What am I willing to sell?

Luke 12 is a difficult verse to follow. Jesus tells me to be generous, sell what I have and give to those who are without. At what point to I decide to sell what I have? I am waiting to accumulate more and more before I decide to give something to someone else. I can't say that I don't see anyone in need around me. The hurting are everywhere I go. I am blessed and while I give God the praise and thanksgiving for what I have. I keep what I have. I sometimes argue or discuss the finer points of The Bible with those around me to make sure that they get things "right'. But Luke 12 is pretty plain on what I should be doing. Not too much of a doubt as to what Jesus wants me to do, but do I?
When was the last time I showed sacrificial giving to my children? So I study stewardship I hope I get to the point that I can obey all of Jesus' teaching. So for now I am thinking and praying. Yes I have promised to give more in the offering plate, but where is the increase in my love for God's Kingdom? I am wandering when will I be willing to say, "here, take this and be blessed"?

February 16th

Twenty eight years ago I gave birth to my middle child, Karen. Her name came from a story book that I had as a four year old. I always wanted a girl named Karen. I wanted Karen Kay but that got vetoed. I remember so clearly that labor and delivery of Karen. After a very fast labor for my first child, my doctor had cautioned me to come to hospital sooner rather than later. I remember my water breaking while I was sleeping and after calling the dr., was urged to come straight to hospital. no pains yet. I remember that my mom was there and she was in the labor room some of the time. I was sitting up in bed talking to her when my doctor came in and told me I had to lie down to have labor? The labor progressed to a point and then stopped and would not start again. At lunch time, my doctor came and told me that he would induce labor. Sounded good to me. Well inducing labor is quite an experience. I was asking for a nurse to catch the baby and they kept telling me to NOT to push. I finally told them that I was going to push and someone better catch the baby. The doctor got there just in time and Karen Diane Vaughan was born. She was long and skinny and beautiful. My mom and Dad were at hospital and got to see Karen as soon as she was born. She soon filled out and was almost a chubby baby. Her hair, light brown at birth soon changed to blond.
My Karen has always had a mind of her own. At times I thought she was very stubborn and at times my difficult child. She fell in love with her heavenly Father and used these personality traits to a positive result. Karen is such a contradiction at times.
She would be scared about being home alone but then left for a third world country to live. Karen never liked to drive and hated traffic and then she learned to drive a standard in Teguc (crazy driving capital of the world).
Karen has grown into a beautiful woman and she found the love of her life in Dorian. They really bring out the best in each other. While I miss spending birthdays with her, i know she is where she is supposed to be, doing what God created her to do.
Happy Birthday Karen Diane, your momma is proud of you.

Ownership

The church where I worship is in a period of transition. This will hopefully be a new start for us all. Why do we need a new start? It isnt that we have an awful fellowship or that our leaders are ineffective. But we have became complacent. Content with where we are and what we are to our community.
Our sermon for this morning kinda smacked me in the face. We were told that we were damaged. At first I found myself thinking, "yeah, those other people need to straighten up". But I am responsible for my part and I do take ownership. I had several people ask what I was taking ownership for and this is my answer.

Sometimes, instead of praying for those among us might find Jesus during our time of worship, I wished the minister would hurry up so I could get on with my day. Unreal that I thought the day was MINE.

When an announcement was made that volunteers were needed, I thought they meant someone who was not busy like myself.

I would rate sermons like an American Idol judge, not someone hungry for God's word.

I would take communion and share Jesus body but not act like His body when I left the parking lot and someone pulled out in front of me.

I have sang songs and not heard the words.

And one of the worst things was be happy when there was no problems finding MY seat, instead of being happy that I would have to sit elbow to elbow with someone.

When the offering plate was passed I gave out what I had left, not what I had.

Today I went forward, owning my part of the decline at my assembly. I only hope that I can use His word and His promises

What I took from this morning's sermon,
The strength of my prayers is determined by how well I know God's promises.
For today and hopefully looking forward, I will Him my best