Dawn

21 Bible Verses for when you need to feel God’s love

July 29, 2021 By Dawn

In life, there may be times where you feel alone. Do not despair, for God is with you.

At times we all need a little reminder of God’s presence and His love for us.

John 3:16, arguably the most well known verse of the Bible, tells us:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

He loves you so much!! Let’s take a look at other verses that are perfect for when you need to feel God’s love!

John 10:10-11

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.'”

Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Revelation 21:4

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Isaiah 43:1-3

“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

John 8:12

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Deuteronomy 33:27

“The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms;”

Psalm 147:3

“He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 121:2

“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 37:23-34

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Psalm 94:18-19

“If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul”

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.“

2 Corinthians 12:9

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 62:5-8

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. “

Do you have a Bible verse to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!

If you are specifically looking for verses about Bible & money, check out my article on Bible verses about money that every Christian should know.

30 Motivational quotes to make it an Awesome day!

July 29, 2021 By Dawn

We all need a little encouragement from time to time. And, if today is a day where you’re needing some motivation, you’ve come to the right place.

Let us help you start your day off with an inspiring quote or two (or thirty)! Tackle that day, ignite those dreams and be the change you want to see in the world! Be sure to pin your favorites as a reference!!

Be yourself! — “Be who you are, not who the world wants you to be!”

Motivational Words — “Be Somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody!”

Spark Kindness! — “A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someone’s day!”

Live. Love. Listen. Speak. — “Live without Pretending. Love without Depending. Listen without Defending. Speak without Offending.”

Never give up! — “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up!”

Remember the blessings in life. — “Stop focusing on how stressed you are, and remember how blessed you are.”

Hope! — “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear!”

For your Future! — “Everything you do now is for your future. Think about that.”

What makes your soul happy? — “Take time to do what makes your soul happy”

“Life is like a camera. You focus on whats important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negative. And, if things don’t work out, take another shot.”

Dream Big and Stay Grounded! — “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground” – Teddy Roosevelt

Do small things! — “Do Small Things with Great Love!” – Mother Teresa

Make your days count! — “Don’t count the days, make the days count!”

Take a Shot! — “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretsky

Cross the ocean! — “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Practice the Pause — “Practice the pause. When in doubt, pause. When angry, pause. When tired, pause. When stressed, pause. And when you pause, Pray!”

Make your dreams happen! — “She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans!”

“The 3 C’s in life; Choice, Chance and Change. You must make the Choice to take the Chance if you want anything in life to Change.”

Start your next chapter! — “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.”

Be Present! — “Be present, it is the only moment that matters!”

Go Left! — “When nothing goes right, go left!”

Enjoy the little things! — “Enjoy the little things in life… for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault

Be gentle with yourself! — “Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can!”

Do you have a favorite motivational quote to add? Please feel free to share it in the comments below. Let’s motivate one another!

20 Fun Alternative Ideas for Halloween

January 20, 2020 By Dawn

Fall is one of my favorite seasons!

I’m always looking forward to the leaves changing colors, the crispness in the air and everything pumpkin.

With the arrival of Autumn… it seems as though many look forward to Halloween and focus on Halloween only.

But, on the other hand there are many ways to avoid everything Halloween.

No matter your preference, I hope that you enjoy family traditions this time of year and make lasting memories. This is where my focus lies.

I, myself, like to make family traditions by focusing on Non-Halloween activities. You may think there may not be too many ways to celebrate the Fall Season without the influence of Halloween. But, you would be surprised.

I have searched Pinterest and would like to share with you my findings. So, if it is your preference… there is no need for scary creatures, ghosts and goblins!

Here are some ways you can enjoy an Alternative Halloween:

Progressive Harvest Party
by Amanda Jane Brown

I have been inspired by this idea of a Fall themed Progressive Dinner Party! Although this showcases an online version, bring it to life with your friends. Find your inpsiration by these bloggers, too. This would be a fun time had by all.

Progressive Leaf Raking Party
by Dot Com Women

If you want to avoid the dinner route, you won’t have to make food in a Progressive Leaf Raking Party. This is a great tradition to start. In my neighborhood there are many elderly neighbors who could use help with raking each year. This activity will teach your children to serve others. You could even buy some Apple Cider and Donuts to serve after the raking is complete. Or, make it a Rake & Cupcake event.

DIY Caramel Apple Bar
by Lauren Conrad

There’s no need to serve chocolate bars when you have a Candy Apple Bar. Have a variety of toppings for everyone to make their very own Candied or Caramel Apple. This activity will be sure not to bring disappointment. You can get as creative as you want, or just keep it simple!

Reverse Treating, No Tricking

This is a sneak peek at one of my personal Fall Traditions! We make a special treat and then deliver the festive treat bags to our Family and Friends. They always seemed surprise when we show up on their doorstep each year around Halloween. Very fun. Last year, I bagged up Hershey Bars, Candy Corn and Candy Corn Cookies 🙂

Harvest Party
by Meaningful Mama

Whether you host a Fall Festival or an Autumn Carnival, you will find inspiration at Meaningful Mama’s Harvest Party. She has many ideas for: activities, games, food and more. She knows how to have a fun party!

Mommy & Me Autumn Crafts
by Pin-n-Tell

Moms love to craft with their children. Make it purposeful and have a theme! Invite over other Mommies and kiddos and make it a party. To inspire you of great Fall Crafts for Kids, check out Pin-n-Tell’s Round up.

Pumpkin Carving Party
by The Sweetest Occasion

Visit a pumpkin patch and pick out the best pumpkin! Have your friends do the same and make it a Pumpkin Carving Party. The Sweetest Occasion will show you some ideas, get those stencils ready 🙂

Trunk or Treat Ideas
by C.R.A.F.T

If you’re family insists on constumes and collecting candy, try Trunk or Treat at your church or in your neighborhood. It’s safer than going door to door as it’s conducted in a parking lot. Also, each “Trunk” has a family friendly theme. See a variety of themes that C.R.A.F.T. has found, I’m partial to the Noah’s Ark theme!

Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt
by Simply Sprout Educate

Make it a game while you’re at that Pumpkin Patch! Print of these Scavenger Hunt Sheets for all the kiddies in your crew. This is great if the pumpkin patch you visit does not have a lot of activities. You get to make it fun!

Candy Bar Poem
by I Love Banner Boys

Make a twist on the traditional way of handing out candy and add in a little poem to go with the sweet treat!

Firefly Theater
by Tikkido

Enjoy an evening with the family, friends too, in your back your at Firefly Theater! This is the ultimate DIY Dinner and a Movie with your Family. What you serve is up to you. It can be as simple as only popcorn or a whole meal.

Geocaching
by Bon Bon Break

Have you heard of Geocaching? It’s a mondern day Treasure Hunt! In almost every location, there is sure to be a Geocache to be found. If you haven’t heard of this fun venture, or just want to learn more. Be sure to check out this article on Bon Bon Break.

DIY Hay Ride
by Lia Griffith

No Fall bucket list is complete with out a Hay Ride. If you cannot find a local farm, park, pumpkin patch or orchard hosting hay rides, why not create your own? Lia Griffith shows you how to turn your kid’s wagon into a fun Hay Ride!

Pumpkin Patches Near You

Speaking of Pumpkin Patches, have you visited a Pumpkin Patch yet this Autumn? Instead of picking out a costume for Halloween, visit your local Pumpkin Patch to pick out some of your favorite Pumpkins!

Photo Credit: Indian Country Today Media Network

Noah’s Ark Party
by Creative Youth Ideas

So, the kiddos want to dress up? Don’t want to Trunk or Treat? How about having a Noah’s Ark Party? Creative Youth Ideas give several ideas on how you can have a festivie Noah’s Ark Party!

Chili Cook Off
by Chica and Jo

Host a Neighborhood or Church Chili Cook Off! Which Family will win?? These ballots will surely have the answer.

Cookie Decorating Contest
by Cool Mom Picks

We’ve all heard about a Christmas Cookie Contest, but I found a cookie contest for Thanksgiving. Which, could easily be turned into a Fall Cookie Decorating Contest! Full of Leaves, Pumpkins and more!

Pumpkin/Gourd Bowling
by Meaningful Spaces

Need to get out of the house? Host a Pumpkin Bowling night in your back yard! Use Gourds as pins and Pumpkins as Balls. This is sure to bring fun for all… can you get your pumpking to roll straight??

Flashlight Tag/Scavenger Hunt
by All is Well at Home

Even when it gets dark, fun can be found. The kids could have fun playing Flashlight Tag or you could even host a Flashlight Scavenger Hunt. No need to make darkness scary. Light up the night 🙂

Candy Bible Verse Game
by Danielle’s Place

Include your Bible in a fun game with the kids. What can be better than a Candy Bible Verse Matchup Game? Get your free printable at Danielle’s Place for a fun alternative idea to Halloween this year!

Do you have a FUN Alternative Idea
for the Fall Season?

Let us know in the comment section below!

25 Quotes that will change how you look at money

July 29, 2021 By Dawn

We live in a society where instant gratification is a state of mind, a way of life. And, we have incredible debts as a result. Debts that weigh heavy on our shoulders. As I remember conversations I have had with my Grandma, I noticed my way of looking at money is very different than how she and her generation looks at money. If she can’t afford something, she goes without. Yet, those of my generation will have what they want when they want it, with little exception. She and my Grandpa were business owners yet they only ever owned one home, a moderately sized ranch… in which they only built when they could afford to do so. Today, I see peers buying HUGE homes that come with HUGE mortgages, and they keep wanting… More… Better… Bigger. A few years back my Husband and I decided to get out of the mentality we had been sucked into by trying to “keep up” with our siblings, friends and neighbors. This is the BEST thing that we could have ever done for our finances and our stress levels. It is freeing not having the weight of debt on our shoulders. No more store cards. No more credit card balances. No more HUGE mortgage. No more car payments. We simplified our life and our marriage is better off for it. We have more time with each other. More means to give. Less stress. Less worry. There’s two pieces of advice from my Grandma (she still advises me to this very day!) that I would like to pass on to you:

You can buy anything, the trick is… how to pay for it.
When you’re at the store and you have your eye on something, ask yourself “Is this a want, or is this a need?” If it’s a want, go home. Ponder over it. And after some time passes and you still want it (and you can afford it), treat yourself to that purchase.

Grandmas not only make the best cookies, but they also give the best advice! To help you on your journey, I have found more advice that you will want to remember (even pin, too!). Here’s to having a healthier relationship with our money! Let me start you off with one that I am loving right now: “Fortune does not change a man, it unmasks them.” – Suzanne Necker

“The Price of Anything is the amount of Life You Exchange for it!”

Money is numbers and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end!

“Money is numbers & numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end!”

“When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living, raise your standard of giving!”

“If you can’t pay cash, you can’t afford it!”

“If you have no debt and US$10 in your pocket – you are richer than 25% of the American people!”

“Price is what you pay, Value is what you get!”

“The Quickest way to Double your Money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket!”

“I make myself rich by making my wants few!”

“Don’t let pride keep you in debt. A big house and a fancy car aren’t worth a lifetime of bondage!”

“Become so Financially Secure that you forget that it’s Payday!”

“Don’t go Broke trying to Look Rich!”

“Wealthy people invest first & spend what’s left… Broke people spend first & invest what’s left”

“A Budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it all went!”

“Debt is the Slavery of the Free!”

“Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean you should buy it!”

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship!”

“You must gain control over your money, or the lack of it will forever control you!”

“You might get 85 years on this planet, don’t spend 65 years paying off a lifestyle you can’t afford!”

“Never spend your money before you have it!”

Every time you borrow mone, you're robbing your future self!

“Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self!”

“It’s not your salary that makes you rich, its’ your spending habits!”

“If you can count your money, work harder!”

“Chase your Passions & Money will come. Chase Money & you may never find your Passions!”

“You’ve got to tell your money what to do, or it will leave!”

“Rich is not a goal. Five million in three years is.” I hope you have found some advice that you can change the way you look at money! Which ones have you pinned? Do you have any other pieces of advice to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

15 Bible Verses to start Your day off right!

June 29, 2022 By Dawn

There is no better way to start your day off right than to be guided by the word of God. Beginning your day in the word, is the best way to have a great day.

We have compiled a few of our favorite Bible Verses to help you start your day on the right path. Enjoy!

Psalm 118:24

Colossians 3:12

Philippians 4:13

Micah 6:8

Proverbs 16:24

Proverbs 3:6

Psalm 51:10

Psalm 46:5

Jeremiah 29:11

Matthew 5:14

Luke 1:37

James 1:17

Psalm 27:13

Esther 4:14

Mark 16:15

Do you have a favorite Bible Verse that helps you to start your day off right?

If you do not see it listed above, please share with our readers in the comments below. Looking forward to more encouraging words for a great day!

How I paid off $400k and gave $1 million by age 40

This book is teaches everything I did to go from stranded with only $7 to paying off $400k of debt and giving 40% of my income. Hint: it was God.

It lays out the 4-part formula we followed (that you can copy) to be great stewards with what He has entrusted us with to be in a position for Him to do miracles.

It’ll help you earn more, save more, and have more fun giving than you dreamed possible

Learn more

20 Amazing Hacks that will make Your Life Easier and Save You Money

January 20, 2020 By Dawn

Life is so stressful and I’m always looking for ways to minimize the stress in my life. One of the ways stress can be reduced is to simply make life easier. But, how?

We would all love to find ways to make our life easier, right? What if I said that there are some AMAZING “life hacks” that will not only make your life easier but also save you money?

Unfortunately, money is one of the main stressors in life for many people…but it doesn’t have to be.

I have it engrained in me that “Money IS the Root of all evil.”

But as I examine 1 Timothy 6:10, we learn that “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (NIV)”

Money is not the root of all evil, the love of it and eagerness for it is. Afterall, we need money to survive. God has entrusted you with finances.

I want to help you be a good steward of the resources God has provided for you, both time and money…all while making your life easier, and hopefully less stressful.

Below you will see some hacks that will help you accomplish this. Get your pen and paper ready, or PIN this post, you’ll want to remember some of these tips. Enjoy!

10 Uses for Your Old Smart Phone by Life is Poppin’

Easy Identification by Apartment Therapy

Make Toys, Don’t Buy them from Thrive 360 Living

Stockpile, Stockpile, Stockpile by Living Well, Spending Less

Save by Freezing from One Good Thing by Jillee

Maximize your Sponges LifeSpan by Happy Money Saver

DIY Swiffer Cloths by The Space Between Blog

Power Scrub by Wonderful Engineering

Soften Brown Sugar with a Marshmallow by Real Simple

Make Your Manicure last longer by Lady with the Red Rocker

Prolong the Life of your Mascara from Creations by Kara

Keep your Foundation in the Fridge by Olivia Palermo

Turn Old Candles into Candle Tarts by Tiff Keetch

DIY Nail Keeper by Dream a Little Bigger

A New Use for a Seam Ripper by Real Simple

Double your Closet Space with Pop Tabs by Idea Bottle

Get Magazines for Free by Living Well, Spending Less

Use Airplane Mode to Charge Your Phone Fast by Julian

APPS that Pay You by Bit Rebel

Never Forget Household Staples again with Amazon Subscribe & Save

Do you have a do-it-yourself Life Hack that makes…

Your Life Easier, Saves You Money or Saves You Time?

Leave us a comment and let us know!

25+ Free Things You Never Knew You Could Get For Free

January 20, 2020 By Dawn

Have you ever searched for what you can get for free? I’m not talking about anything unsubstantial. What if I told you, that you could get something of more value for free? Well you can!

Just recently I had been on a quest of sorts to find what I can get for free. I was surprised at what I have found, and I think you will be to!

You may have heard of some of these, but they are definitely worth mentioning for those who do not know about them. I’m especially excited about all the amazing courses you can take…even Ivy League Courses!!!

Below I’ve listed some pretty awesome sites that truly give you something for free. Just click the image to find out more. Enjoy!

Learn how to save up to 50% on almost everything you buy

For a limited time I am running an online workshop where I am teaching my 3-step system that I use to save up to 50% on my purchases.

The workshop is a $29 value and for a limited time you can attend for FREE!

Click here to get registered for FREE!

Pinterest: Unlimited Free Downloadable Printables

The Mutopia Project: Free Downloadable Sheet Music

Pandora: Free Personalized Internet Radio

LibriVox: Free Public Domain Audiobooks

Project Gutenberg: Free eBooks and Kindle Downloads

How to get Magazines for Free by Living Well Spending Less

Evernote: Free Digital Workspace

Remember The Milk: Online to-do list and task management

Free Items & Activites at Disney by Cheapskate Princess

Yahoo: Free Things You Can Get On A Plane

Fitness Blender: Free Full Length Workout Videos

Khan Academy: #YouCanLearnAnything

SBA: Free Online Small Business Classes

University of Reddit: Free Intellectualism

MIT: Open Courseware

UC of Berkeley: Free Webcasts & Podcasts

Yale: Open Courses

Harvard Extension School: Open Learning Initiative

Williams-Sonoma: Free 1 hour Technique Class

BBC: Free Foreign Language Lessons

Home Depot: Free Weekly Workshops

Home Depot: Free Workshops for Kids

Lowes: Build & Grow Kids Clinic

Lowes: How To Projects (Step by Step Guides)

Michaels Arts & Crafts: Creative Bug Online Craft Classes

Craftsy: Free Photography Mini-Classes

Flickr: Free 1 Terabyte of Photo & Video Storage

Moo: 10 Free Business Cards

Which Freebie Are You The MOST Excited About?

30 Cheap DIY Christmas Decorations

January 20, 2020 By Dawn

One of my goals this Christmas is to have a handmade Christmas!

Have you ever had a handmade Christmas? Do you make something handmade every Christmas?

To me, it is just so special to display items you have made yourself.

Plus, by making your own decor, finished products tend to be of better quality and easier on the wallet.

I just love everything handmade!

From handmade gifts, to treats and even decorations… my project list is growing! Speaking of decorating, do you decorate for Christmas? If you do, I’m so glad you’ve stopped by the blog today… because I have a treat for you!

I have been searching Pinterest for Cheap DIY Christmas Decorations to deck my halls. Whether you feel as though you are crafty, or not, I have found something for everyone. No matter your skill level! Below you will find thirty thrifty creations that you too can make this Christmas. Enjoy!