Save, Save, Save : How Hard Can It Be?

I had an epiphany today : I’ve convinced myself every time I have a long-term project, or a something defined as taking more thirty minutes, that I cannot accomplish one thing until I have a huge block of time set out to sit and think. Wrong. As I put two and two together, I realized I hate sitting and doing something for more than 20 minutes. That’s just how I am, I like to start, push my way through, and stop. Repeat.

This comes in very handy in an administrative role where I may be asked to do 20 small tasks a day – and I love it!

So in bringing this all to SAVING MONEY, I also realized today I have been waiting until that moment when I can save in increments of hundreds of dollars before I save. That’s why I LOVE the following video from MSN Money. (So that $60 check I just sent to my Cash Management Account was a great idea!)

 

 

The Truth About Unemployment: The Competition Heats Up with The Unemployment Olympics

The job market is more competitive than ever, but this takes it to an entirely new level. This is a story from last spring, when I found myself unemployed for the first time. It’s a positive way of looking at what could be a not-so-busy or so fun situation.

New Yorker Nick Goddard, an unemployed tech guy, brought fellow jobless New Yorkers (apparently there are plenty to choose from, to the tune of 400,000 people in the city) outside for a lovely day in Manhattan last March.  The Unemployment Olympics drew dozens of participants for the Office Phone Toss (I’d sign up for that competition in a New York minute), Office Phone Pinata, and the Race to the Unemployment Office.

While it’s all in good humor, here are my thoughts about unemployment now that I have a little more perspective.

Thursday Morning Life…

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices, My flesh will also rest [trust, rely, have confidence] in hope.

Psalm 16:7-9

I’m not going to pretend like everyone wants to hear what I’m saying on the blogosphere (I’m sure the two or three people who subscribed to it have since left–one of them was me), but if you’re feeling like you’re in a night season–here you go. He is the Author and Finisher of that night season so do not be moved.

Free Hot Dogs

I’m glad I finished college for several reasons, other than not having any more money. Well, I didn’t really have any to begin with…

The biggest reason being that I am glad I never have to hear again, “What are you doing after college?”

Listen for A New Sound

Leon Timbo comes from the Gospel/Acoustic Soul movement out of Tennessee. Cut from the same cloth as Lisa McClendon and Antonio Neal, Leon blends acoustic guitar, soulful vocals and at times a beat to create a unique style in what is known as Christian music. And he is an artist you should know. This song in particular is drawn from a prayer for change–in his heart, in how God sees him (or more importantly how he views God), and for how that affects the relationships in his life.  

You’ve Been Laid Off…Now Get to Work!

I don’t believe that God works without anything but process and order. He is a God of planning (Jeremiah 29:11), but he is so detailed that a lot of the time those details do not look evident until the end. If ever. I don’t believe he does this just to get under our skin, really.

Subscribe, and you’ll receive a free copy of Hip Hop Abs ft. Shaun T.

Okay, not really.

But, thanks to the help of Lee Vander Boegh–writer, author, blogger, and a guy who sits across the room from me at work– you can now subscribe to this blog. So I’ll tell  you what, for the price of a subscription to this blog–free– you’ll receive a free subscription to Vander Bites.

The Gospel According to Forever 21

 

I absolutely love that Forever 21 prints scripture on the bottom of every signature yellow bag they sell. Don and Jin Chang, founders of Forever 21, are devout Christians. 

This story in the NY Post  helps to explain the heart and interesting “advertising” by the Tiffany Taste, Wal-Mart budget clothing outlet. How’s this for marketplace ministry? 

What are you thoughts about Forever 21  printing scripture on every bag?

Small Beginnings

I received a package in the mail today from my Aunt Maria. We had finished Christmas presents, so it puzzled me. When I opened it, I was taken into a time warp back to 1995, when I was about 11 years old. It stirred sharp memories and is stirring much more about who I have become and who I want to be, and how I want to live my life for the next 13 years.

When I tore open the envelope, I pulled out a stapled stack of 21 sheets of notebook paper.

A Quieting Has Come.

I am coming to the sureness that I truly am where I am supposed to be, for this season (or a few more), in the process that I need to be in. I am able to say I am truly content doing the things, learning the skills, and meeting the people that are in this space in the life God is giving me. For months after graduation from college and the much-hyped entrance into the real world (which included a reluctant move to Boise) I felt almost, dare I say, let down by God in the plan he had. But in this place, he isn’t shunning me but showing me what his process can look like done his way.