Giving 'Till it Hurts

Genesis 4:2-5 Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.

Cain offering was of his first fruits. It was an easy offering for him. It didn't cause him any grief. It wasn't difficult for him in the least. The ground had done it's work to produce that fruit, and if that fruit was good, it's a sure bet that the tree was going to keep producing more and more of that same kind of good fruit. There was plenty to replace that which he gave to God. Is was an easy offering for Cain. Abel, on the other hand, gave a portion of the first born of his flock. A spotless offering, one that had taken several months to form and be born. This animal represented the wealth and stability of Abel. He knew that not all animals born are of an offering worthy value, and it could be a long time before he saw another animal so perfect. These are the types of animals that you hold on to. The type you protect and give special care to, because you want that animal to reproduce after it's own kind, after it's own seemingly perfect genetic makeup so that your whole flock will be strong, healthy and hold a great value. Abel offered this animal in faith, not knowing how long it would be until he saw another quite as perfect. The Lord was happy with the sacrifice that Abel made.

This was what Pastor Julio preached on last night, and while he was speaking to everyone, the Lord was speaking to me. When it comes to giving money to the Lord, I have no hesitation. My faith in that area is so great, that I know when God asks me to give something, it is for a purpose and He will provide for me all that I need. Money is not a weak point in my life. Maybe it's because I've never really had a lot. Maybe it's just that it's not where my treasure is. Regardless of the reason, I am very open handed when it comes to giving money. Everyone has a weak point. For many, it is money. Luis and I were talking last night, and he admitted for him, that's his breaking point. This year, I have watched God ask Luis to give more than he has ever in the past, and he has been obedient, even when it was difficult. He had big plans for that money. Even a Godly vision for saving it and making it grow. I believe that God gave him that vision and it's still part of the plan. But God wanted to see how tightly Luis was holding on to that resource. He wanted to see if it was holding Luis back from moving forward with God. Ultimately, it didn't because when the Lord asked that it be given as an offering, Luis opened his hand and let if go, cheerfully.

As I sat there last night listening to this preaching, the Lord began to show me where my treasure was. It wasn't in my finances. It wasn't in the things that I had materially. Not in my house or my cars. All of those things, while important for my day to day life, are not anything that would cause me great distress to offer them up to God. But the one thing that God put His finger on in my life was my children. Immediately my mind went back to Abraham, the father of nations, the promise that lied within his son Isaac. Abraham and I have a lot in common. He was willing to leave his home, his people and everything that brought comfort and security in his life to follow God. He didn't hesitate when God said go. Even though the "go" had no destination point associated with it. His treasure was not in his land, his people or in anything that he would have to leave behind. But God, in His great wisdom, knows exactly where our soft spot is. And that soft spot is connected to our heart. And the Bible says where our heart is, there our treasure is as well. When God told Abraham to offer up his son as a sacrifice to the Lord, I have to believe that God knew this was the greatest area of sacrifice for Abraham. I have to also believe that when God puts His finger on that area and says, "Give it to me", He has a purpose for doing so. Isaac was the fulfillment of a promise that was hidden deep inside of Abraham for many years. Abraham had reason to want to hold on to Isaac tightly. He had a reason for wanting to protect his son and give his the best of everything. God, knowing this, still asked Abraham to be open handed with the promise that was in the form of his son.

It's amazing to me how tightly we can hold on to the things that the Lord so freely gave us. As if we know what's better for ourselves than He does. Last night, I had to make a decision to offer my kids freely back to God. I had to accept the assignment that he had given me, in my new job that starts in one week. I had to open my hand and offer up to God the one thing that really hurt to give. Although Abraham's story ended with he and his son walking home together, mine might not take that turn of events. I have accepted that I really will have to go back to work and I really will have to leave my children in someone else's care for a season. But last night was a turning point in my heart and a place that I can look back to and say, "God, I gave the most precious thing I could, because I love you that much". I know God is pleased with my offering, because it has made more room for Him in my heart. As precious as my children are to me, He doesn't want them to have a higher priority in my heart than God does. Anything can become an idol in our lives, even our children. This was a really hard lesson for me.

Our Saturdays

Here's a peek into what we do on Saturdays at Operation Go. It's like Sunday school in the street, and I really love it! Look at all those beautiful faces!! This is SWAT (Side walk action team)...Joshua sticks out like a sore thumb! HAHA

Bugz-Jonathan's 1st grade production

Here's my little dragonfly's line:

"That's right, I'm a dragonfly! I may look rather odd. I just went through a metamorphosis. For I'm an arthropod."

I was so proud that he got all his big words out! He was so cute and the show was great! Here's the opening song, "Picnic, Let's Have a Picnic"...appropriate for a bunch of bugs!

Field Day at BES 2012

Josh came in second in the pie eating contest (wearing the black shirt on the right), and although it was a close one, he managed to keep the pie down!

It's hard to see from my vantage point, but josh finished in 2nd place in the 50 yard dash!

Here's the announcement of the 4th grade winners. Coach Billing did a great job of keeping the kids on the edge of their seats.

Mr. White's 4th Grade Field Day Champs!

The Commanded Blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly]. Psalm 133 (Amplified)

This morning in prayer with Luis and two of our friends from the ministry, this scripture became so real to me, and the greatness of these words resounded inside of my spirit. As I listened to the blessings being spoken and poured out over our leaders, I saw an image in the spirit of what was happening. Each time, blessing was poured over the authority that God has placed over us, I saw that blessing fall down and come right back over the head of my brother who was offering up the blessing to our leaders. It was a continuous circuit of blessing that went from the head of the leader down to us, then back to the head of the leader again without stopping. There was a flow of blessing that covered everyone. I was immediately struck with the truth of the scripture that says "give and it shall come back to you" (Luke 6:38), and I could also feel the magnitude of the power of blessing. A flood of scriptures came to my mind: "Whatever is good and pure and lovely, meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8). How important that our mind be firmly focused on Godly things, so that what we speak is blessing rahter than cursing. "The power of death and life is in the tongue". (Proverbs 18:21) " How we need to guard our tongue and what we allow to come from our mouth."...and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2) which reminds us to be quick to extend mercy and slow to pass judgement.

God was also reaffirming the divine blessing in Biblical order. Reminding us of the importance of being in submission to the divine authorities in our life, i.e., husbands as authority in the home, leaders as authority in the world (which the Bible says has all been ordained by God), and the authority of spiritual fathers in the body of Christ. I was reminded of the great importance of speaking blessing over those in authority. That which we freely pour to others will come back to our own life, be it blessing or cursing. I was struck by the freedom in submission, a term that has been twisted and mutilated in today's culture. A submissive wife in our culture today conjures up images of a beaten down, weak, powerless, helpless woman that can't think or do for herself. This is nothing more that a lie from Satan himself to bring a rebellion into the divine order created by God. Never in my life have I experienced more power, more peace and more blessing as when I have willfully placed myself in the position of submitting to my husband and to those leaders that God has placed over my life. Walking in unity is taking your position in the army. No great regime has ever conquered great battles by each soldier doing their own thing. The greatest conquests have always been where there is the greatest unity, and so it is in the spirit. In that spirit of unity, as it declares in Psalm 133, is where God "commands the blessing". Lord, teach me us walk in that unity!