Be Careful Little Hands What You Do...

"Look at me! Do you notice how much time I spend volunteering and how much I give to charities?"

Giving for the sake of attention is what Jesus was addressing in Matthew 6:1 when He warned about one's acts of righteousness (or alms giving) being done in the wrong manner. Nothing wrong with giving or not, but giving for the sake of attention is always wrong.

Why does it seem that people who do have places named for them - arenas, buildings, other venues - are given such utmost recognition? Are they not people too? Just because they (or their company) donate millions of dollars, shouldn't they be treated like the rest of the patrons when they enter in to the facility?

Some people are really blessed financially and can do a lot to help others' out with their money. They can do great things to benefit others. Recently, in our town, a family gave $25,000 toward a project and challenged the community to match another $25,000. I thought to myself (and shared with others) it would be nice to give $50,000 toward a project and not miss it!

As we examine what and why we do things, when it comes to giving of ourselves or our money, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Examine Yourself ~ Look at the reason why you are giving - is it for the cause, for your reputation, for your tax write-off, etc.? Also, how are you giving? There is nothing wrong with being given recognition, but seeking recognition is what I see Jesus saying is a "no-no."
• Giving for Giving-Sake ~ Wherever you are and wherever you've been in life, you have probably known of things that "get done" that you do not have a clue how. The person or people that do this task just do it "because." Even if you did know who they were, they probably didn't want recognition for it. May we give of ourselves (in whatever means that is) to a situation simply because we want to.
• Reflect Him (not you) ~ As a Christian, all actions will reflect Jesus. Our job is to reflect Him in a positive and attractive light. When we give, may it be to reflect Him and what He has brought to our lives, not our own abilities or us at all.

Jesus challenges the ego in all of us by telling us that we should be careful what we do and how we go about doing it. Let us not be showy but reflective of where the money or abilities originated.

Be careful little hands what you do...

Using What's Available to Make 2010 a 'Masterpiece'

Many areas in life are made up of people using creativity to make something out of very little.  We tend to be a "meat and potato" country.  You can go to restaurant after restaurant and see some variation of the "meat and potato".  These variations make it seem like there are much more options, but you narrow it down to about 3-4 meats and one potato, just with different variances between each one.  

You are just you.  What you do with that you is up to you.  You can say "I'm bored" or you can say, "What can I use today for to make a difference in someone's life?"  Both are really a choice based on the state of mind you are in at the time. How you use the things we have brings us to this week's quote...

There are only 3 colors, 10 digits, and 7 notes; its what we do with them that's important.  ~Jim Rohn

Three colors that make up everything you see in color form.  As a husband who has a wife that likes OPI Nail Polish, have you ever noticed how many colors there are in nail polish?  There isn't just one red...probably hundreds of them!  Ten digits that compose numbers that are infinite, literally.  Seven notes that have helped compose songs that draw people close, pump people up, or even bring people down.  Notes have an unlimited amount of places and arrangements throughout a song.

In the coming year, how will you use colors, digits, and notes to make 2010 a fun year for you? What will you "paint" in 2010?  What "song" will you compose in 2010?

May God bless the upcoming year!

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Let Your Heart Dance

The week is over half way through. The weekend is just another day away. Look forward to the weekend, even if you have to work, it is still the end to the week.

When I was in high school track I learned one important fact, if you want your legs to move faster, pump your arms faster. Try it some time. I've tried it, I know it works, especially when you are getting fatigued. It is ironic how the arms and feet coincide during those moments, but they do. Sometimes certain things just follow, that brings us to this week's quote...

Today, let your heart dance.
You will find no shortage of dance partners, as your feet join in.
And your eyes.
And your smile.
And every part of your body and your feelings.
Let your heart dance all day long. ~ Unknown

My soon-to-be 20 month old son enjoys moving his body when music/songs are heard. All kids his age dance cute and without rhythm. His innocence is so freeing to watch. Hear some music...let me just move a bit to it. Who cares who's watching, he's going to move.

Use today to 'dance'. When your heart starts to dance you will find others to join in...feet tapping on the floor, eyes attentive, smile broadening, and soul shaking. Let the fluttering begin as you look at the highlights of life. If you don't see them...look for them, then let your heart dance!

Don't end your dance after a song or two, keep your heart dancing all day long. Just like your arms and legs coinciding together when you run, the longer your heart dances, the more partners that will be working together and you soul will be more jovial!

As you let your heart dance, share what it is dancing to...what is causing your spirits to lift.

Letting my heart dance!