2 Reasons I Will Not Tithe....

Reason #1
Tithing is often “marketed” as a get rich scheme by some. Oh yes, we have all heard “them” preach it that way.  It has never made sense to me.  God is not a multi-level marketing corporation.

Reason #2

Guilt.  I have been places (churches/gatherings/retreats) and have heard the speaker tell me in a “subtle” way that I better tithe or else.

Now come on, I know once the subject of tithing comes up many will start to squirm, some with automatically put up a wall, and a few will get downright offended. Why? Why! Why? God does not want to steal from you. He wants to bless you!

Have you heard the term The Law of Divine Reciprocity? You give/plant/sow and then you receive/harvest. We give to God and He gives to us. Many people want to put in the sickle to harvest, but have yet to plant anything. Uh? We need to sow into the kingdom of God to receive from the kingdom of God.

Get excited about tithing because giving comes with a promise from God!

Luke 6:38 (NKJV) “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

God also tells us to test Him and we shall be blessed.

Malachi 3:8-11 (NIV) “... Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Additionally, He promises to rebuke the devourer for our sakes. (Malachi 3:11) He wants to protect us from things that may try to steal that which He provides. I can always go for more protection. How about you?

God is a God that delights in providing, especially to meet needs. Giving should not be done to just get. It should be done because we love, trust and want to honor God with what we have.

I will tell you now.  I am absolutely for tithing. I have experienced it working in my life.

Sharing God's Word With Your Kids and Free Lesson Downloads

Yay! It’s summer. What a wonderful opportunity to spend extra time with our kids. Why not take some of that time and devote it to a family Bible study….maybe your very own special, personalized at home VBS!  Wow! Spending time with your kids AND talking about the Word of God. What could be better than that?

I have a couple resources if you would like to take a gander. There are so many out there. Just a simple Google search will bring a myriad of options. I have listed some below that we have used at one time or another, and have liked them all for different reasons. Plus, they are all FREE and easy to download. What a deal! 

Isaiah 54:13 “All your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Kids of Integrity

Strengthen your child's character with these great resources. We have used them for our daily Bible time within our homeschool. They are super easy and I can tell you from experience it creates some great discussion. I print out the cover page for the lesson guide in black and white/gray scale. I give it to my youngest for her to color while I give the lesson. You don’t have to, but it helped her to stay focused. Kids of Integrity gives you a Parents Guide, Lesson Guide and Planning Tools. There is also a list of resources (books, movies, blogs) that have additional activities. This is one of my favorites for daily lesson/devotion time, or an at home VBS. You can make it as full, or as lean as you need.

Calling All Bible Detectives!

Solve 21 "Who am I?" mysteries. Your family will identify mystery Bible characters. It includes a Detective's Kit with biblical lessons and activities. Your kids will learn more about the people of the Bible and God's Word.  Super fun!

Fear is not a Factor

I would like to share with you a book my kids and I read, Fear is not a Factor, by Michael V. Fox. We used it the last couple weeks as the Bible portion for our school. Each day we would read a chapter. Look at scripture in connection to what we read, discuss what the chapter was about, how it applies to us, and how to implement what we had learned.

I was so excited and inspired! There were times I just wanted to jump up and shout. 

Ok....I did shout a couple times. It startled my kids, but they liked it.

First off, I am very privileged to know the author, Mike Fox. He and his wife, Debbie, have been dear friends to us. After reading this book, I am in awe of them, their faith, and their boldness. I should just start out saying - get this book and read it - it will stir you up!

2 Kings 6:16: “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Being the Light

Don’t let Satan run you out of where or what you are suppose to be!

Now, for some reason I am reminded of the song, “This Little Light of Mine”. Do you remember the words?

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.(repeat 3X)

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let Satan blow it out.

I'm gonna let it shine. (repeat 3X)

Although, when I was a kid. We didn’t say ‘blow it out’. We actually made the sound and all the hand motions that go along with it. Ahh..fun times. Hide it under a bushel - NO!

My point is. We are the light. If God has placed you somewhere - be the light and don’t wither away because Satan tries to put pressure on you to leave or back down.

Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

I do like the below Message translation for that same verse. It makes me smile.

Love is an 800 lb. Rock

Love is an 800 pound rock. Well, it is for me at least. I dedicate this post to my wonderful husband, my forever Valentine.

We have been married for almost 22 years. Through the years we have learned how to show our love to each other in not only words, but actions. Showing love can go beyond holding hands and sweet kisses. I am blessed to have a husband who is attentive to my “love language”. I know there are many books out there that talk about love languages, but neither my husband nor I have ever read one. We have learned, through being sensitive and attentive, what each other needs are. 

Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..”

Now, about that rock. We had a large rock that was in our the creek. I mentioned I would like to have it in my flower bed. He said there was no way. It was too heavy, and we would need a bobcat. We don’t own a bobcat. (Although his name is Bob and he is the cat’s meow)

Compassion: A Daily Choice

 

Hey! It is February and for some we are still living in a frozen tundra. That's okay, our hearts will be warmed with what this month brings as we acknowledge the loved ones around us.  Awe, isn't that cute... or corny... not sure which. I may not be a huge fan of Valentine's Day, but I do think it is important to acknowledge those we love.

Now, I have been thinking.  Why not take it a step further. Let's say towards compassion. The last five years I have been praying that God would fill me with compassion for others. I want to show compassion to the person that has less than the best driving qualities, is rude in checkout lines or doesn't think of others first. It has been a bit challenging at times to say the least, but it has also been fun to see how God has softened my hard edges so that compassion could show through.  Believe me - I had some really hard edges!

What is Compassion?

The Little Things

I have made only a couple posts and I am blessed by the wonderful emails, texts, and comments I have gotten from you. My hope is to encourage others in their walk with God - because I know how wonderful it truly is. (I may throw in some educational/homeschool stuff here and there too.)

I was, however, hearing some doubts in my own thoughts. Things like, "Oh, who are you to do such a thing as write - you are not good with grammar". "You have nothing of value to help anyone", "No one cares what you have to say". Now, I know those are not my own thoughts. That stinking devil is trying to discourage me from spreading the hope, goodness and love of God. I think he tries to make us feel belittled, scared, or embarrassed. If his plan works it would take away our victory of being obedient so we will not do it again. I try to remember what God says: