Give Us This Day Our Daily Grin: A Fun-Lovers Guide for Spiritual Living and Growing

Give Us This Day Our Daily Grin

A Fun-Lovers Guide for Spiritual Living and Growing

By Jo Russell

Published by Canyon Cliffs Publishing Group

P.O. Box 941

Taylor, Arizona 84939

Copyright © 2017 by Jo Russell

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital photocopy, recording, or any other without the prior permission of the author.

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author.

Scripture quotations unless indicated otherwise are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

What people are saying about Give Us This Day…

"Reading Give Us This Day Our Daily Grin will bring a grin to your face as you read each story, which is a catalyst to remind you that your spiritual walk needs to be on your priority list. The anecdotal works of Jo Russell make you want to ask her if she is reading your mail, reminding you that everything that happens in your life presents you with a spiritual lesson—some serious, some painful, some absurd—but all made easier to bear with a simple grin." Barbara Bruce, career journalist, community leader, radio personality and long-time host of The Believe Radio Show in the White Mountains of Arizona.

"In Give Us This Day, author Jo Russell not only encourages us in our daily faith walk, she also entertains us with humorous contemporary stories illustrating scriptural truths, and helps us dig deeper via reflection questions in each chapter. Can’t beat a combination like that! I recommend this book." Debora M. Coty, award-winning author of over 30 inspirational books including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed Series; www.DeboraCoty.com

Jo’s latest book, Give us this Day our Daily Grin ~ A Fun-Lovers Guide for Spiritual Living and Growing, provides many specific thoughts, ideas, and examples to help the reader maintain a growing relationship with God, which is the most important reason for our existence. Jo does a great job of inspiring us to embrace God’s plan for our lives. Alan W. Hayden, Christian author of Your Last Chance to Get it Right ~ A Journey from Darkness into Light, retired executive, brokerage owner and entrepreneur.

Breathe new life into your spiritual walk with Jo’s sharing and humor. Worthwhile Reading.

W. Terry Whalin, author of more than 60 books, some selling more than 100,000 copies. Acquisition Editor at Morgan James Publishing.

Jo loops the reader into Biblical ideas with humor and insight. What a helpful and fun read for everyone! Durrone Schuler, Associate Pastor, evangelical church, Snowflake, AZ.; author of historical fiction The Feather Bed and multiple times winner in short story national contests.

About Which Button Do You Push to Get God to Come Out?

A rollicking spiritual journey that is fun, insightful and helpful to women of all ages. Silvana Clark, speaker, author of twelve books and partner in Soles4Souls Ministry.

Have you ever thought life would take you down and hold you there forever? Throw out those black thoughts! Each story is a gem, a treasure every one of us needs to cuddle up with every day. Penny Porter, frequent speaker and author of seven books, contributor to more than ten books and fourteen Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.

About Jo’s speeches:

Bob Seymour, retired pastor evangelical church, Snowflake, AZ.

With stories you can’t forget, Jo captures the audience with humor and wisdom.

Nancy Stidham, pastor’s wife, evangelical church, Show Low, AZ.

As keynote at several times at our annual Women’s Fellowship Fairs, Jo inspired an enthusiastic crowd with her humor, stage antics, and solid Biblical message.

Deedo Wooley, Red Hat Queen, Pinetop Prissies, Pinetop, AZ. We always enjoy Jo’s funny and zany talks. They give us smiles and energy.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Dedication and Acknowledgements

[☼ Indicates humorous story to illustrate concept]

Chapter 1: God is Challenging You to Say Yes to More of Him!

☼ Knowing the Unsinkable: Choosing God Day by Day

☼ Renewing a Christian Commitment to Break Through the Comfort Zone: Out with the Oil-Stained! In With a New Beginning!

☼ Leaning on God for a Trek to the Less Comfortable Path:

☼ God’s Your Advocate, even on Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Days!

Believe the Good News that the Treasure is in You!

Chapter 1 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 2: God’s Showcase of Routine Maintenance and Persistence

Plan your Balancing Act for the Long Run

☼ Too Stressed for ICU!

Planning Systems

Finding More Moments to Invest in God

☼Workable Time Management: Last Minute Lizzie or Paul Prepared?

Day by Day Makes Life a Cinch!

Time Flies When You’re Living a Balanced Year of Work and Play

☼Persistence is a Many-Splendored Thing

☼ A Place of Rest With or Without Floodwaters

Rest Stop Ideas: Stop and Smell the Cookies

Chapter 2 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 3: God is Organized and Plans Ahead! So Can You!

☼ God and Mr. Daner See All

☼ Order from Chaos: God’s Plan

The Call of the Unsorted: Different Styles of Organization

Chapter 3 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 4: Growing Spiritually: Men Stepping to the Plate as Spiritual Leaders

Who is the Spiritual Leader?

☼Watch Yer Mouth!

☼ Naughty or Nice

☼ Lead Us in Prayer!

Chapter 4 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 5: God’s Ideas About Money

☼ For the Math Challenged, Quicken Isn’t Quick!

The Four Biblical Purposes of Money: First Purpose: Meeting Needs

☼ Phil and Charlotte’s God-Powered Vehicle

Second purpose: to Confirm Direction

☼ God’s Portfolio and Yours

Third purpose: To Show Generosity

☼ George’s Sealed Wallet

Fourth Purpose: to Demonstrate God’s Purpose

Chapter 5 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 6: Preparing for Financial Surprises in Everyday Life

☼ When a Leaky Bathtub isn’t a DIY Project Anymore

Establishing an Emergency Fund: How Much Do You Need?

Mad Money Fund

☼ No Pressure: Ha! The Secrets of Big Ticket Sales – When the Kids Close the Sale, the Salesman Can’t Stop Grinning!

☼ Diva’s $$$$$ Day out

More Saving Ideas

Chapter 6 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 7: Dealing with Changes Outside the Comfort Zone

☼ You Don’t Work Here Anymore!

☼ But I Don’t Have Any Money!

☼ Don’t Be Afraid of the Dog, the Dark or the Unknown

☼ Accepting Oneself as a Work in Progress: Slow Motion Jasper

☼ Living Guilt-Free with Dirty Windows

☼ The Grill Master Blues

☼Getting Old Ain’t For Sissies

Total Despair: Flops and Failures—or Not?

☼ Finding the Giggles and the Glee

Chapter 7 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 8: Seeing the Big Picture and Moving On: Forgiveness

☼ Attention All Canoe Handlers

☼ Calling It Like It Is: Feeding the Dogs from the Table

☼ God’s House—So Big! So Clean!

Chapter 8 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 9: Keys to Building Relationships with Others

☼ Same Sharing, Same Together Thoughts

☼ Teamwork: A Neighborhood’s Answer

Chapter 9 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 10: When the Car is a Goner, the Wind Won’t Stop Blowing and

You Can’t Get to Your Destination, God is Still with You!

☼ The Rat-a-Tat-Tat of Prayer

☼ Can Life Without Caramel be a Hardship?

☼ Any Sign of Gusty Winds?

☼ Being Flexible—or Not? Skiing Only on the Colorado Slopes

Chapter 10 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 11: Treasure in Thanking God: Changes in Venue and Vacations!

☼ Reach for Adventure and Ride ‘Em Cowboy!

☼ A Tale of Two Attitudes

Chapter 11 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

Chapter 12: Facing the Future as a Stronger Christian

☼Penny’s Puddin’ Pies

☼ Butterscotch Jenny

☼ Love for All God’s Critters and You!

☼ Defending Changed Lives and Four-Wheel Drives

Chapter 12 Summary; Pondering Life’s Persistent Questions

References and Resources

About the Author

Introduction

Laughter! What a gift to make life’s lessons more fun!

Longtime Christian author and humorist Jo Russell takes you on a trek through the challenges of daily life with Biblical guidelines for handling the fast-paced demands on time and energy, relationships, God, family, finances, career and leisure. Whether a seasoned Christian wanting to deepen the relationship with God or one just beginning the journey, Jo offers this book from a refreshing and positive viewpoint.

Infuse timeless advice to improve your Christian walk while enjoying L.O.L. moments that Jo brings to life shows in stories which teach Bible concepts of Christian living. This is a winner!

♥ Dedication ♥

I dedicate this work to my mother, the late Jeane Gottsponer, who reflected a positive, humorous look at life with its ups and downs, looked to God for help and infused my sons, Lance and Travis, with the same tools for the journey.

Acknowledgements

Much thanks to Linda Seymour for her insight, attention to detail and ideas, which made this a better book.

She is Paula Prepared.

Also, much grateful thanks for my friend and insightful Bible student, M. who has over the decades, thrashed me into writing more when I could think of a dozen things to do that were more fun.

Chapter 1: God is Challenging You to Say Yes to More of Him!

☼ Knowing the Unsinkable: Choosing God Day by Day

At last, I got a new boat for work! Park Ranger Rick shared his exciting news with his Coast Guard friend, Mark. With budget cuts now in the past, I get a new boat! Headquarters brought it in last night. Want to come see it?

Though Ranger Rick had responsibility for marine parks as well as land locations, he had been using the small aluminum boat equipped with an engine that worked as well as a can of shortening for propelling the craft over open waters. Often, it oozed to an oily stop. That being Standard Operating Procedure with the small craft, Rick knew the Coast Guard very well.

Sure! Mark replied, matching his enthusiasm. Let’s meet at the dock!

The ranger responded, You’ll be the first person to see the new boat! No more rescues from the harbor or the marine parks!

Coast Guard Mark and Ranger Rick converged at the end of the dock. Masts and top decks of larger boats dwarfed the much smaller craft. But when the two found the boat slip where the Park Service boat should have been, neither saw it. Getting closer, the two only discovered the craft was filled with ocean brine to the waterline. In less than 24 hours in its new home, the boat was sinking.

So when you said ‘new boat,’ you really mean ‘new to you,’ right?

Ranger Rick sighed, Obviously.

Both tried to bring the pump to life, but it didn’t work. Then Rick and Mark grabbed buckets and bailed the boat. But their efforts were futile. In the next twenty-four hours, the craft proved comfortable at water level, not above it.

Just a minor glitch, the park supervisor decided. But not even the top mechanics at the harbor were able give it the Seaworthy Seal of Approval.

It can be naive to put faith in those things of the world which seem dependable and absolute—like boats that sink, hurricanes that destroy, as well as stocks and investments that lose their value.

What is dependable and unsinkable through all time? Where are you with the unsinkable God of the universe? What have you gained from his words?

In Jesus’ own words, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. [Mark 13:31 NIV]. In an unstable world, we can depend on God’s word and his love. What he says, he means. What God says stands firm. What he says is forever.

That’s a truth worth thinking about. What can be a better investment than the eternal truths of the Bible? No longer is a spiritual journey dependent on someone to read or interpret the Bible for you. You can do it one-on-one. For the length and depth of a spiritual journey is ultimately yours--no one else’s. It’s not about a church. It’s about a relationship with God through two-way communication and learning from his word.

The Word? How can I bring more of it into my everyday life? A great benefit of technology today is that the Bible as well as apps for commentaries can be loaded on smartphones or other devices. An associate pastor new to this type of technology was issued a smartphone and a tablet. Wow! he gushed. Ten thousand words of the Bible downloaded onto my phone! And there’s room for lots more stuff! Like many, he also discovered how easy it was to access commentaries on the verses.

Many versions are easy to read and understand. One can still also use printed copies. Because