Snowman Coloring Book for Kids - Practice Color Words (Freebie Included in this Post)

It's January!  Wells, it's almost January.  As I write this post, it is actually New Year's Eve here in the southeastern region of the United States, but I'm preparing for all the fun stuff ahead for the new year, particularly January.  I have lots of snow themed activities to share with you on my Facebook page for the first week in January.  We will be doing polar bear activities in the second week, and then on to penguin fun.  Today, I want to share with you a new file I just finished.  It's hot off the press, so to speak.  Introducing my new Snowman Coloring Book for Kids.  

Coloring is good for kids.  Coloring helps children improve small motor skills.  Coloring keeps children focused on one activity for a long period of time, helping to improve attention spans, especially kids who particularly enjoy coloring.  Coloring in coloring books helps improve creativity.

Coloring is great for other areas of development as well.  Coloring helps children build relationships when they color together.  Completing coloring pages together builds teamwork skills when children share pages and crayons.  This activity might even help improve negotiating skills as children discuss which colors to use and which colors compliment other colors.  

Children might stumble upon a science lesson when they discover that some colors, when combined, create new colors.  

Coloring can be a great way to spend time as a family.  Pull out coloring books, crayons, markers, watercolors, and tempera paints.  Set a few hours aside to build and improve on all the skills above while enjoying hours of quality time together as a family.

Snowman Coloring Book for Kids - Practice Color Words

Snowman Coloring Book for Kids - Practice Color Words

This Snowman Coloring Book includes a total of 7 pages, a cover page plus 6 pages for your child or classroom children to color.  Your kids will first follow the one step direction on each page.  For example, on the first coloring page, the one step direction says, "Color the snowman's scarf red."  

At the end of each one step direction on each page is an image of the crayon color to match the direction.  This will help your child to identify the correct color.  The color word is written on each crayon image as well as in the one step direction so your child can practice identifying color words and matching the color to the color word.  The color words to practice in this coloring book are red, orange, black, blue, purple, and green.

Here is one page I'll offer you for free.  Simply right-click and save this page to your computer.  Then, print it out for your child to color.  Of course, I hope you will consider the complete 7 page coloring book that you'll find here.

Snowman Coloring Page for Kids - Practice the Color Word "Red"

After your child has finished following the direction on each page, you can certainly allow your child to finish coloring each page as he or she desires.  Then, if you have snow in your area, get the kids outside for a fun time playing in the snow.  

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Snowman Coloring Book for Kids - Practice Color Words

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Snowman Activities for Kids

Snowman Activities for Kids

Snow Activities for Kids

I think most of the United States is still recovering from last week's heavy snow up north and record cold temperatures here in the southeast; though we did get a light dusting of snow here in the north Georgia area.  You might be tired of snow, but I can just about guarantee you that the kids are not.  January is a good time to get out the art and craft supplies and do lots of cool snow activities for kids.  Even if you live in an area where you never see snow, you can still have some snow fun because you can make fake snow at home.  

Here's a list of fun snow themed activities for you to enjoy with your kids at home and in the classroom.

Snow Activities for Kids

Snowman Coloring Book for Kids

Snowman Coloring Book for Kids, Practice Color Words

How to Make Snow Paint - Crafty Morning

How to Make Fake Snow for Pretend Play - The Purposeful Nest

Snow Volcano Science Experiment - Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

Ice Balloons Science Experiment for Kids - Eating Richly

How to Make Snow Paint - Little Bins for Little Hands

This Snowman Decorating Kit is available here.

Snow Mobiles Sensory Activity - Busy Toddler

Salt Crystal Snowflakes Winter Fun for Kids - Living Well Mom

Snow Foam Winter Sensory Play for Kids - No Time for Flashcards

Exploding Snowman Experiment & Winter Science Activities - 123 Homeschool 4Me 

Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment - MomBrite

This Snowball Makers Set is available here.

Snow Candles - Reality Daydream

What's in the Snow:  Winter Fine Motor Activity - Taming Little Monsters

Snow Puzzle - Happy Toddler Playtime

How to Make Coffee Filter Snowflakes - The Printables Fairy

How do Snowflakes Form?  Winter Science Activity for Kids - Kitchen Counter Chronicles

This Snow Powder item is available here.

Fizzy Snow - Inspiration Laboratories

Marshmallow Snowflake Craft - For the Love of Food Blog

Snowstorm in a Jar Experiment:  Easy Winter Science Activity for Preschool - B-Inspired Mama

This is the Best Way to Make a Simple Paper Snowflake for Kids (Cutting Activity) - Early Learning Ideas

Simple Glittery Snow Slime Recipe - iHeartCraftyThings

This beautiful Snowflake Suncatcher Kit is available here.

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Snow Activities for Kids

You might also like:

Penguin Activities for Kids

Penguin Activities for Kids

Reconciling Relationships: The Book of Philemon

Reconciling Relationships

At the end of a calendar year, we tend to reflect on the past 12 months.  We think about all the things that have happened in a year's time and how those happenings affected us throughout the year.  Sometimes we find ourselves grieving the loss of a relationship, sometimes a long-time friendship and sometimes a family member.  No matter the grievance that separated a once very close relationship, there is hope of reconciliation.  You might be thinking, "Oh but you don't understand.  There is no way I can ever get over what that person did to me," or you might be thinking, "Oh but you don't understand.  There is no way that person can ever forgive what I did to him or her.  I caused so much pain."  Well, I understand that.  I know that some things take a lot more effort than other things.  Some relationships are broken over a level of betrayal and hurt that our human hearts could never heal on our own - on our own - but when Jesus meets us in our hurt, reconciliation is possible.  This is different from circumstances where there was abuse.  God can forgive that too but I know that sometimes we have to draw boundaries, sometimes permanent boundaries, especially where abuse is part of the equation.  In those cases, forgiveness is still possible and that is a whole other conversation for another day with someone much more qualified than me to address those situations.  For now, let's focus on reconciling relationships that were broken over other things.  There is a whole list of possibilities here but let's go straight to scripture and look at Paul's letter to Philemon.  Paul's letter to Philemon deals with forgiveness and reconciliation.

Read the Scripture in full context here at Bible Gateway.

This post is written from my personal Bible study notes taken during my pastor's sermon.

Reconciling Relationships

1.  Don't put an issue over a relationship.

Remember that tone and words matter.  Sometimes it is not what we say that is hurtful but it's how we say it.  In Philemon, verse 9, Paul writes that his letter is for love's sake.

Yet for love's sake, I rather appeal to you - since I am a person such as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. - Philemon 9

Motives matter.  Reconciliation is drawn out of love.  

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

This wall art based on Romans 5:8 is available here.

Elevate love and relationships over issues.  We can reconcile.

2.  Don't forget what the gospel can do.

Onesimus was a thief who ran away, but Paul calls him his child.  Onesimus got saved.  The gospel changes everything.  

(Here is a helpful commentary on Onesimus.)

The gospel can change anyone.  No sin or any past is bigger than the gospel.  The gospel changes relationships.

A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.  Colossians 3:11

In Philemon, verse 16, Paul writes about Onesimus.

No longer as a slave, but. more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  Philemon 16

Relationships will never be what they were meant to be unless all parties know Jesus.  The gospel is the foundation for reconciliation.

3.  Don't miss the providential workings of Almighty God.

In Philemon, verse 15, Paul writes about the separation between Philemon and Onesimus.

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever.  Philemon 15

God's plans are eternal, not temporal.

Finally, let's remember that in some way or another, we are all an Onesimus.

This post was written from my personal Bible study notes taken during my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch that sermon here:

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Setting Relational Margins

Setting Relational Margins

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Reconciling Relationships

Baby Shower Scrapbook Pages: Digital Download

Have you recently attended a baby shower?  Maybe the baby you are excited about is your own or a grandbaby?  Would you like to get those photos off of your phone or off of your computer and put them in a pretty scrapbook?  Since most of us use our phones for taking photos now, we don't print them out and put them in photo books like we did in the past.  I love our family photo books and my kids always loved them too.  They used to sit and flip through the pages for hours on end.  I haven't pulled those books out in a long time and I certainly have not added any new ones in a long time.  If you read my last post, then you know that I am making an effort to get over 4000 photos off of my phone and into scrapbooks for my family to enjoy for generations to come.  In the last few days, I have ordered hundreds of printed photographs and I have created 3 scrapbook packets.  You might have read about my Christmas Memories starter packet and the additional packet.  Today, I created a baby shower scrapbook packet.  Our first grandchild was born before Thanksgiving but just today, I went through all the photos on my phone and on my computer and ordered the prints.  I need a place to put them when they come in so I created several baby shower scrapbook pages.

Baby Shower Scrapbook Pages

Baby Shower Scrapbook Pages

My first baby shower scrapbook packet includes 11 pretty pages for mounting 15 4x6 horizontal photographs.  I will definitely be creating a lot more pages because I have many more photos than that coming my way soon.  I'll probably create several baby shower packets in the next few weeks.  This particular starter packet is for a baby girl shower but I'll add a baby boy shower packet soon. 

Some of these pre-made scrapbook pages have spaces for two photographs while other pages have a space for one photograph.  Every page in this baby shower photo packet has journaling space for documenting your sweet moments.  If your photos are smaller than 4x6, you can still use these pages.  The photo spaces are color coordinated with the page background colors so they will act as a "frame" for your smaller photos.  You can also use the photo spaces for extra journaling space if needed.

If you're interested in these pages, you can check them out here.  You will download the files to your computer and then print them out from your own home printer.  Once you add your own 4x6 horizontal baby shower photographs, I suggest placing them inside clear plastic sheet protectors like these:

Get your clear sheet protectors here.

After you place your completed scrapbook pages into the clear sheet protectors, you can place them into a 3 ring binder like these:

Get your 3 ring binders for storing your scrapbook pages here.

Now you have all you need to start your beautiful baby girl baby shower photo book.  

Baby Shower Scrapbook Pages

Clear Sheet Protectors

3 Ring Binders

I hope you have lots of fun with these pages!  Come back soon for more!

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Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages

Check out these Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages

  Christmas Scrapbook Pages

Check out these Christmas Scrapbook Pages here.

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Baby Shower Scrapbook Pages

Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages: Digital Download!

Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages

It seems almost unreal to me that Christmas 2022 is almost over.  By now, you've probably already taken hundreds of photos.  Now what?  These days, we only print out our photos sometimes.  Not too many years ago, we could only see our pictures once we dropped off our film with a photo developer and then waited a week, sometimes longer, to see the photographs we had taken.  Now, we can see them instantly on our electronic devices, so they stay there.  I hate to admit that I have over 4000 photos on my iPhone.  I used to be a scrapbook junkie.  I always kept my photos printed and in books for my family to enjoy.  My kids always loved flipping through them and still do when I pull them out.  However, I haven't had books for the past several years because they are all stored on my phone and computer.  Starting now, I want to change that.  I have already sent my Christmas Day photos for professional printing, and I'm designing my own Christmas Memories scrapbook pages for them.  

I used to buy scrapbooks from local stores.  I would add my photographs to the pages.  Then, I would decorate the pages with stickers and cute stuff.  I would cut out shapes and use scissors with crinkling edges and hole punches that left heart-shaped cutouts on paper edges.  There were all sorts of scrapbooking things.  I always enjoyed the finished products but enjoyed the process less.  It was time-consuming and messy.  There were many scraps, glue, and a not-so-fun cleanup - mostly because I needed to improve with messy projects.  

Now, we have online resources for creating pretty scrapbook pages. Although creating pretty scrapbook pages using online resources is still time-consuming, I enjoy both the finished products and the process because there is no mess.  

I've created two sets of scrapbook pages for my Christmas Memories Scrapbook. 

Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages

Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages Starter Pack

My first Christmas Memories Scrapbook Starter Packet includes enough space for 16 4x6 horizontal photo prints.  The pages are decorated with beautiful Christmas-themed backgrounds.  My Christmas family photographs will be set in stunning settings of Christmas evergreen trees and festive decorations.  Some of the pages are more traditional, with red and green accents.  Other pages are accented with deep blues and gold.  One particular page has a more rustic feel with a wood grain background.  There are journaling spaces on most pages.  Pages with no journaling spaces are light enough so that I can write on the pages anyway if I choose to do so. 

Christmas Memories Scrapbook Pages - Additional Pages

My second set of Christmas Memories Scrapbook pages is intended to complement the starter packet but can certainly be used independently.  I have included the Christmas Memories cover page in this packet and the first in case both packets are optional.  This second packet contains spaces for 14 4x6 horizontal photos.  This packet includes pages with Christmas-themed backgrounds, much like the starter packet with traditional reds and greens.  This second packet also includes Christmas-themed backgrounds in more pastel and softer colors.  I particularly like the one with the coral-colored packages.  The page with green trees in watercolor is also beautiful.  The last page reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus.  (If you want to learn more about why we celebrate Christmas, Luke 2 is an excellent place to start.  You can learn more about how to really know Him here.)

Between both packets, there is enough space for 30 4x6 horizontal photographs.  If your pictures are smaller, that's OK because the photo spaces are color-coordinated with the background colors of each page.  They will serve as "frames" for your smaller photographs.  You could also use those solid colored spaces as journaling spaces or attach other memorabilia such as unique bows, stickers, more miniature flat ornaments, or unique gift tags.  

I'm sure I'll create more pages because I'll need more for my personal photographs.  I take a LOT of photos, especially since we have a new baby granddaughter this year.

I have provided links to both of my scrapbook packets above, but here they are again in case you missed them. You'll find the starter packet here and the second packet here.

After you download the files or files to your computer, you can print them from your home computer.  After you have added your own Christmas photographs, I suggest placing your completed 8.5in. X 11in. Pages in clear sheet protectors like these:

Get your clear sheet protectors here.

Once you have your completed scrapbook pages inside sheet protectors, you can place them into 3-ring binders like these:

Get your 3 ring binders here.

Now you have all you need to create your Christmas Memories Scrapbook:

Your Scrapbook Pages And/Or These Pages

Your Clear Sheet Protectors

Your 3-Ring Binders

Once they are assembled, you'll enjoy beautiful scrapbooks for years, even generations.  

I hope you have enjoyed a Merry Christmas and wish you many Happy New Year!

Recently our pastors have been taking our church congregation through a Margin Series.  Margin is the space between your load and your limit.  We need margin space in our lives so that we can make the best decisions in areas where we are not overloaded with busyness.  One area in our lives where we need more space is in our physical space.  Today, we are talking about setting physical margin space.

Setting Physical Margins

This post is written from my personal Bible study notes taken during my pastor's sermon titled Physical Margin.

Margin is a heart issue.  Margin is ultimately about God's glory.   

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

Physical margin glorifies God.

Setting Physical Margins

1.  What is physical margin?

Physical margin is intentionally taking care of the body God gave us.  This is for His glory and our blessing.

For bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  1 Timothy 4:8

1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that bodily training is slightly beneficial.  We should definitely take care of the body God gave us.  We should eat the right foods.  We should exercise to keep our bodies strong and fit.  We should also use caution so that we don't idolize fitness.  Physical fitness is important.  Staying in good health and in good physical shape pleases God.  He gave us our bodies so we should take care of what God has given us but if health and physical fitness is an idol, then we don't have good physical margin space.

2.  Why should I care about physical margin?

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27

I reflect God's image.

Do you reflect God's image?  If you have a relationship with Jesus, do people know?

Then God said, "Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth."  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; make and female He created them.  Genesis 1:26-27

God intentionally chose to make you the way you are.  YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT.  You are here for a purpose.  God values ALL life but only people are made in God's image.  

God took time to knit you.

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalms 139:13-18

This item is available here.

You have purpose.

Your body is not your own.  The body is the Lord's.

All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit.  All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.  1 Corinthians 6:12

We cannot be controlled by anyone or anything but God.  Are you being controlled or dominated by something?

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own?  1 Corinthians 6:19

You are not your own.  You were bought with a price so glorify God with your body.

3.  Physical margin is an act of worship.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2

This Romans 12:2 poster is available here.

 You can have physical margin.  In fact, God wants us to have physical margin.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things.  So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such as way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Start with small wins.  Small wins every day are good.  Here are a few tips.

Go to bed on time.

Slow down and rest.

Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."  Mark 2:27

When you aren't at work, don't be at work.  Be home.

Find physical margin in Christ.

Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Keep all things in perspective.

There is a high price for sin.  Jesus paid it.

You will never make a greater decision than the one to follow Jesus.

Will you follow Jesus today?

This post was written from my personal Bible study notes taken during my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch that sermon in its entirety here.

 

You might also like the following previous posts in our Margin Series:

Overload:  We are not blessed in busyness

Make the Best Choices:  A Lesson from the Story of Mary and Martha

How To Deal With How We Feel:  Don't let the devil rob you of your emotional margin space.

Setting Relationship Margins

Creating Financial Margin Space

The Cure for a Bad Attitude is Gratitude

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Setting Physical Margins

The cure for a bad attitude is gratitude.  Paul knew this well and wrote to Timothy about it.  Let's read what Paul wrote.

I thank Christ Jesus, Our Lord, who has strengthened me because He considered me faithful, putting me into service even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.  Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.  Yet for this reason I found mercy so that in me as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

The Cure for a Bad Attitude is Gratitude

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes written during my pastor's sermon.  

The Cure for a Bad Attitude is Gratitude

Paul was:

1.  grateful for strength.

I thank Christ Jesus, Our Lord, who has strengthened me because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.  1 Timothy 1:12

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

This journal is available here.

Notice that Paul said he was grateful IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances.

God strengthened Paul to do His service.

Paul had the strength to walk through difficult times.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me so that through me the proclamation. might be fully accomplished and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.  2 Timothy 4:17

2.  grateful for mercy and grace.

Even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.  Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  1 Timothy 1:13-14

Paul had been a blasphemer and a persecutor, yet he was shown mercy.

Mercy is when we don't get the punishment we do deserve.

Grace is when we get something good that we don't deserve - the unearned lavish love of God poured out on us.

3. grateful for God.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.  1 Timothy 1:17

God wants us to make room (margin space) for gratitude.  

God wants us to:

 - forgive others.

- let go of unmet expectations.

- let go of anger toward God.

God loves us deeply.  He wants us to come back to Him.

Are you feeling grateful?  Sing your gratitude.  Write your gratitude.

If you struggle with gratitude, write down what you are grateful for daily.  

Finally, give your gratitude daily to others.

Grateful people are giving people.

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes written during my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch that sermon in its entirety here.

 

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The Cure for a Bad Attitude is Gratitude

You might like the following previous posts in this Margin Series.

Overload: We are not blessed by busyness.

Make the Best Choices:  A Lesson from the Story of Mary and Martha

How to Deal with How We Feel:  Don't let the devil rob you of your emotional margin space.

Setting Relationship Margins

Creating Financial Margin Space

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes during my pastor's sermon titled Money Margin.

Creating Financial Margin Space

Let's take a look at a verse in Proverbs.

There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it up.  Proverbs 21:20

This verse does not speak to the rich person or the poor person.  This verse speaks to the wise person.  We've been covering the topic of margin space.  Margin is the space between your load and your limit.  We need margin space so that we don't become overloaded with busyness, so that we make the best choices in life, so that we can deal with our feelings, and so that we can concentrate on our best relationships.  We also need financial margin space so that we can wisely manage our resources.  

Financial margin leads to joy, peace, and contentment.  

No financial margin space leads to no joy, no peace, and no contentment.

Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.  And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger.  I am the Lord your God.  Leviticus 19:9-10

We should not consume everything.  The more margin we create, the more free we are and the more freely we can give.

We shouldn't live above our incomes.  This creates bondage.  Let's not fall into toxic financial traps.

Let's act our wage.

Creating Financial Margin Space

Financial margin is a heart issue and a wisdom issue, not an income issue.

1.  Financial margin is a heart issue no matter what our income is.

Greed and discontentment are bad things.  

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.  Proverbs 4:23

Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both having abundance and suffering need.  Philippians 4:11-12.

We aren't born with contentment.  We learn it.

Christ is sufficient.  Jesus meets our every need.

I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

This Scripture themed home decor item is available here.

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you."  Hebrews 13:5

God will never leave us.  Money will.

Let's be free from the love of money . . . 

So that we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper.  I will not be afraid.  What will man do to me?"  Hebrews 13:6.

Jesus is our "ever constant."  The world is not.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  1 Timothy 6:6-10

2.  Financial margin is a wisdom issue.  

Let's manage our financial resources wisely. 

*Spend less than we earn.

*Plan for the future,

*Eliminate debt.

Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey is available here.

*Pursue margin.

*Give generously

Let's tithe our first and our best.  God will bless the rest.

Are you someone who already has a lot of financial margin?  Don't worship it.  Use it for Kingdom building.

Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but is in the income of the wicked.  Proverbs 15:6

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes during my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch that sermon in its entirety here.

 

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Creating Financial Margin Space

Setting Relationship Margins

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes during my pastor's sermon titled "Relational Margin."  

Relational Margin

My church pastors are taking us through a series called Margin.  It's about the margin space we need in life so we don't overload ourselves.  With enough margin space, we can make better choices and deal with our emotions.  With enough margin space in our relationships, we have all the time we need to love the most important people in our lives. 

In order to prioritize relationships, we need to prioritize our time.  Time is limited.  

So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15-16

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14

Man is like a breath.  His days are like a passing shadow.  Psalm 144:4

Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

This Psalm 90:12 Scripture wall decor is available here.

Time is fleeting.  Let's not fill it up with the wrong things.  What is taking up all your time?  Who is taking up all your time?

Jesus could have picked any number of disciples, but he only picked 12.  

We need relational margin.

We need to concentrate on our most important relationships.  

1.  God

2.  Spouse

3.  Children

4.  Our Work, Our Calling

How do we nourish our relationship with God?

Read God's Word every day.  Attend church weekly.  Pray every day.

This Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is available here.

How do we nourish our marriages?

We must take time for each other.  Our spouses are not our business partners.  

Ladies, submit to your husbands as the church does to Christ.

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church.

Dialogue daily.  Date weekly.  Depart quarterly.  Make time to get away together.  

This Fireproof Couple's Kit is available here.

How do we nourish our relationships with our children?

Teach our children what the Bible says about obedience.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may turn out well for you and that you may live long on the earth.  Ephesians 6:1-3

We cannot farm out the discipleship of our children to others.  We must teach them and nourish them at home.

When can we nourish them?  We can take advantage of the time we have with then in the mornings while everyone is getting ready for the day, during the drive to school, 

Whenever the kids are captive, teach them about Jesus.  Take advantage of every opportunity.

Plan to have dinner together at least several times per week.  Someone suggested a rose/thorn conversation at dinner.  Talk about the best part of your day (the rose).  Listen to your kids when they tell you about the thorns, the parts of their day that hurt.

At bedtime, talk, pray, and read.  Time is fleeting.  My "children" are now 24, 27, and 29 and I have a 1 month old granddaughter.  I know all too well how fleeting time really is.  Trust me when I say:

Take advantage of every opportunity to nourish and disciple your children.  

Let's talk about technology.  One of the biggest time thieves of our time is technology.  

Listen closely, parents:

Do not let your children hold the devil's word in their hands.

There are positive and useful things about technology.  Without it, I couldn't be writing this post and you wouldn't be reading it . . . but we are adults.  Technology can be dangerous for children.  In fact, without parental wisdom and Godly parenting, technology IS dangerous for children. Parent wisely.

An unmonitored phone is like playing Russian Roulette with your child's life.

Someone recently mentioned the idea of relationship worship.  Are we worshiping others before worshiping God?  Even our children?  Are we placing our "family activities" before our family time with the Lord?  

I know this is an area where I could have done better when my kids were growing up.  They are all doing well now but looking back, I can see areas where we were placing "family fun" before worship.  There were too many places where opportunities were too available for them to stray. 

Honor Begins at Home is available here.

How do we nourish our work, our careers, our callings?

Again, we must prioritize our time.  We need to do away with time killers and time wasters.  Many of the time killers in our personal lives area also time killers in our work lives.

What sin or sins are sucking up our time?

Sexual immorality, laziness, gossip?  Other sins not mentioned?  What came to mind when you read that question?

What about other things?  Alcohol?

And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.  1 Peter 4:3

We need to ask ourselves . . . is my life defined by my sin or my Savior?

What about "toxic" relationships . . . relationships that lead only to sin?  Are there any of those in our personal lives and work lives where we need to draw boundary lines?

Let's end with an open question.  

How can God change our families if we start focusing on the right relationships today?

This post is taken from my personal Bible study notes during my pastor's sermon titled Relational Margin.  You are invited to watch that sermon here.

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Relationship Margin