1. Pray for the world. Literally. http://www.operationworld.org/
2. Read the entire Bible in a year. http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. (Not just give out of excess, but sacrifice.
4. Spend time in another context. (Maybe a short term mission, or feeding the homeless...)
5. Commit your life to a multiplying community. (Think small group of like-minded believers)
Mike and I will be discussing over the next few weeks what this might look like individually and for our family. I have been convicted, and that is good. I think anytime I am comfortable in my Christianity, it's time for God to do something in my life. For me, comfortable always equals less reliance on Christ.
This happens to flow nicely into the All You Challenge as I am already learning more ways to cut back and do without. My motto: Stretch money so I can live better, save wisely and give generously. Soooooo...
I will be updating daily on the All You Grocery Challenge, which runs June19- July16. The Challenge: spend only $25 per person per week or less ($150.00 for my crew) to feed your family, including eating out...but do so in a creative, healthy way. An * denotes our own garden food; (parentheses indicate healthy changes.) Winner gets $1000 and a write up in ALL YOU magazine! Please know that for grocery purchase totals, I round to the nearest dollar.
Day 8:
Breakfast: homemade banana and chocolate muffins, fried eggs, milk, coffee, OJ (I even made enough muffins to share with our Sunday School class!!)
Lunch: stir fry veggies (cabbage, onions, mushrooms, carrots, summer squash*) in (light) olive oil over noodles, milk/water
Dinner: linguni and clams (in garlic and light olive oil), cantelope, milk/water, (1/2 Hershey's bar)
I have been diligently trying myself to drink water with more meals. At lunch--well, except for today--I have been serving water to everyone with rarely a complaint. I've also been going light on desserts. And good news! My boys only paid to eat out at one meal on their trip...their coach paid for pizza (thanks, coach!!) for the other meal. They also came home with quite a bit of the food I sent with them and a little extra--hence the Hershey bars.
Looking forward to a great week: 13th birthday party for my youngest and a farewell dinner for friends of ours who are going to...AFRICA!
Money out today: Lunch for the boys @ Taco Bell: $8.00
Concerning #4:My husband and I have recently gotten involved in prison ministry. Prisons are so very much around us, but society does not see those prisoners because they are locked up and kept from our view. When we started going into the prisons and actually meeting the inmates we were shocked as to how much they were just like us. And they are. And they are so lonely. So are their kids, and spouses, and parents, and siblings...and shame goes along with much of it; trickling down to each family member to keep them isolated and alone in their pain. Mentoring a prison inmate has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling, and heart- rending experiences I have ever encountered. And I am in it for life. For sure. Until God calls me home. Please, everyone who loves the Lord and wants to serve Him, consider going to the widow and orphan and prisoner, and share the love of Christ with them.
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