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