Spring Forward

Just a few weeks ago it was that time of year to turn our clocks ahead 1 hour and spring forward. This follows the “fall back” time change of winter. I struggle with these down times as they leave me feeling unproductive; like I’m wasting time. I’ve never been one to recognize burnout as it builds in me and I usually end up crashing.  Also, for most of us, to fall back means there's been some sort of a failure.

While looking through my manna binders I came across a little piece of paper where I’d written these words:
SPRING FORWARD =
PRESS IN THE ENERGY/RELEASE THE POWER
PRESS DOWN/GO HIGH
COMPRESS A LITTLE/GET BIG RESULTS 


Daylight Savings time is an unnatural man-made time equalizer but it does give us something to consider for our spiritual lives. Perhaps God needs us to retract so He can launch us in the right season. There are several examples in nature of periods of dormancy followed by incredible rebirth and bloom.  

I remember a time when I heard God very clearly say “step down” and I tried to negotiate a lesser “step back” scenario. After all, God had originally put me in this place to minister and had already laid out some marvelous plans. He couldn’t possibly have meant for me to abandon my team, right?  Wrong, that’s just what He meant.  He saw the big picture and knew that things had changed on a spiritual level and a plot designed by Satan was taking hold to take me out and discredit the ministry. But, I forged ahead in a lessor capacity and the plans of the enemy hit its mark. If only I’d been willing to enter into a winter season and fall back into His loving arms to hibernate. Of course God used this evil for good and the church set up teams to minister to its staff so burnout could be caught early, staff time off could be managed, and everyone got to go to church as a worshipper instead of a minister at every service. I still struggle with these seasons but I’m learning to love the bear cave and now long to hear His whispers during the winter.

**Lord, thank you for every season.  You are so masterful in how You operate.  Please give me eyes to see when seasons change and a heart to know that I can trust that you see the whole picture and are working for my best.  Forgive me for trying to live forever in springtime and never resting in your embrace.  I want to know you in peace as well as zeal. Remind me to watch for others in winter and encourage them as they seek you for refreshment.  I love you.**

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ”  Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Next time you feel winter coming on don’t be sad and discouraged. It’s all part of the coming “Spring Forward” plan. You can also think about this company mascot’s way of enjoying the down time. Click here for link to a video from “Spring Loaded Trampoline Park", Texas

 

A Generous Life

The topic of prayer is noted in the Bible 371 times.  The topic of Love, 714 times.  Believing 272 times.  But the topic of giving is noted 2,162 times. The Bible also records God’s giving nature from the beginning with giving life to the universe, to the end in giving eternal life, and the most important gift; His son Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

In 1998 Pastor James Ranger from New Life Center in Bakersfield, CA preached a sermons series called, “God wants to use you”.  Part 5 of this series was about living a generous life. He noted the how many times the topics above were noted and taught us that the most important part of giving is giving ourselves first to the Lord (2nd Corinthians 8:1-9).

 

Pastor Ranger invited us to explore the scriptures to see how we could get the most out of giving. 

Here are his main points taken from 1st Chronicles 29:1-20:

GIVE WILLINGLY

⁶ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.

 

GIVE GENEROUSLY

³ Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple

 

GIVE JOYFULLY 

⁹ The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

 

GIVE THANKFULLY 

¹¹ Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. ¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

 

GIVE EXPECTANTLY

¹² Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and you give strength to all.

 

When we give our time, money, emotions, commitment we become more like God.  We also gain strength in our faith, build a closer relationship with God, and share in the victory of life with God. When we share in the victory of life with God we can live a life free of worry.  Last night my hubby was talking about paying bills the next day and went to bed full of worry. This morning I greeted him and told him everything would be ok and he shouldn’t worry.  He asked me if was going to sing   “Hakuna Matata” from the Lion King Disney movie.  I told him no but he’d just given me a great link for today’s blog. So here you go –enjoy!!  Click here for link to the song (It means - No Worries!!) “Hakuna Matata"

**Lord, thank you for giving me everything I need to return love to you.  Thank you for giving so generously to me and I commit to giving to others in the same way.  Forgive me for living in fear and worry when I feel poor. Remind me that I am rich in you so I can give joyfully and freely even from my want.**

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ”  1st Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)