What do you think?

Marshall preached a really convicting message this morning on Philippians 4:8, and I thought I'd make a printable for myself as a daily reminder to take every thought captive. It's something to remember every time I turn on the computer, tv, open a book, or even in daily conversation.

"You become what you think about most of the time." -Brian Tracy

Here is a printable version of Philippians 4:8 for you:

{click to print}

Life Lessons and a Ballard Message Board Knock Off

In case you haven't noticed, I have been loving the knock offs lately. Especially the Ballard and Pottery Barn type, because, let's face it... I will never be able to stomach paying what they charge, especially when God has blessed me with a creative mind and the ability to recreate.

You see, I've been learning a very important lesson.

Materialism = unhappiness.

It started when we attended an auction several months ago. A sweet, older lady had to move in with family because she is no longer able to care for herself. They held an auction and sold nearly everything she had. Like me, she appreciated and loved pretty things and had acquired quite a lot over her lifetime. There were a lot of antiques and collectible items as well as some really beautiful paintings and furniture. As is typical of an estate sale, most of the items were auctioned off for much less than they are worth. I felt so sorry for this lady as she watched people paying a dollar here or there for these things that had been so special to her. It made me wonder what my end-of-life estate sale would look like.

In addition to that experience, we have broken an astonishing number of things over the past couple of months (including cracking the windshield on our car just as we were getting ready to sell it). I'm ashamed to admit it, but my first thought is usually, "How much did we spend on that? Can it be easily replaced?" Most of the time, the answer is "No." And then I struggle with my attitude when I realize that money was wasted.

My conclusion?

If I am going to buy something, it has to (a) serve a legitimate purpose and (b) only cost as much as absolutely necessary. If I spend too much money on something, it becomes too special. Too precious. And then I want to protect it, because I spent all that money on it. So rather than owning material, material owns me.

Materialism = unhappiness.

If a dish I bought at Goodwill gets broken or a shirt I bought for a couple dollars on clearance gets stained or shrinks, no big loss. It can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

So there you have it. I realize this is kind of a deep preface to a message board tutorial, but this subject has been really weighing on me. Would I have spent $219 on a message board at Ballard Designs? Never. I would be tormented if it ever got a snag or stain. But I can handle covering a $2 bulletin board I found at the thrift store. If anything happens to it, I certainly won't be broken-hearted.

My inspiration:

{via}

We've always just had one computer desk, but now that Marshall is studying and preparing sermons at home, we needed to have separate work spaces. We have our desks at opposite corners of the office, and Marshall really needed to have a message board near his desk for all of the church related mail and documents that come his way. I thought this would be the perfect look- not boring but not too "pretty."

As I mentioned earlier, we found a large bulletin board for $2 at a thrift store.

All it needed was some burlap and upholstery nails to finish the look.

I laid the burlap over the board, attached it around the edges with the nails, and hot glued the extra fabric to the back. So easy.

Sharing at:
Tatertots & Jello
I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Thrifty Decor Chick
Savvy Southern Style
Gingersnap Crafts
House of Hepworths

Fulfilled.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14

{click to print}

When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. -Matthew 1:18

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. -Luke 2:4-7

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying

{click to print}
wreath courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely^[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. -Luke 2:8-20

Merry Christmas!

Giving Thanks

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." -Psalm 69:30

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" -Psalm 95:2

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" -Psalm 100:4

"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" -Psalm 107:22

Thanksgiving is, by far, my favorite holiday.  It is such a wonderful time of reflection on the many blessings I've been given, and it's so good to hear what others are thankful for as well.  What are you thankful for?

Pray for Taylor

Please pray for baby Taylor as she has surgery today to remove a cancerous tumor that is near her spine.  She checked in for surgery at 6 AM, and the procedure will last for twelve hours.  You can read her story here: http://lifeinthehallhousehold.blogspot.com/

Convicted.

I read this passage the other day during my devotions and was really convicted.

This is from Samuel's speech at King Saul's coronation in 1 Samuel 12.

"...You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart..."

"...do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing..."

"...fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you..."

Have you read anything convicting lately?