2 Corinthians 8:2-5

When we were growing up, every time my dad would receive an honorarium for performing some pastoral duty, we would gather as a family, decide who was in need, and secretly give them some. My parents did not have a lot of money and as I've grown into the parent role, I am ever aware of the unending needs of my family. It makes what my parents did even more remarkable. 

To this day, I don't know more generous people than my parents. My mom, who dreams all the dreams of fixing up her house, finally buying a new couch, installing central heat and air! They could have done all that by now but instead they chose people, loving people.

In the Japanese culture, people give gifts to one another based on how much the other person has given them. It is all fair, all the time. What a stifling way to give! and what a perversion of the way Jesus intended. 

In Paul's 2nd letter to the Corinthians he talked about the generosity of the people from the Macedonian churches. He said that even "out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." And hear this! "They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints." 

My heart is open. My eyes are searching for ways to be a blessing to my community. As we head into the Christmas season may we jump at the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus, even in this trial of a year. No matter how much we have or don't have. 

And just maybe, as I grow, they will too.

A Covid Halloween

The kids had a wonderful Halloween thanks to our family and friends. 

In keeping with tradition, Luke (BIL) and Sharon (MIL) went ahead and decided to make full on costumes in spite of Covid. It made the holiday still so magical for the kids and Josh and I were so thankful for the way they care for them. 

In lieu of trick or treating, Sharon also made a little scavenger hunt and put together a candy building craft. It was so perfect.

Then a few close friends came over and social distantly helped us trick or treat. 

Austie! =)

Abby's reaction to Mason the Chicken.

A Word For My Church (And Yours)

Today is election day! As if I needed to remind anyone that the culmination of the most divisive election I've ever witnessed will be decided today. Truthfully, I'm not even worried about the outcome. Sure I voted and have my opinions but once I mailed my ballot I gave it up to the Lord. 

I am more concerned about how the church will respond to the results of the election. It will be a true measure of where they are in Christ.  I'll be watching and praying and hoping that MY church is the picture of Jesus Christ. 

This year, I've had a hard time putting into words the reasons why I have felt so put off and burdened by the certain attitudes from people in and outside the church, but mostly inside it. As I've been studying proverbs and listening to some wise teachers, I've finally figured it out and I want to chat with you about it. 

There's a whole lot of scoffing going on and I think we, as believers, need to distance ourselves as far away as possible from it. 

A scoffer...speaks with contempt about people, enjoys the failures and judgment of others, doesn't take correction, only entertains their own ideas, makes light of sin and judgment, mocks people they hold in contempt.

Don't we see so much of this, especially now, as the fire heats up around the election? How much are we allowing the snark, contempt, and scoffing to dominate our conversations and platforms?

This isn't about determining who is a good Christian or not, this is about WISDOM. Psalm 1:1 says that it isn't wise to sit in the seat of scoffers, or take counsel from the wicked or stand in the way of sinners. And the next verse says that those who avoid those things will be "like a tree planted by streams of water...in all he does he prospers."

I'd rather be a tree and prosper.  

Scoffing and mocking and snarking looks a lot like our culture and we aren't supposed to reflect the culture and the world around us. We reflect Jesus. Not the world. Nor its ways.

There is too much at stake. Scoffing is the fruit of fools, not the wise. Nor the fruit of hearts surrendered to Christ. Let's reflect the heart of the Father, not the spirit of our nation.

This was penned by Kristen Lavalley on an Instagram post, but it may have well come straight from my own heart. 

Church, let's make Jesus proud.