November 20 - 26, 2006

 SOLI/Update

    www.stewardshipoflife.org



 We cannot give God anything; for everything is already God's, and all we have comes from God. We can only give God praise, thanks and honor.   --Martin Luther
 

Thankfulness shows spiritual maturity


Growing up, I never knew what my parents meant when they told me how much I took for granted and how I should be grateful for what I had: A good family, plenty of food, a secure American middle-class life. To me, life in a small New England town seemed so ordinary and unglamorous.

Now that I am a parent I know exactly what Mom and Dad were telling me. Providing them stability and security -- financial, emotional and physical -- cost money and require enormous personal commitment and love.  On top of that, over the years I've been to a number of developing nations in Latin America. I know how good we have it in the United States.

Life experiences along my faith journey have enabled me to see the blessings I took for granted. And then I began to feel grateful to God for them. When you are aware of your blessings, thankfulness comes as naturally as rain falling from the sky. And awareness of your blessings and gratitude to God is are signs of spiritual maturity.

Now I see that my own children take so much for granted in their lives in small-town Pennsylvania. But I smile and love them, because they will learn. In the same way, God must just smile and love us. Because as we grow in discipleship, we will learn.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Rob Blezard, Webmaster and Editor
(Reprint rights granted for nonprofit, congregational use, providing the following note is included: "Copyright (c) 2006, The Rev. Robert C. Blezard, www.steardshipoflife.com. Used by permission.")
 

New This Week:

 Why pastors should teach more broadly on giving
Here is a roundup of some of the best, most practical wisdom you’ll find on teaching holistic stewardship to a congregation. "One friend calls it the lamentation of desperation for the church budget," says Dick Towner. "In large measure the church has failed to teach on stewardship. Materialism has won the day in the hearts and minds of people." Click here for “Why pastors should teach,” from ChurchCentral.com

Thanksgiving in good times and bad 
"As always giving thanks means living into the prayers that we offer.  When we give thanks that we have enough we also work to provide enough for all.  When we pray for peace we renew our resolve to become instruments of peace.” Click here for the latest weekly column by Pastor Dana Reardon. To read past columns, click here.


 True disciples renew their commitment with joy, thanksgiving
“Stewardship should be the distinguishing characteristic of those who have experienced the Risen Lord in their midst and in their hearts.  Having experienced his presence, we are called to surrender our wills and make a choice for Christ.  This is what it means to be a disciple, and it isn’t something that just happens.” Click here for “True Disciples.”  From Archbishop Alex J. Burnett of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.

Grace & Gratitude Grow Givers:
"This money, this talent, this time that I have is all owned by the one who shaped and fashioned me into his child. It all belongs to the one who made me and who claimed me in holy baptism. When I have settled this ownership issue then I have settled some very basic issues about my life. I have settled the issue of life's basic direction. So I am pointed in the direction of how I can best be shaped by the potter who fashioned me." Click here for “Grace & Gratitude Grow Givers,” from the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives. This week’s Treasure Chest offering.