S.O.A.P. for 04-13-2009 Money Money Money

S: Luke 16:10&11
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches?

O: When we handle what little we have according to God's will, be it money, time, family, walk, etc, then more will be added to us as we prove our ability to be good stewards. However, if we fail Him, we run the risk of being "downsized" and becoming unworthy.

A: Our character can often meet its match in money matters. God calls us to be honest in even trivial matters that we try to rationalize away. A new this, a new that, a better this, a cooler that, an improvement on something we already have that works perfectly fine.. Heaven's riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth, but if we are untrustworthy with our time, talents, or treasures, no matter it is, we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God's kingdom. Do I really want to feel as though God has declared me unfit? or Undeserving? Does that speak of the character I feel that I should have? What can I do differently to be considered a "good steward". What am I doing with my "extra" anything??? AM I sharing, helping, or am I immediately looking at what "I" can do with it? Next new handbag, nicer shoes, better tv, time to myself, catch up on sleep...versus a friend who's down and out, or someone that just needs a hug, or a hand, or an ear..... It's obvious which is of greater importance, but which springs to mind first? How could I possibly overlook those in need for my own selfish desires?

P: Abba, Father,

I humbly confess that if I have done this thing, please forgive me. I have not recognized it, but do see it as a heinous way to live with what you call "unrighteous mammon". You already know how lethal having it can be, and You call us to something better in the way we handle it, the way we spend it, the way we work to obtain it..because You DO want to bless us with more, if only we'd obey. Father, show me Your ways, and help me to never overlook a need when I am able to meet it. If I have surplus, then let me share. Father, please don't let me be that statistic that may never know Heaven's true riches. I pray that I have not let you down in the past, and please do not let me do so in the future. Help me keep my blinders on and never seek for more than I need, that I may always have something to share....

In Jesus Name,
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 04-04-2009 Martha Martha Martha!

S: Luke 10:41&42
And Jesus said to her,"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

O: Jesus was not blaming Martha for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. It is possible for service to Christ to degenerate into busyness, tasks, and distraction that is no longer full devotion to God.

A: My life is in a whirl wind right now, I can't blink because my eyes burn in their tiredness. By back aches from tiredness. I was being a Martha. My head hurts from the stress....and I realized that I wasn't spending enough "quality time" with Him this week. So what to do? What to do? How do I set those priorities? , and then I stumbled on this scripture that I'd annotated to go back to, and just never found time to. Til Thurday night. Then it hit me. Just make it happen and all will be well. His Yoke is easy and His burden is light. I took it upon myself to be as simple as possible on Friday. I informed my boss that I would catch up, but unless something urgent came up, I'd be unavailable. I spent the morning reading my bible... I spent the next few hours outside at the picnic table with my kids, coloring eggs, talking, planting flowers, and just being "us". The rest of the day played out simply, stress-free, and wonderful. I thanked God at the end of my wonderful day, and I thanked Him for making me stop and smell the cacti.

P: Father God,
Thank You for Your constant reminders of what it is to live in step with You! Everything is so much more peaceful when it's all just about living in a way that would make You and my family smile. I must remember to not let my job, no matter if their is "extra" to be made, get the best of me. YOU and my family deserve the best of me, and how dare I offer You table scraps?! If I truly believe, then I KNOW that You will refresh, You will lighten my load, You will give me the energy when I think I won't have any left. How refreshed do I already feel after stepping back into Your light! How lovely is Your dwelling place!! Thank You so much.. I'm sorry that I allow life to get in the way sometimes, but I am also so very thankful that You don't let me wander too far before pulling me back in.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Cause it's not who you knew,
And it not what you did...
It's how you live...

*Turn up the music!!*

Thoughts on today

Thoughts on Today.....
I'm going bananas,
And I feel like my poor little mind is being devoured by piranhas,
For I'm going bananas.

I'm non compos mentis,
And I feel like a tooth being drilled, a nerve being killed by a dentist,
For I'm non compos mentis.

Who knows?
Could be the tropic heat
Or something that I eat,
That makes me gonzo.
I do carry on so, for I'm going bananas,
Someone book me a room in the hot hacienda with all my mananas
For I'm going bananas.

I'm going meshugga
All day long there's a man in my brain incessantly playing "Booga wooga",
But I'm going meshugga.

There's bats in my belfry.
Won't you make sure this straitjacket's tight,
Otherwise I might get myself free.
Yes, there's bats in my belfry.

Who knows?
Could be the wine I drink
Or it's the way I think,
That makes me gonzo.
Oh, Doctor Alonzo says I'm going bananas,
Someone get me a bed in the "Casa de Loco" for all my mananas,
For I'm going bananas.
Yes, I'm going bananas.
Si, I'm going bananas.

( I concur)