Thank you for your thoughts

at 03/13/10 12:34PM
on the post below. Praying for folks in tough places - thankful they're willing to put up with the troubles so that they can help others. It's so easy to just throw in the towel when you know you have somewhere "easy" to go.

"Do Hard Things." It is after all the way to build strength.

Me, Being Petty?

at 03/10/10 2:59PM
Trusting in money is dumb. Not disputing that fact.

Anyway, I just saw today that the Canadian and American dollars are supposed to be at par by this summer. That means that when we exchange money, we get the same in one currency that we had in the other. When the US dollar is stronger than the Canadian dollar, then you get a little more Canadian dollars when you exchange American. And you get less American dollars when you travel the opposite direction. For example, my Canadian husband who is also a preacher is often asked when he went to FC. There's a whole nother discussion on assuming that a man who is a preacher must have attended FC, but the point here is that when he would have attended FC, the Canadian dollar was much weaker than the US dollar, and it would have been a hardship to try to raise almost twice the tuition that the average kid his age did to attend the school, so he didn't go. If you're from somewhere outside the US or have traveled outside, maybe you know what I'm talking about.

Here's the thing. We live in Canada, receiving the majority of our income from the US. Which means, if we have an agreement to "X" amount of financial aid at some point in the past, then the closer the US and Canadian dollars get to "at par", we don't take as much income. Isn't that a petty thing for me to notice? It's not that much difference, after all; just a few dollars here or there. Or, if you're on a budget, maybe you know what I mean.

Now, I don't point this out to ask for more income. Really. That is in the hands of God and my husband, and I have to get over my anxieties, as I had my children memorizing from Philippians 4:4-7 with me today. But there's another thing. We live in Toronto and are surrounded by folks who have come here from other places, many of them from countries where the dollar value of the country varies more than our economically stronger country. I know that many folks send home aid to parents and families. Depending on the dollar value that week or month, they are actually sending different amounts every time. And we also, who support men in different countries to preach do the same. We don't vary our budgeted amount to send, but our dollar comparisons change, and so men and families who depend on a certain amount of income have to deal with an income that shifts up and down over time. And here's yet another thing: I hadn't ever really considered this before as it relates to preacher's families in other places, especially European and wealthier status countries where it's even more expensive to live than Toronto.

It's easy to think that sending strong US or Canadian dollars overseas or to South America is helpful to them, regardless of the amount. But not all foreign dollar values are weak.

Anyway, just rambling and sending out these thoughts which were sort of new to me at one point, and maybe to you too, so maybe helpful in some way?

Let me know what you think, privately or here. Love to all,

Michelle
  • friedaj
    I guess that I just never thought to much about it because I have not done much traveling out of the country. Even when I did go, it was only a short time so the effect was different.
    by friedaj at 03/10/10 9:51PM
  • serena
    Exchange rates killed us in both directions because when we were trying to pay off US debt on Canadian dollars the US dollar was stronger, then when we came back the states it decided to flip. I don't think most supporting churches think about it.
    by serena at 03/11/10 12:12PM
  • mullenpatch
    It's one of those things that you know, but you don't think about the impact on real people. It's like knowing there was a sunami but not understanding what completely wiped out looks like. Can you imagine waking up to the only house on the street being yours? No trees, nothing taller than you around your house or neighborhood? I imagine taking a pay cut can make things seem that way. Not being able to buy the things you need or the things that could help for yourself or others. Hopefully, soon the economy will turn around here in the US and things will be better for all those involved in foreign countries. May God continue to bless you in your service to Him.
    by mullenpatch at 03/12/10 10:18AM
  • mrs_rosshead
    I've not really thought about that much, probably because I've not been affected. I'm not sure it's being petty, Michelle, just being watchful! When you're on a budget, that will make a difference! A lot of preachers and their families are definitely being affected by these rough economic times!
    by mrs_rosshead at 03/12/10 10:46PM

Right or Wrong, or Just Plain Smart

at 02/20/10 10:16AM
Keys for Kids Daily Devotional for February 20, 2010

TITLE: Guardrails

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 143:8-10
THE STORY FOR TODAY:

"Dad, what are those ropes on the side of the road?" asked six-year-old Mason as they drove down the highway.

"Those are called guardrails," Dad replied. "Sometimes guardrails are made of wide metal bands, and sometimes they're heavy wire ropes."

"Guardrails?" asked Mason. "What are they for?"

"They're to make sure people on the highway stay on the road," Dad replied.

"Why would they want to leave the road?" asked Mason.

Mason's brother Keaton laughed. "They wouldn't want to leave the road," he said, "but sometimes people have accidents. Like in winter. If the road gets slippery, cars might run into each other and go off the road."

Dad nodded. "Yes, and other times, drivers may not pay attention to what they're doing, or they may get sleepy. When things like that happen, they could swerve off the highway. Then those guardrails would catch their cars before they could roll down the hill at the side of the road. Without the guardrails, the cars would suffer much more serious damage."

"Have they ever saved anybody on this road?" asked Mason.

"I'm sure they have," said Dad.

"Wow!" Mason exclaimed. "Then I'm glad they're there. They're really important!"

"Yes, they are," agreed Dad. After a moment, he added thoughtfully, "Those guardrails protect us on this highway, and when we use God's Word, it acts as a guardrail to protect us on life's highway."

"Where is life's highway?" asked Mason.

Keaton grinned. "You're on it right now," he said.

Dad smiled. "By life's highway, I don't mean an actual road. I just mean the way we live our lives-the places we go and the things we do and say," he explained.

"And the Bible can help keep us from doing wrong," said Keaton. He turned to his brother. "Remember that song about the Bible on one of Dad's CDs, Mason? The chorus goes, 'Sin kept me from it; now it keeps me from sin.'"

"Yes. As we obey God's Word, it keeps us from straying from the way He wants us to go," said Dad. "It keeps us from trouble and helps us through hard times."

"It keeps us on the right road," agreed Mason, "just like those guardrails.")

MEMORY VERSE:
Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth. Psalm 86:11

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you check your Bible when you're not sure what is the right thing to do? As you trust and obey God's Word, it will work as a guardrail in your life and will help you stay on the right "road" and live God's way. So use your Bible every day. Receive the protection available to you as you learn and follow the principles and instructions God gives. His way is the best and safest way for you to go.

THE KEY: Let God's Word protect you


www.KeysForKids.org
  • serena
    I like that.
    by serena at 02/20/10 10:48AM
  • mimi71
    When my son was about 11 or so, he and my husband were driving in the snow. They watched as a car got sucked into the drift because it had gotten too close to the edge on the slushy part. After helping the occupants get their car out, my son turned to his dad and told him that sin was like the slushy snow - if you get too close, it is going to pull you in. :) I like the "real life" examples. Thanks for sharing :)
    by mimi71 at 02/20/10 11:11AM
  • mereme
    great "object lesson" ^ I liked this story - it just seemed so obvious a lesson for adults as well as for kids!
    by mereme at 02/20/10 12:30PM
  • aleta
    Excellent lessons.
    by aleta at 02/20/10 12:34PM
  • friedaj
    Great lesson. Just applying everyday things to God's word can make it so visual.
    by friedaj at 02/20/10 2:09PM
  • mullenpatch
    Excellent! I'm gonna print this one out!
    by mullenpatch at 02/21/10 8:54AM
  • granny
    A great idea. I'm going to check out the website. I love this kind of sharing!
    by granny at 03/03/10 8:18AM

Sorry, I'm out...

at 02/11/10 11:09AM
I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with you all on Pleonast - or even Facebook for that matter. Just not spending as much time online - on purpose!

I hope all are well and encouraging one another!

God blessed you.
  • mrs_rosshead
    Miss you, but, totally understand! I've been trying to get online less also!
    by mrs_rosshead at 02/12/10 9:17PM
  • jlmanager
    Agreed.
    by jlmanager at 02/13/10 12:57PM

what's great about memorizing? ...

at 01/24/10 6:28PM
... "hiding it in your heart" so that you can be "prepared to answer"

I was able to quote from two passages in James 1 in the past few days in conversations with sisters in Christ where it was needed.

So there, self. Verses that I knew, but was good to have really committed the words to heart, so that they meant something and fit the conversation.

Just thought I'd share an update.
  • serena
    Have you heard of the National Bible Bee? I was listeing to Family Life Today and they were advertising this Bible Bee.
    Kids come and compete in memorizing scripture. They said some kids memorize THOUSANDS of passages!!
    by serena at 01/24/10 8:45PM
  • jkmram
    It amazes me every time how often the verses I have memorized become relevant in day to day life, how they enrich other things we are studying, how often I need them. Memorization has awakened my spirit to many more connections within the scriptures. God is awesome, huh?

    :o)
    by jkmram at 01/25/10 6:01AM
  • rockymtnslover
    wonderful testimony!
    by rockymtnslover at 01/27/10 9:38AM