A church cannot function without laypeople. Those who are not ordained or paid to minister. Those who go above and beyond in service to their brothers. Those who serve as campus directors, prayer partner leaders, small group leaders, worship leaders, head ushers, and Sunday School teachers.

The Bible definition of laypeople is different. The church would cease to exist without them.

2 Chronicles 35:5, 6, “And stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions of the fathers’ households of your brothers, the laypeople, and according to the Levites, by division of a father’s household. Then slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourselves and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.” Modern English Version

* * * * * * *

“The people were admitted according to their families in groups or companies of several households at a time. When the first company entered the court, (which consisted commonly of as many as it could hold), the gates were shut and the offering was made. The Levites stood in rows from the slaughtering-places to the altar, and handed the blood and fat from one person to another of the officiating priests.

The design of the minute directions given here was to facilitate the distribution of the paschal lambs. These were to be eaten by the respective families according to their numbers (Exodus 12:3). But multitudes of the people, especially those from Israel, having been reduced to poverty through the Assyrian devastations, were to be provided with the means of commemorating the Passover . . .” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. I

Laypeople were also called the “Common People.” They were not from the tribe of Levi. Yet, they were a holy people God set apart for himself. Today we call them members and attendees.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

The long weekend is over. We honored the fallen. We ate with our families. We relaxed and rested. We visited the graves and decorated them. We prayed for the families with an empty chair. That empty chair is sad but there is something sadder – sadder than death.

Jeremiah 14:16, “. . . And they will have no one to bury them, . . .” Modern English Version

I’m grateful that I can visit my father’s grave. He was a veteran of the Korean War. God protected him. He came home, married Mom, and had children.

Surrounded by family when he died, he had his wife, children, grandchildren, and one great-grandchild to bury him. He was a blessed man.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

Cassie is on my heart today. This is her first Memorial Day without her husband John. Married for such a short time, they do not have a child to carry on his name.

Jeremiah 11:19, “But I was like a gentle lamb that is brought to the slaughter, and I did not know that they had devised plots against me, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with the fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living so that his name may be remembered no more.’ ” Modern English Version

Satan would love for us to forget his name. But we remember and mourn our loss. We remember all of them. On this Memorial Day I remember:

John Poole

Matt Good

Levi Amrine

Joseph Hamski

Casey Byers

Dear Father God,

I ask you to wrap your arms around the wives, girlfriends, mothers, fathers, and siblings of these men. I ask you touch their children today. Thank you for their sacrifices. Strengthen their brothers in arms who carry on without them. Let their families know that they are resting in peace.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

Call me Penny!

Penny is a character on the show, “Big Bang Theory.” The other characters hold doctorates in science – except for the astronaut. Their girlfriends also hold doctorates in the sciences. Penny is the pretty girl who lives in the apartment across the hall.

The group will be having a discussion and Penny will make a comment.

“Oh, you understand string theory?” the others will ask.

“Heck, no, I just didn’t want to be left out of the conversation,” Penny replies.

The conversation at my house is about sports, not science. I know as much about sports as Penny knows about string theory!

“It doesn’t matter how hard you try, you won’t fit in because God set you apart for Himself.” facebook.com/The WordForYouTodayUSA

I may not know sports, but I have a wealth of knowledge. I average 53% on “TriviaToday” and I never cheat. And I average 73% – 78% on Bible Trivia. Most important, I understand and know God.

Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, says the Lord.” Modern English Version

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

Yesterday, after my embarrassing pity party, my daughter-in-law stopped by. They had a dryer fire on Wednesday. It destroyed the dryer, damaged the washer and walls, leaving a fine layer of soot throughout the house. I was going to wash a load of laundry for her.

I thanked God for my washer and dryer. And I thanked him that the kids were in school when the fire occurred and no one got hurt.

I opened up my Facebook and saw a picture of Kallie, sitting by her soldier husband’s grave last Memorial Day. She would give anything to spend more time with Matt – even put up with his annoying stuff. Humbled and rebuked, I repented again.

Jeremiah 7:5, “For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your deeds . . .” Modern English Version

* * * * * * *

“The desire to change must translate into the decision to change.” John C. Maxwell, “The Difference Maker”

Gratefulness. I am grateful for a husband who loves God. I am grateful God protected my family during the fire. I am grateful for a washer and dryer. I am grateful for the soldiers who volunteered and are willing to die in order to protect my freedom. I am grateful for the long weekend that will give me time to spend with my husband.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

It’s a cloudy, depressing day – the start of a long weekend.

“What are we going to do this weekend?” I asked David.

“I thought I would mow the lawn and grill hamburgers.”

Okay, the same as every other weekend. The same as every other day. Cook three times. Clean the kitchen three times. Make a list of tasks for the day. Work through the list.

Tuesday, there was a break from the monotony when we had dinner in our friend’s camper. Their new camper fits them perfectly. It was a godsend when a tornado ripped through their farm. They took the camper to the lake and slept there while dealing with the mess.

“Why can’t I have a camper?” I whined to God

Jeremiah 5:25, “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you.” Modern English Version

I married a jock. Instead of gathering around a fire, we gather around the TV. Instead of hearing the crackle of flames, I hear the crack of a bat. (I hate sports.)

My sin? Covetousness. “Father, forgive me.”

It doesn’t make sense to have a camper when you cannot open the windows and have to run the air conditioner all the time. I know; I don’t need a camper.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

Yesterday, I was presented with a ministry opportunity. After a brief conversation, I said I would discuss it with David and pray about it.

That is a completely different response than I used to have. It didn’t matter what the challenge was, or how busy I was, I usually jumped in with both feet – and then almost drowned.

Jeremiah 2:2, “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the Lord: I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.” Modern English Version

The New International Version used the phrase, “the devotion of your youth.”

“Devotion. The Hebrew for this word refers to the most intimate degree of loyalty, love and faithfulness that can exist between two people or between an individual and the Lord.” New International Version Study Bible Notes

The New Living Translation says, “Eager to please me as a young bride.” And the “God’s Word Translation” said, “You followed me in the desert.”

My qualification for this ministry opportunity was – “You do not work a full-time job.” David and I discussed it and we declined.

I want to be devoted, loyal, faithful, and eager to please God but I am already following him through a desert or wilderness. There is no trail for what I am doing. Sometimes, it feels like a rain forest. I’m overwhelmed and hacking my way through the underbrush that entangles me.

Yet, God is faithful and consistently leads me to fresh water for my thirst, food to keep up my stamina, and a quiet, safe place to rest at night. This wilderness/desert/forest is safer than traveling on a highway, as long as I keep following God.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

It’s no secret that I have a weakness for sugar. Sunday, I ate the worst possible diet. Ever.

Breakfast was a cinnamon roll I bought at an Amish booth in the Farmer’s Market. The same baker made the huckleberry pie that I ate for lunch.

In the afternoon, I had a snack of chocolate cake, complete with a flower made of frosting at an open house and ate a cupcake at the graduation party in the evening. When the hostess asked us to take a cupcake for the road, I ate the second one! Oh, I forgot, the guitar player brought doughnuts for the worship team. That was my morning snack.

1 day, 6 desserts.

The result of all that sugar was I overslept for 2 days and fell asleep early in the evenings. When I poured my coffee Monday morning, I decided to add cream but omit the sugar. It tasted fine!

Last night, we had dinner with friends. It was my last day on Prednisone which made it safe to go out. David worried that I would fall asleep right after dinner and he bought me a Mountain Dew.

I love Mountain Dew!

I drank the entire 16-ounce bottle. When our hostess asked if we would like seconds on dessert, I declined, saying, “I’m sugared out.” (That has never happened before!)

I woke up in the middle of the night with a bloated belly from the carbonation in the Mountain Dew. The caffeine in it kept me awake. I had to drink warm milk before I could go back to sleep.

While I was staring at the ceiling, God spoke to me about 2 people on my prayer list. They have the same health issue and God showed me a tweak in their diet that could have a huge impact.

But why would they listen to me? They know me well, and I just admitted my complete failure controlling my sugar intake! But, God also showed me where I am weak, He is strong. He changed my taste buds to enjoy my coffee without the sugar. He told me to pray for a change in their taste buds. But I’m scared to talk to them.

Jeremiah 1:7, 8, “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth.” For you shall go everywhere that I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces. For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” Modern English Version

I guess I will be sharing my “sugar” story with my friends and telling them what God showed me last night.

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

I keep my head down when I play for the altar call. It is a quiet, holy moment between each person and God. It thrilled me to hear Lay Pastor Rick say he saw a hand raised of one who was saying, “Yes, Jesus, I want you in my life.” She made her way down to the front and everyone prayed the prayer of surrender with her.

When Rick dismissed us, I looked up and saw my sister. She had walked down to the front with the lady. If only Mom could have witnessed it.

My sister did not live for the Lord for four decades. There were a million prayers that went up with her name on them. But now she is living for God. Everything that happened during those decades has been wiped clean by the Blood of Jesus. They are gone, forgotten, and will be remembered no more. Her record in heaven now lists things like walking to the altar in support of that lady, praying for a friend dying of cancer, spending time with his widow.

Hebrews 8:12, “For I will be merciful toward their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Modern English Version

* * * * * * *

Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins.” Modern English Version

God wiped my slate clean on January 25, 1975. There is such freedom living with a clean slate!

* * * * * * *

“We sure are reading about some evil kings,” David observed today.

As I read about King Manasseh, I could not deny he was an evil king. But he entreated the face of God, humbled himself before God, and prayed to God. It moved God and He responded to his plea, (see 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13).

God wiped his slate clean. His record now reads:

2 Chronicles 33:15, “And he removed the foreign gods and statues from the house of the Lord, and . . . restored the altar of the Lord, and he sacrificed fellowship and thanksgiving offerings, and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.” Modern English Version

Dear Father God,

You are the only One who can wipe my slate clean. I accept the sacrifice Jesus made for me when He died on the cross. I believe You have forgiven me. I confess that now You are my Lord. I surrender to You. Thank You for saving my soul and making me clean.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/

“Dance like no one is watching,

Love like you’ve never been hurt,

Sing like no one is listening,

And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

As I wrote yesterday’s post, I thought, “No one is going to believe this!” I added a photo for proof.

When I was proofreading it, I almost crossed out a few lines. I decided to write the post as if no one was reading it and left them in.

The day was just as crazy as my early morning. Exhausted after church, I decided to nap. The Fitbit stuck in the fins of the fan buzzed to tell it to “Get Moving” just as I was drifting off. It buzzed twice more and I decided nap time was over. The first open house had already started.

It was held at a church parsonage. They remodeled the kitchen and David helped design the cabinet layout. It was gorgeous with white cabinets, light gray subway tile, and white marble countertops.

I ran my fingers over the countertop and realized – they were laminate! Shocked, I said to the Pastor, “When I saw those countertops I thought I was in the wrong denomination!”

We went from that open house to a graduation party of a young lady who is already a world traveler. She has 2 more missions trips scheduled for this summer.

The room was packed because everyone loves Victoria! I felt someone bump my backpack purse. It was Deb. She apologized and I just laughed. After some “girl talk” Deb stopped and was totally serious.

“You need to write a book.”

My first thought was, “About what?”

As a girl, I dreamed of writing like Laura Ingalls Wilder. Reading her books were like living next door to her. What if I wrote my story as if no one was reading it? I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

Isaiah 66:9, “Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause delivery? says the Lord. . . .” Modern English Version

* * * * * * *

“1) God makes the choice. 2) God designs the plan. 3) God sets the schedule. God trains you through the difficulties you experience so you can handle the assignment He has in mind for you.” facebook.com/TheWordForYouTodayUSA

I guess I’m writing a book!

©2009-2017 frugalfish.org. All rights reserved.

pamela.frugalfish@gmail.com

 Twitter – @frugalfishorg

Facebook – Frugal Fish

Pinterest.com/frugalfish/