There is only one way to know what God wants for my life. There is only one way to hear His voice and understand his directions. There is only one way to love, trust, and obey the Father.
Henry Blackaby writes about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Mounties) in the bible study “Experiencing God.” It seems those training in anti-counterfeiting spend all their time studying the real deal. They never look at the ways the criminals counterfeit. They don’t study the fake bills. Over and over and over the real money is closely observed. The Mounties become so intimate with the real bill that they can easily spot the fake.
The only way to know the right path for my life is to know the Path Maker intimately so that I can spot the fakes. Spending time in the Word (reading, studying, memorizing), spending time alone just listening to the “still small whisper, and spending time talking with God about my dreams, hopes, desires, and even frustrations will assure me of the right walk.
If I can make each movement of my day, from rising out of bed to fixing the meals to writing my articles, completely focused on His person, His purpose, and His ways THEN I will have made it.
October 19th, 2007
Saving your money doesn’t mean avoiding fun and excitement. There are plenty of things that you can do (yes with a family) that will cost you little or no money.
1. Rent a movie – FROM THE LIBRARY. It’s free and often if they don’t have the movie you are looking for you can request it and they will call you when they get it in.
2. Go on a hike. Some of the State Parks or National Parks even offer free guided tours through the attractions.
3. Tour a local plant or factory. There is an ice cream factory near our home that gives tours for almost nothing. There is also a genuine blacksmith that gives tours for free. Our family has toured goat farms, fire stations, and museums, all for the low, low cost of FREE!
4. If your child shows and interest, call and ask. Many businesses will be glad to give a tour (although you might have to get some friends to go along so you have a large enough group). Call the local newspaper, television station, or radio station. It will probably be just as exciting for the adults as it is for the kids.
5. Check out the local festivals. There are literally thousands of these things going on all the time: Harvest festivals, fiddle festivals, strawberry (or other fruity) festivals, winter festivals, spring festivals, renaissance festivals, and even a poke salad festival. Many of them are free and offer activities that range from acting performances to hands on treats for the kids. Your local chamber of commerce (or a quick search online (should offer you endless possibilities for your weekends).
When the money gets tight, or even if it’s just the money holder 
, there are still plenty of things that can be done to entertain the family. Take some time to investigate all the free offerings that are available in your community.
October 19th, 2007
