Today, I read something from an old "Upper Room" devotional - "Because I am a Christian, I love to share my faith with anyone who will listen." and "Sharing our faith can prepare others to receive God's grace."
I don't like to talk about religion to pretty much anyone. I rarely ever invite people to church - not because I am unhappy with my church, but because to me, religion is such an intimate thing in someone's relationship. I think in the last 10 years, I have only truly invited 1 person to church. And you know what? She still comes today. She's gotten a lot of healing from our church, and I'm so happy that she is a part of my church family.
But, I have realized that "sharing your faith" is not just about inviting someone to church. Think about the 3 degrees of influence. Sharing my faith can simply be me influencing another person by how I act out my faith. Even though I am hesitant to invite someone to church, I am not scared to tell someone I go to Church. I work at a church, I volunteer at church. I am not afraid to invite someone to something our church is doing - a service project or an activity.
There is so much negative ideas that surround faith, religion, Christianity, etc. Did you know, most people consider themselves spiritual, but do not prescribe to any religion, and do not wish to go to church. It means that we all have a feeling of the divine, we just don't necessarily want to label it, put it in a box, and worship it in a building. But, I am one of those who do... sort of. When someone knows that I am a Christian - and more specifically a Methodist - someone who goes to the Church of the Joyful Healer - I hope that I am influencing them in a specific way. That I change their preconceived notions of what they thought Christians were - in a positive way. I hope that by my actions of service and love, I am influencing them to be a better person. That by them seeing how I act to do something beautiful for God in my life, community and world - they will in turn do the same, which will influence their children and friends, who will then influence their families and friends.
I often hear - "How do I share my faith to someone who doesn't believe the same as I do?" or "How do I invite a friend to church?" This isn't the only way to share your faith. Church is simply one outlet of sharing ones faith - but there are other ways. My church once a month has an Art Night. I invite people to that. My church does a monthly service project at Patrick's Point State Park - I invite people to that. So, even though I have a problem specifically inviting someone to a church service - I don't have any problem inviting someone to a special program we are doing.
So, re-think church! Think outside the box! There are other ways besides physically going to worship service where you can share your faith.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Feeling a Nudge...
God speaks to us in so many ways... for me, it's sometimes in the way of an uncomfortable nudge.
2 weeks ago - I felt a nudge to speak in church. I'm an introvert - public speaking terrifies me! But i felt this need to do this - and it was well received.
Last week - I felt a nudge to give a little more (financially). I basically go to two churches, but I am only a member of one. I have been increasing my tithe to my church to where I am doing just about 10% tithe of the money that I make personally (not my husband's money - this is a choice I make spiritually - when or if he chooses to embrace Christianity as I have, we may choose to do differently). In January, I chose to give a "2nd mile" giving to Imagine No Malaria - I purchase 1 "net" a month ($10 donation). So, last week, I was nudged to give to my 2nd church family - the church I go to 1-2 times a month. The other church I work for. I didn't feel that I should share what I have already pledged to the church where I am a member of - I did not feel that was right. So, you could say this extra tithing is more of a "3rd mile" giving. It's not much, about 1% of my income, but it is what I can do right now and is something I am pledging to do for the rest of the year.
2 days ago - I felt a nudge to make a meal. I haven't done it yet - looking into the specifics of the need. The Arcata UMC commits to making a meal for the Arcata Night Shelter 2x per month. It's often the same people doing it over and over - and often, when there is a night no one can do it - one of the church "elders" does it. But 2 days ago, I got this nudge to do it at least once every 2 months. I can make a meal for 20 people who have nothing - it will make me feel like I am helping and I know I will be doing something beautiful for God - and what God has nudged me to do.
Yesterday - I felt a nudge to do a service project. I'm hoping to get the youth involved. My idea - to set up a booth outside of K-mart and ask people to support UMCOR by purchasing items for kits. These kits are sent to disaster locations. Then having the youth put the kits together. I think it could be cool - fun. Plus, I would like to see my child do more in the way of service when it comes to youth group.
My nudges are coming more and more often! I think it's because I've been a bit more open to where and who God wants me to be.
2 weeks ago - I felt a nudge to speak in church. I'm an introvert - public speaking terrifies me! But i felt this need to do this - and it was well received.
Last week - I felt a nudge to give a little more (financially). I basically go to two churches, but I am only a member of one. I have been increasing my tithe to my church to where I am doing just about 10% tithe of the money that I make personally (not my husband's money - this is a choice I make spiritually - when or if he chooses to embrace Christianity as I have, we may choose to do differently). In January, I chose to give a "2nd mile" giving to Imagine No Malaria - I purchase 1 "net" a month ($10 donation). So, last week, I was nudged to give to my 2nd church family - the church I go to 1-2 times a month. The other church I work for. I didn't feel that I should share what I have already pledged to the church where I am a member of - I did not feel that was right. So, you could say this extra tithing is more of a "3rd mile" giving. It's not much, about 1% of my income, but it is what I can do right now and is something I am pledging to do for the rest of the year.
2 days ago - I felt a nudge to make a meal. I haven't done it yet - looking into the specifics of the need. The Arcata UMC commits to making a meal for the Arcata Night Shelter 2x per month. It's often the same people doing it over and over - and often, when there is a night no one can do it - one of the church "elders" does it. But 2 days ago, I got this nudge to do it at least once every 2 months. I can make a meal for 20 people who have nothing - it will make me feel like I am helping and I know I will be doing something beautiful for God - and what God has nudged me to do.
Yesterday - I felt a nudge to do a service project. I'm hoping to get the youth involved. My idea - to set up a booth outside of K-mart and ask people to support UMCOR by purchasing items for kits. These kits are sent to disaster locations. Then having the youth put the kits together. I think it could be cool - fun. Plus, I would like to see my child do more in the way of service when it comes to youth group.
My nudges are coming more and more often! I think it's because I've been a bit more open to where and who God wants me to be.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
In Dark Times
Things I hear a lot:
- you have the power to make yourself happy, you just have to choose to do so.
- don't let what other people say or do affect your happiness.
- trust in God when you are down. He will lift you up.
Depression is real, and no matter how much I trust in God, it is not going to go away.
The days grow shorter - the sun comes up later and goes down earlier. It always seems dark. It's cold.
The Jones' are buying up everything they can, while the every day person isn't sure if there is enough money to fill the gas tank this week.
Parents work and work to make sure they have enough money to give their children a special holiday, or to be a part of some recreational sport.
Taxes are due, gas and electric bills go up, trips and extra grocery costs are forgotten in the annual budget.
These are realities - no band-aid can cover.
- you have the power to make yourself happy, you just have to choose to do so.
- don't let what other people say or do affect your happiness.
- trust in God when you are down. He will lift you up.
Depression is real, and no matter how much I trust in God, it is not going to go away.
The days grow shorter - the sun comes up later and goes down earlier. It always seems dark. It's cold.
The Jones' are buying up everything they can, while the every day person isn't sure if there is enough money to fill the gas tank this week.
Parents work and work to make sure they have enough money to give their children a special holiday, or to be a part of some recreational sport.
Taxes are due, gas and electric bills go up, trips and extra grocery costs are forgotten in the annual budget.
These are realities - no band-aid can cover.
Money Challenge
I've been praying a lot about money lately. Not that I am coveting money, or that I am idolizing money. I'm not praying TO money, I'm praying about money. I'm praying about how to manage and deal with my money.
For the past 15 years, we have basically been flying by the seat of our pants when it comes to money. It's not that we don't know HOW to manage money, it's that our priorities have been a bit skewed, and we have simply been living without a budget. OK, we still don't have a budget, but I'm working on baby steps here.
A few years ago, I challenged myself to pray about money and giving. I chose to give monthly to my church. I give from the money I make, not the family income, and at first, I didn't give a full 10%. Now I'm just about there. It feels good being able to give that commitment every month.
This year, I want to do more with my money. I've been praying about saving - getting into a habit of giving to the savings at the beginning of each month (or really, in my case, as soon as I get paid, so it's 2x a month) just like I do with my tithe. Not only giving to my own savings, but my children's as well. It's not much, it doesn't have to be much. Baby steps, right?
So, I have a bit of a goal in mind. First - saving for summer. Every summer I work less - which means I have less to do with, and we typically have to prepare for this ahead of time, or it gets us in the butt. But I don't want my savings to be completely depleted every summer. So... I have another goal. Saving for 2 trips - one in 2015 that we just planned and one in 2017 that has been a bit of a pipe dream, and will continue to be so if we don't save.
I thought to myself, how am I going to do that. That is a LOT of money! Yes, but do you know how much going out to fast food costs?? I"m sure that on average, I have spent $20-$30 going out to fast food every week. That's an average - some weeks less, some... more. Wow, can you imagine if I didn't do this how much I would be able to "save"? Now, lets face it, absolutely no fast food is not a reality for my lifestyle. I am often on the run a lot with my children, and are simply unable to do things like bring food with me ALL the time for dinner. but, we can cut back.
What about the other stuff I buy that I don't need. It's time to set those priorities. So, I've been praying about money. I've been praying about my priorities on spending. And I challenge you to do the same.
For the past 15 years, we have basically been flying by the seat of our pants when it comes to money. It's not that we don't know HOW to manage money, it's that our priorities have been a bit skewed, and we have simply been living without a budget. OK, we still don't have a budget, but I'm working on baby steps here.
A few years ago, I challenged myself to pray about money and giving. I chose to give monthly to my church. I give from the money I make, not the family income, and at first, I didn't give a full 10%. Now I'm just about there. It feels good being able to give that commitment every month.
This year, I want to do more with my money. I've been praying about saving - getting into a habit of giving to the savings at the beginning of each month (or really, in my case, as soon as I get paid, so it's 2x a month) just like I do with my tithe. Not only giving to my own savings, but my children's as well. It's not much, it doesn't have to be much. Baby steps, right?
So, I have a bit of a goal in mind. First - saving for summer. Every summer I work less - which means I have less to do with, and we typically have to prepare for this ahead of time, or it gets us in the butt. But I don't want my savings to be completely depleted every summer. So... I have another goal. Saving for 2 trips - one in 2015 that we just planned and one in 2017 that has been a bit of a pipe dream, and will continue to be so if we don't save.
I thought to myself, how am I going to do that. That is a LOT of money! Yes, but do you know how much going out to fast food costs?? I"m sure that on average, I have spent $20-$30 going out to fast food every week. That's an average - some weeks less, some... more. Wow, can you imagine if I didn't do this how much I would be able to "save"? Now, lets face it, absolutely no fast food is not a reality for my lifestyle. I am often on the run a lot with my children, and are simply unable to do things like bring food with me ALL the time for dinner. but, we can cut back.
What about the other stuff I buy that I don't need. It's time to set those priorities. So, I've been praying about money. I've been praying about my priorities on spending. And I challenge you to do the same.
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