THE DEVIL'S TOOLS...

Most of the time when I think or hear about selfishness, it is related to how we spend our time, our money, our life focus.  And those are very real ways we can be selfish.  In fact, I feel like most of the time what leads us to sin all boils down to SELFISHNESS.

I was convicted with some verses several days last week.  It caused me to think about times when all I can dwell on is my anger/frustration over trivial things.  As I thought more and more about it, it occurred to me that when these thoughts are clouding my mind, that is a form of self-absorption and selfishness!  I might generally be doing good things, and spending my time wisely, but I can't seem to focus on God at all when Satan has me up in arms about how I feel!

My DH said something to me that kind of hurt my feelings but I understood what he meant.  He said when I talk about those kind of things, it's like all he hears is the unintelligible teacher from Charlie Brown, "Wa,wa-wa, wa..."  and I wondered what God thinks when I am telling him my woes. Does He care about those unimportant things that get under my skin?  I know He cares for me, but I also wonder if He is trying to teach me love, patience, endurance, or something else... and hoping I get the lesson.  Thank goodness for His grace!

The devil's tools are many. I hope that next time my focus is clouded by hurt feelings, petty misunderstandings, etc., I will recognize those things for what they are, dwell on the word of God, and dismiss them with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures to focus on:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

  

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

LEMON-Y PARTY FAVORS...

27 door prizes quick and cheap?  I've got one for you!  Lemonade mix in a jar!  After taking on this task, I was really pleased to find these can be made for under $2 each!  Everything was bought at good old Walmart because I didn't have time to really do anything else.  I did check some prices online at other stores, but this was kind of a fun challenge for me to just peruse the aisles at Walmart to see what would work in a pinch.

Lemonade mix in a decorated jar supplies:

24 half-pint canning jars

200 oz. Country Time lemonade mix

24 labels or key tags

24 rubber bands

fabric, ribbon

All you do is funnel the mix into the jars, then cut the fabric into circles larger than the lid.  Learn from my mistake - don't try to use hot glue for the fabric on the lid, just rubber band it on!  Then tie your ribbon and key tag on it.  I did actually make 27 but I knew I had a few jars leftover from something else, so I didn't have to buy another 12 pack of jars.

WEDDING RECEPTION/TINY OPEN HOUSE...

Last of the wedding festivities!  We hosted a reception here in Oklahoma per our son's request.  I told him if we did that, we would also have to have a Tiny House Open House!  So many have asked about the construction project going on in our driveway, that I knew we would just have to make it part of it.  It's not totally finished yet, but close, and they did stage it for the party.

Even after several days of rain due to tropical storms down south, we managed to get a misty Saturday without a downpour - thank you, God!  You could eat off our driveway - it's never been so clean.  :)

We had cookies, nuts, lemonade, and water.  Pretty simple.  It worked for a "driveway party."

My Niece-in-law made the fancy cookies!  

We had a lot of fun greeting guests and watching our son give tours!

Kitchen area

Living area

My awesome friend did the chalk work sign for me - isn't it great?

We had a lot of fun talking to family and friends from near and far! Several of our neighbors came, too!   Looking forward to the time it really will be finished - I'll keep you posted.