Shine your Light

Elliott, my oldest son, recently wrote an essay for school where he shared how hard it is to be a servant in a self-centered world.  His essay reminded me of Dave Stone's book "how to raise selfless kids in a self-centered world."  So, I went to my bookshelf and pulled off Dave's book and read it again. I was reminded that Jesus was the footwasher, the servant, the example. (John 13)  Service is simply shining the light instead of seeking the spotlight.  In its purest form service looks an awful lot like Jesus - and not only when he offered himself on the cross, but throughout his entire ministry.  The last shall be first; the first shall be last.  The least is the greatest, and the greatest is the servant of all.

Dave reminds us that it is important to ask our children, "Where did your light shine today?"  This question helps our children see that picking up a classmates' trash or playing with someone on the playground who is by herself or choosing to help someone understand their homework or being respectful of teachers is being a servant. 

I remember on many youth trips I would tell youth - "Your mommy ain't here to pick up after you so pick up your trash and keep your area clean."  Let's say that most of the youth did that but inevitably I would find anything from random smelly socks to empty plates laying around.  Then I would obnoxiously pick it up and ask whose it was before moving on to the next scheduled event.  However, there also were youth on every youth trip I led that were truly servants - those youth who would help adults clean up without being asked - those youth who would clean toilets or take out the trash or say "thank you" to the adults for leading the trip or carry all the heavy stuff we had with us.  Those are the youth who I remember being true servants.  And  I wanted to snatch them up and take them on every trip with me. 

Encourage your child to be a servant.  Shine your light so that your children can see servanthood at work.  It starts at home and it is contagious!  And remember that service is simply shining the light instead of seeking the spotlight.

Let Your Requests Be Made Known Unto God - Philippians 4:6

I had the privilege today to attend the Elder's retreat at our church where the focus of the day was prayer.  During the course of the day, we watched two videos from Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels.  Of all the foundational insights shared in the videos, the one that keeps coming back to my mind is "LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD."  Sure, I love and consider it a privilege to pray for other people but today I heard God say "Tomara, let YOUR requests be made known unto me."

Sometimes I hesitate to make ALL of my requests known to God because I feel I'm making it all about me.  Or, I feel like I should not have to make them known because God already knows everything, right?  However, the making of my requests is for my benefit. God promises to hear my prayers and if some of my prayers are selfish, God will let me know because the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf.

I have renewed requests that I am praying tonight for me, my husband and my boys. Some of those requests remain unspoken but others are simple things - like being blessed with great friends who accept us for who we are yet hold us accountable to follow God's path.  I pray that we will have hearts that hunger and thirst for righteousness and that we will acknowledge God in all our ways.  I pray we will always choose compassion over judgment.

And today I was reminded that simple is good.  Each night Max and I thank God for our house, our food, our car and we pray for our family, Shukuru (our Compassion Child) and our missionary friends in Costa Rica and Honduras. We also ask for God to forgive us of our sins.  Usually at the end of every prayer, Max prays "and we love you God."  When was the last time you just told God that you loved Him?

If you are looking for a model to follow in your prayer life - see the one below.  And, remember that you only learn how to pray by praying.

A = Adoration:  Tell God why you love and adore Him.
C = Confession:  Confess your sins to God. Tell God you are sorry for your attitude, your prejudice, your selfishness, the way you spend your money....
T = Thanksgiving:  Tell God what you are thankful for each day!
S = Supplication:  Specific prayers for you & others (All of your requests..)

How much should I keep?

This weekend, members/attendees from Middletown Christian Church will be challenged to make a covenant with God as to their financial commitment to the mission of Middletown Christian Church.  

As I have grown in my Christian pilgrimage, I have been challenged with how much to give financially.The question I must continually ask myself is not, “How much can I give and feel good about myself?”, but rather, “How much is pleasing to God?"  Tithing/Giving in the Old Testament teaches that, as followers of God, we are to give 10 percent of what we have to God. However, the New Testament presents an approach that is much more radical than percentages. Luke 3:11 – “He who has two coats let him share with him who has none. And he who has food let him do likewise.” That’s 50% not 10%. Zacchaeus stood and said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.” Again, that’s 50%. Jesus said to the rich young man, “If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.” Matthew 19:21 – That’s 100%. “All who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44f. These are just a few verses among many.

I have a growing conviction that God took the focus off giving a tithe in the early church because he wants believers to ask themselves a new question. The question I feel Jesus wants us to ask is not “How much do I give?” but rather “How much do I keep?” One of the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the Great Commission which is found in Matthew 28:19-20.The responsibility given to the church through the Great Commission requires such an incredible investment of commitment and money that the thought of settling the issue of what we give by a fixed percentage is simply out of the question. In a world where 10,000 people a day starve to death, the question is not “How much do I give?” but rather “How much do I keep?”

My prayer is that you as a Christ follower will take a look at where your treasure is. If you aren’t giving a regular amount then start giving a regular amount each week with the goal to give 10 percent and above. If you are giving 10 percent then pray about what you can give above 10 percent that would be an investment and a sacrifice. Because we own nothing in this life, it is best to wisely invest the resources we manage for the One who is the true owner of all things. 

Some of my Favorite Proverbs

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:9 - We make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 19:2 - It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Proverbs 21:3 - To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train children to live the right way and when they are old - they will not depart from it. 
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:19 - As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:17 - She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (Referring to the Wife of Noble character)
Proverbs 31:20 - she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (Referring to the wife of noble character)
Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

MORE OR LESS

Today our Senior Minister David Emery challenged our congregation at Middletown Christian Church to LIVE SIMPLY during 2014.  His message reminded me of a book I read this summer entitled More or Less.


In More or Less, Jeff Shinabarger calls readers to create their own social experiments to answer the question, “What is enough?”  It all started with one idea: What would happen if his church created a culture in which they gave away whatever was more than enough for them? How would their habits change if they shed the excess of money, clutter, and food in their lives? 

Today I have been challenged to LIVE OUT THIS AMAZING LOVE OF CHRIST by asking "What is enough?"  If you look up enough in the dictionary, you will find a subjective definition:  "Adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire."  The definition of enough cannot be defined by or for others.  It would be much easier if someone gave each of us a definition to live by, but it isn't that easy.  Enough isn't a percentage of your income.  There is no simple formula.  You must determine for yourself what is enough.  (p. 38)

So...
What is enough food?  What would happen if your family chose to eat everything in the pantry before going to the grocery store again?  How much money could you save and give away?

What is enough clothing?  What would happen if your family chose to buy zero clothes/shoes/purses for 2014?  How much money could you save and give away?

I hope you will challenge yourself as I've challenged myself to do an experiment on what is enough?  Maybe you will choose to only eat out once a week or maybe you will choose to not buy any clothing for 2014 or maybe you will choose to not buy $4 drinks at Starbucks.  Pray about what experiment God may be challenging you to do.  I look forward to hearing about how living on less will create the potential to do much more for others.  Your excess can address the needs of others.  Don't wait.  Live out the Love of Christ!  Make a positive difference for the purposes of Jesus Christ!

LIVE IT OUT!

Do you want a new ending?

"No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Maria Robinson

As you begin a new year, how about instead of thinking of 2014 as "starting over" - think of 2014 as "making a new ending?"

In order to make a new ending, you'll need to choose to sacrifice something.  Sacrifice (in a Christian sense) is surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure or simply giving up something that you want to keep.  (Dictionary.com)

-Do you need to say goodbye to a bad habit that is hurting your health and your family?
-Do you need to say goodbye to someone that you have been in a relationship with for several months or even years?
-Do you need to quit avoiding the farewells so you can embrace the very best parts of what is to come?
-Do you need to say goodbye to facebook and social media because it has become a time-waster?
-Do you need to spend less in order to give more away?
-Do you need to focus less on self and more on others?

In order to make new ending, you must begin again right where you are.  God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your life. 

Are you ready for a new ending?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart & lean not on your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight! (NIV)