Enjoy a happy freebie day!

http://www.starbucks.com/ for your coupon for a free pastry

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html

Lately I have been having many conversations with God about this because I have been really fed up with being so insecure. He had lead me to the story of Gideon, which surprised me!

Gideon was just as scared to accomplish God’s will as I can be in my own Christian walk. Gideon asked God several times to “prove Himself” before going to war with the Midianites. The angel comes to tell Gideon he is a “mighty warrior”. Gideon’s response shows how he feels God has abandoned the Isrealites as they were left in the hands of the oppressive Midianites. God is blunt and tells Gideon, “…am I not sending you?” encouraging him to battle (Judges 6:14). Then Gideon asks for several signs to “make sure” it was really God speaking. He was not sure of either God or himself, he was scared of his family, the Midianites, and the men in his home town. Then God decreases his newly formed army to 300 men to blow trumpets. We know the end of the story, God’s way works, despite Gideon’s fears.

It inspires me that God already knew how skeptical Gideon would be and He chose him as the “mighty warrior”, even with all his doubts and fears. As the story progresses God instructs Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp as He is preparing His victory. He cares for Gideon’s insecurities so much that He instructs him, “…if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah…” (Judges 7:10) God still went forward with His plan.

I am now thankful in the mist of my many imperfections and insecurities that God still chose me. I am blessed that He considers these things, for as tough as I like to pretend to be, I’m still His “scaredy-cat”…and with that He can do amazing things!

(Read more about Gideon in Judges 6-8)

I was at a loss for what to make my hubby for valentines day, especially with the crazy week i had with being in the hospital. Then i was reading this book a friend gave me called “created to be his help meet”.  Its a little bit more conservative than i am but basically its a book on being a more biblical wife. Anyway that is all beside the point, the point is in the chapter i was reading the author shared some advice that really struck me she said  ”no man has ever crawled out from under his wife’s criticism to be a better man- no matter how JUSTIFIED her condemnation.” It got me thinking about how many affirmations i over up to my hubby throughout the day/week/month. and so i thought, That’s it i’m gonna make him an affirmation jar for valentines day! I included 31 affirmations (one for each day of the month) plus a few extra’s (cause you all know some days we need to hear a few more affirmations).

to make your own affirmation jar all you need is a few minutes and a few easy supplies….

Supplies:

A Jar (i used a baby food jar)

some strips of paper cut into little rectangles (i cut after i put the word on)

Pen or stickers or other things with words like magazine cut outs

Decorations for the side and lid of the jar

Directions:

1)Write one word on each little strip and put in your jar.

2)Decorate your jar as desired (mine has my hubby’s name on the side, and on the top it says… when i think of you i think….

3) open your jar daily and read your affirmation of the day

Originally posted 2/15/10 @ Domestic Days

So, I planned all my meals for the week, did my grocery shopping, bought a birthday present, paid bills and filled my car up with gas. The act of doing the spending fast made me realize how often I mindlessly spend money. I didn’t run to the grocery store when I ran out of bananas. We just ate other fruit for the rest of the week. I didn’t drop by Target because I was bored. When I purposely didn’t spend money, I was reminded that there are so many things that I don’t need. I was encouraged to be resourceful. I was focused on the things that I already had.

It wasn’t that difficult to do aside from all of the planning. And I do struggle with money. I let my spending get out of control on tons of little things (hello, Target Dollar Spot). When I start to feel like I’m not paying attention to where my money is going, I do another spending fast.

I just finished a post-Christmas spending fast. The December credit card bill plus my husband’s paycheck with several furlough days taken out made us feel like we needed to take a step back and get control of our spending.

It was so refreshing. Plus, I also realized that I wasn’t so busy shopping or perusing the clearance section on Old Navy’s website. My girls loved spending more time walking to the park and hanging out at home. I spent some time asking God to show me how to use the money we had in a way that pleased him. It was enlightening! My husband and I decided that we wanted to put a little bit of money aside every month for ministry, either serving our neighbors, making meals for friends, or being generous in Jesus’ name.

Doing a spending fast has been such a great experience… you should try it sometime!

These women are from Nurture. They welcome me with hugs, offer me prayer, and provide good conversation. My table last semester was such a blessing. They quickly made themselves vulnerable and asked for prayer and advice. Their openness has given me the freedom to be open. And I’m so thankful for that!

I’m so thankful that Nurture starts back up this week! I miss my community. I miss my table. I miss hearing the truth that Jan and our amazing speakers have to share with us.

tuesday OR wednesday
9-11:30am
january 26-april 28th (12 weeks)

experience a COMMUNITY of REAL MOMS living life together
and growing in their relationship with God

hear AMAZING speakers from ROCKHARBOR studying the Women of the Bible and how RELEVANT their stories are to our lives

MOTHERS of children of ALL AGES welcome

nurture provides a Christ-centered, caring ministry for moms of all ages and stages. this weekly gathering includes breakfast, conversation, a speaker, and small group discussion. additionally, a children’s program is available for pre-school aged children. our mission is to provide a place for you to be encouraged, grow deeper in your relationship with God, and develop relationships with other moms.

cost: mom with no child $50; with one child $145, and with two or more children $165
scholarships available contact JanJack@cox.net
*our new home-schooling program will be available on wednesdays*

registration for spring is open, visit core.rockharbor.org to sign up
or just come the first day!