Update #92

“Never worry about anything, but in every situation let your petitions be made known to God in prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ISV)

Jamie, Jodie and I with baby Rhys

I recently spoke with one of my regular donors and asked them if the financial “crisis” has had much effect on them. They laughed and responded with “our business has increased 60% - we are so busy!”

I asked once if they’d ever had financial hardship – and they said yes – but quickly followed with “but we still gave to all God had put on our hearts.” Then they told me several stories of how God would cover all their needs when they were faithful and obedient to give towards His.

Isn’t that just like God? This donor is generous…not just with me but with several others. This benefactor has been “sowing” their money for years and years and years…and now they are reaping a harvest! Ha!

I know several people who are monetarily blessed. I know several persons who are able to spend hundreds of dollars on themselves every month – going out to nice restaurants, buying new clothes, living in the trendiest areas, garnering the latest technical toys, seeing the newest movies, plays, ballets, operas. Not that this is bad – having a bit of fun is a good thing!

But who benefits from the spending in the end? Look at your expenditures – how do the personal investment vs. God investment profiles compare? For most Americans the former is very heavy and the latter is paltry. I recently was exposed the fact that more than one out of four Americans give away no money at all - not even $5 per year (C. Smith, M. Emerson, and P. Snell, Passing the Plate ). And this is in the CHRISTIAN community!

Why don’t people give? They worry that they won’t have enough for themselves, they worry they will invest in the wrong organization, they worry their money will be misused or wrongly allocated, they worry their money won’t get to the end user, they worry, worry, worry, worry – and keep the funds locked up in an investment account somewhere awaiting the “right time” to give.

The right time is now! When the world is battening down the hatches, when the world is pulling back, when the world is hauling in, hunkering down the Christians need to respond in the opposite spirit and GIVE!

In God’s economy givers receive; they are renewed and rewarded. God knows who his distributers are; he knows who seeds his money his way and in his timing. He knows who to keep “in the green.”

The challenge is giving up control and having faith. Surrendering your nicely allocated budget, letting God rearrange funds, and give to others when it doesn’t make sense. The hardest part is having faith to wait watch Him fill the monetary holes in his way and in his timing. Yep, it can be stressful; but honestly, you get used to walking the financial razors edge, get used to having God come through, and get used to telling “cool stories” about what God has done.

The question is do you want to put yourself out there on the razors edge and have God control where your money goes? If not, why? What are you afraid of?

Oh, and PS – tithing doesn’t count – the Bible says that 10% is Gods anyway. So, that means “giving” is BEYOND the 10%. What’s in your wallet and how are you going to spend it?

Updates:
Living – No bites on the condo as yet…we had a realtor walk through last week and I am hoping for traffic to increase. I need to sell before the special assessment kicks in.
Work – Our training weekend away or “The Big Weekend” (TBW) is April 3-5. Lots of “spiritual good stuff” happens there – I am excited!
Health – I revisited a local swing dance this last week and my ankle lasted about an hour and a half before it pooped out! Encouraged by this I signed up for a class…watch out Naug, I am finally learning Bal!
Social – My twin bed doubles as a couch in my living room…and it has had a lot of use lately! People have been dropping by for tea, to watch movies, have dinner, and some end up staying over…So Fun!
Finances – God is amazing. About a month ago I felt I was to go to a writer’s conference but didn’t have the funds to cover the fees. I opened my mail and there was an insurance reimbursement check that would cover the cost of the conference AND bridge toll fare! HA! Go God!

Requests:
Work – For TBW and for our upcoming staff travel schedule – South Africa, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Harvard Area
Intimacy with God – To minister you have to be filled…not depleted. I need to stop by the fountain on a more regular basis!
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.

PS Thanks for praying for my friend Jodie – she had a gorgeous baby boy. Rhys Andrew Cottrill entered the world at 8:28am on March 16th!

Update #91a

My condo is on the market!

See http://www.michaelmenin.com/

• Click View My Listings
• It is the second one labeled SAMMAMISH RIVER
• Click View Details
• Run your mouse over the pictures to see a larger view

If you know anyone who may be, might be, could be, possibly be interested in purchasing it for themselves or as an investment property have them contact my realtor: Michael Menin (425) 450-5264.

Thanks for the help!

Dena

Update #91

“Discipline for the present indeed does not seem to be joyous, but grievous; but afterward it gives back peaceable fruit of righteousness to the ones having been exercised by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (LITV)

Tres Amigas: Jamie, Me and Jodie

Some time ago I was chatting with an acquaintance I had approached to help me with a retreat I was coordinating. They said they were too busy. I felt compassion and asked what their weekly schedule looked like. They responded with a litany: Monday, BSF; Tuesday, The Thing; Wednesday, mid week church service; Thursday, community group; Friday – well I have to leave that open, I might have a date; Saturday, sleep in and then play with my friends in the afternoon and evening; Sunday, church, late lunch and hanging out with my friends.

I stood there speechless, shocked and too stunned to speak. I nodded my head and agreed that they were busy. But speculated; were they “busy” with the right things?

I left the conversation disheartened – not because I didn’t garner the volunteer I was seeking – but because of the selfish, self-centered, narcissistic lifestyle this individual was living. Was there anything wrong with the activities they were involved in? No. Was there anything immoral? No. Was their anything wicked or dishonest? No.

What shocked me was every activity was “self” focused – they benefited from all in which they were involved. Bible study – they get fed; social networking group – they make contacts, friends and get fed; church – they get fed; community group – they get fed; hanging out with friends – they get fed. I was flabbergasted to realize my trim, toned, well-built friend…was fat!

What causes physical “fatness”? Self- indulgence, overeating, lack of exercise and discipline. Spiritually, this happens as well – constant feeding without the “work out” of service or outward facing action equals fat, lazy Christian. The pitiful point is most don’t realize it – hedonism has blinded them.

When anyone starts to exercise after a long period of inactivity, it hurts. Blisters form, muscles ache, bones creek – and the discomfort can last for days before going away. Christians who are too used to eating experience this pain when faced with the prospect of personal sacrifice - of giving up time with friends, their Christian book club, their Christian sewing circle, their Christian basketball team, their Christian quilting club, their Christian softball team, their Christian whatever. More often than not when Christ subtly calls them to serve they say “NO” because they are too busy.

I am not saying these activities are bad, evil or shouldn’t be attended. I am saying there should be moderation. Outward facing service to others is important – and we do benefit – it stretches and grows us to new levels of faith and intimacy with God. And yes, this isn’t always the most comfortable, sometimes it is downright painful!

What is the “eating to exercise” ratio in your life? Are you fat? How much muscle building are you doing? Are you being stretched at all? Is anything challenging or life-changing? Is your life stale?

It is one thing to learn the principles in the pew; it is a whole different story to practice them in public. Remember, eat too much, too often, and plumpness will pursue you like a plague!

Updates:
Living – My Redmond, Washington condo goes on the market March 10th. Please pray for a quick sale and that my renter will be honored in the process.
Work – Going well – but really busy. I was really “battle worn” last week but rallied over the weekend and feel much better!
Health – I danced for the first time in over a year last weekend! One of my Seattle dance buddies was in town and we made the most of his sister’s marble tile floor – my poor feet were blistered! They aren’t used to this stuff any more!
Social – I made some new friends at the church I have been attending and went to lunch with them after service – very fun.
Finances – If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.

Requests:
Work – That I would be able to discern the most important tasks and be ok with letting the rest of my “list” wait until later.
Intimacy with God – That I can rest and work at the same time. That I can remember that God has already won the battle and that I am only called to do my part – which He strengthens me for.
Relationships – God has my husband out there somewhere – please pray for him and his walk with God to be deepened, strengthened and made more robust!

PS Please pray for an easy delivery and recovery for my friend Jodie – she is having baby number two next week! Happy early B-day James!