I think what keeps me glued though, is watching the characters respond to moral choices.  No matter how many super abilities they acquire or learn their heart is still vulnerable.

It reminds me of Solomon in the Bible.  Blessed with Wisdom from God.  The greatest that ever will be wise.  Yet, he made some really foolish decisions.

It reminds me that the achievements of life we focus on with so much energy can easily be overshadowed by defects we all have in our heart.

Let’s Guard our hearts!

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence…Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:10-12

Life is busy.  Let’s face it, we put way too much on our calendar.  How do we prioritize what’s important.  Time with God, marriage, family, friends, work, school, hobbies, fun, rest, and just following God’s direction…

Well, Psalm 1 tells us that the man who delights in the instruction of God is blessed.  Like a tree planted by the water will bear fruit in its season.

What we delight in is what directs our life.  What do you delight in?

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desire of your heart.  Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.  Psalm 119:35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.

I don’t think its a coincidence that the words recession and depression are so close.  Many are frustrated and discouraged, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  My family has been trying to take up the challenge of prioritizing what we spend.  If you’re in the same boat, here’s some ideas that may help you pull in the big catch of savings:

Grocery Shopping

Obviously we know we should be clipping coupons like our parents did. But that’s time consuming and few people even get the Sunday paper anymore, right?  WRONG.  It doesn’t take near as much time as it use to and people are getting the Sunday paper again.  Just try getting a paper at your local grocery store after lunch on Sunday.  There probably won’t be any left (especially double papers).  There are free online resources that cut your preparation time by doing the research for you (couponmom.com).  My wife literally saves us more cash then we actually spend every trip to the grocery store.  Check out couponing; it’s definitely worth it.

If you don’t want to coupon, try bulk shopping, dollar stores, and sale shopping.

Clothes Shopping

Obviously, if any of you spend much time with me, you’ll know I don’t clothes shop much.  One, I’m not that fashionable, and I’m 6’8″.

Others have suggested thrift stores.  Not just any, but thrift stores in high end parts of town.  My wife is a frequenter of consignment shops.  Sell your old stuff and buy new stuff.  Again, higher end stuff in nicer parts of cities.

EASY CLOTHING TIP: If you didn’t wear it in a 12-month period, it’s gone. For some, that may mean keeping only one suit for weddings and funerals and limiting oneself to one coat, if you live in a state with a warmer climate.

Entertainment

The 12-month rule can apply to entertainment as well.  Get rid of it or sell it.

Think of all the creative  ways you can enjoy a movie with your friends, other than a $10 movie.  Host summer screenings in a backyard and project the film on the side of a house. Check with your church to see if they have a projector you could rent or borrow.

Build evenings out of major cultural events—the last night of “American Idol,” the Super Bowl, or a major awards show. You could annually host an Oscar party where everyone must bring a treat inspired by one of the nominees.

The classic date structure is dinner and a movie. Try flipping the two—movie, then dinner. Go to a matinee and get dinner/lunch afterward. It’ll save you a few bucks (I learned recently there’s two matinee prices-btw.  $6 before lunch, $8 before 4:00) Or figure out a childhood activity neither of you have ever done, like playing jacks or flying a kite. Then head to the dollar store to pick up the item and try the challenge together. It may go well, it may not, but you’ll probably end up laughing—and perhaps your romance will take flight as well.

EASY ENTERTAINMENT TIP: When hanging out with friends or someone you’ve been dating a while, video the fun you’re having. You can extend that great day by watching the video later in the evening without dropping another dime.

Dining Out

I love going out to eat!  It’s hard cutting this down in my life.  One thing that helps me is at least getting another meal out it by taking home left overs.  I’m big guy, so this isn’t easy.  Try drinking a lot of water.  Your body doesn’t know the difference between thirst and hunger; fill up on water (it’s free and good for you).  Also, you might want to eat a snack at home before going (a handful of almonds curves hunger very well).

I also frequent places that serve bread or chips for free and sometimes places with no tip required.  And of course, coupons, coupons, coupons.

Gift Giving

Buying gifts for birthdays and at the holidays can create major holes in your pockets. My sister is about to have a baby and my sister in law just had one—my first appropriate thought is, What a blessing. A gift from heaven. My second, less-appropriate thought is, Wow. Another niece or nephew to buy gifts for. I firmly believe that children under the age of 4 can handle very cheap gifts (a month’s supply of wet wipes, for example). They’re never going to remember what their Uncle Brad got ‘em anyway. As they get older, I start to spend more and more.

We also have a deal with our siblings that we only purchace Christmas gifts for our kids.  We used to buy for each other too, but we were just exchanging gift cards…

The key to shopping for adults is to buy throughout the year. As you see good deals or stores closing, but it and save them until their birthday or Christmas.  If you really have no extra cash, figure out free ways to show someone your love. i.e.  Think of the tedious tasks you do well in your own life and offer to do them for the people you care about.

EASY GIFTING TIP: Buy right after the season, like getting Thanksgiving decorations in December when they’re 75 percent off. Next year you’ll love the surprises you didn’t remember buying.

Penny pinch’n doesn’t mean not living well.  Just being smart with your money may mean a lot less trouble in troubled times.  And let’s face it, we could all be a better steward with the money God blesses us with.

I like connection.  It’s comforting and fun to see what old friends are doing now.  Especially, with a tool so easy to use.

But, what about our connection with God?  How often should I be connecting with Him?  And, why don’t I connect more often?

For those of us struggling with perpetual busyness, the Apostle Paul’s instruction to “pray constantly” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) may not be as out of reach as we once thought. Here are a handful of creative ideas (some I’ve tried; some have been suggested to me) for weaving conversational prayer with God into your daily routine:

• Pair Up. Form a unique prayer alliance with a fellow believer. Take turns giving each other a call every day, and spend a few minutes praying together about the day to come. The call may only take 10 minutes, but it will do wonders for your ability to hear God’s voice throughout the day.
• Listen Good.Rather than listening to your regular iPod playlists as you walk to class, listen to a favorite hymn or worship chorus. Focus on the lyrics, and let the songs inspire you to pray as you go, confessing any sins and inviting God to spend the day with you.
• Show & Tell. Decorate your dorm room or apartment with beautiful art or photography that inspires you to turn your attention to God. Hang the art where you will see it often, and let it serve as a reminder to renew your connection with God’s presence.
• Think on This. One of the most ancient of the spiritual disciplines, meditation, is also one of the most portable. On index cards, write three or four verses or short passages from Scripture and tape them to your desk or the dashboard of your car. As you notice the cards, be reminded to take a minute or two to talk with God about what they say. Rotate new verses in regularly to keep the conversation fresh.
• Quiet Time. At least once or twice a week, have lunch alone. Find a park or café off the beaten path and spend your lunch hour in private prayer with God. At least once a year, take a weekend trip alone, void of luxuries—and noise. Try a camping trip or retreat to the beach in the off-season.
• Nature Walk. Engaging with nature is a great way to deepen your connection with God. A few times a day, take a break from the routine and go someplace where there are trees and grass. Take off your shoes and let your heart connect with the beauty of the natural world. Invite God to join you as you walk.
• Focus In. As you run your errands or perform those mindless chores we all face each week, turn it into a time of silent focus. Make the commitment to stay quiet, to move slowly, and to focus your attention on listening. Don’t speak. Instead, let God direct the conversation in your heart.

Well, I’ve stumbled upon not only new music recently, but also a new way to download.  Basically, this site gives you the option of paying by telling 5 friends about it or paying what you want ($1-$25).  If you haven’t seen this yet, check it out:

click to see site

1. Don’t make new friends
2. Don’t atttend church
3. Don’t go
4. Don’t preach

I am called as a slave to join a family (Philem. 16 NIV).  This sounds simple until I get in a few family fights.  I like friendship evangelism.  It’s safer than family evangelism.  The problem is that friendship is a lower calling than Christ’s.  So…

Item 1.  Don’t make new friends (make family members)

Celebrity leadership is not the design for the Church.  It only grows as each follower does his/her part (Eph. 4:16 NIV).  Participation not fame is what sparks life change.  Have I used programs or performance (how my ministry looks on paper, the web, or a stage) as my strategy?  Have I negleted participation (how those I am pastoring are used by God) as the true measure of my success?

Maybe if I increased participation I would see Real growth.  So…

Item 2.  Don’t just go to church… (be the church and help others be the church too).

From time to time Jesus really blindsides me.  At the end of His earthly ministry, He told his disciples to take all of His teaching, miracles and resurrection power, march right up to Jerusalem and then – Do Nothing At All – at least until the Holy Spirit showed up (Acts 1:4 NIV). 

This doesn’t come naturally all the time.  Often I go before I wait.  Maybe if I did more waiting I would go where and when I should?  So…

Item 3.  Don’t go (until I wait)

Religious education and leadership classes have taught me how to use words.  I know resonate and relevant and reciprocate and rhythm and many more (even words that don’t start with “r”).  I am such a “wordsmith” (sarcasm).

There’s a problem though, I can use words to keep myself from action.  My talking can be divorced from acts of restoration an reconciliation (2 more r’s!).  His never was (Matt. 12:18 NIV).

Maybe I will see real change when healing and justice proceed my preaching?  So…

Item 4.  Don’t preach (until I serve).

I have a problem with satellite churches.  Again the ingenuity of this idea is effective in the same ways the satellite conferences are effective.  If fact this may even be the next evolution of denominations and churches in our country.  Satellite Point Community Denomination, Screen Fellowship Churches, or Satellite Creek Family.  But, just because something is effective, does that make it right?

I have two issues with this: One, the mass production of one great speaker among many local church bodies limits the opportunities of leaders in the Body of Christ to use their teaching/preaching gifts.  There’s something very awkward about not having someone live and in person preaching the word.  Now I know that these churches do have from time to time someone live in the pulpit, but that brings me to the next point.  Two, I believe the best preachers are the ones that know and live with the people they’re preaching to.  There’s already a gaping hole between many clergy and laity without this.

You can’t ignore the fact, though, that people are coming in large numbers to these churches.  But are effective and right one and the same?  What happened to church planting?

Where were you?