The Cost of being a Christian

" And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" -- Luke 9:23

To be a Christian may cost giving up some of my friends. It may mean not going to places of amusement where I am accustomed to going. It may mean I have to give up my worldly habits.

What did it cost Jesus for us to be Christians? He stood in Pilate's hall and was condemned to die for us. That leather whip with bits of steel in its tips lashed across His back for us. He allowed them to put a crown of thorns on His head, mocking Him, as they pressed it into His head for us. He carried that old rugged cross toward Calvary for us. His hands and feet were pierced with spikes, nailing Him to the cross for us. His blood dripped from His body so that our sins might be cleansed. It cost Jesus everything for us to be Christians.

Are we willing to accept Him as our personal Savior and live for Him? The price has been paid for our salvation. We may have to give up some petty, worldly things, but our cost will never be as great as the price that Jesus paid for us. Salvation is free. It cannot be bought with money or good works, but if we accept Him as our Savior and live for Him, we will have good works.

~ Eli A. Yoder - Stuarts Draft, VA

For further reading, please turn to Isaiah 53.

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Hello blogging family! Hope this finds you and your family doing well!

Yesterday morning I was out in my driveway and turned to go back in the house when my shoe got caught on a large crack and I fell and twisted my foot. Can we say ouch? I was pretty much a gimp all day yesterday but it's feeling much better today. I can walk on it without limping and it really only hurts when lots of pressure is applied. Gotta watch out for those large cracks...they tend to sneak up on ya! :-)

Robert has put in job applications at, I'd say 11 or 12 locations since he has been looking. He finally heard back from a few of them. Target said they didn't need him. Race Trac he got interviewed for and we are waiting to hear back from that. Enterprise needs someone but they need someone at their location 30-35 minutes from our house, so that was out of the question. Then today we were at McDonalds, and they had a sign that said they were hiring. So I filled out the application for him (my handwriting is much better) and the manager there said that Monday afternoon to go this other McDonalds on the other side of town, to take a test of some sort. Don't know what it is. But Robert has worked at McDonalds in the late 90's so he knows a little about working there.

So, let's pray he will be chosen to be a crew member. As you can see he isn't picky where he works. All that matters to him is that we have food, shelter, and clothing and maybe a little extra to stash in the bank. We live a low maintenance lifestyle. :-)

He is still planning on coming to church with me on Sunday. I am so totally excited to see what God is going to do!

I went and did some grocery shopping at Super Target today and believe it or not, it's my first time I grocery shopped there. I really enjoyed my experience. It's so much nicer, quieter, less people, less children running around and screaming for no reason, didn't hear any cursing or ghetto talking, like seen at Super Walmart. I seen people smiling and being friendly and actually was able to walk up and down the aisles without being pushed out of the way. I think I will be shopping there more often if I can then Walmart. The atmosphere itself is just less stressful to be in.

We also went to Costco today. I love that place, I really do. :) We went in just wanting to check the price of steaks and came out with $67 worth of groceries. Hmmm, how did that happen? :-) Got a huge pack of ribs for $13, can't beat that! Meat is high everywhere of course but we got a good deal with the ribs as the other packs were $15-$18 per pack.

Well, I have some Bible reading to do before dinner is done. Robert wanted refried beans, fried potatoes in tomato sauce and tortillas (it's a mexican thing I think) and it's actually a really good and cheap meal. :)

Thank you for the comments you have left me. I am so blessed by you gals! Thank you.

Humbly yours,

Dawn