The financial crunch

Finances. Ugh. They are on the forefront of our collective mind as a nation. Fingers point. People panic. This crisis shows the reality of our hearts. We are constantly trying to get something to fill us up. That something may be a new house, a certain car, miracle make-up, crafty projects, eating out, the newest recipe, new fashions, decorator items. Name the vice and we have tried it.

It is impossible to remain untouched by greed. We think we deserve certain luxuries. We know that just one more ______ will fill us and solve our problems (or at least make us feel better for the moment). Watching TLC or HGTV on certain days can create in me the equivalent of pornography–a lust for more. I can think that I am less than because of the house I live in…or the way I look. Ever use shopping as a way to make yourself feel better? A house or clothing or food is not bad in itself, but paired with the lust in our hearts to fill ourselves with something other than God, they become bad for us. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to worry about those things–we are to seek him first and all will be added to you. Where our treasure is is where our heart is.

Everything meant for good is tainted by sin. So, we have to examine our hearts in the light of our financial decisions.
1. Can you afford what you are buying?
By afford what you have I mean–can you pay all your bills and not have debt? The big problem we have is that we are buying things on credit that we cannot afford or can barely afford. Do not get caught in the trap of keeping up with the Jones’ when you cannot afford what they have. (Hint: You do not even know if they can afford what they have–it may be smoke and mirrors.)
Take time to examine what you are spending, and make decisions with wisdom. If you have not made decisions with wisdom, get some help. (By help, I do not mean a “bail-out.” I mean start budgeting and making cuts of your spending in order to pay down your debt. You do not have to stay in this cycle.)
2. When making a purchase, ask why you need it and why you are buying it. Is this from an emotional need? Have you prayed about it? Is this wise? Self-control and self-discipline are a practice, not a gift. There are some things that you may think you need and cannot afford. This is the place we learn what true needs are and who our provider of true needs is.
3. Do not let the world dictate your decisions.
Just because you “can” do it does not mean you should do it.
For example, the bank tells you you can get a loan of $300,000 for a house. That does not give you a license to spend $300,000 on a house. That is the absolute limit. Think about the future. Think about your goals. You may be making a better decision to buying a $150,000 house so that you may invest wisely and give more money away. Just because you “have” does not mean you spend it all.
We always think, if I just made this much more, then I would be okay. In reality, people who are in debt making $30,000 a year will be in debt making $150,000 a year because they do not practice living within their means. There will always be one more thing to buy to fill ourselves or to keep up with our neighbors if we do not look at our hearts in regard to money and consumerism. This goes back to the ten commandments–do not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, etc. We need to learn contentment in Christ and where he has us. We can learn a plethora about ourselves in regards to how we deal with our finances.
4. Ask, how does this glorify God? Who and what am I treasuring through my financial decisions?
It is not as simple as do this and you are good–do this and your are bad. What is your motive? Where is your treasure?
If your treasure is here on this earth, pile up things and debt. You must get the newest fashions and send your children to the best schools and keep up with the latest housing trends. I will tell you, it is all emptiness. These things will not fill you, but follow your way. Most of us are following it–wide is the path that leads to destruction.
If your treasure is in heaven. Think about investing in people for eternal purposes. Think about how to make the most of God in your finances. It will cost you some here–friends, popularity, momentary pleasures. You will make decisions differently. You will learn that just because you can does not mean you must or will. You will learn that in a moment of weakness you might feel less than–or your children might. You may actually do some crazy outside of the box things. You may not upsize your house every 10 years. We are put here to glorify God and make known the treasure that he is–he is a treasure. Narrow is the gate and the path that leads to life. This is not easy. In fact, it is a constant battle, but it is a battle that brings true peace to the heart. Use the lack or plenty that God gives you for his glory–learn to trust.

This crisis is an opportunity for you to examine the path that you are on and what that path says about your heart. May we learn to treasure the Almighty God through his son, Jesus Christ, more than ever in this time.

Change your perspective of Mondays

Monday. It may be the most dreaded day of the week. It is the day where it all starts over again–the grind. Early mornings, meetings, projects, work, homework, routine, conflict, fatigue, frustration, loneliness, packed schedules start again up the hill towards the top of the roller coaster that we look forward to riding down on the weekend.
We live for Friday when we can enjoy ourselves, and there is something wrong with that. We are made to enjoy and glorify God in everything we do, and yet we relegate life for our pleasure and comfort. We are made for hard work, and we can glorify God in that with our attitudes, our passions, our discipline, our hearts. We are also made to be refreshed in him weekly. When we do not spend time IN HIM to rest and be refreshed, our weariness grows. Everyday then feels like a Monday:).
As I woke up from a less than restful night’s sleep with my mind filled with lists and dreads of the week, I stopped and thought that this is an opportunity. This week is a gift. I am not alone in it–the creator and sustainer of the universe is here with me. He has redeemed me giving me life and hope beyond belief no matter what conflict or pain or frustration comes up. For some reason, he gives me life today. It is a specific reason–to know him and to bring him glory and point others toward the gift that is Him. I am not promised anything more than today. What am I going to do with it?
In a week that has brought more than a little anxiety to our country through a financial crisis, I could live in dread. However, I am reminded to live in thanks. May I be thankful for the opportunity of this day. May I be thankful that I have relationship and opportunity to minister to so many. May I be thankful for inconveniences because most of the time they are blessings (if I have my thinking on straight).
Life is hard and exhausting, but in Christ, we have a hope that goes beyond any circumstantial tragedy. We have to choose to remember that, and many times, remembering is the hardest discipline. It is easier to fall to the pattern of this world and numb ourselves with entertainment (the reason we live for the weekend), comfort, consumerism (buying things to fill ourselves up–the reason we are a nation of debt), makeovers of self and home (to cover over hurts instead of dealing with them) , etc. Life has many more weekdays in which we are to live lives fully engaged.

So, today, pray to see opportunity. Pray to step up in faith to the plate and see where God is moving for you to join him. Look for opportunities to love that hard person in your office, home, or classroom. Pray to see how the things that seem inconvenient in your life are really blessings (for what in life worth sharing is not hard at times–or most of the time?). Remember the transforming truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how that is the ULTIMATE hope and blessing.

End of the week–that’s a wrap

This has been quite a productive week. After being sick last week, I had a lot to catch up on. However, this was not a week of mere tasks but relationship and facilitation. I began leading two new groups with Women’s Discipleship Concepts. I had the refreshing opportunity to meet with women who have had a lot more life experience than me. It is a joy to hear the stories and see the wisdom and dependence on God that come after heartache and joys and perseverance through life. The groups have been formed in order to equip these women to disciple other women on the journey.
I have been reminded that we all feel inadequate, but God is faithful. In the preparation for these groups, I have reflected on the ways God has taught me about following him and leading others. He is so faithful. Three things came up in my reflection:
1) We are all different–With various personalities, giftings, nuances, experiences there is not a cookie cutter way to disciple others. A disciple-maker and the disciple both are unique. It is a relationship and not a program. Therefore, it is a challenge and joy at the same time.
2) The truth is the same–In a postmodern age that says experience trumps any objective truth, our hearts deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9), but the truth is found in His word. Our creator, God, shares the ultimate truth with us through his word. Through interacting with and learning his truth, we learn to know him and live in the way he made us to live.
3) The gospel is the center of life–all other things are periphery. Many women and people in the church want to talk about themselves–dating, marriage, children, beauty, conflict, self-esteem, etc. Those things are periphery. People with just peripheral vision are considered blind. If we talk about and learn about periphery without living in and learning about the truth and transformation of the gospel, we have missed it all. The cross is the center–Jesus righteous life, sacrificial death and ressurection–and God drawing us to himself to bring us life is the reason. Living and breathing the gospel daily is our only hope. Through the gospel, we are invited to know God, relate with him and glorify him. The peripheral things should only be filtered through the gospel. God’s word points us to this continually.

It is exciting to embark on this journey with women who are gracious, loving, wise and imperfect. May we cling to Christ as we learn to pour into others!

Bible Study

I just read a blog today that was really interesting. Uneasy thoughts have been swirling around in my head for the last 6 months to a year about this particular topic, and the blog writer gave me some vocabulary in my thinking. I know many people who read this who will disagree, but I wanted to address it.
When people speak of women’s Bible study these days, the name Beth Moore is not far from their tongue. I have been to a couple of her conferences–one a pastor’s wives conference and one a Deeper Still conference last year. I did one study of hers about the tabernacle about 6 years ago or more in a small group. So, I am not a person who has read every one of her books, however, I am not naive about her either. She is a captivating speaker and writer. She is funny, engaging and very charismatic. Her love for God is obvious.
I do not see eye to eye with her theologically on some things, but I had not been too concerned. Most of the time I was not interested in doing her studies because, for me, my time with God just ended up being filling out blanks instead of pure Bible study, prayer, etc, and I did not want that “blank” pressure. In thinking about discipleship and teaching others, I am concerned that many people do her studies and yet do not seem any more biblically literate or mature than they were in the first place. I hear more of a Beth said this and Beth said that than bringing together the fullness of God’s word.
Millions of women are content for her (and/or others) to do the work of Bible study for them because they do not know what to do with the Bible by itself. The problem becomes that it is not just Bible study. Any writer interjects personal inferences, assumptions and experiences. I think a greater growth and worth would come from women actually learning to study the word, researching the historical context, cross-referencing, looking for context, etc. than merely looking for how the word applies to certain circumstances in their lives (devotional thought). I am not a Bible scholar (I want to be), but I am learning more and more with each book of the Bible that I study that there is so much more there than meets the devotional eye.
God is brilliant–everything fits together and is purposed in his word, and he shared it with us. I am going through the book of Hosea right now with a young woman that I meet with, and I am utterly amazed at the beauty of God’s character and purposes revealed. I am ashamed to say it, but I am just now learning the way Old Testament books work–that the history is before the prophets. So, I have been looking in 2 Kings to trace the kings and the history of the time of Hosea as I am reading through Hosea. It becomes fuller, and I rejoice in the gospel all that much more. Disciples are made, when they learn something and can do it on their own and teach it, as well. I have learned the most when I have been challenged the most. It’s like the old saying, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’
I have a challenge for you…open the Bible and study it. It will be more work, but with hard work comes great reward. Ask the Spirit to ‘open your eyes that you may see wonderful things in his law.’ I bet you will grow more in the heart and mind and strength to love God, and you might be more apt to see devotional teaching that is “off” instead of just swallowing it.
If you look in Christian bookstores, you would think women are pink and fluffy and really into butterflies, and I challenge you to go beyond that stereotype. Challenge the women around you to dig in to God’s word–it is a feast. For a helpful guide to get you started–
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth and
How to Study the Bible Book by Bookby Gordon Fee.

I end by saying that I do not think that Beth Moore is the devil. I am uncomfortable with her approach to some things (see the aforementioned blog). I am very uncomfortable with her materials being the only Bible study you do–as I would imagine she would be, as well. I want to see women grow in knowledge and practice and love for God. His Spirit teaches us through his word, and we are called to grow in maturity through hiding it in our hearts, meditating and delighting in it. So, do it!

Anxiety and Doubt

Nothing like crazy thoughts in the middle of the night to highlight the landscape of your faith. I had one of those nights last night–a mixture of Nyquil, sickness, and the true state of my heart. I have been off of my rhythm of fellowship with God this week, so I have not interfaced with truth. I realized that as I lay awake last night in a sea of worry. It was like I could not muster an ounce of faith. I was a master of doubt and anxiety.
I have been sick this week, and my mind has been cloudy. As I have been on the couch, mindless things have been feeding my brain and heart, but they are not so mindless. After hours of tv, thoughts like, “if I just had this much more money, I would feel safe.” Thoughts like–”just go get a job, the support will never come in.” “What are you doing anyway? You are a fool.” “Do you think you know anything to share with anyone?” “You will be so old when you are a mom that you will not be able to be there for your children.” And my favorite, “how do I get my dog to stop climbing over the fence?” (true story…and if you have free suggestions, we need them.)
How am I overcome so quickly? A good portion of being overcome is being disconnected from God. It does not take long for his truth to ground me, but it also does not take long for the opposite to occur– for lies to disarm me. I have been worried about money and leadership and our future, and I have kept feeding my soul and mind with this world’s view of provision instead of God’s. My world tells me that a savings account is my safety, that luxuries and ease are deserved, and that comfort of circumstance is the true measure of a good life.
Yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity of sitting in on a conversation with a man I respect and a girl I meet with. They were speaking about the future, life plans, etc. A word of wisdom meant for her ripped at my heart. He said that the best place to be is in need to have to depend on God’s provision because you are in a place of faith instead of depending on yourself or your circumstances. It is not a revolutionary thought, but my eyes were opened to the reality of my heart. There have been places that have been much easier in my life, and I began to think that it was my doing and my resources. I have trusted in them instead of God. (I did not acknowledge that, but that was the reality). I have spent this week worrying about things instead of taking them to God and acknowledging that in every area of life I need him. I am in a place that is a gift to know God and see God, but I have been about me.
My desire would be to wrap this post up with a nice bow of how my faith has moved mountains today. The truth is, I see how I need to spend much time and energy praying, examining my heart, confessing the areas of lack of trust in my Father, and remembering his faithfulness. I think on my friend, Daniel, who is in an extremely trying time (that is an understatement) and whose faith in Christ and his power is the hope that’s carrying him. That is not on sheer whim, but it is on the bedrock of God’s truth, provision and faithfulness. I must remember the bedrock of God’s provision, and pray for faith.

“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anthing is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:6-8

Prayer

On the Women’s Discipleship Concepts site I wrote a blog on prayer.

Who does your scheduling?

It has been awhile since I have written a post. Last week, we had Crossroad 3 nights in a row and the next night I had a meeting, as well. I, then, went out of town this weekend and got to see some friends. I, unfortunately did not sleep well.
In the midst of a busy week, I did not accomplish a lot. A new saying that I have is “if you do not schedule your time, it will schedule you.” We have so many “good” things pulling us. As we all know, good things can become detrimental to our lives. Moderation and discipline in our lives help us live with self-control and purpose.
This year, more than ever, I have begun to appreciate the necessity of discipline in all things of life:
1. My relationship with God– in prayer and his word–learning, confessing and repenting, growing, serving.
John 15:5 reminds me that apart from him, I can do nothing. Colossians 1 reminds me that Jesus is the center and purpose of everything, so that makes him the ultimate priority that encompasses every part of my life.
2. My relationship with Greg, my husband.
I have to purposefully think of him and how to spend time with him and do things with him that are not just about me. I have tried to set aside Fridays. It is his day off most of the time, and it is a day that I try not schedule things with Women’s Discipleship Concepts. If I do not think of him purposefully, unfortunately, he would easily be last. Is it not easiest to ignore those who are already there? He is stuck with me, but we have committed first to each other above all things. Commitment takes purpose to live out, and it takes time to nurture this relationship. Because our lives are around ministry, we have people and commitments pulling us all the time, and we have to purposefully set boundaries. I lived this growing up in a minister’s family, and I know for our survival and growth that we must take this time.
3. Relationships with extended family and friends.
This, my friends, is where I do not do so well. I have so many people asking me to meet or help them–which is a good thing, that I can flounder in this area because my time and emotional resources are low. I do better at phone conversations than I do pulling away to meet up. I have such intense conversations all through the week with people that I minister to, that if I do not guard myself, I would pull away from everyone in sheer exhaustion. I realize that I am not a pursuer in friendships. I want to be better and grow to be purposeful with the time I can enjoy with others.
4. Ministry–
My goal this week is to sit down and actually schedule my time with boundaries. Ministry can become a boundaryless job quickly because it is so relational and because it is hard to tell people no when you are talking about God. However, I cling to the fact that Jesus, God himself, pulled away and made boundaries to be refreshed in his Father. He had people clawing to get near him, and sometimes he would disappear.
This year, I have clung to observing the Sabbath on Sundays. It is easy to give up the boundaries to try to help someone else with their schedule, but I am learning to guard it. God gave us that command for a distinct purpose. He made us and knows our tendencies. He wants us to be refreshed in him–the life-giver. In that, though, I have also seen that he wants us to work hard giving him the glory the other six days. So, it is making the most use of my time to plan, study, clean, meet with women, etc. Working from home and having to be self-motivated to lead in ministry, I definitely need a schedule. So, today, I am making a schedule for each week right down to the time I go grocery shopping, spend time on the computer, and develop curriculum.
5. Purposefully looking beyond those in my inner circle to share the hope and life of Christ.
I have been praying the Lord’s prayer a lot lately, but I have elaborated more on his kingdom coming to all areas of my life (people) and beyond. I have begun to pray for my neighborhood, the city of Knoxville and workplaces therein, and beyond the US. This is a discipline. Usually I think of ME, and I am praying to be disciplined to think beyond me as we are called to do.
6. Exercise
I have never loved exercise. I have always admired runners. One time I tried it–I admire runners even more, now. However, in this last month and an half, I have seen the huge necessity of exercise in my life more than ever. I have made exercise part of my discipline. God made our bodies to be renewed by eating healthy and getting exercise. My thoughts and energy are so much better for the work to be done. This year, I have lost weight, and I have more energy than I ever have. With everything, there is a healthy balance. This can get way out of hand in the lives of women when their worth comes from this goal instead of being renewed in Christ. So, when I speak of exercise and eating, I speak in caution that this is not THE answer–Christ is the answer.

My biggest time suckers that start off “good” and can become destructive:
1. The computer–email, facebook, blogs and do it all again. I have gotten better by not doing any of these things on the weekend, but I am going to actually limit the number of times I check it a day. An hour is sucked away more quickly on the computer than with anything else I do. I learn so much from time on the computer, but I waste so much too. I am going to set a timer to get my stuff done, and when the time is up–I have to go on to the next thing. I need less noise–and all this information and even cyber relationships become noise.
2. TV.
I can sit down to enjoy a show–nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong with making it my escape or my number. I try not to watch it during the day except for quick bursts or if I am doing something else. Again, need less noise…

So, my question to you–Are you scheduling your time or is it scheduling you?

Check it out

Well, Liz and I have been working on the blog for Women’s Discipleship Concepts this week. It is not fully finished yet, but check it out. I hope to have resources and encouragements there soon!

Heavy week, silly reading

      In many ways, this has been a heavy week–actually a heavy few weeks.  A friend of our family and co-worker of Greg’s, Jeff Hill,  passed away this week.  My friend, Daniel, has gotten very sobering news about his cancer.  And, in no stratosphere near those two things, I have been pouring through tax documents to apply for tax deductible giving status for Women’s Discipleship Concepts.  I am officially turning in that application today! 

      I spend a lot of time thinking about serious things, and I have had more alone time lately, so I am always in a brain run-a-round.  However, this morning in my blog reading, I ran across a piece that I thought was hilarious.  Maybe it is because I can be a bit of a nerd or theology junkie, but you have to check this out–I laughed out loud.  All I am saying is it is about puppets. 

     I only have a few comments to make about puppets…I practiced the art of puppetry on a mission trip in 1990 to Maine.  When I was supposed to be moving the puppet’s mouth to “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” my puppet looked like it should be drooling with it’s mouth wide open and head to the side.  Puppets creep me out a little bit, and I was not aware that they were even still around…but this article proves they are.

    Humor me.  Read the article.  Even if you do not get it, you can picture me laughing hard and wonder where my sanity has gone.

Wake up

In the last few days, I have read some blogs that have made me aware of the violence and persecution against Christians in India, especially in the last few weeks. They need our prayers. We, as Americans, have more than enough of so many things that we almost become numb to the needs around us. We are high on stuff and circumstances and the “cares” of “our” world.
I know of several people who have been to India this year for various reasons, and I also sponsor a Compassion child, Tanuja, there. More than anything, our brothers and sisters in Christ are being threatened, their houses and churches burned, and some beaten and killed. Please pray, and please read this update. Take time today to be awakened to needs around the world and to pray for those needs. It may just put your struggle in perspective. This is nothing we should be surprised about–it is promised. But, this is something that we should actively love our brothers and sisters in by praying and seeing where we can help.