Finances Archives - Page 6 of 6

Santa Claus

December 24, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

What comes to mind when you hear the name Santa Claus? Most people picture a jolly man with a white beard. He wears a red suit and black boots and says “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” a lot. Santa Bob, pictured here, is a perfect example.

I wonder, however, how many people know about Saint Nicholas, the man who inspired our modern-day Santa Claus. According to history and legend, Saint Nicholas lived a far different life.

Saint Nicholas was born around AD 260-280 in modern day Turkey. His parents died when he was young but left him enough money to live well. He gave much of his money to help people in need, especially children.

Saint Nicholas performed many of his good deeds at night when no one could see him. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. With no money, the girls had little hope of marriage. As a result, the father feared he would have to sell his daughters into slavery.

When Saint Nicholas heard about this family, he tossed bags of gold through an open window of their house. The coins landed either in the stockings or shoes of the girls. Some say he tossed the gold down the chimney.

Yet Saint Nicholas’ government did not praise this generous man. Because he refused to give up his beliefs in Jesus, he was sent to prison and tortured.

When you see people in Santa Claus costumes this Christmas, remember Saint Nicholas. Remember the man who helped others and suffered for following Jesus. Remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of the Savior Saint Nicholas served.

Thanks to Santa Bob for sharing his photo and for living the true meaning of Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Attitude of Gratitude

November 26, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to express an attitude of gratitude.

During this special time, we take notice of and give thanks for our many blessings.

All too often, however, that attitude changes as easily as the seasons. Once Thanksgiving passes, so does our time of giving thanks.

Why not keep a thankful heart all year?

Why not focus on what we have rather than what we want? Why not view our glass as half-full rather than half-empty? Why be grumpy when we can be grateful? Why envy others who have more “stuff.” Why not be grateful we can share our “stuff” and then give some of it to someone who needs it?

Instead of building a bigger house, why not give thanks for a safe place to live.
Instead of buying a fancier car, why not be grateful for two good legs?
Instead of buying the latest tech toy, why not spend time talking to someone face to face?
Instead of eating too much, why not donate to the local food pantry. (See photo above.)
Instead of buying new clothes, why not recycle old ones? (Vintage is always in style.)

With all the money we save, think how much good we can do for others. As one song says, “Give it away.” Now that’s an attitude of gratitude and a great way to give thanks.

Will we allow thanksgiving to remain a one-day holiday or make it a lifestyle?

“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loving-kindness continues forever” (Psalm 136:26 TLB).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Icing on the Cake

August 27, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

Cake by itself tastes great. Most people think icing on the cake makes it better.

The rich gooey texture of icing (frosting) delights the taste buds in a way cake by itself cannot.

Who ever heard of a wedding cake without icing?
How can bakers create their works of art without icing?
What child does not enjoy playing with cake icing on his first birthday?
How many people steal a bite of cake and then cover the hole with icing?

Cake is dessert. Icing is dessert with attitude!

Icing on the cake means extra has been added.

Extra flavor on a cake
More help than expected for someone in need
Out of the blue surprises that make any day great

Why not put icing on the cake for someone today?

Make their day better by going the second mile. Perform a random act of kindness.

Instead of the usual tip for good service, double it.
When buying a movie ticket, purchase one for the next person in line.
After completing a job, help co-workers complete theirs.
When preparing a meal, cook extra for busy neighbors.

Everyone appreciates smiles and ordinary good will. Why not do more? Do the unexpected. Add a little icing on the cake. People who receive those surprising acts of kindness love it. So do the people who give them.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV).

How have you experienced icing on the cake? Please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

August 13, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Penny wise and pound foolish describes people who spend carefully on small items but waste money on larger expenses.

A person needs several US pennies (or British pence) to equal one British pound.

Several years ago, someone showed me all her bargains from a clearance sale. She proudly told me each item’s price. Near the end, she began saying, “I don’t know what this is, but it cost only …” Most amounts were less than a dollar. However, her total cost was large.

I remember wondering, Just what will she do with all these mystery objects? They’re not bargains if she has no use for them.

She was penny wise and pound foolish.

People might be penny wise and pound foolish if they:

Attempt their own home repairs but require an expert to repair their repairs.
Clip grocery coupons and then eat at an outrageously expensive restaurant.
Drive several miles to save a few cents per gallon on gasoline.
Neglect regular medical care that results in permanent disability.
Buy sale items on credit but pay the minimum on their credit card bill.

Don’t we often do the same with our life decisions?

We make the easy choices or do what looks good at the moment. Yet we fail to consider the long-term consequences.

Easy or cheap does not equal good or wise.

Let’s make smart choices in all our investments—financial, educational, occupational, social, emotional, and spiritual.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 (NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

For Good Measure

August 6, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

For Good Measure--grocery scales above fruit Many of us prefer shopping at neighborhood stores and farmers markets. The product quality is only a small part of what makes them special. These merchants usually add extra to our purchase for good measure.

For good measure means more than a fair amount.

Such merchants believe giving extra is the right thing to do.If they lose a little money, that’s okay with them.

They value every customer.
We always receive fair treatment.

We like to buy from people we trust.

Even if their prices are higher than other stores, we still go there. They are our friends and neighbors. We go to the same activities and attend the same schools and churches.

However, they also give strangers more than necessary for good measure. Such kindness makes a difference in many lives.

Why not follow their example?

Let’s give more for good measure – more

Smiles
Encouragement
Financial help
Time
Attention to what matters most in life

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV)

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

A Dime a Dozen

July 23, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

When we want to describe something common or easy to find, a dime a dozen says it well.

A dime a dozen often implies a lack of worth.

A dime won’t buy much. Occasionally we buy cheap toys we know will break easily. Yet we think, If they break, we can just throw them away.

How often do we treat people as worthless?

How do we view those with little money?
When someone makes a mistake, do we help them or give up on them?
How do we act around those different from us?
Do we look down on those who fail to meet our standards?
How many have we labeled hopeless and undeserving of our time and effort?

Sadly, many people accept this judgment.

After years of mistreatment, they give up. They stop seeking a better life. They believe they deserve the way we treat them.

How dare we do that to another human being!

A broken toy can be thrown away. A broken person needs our love and concern.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to express an attitude of gratitude.

Why not keep a thankful heart all year?

Some people do whatever it takes to help others.

When people take advantage of those who bend over backwards, they continue to give.

I wonder what our world would be like if everyone followed their example?

Icing on the cake means extra has been added.

Why not put icing on the cake for someone today?

Penny wise and pound foolish describes people who spend carefully on small items but waste money on larger expenses.

People might be penny wise and pound foolish if they:

Don’t we often do the same with our life decisions?

Easy or cheap does not equal good or wise.

For good measure means more than a fair amount.

We like to buy from people we trust.

Why not follow their example?

A dime a dozen often implies a lack of worth.

How often do we treat people as worthless?

Sadly, many people accept this judgment.

How dare we do that to another human being!