365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 232

As the offering plate went around at church on Sunday, I debated in my head if I should quickly reach down and possibly hold up the offering plate so I could put in my money. I had a vision of taking out my wallet and dumping all the money I had in the offering plate in a grand display in front of the little girl sitting next to me to show her how we should give. But I did nothing but passed the plate along and wondered why. I talked to my hubbie about it after church. He is an usher now and told me that there are plenty of people scrambling to get a check written or their money out before the offering plate gets to them. This made me realize how totally unprepared I am to come into church to worship. I can’t tell how many times the offering plate has gone by me without my contribution because of my lack of forethought. Maybe it is me wanting to keep some control over my cash flow and maybe it is me trying to justify how I have given in other ways or to other places. In any case, I am not ready for it and it makes me wonder how ready am I to worship, truly worship? Holy Spirit, lead me in preparing my body, soul and spirit to give all I have to the Lord.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 278

A co-worker friend took me to a beauty supply shop that is for licenced people only so I could look at getting some color stuff for my hair. Most of the women at my work utilize this way to save some money by doing it themselves but with the same product that the professional hair people will use. I haven't been able to get to my hairdresser since March and had my hubbie do a boxed color on my hair which of course lasts all of two weeks or so. So as the product I was purchasing was added to the counter, I was expecting a higher total price and was pleasantly surprised by the low cost and that was with shampoo and conditioner as well. So this weekend, I will ask for my hubbie to help do my hair. It's pretty much do it or pay for it kind of option. It actually is a good bonding experience for us and may be a good time to talk about my desire to go back to school to be a biblical counselor. I am really feeling that is where God is leading me. But back to the main point, I am thankful for God's help with finances. I have been feeling the pinch and asked for the Lord's help in finding ways to save money or make more money. It's not about the gray hair. That doesn't bother me anymore. Its about how you feel and if it makes you feel better to color your hair and you have the means than go for it.

Phillipians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 195

It's been on my mind and heart where this ministry is going as you already know. After lots of thought and prayer and discussing this with my hubbie, I am at peace with what I now know is the correct mindset. I joined the business mastermind group in January to be in a group that would be helpful in giving me ideas, encouragement and guidance. It did do that but I have also found that it made me think of this ministry more as a business and how to generate money. I have looked at it from all angles and find it's just not possible to do enough workshops to make the kind of money I am making at my current job. My dream of doing my scrapbooking as a business and having it be my full-time job is not feasible. This is a ministry to help women and that's what it will be. Where God takes it, I will follow. Thanks to the Lord for giving my husband the words of encouragement, wisdom and guidance that I needed to steer my course where God wants it to be.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 117

A little bit of finacial worrying go to me yesterday. It's one of those months with my upcoming workshops to prepare for, my daughter's birthday and my trip to visit with my sister and mom coming up next month, I was feeling a little worried about how I am I going to manage all these extra expenses. By bed time last night, I finally realized what I had been doing and said a prayer asking God to just take it away. He has always provided so I don't know why I worry about it. Yes, we may have to cut back on eating out and the little extras like a trip to Coldstone Creamery but 'tis just a season of less to help us appreciate the mores. So, thanks to God for helping take the worries from me. Is there something you are worrying about? Take it and put it in God's very faithful hands.
Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 70

My son lost his retainer. To me it almost seems like inevitable that this would happen. It's just not something you are use to doing and distractions happen. So some poor guy cleaning our table up at Jason's Deli probably saw and wondered 'what the heck', into the trash I am sure is where it went. My hubbie was fuming at this loss because he thought the cost to replace ran around $250. Ouch! In the scheme of things, I certainly don't want his teeth to get messed up and ruin all the work and money already put into them but at the same time I feel like we have to focus on the fact that we could give him braces in the first place. We have much to be thankful for and yes an extra $250 will hurt and probably mean no mini trip during Spring Break but I am going to pray and keep my focus on the positive and know that in the end God will provide as he always does.
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds?