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* Please note that this post is not directed at any one particular church, but intended as a global message for all of God's houses.
God's house is supposed to be a temple, a place of refuge. So why is God's house left in disarray? I'm sure we all love when new visitors come into the church. But what does the cleanliness of your church say to that visitor? Does it say, "Welcome to the house of God" or does it say, "Enter at your own risk."
We as church members can take the extra steps to help make and keep God's house a home. I like what someone said, "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." If you notice that a trash can is full, rather than over-flowing the can even more, how about taking it out to the dumpster? After all, this is a great way to keep your pride levels in check! When there is paper on the floor, get the exercise, pick it up! If you notice something that you would be unacceptable in your own home, why would you leave it be in God's house?
When there is a mid-week function, food trash and crumbs can often be found after everyone went home. By Sunday, this can cause a bug problem and a not-so-pleasant smell. I have seen in church after church, the Pastor's wife staying behind to take care of these things. Should this be?
Church members and visitors should be able to come into God's house and see it as a temple, and not have to ask "Where's the bug spray" or "What is that smell?" Can we all work together as a family to make and keep God's house a place of refuge for the saved and the unsaved?
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I can't tell you how many times a few minute phone call has saved us a good amount of money. I just spent 5 minutes on the phone and saved $89.09. Yesterday a 3 minute called credited my account $85.00. The other day, I returned a defective item to the tune of $42.50. I just received a call that a $244.00 dispute has been written off and that they are working on the other $177.00. (This one did take a lot of phone calls.) Some days I make more on my days off, than my work days :)
How many times are we over-charged or billed for something we don't need and just pay it? Well, not this chick! Get on the horn! Comb through those bills and make certain that you are only being charged what you should be paying for.
Here is how it works:
1.) Carefully review all of your incoming bills and receipts. If you are even over-charged a $1, call, call, call! I have been credited more than the $1 for the inconvenience.
2.) Refuse to pay annual fees or for anything that you can get for free. If you have good credit, you shouldn't have to pay annual fees. There are even cards out there with frequent flyer miles that do not charge an annual fee. I'm sorry, but I refuse to pay someone for me to be their customer!
If a credit card or bank tries to slap me with fee, my first response is to request a credit. 9 out of 10 times the request will be granted (assuming that your account is in good standing) (If not, a company is much less likely to grant your request.) On the rare occasion when they won't issue the credit, I simply tell them that I don't pay annual fees and to please close the account. Suddenly, someone will appear on the call and credit the account.
3.) Often times companies will bill members automatically for charges that they did not request. I am wondering how many people take the time to read their bills, let alone call. I can't help but wonder if these companies do this just to see how many fools will just pay the bill. Don't be one of them!
4.) I think one of the most important steps is to be friendly when you call and to make your request for credit within reason. Anyone who has worked in customer service will tell you, that they want to help the customers who are friendly over the ones who aren't.
5.) Another tip to is go up the ladder until your request has been completed to your satisfaction. "Let me speak to your supervisor" really does work. It also may be the case that the wrong person answered the phone when you called. Keep going up the ladder until your issue is resolved. Some of these calls can take about a half an hour, but it can save you $100's of dollars.
I get such a charge when a 10 minute phone call saves me more than I can make in an hour!
If something doesn't sound right, call. If you have been wronged, call.
Try it, it really works! You work hard for your money, don't let these companies rob you of what is rightfully yours.
Blessings to all in 2009!
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I once heard Israel Houghton use this phrase during a worship set, and I'll never forget these words: "He is not mad at you, He is madly in love with you!" I think so many of us live our lives thinking that God must be mad at us for one reason or another. But the truth is that He loves us with an everlasting love. I think we probably think of love with human understanding, with how fickle we can be, and somehow think that God must be the same way. I just know too many Christians that struggle with this issue in their lives, including yours truly :)
Although we won't be able to fully comprehend the love of God on this side of heaven, I'm sure we're all aware that His love transcends any love we can imagine.
Let's not forget that when we do sin, we can certainly anger God. He is a God of wrath and judgement, as well as a God of love. But if we are His child, and sealed with with His Spirit, we can know that He loves us. When He sees us, He sees His Son. That's good to know! Isn't it?
I'll just keep this brief today, since I think the title was really all I wanted to say.
3:17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
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Ever since they opened Camden Yards in 1992, I have always wanted to be able to sit in the Skybox seats. But the fact of the matter is, that I don't know a soul who owns these boxes to ever get a ticket. Well my husband finally landed us 4 tickets and we got to sit in the Skybox! After waiting 16 years, I was more than ready for this event. Even though it rained most of the game and the Orioles lost in a sad way, we were under cover and had a great time! Even though the Oakland Athletics scored 8 runs with only 1 hit, we had a blast.
We were given the royal treatment. When we entered the park, they didn't even check our bags, because we had a golden ticket. The suite was fully equipped with a fabulous spread, sodas, beer and my personal favorite, our own private bathroom :) What more could we ask for?
After pondering on this, I realized that even though we may not have the right connections to get the best seats at the ballpark, we will receive the royal treatment in heaven. We know the right Person! We know the Only One who can give us access to His kingdom! We have connections! Aren't you glad? We may not be rich enough here on earth to own the Skyboxes, but we have access to the riches of heaven because of Him! The place where one of our riches assets (gold) will be our asphalt! Thank you Jesus!
2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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