10 Ways Mom Knows It's Time for September

  1. You let the kids play with the water hose -- in the living room.

2. Mom and dad are doing full-out cannon ball dives into the community swimming pool -- that is, until they ask you to leave.

3. Bedtime is now 7:30 sharp -- in the morning.

4. You roasted smores with the kids over an open fire last night -- that is after the marshmallow catches fire on your stovetop.

5. You make truckloads of lemonade for dinner -- using the water from the fire hydrant.

6. You call your friends and tell them you're calling from seaside at Martha's "Grape" Vineyard -- actually you're sitting in a 2 foot plastic wading pool, after your son smears grape jelly all over his face.

7. You contact Carnival Cruise Line on-line and ask if they will sell your family one way tickets.

8. You tell your husband you're having "shrimp on the barbie" for supper -- actually its your way of telling your husband that your five-year-old daughter left her favorite doll on the gas grille.

9. You call your favorite baby-sitter and insist tonight they read a story and make macaroni and cheese -- for you.

10. Mom finally takes a nap -- but doesn't notice, under the sprinkler.

Picture above in our four oldest children (out of six) at the end of August 1990.

Cheryl Moeller with Momlaugh.  Cheryl's latest Kindle book, Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle answers the proverbial question, "Why do I lose both of my socks in the dryer?" Other people lose one sock, but I lose both.  Buy here

God Always Has Us On His Mind - He will always be Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider!

Our car was in the shop on a rainy day in September.  I needed groceries for dinner but it was raining too hard to ride my bike.  I went to the garage to clean a little.  I opened the cooler from my husband's fishing trip in June.  Inside the cooler, I found a lot of canned and boxed goods.  He had obviously not used all his groceries on his fishing trip.  We had a great supper that night and I thanked God for his provision of food for the meal. What three things has God done for you, your husband, your children, your parents or your siblings that you can tell three people about today? 
"And my God will meet all your needs accourding to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Dear God, In the morning, afternoon, and evening, may I often thank you and tell others all that you have done. In Jesus' name, Amen

Why is my Spouse Angry? Or, Why Am I Angry?

I have several blogs and I also write on several blogs.
This is along with being a syndicated humor columnists
on a variety of newspapers and magazines, both online
and on paper.

Here's a post from last week on Mentoring Moments for
Christian Women called Why is My Spouse Angry?

If God Permits

The house next door to us was going to be renovated and it really needed it.  Someone bought it and was going to rehab it.  They started working on it one day and then did not return for months.  We found out that they did not have the necessary permits, so the city shut them down temporarily until they secured the correct ones.
"And this we will do if God permits." Hebrews 6:3
Dear God, I want to know your heart and Word, so this verse will true in my life every day.  In Christ's name, Amen

Cheryl's Writer's Mentor Conference

Cheryl's Writer's Mentor Conference: Writing, Publishing, Kindle Publishing, Speaking and Blogging
Thursday and Friday evening, 6:00-9:00 Pm, Saturday,
10:00 Am - 5:00 Pm
Please try to attend all three sessions.
Bethany Baptist Church
6700 W. Gunnison
Harwood Heights, IL   60706

Lunch is on your own on Saturday.
High School through adults. Beginners to Advanced writers.
Cheryl will take you where you are in your writing/publishing journey and move you several steps forward.  She'll give you a workable plan you can really follow and make real progress.  Cheryl is a former literary agent turned author and conference speaker.
R.S.V.P. forkeepsministries@gmail.com

January 2012

                            To be released with Harvest House Publishers January 2012

Other Kindle Blogs by Momlaughs

For Those that Want a good clean Laugh --
Momlaughs



For Those that want encouragement in their writing and publishing
Writing Mentor

The joyous wedding of our son Andrew and his bride Tiffany

                                 The joyous wedding of our son Andrew and his bride Tiffany

                                                The Ring Bearer, our grandson, Benjamin

Genesis 2:18-24

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

I Really Am Stuck on Spin Cycle! Kindle eBook or Paperback Book and CD

Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle by Cheryl Moeller on Kindle

At last a book that answers the proverbial question, “Where is my other sock?” Cheryl Moeller, emerges from her laundry room at last to tell her story – such as the time Metamucil tablets left in a pants pocket became the size of basketballs after 30 minutes in the washing machine. Her over-the-laundry pile humor will help you laugh your way through motherhood -- 31 days in a row. She’ll also give you Ten Ways to know it’s going to be a Long Labor and Delivery, Ten Things you Can Learn from your Cat, and Ten Reasons Why a Mom should be President. So when your laundry gets taller than you are, turn over a basket, sit down and read a page of, “Help, Mom’s Stuck on Spin Cycle.” Warning: You may emerge from the laundry room with permanent press wrinkles -- from laughing.  Buy now on Kindle

Buy a paperback book and get a CD of momlaughs comedy also.  Buy here.

Tiffany and Andrew's Wedding

Our fourth child, third son will be married, Saturday, June 25, 5:00 PM.
We are very excited.
We Praise God for a godly wife for Andrew, one that surpasses all our hopes and dreams by 1,000,000,000s of miles.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below!
Proverbs 31:10-31
 ^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

20 Things I’ve Learned from Raising Six Children

Cheryl Moeller's Observations on Life with Six Kids

1) Salt, pepper and milk are not fish food.
2) It's a bad thing when your child calls from camp and asks if it's a bad thing if one foot is bigger than the other.
3) If you mow the lawn with the basement windows open – the carbon monoxide detector will go off.
4) The ceiling fan doesn’t hold more than a 40 pound child and is not a substitute for taking your child to Great America.
5) Two kids cannot sit on top of the refrigerator but one can.
6) A 10-year-old cannot run a mile without shoes but he can run a ½ mile.
7) A mother with three sons doesn’t have that many friends who are mothers of all girls when the sons are young. The mother has more friends who are mothers of all girls when they reach high school age.
8) You get invited over less to friends and family’s houses for Sunday dinner when you have six kids.
9) When the nurse says, "even though the white count is as high as Mononucleosis – it’s only E coli," you shouldn’t be happy.
10) Finger painting is a good hobby.
11) Finger painting the front door is not a good hobby.
12) Green marker and a new couch don’t mix.
13) Black marker and a new loveseat also don’t mix.
14) The backyard swimming pool is not a bubble bath.
15) Pool filters do not like bubbles.
16) A dog who has been fed two packages of hot dogs can throw up twice his body weight.
17) Being hit with a marble from the second floor hurts more than being hit by a marble from the first floor.
18) The Easy Bake oven does not bake cookies fast enough for a family of eight.
19) “I hope you didn't forget I put the cell phone on the roof of the car” is not a good thing to hear when you are going 60 mph on the toll way.
20) A good sense of humor will get you through most problems in life.

Published on www.mops.org

What shape are you in at the beginning of the Summer?

Think about it?  What shape are you in?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Thank You God for the Wonder of Life That I See Through My Children

The ceiling fan will never hold more than a 40-pound child…though it is definitely less expensive than taking your child to Six Flags Great America.
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain... Psalm 127:1a
Dear God, Thank you for the wonder of life that I see through my children.  In Christ's name, Amen

A Really Bad Day

“Mommy, do you remember you put the cell phone on the roof of our car just before strapping me in my car seat?” is not the question you wish to hear from your preschooler in the backseat (particularly as your speedometer just reaches 70 miles an hour). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Dear God, Help me to keep a sense of humor everyday. In Jesus Name, Amen

JUNE 2011 - Cheryl's Writing Mentor Conferences: Writing, Publishing, Kindle Publishing, Speaking, and Blogging

  All are welcome to join me:

Monday through Wednesday, June 13-15, 10:00 Am - 5:00 Pm, 

Cheryl's Writing Mentor Conference:  Writing, Publishing, Kindle Publishing, Speaking, and Blogging 

Free conference notes for this life-changing conference.
Lunch is on your own.  Bring your own coffee.
1500 words can be submitted for review by Cheryl.  She will review up to one month after the conference. 

Conference will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 6700 W. Gunnison, Harwood Heights, IL
R.S.V.P. to forkeepsministries@gmail.com

Monday through Wednesday, June 20-22, 11:00 Am - 5:00 Pm, 

Cheryl's Writing Mentor Conference:  Writing, Publishing, Kindle Publishing, Speaking, and Blogging

1500 words can be submitted for review by Cheryl.  She will review up to one month after the conference. 

Conferences will be held at Harvest Baptist Church, Oswego, IL

Conference notes.  Please bring a sack lunch and your own coffee.
R.S.V.P. to forkeepsministries@gmail.com

BoBo

Bo lays at the backdoor.  He does not go out the door unless he perceives that no one is watching.

"	This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

 I John 1:5
 

				Dear God, Help me to walk in the light.  Give me the gift of convction of sin.  In Christ's name, Amen

Ivory Knife from Africa

The statistics said our church was located in the second highest crime precinct in the city. While we were not afraid of our setting we tried to live with a proper street sense. I had been given a hand-carved ivory letter opener as a gift in college from my employer at a missions agency.  One morning on Bob's way to work he decided to pick it up and take it to the office to use as an ornament.  Ten minutes later Bob pulled up in front of our inner-city church and opened the door to get out. At the last moment he remembered the knife and reached in and grabbed it off the seat with his right hand. As he stood up and closed the car door he heard someone standing right behind him. He turned around to see who it was and happened to hold the knife with his right hand. It was a young man in a green army jacket with a stocking cap partially blocking his face. He had snuck up on Bob. The moment he saw Bob's knife his face turned pale and he turned around and ran in the other direction at full speed.  Did a gift sent from half-way around the world save Bob's life? This much is sure. Out there is perhaps still some would-be robber who has to wonder just what kind of pastor caries such a knife to work with him each day. 

Ps. 23:1  Because the Lord is my shepherd; I have everything that I need.

Dear God, Thanks for your hand of protection.  In the name of Jesus, Amen

From the Hospital to Miss Twin Cities

One of my sister-in-laws was born with a chronic skin disease known as eczema. Her serious condition necessitated nearly constant hospitalization during her first four years of her life. Her condition became so serious the doctors suggested as a last ditch effort the family move to a more humid climate to try and save her life.  Despite the hardships of the move from North Dakota to Minnesota, within a year the symptoms of her skin disease all but disappeared.  God added an exclamation to her divine healing and her skin’s restoration, as a college student she won the Miss Twin Cities beauty pageant. That year she was featured in various parades and events around the state even doing product endorsements."I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm--my great army that I sent among you."  Joel 2:25
Dear God, Thank you so much that you are all about restoration and showing up in our live.  In the name of Jesus, Amen

It's Better to be Safe than Sorry

The day we moved into our present home, a home on the other side of the little preschool park that we live across from, had lightening flashes that looked like a fire.   Megan had happened to meet the little girl that lived there, so we raced over to warn them in case someone was in the house with an impending fire.. (In retrospect, I wonder if I should have called the fire department first.)  Thankfully but humorously, the larger than life sparks and flashes were coming from their pinball machines."This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:" Isaiah 8:11
Dear God, Help me to warn others, even when it's safer to not say anything.  Give me holy wisdom, but also courage and boldness. In Jesus' name, Amen

Check out all my blogs on Kindle

Prodigal Puppy

Just a few weeks after moving to a new home we let our beautiful year and a half old Collie named Bo out into the back yard and he was stolen.  He had been gone five years, when our oldest daughter returned from her studies in Israel and one night had a most unusual dream. “I dreamed Bo (our lost collie) was playing in the back yard with Katie and Rudy (our other dogs).” We dismissed her dream as simply wishful thinking. Bo had been gone five years and there was no clue as to his whereabouts or even if he was still alive. Three days later, at 6:30 Am in the morning, we received a call from an animal shelter 85 miles from our home that Bo had been found!

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Dear God, Thank you so much for reminding us through Bo that you can restore those things that we thought were forever lost. God can take care of those we love and bring them back to us in His time. Most important of all -- with God nothing is impossible.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

God Always Has Us On His Mind - He will always be Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider!

Our car was in the shop on a rainy day in September.  I needed groceries for dinner but it was raining too hard to ride my bike.  I went to the garage to clean a little.  I opened the cooler from my husband's fishing trip in June.  Inside the cooler, I found a lot of canned and boxed goods.  He had obviously not used all his groceries on his fishing trip.  We had a great supper that night and I thanked God for his provision of food for the meal. What three things has God done for you, your husband, your children, your parents or your siblings that you can tell three people about today? 
"And my God will meet all your needs accourding to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Dear God, In the morning, afternoon, and evening, may I often thank you and tell others all that you have done. In Jesus' name, Amen

God's Love through Loving Grandparent

I come from a long line of fabulous cooks, but the knowledge was passed down from generation to generation in the kitchen, not on paper. One of my grandmas was a professional cook for decades.  I can smell her blackberry cobbler as I write this.  On the other side, my grandparents ran a dairy farm when my mom was young, so we had the best roast beef even for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We would be driving to grandma's house and ask, "Is grandma making beef roast?" ...knowing the answer!" 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35

 Dear God, Thank you for a godly loving heritage and for memories of blueberries and beef that remind me of God's love through loving grandparents.

Kindergarten Baby

I started kindergarten when I was 4 years old and I didn't turn 5 until Thanksgiving.  I loved my teacher, Mrs. Cook, but I thought she lived in the kindergarten room closet.  She would go in there and stay for a long while and come out with all sorts of things.  I also thought that all cats were girls and all dogs were boys.  Think about it!  It makes a lot of sense.

^"...but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known".  I Corinthians 13:11-12

Dear God,  Help me to remain childlike, but not childish.  Give me a soft heart to hear your voice and see the needs of others around me.  In Christ name and for His sake, Amen

Tradition! Tradition!

Each Christmas my home church, Flint Wesleyan Church, in Flint, Michigan gave out a candy box.  Every year it was given in the same little cardboard box that had been put together by loving people.  Traditionally it had the same candy; the white center chocolate drops, wrapped soft mint candies with the green Christmas tree in the middle, and mixed nuts in the shell.  Even when I see those items today in the store at Christmastime, they bring back such loving memories. 

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day," Genesis 48:15
Dear God, Help me to have the discipline and energy to have some traditions that I carry out each year for every holiday to further my family's sense of belonging, groundedness, and unconditional love.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Find Answers to Your Big Questions in God's Word

My mom used to have her queries about life and laundry answered by chatting with neighbors over the backyard fence as they both hung up clothes on their clotheslines.  Alas, gone are those by days, yet Moms still have vital unanswered questions about laundry.  Here's my question: "Why do most Moms refuse to hang out their sheets on a clothesline, but they’ll drive 45 minutes across the city to a Hallmark store to buy scented candles named “Country Sheets?”^"Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:4-5
Dear God, Help me to seek out the truth in your Word and with mature Christian Believers who love you and Your Word.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Cheryl's List of 13 Free or Nearly Free Gifts for Mother's Day

 

      My dad and mom, both 81 years old, when they were both 61.

1.  A Mother’s Day poem fest!
You can either write mom a poem or copy a poem from someone else, giving them the credit.:)
Or, you could read her some poems as they did in the 1700's!  Sounds corny, but she would like to hear you read some poems over the phone or in person.  Here are some ideas to get you started. And here are Mother’s Day poems for kids.
2.  Printable coloring pages that kids can color for mom.
You can google for these or here are sweet pictures that even the smallest child can color and give to mom
3.  Personalized coupons just for Mom
Just write it up, put a colored border around it, and wrap it in a box.  Mom would love some hours donated to window washing, car detailing, gutter cleaning, errands, yard work or IT stuff.  Offer to move a piece of furniture for her that she has been wanting to move from the basement to the den.  Call her today and ask her what she needs done this spring.  Then, make up a coupon with a deadline of when you will have it done to put in her Mother's Day card.  You will get lots of brownie points for this gift.  Click here for free Mother’s Day coupon templates you can download from Microsoft Office and here are some more cute IOU coupon templates good for gifts
4.  Email greeting cards you can send

Send her several!  Here’s a large selection of free Christian ecards.  Start sending her cards today, building up to Sunday. 
5. Printable cards you can personalize and print out
Write out your favorite Bible verses in your Mother's Day card. If you don’t want to send an e-greeting, here are dozens of printable cards that you can customize and then print out for Mom.  They have some great designs, from 1-2-3 Greetings.
6. Download some free tunes, put them on your mom’s MP3 player or burn them onto a CD.  Click here to google some free Christian itune downloads for mom. You can choose from thousands of songs!
7.  Take her to an art museum, the mall, downtown, the mountains, the lake, the ocean or the forest preserve.  Mom likes a view especially with you along!
There is something this weekend that mom would like to go to or drive by.  Park 1/4 mile from the airport and watch some planes take off and land.  Mom wants some pampering and a little attention. .
8.  Give her a luxurious car ride
A car ride used to be considered a Sunday afternoon's entertainment.  Have you ever noticed how on Mother's Day all the cars are going slow out on the freeway and on Father's Day they are all going fast?  Give your mom a slow tourist ride down a new or old familiar road.  Be her limo driver for the day - yes You!  Don't worry she won't let you go too far with the price of gasoline this spring.
9.  Make her a personalized slide show
You can check out this special Mother’s Day free slideshow template at Smilebox or Snapfish, where you can upload your photos, put them into a virtual album and add music to make a slide show. 
10. Take Mom to a free concert this weekend at a neighboring church.
Proverbs 1:8-9
"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck."
11.  Regift something special to you and tell her why.
Regift one of your favorite books and include a special note to her telling her why you are passing on the gently used book.  Dear mom, This was the best novel I read last year.  I loved the leading character, Barbara, because she reminded me so much of how caring you are.  Love, Your daughter

12.  What you can't spend on a gift, make up for with a sentimental touch.

Maybe you can't give her a gift certificate to Macys this year?  Instead, buy her a quart of strawberries, tie it with a big red ribbon and add a note, "Special memories of grandma's worldclass freezer strawberry jam."
13.  Walgreens has a special coupon for a free 8x10 collage picture for Mother's Day. 
You can make online for free and then go a pick it up to deliver to her.  Or, mail to her.  Or, have her pick it up at her Walgreens in her city.  Here's the free code.

Consider a For Keeps Ministry Product as a gift.

“A mother іѕ a person whο, seeing thеrе аrе οnƖу four pieces οf pie fοr five people, promptly announces ѕhе never did care fοr pie.” ~Tenneva Jordan

 2 Timothy 1:5 ESV I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 

It's Okay to Take Care of Thyself

When we fly, the flight attendant over the microphone tells us parents, if needed, that we should put our own oxygen mask on first.  Then, we'll be prepared to put an oxygen mask on each of our children.  We need to take care of ourselves, so we can take care of those that God has entrusted to us.   
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." III John 1:2
Dear God, Give me forethought, wisdom, determination, and energy to take care of myself, so I can be more productive taking care of others.  In Jesus' Name

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength

Megan won a grand prize in the city Easter Egg Hunt when she was 4.  Her older brothers in junior high and high school had trained her to be aggressive when the 1,000 eggs were put out.  She learned her lessons well and not only got a lot of eggs, she also picked up the one with the Grand Prize ticket in it.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13
Dear God, Today I feel like I have 1,000 eggs to pick up and more appear each time I pick one up.  I need your help.   In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Big Explosion that Taught Me A Lot

I left an empty glass casserole on the stove top.  I thought I turned on the oven, but accidentally turned on the stove top burner instead.  After about 15 minutes, the glass casserole exploded and shot out into 200 small pieces of glass over the whole kitchen, making my kitchen look like I was robbed during a tsunami.  It hurt when these sharp little daggers hit me like bullets.
"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3
Dear God, Keep my mind ever on Jesus.  May my mind ever be mindful of you.  In Christ's Name, Amen

Little is Much When God is in It

 One of our dogs, Katie, is a miniature golden Labrador Retriever. One day she ran into living room and right up on to the couch.  She accidentally jumped on the remote; turned on the TV set; sat down; and watched TV.  We were surprised, but she wasn't.

"...Each day brings its own surprises.” Proverbs 27:1b

Dear God, Help me to be open to doing something new for You.  Help me to be open to Your surprises.  In the name of Jesus, Amen

The Good News and the Bad News

The Good News is we have no water bill!  The Bad News is we have one of the last old septic sytems in our city.  Everyone is phasing into city water, but we are hanging on by our thumbs to our well and septic as long as we can.  Last summer we had a big problem with it; the workers said that the water was leaving the house but not making it to the septic system. The water went out but only 15 feet from the house.  That is not good.  We had to have it emptied every two weeks until they fixed the lines in the field.  Am I like that broken septic line?

"Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on..." Philippians 3:12

Dear God, Help me to be all that I can be for your glory. In Jesus name, Amen 

Do I Need a Childlike Heart?

I grew up in a parsonage (church house) next door to our church.  About every other month, my mom would say all the women were gathering at the church for a shower.  My dad would stay home with us four girls and make us fudge and popcorn.  Later, I would search and search the church basement  for a bathtub or shower where they had "bathed."  I could not figure out where all those moms took their "showers" when they would gather at the church. "But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16
Dear God, Keep my heart and mind as soft as a little child, always ready to believe and forgive. In the forgiving name of Jesus, Amen

Is There A Safe Place I Can Hide?

MacKenzie cut her hair three times when she was three years of age.  The third time she cut it, she put her strands of hair in the closet and shut the door.  And, then she walked boldly back into the living room as though she had hid her secret from the rest of us. "Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?"  Genesis 31:27
Dear God, I know there is no safe place I can hide, except in You.  Help me to run to You only for safety. In the Name of Jesus, Amen

On Good Friday: A conscience shaped by a Grace-filled response.

I learned God's love and grace from my parents and we can teach it to our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  We lived next door to the church and I hit a wiffle ball right through my dad's office study window.  I couldn’t go to sleep that night because I kept seeing huge wiffle balls flying by and hearing glass break.  My dad smiled at me when I finally told them the truth later that weekend, probably because it was obvious to all who had done it. My parents thanked me for telling them.  They had purposely not swept it up, so I had to go over and do that with my mom.  Jesus' death was the ultimate grace shown to us that we did not deserve.  "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
Dear God, Thank you for dieing, so that I might go free.  Help me to give the grace to others that you showed me on Calvary's Tree. In Christ's Name, Amen

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less travelled by,and that has made all the difference - Robert Frost

At one of our favorite camps in Wisconsin, there so many people who got injuries on the long steep toboggan run.  About half way down there was a small rut in the tobaggon run, which made the toboggan run uneven.  Several of our friends got seriously injured on what was only a two inch difference in the height of the wood.  What little thing could you allow God to work on in your life today that could make a big difference? 

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10

Dear God, You have entrusted me with much for which I am so grateful.  Help me to be faithful in the small things, so you can trust me with even more.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen