Gratitude on Ted Talks
As we conclude our corporate reading of “Enough” I would like to say: THANK YOU! For reading the book, for thinking about money, time, and talent through the lense of Adam Hamilton. Thank you for posting your comments on the blog. Thank you for the many e-mails you have sent directly to me regarding different chapters in the book. The feedback has well surpassed my expectations. As we ‘Grow In Faith’ this year we may use this site for other conversations about faith, life, and online learning. I’m thinking of one for January on the topic of the top ten ways you can ruin your kids…(that was a teaser).
Throughout this blog I have recognized that there are all sorts of learning styles in the world, in our congregation. I am a ‘visual’ learner. So, when I saw this Ted Talks using nature to celebrate gratitude for living in each present moment (sounds like excellent stewardship to me) I thought I’d pass it along:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&vq=medium
Finally, the November newsletter will be in the mail at the end of the week. Inside the newsletter you will be invited to fill out a pledge card – one that reflects the values Hamilton recommended in the book. Please return that card and place it in the offering plate any Sunday during the month of November.
Thank you for joining us in this journey of growing in faith!
PS If you are done with the book and do not want it on your shelf, give it to a friend or drop it off at the church office. We will use them for new members (disciples).
October 15-20: Epilogue: OVERCOMING FEAR
I have a magnet on my frig by Eleanor Roosevelt that reads:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Without fear…
What does a life look like without fear?
Is it possible that the opposite of fear is grace?
A few years ago I put those two words on a continuum with fear on one side and grace on the other.
After I did that I drew a looping line, corkscrewing curves and turns and twists, until the roller coaster of lines connected the two opposing words. Like some continuums, many of us find ourselves fluidly moving from side to side, like a pendulum searching for a place to rest. This is especially true when we are trying on grace for the first time because most of us need to be convinced that if salvation has already been given to us there still might be a hitch, something we have to do in order to ‘get’ it. And so, we swing.
I’ve been there, in the in between, what some authors call the ‘liminal zone’ – the place between an end and a new beginning. The liminal zone is a place where chaos crashes into creativity and new life begins to burgeon. William Bridges talks about the liminal zone in his book Managing Transitions. He describes the ‘zone’ as flying in the air like a trapeze artist: hoping and praying that the person on the other end will catch you once you release from the momentum of the high wire swing.
The emotions we have in moving from fear to grace might feel similar to that trapeze artist: sheer terror, until, that is, you realize that God will always catch you.
In the Epilogue, Adam Hamilton has a few pointers that might move us toward that grace:
- Trust God. (With everything you’ve got.)
- Offer Gratitude. (Consider keeping a daily journal – you know, like Oprah suggested way back when.) [There’s even an APP for it: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gratitude-journal-original!/id299604556?mt=8 ]{There are apps available for Android, too.} Who knew? (Not about the Android app – just about the gratitude app in general. See last’s week’s commentary for more information about Jules talking to Jules about right brain vs left brain.)
- Live a life of Service and Generosity to Others. (Whenever people are ‘stuck’ I ask them one question: ‘When is the last time you gave back?)
We are called to ACTION – to move from FEAR to GRACE with our money, tithing, time, and talents.
There is one last quote I’d like to leave you with as we wrap up “Enough.”
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming — WOW– What a Ride!” (anonymous author)
That is the kind of life I believe we are called to as disciples of Jesus Christ when we respond to the God’s overwhelming love.
Thank you for participating in this online learning for the book “Enough”.
There are a few options for you to consider in regard to the actual book you have in your possession. Feel free to keep it, reread it, chew on it, and return to it year after year. You can return it to the church and we will share it with new members over the course of time. You can share it with another family member or friend. Please do not toss it in the recycle bin – pay it forward, talk amongst yourselves, and consider adhering to the suggestions held within.
Finally, if you found this format of the ‘blogosphere’ a compelling way of engaging your faith, please let me know. I would be open to having pre or post sermon conversations through this medium if there is an interest. Please let me know by emailing me at: jules@allsaintscg.org
Suggestions of other topics or books would be gratefully accepted.
There will be ONE more “Enough” post next week…stay tuned.
Peace, deep peace. PJ
October 8-13: Chapter 4: Defined by Generousity
How do YOU want to be remembered? What sort of legacy do you want to leave? I’ve thought about these questions my whole life.
Which is why, in recent days, I’ve been trying to build bridges with relatives and people in my life in which I have either distanced myself or have been estranged by time and space. For example, there were a couple of classmates from seminary that I visited this last summer. They were both people I thought I had hurt and people I thought had hurt me. I passed the ‘peace’ with them, they with me. I want to die with NO REGRETS. I know! I’m only 44. Hopefully I’ll have a long journey of good times and even fewer regrets ahead of me. But, why wait?
I’ve striven (not sure if that’s the correct verb here but I’m going with it) to live my life in such a way that no one will wonder about my core principles, my values, and my faith. It’s taken me a long time to understand how to use the gifts that I have been given, even longer to LIVE into the reality of “Life is a gift, and everything belongs to God,” like Adam wrote in the middle of page 79.
If everything belongs to God then that includes me, my stuff, my gifts, my time, my treasures, my livelihood, my relationships, my hopes, my dreams, my golden-doodle, my Apple products (yeah, I know… but I don’t mean it in a snobbish sort of way, Apple products have a more ‘right-brain’ feel to me and I still have a 3G so don’t judge me – which I know you never would because I’ve preached that over and over and over and over…), and my bank account.
So, if everything belongs to God and I’ve been called to care for it, then I need to be thoughtful about how I use all the above.
As I said, it took me a few years to ‘get’ that everything belongs to God, and therefore, it took me a while to wrap my head around tithing. I think part of my problem was that I justified not tithing by saying to myself, ‘Hey, you work for God all the time, so why give a full 10% of the money you received from the church back to the church?’
News Flash: Just because your check comes from a church does not mean you get to play the clergy card, Jules. It’s the opposite. You need to set the example; walk the walk, talk the talk. (That was me talking to me – don’t freak out, I do it all the time).
I’m slow but I am steady.
I tithe.
There is always money left over.
So I go beyond a tithe now that I have relinquished my desires and moved into generousity. (Yeah, I like the British spelling better in case you had not yet noticed, feel free to put that on JKRowling or Laurie R. King).
So, then, my two part question to you this week as you read through chapter 4 is pretty simple and pretty profound:
How has your generousity been expressed over the last year and how were YOU changed by expressing it?
Bonus questions:
1) Are you willing to create a plan with tithing at the base of your budget?
2) Have you thought about what sort of legacy you want to leave? If so, what are your hopes?
3) A growing trend is writing your own obituary. The Rev. Andrew Rogness, brother of Bishop Peter Rogness of St. Paul Area Synod, wrote part of his obit prior to his death a few years ago. I have it hanging on my cork board at home. It reads in part:
“Loved life and has gone exploring.” (And a little later from his family:)
“May he find adventure, answers, and new mysteries in which to revel.”
How will your obituary read?
Let me know when you get a chance.
October 1 – 6, 2012: Chapter 3
Following college I entered seminary where I studied for four more years before entering into the ordination process. One of those years I lived in LaCenter, Washington. I was assigned a two-point parish – which means: two locations, one church. Highland Lutheran was nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains; to the north I could see what remained of Mount Saint Helen, to the southeast loomed Mount Hood. My internship supervisor was a really great guy. He and his wife, Carol, had built their dream home about five miles from the church. Prior to my arrival that home had an electrical fire and burnt to the ground. They lost everything…material, that is. (To Carol’s relief, his old golf pants and golf shirts could not be gleaned from the ashes.)
Phil would agree with James Mackintosh who said (on page 56) “It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.” It takes patience and perseverance to change the unnatural relationship that many of us have with ‘stuff.’ Contentment is not acquired like a pair of new socks; contentment is being centered within regardless of what you are without.
The points on pages 60 – 63 are helpful to consider as we change our approach to understanding money and our overall financial health. Regarding #3: “develop a grateful heart” my mind went back to Oprah’s challenge several years ago. She suggested we create a daily Gratitude Journal. What would your suppertime look like if your family shared one thing they are grateful for each time you gathered around the table?
But the main answer that I’m really interested in hearing from you this week is in question #4 on 63.
“Where does your soul find true satisfaction?”
Augustine wrote, “My soul is restless until it rests in Thee.” Deep thoughts with Augustine… when we are a culture that is used to Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy.
Finally, I truly believe that most our impulse buying or shopping habits have been developed to fill the void which actually comes from anxiety. (Anxiety is simply a heightened level of emotions). When we are stressed or bored or do not want to do the hard work of becoming the person we’ve been created to be – we fit or plaster ourselves with the bandaid of stuff. I think that God wants us to have a deep healing from our anxiety and stress by knowing and believing that we are completely loved and adored by the One who created us.
Where do you find true contentment? (Which ‘tent’ do you want to live in?)
Let me know when you get a chance.
September 24-29: Chapter Two
Did you have any idea that the word ‘prodigal’ literally means “one who wastes money?” Who knew? Well, I guess Adam Hamilton did because he wrote about it in chapter two, page 31. A few years ago I spent some time thinking about the story of the prodigal son and I came to a deeper understanding of what I think Jesus was up to when He told the disciples this story.
Could it be that all of us are somehow represented inside this parable? Many of us start out sort of wild and carefree – demanding stuff that might not be good for our body, mind, or spirit. Then, a good majority move into the position of the older brother who resents his little brother for bringing all of this drama into the family. Some of us might even be the steward or servant who gets hardly any notice yet knows everything that is going on inside of the family. Finally, some of us move into the role of the hand-wringing parent, waiting for the prodigal to return home, and when the prodigal returns, throws an awesome party.
Parables are a way of ‘casting a net alongside’ another net; a story that might very well be parallel to our own lives. In the case of this story, I wonder if our financial lives follow a similar pattern? ‘Wild and carefree’ to ‘iron-fisted stubbornness’ to ‘it’s not about the money: it’s about the relationships we have with one another.’
If it is true that we are called to be imitators of Christ then I believe we are to live in humble service to our neighbor. Page 38 says, “We were created to care for God’s creation. We were created to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. We were created to care for our families and those in need. We were created to glorify God, to seek justice, and to do mercy. To be a Christian is to follow Jesus Christ and to seek to do his will in our lives. It is to say, ‘Here I am, all of me! I’m yours. Put me to work, help me to serve, use me to accomplish your work.'”
So, what are you doing to set healthy financial goals?
Have you sat down with your family and looked a plan to reach the goals you have in regard to money?
Six Financial Planning Principles:
1) Pay your tithe and offering first.
2) Create a budget and track your expenses.
3) Simplify your lifestyle (live below your means).
4) Establish an emergency fund.
5) Pay off you credit cards, use cash / debit cards for purchases, and use credit wisely.
6) Practice long-term saving and investing habits.
What is your biggest challenge regarding the principle list as written above?
The hardest question we will ever ask ourselves is the one I’ve left for last:
What is your life purpose?
Keep up the good work in reading “Enough” by Hamilton. You can share any and all of your insights to the questions above through this blog or send them directly to jules@allsaintscg.org
Thank you! PJ
September 17-22: Chapter One
Brian Williams on the top five stories from last week.
Brian Williams said that over 50 million new iPhone 5’s would be sold between now and Christmas – even thought they will require a new cord that will not be compatible with any of the other cords iPhone users currently use to power their devices. He suggested that we all stand up to Apple by not buying it simply because of the cord issue. http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/49027969#49027969 (The iPhone bit begins at minute 4:07. I’m guessing the cord will not make a difference to those smart phone users that ‘must have’ the latest device, like Adam Hamilton wrote about on pages 10-11.
It’s true – we are people that like ‘stuff’. Heck, this week will prove the point as Pastor Bill and his many minions set up for the Fall Garage Sale. (Although we might argue that it’s a great way to recycle items that kids have grown out of or people do not use any more). Regardless, we are people that like ‘stuff’.
You’ve read about the American Dream, “affluenza”, and “credit-itis” in this chapter. And, I bet I’m not alone in the shame I felt when I got into debt using a Discover card during college…
Since then I have learned how to ‘get a healthy financial life’. It took a lot of work, it took a ton of discipline, and it took humility to admit that maybe I was using money to feel better about how I ‘thought’ other people saw me. What I needed was a change of heart, a change of desires, and a change about my own self worth. It’s great to know and even better to believe that no matter what mistakes we make with our lives: God specializes in transformations.
So, how are you doing with the questions at the end of this chapter? Are you struggling with credit card debt, shame, or affluenza? Do the biblical passages help you understand the sort of relationship God wants us to have with money? If so, how? If not, why not?
What are ways you might be able to simplify your life, your spending, or the way you spend your time?
Let me know when you get a chance.
Peace, deep and abiding peace.
Sept. 10-15, 2012: Introduction
Read 3 pages for the introduction to “Enough” as your assignment for GROWING IN FAITH this week.
I heard part of an interview interview by Tess Vigeland on NPR’s Market Place Money this last Friday with Hill Harper. He is an actor on CSI NY and has written a book about handling wealth and money. To read more about the book, go to: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wealth-Cure-Putting-Money/dp/1592406505
During the interview I heard Harper say, “Money occupies this huge space in many of our lives, most of our lives. Yet many of us have an unhealthy relationship to money, and I really wanted to explore that — and I include myself in that. It’s not that I’m the expert. What I am is the explorer, hopefully with the reader, exploring this unhealthy relationship to money and wealth.”
It seems as if “Enough” is not just a ‘church’ topic. Millions of books have been written about finances, money management, and the economy.
The reality is that most of us are stressed about personal finances and the economy. And, when we talk about money, most of us move into a defensive posture, a posture that oozes anxiety.
The purpose of this blog is spelled out in the second to the last paragraph of the introduction on page 7: “My hope is to invite readers of this book to experience metanoia (a change of mind) – to see our money and our possessions with new eyes remembering, as Jesus taught, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).”
As we move through this book together I want to invite you to think more deeply about words that can reflect how we understand our faith and the gifts we have been given as children of God: joy, abundance, gratitude, grace, purpose, and contentment.
Which of these words stand up and shimmer as you read them?
Are they ‘church’ words?
What are your personal goals as you enter in to this conversation using Adam Hamilton’s book?
Please take a minute to ponder, type, then post – following the royal rule as outlined in James 2: love neighbor AS you love yourself. To be clear, the comments posted are to be thoughtful, kind, and filled with grace and mercy towards one another.
Let the adventure begin…
Contentment Prayer by Adam Hamilton
Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity. Amen.
Westwood Lutheran Church, ELCA in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, read “Enough” by Adam Hamilton during their academic 2011-12 school year. The senior pastor, Tania Haber, told All Saints that they tried an additional challenge – beyond just reading the book.
The “Challenge” was simple and profound: Do not buy anything new for six months. (Beyond the necessities of food, household cleaning products, food, and personal products.)
Do you think you could refrain from buying new things?
National Public Radio (NPR) had a challenge a few years ago where several households challenged each other to not buy anything new for one year. A dilemma occurred when one household’s clothes washer died. If they bought a used washer the amount of water would be twice as much as a newer washer; a top loading agitator version versus a front loader water conservation model. The households got together to see what the other members had to say. To be honest, I don’t remember what the family decided to do; but what I do remember is the thoughtfulness they had in approaching the question.
What would our world look like if we took a little more time to think about our spending habits? Or, if we had longer conversations with people who have different approaches to finances than those that we hold fast to in our own household?
How can we start to think differently about money, spending, saving, and being good stewards of this creation we have been given?
Are you willing to take on the “Enough Challenge” outlined above? Or, at least talk about the concept as a different way of living out our mission as disciples of Christ?
Let us know when you get a chance.
Hello All Saints!!!
This site was designed to help all of us think a little more deeply about stewardship. For a long time ‘stewardship’ meant the most boring Sunday service where people were asked to ‘cough up a little more money’ to pay for the staff and electricity bills.
Today, stewardship = lifestyle. Stewardship is all about how we live; it’s about how we spend our time, how we use our talents, how we share the gifts we have been given, and how we care for creation – not just the world we walk upon but also the bodies that move us around this spectacular planet we call home.
This fall we will be diving deeper into what it means to have ‘Enough.’ That’s also the title of a book that everyone in the congregation will receive through the Thrivent Choice Dollars.
During September and October I’ll be posting a question or two for all of us to consider. I’ll also have a syllabus for you to follow inside the blog itself. This is my first time in the blogosphere so any tips you can give me as we go along will be well received.
The kick-off for the ‘Enough’ conversation will occur the Monday following Rally Day which is Sunday, September 9, 2012. Worship is at 9:00a.m. and will be followed by a fun fiesta party. Mark your calendar today for Rally Day 2012.
slightlycrackedpots 