I Heart CVS

It's been a while since I've shared any CVS deals. That's partly because I've been preoccupied with other things (funeral, baby, surgery, for instance) and took some time off from bargain shopping. It was also because the deals were a little slim at CVS for a number of weeks.

Well, the past two weeks, CVS got back in the game, and so did I!

Here are last week's winnings. I got Huggies wipes, Duracell batteries, Colgate, Speed Stick deodorant, 2 packs of notebook paper and 2 memo pads. After coupons, sales and Extra Care Bucks, I paid $0.89 out of pocket and got $10 back!

This week I used that $10 combined with coupons and sales to get more Colgate, 3 boxes of Kashi granola bars, tampons, panty liners, a travel-sized first aid kit, and 2 composition books. This time I paid $1.80 out of pocket and got $11 back!

And if that wasn't enough to make me giddy with delight, look what is going up around the corner from me:

Yeah! A brand new CVS right in my back yard! Oh Happy Day!

Overheard this morning

H to J: "Let's play Tom and Jerry. I'll hit you with a shovel and then you hit me with a shovel."

Perhaps we need cut back on the electronic babysitting.

Summer Beauties

Father's Day

I participated in several writing contests during my years at college. I never considered myself much of a writer and certainly never had any expectations of winning. I did it as more of a self-improvement project. They were the sort of competitions where you showed up, they gave you a topic, and you had an hour or so to write about it.

One year the subject was "What is your favorite holiday and why." I wrote about Father's Day. It was probably an unusual choice for a female college student, but it was an honest one. I have a lot of happy memories of Father's Days.

For years, the Detroit Grand Prix was held on Father's Day. All through high school and a few times during college, my Dad would take me down to the race. He did a lot of work with Motorola in those days and would get invited to the courtesy tent they had at the track. We would go after church, eat free lunch, and watch the race. I can't say I'm much of a fan, but I enjoyed the experience, just because it was special time with my Dad.

That essay came to mind today. This was the worst Father's Day I've had - I spent much of it in bed crying. I know for my Dad, however, it was his happiest one ever. He got in free again, but this time, admission was courtesy of the blood of Christ, not Motorola. The food was no doubt far better than what we had at the tent. He was part of a crowd of people from every tribe and nation cheering for something far more glorious than a car race.

"I can only imagine. . ."

An Open Letter To Chris Tomlin

Dear Mr. Tomlin,

I have been blessed by many of your songs, and appreciate your ministry. I particularly like your reworking of the hymn "Amazing Grace." On more than one occasion I've been moved to tears as I meditate on the the overwhelming thought that my God, my Savior has indeed ransomed me from the chains of my sin.

But there's something about the third line of the chorus that distracts my easily-distracted mind, and so I have to ask you,

"Is that a type-o?"

Before I ever saw the lyrics in print, I was sure it was supposed to be "like a flood. . .rains" not "reigns." But now I've seen it in print a lot of times, and I've never seen it any other way, so I'm guessing you spelled it that way on purpose.

You see, I grew up singing songs like "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings," so I'm quite familiar with the idea of mercy drops falling around us. But I'm having a hard time understanding how mercy can reign like a flood. I suppose a really bad flood "takes charge" of an area. Is that what you meant?

It reminds me of a book I used to see on my Uncle's Father's coffee table when I was a child, The King Who Rained. I'm pretty sure that one was a pun.

I'm sorry to trouble with such a trivial matter when you must be very busy. Since I'm sure you read my blog regularly (and have just been too shy to comment in the past), I thought this would be a good place to clarify the issue, so I can get past my confusion and just worship.

Sincerely,
SJ

Friends don't let friends drive pregnant

The Power of the Resurrection

Christ's resurrection isn't just a historical event that occurred millenia ago. It's an event with eternal significance for those who have put their trust in Him.

What if it never happened?
I Corinthians 15:17-19
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. "

Praise God, it did happen!
I Corinthians 15:20
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead"

So why does it matter today?
1. Everyone who trusts in Christ has the promise of eternal life - we also will be resurrected!
I Corinthians 15:20-23
[Christ is] the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

2. Death has lost it's power over us!
I Corinthians 15:55-57
"'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

3. It gives us a reason to serve Him passionately in this life!
I Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Go celebrate by standing firm and giving yourself fully to the work of the Lord!