Let it Begin with Me!

"Let it Begin with Me"

This line is part of a familiar lyric from the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. One phrase, “and let it begin with me”, rings as true to the song’s wish for peace on earth,  as it does for our call to some measure of calm amidst a turbulent financial market and economy. As followers of Christ, how do we respond to the need for ministry support through our giving? Do we rejoice that God has and will continue to be true to His word and provide abundantly?

We can observe the seasons change. Winter is now upon us, and Spring is on the horizon!  We are also observing continuous change in the financial markets. By acknowledging, accepting, and preparing for the different seasons, it strengthens our determination during stormy periods and gives hope for fairer weather. The current unstable markets seem difficult, yet the potential for economic growth remains intact.

Let’s be sure to remember all of the scriptural readings about money, finances, and support of benevolent causes as we wade through this financial brokenness. The lingering effects of the recession have had differing impacts throughout our church and even our annual conference. During these times of financial uncertainty we can, as followers of Christ, acknowledge that God provides all we need.

In his book “Five Practices of Faithful Living”, United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase talks about the grace of giving. Among the reasons for giving graciously he writes, “giving changes us”. This Christmas season, as you consider your gifts to your church home, to the ministries of your annual conference, and to the global Church initiatives to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”, remember that all we have comes from God. When we support these ministries we are advancing the work God has called His faithful children to do. Giving changes us. By giving, we can change our world.

“Let it begin with me.”

                May the Peace of Christ be with you this Christmas season.  Lauren

Generosity Begets Generosity

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will  be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

If it seems that you are scraping by financially this holiday season, perhaps it is because you aren’t sharing enough with others.

God has called both you and I to generosity. If we’re not blessing others with gifts of a dinner at our home, inviting someone out to lunch, volunteering at a shelter, or even blessing your neighbor with a donation toward their child’s trip to a Christian youth camp, then why would God bless us financially?

There are so many ways to be generous this season!  All we have to do is look around us!

God provides for us as we provide for others, so please boost your level of generosity to others.

 He promises that good things will come your way if you do.

Peace and Blessings throughout this holiday season!  ~ Lauren

Building Nests

I read a passage this week that really hit home for me.  It described the idea of "building a nest" as a metaphor for  "people who successfully provide for their own comforts". 

For example, if someone arrives at point in their career where they are comfortable and at ease, some might say, "You've built quite a nest for yourself!"  Or when we feel comfortable at home in our workplace, we talk about being in our "own little nest".  The word "nest" reminds us of shelter, coziness, comfortable, homey.  

In fact, don't birds actually build nests for their young?  For the future and next generations?   Aren't all of the hours carrying straw, sticks and mud and endless work feeding and keeping watch day after day, night after night, really for the benefit of the new ones?  The Young, the Future? 

What if we were to consider our "nest" as the church?  The building, programs, ministries, each job description, and each mission and service we provide - are they for our own comfort and coziness?  Or are they to further the faith and to provide for future generations?  Does our giving serve us and our needs? Or does it serve God by serving the mission of the church to reach new people? 

When we place more weight on what feeds the soul, nourishes the spirit, and sustains the steps of those outside the church or new to the faith, rather than giving emphasis on what we want, prefer, or find convenient; It is then that we are truly serving God. 

Those new to the faith are as vulnerable as young hatchlings, and require a steady and dedicated effort of feeding and nurturing.  The budding faith of young people requires our committed attention; extra care; overtime in planning, teaching, encouraging, mentoring, support and generosity. 

For us to follow God by serving the mission of the church, we must realize that the nests we build are not for ourselves - they are for the next generation, those new to the faith, the future of the body of Christ.  

This week, I have re-examined my focus on generosity and giving.

How does your focus on generosity and your level of giving support the mission of reaching other people? 

"And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?"  ~Luke 12:20

Generosity Begets Generosity

As a child, I grew up hearing about “stewardship” in church. There were stewardship campaigns, stewardship drives, stewardship committees, even stewardship seminars.   As an adult, returning to church after a long absence, it seemed the term “stewardship” was somewhat insider language.    It was a language that I never heard outside of church very often.  It seemed a word that was dutiful and legalistic and that focused entirely on supporting the church financially.  

This week, I was reflecting upon a passage I read in Luke 6:38 from “The Message”.   It reads,

“Giving, not getting is the way.  Generosity begets generosity.”

Recently, I started new position at New Day UMC as the “Director of Generosity”.  This made me think.  What’s the difference between “stewardship” and “generosity”? 

I have come to view a “steward” as a sort of trustee.  Someone who has a responsibility to care for something that is generally owned by someone else.    We are stewards of the Earth.  We are stewards of our money, our possessions, and our bodies.  We are stewards of things entrusted to us, inherited by us and earned by us.

Generosity, on the other hand, is an aspect of character.  It is an attractive quality which I aspire to and desire to see cultivated in my life, my family’s life and in my church.  I suppose then, that the opposite of generosity is selfishness and greed.  There are no stories that I have found from scripture telling of people living God-related spiritual lives while fostering a greedy attitude.  Generosity extends beyond merely the use of money, although it most definitely includes that.  It is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  It is an actual practice of giving.

 I admire and respect people who are generous, and I want to be like them.  Generosity focuses on the spiritual qualities of the giver.  We never describe people as generous who keep everything for themselves and only serve themselves.  I have to explain to my children what stewardship means.  They know generosity when they see it.

What has been your experience with the term “stewardship?”   With “generosity?”  Which word inspires your giving as you seek to grow in the image of Christ?

Peace.  Lauren

The Right Treasure

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Like most people these days, I often worry about how we are going to survive in the current economic situation.  In tough times, we may turn to possessions for comfort and enjoyment.   Sometimes in order to feel better, we spend money that we don’t have, on things we don’t necessarily need.   

I was reminded of this recently as I visited a nearby church; when I noticed a young man in the pew ahead of me.  He was dirty and unkempt, and he listened intently to the message and sang along with the music joyfully.  When the offering plate came by, I saw him drop in a few coins.  He gave without hesitation.

Often, it seems that we who are more fortunate than that young man don’t give anything.  We don’t spend time with God regularly; don’t give our time or money to help the poor and homeless.  Too often we don’t often offer a kind word to a stranger, take time to chat with a lonely person, or spend an hour a week to help at a soup kitchen. 

 I have decided to stop using so much of my time on building up treasures on earth so that I can more faithfully live out God’s word.  When we serve in Christ’s name, we store up riches in heaven.

What are some ways that you’ve stored up treasures on earth?  In heaven?

Lauren

A Compassionate Heart

Recently I’ve come to recognize, all too well, the soul-shrinking effects of having too much and giving too little.  Living in abundance has lulled me into forgetting God and relying only on myself.  In the scramble to acquire more, I forgot to be grateful for what I had.   Ignoring those in need numbed my heart, and my greediness has greatly diminished the possibility of receiving God’s grace in my life.  

I have travelled a long road this past year, physically, spiritually, and financially.  If there has been one thing that I have learned, it is this:  God wants more than my just my money.  God wants my heart.  A heart that gives freely, with no strings attached.  A heart that is full of compassion.  He wants a heart that is rejoicing with simplicity and generosity and a heart that yearns for others to have “enough”. 

Of all the things I desire most in my life, I want a heart like that.  What about you?  How is it with your heart?

Peace,  Lauren

God or Stuff?

Do we really trust God with our lives?  Our actual physical lives?  This puts forth a very challenging question.  Maybe we trust God enough with our thoughts and feelings, but what about the material stuff that keeps us fed, clothed, and sheltered?  And what about our attention and our priorities?  Do we trust God with these?

Contrary to the belief that the one with the most stuff wins, it is my belief that the closer you become to God, the less you need, or even desire material things?
 
Jesus teaches us that if we have faith and trust in God, there is always enough.  But how much is enough?

Each day as we pray over our lifestyles, we encounter issues of materialism.  When did we accumulate so much stuff? 

There are times when I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I spend so much of my life spending time focusing on all of my possessions that it makes me wonder what the spiritual costs are of having more than enough, and what it is that really holds my attention.   
God, or Stuff?  

I welcome your comments.
Peace,
Lauren

A Generous God

Have you ever watched a child who, expectantly and excitedly, clutched a coin as he or she awaited the offering plate?

Oh to see the world as a child once again!

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

In a culture where it's easy to think of ourselves as the “breadwinners” or “self-made”, we need to be reminded that all blessings have been given to us by a generous God.

I used to feel that the offering happened without much thought to it. Sometimes I even considered it as an interruption to the “spiritual flow” of worship.  But I have come to find out that it's actually an important, biblical part of the service. It gives me a chance to focus on giving thanks and giving back to the God who has so generously given to me.

Because there has been so much turmoil in the stock market, and in my own financial portfolio, I have decided to take a step back and review my priorities.  I have taken a class on budgeting and I am actually excited to begin a new “lifestyle” by redefining my idea of success and establishing sensible goals for my personal and spiritual future. 

Simply put, my faith has begun to inform the way I live, including how I spend my money!
You see, I have come to realize that it is not a financial problem that causes me to let the offering plate slide past me untouched, it is a spiritual problem!

This year, I have chosen to celebrate the offering!  I am re-evaluating my tithe which I know, in turn, will bring my faith closer and closer to the center of my life and where the offering will become a more natural expression of who I am as a Christian. 

I "Faith-Fully" support New Day United Methodist Church and it's life-changing ministries. 

Who is New Day?  What do we believe?
We, the people of this New Day community, love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and strength, and we are alive because of the gift of eternal life, offered to us by Christ.
We joyfully gather and journey together, encountering Christ and growing in faith.
Although diverse in many ways, we are united in our primary values, which include:

ACTIVELY GROWING in our faith,
UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING others with the grace of God,
OPENLY INVITING new people into the family of God,
IMAGINATIVELY EXPLORING new methods for greater spiritual vitality.

~We Welcome You Home~
"There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home...I'm on my way to get a room ready for you..." ~Jesus                                                                                                                                             Luke 14:2
If this has encouraged and blessed your day, Please log on to http://www.newday-umc.org/ and consider giving a gift to help support our amazing ministries.  We, at New Day, thank you for your support and pray that God will encourage you with the joy of generous giving as he has encouraged us.

Peace,
Lauren 

OFF WE GO!!

Please Join with me, along with New Day UMC in welcoming Leia Williams, Conference Field Coordinator for "Imagine No Malaria",  on Sunday, Sept. 18th at New Day UMC in Big Lake 

Can you believe it?   Churches from around the Minnesota Annual Conference have rallied to support Imagine No Malaria. Even in the midst of summer vacation, churches have already officially pledged over $100,000 to save more than 10,000 lives.

This was made possible by only 11 churches! Can you imagine what will happen once people return from the lake and are back to church attendance and involvement? We are well on our way to saving 180,000 lives or more!

To increase the incentives for significant commitments to Imagine No Malaria, the major donors who initially granted the conference a $600,000 matching gift decided this week to direct their match to churches that set goals to save 10 lives per average worship attendee. The match is dollar to dollar in 2011.

This means that all churches that set a goal to save 10 lives per attendee, complete a goal pledge form, and send it to the conference office by the end of 2011 will actually be saving 20 lives per average attendee!

The fun begins at 10:45am! Come and be a part of the United Methodist commitment to save lives, especially the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

Please contact New Day if you would like more information, and you can learn more about Imagine No Malaria by visiting www.minnesotaumc.org and clicking the Imagine No Malaria logo. You’ll find informational links and downloadable resources.

Have an awesome week, and be sure not to miss this awesome event!
Peace, Lauren