Giving
This is a tough subject, but I have given this much thought and it has much scriptural verification.
First of all, should I tithe? Tithing was an Old Testament commandment and it was possible to tithe because it was a commandment when it wasn’t from the heart and the entire New Testament is based on the heart. That’s why when the woman who gave the only two mites that she had Jesus said that she had given the most compared to everyone else.
His evaluation of what she had done wasn’t based on the amount that she gave, it was based on the fact that she had trusted God to provide for her even though she had no more money. She trusted God beyond her material and physical status.
That tells me that my faith is far more valuable than the value of money. So, should I tithe? Good question! We’re no longer under the Old Testament so the commandment to do so is no linger valid. Everything we do now is totally based on the heart, so that opens the door to where ever your heart is.
For me, I’m on a fixed income so I do not have free money to give, but I do have a great deal of free time and effort that I desire to give, and I firmly do believe that God takes good care of me. So, does my free time and effort equal two mites? Good question again!
Now we need to talk and I’ve given this a lot of thought, even as I write. I believe that the most important thing is the heart, so where is my heart? I believe (with good reason) that God takes care of me and my heart is His! And I know that whether I have money or not (which I don’t) I can still bring great value to Christ through what I do and I can volunteer my time and efforts at no cost at all, so yes I believe that equals two mites. When a man who has had a broken brain stem offers to volunteer for Christ, that’s valuable! I’m totally relying on Him to bring value through my efforts. Now that’s faith!
In the scriptures and in the New Testament, Jesus said:
Matt 6:24-27
24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money .
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
NIV
So, the question to me is: Who do I serve? God or money? To me, the answer is extremely clear! I serve God with all of my life! Not just some things—everything! It’s because of Him that I have a life and any abilties. So of course I serve Him. I can, no matter what I do, only give back an extremely small portion of what has been given to me. So, of course I serve Him!
Now, should others do the same? I believe that others should do what I have done: evaluate where they are and what they do. Jesus looks at their heart and they should too!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Heb 11:1
11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
NIV
Faith
Faith. What is it? Well, it would seem that the verse is pretty clear, isn’t it? And if you read the entire chapter, it talks all about people who gave everything down to their very beings for something that they couldn’t see or know. There was no tangible reason there—but they believed, and they got it.
Now, let me tell you why I brought this up. Today, people in Churches have redefined what Faith means. To them faith means that they’re going to the “right” Church, and they go at the “right” time, and they’re wearing the “right” clothes and their hair is fixed the “right” way, and they greet the “right” people the “right” way and they sing the “right” songs the “right” way and they hear the “right” message and then they go home and don’t remember much but that it was everything they had hoped it would be.
But Hebrews 11 goes farther than that. It talks about God forming the earth, and then things that different people did and how they showed their faith and what resulted for each of them. And we’re talking Heaven for them. Yes, they faced real human opposition! But they were true to God. No matter what the cost. And, without fail He rewarded each of them eternally!
So what does that mean to us today? Don’t we go at the “right” time? To the “right” Church? And don’t we do all of the “right” things? Maybe, but more importantly, do you have all of the “right” people there? You know, God made each of us individually the way we are now, for a reason and yet 96% of handicapped people have NO CHURCH to go to that will accept them.
As a father of 3 handicapped sons I have a huge problem with that number versus the reason that most people go to Church. People who are handicapped experience all of the negativity that society, outside the Church has to offer already, and it sounds like we often view church time as a religious social time, and I’m sorry but THAT’S NOT FAITH! What does that say to abnormal or handicapped people? Bringing those people that God created in as they are and loving them, teaching them and serving them and stepping out of OUR COMORT ZONES, now that’s faith!
11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
NIV
Faith
Faith. What is it? Well, it would seem that the verse is pretty clear, isn’t it? And if you read the entire chapter, it talks all about people who gave everything down to their very beings for something that they couldn’t see or know. There was no tangible reason there—but they believed, and they got it.
Now, let me tell you why I brought this up. Today, people in Churches have redefined what Faith means. To them faith means that they’re going to the “right” Church, and they go at the “right” time, and they’re wearing the “right” clothes and their hair is fixed the “right” way, and they greet the “right” people the “right” way and they sing the “right” songs the “right” way and they hear the “right” message and then they go home and don’t remember much but that it was everything they had hoped it would be.
But Hebrews 11 goes farther than that. It talks about God forming the earth, and then things that different people did and how they showed their faith and what resulted for each of them. And we’re talking Heaven for them. Yes, they faced real human opposition! But they were true to God. No matter what the cost. And, without fail He rewarded each of them eternally!
So what does that mean to us today? Don’t we go at the “right” time? To the “right” Church? And don’t we do all of the “right” things? Maybe, but more importantly, do you have all of the “right” people there? You know, God made each of us individually the way we are now, for a reason and yet 96% of handicapped people have NO CHURCH to go to that will accept them.
As a father of 3 handicapped sons I have a huge problem with that number versus the reason that most people go to Church. People who are handicapped experience all of the negativity that society, outside the Church has to offer already, and it sounds like we often view church time as a religious social time, and I’m sorry but THAT’S NOT FAITH! What does that say to abnormal or handicapped people? Bringing those people that God created in as they are and loving them, teaching them and serving them and stepping out of OUR COMORT ZONES, now that’s faith!
Be still, and know that I am God
This saying from Psalms is something that everyone should do, but it’s not easy.
Just think about me, I had everything that anyone in this life could want! Perfect marriage, great kids, super house, top of the line cars and an incredible job with tons of money and then this happened to me.
I am now handicapped, I have absolutely no memory, I’m a long way from my home, my wife and my children, I lost my job and I live very poorly watching every penny that I spend. And to top it off (as if there needed to be more), I am just now beginning to realize some of the pain and hardship that my family has had to go through. So, this saying means a great deal to me. But why? Well, let’s look at this very closely.
Be still. Stop stressing and thinking about things! In each person’s day there are plenty of things to think about and/or stress over. But as Christians, we’re God’s children and He has very clearly told us to Be still.
We are also told to know. Not to think about who’s in control or to guess what will happen, no we are to know who’s leading us, and trust Him. If we are still and know then we will begin to trust and relax.
The last thing that He tells us is I am God. He tells us who He is and why we can be still and know. What else could you need? Nothing. Now, I know that the bus will come and if God wants me to come home, I will. I just don’t worry about anything because I’m still and I know that He is God.
The fact that I’m still alive proves that He is God and I’m proud that He’s my Father.
This saying from Psalms is something that everyone should do, but it’s not easy.
Just think about me, I had everything that anyone in this life could want! Perfect marriage, great kids, super house, top of the line cars and an incredible job with tons of money and then this happened to me.
I am now handicapped, I have absolutely no memory, I’m a long way from my home, my wife and my children, I lost my job and I live very poorly watching every penny that I spend. And to top it off (as if there needed to be more), I am just now beginning to realize some of the pain and hardship that my family has had to go through. So, this saying means a great deal to me. But why? Well, let’s look at this very closely.
Be still. Stop stressing and thinking about things! In each person’s day there are plenty of things to think about and/or stress over. But as Christians, we’re God’s children and He has very clearly told us to Be still.
We are also told to know. Not to think about who’s in control or to guess what will happen, no we are to know who’s leading us, and trust Him. If we are still and know then we will begin to trust and relax.
The last thing that He tells us is I am God. He tells us who He is and why we can be still and know. What else could you need? Nothing. Now, I know that the bus will come and if God wants me to come home, I will. I just don’t worry about anything because I’m still and I know that He is God.
The fact that I’m still alive proves that He is God and I’m proud that He’s my Father.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Daniel
He is our son and he’s been on my mind and in my prayers a great deal lately.
Before he was born we met his mother who was pregnant with him and we arranged to adopt him. We were notified when he was born at Camp Pendleton in California. The first time that we saw him, he was 2 hours old. We saw him continually and took him home when he was 2 days old. That was 23 years ago.
From the time he was in preschool, he had problems but he has always been and still is very dear to us. He is our son. When he went to public school the problems just got worse until finally he was declared Educably Mentally Retarded because he couldn’t read or comprehend beyond the 2nd grade level, and he has always known this.
In addition to that his Doctor also told us that he was bipolar and he takes medication for that.
We have always taught him about Jesus and I baptized him. We have also always taught him about the blessing that we are adopted into God’s family so that he would know that we are all the same: Adopted.
About 2 or 3 years ago, he was crossing a road in Virginia and was hit by a truck which also gave him a Brain Injury.
As he has grown up (he has graduated from High School) though, he only declares himself to be Bipolar, nothing else, and of course he thinks that he can and will overcome that.
So he thinks that he has no problems and neither should I, and he doesn’t understand how a son could/should be a caregiver. It just cuts into what he wants to do and thinks has can do in life, thus he’s leaving me at the end of this month. I have kept him in prayer and Jesus is working with him.
He is our son and he’s been on my mind and in my prayers a great deal lately.
Before he was born we met his mother who was pregnant with him and we arranged to adopt him. We were notified when he was born at Camp Pendleton in California. The first time that we saw him, he was 2 hours old. We saw him continually and took him home when he was 2 days old. That was 23 years ago.
From the time he was in preschool, he had problems but he has always been and still is very dear to us. He is our son. When he went to public school the problems just got worse until finally he was declared Educably Mentally Retarded because he couldn’t read or comprehend beyond the 2nd grade level, and he has always known this.
In addition to that his Doctor also told us that he was bipolar and he takes medication for that.
We have always taught him about Jesus and I baptized him. We have also always taught him about the blessing that we are adopted into God’s family so that he would know that we are all the same: Adopted.
About 2 or 3 years ago, he was crossing a road in Virginia and was hit by a truck which also gave him a Brain Injury.
As he has grown up (he has graduated from High School) though, he only declares himself to be Bipolar, nothing else, and of course he thinks that he can and will overcome that.
So he thinks that he has no problems and neither should I, and he doesn’t understand how a son could/should be a caregiver. It just cuts into what he wants to do and thinks has can do in life, thus he’s leaving me at the end of this month. I have kept him in prayer and Jesus is working with him.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I have come so far! All the way from He’s going to die or just be a vegetable all of his life to actually living on my own in an apartment! And the only reason that I am where I am right now is that it has been God’s choice and His doing!
I am very happy and I love Him with all my heart, soul and being. How could I not? He is in control of life and He gave me mine in the first place and He was right there when I needed Him. And He’s still there!
Yes, I’m a happy guy and I’m extremely thankful for my Savior.
I am very happy and I love Him with all my heart, soul and being. How could I not? He is in control of life and He gave me mine in the first place and He was right there when I needed Him. And He’s still there!
Yes, I’m a happy guy and I’m extremely thankful for my Savior.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Don’t waste water!
For years at Board & Cares I have been told this and my water at the bathroom sinks has always been turned down. At the time I just thought that they were being picky and I didn’t think that I was wrong.
Well lately I have finally learned to turn the water on and keep it on gently until I’m done. Gently! That just blows me away. It’s not because I know how to do it, I just can do it.
That’s the way I am. God loves me so much that not only did I live but I find myself at times doing things that normally would not be possible—but for me they are!
A friend came over yesterday (more friends should do that) and I was eating salad and he was just blown away that I was doing that! I lived on my own for a month before Daniel got here and I cooked, shopped, cleaned and did everything on my own. The Lord has been awesome to me.
No, I can’t do everything and I still need help sometimes but the love, promise and commitment that I receive from the Lord far exceeds all of that. And to think that all of this was planned for me before I was even born! (Psalm 139:16) It’s true that it’s all too wonderful for me to even comprehend.
For years at Board & Cares I have been told this and my water at the bathroom sinks has always been turned down. At the time I just thought that they were being picky and I didn’t think that I was wrong.
Well lately I have finally learned to turn the water on and keep it on gently until I’m done. Gently! That just blows me away. It’s not because I know how to do it, I just can do it.
That’s the way I am. God loves me so much that not only did I live but I find myself at times doing things that normally would not be possible—but for me they are!
A friend came over yesterday (more friends should do that) and I was eating salad and he was just blown away that I was doing that! I lived on my own for a month before Daniel got here and I cooked, shopped, cleaned and did everything on my own. The Lord has been awesome to me.
No, I can’t do everything and I still need help sometimes but the love, promise and commitment that I receive from the Lord far exceeds all of that. And to think that all of this was planned for me before I was even born! (Psalm 139:16) It’s true that it’s all too wonderful for me to even comprehend.
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