality hard. If you explain to your friends and family that you’re trying to live a more frugal lifestyle, they’ll be less likely to pressure you into one more round of drinks or another dinner out.
Listen. Listen to yourself and to the reasons you give each time you make a purchase outside of your budget or decide not to put spare money into your savings account. Taking the time to stop and listen to the reasons you give yourself for spending more than you earn will give you the opportunity to hear just how shallow many of those reasons are. This can stop you from making purchases that impede your goal of effective frugality.
Habit Two: Begin with the End in Mind
Those who are effective in achieving their goals are able to envisage their desired end result in spite of the obstacles. Effective people adhere to this habit based on the principle that all things are created twice; there is first the mental creation, then the physical creation. The physical creation follows the mental creation the same way that a building follows its blueprints.
If you don’t visualize what you want, then you’re at risk of other people and external circumstances influencing your life – because you’re not influencing it yourself. Instead, begin every day and every task with a clear vision of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Make that vision a reality with your proactive skills from habit one.
How to visualize effective frugality:
Define your goal. There are many ways to live a frugal lifestyle, and you need to decide how frugal you want to be. Do you want to be debt free, build a savings account of a certain value, or live on one income in a two-income household?
Decide how you’re going to get there. This will again draw on your budget, but you need to be aware of the obstacles that are standing in your way. These may be literal obstacles, such as credit card debts, or they may be obstacles you’ve identified in your behavior. An example of a behavioral obstacle would be spending $10 every day on junk food on your way home from work, because you’re starving. Instead, you could be packing an inexpensive granola bar to keep you going until dinner. Or, do you find that when you go shopping with your sister, she always helps you justify a frivolous purchase, when you could leave your credit card at home?
MoneyNing Tip: Make sure your goals are SMART!
Habit Three: Put First Things First
Knowing WHY you’re doing something is an incredible motivator in helping you transform a mental creation into an actual physical creation of your goal. Ask yourself what the things are that you find most valuable and worthy to you. When you put these things first, you’ll be organizing and managing your time around your personal priorities to make them a reality.
For many people, it’s hard to say no, but this is exactly the skill you have to learn to keep your goals as your first priority. While we are constantly told we can have it all, in reality, having it all is really about prioritizing what is most important to YOU to have, and then focusing on that.
How to put effective frugality first:
Recognize the effects of your finances. You may not dedicate as much time as you should to managing your finances and practicing frugal principles because you feel there’s always something more important to be doing — whether it’s work, taking the kids to soccer practice, or getting ready for dinner with the girls. If your finances aren’t under control, however, and you’re regularly spending more than you earn, then they’re having a negative impact on every other aspect of your life, from your work to your family and friends. You need to recognize that being frugal is your first priority.
Just say no. It’s easy to spend more than your budgeted amount each month when you’re worried about missing out on a dinner with friends, feel as though you have to cater a birthday party for your son and 50 of his closest friends, or don’t want to wear the same suit to a work conference two years in a row. If you recognize that you don’t have to take on everything and that it’s okay to say no, then you’ll find you’re more in control of your spending and your budget.
Habit Four: Think Win-Win
Most of us are taught to base our self-worth on comparisons to others and competition against our peers. We think we can only succeed if someone else has failed. We’re also taught that there’s only so much pie to go around, so if you get a big piece, then someone else is missing out. When you think like this, you’re going to feel like nothing is ever fair. As a result, many of us retaliate and take the pie before someone else can take it from us.
Thinking in a win-win mindset allows you to see mutual benefits from all of your interactions. By doing this, you’ll see that the pie tastes even better when it’s shared. If you can approach conflicts and problems with a win-win attitude, you’ll be able to express your ideas and feelings with courage, while still maintaining consideration for the feelings and ideas of others. When you have an abundance mentality, you’re able to see that there is enough for everyone, and that by balancing your confidence with empathy, you can achieve your goals while helping others achieve theirs.
How to create frugal win-win situations:
Recognize that you don’t always know the full story. As you aim to implement frugal principles and stick to a budget, you may often find yourself thinking “it’s not fair.” It’s not fair that they get to go out to dinner. It’s not fair that they get a new car. It’s not fair that they get to go on vacation, and I don’t. Take the time to realize, however, that you’re only seeing a small part of the finances of your friends and family who seem to “have it all.” And though it’s hard to watch your best friend take a dream European holiday, or your brother buy the car you covet, you’ll get there, too — if you manage your finances frugally. And the best part? There will still be plenty of holiday destinations and fast cars when that time rolls around.
Understand the difference between possessions and net worth. While your friends and family may seem to have a fuller lifestyle because their house is bigger or their car is newer, you need to consider that it could just be a facade covering their mountains of debt. True wealth is not measured in possessions, but in assets. When the value of your assets is greater than the amount you owe on mortgages, car loans, and credit card debts, then you have a strong net worth and are truly wealthy. By trying to live a more effectively frugal lifestyle, you’ll be able to achieve true wealth, rather than just a life full of stuff.
MoneyNing Tip: When building wealth, remember to look at the big picture, too.
Habit Five: Communication
At its base, communication is the desire to be heard and understood. Most people will listen with the intention to reply to what you’re saying, rather than to understand what you’ve said. To effectively communicate, you need to first understand. If you communicate with the sole intention of being understood, you may ignore what others are saying and miss their meaning entirely. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk; pay attention to what people are trying to tell you.
How listening can help you be effectively frugal:
You are not the only person in your life. Chances are you’re married or in a relationship, have friends or children, or all of the above. As a result, you’re not the only person being affected by your decision to live a more frugal lifestyle. To be effective in your goal of frugality, you need to be able to listen to and understand the goals and behaviors of the other people in your life, too. Consider how effective your frugality would be if you were taking packed lunches to work and avoiding the afternoon coffee run, while your partner was going on shopping sprees during their lunch break. Instead of living a more frugal lifestyle, you’d really be saving on one end and spending on the other.
Understand the goals and needs of others. While it’s important to explain your desire to live more frugally, it’s also important that you understand the goals and needs of those around you. This way, you can find a way to be more frugal without them having to give up all of the things that are most important to them. You can’t know what those things are unless you listen.
Habit Six: Synergize
Interactions and teamwork are some of the most important ways you can learn new skills and more effective behaviors. Synergizing is the habit of creative cooperation — working as a team to find new solutions to existing problems. Synergy is not something that just happens. It’s a process where you bring all of your personal experience and expertise to the table, enabling more effective results than those you would have been able to achieve individually. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When you have genuine interactions with people, you’re able to gain new insights and see new approaches to your problems — ones you might not have thought of before.
How to synergize for effective frugality:
Look for new ways. In a society that excels at consumerism, you’ve probably already realized that you need to find new ways of doing just about everything to be frugal. It’s easy to buy your lunch every day, but it’s more frugal to pack it. It’s easy to drive to work, but it’s more frugal to take the train. It’s easy to buy a new cocktail dress, but it’s more frugal to make one.
Surround yourself with other frugal people. To be successful in your quest for frugality, surround yourself with like-minded people. Find people who are where you want to be by joining online frugal-living forums, striking up a friendship with a fellow coupon-cutter, or starting a sewing club. When you’re around people with the same goals as you, you’ll be able to share ideas and learn from each other.
MoneyNing Tip: Learn to embrace the positive influence of saving money.
Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw
You’re the greatest asset you have on your journey to achieving the lifestyle you want, so you need to look after yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Taking the time to renew yourself in these areas of your life will give you strength to maintain the previous six habits, which are essential for your success.
How to frugally renew yourself:
Physically. By eating better, you’ll feel better. Take it another step further and start your own vegetable patch, which will save you money at the supermarket and be healthier for you. Exercising keeps you fit and healthy, and it doesn’t cost you anything to go for a walk, ride a bike, or skip rope in the backyard. To rest your body, you don’t need to go to a day spa; you can simply relax in the tub at home.
Emotionally. Interacting socially with others allows you to make meaningful connections, and it makes you feel good. This can be achieved by chatting with the woman at the coffee shop or by calling your mom once a week.
Mentally. Exercising and expanding your mind through learning, reading, writing, and teaching can be done frugally. Visit your local library, or volunteer at a school or retirement home to teach others a skill you may be taking for granted.
Spiritually. Spend time close to nature and expand your spiritual self through meditation, music, art, or prayer. Take a quiet moment to center yourself and empty your mind before going to bed. Or, go for a hike and be grateful for the beauty of nature surrounding you.
Frugality doesn’t mean having to give up all the luxuries and things which make you happy. Don’t get burned out by developing habits one through six without taking the time to renew yourself. Frugality is something you want to develop and maintain for the long-term. Follow these seven habits, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a highly frugal person.
Do you consider yourself a highly frugal person? How did you get there?
This post was originally written by Alban, and a parody of the amazing book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He’s a personal finance writer for Finder.com.au.
*************************************************
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.- Psalm 117:2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)