Sacrificial Giving

Yesterday the sermon was about being happy through giving.  I really liked this quote: "You can be giving without loving, but you can't be loving without giving."  

God gave us His Son as a sacrificial gift for the sin of mankind.  In our giving, if it's not sacrificial, what are we really giving?  Unless it costs me something - time, money, talents, energy, etc. - I'm not truly giving in the way God wants me to give.

It's pretty easy to throw money at a problem or need if I have plenty of money. The sacrifice comes when I don't have the money.  It's pretty easy to volunteer my time to something if I have plenty of time to spare, but if I give up my much-needed time and take it away from something, giving it towards someone or something else, then I am giving it sacrificially.

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17 

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

Not only must we give sacrificially, but we should also give with a pure heart and with the right motives.  Love is the motive that should be the cause of all of our giving.  Without love, our motives will never be pure.  When we give of ourselves with love, God will bless us.  We serve Him because we love Him...not out of duty, but of love.  That's the best gift we can give Him.  That is what sacrificial giving is all about.

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE.....

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’  

Acts 20:35

While we were at Disney World during Christmas break, we tried to find a way to do things for others.  Each day, right before we left the parks, we would use our tickets to go get "Fast Pass" tickets to a really popular ride.   I stayed back and snapped a few pictures one day - just to get the reactions.

As we left the park, many others we just arriving.  Our kids would give our "Fast Pass Tickets" to people as they entered.  It was so much fun watching the reactions of the recipients!  One guy said, in a thick Australian accent, "WOW!  You really made my day!"  It was great! Occasionally the language barrier made some a little worried - not sure what was really happening, but for the most part, everyone was very thankful for the generosity.

One of the Sundays we were there, we decided to go to Epcot in the afternoon, after worship and lunch.  By then, there were no Fast Pass Tickets available for the popular rides, so we knew we couldn't ride them or give any tickets away that day.  During the afternoon, two kind boys came up to our two middle boys and gave them tickets for "Test Track" - a car ride!  It was so neat to see the reaction of our two - realizing that perhaps God blessed them because of their generosity during the previous days.  I thanked God for showing that generosity and giving spirit to my boys that day!  I am GRATEFUL for Him showing this truth in such a unique and fun way!

It truly is more blessed to give than it is to receive, but the Bible also teaches that when we generously give, we will be blessed.  It works both ways!

The lesson learned during our vacation was that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you can always, ALWAYS find a way to do good and be a blessing to others.  Maybe it's a kind word to a stranger.  Maybe it is giving something to a stranger.  Maybe it's buying something for a stranger.  Maybe it's just not getting angry when something doesn't go the way you had it planned.  You and I can always find a way to do good.

To see what others are grateful for on this GRATITUESDAY, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

Little Things

Sometimes little things turn into big things.  Little things often mean a lot to someone who is having a hard time.  Just taking a little time or using a little effort can go a long way in helping someone in need.

Last month at a ladies' retreat, some of the speakers talked about doing "little things".  They listed things that could easily be done for someone.  I want to list some of the things mentioned, in case you are looking for a way to be a blessing to others.

It's the time of year when we tend to think more about others....we tend to think more about serving others.  Pick out just one thing you can do for someone today!

1.  Share your talent with someone.  Teach them how to do something.  Or ask them to show you a talent.  Your asking may help them more than you could ever imagine!

2.  Send someone (this was directed towards college-age kids) $2.00 in the mail.  Tell them to go get a soft drink....on you!

3.  Offer to babysit little ones.  Parents can become overwhelmed with responsibilities.  An hour or two break may be beneficial to a parent and give them a little time to just relax for a little while.....or go to the bathroom alone! (I remember those days!)

4.  Mentor someone.

5.  Write someone a letter.

6.  Visit the nursing home.  Make door decorations for nursing home residents.

7.  Offer to read the Bible or a book to someone in the hospital, nursing home, or shut in at home.

8.  Continually pray for someone.  Don't give up on them, but keep praying!

9.  Coordinate play groups for your young children.  It's fun for them, but gives young moms an opportunity to get with other moms.

10.  Be an "adoptive" grandparent to children in your congregation.  This is especially great in college towns where students may live far from relatives.

11.  Organize "Ding Dong Ditch".  Prepare goody bags.  Leave them on someone's porch.  Ring the doorbell and run away!

12.  If the youth in your congregation participate in LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) or other leadership opportunities, get involved.  Help the youth by using your talents to teach and train!

13.  Ask questions.  Most people will talk when they are asked questions.  Some will not.  Just be sure to not make it seems like you are prying into their life.  Some people are private.  Give others the opportunity to open up, but be respectful when it's obvious they don't want to.

14.  School supplies are really expensive.  We often think of school supply drives during the beginning of the school year, but many schools/students could probably use supplies all during the year.  Organize a drive and donate to schools all school year long.

15.  The Bible says to care for the widows and orphans.  Caring is more than sending money, clothing, or other goods.  Give them a hug.  Send them a note.  Sit by them.  Ask them to eat with you.  Show them you care in your actions.

16.  Care givers have a difficult task in caring for others, and often they, themselves, need a break.  Offer to sit with someone so that the caregiver can get away for just a little while.  Just 30 minutes would be welcomed, I'm sure.

17.  Offer to take people to their doctor's appointments.  When I worked at a doctor's office, I often heard patients say they couldn't get to an appointment - especially when they needed to go further away.  It made me really sad.  Did they really not have anyone to call?  Were they afraid to ask others for help?  I'm not sure, but I definitely know there is a need for transportation for many people.  What a great opportunity to serve!

18.  We have a juvenile detention center nearby and there are jails/prisons around the country.  What about taking goody bags and Bibles to these people?  Perhaps a small act of kindness would show them Jesus and they would want to know more about Him?

19.  As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of a time when we heard of a family who didn't have very much.  We made stockings for the children and filled them with goodies - leaving them on their porch Christmas morning.  Help someone in need.

20.  Recently I heard of a family who has no running water.  This breaks my heart.  I think that a great "project" for our Bible class would be to pay to have their water turned on, but then also to continue paying their bill.  The water in our town isn't very much and it is definitely a need that needs to be met.

So many people are struggling in so many ways.  There are so many things we can do to help others.  Some things are little things, and yes, some things are big things.  But we can all do something.  We can all help someone in some way.

Reach out and help someone today.  Remember that those little things you do may be big.....HUGE things to them.  Let your light shine today!

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Giving All I've Got

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Each Sunday, before the collection plate is passed during worship, my husband or I give Biscuit some money for the collection plate.  He typically doesn't have money of his own and sure doesn't lately because:  #1 - He spends it as quick as he gets it usually and #2 - I've taken what he did have away from him as an incentive to quit biting his fingernails. Thankfully he hasn't mentioned it lately because I've misplaced that envelope!  I'll need to search for it soon because he's doing good!

As we got ready to leave for worship Sunday morning, Biscuit announced, "Mom, I'm bringing my own contribution to worship this morning!  I don't have much, but it's all I got!"  He pulled out a dime from his pocket to show me.  I smiled and hugged him and told him I was very proud of him.  He smiled a huge smile!  It was the first Sunday after his baptism, so he was already excited to be sharing in communion for the first time as a new babe in Christ.   Now he was excited about doing something for the Lord all on his own.  He had given all he had, financially anyway,  to the Lord!  

Oh, sometimes the things your children learn and "get" is just an overwhelming feeling of joy....especially when it involves the spiritual side of their lives.  The spiritual part, after all, is the very most important part.  It's wonderful for them to see for themselves what you've been teaching or perhaps God's Spirit has .

Immediately my mind thought of the widow giving her mite, which is found in Mark 12:42-44 and also in Luke 21:1-4.  Here is Mark's account:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,^[j] worth only a fraction of a penny.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Biscuit has us to support him.  He's young and in our care, so it's not to the same degree of giving as this widow gave, but his heart still felt like he was giving everything he had because he has no more money in his room.  He felt like giving it all and was glad to do so.  He was excited to do so!

What a great lesson for all of us!  Just as the widow, we should be willing to give until it hurts.  Can you imagine giving everything?  All you had to live on?  I can't. I really can't imagine. 

It's easy to give a sum of money if we have lots left over or even some left over.  It's easy to give away things we don't want or were going to through out or get rid of anyway.  It's much, much harder to give when we have little or nothing.  It's much harder to give until it hurts.  It's much harder to give to the Lord first....before the money is all gone.  If we wait to give him what's left, there will be nothing left.

We must give cheerfully.  We're commanded to do so.  We must give as we've been prospered.  We have be prospered abundantly, even if we're not wealthy.  We truly are wealthy.  We just don't believe we are.  God will bless us when we give.  His promises say so.  We just have to have faith to believe He will do what He says He will do.

Give until it hurts!  Like Biscuit, give "everything I got"!  Like the poor widow, give until it hurts! And do it cheerfully!

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

  

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

1 Corinthians 16:2

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

No Bake Cookies

Of all of the recipes I have made or even created in my life, it's sad to admit that the very popular chocolate/oatmeal no-bake cookies give me the most trouble consistantly!  For many, if not most people, this recipe is the simplest to make of all, yet for me, it's not.  Never!

I don't really like eating the cookies, myself, but because my children do, I make them fairly often.  Also, this year our family is sponsoring two of our high school football players and take treats for them every Friday.  It just so happens that their favorite cookies are also the no-bakes.  My husband joked at the beginning of the football season, that by the end of the season, I might have the no-bakes perfected.  Because of his sweet comment, I elected him as cheif maker of the first week's treat! (Not really - I was out of town and he agreed to making them :)  Well, throughout the months of the football season, I've made the no bakes successfully for the most part.  That was, until yesterday. 

Yesterday's no bakes didn't turn out very well.  I'm not sure why.  As with all of my recipes, I'm usually doubling, tripling or quadrupling the ingredients.  Yesterday's portions were supposed to be tripled.  That way I would have two batches for the football players and another batch for my family.  As soon as I poured them into the containers (I don't scoop them into individual cookies.  I put them in a cookie sheet or pan and cut them - it's faster!), I knew there was something wrong.  They didn't seem to have enough oatmeal, even though I knew I had put the right amount.  I rushed out the door and headed to a ballgame, forgetting about the cookies for a while.

Late last night, I took a small bite of a cookie and could tell that there was too much sugar.  I guess that was the mistake.  My family tasted them this morning.  Some said they were okay and would "pass" as good enough.  My food-critic son agreed:  way too sugary!  So, I quickly went to work making another double batch.  The football boys were leaving this morning at 9:00 for a playoff game far away, so I had to hurry!  When I delivered the cookies, they were still warm.  I sent a plastic knife and fork - and several napkins!  The cookies were perfect this time! (Yay!) 

So......now I have a triple batch of too-sugary no bakes in the kitchen.  What to do???  (Maybe I'll reheat them and try adding more oatmeal?  It's worth a try :). 

There's no devotional thought in this at all.  Just thought I'd share and ask for sympathy :).  No, I suppose this thought could go with the whole 30 days of giving many are involved in this month.  I could have given the two football boys the too sugary cookies.  It's the thought that counts, right?  Yes....maybe so.  But, I want to give the best to others if at all possible, so I wanted to redo the cookies for them.  Giving our best.  That's it!  That's my devotional thought for today :).

Have a great day!  Have a great weekend!  Happy giving!

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’

“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Malachi 3:8-10

Molded Creations

Yesterday I had the opportunity to travel close to my hometown to speak at a ladies' night event (I forgot my camera :( so didn't post pictures.).  In fact, I drove right by where I spent lots and lots and LOTS of hours "working" with my dad and grandpa in the cotton field.  (Remember my ladybug post?  This is the same field!).  It was fun driving that highway and remembering things from my childhood!

I distinctly remember this particular field for several reasons:  the ladybugs, my little bitty shovel that I tried and tried (finally succeeded - yay!) to use to jump the irrigation ditch like my dad and grandpa did, and making this little thing out of mud from the ditch.  I don't even know what to call it, but it sits on my kitchen window sill above the sink.  I made it when I was about 10 years old.  After it was totally dried, I painted it.  It's been with me ever since.....32 years.  That's amazing to me!

This summer, while washing dishes, I happened to look at my little dried mud art piece and noticed that some of the paint was flaking off.  I quickly took it and repainted the small part and sealed it with glue.  Now it's as good as new again and it's back in its designated spot on the window sill.

Just as this small piece of dried, molded mud is sentimental and special to me, we are molded and made by God and we are special to him.  My piece of art isn't much.  It doesn't do much and can't do much.  God's handiwork....His creation....is wonderful and amazing.  WE are wonderful and amazing!!  We can think!  We can do!  In fact, we were created to do good things for Him!

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 

Isaiah 64:8

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

During this 30 Day Giving Challenge, think about what you were created to do.  Think about your purpose.  Think about ways to do good works for God by giving to those in need.  Think of ways to serve Him by encouraging others.  By doing so, you will be finding your purpose and glorifying Him.

You are His handiwork....molded and made by the loving Creator.  You are special and your purpose is special!

Thirty Days of Giving - Be Challenged!

My cousin-in-law Alyssa, at Keeping the Kingdom First, is hosting The 30-Day Giving Challenge again this year.  I have accepted the challenge and encourage you to do the same.

With November here, we automatically begin thinking about Thanksgiving.  Why not make the whole month of November a month of thanks and giving?  While going through this 30-day challenge of giving something each day, you will be blessed in return.  With each gift or act of kindness, you will feel good to have helped someone else.  You will also begin to think more about the needs of others around you.

There are all sorts of way to give during this challenge.  You can give money, of course, but you can also give supplies, food, and clothing.  Those are things we naturally think about as ways to help others.  But I want to suggest another way that you can give of yourself during this challenge:  Give of your time.

Time is a precious thing to all of us, but sometimes we become stingy and selfish with our time.  Think about the hours you spend watching TV or hours on the computer or maybe enjoying a hobby.  Could you give up some of that time to help someone else - to give of yourself to help others?

It's great to give money, food, supplies, and clothes - and in fact, it's needed.  But, we must also make sure we are giving of ourselves from the heart and not just giving to fulfill and obligation - as a sense of duty.

Because I live in a very, very small town (less than 900 people) my ways to volunteer will be different than yours, but here are some ways to give in the next 30 days:

  1.  Volunteer to read a book at school.
  2.  Volunteer to take an elderly person shopping or to the grocery store.
  3.  Volunteer to babysit (free of charge) for a family with young children.
  4.  Take a meal to a neighbor.
  5.  Take a care package to a hospital waiting room.
  6.  Go visit patients in the hospital.
  7.  Take a group of adults, teens, or children to the nursing home to visit and sing.
  8.  Send someone a card. (homemade or purchased)
  9.  Bake cookies or muffins and take them to work to share with your co-workers.
10.  Volunteer to rake leaves in an elderly person's yard (or other yard work).
11.  Volunteer to take elderly people to their doctor's appointment.
12.  In line at a fast food drive-thru, pay for the person's meal/order behind you.
13.  Take flowers to an office (ex. your bank, doctor's office, post office, etc.)
14.  Send a hand-written note to a teenager (they'll be shocked that it's not a text message)
15.  If your child is in school, volunteer to help with school events, parties and carnivals.  Even if you work, those in charge can use your help in some way.
16.  Make fall door decorations and take them to nursing home residents.
17.  Take a meal to a family with a newborn baby.
18.  Help organize food boxes to give away to families in need.
19.  Send a note of encouragement to men and women in the military.
20.  Volunteer your time at a women's shelter, a soup kitchen, or other service provider.
21.  Take the time to call or go visit widows and widowers.  This time of year can be especially lonely for those who have lost their spouses and whose children may not live close by.
22.  Invite someone to your home.  This could be for a meal, for coffee/tea, desserts, or maybe a game.
23.  Host a neighborhood ladies' brunch.  Hand-deliver invitations.  Play ice-breaker-type games that allow each person time to talk.
24.  Host a ladies salad supper with friends or Christian sisters from your congregation.  Have them bring an item from their past to tell about, as well as their favorite salad.
25.  Most people do not like to ask for help, even if they need it.  Offer to help others in a specific way, such as, "I have Monday morning free.  Why don't I come help you with whatever you need done?" 

I look forward to this challenge and know that it really will be a challenge.  It is something I will need to plan for daily.  It won't just happen.  I have to "plan" for it to happen.  On the other hand, I can expect to be blessed by God because of this challenge.

Look what Jesus told the disciples: 

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

So, are you up for the challenge?  What other ways can you think of that you can give during this month?

Giving From the Heart

Today lets look at giving.  Not just any giving, but giving from the heart.  Mother Teresa said, "If you give what you do not need, it isn't giving."  What do you think about that quote?  There is a lot of truth in that statement, isn't there?

I realize that there is the possibility that we can give from the heart and it be something we no longer need.  For example, when I give away clothes my children wore....especially their baby clothes or their special outfits that were for Christmas or family photos, they are sentimental to me.  They tug at my heartstrings as I give them away because it's giving away a piece of the childhood memories I have of my children.

But I see the side of giving that may not be from the heart.  It's a type of giving that is just getting rid of the stuff and passing it on to others. I'm guilty of this type of giving, myself. (Garage sale left-overs that aren't in great condition, etc.) Look at this quote by Sir Henry Taylor, which goes along with this thought:

He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.  (Quoted in the book New Beginnings)

Giving from the heart - true giving as Jesus talked about in the Bible - is giving out of love.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Jesus, in Acts 20:35

“It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.”

Richard Braunstein

There is another quote that you may have heard.  "Give until it hurts."  I'm not sure that's what we need to do.  I think we need to give until it feels good! 

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 2:6-8

Giving should be something we want to do.  We should want to give to God because of all He has given to us.  We should want to give to others because that is the example Jesus showed us throughout His life.  Giving is showing God's love and sharing Jesus with others.

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



Free Clothing Giveaway

Last year, some time in March, our oldest son, Zachary, and I were taking some things out to my husband's car trunk. We were taking the things to our storage shed down town.  But,  when we opened the trunk, there were lots of shirts on hangers, taking up a lot of room in the trunk.  My husband, Joe, had recently lost weight, so I supposed that these clothes were some he was planning to donate to someone because they were now too big for him.

I was fine with him getting rid of the shirts, but I have to admit that I was aggravated that he was also giving the good hangers away because we are always needing hangers around here.  Zachary and I began to take the hangers out of the shirts and he took them to the laundry room for me.  On the way to the storage shed, I decided to take care of the shirts myself...stopping by my brother-in-law's house and giving them to him.  I told him if they didn't fit or he didn't want them, just to go ahead and pass them on to someone else.  He kept some of them and gave the rest to one of his brothers.

A few weeks later Joe asked me about the clothes in the trunk.  I told him that I gave them to our brother-in-law and that he had passed some of them on to his own brother.  I couldn't believe Joe's response.  He said that he was just storing those shirts in the trunk for the winter to make more room in his closet!  Can you believe that?  Who stores their clothes in a car trunk?????  I doubt many people do - if any!

I really felt bad that I had given away Joe's shirts - some of them fairly new and most all of them in great shape.  I finally decided to mention this to my sister-in-law.  She felt bad, too.  She actually had pulled out a few shirts that she knew I would want - such as my husband's old practice jersey from his high school football days.  The other man who got the shirts never knew about my mistake.  I hated to ask for them back.  What is strange is when these two men wear one of the shirts.  It seems strange to see them both in shirts that were my husband's and it makes me feel worse!

Each year, especially during the months of November and December, people from all over the world open up their hearts, their homes, and their wallets to help those in need.  It is such a great feeling to help others - especially when helping those who are in need.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for the season of Thanksgiving. Take the time to give of yourself this season. Give of your time. Give of your money. Give of your possessions.

But, just a bit of advice:  Before you give away clothing that's in your husband's trunk, take the time to ask him if he's just storing them there.  You never know!

Join us for Gratituesday at  Heavenly Homemakers.

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

Unselfish Giving

I remember several years ago teaching a ladies class on the subject of giving.  We discussed different ways of giving, all kinds of people we can give to, and the actual gifts we can give.  One of the points I made that night was that true, unselfish giving is giving up something we could use or we wanted or needed.  It's easy to give to others something we don't want (old clothes that don't fit or we might be tired of....or they are out of "style").  But how easy is it to give something we need ourselves?  For example, what if you only have $10.00 in your wallet or billfold and your bank account was so low you couldn't write any checks.  Then someone comes up to you asking for a $10.00 donation to help with a family who lost everything in a flood.  What would you do?  Tell them no?  Tell them that you would help later but not now?  Would you give them the $10.00 knowing that was all you had to live on?

Sometimes, even if we are "giving" people, we can still be selfish.  I say this because I felt this way about myself recently.  I'll give to things as needed.  I'll donate my time, food, clothing, and money towards projects and to help those in need.  But, there is one thing I've recenly realized that I am selfish about (and it's a silly-sounding thing, really!).  I'm selfish about our home-grown pumpkins!  Isn't that ridiculous??!  I don't want to share them and don't....or hadn't until recently.  I'm selfish with the pumpkins because #1:  I like to decorate with them all over our big yard; #2:  Our kids help grow them and I'm sentimental towards anything that involves them (even pumpkins); #3:  On Thanksgiving afternoon we have a "Pumpkin Bash" and play pumpkin baseball with my husband's side of the family (and it's a big family...lots of pumpkins are needed) - as described in this post.  So, I felt like I had legitimate reasons for my selfishness at the time.  In fact it had never occurred to me that I was being selfish with them.

Our elementary school classes were having a pumpkin decorating contest a few weeks ago (sponsored by the PTO of which I'm the president).  I sent the letters to the teachers about the pumpkin contest, but never really thought about where the actual pumpkins would come from.  A week before the contest I got a text from a teacher's assistant asking me where the pumpkins were supposed to come from.  I hadn't given it a thought....just assumed the teachers would get them themselves.  However, once I thought about the fact that the teachers were working on other projects and purchasing items for their game and themed baskets for our annual Fall Festival, I realized that the PTO should get the pumpkins for them.  I thanked the assistant for asking me and also for telling me that the teachers thought I was getting them.

Well, I looked for pumpkins in the stores in nearby towns, but couldn't find any.  My husband was out of town and I even had him look.  No pumpkins.  Then my husband asked, "How many pumpkins do you need?"  I said, "Seven".  He said, "Well, we can give them seven of ours."  "Our pumpkins?", I thought to myself.  I told him that I had thought about it, but just didn't want to give them up.  But then it hit me:  I WAS BEING SELFISH WITH OUR PUMPKINS!  I really felt bad after that - thinking that I was allowing a PUMPKIN to become a stumbling block and I felt like my selfishness was sinful (I'm sure it was, actually).  So, I changed my attitude and decided that we should give the pumpkins to the school. 

That afternoon I mentioned to our son, Zachary, who actually did all of the planting of the pumpkins this year, that we were giving some to the school and he said, "Mom, we don't have very many left for Thanksgiving.  Why are you giving them away?"  Ouch!  That was one of those "I learned this attitutude from you" times that makes a parent feel really, really bad (and guilty, too). 

I explained to Zachary about my selfishness and told him that I had felt that same way.  He was fine after that and seemed to understand.  The next day I delivered the pumpkins to the school.  One or two people know where they came from, but none of the teachers do (to my knowledge).  And, I'm not telling you now to brag at all.  I'm telling you now to show you how we can be "givers" in one sense, but be "selfish" in another sense.  Our attitude of giving should be unselfish - always....not just when it's easy to do so.

A perfect example of this is in the Bible.  Look at this passage from Mark 12:41-44:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Although the widow gave a small amount and the rich people put in a large amount, the widow's gift was more impressive to Jesus.  Why?  Because she gave all she had.

I've never paid attention to this part of the passage before until now, but look how it says "Many rich people THREW in large amounts".  I know it was customary to have a large pot or vessel-type thing to collect the money, but compare that to what it says about the widow, she "came and put in two very small copper coins".  Isn't it interesting the "threw" and "put in" comparasion?  It makes me wonder if the rich people just threw it in out of duty but with a selfish attitude more or less saying, "Okay, here's my weekly contribution.  I've done my part for the week."  It sure seems like it was begrudgingly done.  Or maybe they threw it in there to be more noisey and to draw attention to the large sum they were giving?  Yet the widow "put in" her contribution of all she had...quietly it seems, not wanting to draw any attention to herself.  She gave unselfishly.

Let's all think of that type of giving - not just during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season - but all of the time.  God has given us everything we have.  It's His and He's just letting us borrow it for a little while.  Remembering that will help us give more unselfishly ourselves.  True giving will be as the widow's gift only when we give up something we would have needed or used.

Thanksgiving Baskets

I'm not exactly sure  when it began, but it's been a tradition of either 16 or 17 years.  Our young adult Bible class began all those years ago collecting food and money and distributing Thanksgiving food baskets to those in need in our community.  Yesterday twelve food baskets were delivered to individuals and families.

Over those 16 or 17 years our class has changed.  The people have changed and our name has changed.....well, we still call ourselves "young" adult, but many of us aren't so young any more (no names mentioned here, of course!).  One thing that hasn't changed over the years is the need for this work.  There are still those who need help and there are still those who are blessed because of this work.

Some of those who received baskets this year have had a hard time lately...maybe an illness or disease has caused a hardship in their life, some have recently lost their homes due to fires, and some have other financial struggles.  In deciding who to give food baskets to, our class doesn't worry about why people might be having difficult times.  We don't analyze their situation.  We only seek out a way to help people with their present situation.

During this month, I am participating in "The 30-Day Giving Challenge", are you?  (Note:  The right side of my home page has the link.) If you've not yet committed, it's not too late to begin.  In fact, giving doesn't have to be limited to November or even during the holiday time of the year (from Nov. 1st through Christmas).  It's typically when we feel more giving, but our hearts should be willing to give all year long.

This year I had the priviledge to go shopping for the Thanksgiving food baskets.  Different women volunteer each year to do the shopping and we all enjoy having the oppotunity to help with this good work.  Our fellow Christians donate money for our class project and this year I was able to purchase turkeys, potatoes, dressing, rolls, gravy, eggs, milk, pumpkin pies, and other items for each basket.  Three baskets full!!  All year long our congregation collects non-perishable food for the pantry and that food is also distributed with the baskets.  Then, our class and many of the teens come together on a Sunday afternoon and divide up the food and distribute the baskets to each individual or family.  Yesterday 35 people gathered to help with this work.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for Christians who have the heart to give - not just at this time of year, but all year long.  I am grateful for my Christian brothers and sisters who, year after year, contribute to make Thanksgiving Baskets for those in our community who are in need.  I know those who receive the baskets are blessed, but we all are blessed through the giving, as well.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35

For more Gratituesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers.

The Ft. Hood Tragedy and The Giving Challenge

Saturday was a week since I began "The 30-Day Giving Challenge" and many of you joined with me.  (Note:  If you don't know about the challenge, please click on the link to the right on my home page.)  When I began the challenge, little did I know that our town would be faced with a unique way to give a few days later.


On Thursday, Ft. Hood became the site of a terrible act of violence which claimed the lives of innocent people and injured many more.  Families were heartbroken to hear of the news of their loved ones.  Even though when one is in the armed forces, the fact that something could happen is acknowledged, most everyone would agree that it's not typically thought of to be something that would happen in our own country. It would more expected to be in other countries where our soldiers are sent to protect the freedom of others. But, on this day, it was here - right in our "backdoor"...so to speak..  It was at one of our own military bases.


This tragedy struck close in the hearts of our small town.  J.D. Hunt was one of the young men killed on Thursday.  J.D. was from here, having graduated from Tipton High School in 2005.  He had married only 2 1/2 months ago.


A special challenge of giving came as our community heard of the passing of J.D.  Although his family no longer lives here, but lives in another town close by, the town came together at the Friday night football game to pay special tribute to his memory.  The honor guard from Altus (OK) Air Force Base agreed to come, which made our National Anthem even more special that evening. Everyone prayed silently for J.D. and the others who lost their lives or were injured on that tragic day.


That Friday morning I had the opportunity to help one of our school teachers in organizing a way to honor J.D.  We purchased ribbon (red, white, and blue) and straight pins.  During the day the Student Council members made hundreds of ribbons to be passed out to all those in attendance at the football game that evening.  The ribbons will be warn during the week and the military past and present will be honored on Wednesday during our school's annual Veteran's Day program.


The Giving Challenge is a great way to help us think to do things for others.  Of course, I wish this tragedy had never happened and that there would not have been a need to pay honor to those who lost their lives.  But, God's Word tells us that there will be times like this and reaching out to help each other - to give comfort to each other and to all the families who lost loved ones - is what being a Christian is all about.


Please continue to give.  Please accept The 30-Day Giving Challenge.  And, please continue to pray for the victims of the Ft. Hood tragedy.  And, if we are truly going to be like Jesus, we must pray for the man accused of this crime.  Pray that his hard heart may be softened.  But, also remember to pray for his family.  It would be very hard to realize someone you loved could commit such a horrible crime.  They need prayers for strength at this time.


Have a great, giving week!

The 30-Day Giving Challenge

 

My cousin-in-law Alyssa, at Keeping the Kingdom First, is hosting The 30-Day Giving Challenge.  I have accepted the challenge and encourage you to do the same.

With November here, we automatically begin thinking about Thanksgiving.  Why not make the whole month of November a month of thanks and giving?  While going through this 30-day challenge of giving something each day, you will be blessed in return.  With each gift or act of kindness, you will feel good to have helped someone else.  You will also begin to think more about the needs of others around you.

Alyssa's preacher explained the challenge as follows:

Spend 30 days with a journal in your hand. Try it for the next 30 days and see if I’m lying. Take a journal and just jot down everything you give. Every time you find yourself being generous, write it down. Every time you feel prompted by God to give something you never would, or why would I buy THAT many cookies… from the Girl Scouts. I don’t know why, God just gave you the prompting to do something special for somebody! Write it down.

And then write down on the other side every time something comes back to you. Every time the cycle gets completed. Do it for 30 days, and you’ll never be the same again. You’ll never look at giving the same way again.

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There are all sorts of way to give during this challenge.  You can give money, of course, but you can also give supplies, food, and clothing.  Those are things we naturally think about as ways to help others.  But I want to suggest another way that you can give of yourself during this challenge:  Give of your time.

Time is a precious thing to all of us, but sometimes we become stingy and selfish with our time.  Think about the hours you spend watching TV or hours on the computer or maybe enjoying a hobby.  Could you give up some of that time to help someone else - to give of yourself to help others?

It's great to give money, food, supplies, and clothes - and in fact, it's needed.  But, we must also make sure we are giving of ourselves from the heart and not just giving to fulfill and obligation - as a sense of duty.

Because I live in a very, very small town (less than 900 people) my ways to volunteer will be different than yours, but here are some ways to give in the next 30 days:

  1.  Volunteer to read a book at school.
  2.  Volunteer to take an elderly person shopping or to the grocery store.
  3.  Volunteer to babysit (free of charge) for a family with young children.
  4.  Take a meal to a neighbor.
  5.  Take a care package to a hospital waiting room.
  6.  Go visit patients in the hospital.
  7.  Take a group of adults, teens, or children to the nursing home to visit and sing.
  8.  Send someone a card. (homemade or purchased)
  9.  Bake cookies or muffins and take them to work to share with your co-workers.
10.  Volunteer to rake leaves in an elderly person's yard (or other yard work).
11.  Volunteer to take elderly people to their doctor's appointment.
12.  In line at a fast food drive-thru, pay for the person's meal/order behind you.
13.  Take flowers to an office (ex. your bank, doctor's office, post office, etc.)
14.  Send a hand-written note to a teenager (they'll be shocked that it's not a text message)
15.  If your child is in school, volunteer to help with school events, parties and carnivals.  Even if you work, those in charge can use your help in some way.
16.  Make fall door decorations and take them to nursing home residents.
17.  Take a meal to a family with a newborn baby.
18.  Help organize food boxes to give away to families in need.
19.  Send a note of encouragement to men and women in the military.
20.  Volunteer your time at a women's shelter, a soup kitchen, or other service provider.
21.  Take the time to call or go visit widows and widowers.  This time of year can be especially lonely for those who have lost their spouses and whose children may not live close by.
22.  Invite someone to your home.  This could be for a meal, for coffee/tea, desserts, or maybe a game.
23.  Host a neighborhood ladies' brunch.  Hand-deliver invitations.  Play ice-breaker-type games that allow each person time to talk.
24.  Host a ladies salad supper with friends or Christian sisters from your congregation.  Have them bring an item from their past to tell about, as well as their favorite salad.
25.  Most people do not like to ask for help, even if they need it.  Offer to help others in a specific way, such as, "I have Monday morning free.  Why don't I come help you with whatever you need done?" 

I look forward to this challenge and know that it really will be a challenge.  It is something I will need to plan for daily.  It won't just happen.  I have to "plan" for it to happen.  On the other hand, I can expect to be blessed by God because of this challenge.

Look what Jesus told the disciples: 

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

So, are you up for the challenge?  What other ways can you think of that you can give during this month?

We Can Never Out-Give God

Every good and perfect gift is from above...James 1:17

As I sat down to write this post, with the intention of posting about giving, I found out, via Facebook, about someone's house burning down in our small town (less than 900 people small).  Of course, in small towns most everyone knows everyone else.  The affected family grew up here.  They raised their family here. They have three grown children and one younger child.  In fact, just today they had a new grandson.  Ironic, isn't it?  A blessing and a disaster - all in the same day. 

Many people have already helped this family tonight and many others will continue to do so.  I know that in the morning the churches in our community will look for ways to reach out and help this family by donating food, clothing, and providing shelter.  That's what Christians do - look for ways to help and serve those in need.

Loosing everything is something none of think about very often.  It's nothing we expect to ever have happen to us.  Giving in times like this is what we need to do and what we should do.  To be like Jesus, we must help those in need.  But, no matter how much you and I may give - we can never out-give God.  Why?  Because he gave us something we can never do:  He gave us the opportunity to have eternal life with Him in Heaven!  He gave His Son as our Savior!

Please pray for this family and other families all around the world who have disasters in their life.  Pray that they may look to God for strength, help, and comfort.  But, don't forget to say "thank you" to God for the blessings, as well.  Just as this family had a blessing of a new grandbaby today, they also can be thankful that no one was hurt in the fire. 

WE CAN NEVER OUT-GIVE GOD!

Do You Like Leftovers?

Note: Be sure to vote on the new fun poll: What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Do you like to eat leftovers? While I do like many leftover foods, some just don't taste very good to me. Some foods (in my opinion) do actually taste better the second time around, but most do not. I enjoy making up new recipes using leftovers - maybe it's trying to disguise them so my children will eat them! Sometimes the new recipe works. Sometimes it doesn't. But leftovers can be great and make things easier.

I don't believe God likes leftovers. No, I believe God wants us to give to Him our very best, no matter what. He doesn't want the money that's left at the end of the month. He wants us to include Him in our financial planning and give to Him every week. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul tells the early Christians, "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week (Sunday), each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."

God also does not want leftovers of our time, talents, and service. He wants us to serve Him with our very best - each and every day. Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The word "talents" used in that passage refers to money, but it can apply to every part of our Christian service.

No leftovers for God. Only sacrificial giving. Only sacrificial living. Give God your best!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Have a great week, everyone!