H onor God
O utreach to the seeker
M inister to those in need
E quip the believer
November 10, 2009
Missionaries who return home for furlough after years on the field often report a similar reaction upon shopping again in America. Having lived amongst people with little food and even less choice about what food they will eat and having seen the joy and generosity of such people, they often break into tears when seeing the variety and abundance on grocery store shelves. These are not tears of joy but frustration, even shame, over the realization that our wealth results in far less joy than amongst our poverty stricken third world brothers and sisters.
As we pray about committing to give for support of God’s work at St. Pauls in the next year, I pray we will experience the great spiritual paradox that is in giving we receive, that the act of sharing/giving/caring/investing reduces anxiety and can be an act of liberation in such trouble financial times. I pray the false sense of security we tend to develop in “boom” times will be replaced by a deeper trust in God’s provision that never wavers with the ups and downs of financial markets.
We’ll be dedicating our commitments during the services this weekend. Come enjoy the picnic or brunch and look forward to a year of spiritual abundance.
Uplink: Lord Jesus, teach me to give my will to peace, joy, security and a deeper experience of life itself…
In your name, I pray, Amen
P.S. Don’t forget to reflect prayerfully on your giving for the next year, to pick up your commitment card in the foyer before worship so we can dedicate them during the service. We’ll enjoy a great meal after the Saturday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday service (fried or smoked turkey) and a burrito breakfast during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service. Can’t wait to see everybody! The children will be singing in the Sunday services also!
Posted by sppchurch
Posted by sppchurch
Posted by sppchurch