The cattle on a thousand hills...

“A faith that hasn’t reached your wallet, probably hasn’t reached your heart” (Adrian Rogers).

I work for the Lord.  Every penny I make belongs to Him.  Everything I am able to do is because of who He created me to be.  Psalm 24:1 and 1 Corinthians 10:26 tells us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”  “He owns it all – not a tithe, not a love offering, not our leftovers; He owns it all” (D. Ramsey, Complete Guide to Money pg. 311).  He doesn’t need my money… “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills… For the world is Mine, and all its fullness” It’s All His! (Psalm 50:10-12).  If I work for the Lord, God gets 100% and gives me 90%... That’s very generous!!

We have a giving God.  He gave His one and only Son for me.  I am made in His image.  He is the ultimate example of giving.  His word has many examples for me to give of my first fruits; to tithe 10% of all I make.  “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse...’Says the Lord of hosts” Malachi 3:10).

Sometimes when life gets tough and finances are looking bleak, some would suggest that perhaps not tithing as much is an option.  This is not an option for me.  In all my adult life I have seen the goodness of the Lord in His caring for me.  I remember when I was living with my best friend (late 80’s early 90’s) and we had pretty much nothing.  She was blessed to be able to eat breakfast and lunch at her work, and me mine.  I was out of gas though… How would I get to work?  Guess what came in the mail that very afternoon?  An unexpected check from my insurance company for $19 (gas was only $.97 a gallon), plenty of money to fill my gas tank.  When things were tight when my boys were young and expenses came up, we (my ex and I) never opted to not tithe, and while our budget did not work on paper, our bills were always paid!  That is a testimony to the Lord!  My trust is in Him.  I once had a pastor who when he was teaching about giving asked the congregation “What bills would you rather have not paid?”  He was not making it a legalistic thing, but it presented it (to me) that God should be first in giving and paying bills.  I don’t give out of legalism, but out of obedience, and with the gratefulness of His constant provision.  To think that my measly tithe can further His kingdom is mind baffling.  What an honor it is to give.

I just finished the Financial Peace University class, and am amazed at the statistics that Christians tithe only 2.5% - 3% of their finances.  Not my words, but I agree with them. “You can’t say you are a follower of Christ when you are not giving.  You can’t walk around with the clenched fist (holding tightly on to your “own” money) and tell people about how amazing Jesus is.  There’s a disconnect.  They won’t believe you because your whole attitude is of selfishness, fear, and greed…” (Dave Ramsey, Complete Guide to Money pg. 312)

Stewardship is the job of supervising or taking care of something such as an organization or property.  God is trusting us to manage what He is so graciously allowing us to have.  I encourage you to ask yourself, How am I doing?  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). God speaks a LOT about money in His word.   We need to pay attention to His words, and be good stewards with His money.

Light

I have been pondering this since last Monday when I saw a note that I had written in my Bible years ago.  It reads “the world is without light” next to this passage.  Then I listened to a sermon built around the same passage this morning. 

“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5: 14-16). 

The world is without light.  We must walk in the light and shine bright for all to see. 

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleansed us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 

Am I letting my light shine?  God, please help me to always shine my light… the light that You have instilled in me, may it shine so brightly that people will see You in me, that they see my good works and glorify You, my Father in heaven.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Not always the way things appear~

In December of 2015 one of my co-workers gave each of the ladies in the office a small Poinsettia. Mine sat on my desk for a while, but wasn't getting the light she (yeah, I named her Abby) needed so moved her into a room by a window so that she could bask in the sunlight. I left a note near her to "water me if you see that I need a drink". She did much better by that window. She's gone through lots of changes, like shedding leaves, growing bigger, to even looking like death this past Christmas. To the point that people were picking on her grisly appearance. There were some beautifully fresh cut flowers sitting next to her on the ledge that evening, and I have to admit she looked pretty bad. But she was not given up on. She was watered, turned regularly so the sun shone on all of her, and loved - not given up on or thrown away as suggested by some. Today, nearly 5 months later, she is vibrant, tall, and full of life! I'm so thankful that my life, much like Abby, with the ups and downs, thriving and languish, was cared for in a loving and nurturing manner. It shows me that the lives we pour into should not ever be given up on as dead and hopeless. It may look impossible, it may seem that the only option is to walk away, but when things look bleak we should continue to love and nurture. As long as the soil is good and there is a little life in there, there is hope! I can tell you for certain that those beautifully fresh cut flowers that sat next to her that day making her look even more pathetic, have long since lost all life. All of their colorful petals have fallen off and they have been disposed of. But look at Abby today, she has beautiful green and red leaves on her and she's standing tall. She's made it through an ugly dry season and come out beautiful.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and Your nurturing. Thank You so much that when we looked hopeless, You still poured into us. Thank you for the foundation that I have in You. Thank You God that You never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for showing me that while there are others around me that look beautiful on the outside, they still need You. Outward appearance is beautiful but it only lasts a short time. God I seek to be more like You inside and out. Continue to form me into being more like You, loving, nurturing, caring, constant, and persistent. I know this means many more times of trials, and I welcome them if it means being more like, and closer to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today's (short) thoughts~

May 2, 1992
26 years ago today I walked down the aisle to commit and join my forever with another.  Our invitation was a verse from the book of Ecclesiastes.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  It was not quickly broken, but it was in fact broken.  10 years ago, my now ex posted on a social media page a picture of the two of us with the caption "16 years and I still get that feeling".  Only months later he was expressing that he didn't know if he was still in love with me.  This made zero sense to me.  It could be only one thing.  That in fact was the thing.  He had allowed the devil a foothold and the devil did his finest work and destroyed a sacred union.  It has been nearly 10 years and I still get that sucker punched in the gut feeling of overwhelming pain and sadness...  

I will never celebrate 17 years of marriage with someone again.  I will never celebrate milestone anniversaries with someone at my age now.  This saddens my heart.  Thankfully, I have the love of the Lord.  I still have the pain, but know my future is in His hands and do my best to trust and rest in that. 

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Foolishness - Grace

Oh how many times have I not done what I was told and found myself somewhere I didn't want to be? Jonah should be an example to me... I never paid attention to this portion before. The waters had surrounded him... even to his soul. Jonah had weeds wrapped around his head. After he cried out to God, God brought him out of the pit. It was his own fault that he was there, but God in His grace rescued Jonah from his own foolish ways. I'm so thankful that God is God and He forgives and restores. I hate that I fail Him, and do not desire to, but I still do... daily... God of mercy, and God of grace I love You, and thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

"The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord , my God" (Jonah 2:5-6).

Light Touch~

I remember my former Pastor’s wife saying “keep a light touch on things.”  This was encouragement to not value any earthly possession more than life and relationship with Christ.  Realize that there is no “thing” that we can save or take with us when our time here on this earth is over.  Regardless of where your faith is, no one has ever been able to take anything of tangible worth or value to the grave with them.  During these past few weeks of watching the fires on the west coast, the devastation in Houston and surrounding areas, earthquake in Mexico, and the current hurricane Irma that has already destroyed land, taken lives, and is soon to be making landfall on the east coast has made that statement come back to my mind.  

Keep a light touch on things.  

I was sharing with a few friends at work last week about this.  Thinking about all of the loss in Houston, the houses that will need to be leveled, totaled vehicles, loss of most earthly possessions makes this more real.  No matter how much we acquire, we cannot save anything, or control what happens to things.   

As I look around my house at all of the “things” that I have, I have to admit that there are items that I would hate to lose, but none that are more valuable than my children.  They are the only thing I truly care to “take with me” when I go.  Praying for those who have to find new normal, and who have to start from scratch.  

Praying that communities come together to support each other.  Praying that we can all learn to keep a light touch on things. 

Cherish what you have~

Written January 6, 2014 -

If you are married, go tell your spouse you love them! Things may be difficult right now, but it is a moment. Take a moment to remember why you are married in the first place. Remember those butterflies in your stomach at the very thought of them; those feelings that you couldn't possibly spend enough time together. You made a commitment, keep it. This world is full of things that will try to destroy your union. Don’t give in to the temptations tossed out there by the devil himself. Whatever is going on right now is temporary… good or bad. Embrace the difficulties, for in them there are opportunities for growth and strength to the marriage. If things are good, continue to pour into each other, for certain there will come challenges. Do not ever think it is ok to get chummy with a member of the opposite sex at work or anywhere else. It may begin innocently, but can be a great tool for the STUPID devil. You may think: They are so easy to talk to… They understand my struggles… They “get me”… If you are single, and they are single, GO FOR IT! If you have committed yourself in marriage: FORGET ABOUT IT!! Believe it or not your spouse “Gets you”~ You simply have to keep investing! If you have a bank account and don’t put any money into it, you are going to have NOTHING there to withdrawal.

 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

 Enjoy the now- Don’t worry about the future. Something will always be there to challenge the relationship, but if you dwell on that, it steals your joy today. Don’t let anything rob you of the beauty that can be enjoyed today, by worrying about tomorrow.

 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

 "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).