John Wesley admonished the believers "Earn all you can, save all you so that you can give all you can."
In the wake of the Industrial revolution of Britain, with large numbers of Britain's poor working class finding newness of life in the reception of the gospel, Wesley regularly emphasized the theme of stewardship. His three points of stewardship was presented as a simple directive. Simple that is, if you listen to the beginning and sleep through the remaining two points. Sermons generally lasted much longer than present day preachers turn out. So,I could see how one might conveniently miss the next two point. People were very eager to better their financial position so folks liked being told it was good to earn lots. Letting loose of some of that hard earned cash was easier to do for one's own benefit than for someone else. That's timeless human behavior I think. Frugality can lead to stinginess. You can bet you are being filled by the Holy Spirits gifts if generosity is present and growing.
I was thinking about John's instructions today as I sat in the Coupon Class taught by Amanda Fricke. She came well prepared to lead us through the basics of maximizing the use of coupons and explaining the format of her weekly reports. She also came prepared to protect herself legally, by having each participant sign an agreement not to photocopy or redistribute through any means, any of the materials she handed out. She's put a lot of effort into the research and development of her materials. She has every right to expect others to respect her intellectual materials as protected under copyright laws. I'ld love to tell you everything and freely share all that she produces. But I'm not willing to pay her $45.00 fine each time I do.
I can say this, Amanda understands that making and saving money requires careful planning and discipline. She has a monthly budget for food. She shops and stores surplus knowing there are certain things she will always use. She even plans her menus around what is on the shelf, rather than planning a shopping list around her menus. That fits in with my way of operating. I watch the specials and pick up in surplus knowing there is a certain cyclical nature to store adds.
The big key is planning your shopping by doing research on the current week sales and keeping every possible coupon. She also buys several copies of the Sunday newspaper specifically for the coupon supplements.
Amanda saves so much money, and is able to pick up so many great deals that she can easily be charitable with neighbors, and non-profit organizations. As we all listened to her describe her surplus the question was asked where did she put it all. The reply "under the kitchen table, in closets, a spare refrigerator at her parents home." To make sure no food goes unused because bargains aren't bargains if you end up throwing away expired food, she makes sure to rotate the shelves and give away anything within two months of expiration.
In our presentation I was remembering my years as a mother with one, then two children, going to back to the university to finish my degree. Coupons and refunding were my corporate food stamps. We lived on one income, enjoyed living on campus, and took advantage of many entertainment opportunities primarily because I was able to keep our food budget to the bare minimum.
In this present economy it is easy to slip into thinking we are being deprived. Being with Amanda today reminded me that there is a great abundance available to those who will engage themselves with diligence and discipline to wise use of their resources. A few might even want to follow behind Amanda Fricke weekly for a while to learn all the tricks of the trade and become professional shoppers for others. All of us can learn to save more and do just as well spending less for the same quality we have been accustomed to.
If you didn't attend Amanda's class in Ashton today and want to learn more, check out her blog.
By the way, the Ashton neighbors that came to this class saved a bundle today. Amanda normally charges $40.00 per person for her class. SHARE Network arranged a special price and then offered scholarships to reduce the out of pocket expense to all participants. Our hope is that these people will be better equipped to save as much as they can. If they also begin to share from their abundance and help the Pantry with making special purchases that would be a double blessing.
"A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows
for all her household are clothed in Crimson." Proverbs 31: 10,11, 16,18,20-21
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Coupon class - 50% to 100% off
The Ashton Community Food Pantry is offering a Coupon Class to be taught by Amanda Fricke of www.stretchingyouridahodollars.com. The class will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Ashton Community Center Meeting Room. (Upstairs and to the left.) The class fee is $20/person which includes “The Coupon Guide” book and Coupon Binder. The first 20 people to register will receive $10 off this class fee. To register or for more information please call Cicely Kuehl at 360-8954.
Amanda Fricke has been a real help to the Community Food Pantry in collecting food from area stores also.. If you've never thought you could eat almost for free using coupons and store sales you absolutely will want to attend.
SHARE Network is the corporate body operating the food pantry.
Amanda Fricke has been a real help to the Community Food Pantry in collecting food from area stores also.. If you've never thought you could eat almost for free using coupons and store sales you absolutely will want to attend.
SHARE Network is the corporate body operating the food pantry.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
20/20 LENT
“20/20” I said to my beloved today.
He looked at me and said “Dateline?”
Shaking my head negatively, “20/20” I said again.
“Perfect vision?” He replied.
Shaking negative again, I said “20/20.. 20 days before, 20 days behind. We’re smack in the middle of Lent.”
“AHH...” He humors me a lot. “Really.”
Well, it’s true. We are right in the middle of Lent. The dark of winter is almost to a close. Tomorrow will be the first day of Spring. The long Dark now behind us along with the hardest part of the self-reflecting period where I challenged you to think about two questions. Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
For myself, this year has offered extra opportunity to think about my shadow. I don’t mean like in Peter Pan, the literal shadow of my self that I experience in relationship to the sun or other light source. I’m referring to what therapists refer to as the shadow. It’s a part of our make-up to have both good and bad qualities of the self. The part we dislike the most about our self and want to ignore, or conceal from others can become a heavy burden on the self. It also creates relationship tension. We tend to react negatively toward other people who exhibit the very traits which we dislike in ourselves. It seems to be the worst when we deny that part within our own self. In that case seem to become magnetic in our attracting repellant relationships. We see in others what we won’t acknowledge in ourselves.
“I’m NOT controlling.”
“I never get angry.”
“I’m a peacemaker. I don’t go around hurting people.” Well, you get the picture.
Spiritual growth depends on being able to face that within our self that keeps us trapped in repetitive non-productive cycles. Changing those patterns, behaviors, and beliefs all require looking at the worst part of our self in the full light of day. Alcoholics Anonymous is one group that emphasizes honesty for the welfare of each other. Growth occurs over time when the reality is kept in the light of conscious awareness, rather than being allowed to slip back into the recesses of our subconscious. At least that’s how I understand the process. I can’t quote whose theory it is. I just know that’s how it works for me.
Do we need to go around like members of AA and tell each other the details of our shadow in order to change? For the most part, I would say, no probably not. But I do believe there is value in having others with whom you are willing to share trusting that you will help each other, encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. I have a circle of friends from seminary# which I use as my covenant. I do encourage the use of a small circle of trusted Christians build faith and friendship. I recently met a lay member in the Annual Conference who said he has a circle of men he has been in covenant relationship with for 20 years. They meet weekly.
When you work on your shadow you need to be prepared to experience a dark period before you see the light. Done properly, you will see a death of your old self and a new birth, by the grace of God. In the cycle of Christian Life, death comes before the new birth, new growth follows the cold of winter. Lent ends in the festivities of Easter.
So here we are 20/20 gaining 20/20. We are standing in the middle of Lent observing our shadow and reflecting on our new self to come into being, anticipating the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and the power over death through the work of God. That power assures us of God’s ability to turn Bad into Good. Yes, even your bad into a “new you” good.
Before the resurrection we remember the journey of sorrows that Jesus endured leading up to his crucifixion. Through our remembrance of Jesus’ journey, we gain assurance that we worship and serve one who also knows sorrow, pain, and hardship but did so victoriously with God. This single week is more important to all of Christian faith, than any other teaching of the church. Even the birth of Jesus is second to this one week’s activities.
Holy week will be April 5 to April 12. Palm Sunday, April 5, recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and entry into the Temple. Holy Thursday marks the last night the disciples gathered with Jesus before his arrest; it included specifically the remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion, April 9. “Good Friday,” April 10, is commemorated with a Tenebrae service that recalls the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, on Sunday April 12, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, God’s great joke on Death and the Devil. I pray that you will come to the service held at the United Methodist Church here in Ashton through the week to remember, worship and receive the transforming Spirit of God.
#
We live and work across the West, from California to Washington, Arizona to Idaho, Oregon to New Mexico. We maintain that covenant through email. We miss meeting at the broken loaf of Claremont School of Theology and sitting down to share meals regularly. But now we’ve added to our reconnecting time by using Facebook just for fun. And no, you won’t find a special label on my covenant friends in Facebook.
He looked at me and said “Dateline?”
Shaking my head negatively, “20/20” I said again.
“Perfect vision?” He replied.
Shaking negative again, I said “20/20.. 20 days before, 20 days behind. We’re smack in the middle of Lent.”
“AHH...” He humors me a lot. “Really.”
Well, it’s true. We are right in the middle of Lent. The dark of winter is almost to a close. Tomorrow will be the first day of Spring. The long Dark now behind us along with the hardest part of the self-reflecting period where I challenged you to think about two questions. Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
For myself, this year has offered extra opportunity to think about my shadow. I don’t mean like in Peter Pan, the literal shadow of my self that I experience in relationship to the sun or other light source. I’m referring to what therapists refer to as the shadow. It’s a part of our make-up to have both good and bad qualities of the self. The part we dislike the most about our self and want to ignore, or conceal from others can become a heavy burden on the self. It also creates relationship tension. We tend to react negatively toward other people who exhibit the very traits which we dislike in ourselves. It seems to be the worst when we deny that part within our own self. In that case seem to become magnetic in our attracting repellant relationships. We see in others what we won’t acknowledge in ourselves.
“I’m NOT controlling.”
“I never get angry.”
“I’m a peacemaker. I don’t go around hurting people.” Well, you get the picture.
Spiritual growth depends on being able to face that within our self that keeps us trapped in repetitive non-productive cycles. Changing those patterns, behaviors, and beliefs all require looking at the worst part of our self in the full light of day. Alcoholics Anonymous is one group that emphasizes honesty for the welfare of each other. Growth occurs over time when the reality is kept in the light of conscious awareness, rather than being allowed to slip back into the recesses of our subconscious. At least that’s how I understand the process. I can’t quote whose theory it is. I just know that’s how it works for me.
Do we need to go around like members of AA and tell each other the details of our shadow in order to change? For the most part, I would say, no probably not. But I do believe there is value in having others with whom you are willing to share trusting that you will help each other, encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. I have a circle of friends from seminary# which I use as my covenant. I do encourage the use of a small circle of trusted Christians build faith and friendship. I recently met a lay member in the Annual Conference who said he has a circle of men he has been in covenant relationship with for 20 years. They meet weekly.
When you work on your shadow you need to be prepared to experience a dark period before you see the light. Done properly, you will see a death of your old self and a new birth, by the grace of God. In the cycle of Christian Life, death comes before the new birth, new growth follows the cold of winter. Lent ends in the festivities of Easter.
So here we are 20/20 gaining 20/20. We are standing in the middle of Lent observing our shadow and reflecting on our new self to come into being, anticipating the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and the power over death through the work of God. That power assures us of God’s ability to turn Bad into Good. Yes, even your bad into a “new you” good.
Before the resurrection we remember the journey of sorrows that Jesus endured leading up to his crucifixion. Through our remembrance of Jesus’ journey, we gain assurance that we worship and serve one who also knows sorrow, pain, and hardship but did so victoriously with God. This single week is more important to all of Christian faith, than any other teaching of the church. Even the birth of Jesus is second to this one week’s activities.
Holy week will be April 5 to April 12. Palm Sunday, April 5, recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and entry into the Temple. Holy Thursday marks the last night the disciples gathered with Jesus before his arrest; it included specifically the remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion, April 9. “Good Friday,” April 10, is commemorated with a Tenebrae service that recalls the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, on Sunday April 12, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, God’s great joke on Death and the Devil. I pray that you will come to the service held at the United Methodist Church here in Ashton through the week to remember, worship and receive the transforming Spirit of God.
#
We live and work across the West, from California to Washington, Arizona to Idaho, Oregon to New Mexico. We maintain that covenant through email. We miss meeting at the broken loaf of Claremont School of Theology and sitting down to share meals regularly. But now we’ve added to our reconnecting time by using Facebook just for fun. And no, you won’t find a special label on my covenant friends in Facebook.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lent- is it about Addition or Subtraction?
Lent has often been associated as a time of self-denial, giving up something near and dear to one’s heart. It’s a private act of devotion, a special act of piety, not something that you boast about or make loud announcements about if practiced as Jesus taught his disciples. Another way to look at the period of lent is to adopt an attitude of trying something new on for size. Intentionally setting aside a short period in each day to journal, pray for the church, read from a devotional book, or learn a new spiritual practice such as centering prayer.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Are you engaging your thoughts on the twin questions?
"What would God like me to change?" and
"What would I have God change in me?"
One need not literally leave their home for forty days in order to engage in a time of spiritual reflection. One needs only to adopt an attitude applied to daily life. Engaging in such time would be adding an act of devotion to daily life.
May you travel with a receptive heart to the work of the Holy Spirit this Lent.
Gracious God, help us in these forty days of reflection and renewal to become more open to the work of your Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to receive anew the message of your saving grace, offered without price and offered to all. Prick us just slightly each time we begin to slip into believing we have done, or could do anything on our own, that would merit your love any more than you’ve already loved us. Help us recover the joy and relief we first felt when we heard and received the word of hope; when we believed only in your work testified in the resurrection of Jesus. Bring forth from us the best that your Spirit would have us do to bring glory and honor to you alone. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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