Free to be Me

January 1st, 2012
This morning my alarm went off at 6am just like every other day, but this time, the music played.  I must have inadvertently hit the “music” button instead of the “alarm” button the night before.   As I was straining to open my eyes, a song came on the radio and somehow, I had a whole new outlook.  As I listened to the lyrics of the song, I found myself substituting words to fit my life….  I added my own “lyrics” in parenthesis:     

Free to be me by Francesca Battistelli:

At twenty [fifty] years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender [Single Parenthood, Divorce]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Job loss, Bankruptcy, ]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [BLESSED]

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender [Obesity, Extreme weight loss]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Anemia; Cancer]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [FAITH-FILLED]

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though…

I got a couple dents in my fender  [Depression, Low Self-Esteem]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Loss of Friends; Grief-stricken]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [HAPPY]

What would your lyrics look like?  I will be listening to music from now on………

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Peace to you in this New Year,         Lauren

Prayers for Financial Wisdom

Where your Treasure is, there wil your heart be also."  ~Matthew 28:6

PRAYERS FOR FINANCIAL WISDOM - JANUARY 2012
SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
1  God, I pray for your guidance and wisdom as I manage my finances.  Psalm 25:4-5	2  God, help me to plan ahead and establish sensible goals for my future. Luke 12:7	3  God, help me reconsider my definition of success. Proverbs 30:8	4  God, guide my family to establish a budget, and in it set a regular plan for giving. Luke 6:38	5  God, remind me that everything I have comes from you and that I am only a steward of your gifts. Proverbs 3:9-10	6  God, support my efforts to give ten percent or more of my income to the church. Genesis 14:20	7  God, teach me to distinguish between needs and wants and to spend my time and money accordingly. Hebrews 13:5
8  God, guide my efforts to plan for my future without hoarding for my future. Matthew  6:34	9  God, help me never make decisions motivated by fear and financial insecurity. Malachi 3:10	10  God, do not let me be fooled into thinking wealth brings happiness. Ecclesiastes 5:11	11  God, help me to follow John Wesley’s advice:  Make all I can, save all I can, and give all I can. 2 Corinthians 9:11	12  God, never allow me to gain money at the expense of others.  Proverbs 10:2	13  God, teach me to be frugal and careful in my spending, even on the necessities.  Philippians 4:19	14  God, inspire and enable business owners to pay employees a fair salary. Ecclesiastes 3:13
15  God, help me consider all options deeply and prayerfully before choosing to take on debt. Romans 13:8	16  God, enable my church to find a balance between money spent on our place of worship and money spent on our mission. Malachi  3:10	17  God, help me to remember that when I fail to tithe, it is a spiritual problem, and not a financial problem. Job 31:24-28	18  God, as I fulfill my pledge to our church, help me remember the gifts the church has given me and will give others. Exodus 36:3-5	19  God, remind me that how I spend money is a powerful indicator of my values. Matthew 6:21	20  God, may my spending and giving habits set a good example to my children. Psalm 41:1	21  God, thank you for the hands that put my monetary giving into action! Hebrews 6:10
22  God, remind me of all the people who grow the food I eat, sew the clothes I wear and deliver the products I consume. Ephesians 5:20	23  God, teach me to be satisfied and fulfilled by my life, regardless of my income. Isaiah 58:10	24  God, provide a way for those on limited budgets and fixed incomes to be comfortable and secure. Psalm 12:5	25  God, see past my excuses and lead me to be gracious and generous and giving. 1 Timothy 6:7	26  God, help me to realize that the only way to gain true financial security is by trusting in you. Proverbs 3:5-6	27  God, help me to make meaningful career choices rather than frantically pursuing wealth.  1 Timothy 6:6	28  God, help me see the contrast between the barrage of ads and marketing with the silent, poor and needy around me. 1 John 3:17
29  God, help me apply your principals of stewardship in every aspect of my life. Luke 21:3-4	30  God, teach us that tithing is not a painful chore, but is a very rewarding practice. Genesis 28:22	31  God, stop me from judging others based on my perception of their income, possessions, or wealth. Matthew 6:3	790 Minnesota Ave, Suite 500         Big Lake, MN  55309              763-242-5321   www.NewDay-Umc.org

Let it Begin with Me!

"Let it Begin with Me"

This line is part of a familiar lyric from the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. One phrase, “and let it begin with me”, rings as true to the song’s wish for peace on earth,  as it does for our call to some measure of calm amidst a turbulent financial market and economy. As followers of Christ, how do we respond to the need for ministry support through our giving? Do we rejoice that God has and will continue to be true to His word and provide abundantly?

We can observe the seasons change. Winter is now upon us, and Spring is on the horizon!  We are also observing continuous change in the financial markets. By acknowledging, accepting, and preparing for the different seasons, it strengthens our determination during stormy periods and gives hope for fairer weather. The current unstable markets seem difficult, yet the potential for economic growth remains intact.

Let’s be sure to remember all of the scriptural readings about money, finances, and support of benevolent causes as we wade through this financial brokenness. The lingering effects of the recession have had differing impacts throughout our church and even our annual conference. During these times of financial uncertainty we can, as followers of Christ, acknowledge that God provides all we need.

In his book “Five Practices of Faithful Living”, United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase talks about the grace of giving. Among the reasons for giving graciously he writes, “giving changes us”. This Christmas season, as you consider your gifts to your church home, to the ministries of your annual conference, and to the global Church initiatives to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”, remember that all we have comes from God. When we support these ministries we are advancing the work God has called His faithful children to do. Giving changes us. By giving, we can change our world.

“Let it begin with me.”

                May the Peace of Christ be with you this Christmas season.  Lauren

Generosity Begets Generosity

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will  be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

If it seems that you are scraping by financially this holiday season, perhaps it is because you aren’t sharing enough with others.

God has called both you and I to generosity. If we’re not blessing others with gifts of a dinner at our home, inviting someone out to lunch, volunteering at a shelter, or even blessing your neighbor with a donation toward their child’s trip to a Christian youth camp, then why would God bless us financially?

There are so many ways to be generous this season!  All we have to do is look around us!

God provides for us as we provide for others, so please boost your level of generosity to others.

 He promises that good things will come your way if you do.

Peace and Blessings throughout this holiday season!  ~ Lauren

Building Nests

I read a passage this week that really hit home for me.  It described the idea of "building a nest" as a metaphor for  "people who successfully provide for their own comforts". 

For example, if someone arrives at point in their career where they are comfortable and at ease, some might say, "You've built quite a nest for yourself!"  Or when we feel comfortable at home in our workplace, we talk about being in our "own little nest".  The word "nest" reminds us of shelter, coziness, comfortable, homey.  

In fact, don't birds actually build nests for their young?  For the future and next generations?   Aren't all of the hours carrying straw, sticks and mud and endless work feeding and keeping watch day after day, night after night, really for the benefit of the new ones?  The Young, the Future? 

What if we were to consider our "nest" as the church?  The building, programs, ministries, each job description, and each mission and service we provide - are they for our own comfort and coziness?  Or are they to further the faith and to provide for future generations?  Does our giving serve us and our needs? Or does it serve God by serving the mission of the church to reach new people? 

When we place more weight on what feeds the soul, nourishes the spirit, and sustains the steps of those outside the church or new to the faith, rather than giving emphasis on what we want, prefer, or find convenient; It is then that we are truly serving God. 

Those new to the faith are as vulnerable as young hatchlings, and require a steady and dedicated effort of feeding and nurturing.  The budding faith of young people requires our committed attention; extra care; overtime in planning, teaching, encouraging, mentoring, support and generosity. 

For us to follow God by serving the mission of the church, we must realize that the nests we build are not for ourselves - they are for the next generation, those new to the faith, the future of the body of Christ.  

This week, I have re-examined my focus on generosity and giving.

How does your focus on generosity and your level of giving support the mission of reaching other people? 

"And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?"  ~Luke 12:20

Generosity Begets Generosity

As a child, I grew up hearing about “stewardship” in church. There were stewardship campaigns, stewardship drives, stewardship committees, even stewardship seminars.   As an adult, returning to church after a long absence, it seemed the term “stewardship” was somewhat insider language.    It was a language that I never heard outside of church very often.  It seemed a word that was dutiful and legalistic and that focused entirely on supporting the church financially.  

This week, I was reflecting upon a passage I read in Luke 6:38 from “The Message”.   It reads,

“Giving, not getting is the way.  Generosity begets generosity.”

Recently, I started new position at New Day UMC as the “Director of Generosity”.  This made me think.  What’s the difference between “stewardship” and “generosity”? 

I have come to view a “steward” as a sort of trustee.  Someone who has a responsibility to care for something that is generally owned by someone else.    We are stewards of the Earth.  We are stewards of our money, our possessions, and our bodies.  We are stewards of things entrusted to us, inherited by us and earned by us.

Generosity, on the other hand, is an aspect of character.  It is an attractive quality which I aspire to and desire to see cultivated in my life, my family’s life and in my church.  I suppose then, that the opposite of generosity is selfishness and greed.  There are no stories that I have found from scripture telling of people living God-related spiritual lives while fostering a greedy attitude.  Generosity extends beyond merely the use of money, although it most definitely includes that.  It is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  It is an actual practice of giving.

 I admire and respect people who are generous, and I want to be like them.  Generosity focuses on the spiritual qualities of the giver.  We never describe people as generous who keep everything for themselves and only serve themselves.  I have to explain to my children what stewardship means.  They know generosity when they see it.

What has been your experience with the term “stewardship?”   With “generosity?”  Which word inspires your giving as you seek to grow in the image of Christ?

Peace.  Lauren

The Right Treasure

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Like most people these days, I often worry about how we are going to survive in the current economic situation.  In tough times, we may turn to possessions for comfort and enjoyment.   Sometimes in order to feel better, we spend money that we don’t have, on things we don’t necessarily need.   

I was reminded of this recently as I visited a nearby church; when I noticed a young man in the pew ahead of me.  He was dirty and unkempt, and he listened intently to the message and sang along with the music joyfully.  When the offering plate came by, I saw him drop in a few coins.  He gave without hesitation.

Often, it seems that we who are more fortunate than that young man don’t give anything.  We don’t spend time with God regularly; don’t give our time or money to help the poor and homeless.  Too often we don’t often offer a kind word to a stranger, take time to chat with a lonely person, or spend an hour a week to help at a soup kitchen. 

 I have decided to stop using so much of my time on building up treasures on earth so that I can more faithfully live out God’s word.  When we serve in Christ’s name, we store up riches in heaven.

What are some ways that you’ve stored up treasures on earth?  In heaven?

Lauren