Update #72

“They put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44

View from the Los Gatos Property Deck

Where is your focus? I once was told if you wanted to assess what was important to you look at your spending. Who benefits the most from your money…you, in personal luxuries like a pedicure, brow wax, facial or massage? Or does your money mainly benefit others - mission organizations? Or do your belongings and loved ones garner the greatest gain - your car, your house, your family, your rockin’ surround-sound system?

I used to joke that I should buy stock in Papyrus, Hallmark and Long’s Drug Stores because that is where a lot of my money ended up. Where does your money go? The money that isn’t relegated to bills, tithing, and miscellaneous expenses?

I was challenged recently to view currency from God’s viewpoint. The viewpoint of Kingdom. God doesn’t place value on money – man does. God’s doesn’t use currency but he controls it.

There is a little book called The Wealth Conundrum (http://www.wealthconundrum.com/) that outlines this well – I highly recommend it. If you are a fast reader it will take you one evening. It is written from the view point of a greedy money manager who was redeemed. The contents will surprise you.

One thing that really struck me is the author’s definition of long-term investing. I defined long-term investing as stocks, bonds, IRA’s, retirement funds, etc. He doesn’t. He views these as “short term” because they don’t effect eternity. Whoa.

Ok, so how do I effect eternity? Easy - by sowing into God’s purposes, God’s plans, and God’s people. I have heard so many excuses as to why people don’t sow…my house, my family, my needs, insurance, bills, car expenses…basically, they are putting themselves and their needs in front of God’s heart and what he is crying for (this isn’t new, read Haggai).

“I don’t have enough.” “My money is all accounted for before I even get my paycheck.” Hogwash. A quarter, dollar, or nickel can be sown for God’s use and he can multiply it! Remember the story of the widow at the coffers in the latter half of Mark 12?

“Where do I sow my money? My church?” – Good question. Ask God what he wants. Churches are a good place to start, but not the only place God is moving, shaking and bringing people closer to himself. There are tons of organizations that are fund deficient and making an impact for God – find one that fits your passion and sow for eternity!

Again, I ask you, what and where is your focus? Is it earthly - on the here and now; or is it Kingdom – eternal benefit and reaping? Where is your money plowed?

Updates:
Living – I am living with my relatives, the Johnsons have made an offer on a property in Los Gatos (that was accepted on the 16th) so I may be moving in the next few months.
Work – working mainly from home (whoo hoo!) – and I commute to meetings. It is such a blessing having a home with Wi-Fi, a printer, copier…and AIR CONDITIONING!
Travel – heading to Tahoe over the 4th of July holiday weekend to meet with friends from Seattle who are coming down for a conference

Requests:
Housing – abundant provision for the property…$2 million+ is needed by the 15th August. When they move I will look for a little space somewhere close to them.
Work – for the upcoming training – we need a coordinator and recruits! Also for perseverance through this transitory time – it is hard being scattered, working virtual, and trying to stay on top of “the next thing.”
Purpose – I really feel part of my purpose is intercession and am taking a class that is quite in-depth. Pray that I can assimilate what I am learning and figure out how to best share it with others.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.

Dena

PS I read another great book recently; every person who calls themselves a Christ-follower should read it. Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson…prepare to have your worldview remade!

Update #71

“You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6

Sequim, WA shoreline

When I say the word “intimacy” of what do you think? What words or pictures come to your mind? I asked a guy this question, without pause, he said: “Sex.” Yeah, well, that is intimate, but, I think “intimacy” so much, much more than physicality.

All of us want to be known - known for whom we really are and what we really desire. We want our hopes, our dreams, our aspirations acknowledged and accepted. We want transparency without the fear of being hurt. Basically, we want to be known, loved and accepted unconditionally. We want those around us to “into me see” – intimacy.

Most of us seek “into me see” with other people. We seek it from parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, bosses, peer groups, churches, community groups, worship teams, fellowship ministries, mission trip teams, pastors, counselors…none of which are wrong. The difficulty is we all have post-conception add-on filters producing perception distortion. These filters, put in position by past life experiences and pain, cause our worldview lens to be colored, warped, and distorted; rendering relationship with others blurred and not entirely true. (This can be overcome of course, but it is work; look at any marriage relationship.)

So where do we turn for true “into me see”? Where do we find someone whose perception isn’t altered by history and suffering? There is only one being who is free of pain filters, past experience filters, problems parent filters, difficult relative filters, tough teacher filters, arduous relationship filters…and that is (surprise) God. God sees us for who we are, what we are, where we are, how we are – his vision is clear, transparent, and plain. He knows us and loves us unconditionally.

Unfortunately, the intimacy relationship with God is mostly one sided – he loves unconditionally; we have a multi-layered filter problem. He loves, we need lens cleaner. He loves, we miss the mark. He loves, we mis-interpret. He loves, we judge.

It is work, on our part, to have intimacy with God. We need to discover our “filters” and clean or dislodge them in order to see and understand God clearly. Do you want a deeper relationship with someone who already loves you for who you are all your bumps and lumps included? Do you want to be “known” deeply and truly? I do and I am willing to put in the work to extricate extraneous filters and lacquered lenses that are in the way…are you willing to do the same?

If you are, simply ask God where your acuity is altered. He’ll show you. He has shown me. Greater “into me see” with God, I feel, equals greater freedom in life.

Updates:
Living – I am back in the San Francisco Bay area and currently living with my relatives (God bless them), the Johnsons have made an offer on a property in Los Gatos so I may be moving in the next few months.
Work – working from anyplace that has wi-fi internet access…cafés, libraries, at home…and out of the trunk of my car!
Seattle – The weather was warmer than San Francisco while I was there (thank you God) but I did go on a hike in the snow! My open house was a huge success – it was fun to see my hard-body girlfriends (Pam the mountaineer and Dory the Boston marathoner) pregnant!

Requests:
Housing – provision for the property the Johnson’s have made an offer…$2 million needed by the first part of August…and for my little space somewhere!
Work – for the upcoming training – we need a coordinator and recruits! Also for perseverance through this transitory time – it is hard being scattered, working virtual, and trying to stay on top of “the next thing.”
Purpose – I really feel part of my purpose is intercession and am taking a class that is quite in-depth – pray that I can assimilate what I am learning!
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.

Dena