Sunday, September 23, 2007

Monday's Meditation - Sept. 24, 2007 - The Giver's Understanding of God's Ownership

Genesis records that God entrusted mankind with stewardship of the earth. The trap that mankind falls into over an over again is that we (like Nebuchadnezzar) confuse stewardship with ownership. Whatever dominion God allows us to experience represents delegated authority not a transfer of title. That which we seemingly obtained through our efforts still belongs to God. Failing to reconcile the issue of true ownership leads to confusion in our relationship with the Lord and our response to Him. When we fail to acknowledge God’s ownership, we tend to behave like we are out of our minds.

In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself.

I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond.

The is audio podcast is available on my website: morethanthegift.net and the iTunes Store. Links are provided in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog. if you don't have iTunes on your computer, a link is provided below to download the iTunes software.

After listening to the podcast in the iTunes Store, I encourage you to offer a review and to send an invitation to a friend or loved one to listen also.


A separate link for the podcast website is also provided .

Use this blog for your comments, questions and testimonies regarding the episode.



Keep praying with me!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Monday's Meditation - September 10, 2007 - The Giver's Gratitude

Ten lepers stood by the side of the road, at a distance, calling in a loud voice to Jesus for mercy and grace. Ten lepers demonstrated their faith by following Jesus’ instruction that they behave as if they were healed even before their healing visibly manifested itself. Ten lepers received a miracle and yet only one returned to acknowledge his healing. Only one threw himself at Jesus’ feet. Only one used his loud voice to render praise and thanksgiving. Seeing this, Jesus asked his disciples “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” This biblical story reminds me that each day, each one of us should consider whether we are more like the "one" or more like the "nine"?

In today’s episode, we continue to affirm the importance of what the gift reveals, even though God is actually interested in more than the gift itself.

I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond.

The is audio podcast is available on my website: morethanthegift.net and the iTunes Store. Links are provided in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog. if you don't have iTunes on your computer, a link is provided below to download the iTunes software.

After listening to the podcast in the iTunes Store, I encourage you to offer a review and to send an invitation to a friend or loved one to listen also.


A separate link for the podcast website is also provided .

Use this blog for your comments, questions and testimonies regarding the episode.



Keep praying with me!

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Internet Lesson 8 - Ritual or Relationship

Two reference scriptures are used to illustrate Jesus’ view of giving in the context of relationships. In His comments Jesus both affirms the value of giving and emphasizes the priority of nurturing relationships. The focus of the relationship building about which Jesus spoke is our human relationships. The discussion explores how the scripture intertwines the nurturing of our human relationships with the nurturing of our spiritual relationship with the Father.
Reference Scripture:
Matthew 23:23 (you have neglected the more important matters – justice,mercy)
Matthew 5: 21 – 24 (first go and be reconciled with your brother)
Supporting Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9: 1&2, 12 – 15 (affect of Corinthian giving on others)
John 17: 1 – 3 (This is eternal life)
Matthew 22: 35 – 40 (1st & 2nd commandment love God , love neighbor)
1 John 4: 7&8; 12 – 20 (love one another, love comes from God)
John 13: 34 – 35 ( by this shall all men know you are my disciples)
John 17: 20 – 22 (Jesus’ prayer for our oneness)
2 Corinthians 9:7 (each man should give what he has decided in his heart)



Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Internet Lesson 7 - A Matter of Perspective

Following the discussion on ownership is an examination of perspective. Sometimes the issue is not one of true ownership but of physical possession or control. Our society has become comfortable with the assumption of ownership through physical possession. The parable of the unjust stewards is examined to shed light on God’s view of this perspective.
Reference Scripture:
Mark 12: 1 – 12 ( unfaithful stewards)
Supporting Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 4:7 (what do you have that you did not receive)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson.



Don't study alone. This is the worldwide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

"Time out" - September 2, 2007

I live in the Chicagoland area and suffered damage during the storm on 08/23/2007. We loss power, our backup pump (with battery) failed and 4" of water backed-up in our basement. Water is an amazing substance. The basement was finished but now its a mess. In addition, my iMac has developed a mysterious problem sustaining its connect to the internet, so I can't podcast. We aren't fretting. The damage is repairable. My family is safe, we still have our home and are conscious of God's care, even in the midst of the life's thunder showers.

The issues aren't big but they have forced me to pause. I ask for your prayers, that I may discern God's message for me during this "time out". If He is speaking, I don't want to miss what He's saying.