…Charlee Grace, the newest addition to the May family!

Recently I was talking to someone about the fact that they had a bitter attitude when it came to serving on the weekend.  They basically had the perception that Sunday was their day.  I mean, they worked six days a week and Sunday was the day that they should relax, kick back, and enjoy life.

Now, I absolutely agree that they need to relax, but I disagree with their view of the week itself.

Sunday, in reality, is the first day of the week.  Actually, it has been viewed this way by some ancient cultures.  Of which we can thank the Jews of where we get our religious practices and beliefs.

Here’s what happens when we take this all in perspective and view Sunday as the first day of the week.

• We set the week up for greater influence by God because it begins with Him.
• It helps with the concept of tithing, which many Christians have a problem with also because it is about giving to God first not last.
• We are less likely to get burned out during the week because of a good beginning.
• The tradition of using Sunday as your first day allows you to prepare for the week as far as meal planning, clothing prep, etc.
• It will make you set better priorities and not work 60-plus hour weeks.
• This helps you treat Saturdays as your Sabbath to hang with the family as it should be.
• It makes you more productive in your week because you are striving to get everything done by Saturday.

Bottom line: Christianity is all about love but it is also about discipline.  You have to be intentional about giving to God first.  By allowing God His rightful position other things in your life will begin to pan out.  You will feel like serving more.  Tithing won’t be such a bad thing.  And you might even become a better spiritual leader for you family.

Sunday, the new Monday?  Or has it always been this way?  Isn’t it time to get back to drawing board?

So, whatcha scared of?

Leading people in things of the spiritual realm can be a daunting task.  I think that when people ponder the possibility of doing this, they see someone else’s eternity hanging in the balance.  Or maybe they’re just concerned with messing somebody else up real bad because of the possibility of giving them bad advice.

I have heard this from within some of the areas in our church.  I understand what this fear feels like.  But I don’t think that this point is where we need to pitch our tents and camp out at, believing we can’t make a difference.

Whatever it is that causes this fear, it makes people timid and reluctant when it comes to the possibility of leading someone spiritually.

That’s a shame because many people are missing out on a better life because of their feelings of inadequacies.  I mean, put yourself in the shoes of someone that needs help for a moment.

As this person, do you need someone to solve the deepest darkest part of your psychological makeup? Or would it be nice to have someone else just to bounce some ideas off of?  Someone to take the time and listen to you?  Or how about having someone lend a hand when you need it?  Does this sound like a way someone could help lead you spiritually?

Well, it is.  This is the way to lead someone spiritually, to make a difference in their lives.  Listen to this cool scripture from the apostle Paul (see my comments in italics):

“Because of the service (the help you give) by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God (Whoa! They will actually talk about how great God is because of you!) for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, (that means they know – because you took the time to help – that when you talk to them, you’re doing it for God) and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.”
2 Corinthians 9:13

All it takes is a willing heart to stop and help someone.  God will get the credit because of you.  And you will now have more leverage to talk to that person about God.

Do you still think you are not equipped to lead someone?  All you gotta do is help, not solve someone’s problems for them.  That’s God’s job.  But…it starts with you.

-Jody

Sacrifice: 1. an offering as to God 2. a voluntary loss

Today my sons had to come face-to-face with a decision on what to sacrifice for the good of another person. This was probably the first true challenge for both of them to think about the world outside of their comfortable life.

My children were in their Oak Leaf Kids class and learned about an organization that helps find sponsors for children in third world countries. Compassion was the main topic of the adult service as well, and as soon as I picked my kids up, they were both talking at once about boys and girls who need food, water and a place to sleep. I was quite surprised at their enthusiasm to be a sponsor, but also proud they felt the need to give.

We selected our child, and immediately the suggestions of what to send him started flowing. Both boys were randomly picking items from their room that we could just box up and send off. I tried to explain that we would send money to our new friend, and then his family could get items they needed.

So I asked my boys, “What do you want to give up each month, so we can send money to our new friend?” Again, random items were suggested, nothing that really would require them to sacrifice at all.

After a few lengthy conversations about “all they had” and what others “don’t have” it finally began to register that to help our new friend they would have to “sacrifice” something. As a family we chose to reduce our TV channel package to the minimum offering and send the money saved to our new friend in Africa.

The boys lost a most of their favorite channels, which in a few weeks they won’t even remember, but they will gain so much more as we see what our “small sacrifice” will do for our new friend.

-Shelly