I've reached the end, friends! As usual, writing a series has been such a good thing for me. On the flip side (also as usual), I am so ready to be done.
Perhaps some of you wonder, "How does she find time to write all of this"?? Part of the answer is that we really do find the time to do the things we love. The other part of the answer is that I've been working on this series off and on for about four months and actually had nearly all of my posts written before January 1. Most days this month I've been able to just pull up the next post and edit it, rather than writing a full post every day. Just a little peek behind the scenes there ☺
This month has been busy in more ways than one. As I wrap up this series, we are also trying to wrap up another project -- The House On The Hill! Plans are to have the essentials moved in and be spending our first night there this coming Saturday night. We'll gradually work on moving the rest in the next weeks. Maybe we'll decide we don't need half of it? ☺
Like always, I have so enjoyed your input throughout the month of January. Sometimes I seriously question why I write. I'm just an ordinary woman, with more than my share of flaws, why do I put myself out there and say all these things? My own husband has been using my writing to remind me when I fail, what if I'm making people think I am someone that I'm not? Then I will get one of your encouraging comments or emails and I will be assured that God can use even a cracked, clay vessel.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me this month. This series has been for me, most of all, but I hope all of us have had our thinking stirred enough to put storing up treasure in Heaven into practice in our daily lives. I'd love to hear something that resonated with you this month, if you care to share!
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..." Luke 16:10
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
31 Days: Some Practical Questions
Well, it is January 30 and my month of writing about Treasure in Heaven is pretty much done. I love the way God took my focus off of not storing up treasure on earth, to making sure I am storing up treasure in Heaven. Still, the fact remains that money is a master and sometimes it is just plain hard to know how it should be spent.
We're all going to have different areas of weakness when it comes to money and I suppose that is just normal. Last weekend at the ladies retreat I attended, Dorcas Smucker was talking about Christian women and modesty and I jotted down this quote: "You are beautiful and creative, but you are not your own." I think that applies to the way I spend my money, as well. Buying the pair of shoes I don't need or new bedding for a new house may not be wrong, necessarily. The important thing to remember is, I am not my own and how I spend my money reflects who I belong to.
John Piper shares some very practical advice on questions to consider when deciding what nonessentials/luxuries in my life are sinful. You can read/listen to the full commentary here but I will give you the main idea of his five questions to consider.
#1. Is it good for my soul and/or the souls of people around me? Thinking here of the fact that God created us to see and enjoy beauty. Artwork, flowers, etc are, in a sense, nonessential to life but can be good for our souls.
#2. Is it good for efficiency in life ministry? So, for example, maybe you could do without another vehicle but having one would help you better fulfill the ministry God has called you to.
#3. Is it affordable without saying to the world that you love things and are into the pride of possessions? I think this is a big one. Just because I can afford something doesn't mean it's okay. What will it say to those around me?
#4. Is it affordable without replacing or hindering good deeds? This could be taken to extremes because, obviously, every icecream cone I buy is money that could have gone to orphans. But would it have? Am I listening to the Spirit's prompting to give or am I taking care of me first and there's never any leftover?
#5. Is it an occasional, expensive nonessential that would say an extraordinary 'I love you'? Is it good for making special memories? I think things like our family's trip to visit the Little Houses and our Anniversary Trip last year might fall into the first category. They are not things we expect to do every year but they can be special, meaningful occasions. The second one is more in the category of giving the children each a dollar to spend at the Dollar Store or buying everyone icecream cones. Nonessentials, but they make good memories.
These questions resonated with me as some practical things to think about in regard to day to day decisions about spending money. Maybe they will be helpful to some of you as well.
We're all going to have different areas of weakness when it comes to money and I suppose that is just normal. Last weekend at the ladies retreat I attended, Dorcas Smucker was talking about Christian women and modesty and I jotted down this quote: "You are beautiful and creative, but you are not your own." I think that applies to the way I spend my money, as well. Buying the pair of shoes I don't need or new bedding for a new house may not be wrong, necessarily. The important thing to remember is, I am not my own and how I spend my money reflects who I belong to.
John Piper shares some very practical advice on questions to consider when deciding what nonessentials/luxuries in my life are sinful. You can read/listen to the full commentary here but I will give you the main idea of his five questions to consider.
#1. Is it good for my soul and/or the souls of people around me? Thinking here of the fact that God created us to see and enjoy beauty. Artwork, flowers, etc are, in a sense, nonessential to life but can be good for our souls.
#2. Is it good for efficiency in life ministry? So, for example, maybe you could do without another vehicle but having one would help you better fulfill the ministry God has called you to.
#3. Is it affordable without saying to the world that you love things and are into the pride of possessions? I think this is a big one. Just because I can afford something doesn't mean it's okay. What will it say to those around me?
#4. Is it affordable without replacing or hindering good deeds? This could be taken to extremes because, obviously, every icecream cone I buy is money that could have gone to orphans. But would it have? Am I listening to the Spirit's prompting to give or am I taking care of me first and there's never any leftover?
#5. Is it an occasional, expensive nonessential that would say an extraordinary 'I love you'? Is it good for making special memories? I think things like our family's trip to visit the Little Houses and our Anniversary Trip last year might fall into the first category. They are not things we expect to do every year but they can be special, meaningful occasions. The second one is more in the category of giving the children each a dollar to spend at the Dollar Store or buying everyone icecream cones. Nonessentials, but they make good memories.
These questions resonated with me as some practical things to think about in regard to day to day decisions about spending money. Maybe they will be helpful to some of you as well.
Friday, January 27, 2017
31 Days: And Love Your Neighbor
And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27 ESV
I grew up in a community where it was common for people to interact with their neighbors. We attended each other's baby showers and birthday parties and I played with neighborhood children. Looking back, I wonder if some of the camaraderie between us was because, back in the day, we needed each other.
In 1967, when my parents moved from Indiana to a little mission church in Arkansas, the house they lived in didn't have a telephone. If they wanted to make a phone call or if someone needed to reach them with a message, it all went through a neighbor's telephone. They didn't have family close by or a large church family to depend on (nor lots of money to take care of all their needs), so they depended on their neighbors for friendship and help.
I have to confess I have not carried that on very well with my own little family.
I admire people who are involved in their communities. I believe investing in people's lives includes all people. It stirs something deep inside me when I hear about families involved in ministry to their neighbors. Families who move, in order to reach out to inter-city families and children, have my highest respect. We have not felt any specific call in this area at this point but it is something I've been bringing before the Lord and want to have an open hand to.
We probably won't all be called to some big, specific ministry to our neighbors but according to Luke 10, we are called to love them. As Mennonites, I think we often leave our neighbors with the impression that we are somehow better than all of them. I certainly do want my neighbors to see that there is something different about my life but I want that difference to be Jesus, not 'I am on a higher level and better than you'. I think sometimes something as simple as borrowing a cup of sugar or needing to use their telephone might do more for our relationships than we realize. A friendly word to the cashier, a smile or encouraging comment to the mother with the crying baby at Aldi, asking the fellow shopper at Walmart where on earth you would find matches, are all simple ways that reach out and show the people around me I am human, just like them.
There are so many more ways to reach out to our neighbors, I'm sure you could teach me! It's something I want to grow in; something I want to pass along to my children.
One last, interesting thought from John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Actions speak louder than words. Perhaps one of the most important things those of us who are Jesus' disciples can do, is to first of all love each other well.
Luke 10:27 ESV
I grew up in a community where it was common for people to interact with their neighbors. We attended each other's baby showers and birthday parties and I played with neighborhood children. Looking back, I wonder if some of the camaraderie between us was because, back in the day, we needed each other.
In 1967, when my parents moved from Indiana to a little mission church in Arkansas, the house they lived in didn't have a telephone. If they wanted to make a phone call or if someone needed to reach them with a message, it all went through a neighbor's telephone. They didn't have family close by or a large church family to depend on (nor lots of money to take care of all their needs), so they depended on their neighbors for friendship and help.
I have to confess I have not carried that on very well with my own little family.
I admire people who are involved in their communities. I believe investing in people's lives includes all people. It stirs something deep inside me when I hear about families involved in ministry to their neighbors. Families who move, in order to reach out to inter-city families and children, have my highest respect. We have not felt any specific call in this area at this point but it is something I've been bringing before the Lord and want to have an open hand to.
We probably won't all be called to some big, specific ministry to our neighbors but according to Luke 10, we are called to love them. As Mennonites, I think we often leave our neighbors with the impression that we are somehow better than all of them. I certainly do want my neighbors to see that there is something different about my life but I want that difference to be Jesus, not 'I am on a higher level and better than you'. I think sometimes something as simple as borrowing a cup of sugar or needing to use their telephone might do more for our relationships than we realize. A friendly word to the cashier, a smile or encouraging comment to the mother with the crying baby at Aldi, asking the fellow shopper at Walmart where on earth you would find matches, are all simple ways that reach out and show the people around me I am human, just like them.
There are so many more ways to reach out to our neighbors, I'm sure you could teach me! It's something I want to grow in; something I want to pass along to my children.
One last, interesting thought from John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Actions speak louder than words. Perhaps one of the most important things those of us who are Jesus' disciples can do, is to first of all love each other well.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
31 Days: Ears Pressed To The Spirit
Some people seem to come by this giving/investing thing naturally. Serving others is their delight and noticing needs and ways to fill them seems to just happen without even trying. Maybe things are not always as they seem, but I am not one of those people. I am quite content to stay in my little world, in my little house and do my own little thing.
Have you ever noticed how good God is at giving you chances to practice what you're learning? Let me give you an example.
I have many weeks where I spend every day at home. Last week I had one day out of the whole week that I was just at home. First of all, I had invited two ladies over for tea before I knew that the next day there was a book study starting that I wanted to join. I planned to do both of those activities before I knew my husband was taking off work three days to work on the house and that I would be invited to a quilting the same day as the book study. Then, I was invited to go along to visit a friend and her baby who is recovering from surgery - an all day excursion that I have been wanting to do. Long before any of this came up, I had registered to attend an out of state ladies retreat which meant I would be leaving Friday morning and returning late Saturday evening. And, oh yeah, one of the things I had to get done was working on a writing project about investing in the lives of the household of faith.....
Do I sit down and laugh or cry?!
I have been good at living safe. I'll even admit to taking some pride in my ability to say 'no' and not be so busy, like a lot of women. I can easily convince myself that I am doing this for my family and my sanity. Last week I said 'yes' to all but the quilting invitation. Seriously, how could I do otherwise and write with any conviction?
I am reminded of the story of the widow and her two mites (Mark 12:41-44). The rich people who gave large sums were just doing what came easily. There was no sacrifice involved, they gave a large amount and never even missed it; congratulations. That's a little like me staying home and not being busy, it's what comes natural to me; congratulations. It has less to do with listening to the Spirit and a whole lot more to do with me doing what's easiest.
Obviously, none of us can do it all and just because it's hard doesn't mean it's automatically the thing I probably need to do. But there is something revolutionary about living with my ear pressed to the Spirit and beginning to view life through the lens of Treasure in Heaven. For some, that might mean saying no more often. For me, it might mean saying yes.
Have you ever noticed how good God is at giving you chances to practice what you're learning? Let me give you an example.
I have many weeks where I spend every day at home. Last week I had one day out of the whole week that I was just at home. First of all, I had invited two ladies over for tea before I knew that the next day there was a book study starting that I wanted to join. I planned to do both of those activities before I knew my husband was taking off work three days to work on the house and that I would be invited to a quilting the same day as the book study. Then, I was invited to go along to visit a friend and her baby who is recovering from surgery - an all day excursion that I have been wanting to do. Long before any of this came up, I had registered to attend an out of state ladies retreat which meant I would be leaving Friday morning and returning late Saturday evening. And, oh yeah, one of the things I had to get done was working on a writing project about investing in the lives of the household of faith.....
Do I sit down and laugh or cry?!
I have been good at living safe. I'll even admit to taking some pride in my ability to say 'no' and not be so busy, like a lot of women. I can easily convince myself that I am doing this for my family and my sanity. Last week I said 'yes' to all but the quilting invitation. Seriously, how could I do otherwise and write with any conviction?
I am reminded of the story of the widow and her two mites (Mark 12:41-44). The rich people who gave large sums were just doing what came easily. There was no sacrifice involved, they gave a large amount and never even missed it; congratulations. That's a little like me staying home and not being busy, it's what comes natural to me; congratulations. It has less to do with listening to the Spirit and a whole lot more to do with me doing what's easiest.
Obviously, none of us can do it all and just because it's hard doesn't mean it's automatically the thing I probably need to do. But there is something revolutionary about living with my ear pressed to the Spirit and beginning to view life through the lens of Treasure in Heaven. For some, that might mean saying no more often. For me, it might mean saying yes.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
31 Days: Especially To The Household Of Faith
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galations 6:10 ESV
Several years ago our Sunday school class was working their way through one of the gospels - I'm not even sure which one. The Sunday we were studying the subject of alms stands out in my memory.
I wish I could remember it all better. We had visitors in class that Sunday, missionaries from another country. As we talked about alms, one of the visitors told how a church close to them gives acts of service as alms offerings. For example, someone had given one of their daughters guitar lessons, I think it was, as an alms offering.
This idea intrigued me. At that time I was on the food committee at church and felt completely out of my realm with the responsibility. I was doing it grudgingly and very dutifully and sitting there in class, it seemed like the Lord said quietly, "Being on the food committee could be an alms offering...."
I have no idea if that is taking things way out of context or not. We could talk about gifts and how we should exercise those. Maybe since food isn't my gift I should have just declined the job altogether so that someone who is gifted in that area could have the position. That's another conversation entirely.
My point is, giving out of duty - whether it's money or acts of service or time or possessions or whatever - tends to completely miss the spirit of how Jesus taught us to give. Looking at being on the food committee as an 'Alms Offering' or storing up treasure in Heaven, if you will, gave a different slant to the whole thing for me. It helped me to think more about what I was doing for God and others, instead of focusing on me and how much I wasn't cut out for the job.
I'm sure there are more areas of church life and community where I could gain a different perspective by looking at them as opportunities to store up treasure in Heaven, rather than a duty I have to fulfill. Already, it has made me stop and think twice when deciding about accepting a responsibility or agreeing to help with something.
Let me be quick to add, I don't think that means we have to accept every responsibility or request that comes our way. I don't have an easy answer for how you make those decisions. As a mom, there is a delicate balance between giving to my own household and to the 'household of faith'. Maybe the best advice I can give is to live with your ear pressed to the Spirit in this part of your life, as well. Ask God to show you; listen to your husband's advice. My husband often has a better view of the big picture than I do.
If you do decide to accept a responsibility or a request for help in your church, here is my husband's best advice to me: If you're going to say you will do it, do it with a cheerful attitude or than you might as well not do it at all.
Several years ago our Sunday school class was working their way through one of the gospels - I'm not even sure which one. The Sunday we were studying the subject of alms stands out in my memory.
I wish I could remember it all better. We had visitors in class that Sunday, missionaries from another country. As we talked about alms, one of the visitors told how a church close to them gives acts of service as alms offerings. For example, someone had given one of their daughters guitar lessons, I think it was, as an alms offering.
This idea intrigued me. At that time I was on the food committee at church and felt completely out of my realm with the responsibility. I was doing it grudgingly and very dutifully and sitting there in class, it seemed like the Lord said quietly, "Being on the food committee could be an alms offering...."
I have no idea if that is taking things way out of context or not. We could talk about gifts and how we should exercise those. Maybe since food isn't my gift I should have just declined the job altogether so that someone who is gifted in that area could have the position. That's another conversation entirely.
My point is, giving out of duty - whether it's money or acts of service or time or possessions or whatever - tends to completely miss the spirit of how Jesus taught us to give. Looking at being on the food committee as an 'Alms Offering' or storing up treasure in Heaven, if you will, gave a different slant to the whole thing for me. It helped me to think more about what I was doing for God and others, instead of focusing on me and how much I wasn't cut out for the job.
I'm sure there are more areas of church life and community where I could gain a different perspective by looking at them as opportunities to store up treasure in Heaven, rather than a duty I have to fulfill. Already, it has made me stop and think twice when deciding about accepting a responsibility or agreeing to help with something.
Let me be quick to add, I don't think that means we have to accept every responsibility or request that comes our way. I don't have an easy answer for how you make those decisions. As a mom, there is a delicate balance between giving to my own household and to the 'household of faith'. Maybe the best advice I can give is to live with your ear pressed to the Spirit in this part of your life, as well. Ask God to show you; listen to your husband's advice. My husband often has a better view of the big picture than I do.
If you do decide to accept a responsibility or a request for help in your church, here is my husband's best advice to me: If you're going to say you will do it, do it with a cheerful attitude or than you might as well not do it at all.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
31 Days: Especially For My Household
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
I Timothy 5:8 ESV
We all know that the people closest to us are often the hardest to love. Maybe they're also the hardest to give to?
Working on this series has begun a journey for me of changing the perspective on my days. I say 'begun' because it's still in the very early stages; often I forget about it altogether. But it has sparked a desire and when I do remember, it brings excitement and new purpose into my everyday life.
What if every time the little boy with the big, brown eyes comes begging for a story, I am given a chance to store up treasure? What if every time I'm busy and my quiet little girl is taking too long to tell me something, I have an opportunity to store up treasure? What if every time there's a squabble that needs to be settled, it is another chance to store up treasure? What if every time I allow little people to help with my work, even though it slows me down, I am storing up treasure?
On a more mundane level, what if cheerfully doing laundry is storing up treasure? Washing dishes? Cleaning bathrooms? Cooking meals? Sweeping floors? What if I looked at all the 101 mundane, daily tasks that need to be done as opportunities to invest in the lives of those closest to me?
I Timothy 5:8 may be talking specifically about providing monetarily for our families but I think we provide for them in so many more ways. If storing up treasure in Heaven is about giving and investing in other people, I think those closest to us may very well be the most important place to start. I can only begin to imagine the difference a change in perspective on my days could make for me ....she said, as her three year old interrupted her for the fifth time in one paragraph......
It is easy to look at all the many needs out there and feel useless. I want to do the big things, help the orphans and the people who have never heard about Jesus! I forget that pouring my life out in cheerful service to those closest to me has farther reaching effects than I can begin to imagine. Because I read those stories and gave those hugs and kisses, five more sets of hands and feet may someday reach more people than I ever could today.
I Timothy 5:8 ESV
We all know that the people closest to us are often the hardest to love. Maybe they're also the hardest to give to?
Working on this series has begun a journey for me of changing the perspective on my days. I say 'begun' because it's still in the very early stages; often I forget about it altogether. But it has sparked a desire and when I do remember, it brings excitement and new purpose into my everyday life.
What if every time the little boy with the big, brown eyes comes begging for a story, I am given a chance to store up treasure? What if every time I'm busy and my quiet little girl is taking too long to tell me something, I have an opportunity to store up treasure? What if every time there's a squabble that needs to be settled, it is another chance to store up treasure? What if every time I allow little people to help with my work, even though it slows me down, I am storing up treasure?
On a more mundane level, what if cheerfully doing laundry is storing up treasure? Washing dishes? Cleaning bathrooms? Cooking meals? Sweeping floors? What if I looked at all the 101 mundane, daily tasks that need to be done as opportunities to invest in the lives of those closest to me?
I Timothy 5:8 may be talking specifically about providing monetarily for our families but I think we provide for them in so many more ways. If storing up treasure in Heaven is about giving and investing in other people, I think those closest to us may very well be the most important place to start. I can only begin to imagine the difference a change in perspective on my days could make for me ....she said, as her three year old interrupted her for the fifth time in one paragraph......
It is easy to look at all the many needs out there and feel useless. I want to do the big things, help the orphans and the people who have never heard about Jesus! I forget that pouring my life out in cheerful service to those closest to me has farther reaching effects than I can begin to imagine. Because I read those stories and gave those hugs and kisses, five more sets of hands and feet may someday reach more people than I ever could today.
Monday, January 23, 2017
31 Days: The Rich In This Present Age
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be naughty, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." I Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
I have come to love these verses in I Timothy. I love them because they show that money is not actually the problem, it's the love of it; the wanting to own it, to have it. I love the idea that there is no problem with being channels of lots of money - to God be the glory! I also love them, because if any verses give us a "list" that details storing up treasure, it's these -- Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.
He's talking to the rich people but I don't think we have to have lots of money in order to give; there are so many ways to invest in other's lives. I don't think we have to have lots of money to be 'rich in this present state'. For years, swallowed up in bills to pay and money owed, it felt like we were always the takers. I think there are seasons where we may need to be ok with that. Sometimes we really aren't in a place financially to give much money away.
But we are very rich people! There are always ways to give. Some of us are rich in a godly heritage, rich in talents, rich in time, rich in wisdom, rich in love. There's no way I can cover all the many ways to give to those around us but maybe I can stir our thinking.
Just as there are many ways to give, there are also so many, many people to give to. Sometimes the needs feel overwhelming. There are people in our churches, people in our communities, people we read about on the other side of the world. Sometimes, if you're like me, it feels like there is not much a busy, stay-at-home mom can do. Maybe I need a shift in my perspective.
I have come to love these verses in I Timothy. I love them because they show that money is not actually the problem, it's the love of it; the wanting to own it, to have it. I love the idea that there is no problem with being channels of lots of money - to God be the glory! I also love them, because if any verses give us a "list" that details storing up treasure, it's these -- Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.
He's talking to the rich people but I don't think we have to have lots of money in order to give; there are so many ways to invest in other's lives. I don't think we have to have lots of money to be 'rich in this present state'. For years, swallowed up in bills to pay and money owed, it felt like we were always the takers. I think there are seasons where we may need to be ok with that. Sometimes we really aren't in a place financially to give much money away.
But we are very rich people! There are always ways to give. Some of us are rich in a godly heritage, rich in talents, rich in time, rich in wisdom, rich in love. There's no way I can cover all the many ways to give to those around us but maybe I can stir our thinking.
Just as there are many ways to give, there are also so many, many people to give to. Sometimes the needs feel overwhelming. There are people in our churches, people in our communities, people we read about on the other side of the world. Sometimes, if you're like me, it feels like there is not much a busy, stay-at-home mom can do. Maybe I need a shift in my perspective.
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