back in action

Wow! it’s been ages since i last blogged. since my last entry, i’ve been back to nashville for a short but sweet visit. it was wonderful seeing loved ones and catching up face-to-face with friends and family. although, i must admit it did feel a little strange at first being back “home” again. i have gotten so used to the aussie life-style and climate that being back inland and experiencing the chilly, rainy weather was quite foreign.  yet, the comforting feeling i got when i walked back into my home was indescribable. and sleeping in my own bed…glorious!  thanks to all those who made the effort to meet up and hang out with me while i was in town. it was a whirlwind of a trip, filled with back-to-back socializing, but i loved it all the same. during my time home, i applied for and was granted a different visa, the Working Holiday Visa. this allows me to stay in australia for one full year ( until April 2009) and gives me the possibility of holding a job.  beforehand, i was on a tourist visa, which had many restrictions and i was mandated to leave the country every three months. so, i am happy to have snagged this new one. 

i am glad to be back in perth; back into the swing of things. i had missed all my friends and the beautiful life i live here. this time around, my responsibilities and goals mission-wise are more intentional and organized, which allows me to better utilize my gifts and feel more purposeful and productive. 

one of my main responsibilities is developing a station for each sunday night vesper’s service. i want to share with you the idea that i created for this past sunday.  i based the meditative station off of Acts 2:45 and here is what i came up with. 

 

Acknowledging God’s Ownership:

 Acts 2:45 “they sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.”

-The most important principle to keep firmly in your mind is to understand whose money or possessions it really is. It is not yours. It is God’s.

 -God’s ownership of everything is a foreign concept to most of us. We like to think of our money and ourpossessions. Yet the Bible makes it clear that God owns everything. All things were created by him and for him (Colossians 1:16). Everything belongs to him.

 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it (Deuteronomy 10:14).

 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).

 The world is mine, and all that is in it (Psalm 50:12).

“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty (Haggai 2:8).

“For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

 

Questions to Meditate on:

-why should I give?

-what is a generous giver?

-where (or to whom) should I give?

-what is sacrificial giving and why is it important?

-how do I give cheerfully out of love, not just indifferently out of habit?

-does prosperity lead to generosity?

-does generosity result in poverty?

-what are some wrong motives for giving?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; 
teach me to serve you as you deserve, 
to give and not to count the cost, 
to fight and not to heed the wounds, 
to toil and not to seek for rest, 
to labor and not to seek reward, 
except that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen. 


- St. Ignatius Loyola

I hope that you are able to gain something out of this meditative exercise. i always enjoy feedback and thoughts, as well.  

peace to you all,

skt