The Story of Three » The Church

Frudal Fridays: Gratitude

Jenny — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:58:32 +0000

So I was in line on Wednesday waiting for my free pie (thanks to National Pie Day, Baker’s Square and a coupon from the Sunday newspaper), and I quickly noticed how bad the behavior was of so many of the people were at the counter. The poor restaurant was almost out of pie, so our choices for free pie were very slim. Somehow, the people up there getting their free pie had the gumption to act frustrated about the limited choices, as if they were somehow deserving of great service and loads of free pie! My mind turned to how easy it is to lose an attitude of thankfulness that we are able to save money and be frugal. It is a privilege that we have anything as much as we do!

That night I went home and was playing on our piano and ran across an old favorite song of mine. It struck me (yet again) at how poignantly it speaks to the issue of gratitude. Please read and enjoy these lyrics. For those of you wishing to find this song it is sung by Nichole Nordeman on the album “Woven and Spun”. Here is the aptly named “Gratitude”.

Send some rain, would You send some rain
‘Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, and fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger’s view this time

Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view
If no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that’s the case

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But, Jesus would You please

Savior on Capitol Hill video

Jenny — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:02:53 +0000

Oh, I could be making some trouble by posting this video. Just so you know, it is a little in your face with the point of its lyrics. I couldn’t help myself though. I love this song. Enjoy!

Poor Derek Webb sounds like he’s losing his voice. As an aside, those of you who have no idea who this guy, Derek Webb, is, he is a very devout Christian music artist who’s taken a large stance on the importance of the Church and how we Christians need to be actively living out the gospel in our everyday lives. You should listen to his music. It could just change the way you think.

Frugal Fridays: The Mindset of Frugality

Jenny — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:31:30 +0000

Do you find it as easy as I do to just get in the rut of scrimping? Sometimes I forget the joy of saving money and being frugal. It is so easy to get into the rut of things. Well, consider this post an encouragement. No advise. No great deals or free samples. Just rejoice in what Scripture has to say about our blessed role as homemakers.

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies…
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night…
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed in scarlet…
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
(Prov 31:10,18,21,25)

The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
(Prov 14:1)

…admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed.
(Titus 2:4-5)

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Cor 10:31)