Just blogging right along! I am wanting to finish this book so I keep plugging away at it! Anyway, the very sensitive and hot-button topic of tithing was VERY well addressed by Alcorn. He really set it up well in chapter 11 by reminding us that we are only pilgrims in this world - SO LIVE LIKE IT IS TRUE! The more we have here on earth, the more likely we are to forget that we are citizens of heaven and the more we will be distracted and burdened by them. I thought the illustration of going on a bike trip was very good as I'm visual. I can see that lugging around too many things would be ridiculous and would hinder me from finishing the trip out. Or I have that visual of a race before me where everything is really stripped down to a minimum in order to run the race well and not be burdened or slowed down by unnecessary baggage.
So, then we hit chapter 12 on tithing. When I first heard that people still tithed, I was very taken aback. I had exactly the same arguments against tithing as he had laid out - OT legalism, now under grace, doesn't apply to us now, bondage - but the jury's out - Christians under grace as a whole (and I included!) have given less than the poor Jews who were under the law. His suggestion of making the 1/10th a STARTING point is excellent - and we intend to start now. At first, I tried to argue with God - ok, we'll start this but maybe we can use half of that toward our debts so that it's like helping out a Christian in need? Then I read this on pg. 188: Is God responsible for my unwise or greedy decisions that may have put me there?" and then: you are "not God, and you are not the church." Yikes!!! There goes that argument!
Then, I was very encouraged by 2 situations: First, realizing that if we had to take a 10% paycut, we will more than survive, RIGHT? wouldn't like it very much, but we could make adjustments to make it work! Second, so what if we're short just a few hundred dollars? Is my God so small that He couldn't compensate that little of a shortfall? Where's my faith? Where am I trusting Him? Wow. That was SO convicting and SO exciting because I can see how foolish I've been! I can anticipate God meeting my needs in wonderful ways!
Finally, I can't wait to discuss chapter 13! Come on everyone! Temporarily put away a couple of the other books you are reading and have this book at hand and available for every free moment and potty break! We don't want to lose momentum on what He's doing in our lives! I will save my comments for chapter 13 for later because I need to pray about this and digest it a little. This is very hard to do - especially since it goes so much against my grain! He is my Helper and my Provider. How about demonstrating that I trust Him?
Lord ,I believe, help me in my unbelief!
Jules
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
PROGRESS
I'm not quite ready to post on the next chapters but I am up to chapter 13 and have made a little progress. I thought I'd share this on the blog so that I can look back after a while and see if I stuck it through.
First of all, I am once again very convicted about tithing. Again, not legalistically - but it makes perfect sense what he talks about - using the 10% as a starting point to cheerful giving. We have been tracking our expenses for a month and it's obvious the areas that I overspend on. Eating out, clothes, and books. We have decided that we will give to the Lord first - yes, off the gross - and devise a plan of self-control and cutting back in order to make payments on debts and bills. So, first adjustment - not robbing God.
Second, I am on a book fast. Ok, kind of. I bought a book the other day - but not sneaking around Anthony as I sometimes do! I asked his permission and he okayed it because it was interesting and we wanted to support this local Christian bookstore in Columbus. Ok, so that's it. No more for this month. I'm doing this in order to spend the time in prayer, in order to be able to say no, in order to appreciate the books i DO have and in order to read what I have now! It's freeing in a way but difficult because I so want to buy something. When I see that it's really cheap and it's something on my wishlist and it's on sale.. well... you know!
Third, I am on a clothes fast. I have plenty to wear and I'm only pregnant for another 3 more months. I might have to pick up a shirt or two but I pray that He will help me curb my desires.
Fourth, we are going to go out eating less. We go out several times a week. i just need to write out a meal plan or something or have something cheaper to throw in the oven when we're tempted to eat out. We need to reduce this or we will literally eat our money up!
Fifth, we are trying to conserve more energy. I am so used to the cold that it doesn't bother me as much to set the temp lower but Anthony freezes. We'll reduce it degree by degree in order to get that $400 utility bill down!
Sixth, until the nanny comes, I will cut back on my babysitting and suck it up and do things with all 3 kids in tow. I want to aggressively pay down the debt while I can. It's like a noose around my neck and the hole just gets deeper and deeper as the need seems to surpass our ability to pay. How pathetic is that?
Seventh, for some reason, the Lord brought a new car into our lives. After looking at the finances and where we need to cut back we can see that there's a little bit of room for a small car payment. We just got replaced our 2001 van with a 2005 van for $5000. I can hardly believe it! :-)
So, what progress have you made so far? Any? None? Hardly?
Let's encourage each other. Thanks for the article on impulse spending. Tell me about it! I hardly bought anything this weekend in Columbus, even though we went to Easton and Polaris! It was easier than I thought to just say no.
More later...
In His time,
Jules
First of all, I am once again very convicted about tithing. Again, not legalistically - but it makes perfect sense what he talks about - using the 10% as a starting point to cheerful giving. We have been tracking our expenses for a month and it's obvious the areas that I overspend on. Eating out, clothes, and books. We have decided that we will give to the Lord first - yes, off the gross - and devise a plan of self-control and cutting back in order to make payments on debts and bills. So, first adjustment - not robbing God.
Second, I am on a book fast. Ok, kind of. I bought a book the other day - but not sneaking around Anthony as I sometimes do! I asked his permission and he okayed it because it was interesting and we wanted to support this local Christian bookstore in Columbus. Ok, so that's it. No more for this month. I'm doing this in order to spend the time in prayer, in order to be able to say no, in order to appreciate the books i DO have and in order to read what I have now! It's freeing in a way but difficult because I so want to buy something. When I see that it's really cheap and it's something on my wishlist and it's on sale.. well... you know!
Third, I am on a clothes fast. I have plenty to wear and I'm only pregnant for another 3 more months. I might have to pick up a shirt or two but I pray that He will help me curb my desires.
Fourth, we are going to go out eating less. We go out several times a week. i just need to write out a meal plan or something or have something cheaper to throw in the oven when we're tempted to eat out. We need to reduce this or we will literally eat our money up!
Fifth, we are trying to conserve more energy. I am so used to the cold that it doesn't bother me as much to set the temp lower but Anthony freezes. We'll reduce it degree by degree in order to get that $400 utility bill down!
Sixth, until the nanny comes, I will cut back on my babysitting and suck it up and do things with all 3 kids in tow. I want to aggressively pay down the debt while I can. It's like a noose around my neck and the hole just gets deeper and deeper as the need seems to surpass our ability to pay. How pathetic is that?
Seventh, for some reason, the Lord brought a new car into our lives. After looking at the finances and where we need to cut back we can see that there's a little bit of room for a small car payment. We just got replaced our 2001 van with a 2005 van for $5000. I can hardly believe it! :-)
So, what progress have you made so far? Any? None? Hardly?
Let's encourage each other. Thanks for the article on impulse spending. Tell me about it! I hardly bought anything this weekend in Columbus, even though we went to Easton and Polaris! It was easier than I thought to just say no.
More later...
In His time,
Jules
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Chapters 9-10
Because we're slowing down and because these chapters are loaded, I thought to only discuss these two chapters here. I think I have to post right after reading a chapter so I don't lose my momentum nor my thoughts that occur while reading.
The first thing that I loved to read was the section on Crowns as Rewards. I've never seen the crowns spelled out like that. It is a beautiful list of what to look forward to and how to obtain those crowns. We say that we desire to hear our Lord saying, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." I have to admit that Alcorn is correct in identifying the missing ingredient in a Christian's life as MOTIVATION. I appreciated the examples and the encouragement to be motivated by looking ahead to a greater reward. I used to think that it was prideful to look forward to rewards but this book is showing me that's what God intends for us.
Chapter 10 has an excellent list of lessons concerning both the Master and the Servant on p. 147 and 148. I have been thinking about it since I've read it and considering how I can change my attitude so that the servant doesn't mistaken being the master!
At this point however, I still am feeling a bit hollow about my stewardship. My prayer is that the Lord would not just allow me to read this book and say, Boy, that was a good book. And then going on about my business. I pray that He will deal with this issue in my life so that I can honor and glorify Him. I read this morning once again about the young man who asked Jesus, "What good deed must I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Jesus replies, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Was the Lord implying that giving away all our possessions would buy our salvation? Absolutely not! Christ nailed the very god in the heart of this young man. He knew that the true hindrance in being a true follower of Christ was the very fact that his heart belonged to Mammon.
I pray that the Lord would continue to work in my heart and settle this money matter within me. I don't want to go on without a major overhaul in this area of my life. I am sickened to even consider that by allowing the love of money and my poor stewardship it's betraying evidence of split loyalty.
I wish I could express myself better. Oh well! :-)
The Lord continues to work in me.
"Live in Light of Eternity" has taken on a new meaning...
Jules
The first thing that I loved to read was the section on Crowns as Rewards. I've never seen the crowns spelled out like that. It is a beautiful list of what to look forward to and how to obtain those crowns. We say that we desire to hear our Lord saying, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." I have to admit that Alcorn is correct in identifying the missing ingredient in a Christian's life as MOTIVATION. I appreciated the examples and the encouragement to be motivated by looking ahead to a greater reward. I used to think that it was prideful to look forward to rewards but this book is showing me that's what God intends for us.
Chapter 10 has an excellent list of lessons concerning both the Master and the Servant on p. 147 and 148. I have been thinking about it since I've read it and considering how I can change my attitude so that the servant doesn't mistaken being the master!
At this point however, I still am feeling a bit hollow about my stewardship. My prayer is that the Lord would not just allow me to read this book and say, Boy, that was a good book. And then going on about my business. I pray that He will deal with this issue in my life so that I can honor and glorify Him. I read this morning once again about the young man who asked Jesus, "What good deed must I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Jesus replies, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Was the Lord implying that giving away all our possessions would buy our salvation? Absolutely not! Christ nailed the very god in the heart of this young man. He knew that the true hindrance in being a true follower of Christ was the very fact that his heart belonged to Mammon.
I pray that the Lord would continue to work in my heart and settle this money matter within me. I don't want to go on without a major overhaul in this area of my life. I am sickened to even consider that by allowing the love of money and my poor stewardship it's betraying evidence of split loyalty.
I wish I could express myself better. Oh well! :-)
The Lord continues to work in me.
"Live in Light of Eternity" has taken on a new meaning...
Jules
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Chapters 5-8
I don't have time to comment on all the chapters I've read, but I have to comment on the section about the Prosperity Gospel. If you've read this already, isn't this just so true??? First of all, I'm really appalled at these so-called "Christian pastors" who strut around and tell this "other gospel" to these people. Second of all, I'm really appalled that those who preach this false gospel is filling their churches with 5,000, 10,000.. 30,000 people!!! (Joel Osteen) It's disgusting!! If they would read even a portion of their Bible, they would see how much it goes against what Christ had preached. I especially like the one that promised to give the secret reason why God wanted $27 if you sent it!! Yikes!!
What is so bad is that many churches have fallen into this trap, not just those preaching health and wealth. How many churches go into debt? How many have extravagant programs? How many have luxurious furniture? How many are paid in the 6 figures for their pastoral service?
What is very convicting - something that I've already been convicted about but have recently found myself excusing - is the REASON why God has prospered us: "that you will abound in every good work, that you can be generous on every occasion, that others may be relieved, that you may exercise dependence upon God for all your financial needs. I have a lot to think through and discuss with Anthony - because I'm wondering about saving up for the future. What the line is? I think this would be good for discussion. Any takers?
Read (or re-read page 86) for a real spiritual punch in the gut. But the kind that you know is so true, so necessary to hear... Wow, it's incredibly powerful...
I haven't finished chapter 8 yet.. but so far it's refreshing. Why? Because he has given me a taste of heaven, a desire to be there. I believe that nothing we read or are convicted of regarding money will be of lasting change if we don't long for heaven - because without that reality and that future hope, how can we battle the ever-present, tangible temptations around us? Delayed gratification doesn't seem possible if we aren't convinced the delay is worth it. I'm going to re-read "Heaven" by Alcorn after this. I've gotten about a third of the way through. It's also excellent. Ok, I'm talking to a wall here! Someone, write in!! :-)
btw, Christina's baby is really sick and in the hospital. Chris has limited computer access. She will hopefully post later. She's finished the book!
Eternity,
Jules
What is so bad is that many churches have fallen into this trap, not just those preaching health and wealth. How many churches go into debt? How many have extravagant programs? How many have luxurious furniture? How many are paid in the 6 figures for their pastoral service?
What is very convicting - something that I've already been convicted about but have recently found myself excusing - is the REASON why God has prospered us: "that you will abound in every good work, that you can be generous on every occasion, that others may be relieved, that you may exercise dependence upon God for all your financial needs. I have a lot to think through and discuss with Anthony - because I'm wondering about saving up for the future. What the line is? I think this would be good for discussion. Any takers?
Read (or re-read page 86) for a real spiritual punch in the gut. But the kind that you know is so true, so necessary to hear... Wow, it's incredibly powerful...
I haven't finished chapter 8 yet.. but so far it's refreshing. Why? Because he has given me a taste of heaven, a desire to be there. I believe that nothing we read or are convicted of regarding money will be of lasting change if we don't long for heaven - because without that reality and that future hope, how can we battle the ever-present, tangible temptations around us? Delayed gratification doesn't seem possible if we aren't convinced the delay is worth it. I'm going to re-read "Heaven" by Alcorn after this. I've gotten about a third of the way through. It's also excellent. Ok, I'm talking to a wall here! Someone, write in!! :-)
btw, Christina's baby is really sick and in the hospital. Chris has limited computer access. She will hopefully post later. She's finished the book!
Eternity,
Jules
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