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"Giving Gratefully on Tax Day"  April, 2015

4/15/2015

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" all shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you."Deuteronomy 16:17

Listen to:  Hezekiah Walker, "Every Praise" 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuuZMg6NVeA

 

Today is Tax day. Some of us last minute filers are scrambling around to assemble the paperwork necessary that must be postmarked by midnight tonight.  Others are partying, many are protesting and demonstrating.  We pay too much in taxes.  Our taxes aren't spent wisely. We should pay more in taxes.  We have an unfair tax system.  There  are deeply help views whichever way you turn!
 
When God led the people of Israel forth into the Promised Land, they came with laws and decrees on how they were to live as a people that instilled  acts of giving and taxing that supported the temple, the poor in the community and later the king and his retinue.   Taxes have been around a long, long time.   In the Hebrew scriptures (and later in the Christian writings), people were taught, apart from taxes, that giving was a honor, a spiritual habit that reflects the God's Holy Spirit in us.  Giving is a grace-filled act. We give because God first gave, and continually gives, generously. Look around us. God gave us life. Creation. Jesus.  Our abilities and our challenges. Spiritual gifts.  Guidance, options, opportunities and answers. Forgiveness, over and over again. So much more.   What is it Jesus says? "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)"    

 God has created us to be givers, not hoarders.   Hoarding,  or the  "building bigger barns" syndrome Jesus describes when a rich man tears down his barn to build a bigger one to store his wealth instead of sharing it (Luke 12:18) results in a spiritual "tax penalty" for us.  Our souls are created to give, to flow, and to passon blessings to others.  While we may not want to write out that check to Uncle Sam, we may want to take a second look at how we are giving of ourselves.  Are we honestly sharing enough?  God, who has held nothing back, would have us live in the joy of giving.



Our brother Paul reminds us: " Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. " (2 Corinthians 9:7).  So this isn't about laying a guilt trip.  This isn't about shaming anyone.   What is it about it awaking each of us to the essence of goodness that God has planted within: a goodness of caring, sharing and giving; giving consistently. To give in a disciplined fashion and give to someone/charity/church in need that cannot pay you back. To give not for a thank you but to say thank you to God who has given us so much.

Have you paid your "gratitude" tax today?  Give 10 thank yous to God and others.

Prayer:  "God of Giving:  Teach me to give so I might be a giver of love, a creator of miracles in your name."


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"Like a Crocus Flower" April, 2015

4/2/2015

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"When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104:30"

Listen to: 
Soweto Gospel Choir - Ahuna Ye Tswanang Le Jesu Kammatla  (There's No One Like Jesus)   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzsOUC-xw5A&list=RDkzsOUC-xw5A#t=6 

Last week I nearly had a car accident!  I was driving along when I noticed a sight that nearly made we weep. an entire  hilly corner at an intersection, normally covered with advertising and seasonal gimmicks, was instead flooded with crocuses. The area was blanketed with their purple blossoms. I had been waiting for weeks to see my little friends as an indicator that winter was waning and spring was on its way.  Here they were, en masse, triumphant. Silent but so brilliant I wanted to stop the car in the middle of traffic, gaze at them and say "thank you!  It's so good to finally see you!"  To me they are nature's herald of what our faith teaches: death could not hold Jesus in the grave (Acts 2:24). Life triumphs.

As we enter the Easter season, we are reminded that life indeed is constantly in motion.  Throughout our lives we grow, change, die, reform, regenerate, re-become, resurrect.  This is all a pattern that reflects our eternal destiny. We find this not only in ourselves but built into the fabric of the cosmos and in nature.  In reacting to all this, our Easter readings convey the doubts, fears, amazement and  misunderstandings of the early believers.  We are no different. We can take comfort that the road of life is not always straight forward, but one filled with challenges, questions, dilemmas as wells as comforts, surprises and joys.

That is why I love the crocus flower so much.  It is a delicate, beautiful flower, but it is able to withstand great winds and bitter weather. It is designed to bear the harshness of winter and survive under severe conditions.  They brighten a cold, bleak environment with their vibrant color.  As we live our life of faith together, we are equipped like crocuses to withstand the harsh winters of life with grace, prayer, faithful action and worship.  We too can represent the ability to get through hard times with the help of God, others and that inner strength that comes out of the depths of our souls.  Also, crocuses have come to symbolize gladness and cheerfulness, and are often given to represent joy and tokens of friendship. So crocuses represent the development of gladness and cheerfulness in the face of trial.  What better flower could we emulate this Easter, as we help people through their difficulties and model strength, courage and new life we have received through Christ?

One last interesting point.  Did you know that saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is extracted from some varieties of the crocus plant?  imagine that.  A beautiful flower, that withstands the harshest of elements, signals new beginnings,  brings us beauty, chooses cheerfulness, is the most valued of spices, and even has healing purposes. From such a small flower comes so much. God in his wisdom has given us a true gift to ponder in a beautiful flower which reflects the Gift we have received in Christ,  as we ponder the mysteries of the Easter season.   

What difficulties are you coming through?
Where do you see signs of new life emerging?
How can you relate to the crocus flower -- does your faith sometimes feel like the crocus?
Have you received God's gift of friendship in Jesus?

Prayer:  "God of the crocus,  thank you for nature and all its gifts. Grace us with us strength to endure and in bloom wherever we are. May we reflect your love and the friendship of  your divine Son Jesus."




  


 




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"Expand Your Spiritual Boundaries!" April 2015

4/1/2015

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“ LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night  my heart instructs me. (Psalm 16:5-7)”


Listen: Babbie Mason,  "God Will Open Up the Windows"
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaitqrqaXzI

 
This past week, we happened to be perusing maps, and we were looking at how unusual the shape of Michigan is.  Why was the Upper Peninsula ultimately ceded to Michigan and not Wisconsin?  So we delved a little further and discovered a bit of history that I certainly did not know – even as a former Ohioan.  The Michigan-Ohio War of 1835-1836 was about a dispute over 468 sq. foot area known as the Toledo strip.  Both states (well, Michigan didn’t become a state until January 26, 1827) did not want to let go of the disputed territory.  Finally Congress offered a compromise that gave Ohio the Toledo strip and the Upper Peninsula to Michigan. At first this compromise seemed unfair – the Toledo area was bustling.  The Upper Peninsula was unexplored, Indian territory and cold!  However the area that once appeared worthless was discovered to have large mineral deposits. Thank goodness it was a bloodless battle, and continues to play out in the friendly rivalry in the arena of football, between Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Wolverines.

 Countless wars have been fought over geographical boundaries in world history.  As human beings, we go through our days careful of physical and emotional boundaries.   Some people lay too much claim to our time, perhaps touching us in ways that feel too close for comfort, or incite guilt or shame to get us to do something we don’t want to.  It is important to recognize we have spiritual boundaries as well.  These boundaries have been laid down for us in the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures.  We often do not live into the boundaries God has determined for us.  We are afraid to stretch ourselves to give and love as Christ has taught us.  We don’t believe that God loves us and forgives us, so we refuse to embark into the land of reconciliation and promise. We feel more comfortable remaining in our spiritually cramped and stunted quarters.   We seek bigger and beautiful homes for our bodies but are content to consign our soul to a darkened, cramped closet.   This is not how we are created to live!   

 This year, let us plan to remodel our spiritual abode.  It’s time to bring our spiritual lives up to code – and attend to it as we do our renovations of our kitchens and bathrooms and gardens.  Time for a new coat of paint?  How about helping out someone in need?   Nothing like volunteering on a regular basis to pick up our spirits.  Is your home modern and pristine but your interior life reckons back to the 1950s?  Get involved in a spiritual community, read the scriptures, let Jesus speak to your life – not the Jesus portrayed in mass media, but the Jesus who lives in the pages of the gospels.   

Have your vacation all planned out for 2015? Now it’s time to let God take your life in positive directions.  Let God increase the boundaries of your heart. Let God show that the boundary lines have indeed fallen in good places, places once unexplored and considered worthless are treasure troves waiting to enrich our lives.

Where are your current spiritual boundary lines?  To where does God want to expand them?

 
Pray:  “God widen my boundaries so that I might grow into the person you created me to be.”


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"Accepting Each Other, Accepting Our Selves" Lent, 2015

4/1/2015

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"Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.  Romans 15:7"


 Weapons of Hope (sweet homemade version of TobyMac's hit "Get Back Up")   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v06qohB0HpI
Toby Mac  "Get Back Up"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5OqyBYKh4

For some several months now I have been playing Lumosity brain games.  One of my favorites is "Train of Thought" where the object is to direct different color trains into their correct station.  Often the game speeds up and I can't keep up -- so the trains just pile into one wrong station after another, with a bong, bong, bong to alert me to my mistake.  

The last few weeks have felt like a minor train wreck.  It's been one thing after another, some significant and some minor. In the process some important things have slipped through the cracks. Other items had to be postponed. Nothing I did felt good enough.  On top of it all has been all the snow, wind, and cold!  In the midst of the challenges we have struggled to make Sabbath moments, knowing how important they are.   But it just doesn't seem to be enough. As I approached the second week of E-lift, uninspired, I felt tempted to give it up.  I can't keep up, I thought.  I can't put together a decent thought. Why go through this effort week in and week out?  Very subtly I felt myself tempted back to a familiar place of isolation, defeat and self-pity.

 Then in the peaceful space of our Ash Wednesday service I heard once more those powerful words of Psalm 51:1: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions."

I felt a nudge and recalled Paul's words:  "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor. 10:13"   Temptations and trials are a normal part of life.  It doesn't mean we are bad people -- even if we have made bad choices. We can fall 1000 times but God still is waiting to pick us up 1001th time.  We are supported through the train wrecks by God's steadfast love.

 Friends, this week’s e-lift is not quite together.  It’s still a little wobbly as it gets back on its feet. However, as God’s instrument, it will stand again.  It is a reminder to all of us that the important thing is just to get back up.  God will take care of the rest.  In the face of our trials and temptations to give up, the reformer Martin Luther reminds us:

 “This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”

With that said, let us journey through Lent together, helping each other stand as God would have us.  Here are 40 crippling attitudes and habits that keep us spiritually down.  Let’s give them up!  Lent is the perfect time to spend time in spiritual house cleaning.  Which of these speak to you?

 Fear of Failure  – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
Your Comfort Zone – It’s outside our comfort zones where new discoveries are made.
Feelings of Unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (seePsalm 139:14)
Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.
Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. Our work is not always tied to a paycheck.
People Pleasing – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please.
Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.
Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.
Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.
Over-commitment – Do less better and accomplish more.
Lack of Counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
Impurity – Live lives pure and without blemish.
Entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.
Apathy – Life is too short not to care.
Hatred – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic.
The Spirit of Poverty – Believe that with God there is always more than enough and never a lack.
Going Through the Motions – The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back.
Complaint – Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution.
The Pursuit of Happiness – God wants something greater and more lasting than happiness. It is called joy.
Bitterness – The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.
Distraction – Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize.
Giving up – God never gives up on us.
Mediocrity – If you are going to do something, then give it all you got.
Destructive Speech – Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching (see Hebrews 10:25).
Busyness – It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance.
Loneliness – With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go.
Disunity – If two of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father (see Matthew 18:19)
The Quick Fix – Rarely does true transformation happen overnight.
Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help.
Idolizing – Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to.
Resistance to Change – Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change.
Pride – Blessed are the humble.
Small View of God – Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Ungratefulness – You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize.
Selfish Ambition – God has a mission for me that is bigger than me.
Self-Sufficiency – Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through him (see Philippians 4:13)
Gossip – I will not take pleasure in talking about others behind their backs.
Self-Centeredness – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25.)

 
Pray:  "God, help me when the trials of life are so strong and I am so weak at times. Help me stand in your name."

 (I regret the a credit is missing here.  When I find it I'll include it!)

 

 

 


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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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