1 Chronicles 16:11 - Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!
Psalms 105:4 - Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Free Ride
All this economy stuff is just really causing alot of people headaches and worries. It really does shock you into reality about credit and finances doesn't it?
I was talking with our 13yo and one of the 11yos about the credit crisis. They were trying to understand why so many people are having such extreme problems. So, I tried to explain about how in society many people rely on credit in order to buy things. Some people have to buy food and clothing that way and others houses and cars. Of course the conversation turned to why don't people just save their money and then buy.
So, first off I am not attacking people with credit cards. I am however sharing how I at least attempt to teach my children about money.
In our family we do not have credit cards. I do have an account of credit for emergencies merely because we haven't had a chance to save a rainy day fund. We do not buy things unless the money is there. So, the girls were having a hard time understanding about people just going and buying because they wanted something.
I took them to the Bible. Galatians 6:7b ...for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
This verse and passage cover alot more important things than the economy, however it implies even with the economy that if you sow poor money management that it will come right back at you.
In the U.S. and elsewhere people are used to living above their means. Our government has enabled this with the easy loans and also with programs meant to help those in need. Fixing the problem starts at home. How are your finances?
In our house we are teaching our kids that while money does make the world go round, that it is not the source of life. Success in life isn't about how much stuff you have, it's about how many lives you have touched for good.
Perhaps I can have this view because the economic crisis isn't directly affecting us. Our mortgage isn't one of the ones in question, we don't have investments in these companies that are losing value. Yes, we are paying more for groceries, yes we pay more for gas, but we know that the Lord will provide. God is our Source.
I was talking with our 13yo and one of the 11yos about the credit crisis. They were trying to understand why so many people are having such extreme problems. So, I tried to explain about how in society many people rely on credit in order to buy things. Some people have to buy food and clothing that way and others houses and cars. Of course the conversation turned to why don't people just save their money and then buy.
So, first off I am not attacking people with credit cards. I am however sharing how I at least attempt to teach my children about money.
In our family we do not have credit cards. I do have an account of credit for emergencies merely because we haven't had a chance to save a rainy day fund. We do not buy things unless the money is there. So, the girls were having a hard time understanding about people just going and buying because they wanted something.
I took them to the Bible. Galatians 6:7b ...for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
This verse and passage cover alot more important things than the economy, however it implies even with the economy that if you sow poor money management that it will come right back at you.
In the U.S. and elsewhere people are used to living above their means. Our government has enabled this with the easy loans and also with programs meant to help those in need. Fixing the problem starts at home. How are your finances?
In our house we are teaching our kids that while money does make the world go round, that it is not the source of life. Success in life isn't about how much stuff you have, it's about how many lives you have touched for good.
Perhaps I can have this view because the economic crisis isn't directly affecting us. Our mortgage isn't one of the ones in question, we don't have investments in these companies that are losing value. Yes, we are paying more for groceries, yes we pay more for gas, but we know that the Lord will provide. God is our Source.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
WARNING:: Not a perfect parent
It can be scary how things in the past can creep up on you. As most of our readers know, I have been divorced and re-married. My husband and I are doing our best to raise a blended family. This of course gets complicated when we have ex-spouses, stepparents, and the whole mess.
It is on my heart to make sure that nobody reading this blog thinks in any way that I am perfect and have it all together. I think just for the fact that I am a mom with a blended family should say that. I have made mistakes, and when I make those mistakes, I realize it and I take care of it.
Have those days when you are trying to get the teenager out of bed and off to school and they refuse to get up and do morning chores? (We have simple chores for the kiddos… morning chores for the teenager are fixing her bed, straightening her room and feeding the dog) There have been mornings that I get very agitated with her and yell. The second I do it, I know I should not have and I apologize as soon as tension cools.
I believe all of this is to say that as a parent, I make mistakes and I have learned from those mistakes. We have a unique family in that we have custody of all of our kids, and three of our kids have developmental, medical or emotional issues. Two of the three have a lot of trouble with their emotions and reacting to things accordingly. We have one that will explode with anger even when he is extremely happy and one that will withdrawal from everybody. This is hard to deal with when you are not sure what triggered it all the time. The third child with problems is our youngest. He has sensory, issues along with having a heart condition, hypotonic, hypoglycemia and other developmental challenges.
I have been heard saying that God gave us our youngest to show us how we need to look at our children. In addition, because of the information we have received with him, it has helped us in handling all of the kids. We are a lot more patient than we used to be. We are a lot more understanding too.
It is amazing the journey that God will bring you through when you allow Him to. It’s not that the Lord will not allow more than you can bear, it is that he allows thins to happen so it brings you to Him. When Jeff and I got married, I thought I had it all together with child rearing. HA! Boy did I have a lot to learn.
Anyhow, the gist of this article is to PLEASE realize I am not perfect and I never claim to be. I thank the Lord in heaven that I am forgiven and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I try to stay in the Word and I try to keep my eyes on Him. After all, how else could I parent the six blessing He has given me?
It is on my heart to make sure that nobody reading this blog thinks in any way that I am perfect and have it all together. I think just for the fact that I am a mom with a blended family should say that. I have made mistakes, and when I make those mistakes, I realize it and I take care of it.
Have those days when you are trying to get the teenager out of bed and off to school and they refuse to get up and do morning chores? (We have simple chores for the kiddos… morning chores for the teenager are fixing her bed, straightening her room and feeding the dog) There have been mornings that I get very agitated with her and yell. The second I do it, I know I should not have and I apologize as soon as tension cools.
I believe all of this is to say that as a parent, I make mistakes and I have learned from those mistakes. We have a unique family in that we have custody of all of our kids, and three of our kids have developmental, medical or emotional issues. Two of the three have a lot of trouble with their emotions and reacting to things accordingly. We have one that will explode with anger even when he is extremely happy and one that will withdrawal from everybody. This is hard to deal with when you are not sure what triggered it all the time. The third child with problems is our youngest. He has sensory, issues along with having a heart condition, hypotonic, hypoglycemia and other developmental challenges.
I have been heard saying that God gave us our youngest to show us how we need to look at our children. In addition, because of the information we have received with him, it has helped us in handling all of the kids. We are a lot more patient than we used to be. We are a lot more understanding too.
It is amazing the journey that God will bring you through when you allow Him to. It’s not that the Lord will not allow more than you can bear, it is that he allows thins to happen so it brings you to Him. When Jeff and I got married, I thought I had it all together with child rearing. HA! Boy did I have a lot to learn.
Anyhow, the gist of this article is to PLEASE realize I am not perfect and I never claim to be. I thank the Lord in heaven that I am forgiven and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I try to stay in the Word and I try to keep my eyes on Him. After all, how else could I parent the six blessing He has given me?
Friday, October 03, 2008
Random Thoughts
Smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you grow up in greater love for each other.
~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Show love by being completely humble, gentle, patient and accepting each other. Do everything you can to keep the unity that the Spirit gives. Ephesians 4:2-3
~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Show love by being completely humble, gentle, patient and accepting each other. Do everything you can to keep the unity that the Spirit gives. Ephesians 4:2-3
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