Eliana Says Thank You, Thank You...

Classic Eliana. She will keep saying "thank you" until someone says "you're welcome!" (Video courtesy of Lila.)

Coke Rewards

If you haven't been saving those "Coke Rewards" codes that come on 12 packs and bottles of Coke products, it's time to start doing so. We've been collecting these codes and turning them in for free Blockbuster rentals for quite a few months now.

There are a bunch of other "reward" options available at My Coke Rewards, but it seems to me that the free rentals give you the best value for your points.

It's pretty fun collecting the points once you get your account set up. Although I've been known to bring home empty Coke bottles I find lying around, I assure you that I haven't resorted to any dumpster diving -- at least not yet!

The Word: Above all Earthly Powers (Cont.)

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Sacramento organized by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. The conference theme was “The Word: Above all Earthly Powers.”

For those of you who weren't able to attend, as well as for my own review and retention, I've put together my own extremely abridged summary of the conference. If you attended the conference, feel free to leave a comment sharing your favorite highlights or anything I missed.

The conference organizers must have liked the Sacramento weather, because they announced they'll be back next year. More information on upcoming conferences and MP3s of prior conferences are available on the Alliance web site.

Church Growth 101

From time to time, I'm a substitute teacher at the Capitol Ministries staff Bible study at work. It's often a challenge to select a good topic for the study. But this week a certain article in the Sacramento Bee grabbed my attention by highlighting a local church that seems to know how to bring in the crowds.

There are many competing viewpoints these days on the best strategies to get folks to attend church or make professions of faith. Some tactics seem to work well from a numbers perspective and some even manage to get the secular media's attention from time to time. But we must ask, are these biblical methods that truly glorify God?

I decided to take to take a closer look at this issue by titling this week's study "Church Growth 101." In the study, I attempt to outline a biblical model for the expansion of Christ's church. I invite you to read my notes and, if you so desire, leave your feedback here.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Let's Party!

You're the best Daddy!!

Bring on the cake!! Baby Danny doesn't taste so good...

Happy Birthday, Daddy!! We love you!!

*Disclaimer: No children were harmed in the production of this blog post, nor was any caffeine actually consumed by a youngster.*

Fill 'er Up!!

"It'll buy you 20 gallons of gas in California," my husband says about the $60 figure we put on line 71 of our Form 1040 this year.

You, too, can boost your refund (or reduce your tax payment!) with this Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid. Get your piece of the $10 billion IRS expects to refund in telephone excise taxes.

According to page 60 of the 20006 1040 Instruction Manual, one exemption will get you $30, 2 exemptions will get you $40, 3 exemptions provides $50, and 4 or more exemptions gets you 20 gallons of gas in California.

New Giveaway: Free Bowling

Since no one took the rare artifacts OR the fancy dancy digital answering machine, I can only conclude that you all must be holding out for the good stuff. Well, here it is -- a rare opportunity to bowl for free.

Diapers for Three is pleased to offer two certficates each redeemable for 20 minutes of complimentary open play bowling on one lane at Country Club Lanes in Sacramento.

In plain English, that means be the first to leave a comment and you get 40 minutes of free bowling.

The Word: Above All Earthly Powers

I, along with some others from our church, have registered to attend this conference in Sacramento next weekend . The Word: Above All Earthly Powers is sponsored by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and promises to be quite good. There is a group rate discount available, so if you're interested in joining me, please let me know.

Can't make it to Sacramento next weekend? You could always plan to attend the conference in Mississippi, Michigan, or Pennsylvania at a later date.

UPDATE: The Sacramento Conference is sold out. If you still want to go, I guess you'll have to look for a ticket scalper. (Sorry!)

For all you who have daughters out there...

I don't usually put up two posts in a day, but at the request of my darling children's father, I found this for all of you...

Thank you, Uncle Tony!

David's uncle emailed a few pictures this morning that he thought might be of interest...And I wondered what they would look like on the blog...(at least until David finds them!). Wasn't David the cutest 3 year old in the world?

PS: For those who are following the sleep-talking adventures of my dear husband, the quote of last night (when our 4 month old started crying at 1:36am): "The prisoner has escaped!"

Wilberforce Movie Update

The movie Amazing Grace hits theatres today (see my earlier post on this subject). If you get a chance to see the movie, let us know what you thought of it!

New Junk Giveaway: GE Digital Answerer

Okay, so no one bit on the giveaway of rare artifacts from our wedding, but I'm still willing to give you all another chance to prove the old adage true: that one man's junk is truly another's treasure.

Folks, what we have here today is a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a GE Digital Answering machine (Model #29878). It's in excellent working condition and comes with the original instruction manual. Be the first to leave a comment claiming it and it's yours!

And if any of you change your mind and decide you really do want those rare artifacts, just let me know.