The writing prompt for Sunday Scribblings this week is "Date". Instead of writing about my wedding date, or my most romantic date - I was inspired to write about my funeral date. (kind of morbid, huh?)
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:1-2:"A good reputation is better than a fat bank account.
Your death date tells more than your birth date.
You learn more at a funeral than at a feast (party).After all, that's where we'll end up. We might discover something from it."
When I die, I don't want any regrets. I need to make sure that what I am living for now is worth dying for. A lot of the things I keep myself busy with just don't matter. Like most people, I give much of my attention to what is happening now. I should be doing more things that have long term benefits, thinking more about eternity.
Tonight, I heard Dr. Royce B. Short say - "No one is ready to live until he is ready to die. You don't know what is important in the present until you see it in the backdrop of eternity."
This is what we can learn at a funeral:
- We are reminded of our mortality. One day we will die.
- Our minds think about what matters most in life.
- We may ask - What do I need to change in my life?
- We contemplate rearranging our priorities.
- We consider excluding things that can shorten our earthly life.
- We understand that life will be meaningless if we live just for this life, not considering eternity.
- We remember that we can't take our stuff with us.
- We realize that now is the time to turn to God. Time goes by really quick. Death is final. We have to prepare now to meet our Creator.
On the day of my funeral, it is my desire that people talk about my character. Hopefully, they will tell about how I had a positive impact on other people and that I enjoyed serving God.
So, I had better get busy so I can give them something good to talk about.
Gospel for Asia offers a free book through their website. I got it and found it very interesting.
The book tells about the history and the current work of Gospel for Asia. It explains how they: train local people to become missionaries, support a missionary for only $1400 a year, are currently supporting 16,000 missionaries, and have planted 29,000 churches and mission stations.
You can request this book at Gospel for Asia and they will send it to you free.
I've been so excited about the New Year that I haven't properly said good-bye to the Old Year. I guess I'm just anxious to move on and experience new things. There were a lot of significant events last year - some good and some really bad. But they all were a part of my life and need to be a part of my memories.
What do I want to acknowledge about myself in regard to 2007?
- Did too much worrying about how God was going to take care of me and my family.
- Discovered emotional problems that I need to stop suppressing and deal with.
- Realized that I don't really want to be a nurse after all, I'm much more interested in Christian counseling.
- Found out that I actually like working for free, if I'm working for God.
What happy events do I want to remember from 2007? - Traveled to the West Coast 3 times to visit my family.
- Tagged along on my husband's business trips and therefore got to explore Manhattan, Lancaster PA, and the Gettysburg Battlefield.
- Started going to a wonderful Christian church that preaches from the Bible, prays often, and witnesses to the world.
What is there to grieve from 2007? - My brother-in-law, Steve, decided to commit suicide. He didn't get professional help when he needed it. He didn't understand that others could help him work through his problems. He didn't realize how it would devastate his family, cause his loved ones to blame themselves, and leave behind lots of problems for others to have to deal with. He didn't think about how people would feel when they discovered how he died. He didn't understand that he would be messing up the plans that God had for his future. He didn't know how much he would be missed.
What else do I want to say about 2007 to declare it complete?
- I learned from the things I regret saying and doing, and I got better at saying "I'm sorry".
- God's will for my life isn't just some future plan. I can live in God's will now, on a daily basis.
- Another year has come and gone. I didn't use my time as wisely as I should have, but I got much better at it.
Good-Bye 2007.
What would like to say about 2007 to declare it complete?
Living in God's Will and looking for His purpose for your life is wonderful, but that doesn't mean you give up your goals. Personal goals are different than your purpose for life (God's plan or course for your life).
Even though you want to follow God's plan for your life, you should still have goals. Personal goals are specific activities that you set. They are short term and measurable. Goals will help you reach your purpose.
How to define your goals:
- set a deadline for completion of a goal
- they shouldn't contradict the will of God
- they should help you achieve God's purpose for your life
- they should have meaning and importance
- they are not dependent on others
- they will benefit others
- they need to be in harmony with the Will of God
- involve prayer in goal setting
- they are attainable
- they are realistic
It's important to understand that goals can change. They can be adjusted to fit with the perfect will of God. God expects us to pursue goals. If He needs to get us on a different course, then He will.
James 4:15 says: What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."
(from my notes on Purpose by June Hunt)
(Fish image is from ChristArt.com)
I've listened to Money Matters on the Christian radio station for about 7 years. People call in daily to get their financial questions answered.
Money Matters teaches:
- Biblical financial principles
- how to get out of debt
- how to help fund the Great Commission.
When you have no more debt and interest to pay, God can show you how to help fund His Work.
The Money Matters Radio Show is also online.
Their website, Crown Financial Ministries, is filled with - helpful financial articles, budgeting and saving calculators, and free financial tools.
Scripture References about budgeting, saving, investing, debt, giving, greed, and riches.
(Fish image is from ChristArt.com)
What would you do if you had a million dollars - to give to God's work? Would you start a ministry? Would you give some to missionaries, your church, Christian organizations?
Yes. You would pray about it before actually giving the money away. I'd like to know what types of ministries are dear to your heart. Which ones would you be interested in supporting? (but pray about first)
Well, I'd really like to get your answers and add them to this post. You can include links, too.
God's Girl said: I would really pray before making specific donations but off the top of my head, I would sponsor missionaries, make a donation to an organization that translates and distributes the Bible worldwide, start a women's ministry that has been on my heart for years, donate money to a local women's ministry that I believe in, donate to my church's building project....for a start! hehehe
Debbie said: Wow! That is a thought provoking question. I agree with the others-you would need to spend a great deal of time in prayer first! I really know so many missionaries and mission projects around the globe that it would be easy to spend a million dollars. I think I would have to donate a hefty sum to Piedmont Baptist College. They do a great job of training Christian leaders. I would also pray about giving funds to the Baptist Mid-Missions camp outside Lima, Peru. It has never been funded enough. After that I would give a massive sum to national pastors and missionaries. Your dollar goes a long way with these dear servants. I know dozens here in Peru that live off so little. I don't suppose I will ever have the chance to distribute a million dollars for the Lord's work. But, if anyone wants me to try, just let me know! Sounds like a blessed job to me.
Joyce said: Personally....I would probably "break up the money" and distribute it to various missionaries and missions organizations that need it badly. I wouldn't probably give it to so many of the "well known" or big agencies, but maybe a few that I trust. My heart goes out to the people/missionaries who are doing the work but haven't much $$$ support. Right before I read your comment on my blog...I had just wrote a check out to a little "Girls" home in Mexico that my friends are involved in. Because they haven't any heat and it's gotten cold there and their heaters were dangerous. Not working, expelling toxic gases, etc...so...several of us have all pitched in to help buy them a new furnace...because they couldn't afford it. That's the kind of things I want to help out with.....and of course other things as well. Orphans, AIDS, clean water, child prostitution, and human trafficking is a huge issue I am dealing with in my heart. I can't stand it. Those last ones put me over the edge. Child prostitution and Human Trafficking. We have some friends that are now working in that realm too.....so I would pour money to that cause big time. I don't think I would start a new missions situation only because there are so many working ones out there. I would check them out though and make sure they are reputable before I gave to them. I've seen and known of financial abuse even in missions areas...and I don't go for people living high off of missions funds.
Christina said: I would pray, pray and pray some more. A million dollars is not chump change. I pray before I spend my last twenty so I would surely pray. Where the Lord led me I would follow.
Shari said: I would - support some Gospel for Asia Missionaries (only takes $1800 a year to fully support one), support the projects of Operation Blessing (helping low income families worldwide and orphans), finish my college education (so I will be better educated to work for God), send each of my kids on a short term mission trip, contribute to my church's various fund raising projects, adopt or help other Christians adopt, and help my husband start the Christian camp that he has been dreaming about for 20 years.
Just Jen said: If have a million dollars just to spend on God's work, He would have it spent before He gave it to me. God gives His grace in measure. :D I would think He would do the same with the money....just as he did with the fish and bread....
Karan said: I'd start with first, researching people or families and organizations who were in need of help and decide on who I would give some of the wealth to.
One activity my husband and I already do is, if we have read a thoroughly inspirational book that helps us to grow and think in our own lives, we recommend it to others by purchasing many copies and mailing them to friends and family to read.
I'd probably add more names to our missionary list to help support their work for the Lord. At 65 I'm too old and too tired to go to a foreign field, but I'd like to help send others to forward the name of Jesus.
I'd also like to help serious Bible College students to get through college. When I was a young woman in Bible College, my dream was to have a youth ranch for troubled youth. I most likely would consider making this dream a reality even now, by financing something similar to this.
There are so many small ways to help those in need, if you choose to give away little by little and you can include your children, grandchildren or students by teaching them how to give. Some examples I'd choose would be food, medicines, seeds, rice and shoes. You can organize a shoe drive for orphans or needy kids. I took my grandsons to a shoe dept. and we picked out shoes to send to the orphans - it was fun. I've even seen needy people or disabled people shopping and not have enough money to buy a pair of shoes or some needed item. What a look of surprise and joy on their face when I told them I'd like to buy the shoes for them. Actually, I think my own heart was more elated. There are so many ways we can be an example to our children and younger generations regarding giving. And we can always give to hunger in America. I'd like to gradually give out my wealth and not do it all at once. Spread the blessings over time!
This is an acceptable start on what I would do with a million dollars. It would go quickly, and I would need to make a good advantageous plan before I started. I would also encourage my grandchildren to join in learning how to give to others in need.
The Sunday Scribblings prompt for this week is "New".
This year, I want to be a new woman with a new attitude. I want those I know to say: "Hey. Is there something different about you?"
- Away with the bitterness. It only hurts me when I hang on to the hurt, feeling too wounded to forgive.
- Away with the impatience. God sure has been patient with me. He waited 17 years for me to get back to church.
- Away with fear and worry. I've finally realized that it really doesn't make my circumstances better.
- Away with competitiveness. Jesus wants us to work together and encourage each other.
- Away with laziness. I only have so much time on this earth.
- Away with unhealthy eating habits. I want that physical energy back, that I had 7 years ago.
- Away with being unappreciative. God gives me blessings every day, things I don't deserve and haven't earned.
- Away with hoping in my plans. They've been known to change for the better. Thank you, Jesus.
The Sunday Scribblings prompt for last week was "Now and Then".
My physical circumstances aren't much different "Now" then they were "Then". I still have: the same lack of money, the same debt, the same rented house, and the same lack of prospects. But, now my spirit and mind are different.
You see, the difference between "Now" and "Then" is that - Now, I am living in God's Will. I decided to stop worrying about what I don't have. It's so much easier saying: Lord, what do you want me to do today? He sends little opportunities and people my way. Well, they seem little to me. However, if they are part of God's Will, then they are part of His big plan.
Telling God that I want to live in His Will can be scary. It's not about telling him where I'm willing to serve or live. Currently, I live 3000 miles from where my extended family lives. This was never part of my plan, but I know beyond a doubt that I am living exactly where God wants me to live. My physical circumstances haven't improved by living here, but my Christian walk has improved. My ministry for Jesus has grown.
I'm not searching for the meaning of life. I'm not looking for the right religion. I know the Truth. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the way. My life has meaning. My purpose is to serve Him and worship Him. I have such a peace in my heart, because I know what my future holds when I die. I will live forever in Heaven. It is so exciting.
Today, I received an email from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.Ron said: "My prayer for 2008 is that you won’t just make a casual "new year’s resolution" of some kind. My prayer is that rescue will become a burning passion of your heart - that every day you will look for, and seek out opportunities to share the hope you have in Jesus."There are so many ways to participate in evangelism. You can: let your Christian light shine to your neighbors, witness through Christian community projects, support existing evangelism and ministry projects, help attract non-Christians to your church.
It is important to tell people that they need a Savior, because one day they will face God’s judgment for their sins. If they aren't going to heaven, they are going to hell. That is the awful reality.
There are hundreds of witnessing ideas for individuals, families, and churches at the Easy to Evangelize site.
(The clip art is from ChristArt.com)
Do you find your worth in what you do? Are you concerned that others will think less of you, if they knew what you do for work? Are you self-critical, because you are trying to win the approval of other people.Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.It is vital to see ourselves through God's eyes. We are worthwhile to Him. He created us with a purpose.Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."He doesn't want us to get caught up in the world's values, but to value what Jesus says is priority. We are to be like Jesus. He came to serve, not to be served.1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.2 Corinthians 3:5-6 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.
Dear Jesus,I'm tempted to compare myself with others, even other Christians. Sometimes I think - I'm not as "spiritual". I'm not as likeable and outgoing. I'm not as thin and good looking. I haven't finished my college education yet. It's not that other people are being critical of me; it's that I am critical of myself. I give into the feelings of low self worth.I need to remind myself that you value me. You know what's best for me; you have a purpose for me. How do you want me to serve and minister to others? I want to know Your will for my life and to follow Your way for me.Love, Shari
This is what I learned about Self Worth, today. Self worth is the belief that you have value and significance. My true self-worth is not based on what I do, or how I look. I have value, because God gave me value.
I was made in His image. Christ willingly gave His life for me, even though I didn't deserve it.
Romans 5:7-8 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
He designed me to need Him. Jesus needs to be my highest priority. In Him, I will find my true worth.
Colossians 1:15-17 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
This year, I've really tried to make the Christmas season fun for the family, and get the focus off of the commercialism. We've kept our family traditions and added some new ones.
- Made Happy Birthday Jesus Cakes (our favorite tradition)
- Shared Our Christian Faith (passed out stocking ornaments with a Santa Gospel tract inside.)
- Participated in the church's canned food collection
- Watched most of the Christmas TV specials
- Made Christmas Crafts
- Had a family snack food party and played cards
- Made gingerbread men and hung one on the tree
- Hung Christmas lights in the bedrooms
- Had a slumber party next to the lighted Christmas tree
- Added links, nightly, to the Thankful Paper Chain
- Participated in our church's Nursing Home Gift Ministry
On Christmas Eve, we plan to:
Sometimes, I find myself going through a difficulty and doubting that things will get better. I forget to hope in God. So, I do a “thinking back” exercise. I remind myself of a time in my past that I didn’t have much hope. It felt like the problem would never be resolved, and that I would never recover. Then, I think about how God helped me through the problem and it’s emotional pain. God helped me to overcome it and therefore it became a part of my past. This gets me believing that the same thing will happen with what I am currently facing. This, too, will eventually be a part of my past. And I want it to serve a purpose, to be something that God can use in a positive way. I want to grow and learn during hard times, so that I will be able to help someone; have empathy for another person facing a difficult situation.
