DVD Review: Who is in Charge Anyway?

"Who is in Charge Anyway?" is the latest in Max Lucado's Hermie and Friends series which follows the adventures of the insects who live in Max's garden.

When Freddie the Flea comes to fix the ladybugs' television set, he overhears little Hailey and Bailey ask their mother, "What's so special about fleas?" Freddie wonders the same thing and, in Hermie and Friends fashion,  talks to God about it.    Through a series of flashbacks into previous episodes, God reminds Freddie that each of the insects had to learn an important lesson before they found their special talents.

The moral of the story...and one that it not just for kids...is that God created each one of us for a purpose, and sometimes it takes awhile to find out what that purpose is.

The Hermie and Friends videos are quiet stories, suitable for preschool children and their families.  The humor is low key and subtle, with the comforting voices of Tim Conway,  Sam Mercurio, Vicki Lawrence,  Melissa Disney and others.  This episode is different from the other Hermie videos since it consists of a series of flashbacks. However, the message, based on Psalm 90:16*, is a powerful one for the entire family.  God has a plan for everyone, no matter how small.

*"Show your servants the wonderful things you do; show your greatness to their children. " Psalm 90:16 (from the DVD cover)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Savings grace

What shall it profit a woman to save $1.50 and lose her soul?  


I've been following several couponing blogs recently and came upon an interesting discussion about whether or not it was ethical to "stack" two different types of coupons in order to save more money.  The combination in question is specifically a buy-one-get-one (B1G1) coupon and a 2nd manufacturer's coupon for money off the same item.


Stephanie, the blogger at Couponing101.com, gave the two sides of the issue and took the stand that, no, it wasn't right to combine the two and that she would no longer provide instructions combining those particular coupons in her blog.  Then she quoted Titus 2:7 "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity."  


There's been quite a bit of debate among commenters, but I admire her decision to let her faith influence her practice.   It doesn't matter that we tell ourselves we're saving money for our family, or to be able to give more to the church or charity.  If the Spirit moves our hearts to say, "this is wrong", then no amount of justifying can make an action acceptable.


The temptation is out there to grab all you can,  if the register rings it up (and you get away with it), it's OK.  After all, the manufacturers and stores overcharge us all anyway, right?


I pray that, as I stretch my budget further this summer, I'm not tempted to cheat a little just to save a few pennies. If Jesus is Lord of my life, then I need to act as a child of His Kingdom, even when it comes to little slips of paper in the store.


Shalom y'all.