Wednesday, June 18, 2008

What do you spend your disposable income on? For me, it is often books or for the last year or so, material costs for remodelling and home improvements. Don't think you have any disposable income? Are you sure?

In 2007 we in the U.S. spent almost $17 billion dollars on bottled water. For most of us, it is because we simply prefer the taste of it. Few communities actually have dangerous water, so for most of us we simply choose to spend the extra money. How much extra? Depending on your taste buds, buying bottled water can cost from $400 to $1,000 a year per person if you drink anything close to the recommended daily intake.

From the tap the same amount of water would cost you about 51 cents a year!

Ok, so you drink water rather than purchasing soda or other options...still a choice isn't it? How many other things are we spending money on that could be limited if we weren't caught up in the easy-spending ways of our culture? Fewer watts in our new stereo (it's the same music and they don't need to hear it 2 blocks away), a smaller screen on the tv (is the whole neighborhood watching through your window?), a less luxurious car (maybe a practical choice, not a "look at me" choice) -- does your 2 year old really need a cell phone?.

The fact of the matter is that many of us complain about our economics without really looking at how well off we really are,it is easy to do until you spend time in a culture that has much less. As thousands of summer and full-time missionaries prepare to set out to serve here and all over the world, maybe we should re-examine how we are spending our money if we think that we have nothing that we can contribute to the cause. It is sad that one may not be able to go where they feel called because they can't afford to go.

Why not pray that the Lord lay on your heart both where you can save and how He would like to see those savings used? For me, I just need to imagine that my well water is a new flavor of Fruit 2-O.

Have a great day,

Brad

7 Comments:

At 10:40 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It doesn't hurt to examine the little things we spend money on . . . Is it too late to send a donation for one of the kids to go this summer?

 
At 2:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, it isn't! If you would like to you can still send donations to AweStar Ministries, PO Box 470265, Tulsa, OK 74147 and indicate that they are for mission scholarships.

Brad

 
At 10:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brad, I sent Brent a message on his Myspace, I had forgot he was gone for ahwile. I was a prayer warrior for BJ and was hoping Brent could be mine for my dad. He is in the hospital and to make a long story short, keeps prgressing from one issue to another. What started out as a possible stomach bug now has him with pneumonia and on a ventilator. Could you all pray for him for me? His name is David Jump. THANKS!!!!!!!!!

 
At 10:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

PS. This is Debbie Schmidt, Davids daughter. We are from Florence, Ky. (I forgot to sign my name!)

 
At 8:28 AM, Blogger Marti Pieper said...

Debbie,

We will definitely be lifting your dad up before Him. Father God, you know David's situation and his need. We ask that You show Yourself strong in this situation. Be very near to him, to Debbie and to the whole family. We ask You to heal Him according to Your mercy. We ask You to work wonders in his life according to Your grace. And we ask You to bring Yourself and Your Kingdom glory according to Your will.

We trust You with David and we gratefully come to You as Your beloved children, thanking and praising You for caring for each one of us. We pray these things in Your holy name--Your matchless name--

AMEN

with tender love
and prayers in pink

Marti
and all the Piepers
(including two heading to Peru and Chile with Awe Star very soon!)

 
At 12:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello my brothers and sisters!

Thanks for the note today, Brad! Ya'll ROCK!

Debbie, I am praying for your Dad! I pray that no matter what happens, you will trust that the Lord's ways our higher than our ways! It's crazy how we "think" we have trusted it all to the Lord, until we face such a hard situation! I know because I faced it when my Gramma passed away with no notice AND when I fasted for BJ for almost 4 weeks only to hear he had passed! God is moving Debbie --- ALWAYS MOVING! He will choose what will bring Him the greatest glory and HE IS THERE WITH YOU!

May you find PEACE in all that He has to offer! Thank you for loving your Dad so much and for loving our Lord! It is TESTIMONY to His love and grace!

Blessings to you all!

Laurel
laurelm79@yahoo.com

P.S. Marty, THANK YOU for allowing your children to serve our King abroad. I cannot even begin to imagine the sacrifice in your surrender! Our King is GLORIOUS ... and you are a true reflection of that! Love you all!

 
At 2:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I knew coming to you was a God thing! You all are awesome and I thank God to have christian Brothers and sisters to count on. I still pray for the Higgins family all the time!!!!

Lots of love, prayers and thankfulness.
Debbie
Florence, KY

 

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