How Did You Get So Busy?

Is your hectic schedule running your life? Are you too busy to do the things you want to do? I once heard an acronym for 'busy' defined as Being Under Satan's Yoke. For Christians, I think the relevance is that the devil keeps us occupied doing the mundane instead of focusing on the eternal purposes God has created us for. Being busy can easily rob us of the joy and satisfaction of a purpose-driven life.

Read How Did You Get So Busy? to find six tips to re-claim your schedule and get perspective on doing what matters most to you.  If you find these ideas helpful, share it with your friends and keep on payin' it forward.

See a Need. Do a Good Deed.

Kim Lim is something of a visionary. According to Success for Women, she is a single mom who has weathered tough times while building two successful start-up companies. Determined not to let difficulties be an excuse, Kim pushes forward to see her goals achieved. Read her inspiring story here: See a Need. Do a Good Deed.

Get It Done, Get It Back

Today I read a blog article by Kim DeYoung of Metromom.com introducing a reality show for mom entrepreneurs: Get It Done, Get It Back.  DeYoung is teaming up with Susie Shing to help a mom entrepreneur get through a business struggle and a lifestyle struggle.

Their plan is to cover specific challenges faced by moms and to offer real, do-able solutions....going from overwhelmed and dissatisfied to a finding relief.  They are sharing hope for moms who need a boost or perhaps just some encouragement.  For any mom who has struggled in her business or in personal life, this could be a great resource!  The duo offers a couple of videos in the blog that you'll find both fun and informative. 

Read more about it and view the short videos at the metromom blog.  

Pass it Forward: Free Shoes for Young Athletes

Families with young children involved in sports know how expensive it is to outfit their kids with the shoes, uniforms, and equipment needed.  There's help in Centralia, Missouri plus a model that other community organizations could easily follow.

Designed to meet a need in the community and to enrich the lives of young athletes, the Optimist Club of Centralia has announced their start up phase of the "Pass it Forward" program. They are accepting donations of clean, well kept athletic shoes that still have some life in them.  In the near future they will have some open house nights open to the public where they may receive a pair of shoes with no charge.

They have teamed up with the local McDonald's franchise who will donate an ice cream coupon for the first 100 donations.  Look for donation bins at Chester Boren Middle School and Centralia Intermediate School.


Is your club or organization looking for a worthwhile service project?  This is a great idea - share this post with your colleagues start payin' it forward.

Christmas in a Shoebox: Operation Christmas Child

• Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, and jump ropes
• School supplies
• Hygiene items
• Socks, ball caps, hard candy and lollipops

What do all these things have in common?   They'll all fit into a shoebox and are suggested items to pack for a special christmas giveaway - Operation Christmas Child.

First Baptist Church of Centralia, Missouri is partnering with this international organization to help fill boxes to be given to needy children in other countries.  Last year they worked to collect and pack 955 boxes.  They will be packing lots of boxes this year too and are serving as a collection site in Central Missouri from November 16 - 23.

This is an awesome opportunity for young and old alike to share the love of Christ with children who may not otherwise hear the gospel.  The makers of the popular VeggieTales movies have teamed up to promote Operation Christmas Child. 

Go to the Operation Christmas Child website for more information, to find a drop-off site near you and to find instructions for packing and filling a shoebox.  If you'd like to share the love of Christmas, share this post with your friends and give this Christmas away!

Free mp3 Music Downloads from Amazon!

Here's a sweet little deal I just stumbled across by accident - Amazon has some FREE mp3 music downloads.

Here's one of the albums they're offering - relaxing classical music by various artists:

The Best Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe


Nice classical music titles like 'Fur Elise', 'Ave Maria' and 'Canon in D'

Get 'em while they last!!

And don't forget to pay it forward....share this post with 3 friends. 

Just call Him .... Dad

Dad?  Yep that's right - read it here or check John 1: 12-13 in your own Bible.
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed on His name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God..."

As a child of God, you can call Him Father or even Dad....that's a little more personal, don't you think?  He loves you as his own child....just think of the love you have for your children for a minute and realize that God loves us way more than we love our own children.  Let that sink in. 

In the book of Matthew, it says that just like we know how to give good gifts to our children, consider how much more God will give good gifts to those who ask Him.  

What have you asked Him for?