Hoarding or Sharing

9/23/13

Which Side of the Revolution are You On?

The series that our pastor is doing this month is calling for a revolution.  It has made me squirm at time, as it seems to be pointing directly at me.  Those really are the best sermons; as they spark my desire to grow in Christ and find my true purpose in this life.  I know in my head that we are meant to draw others to The Lord; but have been conditioned to believe that the actual work is meant for those who serve in vocational ministry; not for us “regular folk”.  We may tell ourselves that we just need to learn how to become better versions of who we are today. 

But Jesus called each one of us to follow Him.  He drew thousands to Himself; accepting the betrayal that would change the world though His suffering and miraculous resurrection.  Knowing this, I should be able to lead at least one or two people to salvation, shouldn’t I?

I can be a good person, attend church regularly, physically serve in ministry, do all of the work in the latest Bible study, and still be lacking.  We can be full of faith-trivia, but still unable to grow, because we are afraid to, “pour out” what we know; in case we are left with nothing for ourselves.  But if we do not share with those around us, the work that others have done to pour into us will become stagnant and useless.  We need to keep the flow of the Holy Spirit running through us, fulfilling Jesus’ call for us to go out into the world with His Good News.

Holding your knowledge of the Lord inside of your own head and heart is the worst kind of hoarding.  It is no different from the people who become prisoners of the stuff that fills up their homes; making it impossible for them to receive what they really need to live as they should.

Not sharing our faith is the opposite of finding our purpose.  It’s as if you found your dream job, with a salary that was beyond your greatest expectations.  Payday comes and you receive a check with more zeros than you can count.  You hurry home and sit at the table, looking at this wonderful piece of paper.  It is so wonderful; you cannot imagine taking it to the bank to deposit.  You just want to look at this check, daydreaming about all of the things you can do with the money.  Fabulous trips to exotic places, where you can meet people from other cultures; a bigger home, where you can have lavish parties, entertaining your friends; and giving your family their hearts desire.

But you cannot bring yourself to cash or deposit the check, so you cannot spend your earnings.  Eventually, you can only read the numbers on the paper in your hand during the day, because your electricity is cut off.  You cannot eat, because you will not buy food.   Eventually, you starve because you held on to the one thing that could have enriched you and so many others.

How much richer is the one who uses their earnings to make deposits; spends when required and gives freely when asked?  What may seem like a sacrifice today, can become the one thing that causes blessings to abound in your own life.   The sacrifices made but not acknowledged or seen by the people around us will surely increase our joy in heaven.

Father God, Thank You for filling me to overflowing and pressing Your words through me, so they flow from my lips in spite my immature thoughts. Please continue to use me when and where and how you choose.  I am not always comfortable with the way You challenge me, but I love You for wanting me to become the woman who You will call home one day. I praise and thank You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering 

on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, 

I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 

So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”  

Philippians 2 17-18

Written by
Lynda Kinnard

Winnowing

9/11/13

When I read the assignment for my writing class to write about sentimental value, I heard the words, “Oh No!” leapfrog out of my mouth. I don’t want to write about something I have been experiencing for over a year now. 

During the last sixteen months I have attempted to build up the courage to spend time each week going through my husband’s study making  decisions about  what to do with his belongings.

A room filled with drawers and drawers of:  papers, notes, programs, articles, maps, receipts, ticket stubs, and a hundred other different types of paper he chose to save,  to keep. The walls of his study are covered with memorabilia and several bookshelves are laden with  printed words manifesting Ed’s interests, philosophies, and his love of travel.

I have had a year of opening drawers, files, boxes, envelopes, which all shout out, “Ed is gone so  YOU are the one to make the hundreds of decisions about what to keep, what to give away, and what to just toss.” As I sort through the hundreds of small treasures he  kept,  a full orchestra of emotions begins playing inside my head and heart challenging me to keep to the necessary task of decision-making.

I am reminded to put the brass bra on, as they say, and call upon my pragmatic side appearing on stage  with the job of encouraging me to stay the course. I think of the word, “winnow” – the delicate art of removing the wheat from the chaff – to scatter or to sift out.    

I am always thinking to myself, will I make the right decisions about all of this sifting?  Will I discard something I will later regret?

The horrific job of going through a loved one’s things after they die is like scraping open a  wound  over and over again,  reminding  you that the healing process isn’t over and you still have pain. Oh yes, I have received  many well meant sympathy cards telling me  that  to remember  is to have loved – to be thankful for good memories, but all the well-worn rhetoric doesn’t quell the loss or loneliness I feel each day and night.

But, back to the assignment of what I treasure and what someone else will probably just toss after I die. The handwritten notes on bits of paper, and the cards I received from Eddie over the thirty-two years we were married are sentimental to me, and I will keep forever because I treasure them.

They are mine.

They are love.

They are mine.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, 

and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. 

He will gather his wheat into the barn,

 but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." 

Matthew 3:12 

Written by

Connie Clark

"DEVOTION IS MORE THAN A PRAYER"

9/3.13                                      

Today I'd like to share a story from a delightful book which my son gave to me called "What My cat taught me About Life (Meditations for Cat Lovers)" by Niki Anderson. I hope you enjoy it.

  

                                                            THOMAS

Thomas was surnamed "the church cat." He lived with the Williams family, next door to a small community church. The Williams worshipped at the family church across town, but Thomas chose the congregation within walking distance. He Kept no calendar, yet never failed to be present and on time for both Sunday School and church services every Sabbath.

Thomas wanted to serve, but he didn't know where he fit. The Williams had never dubbed him a talker, so he concluded he would not be the best volunteer for teaching Sunday School. Since he was not gainfully employed, he was not able to contribute to the collection. Thomas could have offered his pest control services but he declined, choosing to honor the church mice who enjoyed their sanctuary in the church crawl space.

The ministry Thomas decided upon came quite naturally. He noticed that each parishioner appreciated his greetings along the walkway leading to the stained glass doors. Their smiles, strokes, and responses of "Good morning, Kitty" assured Thomas he had found a place to serve. Hospitality was a skill he had learned already. At home he greeted all callers with a welcome rub and a high tailed escort to his front door. Greeting was something he did well, so he offered it to God.

"One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

~~~~ Albert Schweitzer

Shared by Cathy Friberg

Thomas was a great example of faithfulness and of being Spirit Led. We may feel that our talents and contributions are small, however, only God knows the impact our service will have on the lives of others.

St. Therese, a Carmelite nun in France in the 1800's embraced a philosophy called "The Little Way." She encouraged people to manifest their love for God by committing fervently to simple every day tasks and by humbly serving those we meet in our everyday lives. What a refreshing and inspiring concept amidst our complex,indulgent, and self seeking modern day secular society.

By Cathy Friberg