I Need To Be A Better Servant

Jesus measures greatness by service, not status by Rick Warren

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Mark 10:43 (MSG) "Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. " The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world's idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it. The disciples argued about who deserved the most prominent position, and 2,000 years later, Christian leaders still jockey for position and prominence in churches, denominations, and parachurch ministries. Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. We would rather be generals than privates. Even Christians want to be "servant-leaders," not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That's what he called himself. While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant's heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs. God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, "I don't have the gift of mercy or service." While you may not be gifted a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one who is gifted at it is around. Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you're needed at the moment. Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant's heart will reveal your maturity. No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character. It is possible to serve in church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. You must have a servant's heart. How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, "You can tell what they are by what they do" (Matthew 7:16 CEV).

National Lampoon has nothing on me!

I have laughed endlessly at National Lampoon Vacation movies. Well let me tell you that it is only funny to because it is about someone else. Well I am living one myself right now. Being an adventuresome person, Sharon and I decided we would take Brennen home to North Dakota instead of her and him flying. Lisa and Brian decided to join us for this trip. Well I worked all day Tuesday getting off at 4 and hoping to by pulling out for the start of the adventure by 5 . Work was wild and crazy and very fast paced. I came home to find out that Sharon's jeep would not start as she tried to leave her work to come home. She had to have her brother come rescue her and bring her home. The Jeep was left to fend for itself. Well all it takes is something like a change of plans to start the dominoes to fall. Luckily we were not planning on taking the Jeep so we could deal with that. Sorta of a stress inducing start but it could be overcome. I literally backed out the door of house while keeping Griswald from nipping us as he was angry that he was not going with us.
We were off to Columbus and picked up Lisa and Brian. Actually got their luggage in the trunk and it closed! Brennen was wanting to watch his dvds. With great anticipation he opened his transformers dvd to fine Annie and not Transformers disc in case. He then opened another one and it was High School Musical. He looked downcast and told us that sometimes his mama gets the discs confused and puts them in the wrong cases. He simply exclaimed "Nuts!" and watched High School Musical.
We were cruising right along leaving Columbus when we screeched to a halt and then crept along and made maybe 5 miles in 45 minutes. I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to make it out of Ohio. Lisa saved the day for Brennen by bringing some of her dvds. Brennen evidently has not seen Lion King. Well we nicknamed him Karen because he spent the entire time asking questions and Lisa very patiently answered every question. It was non stop questions. We made it through the night by changing seats and drivers every few hours. During my shift, we stopped for bathroom break and I had a little difficulty finding how to get to parking place I wanted and before we were done, I think I circled a fast food restaurant three times and the employees were looking out ready to call cops. We drove all night and survived. Lisa took over driving this morning and as a few sprinkles hit the windshield. Well as Lisa turned on the wipers, the driver's side wiper blade flew over the roof of car. We were all sort of dumbstruck for a while. Hopefully the cars following us survived the flying blades. Well guess what? I had an extra driver's side wiper blade and we stopped to have Brian put it on. As we pulled to a stop in front of a closed business, Sharon mentioned that we had stopped there before. But we had never even been in Wisconsin before. This is just kind how it went. We thought we had it made once we made it to Minneapolis but I think we entered a time warp. No matter how far we drove it seemed we remained two hours from out next stop. In fact our last two hours of travel felt like it took us 12 hours. We were so excited to finally reach Grand Forks but the drama was not over. As we got there, my cell phone was dying and beeping. We were trying to talk with Amanda to try to find our way to her house. Sharon was talking to Amanda and I was driving . Lets just say our nerves were on edge and we were all cranky. Lets just say it is a good thing I do not have a concealed carry permit. But we finally made it and all was well. I think we brought the Lampoon spirit to Grand Forks. Amanda put up a canopy for the children to play under and within 15 minutes, the wind blew and broke three of the legs. I love vacations, I am no so sleepy, cranky and slap happy that I am afraid of what the evening will bring.

Mothers Day

I am blessed to have my mother still living and she is a sweetie that always makes me smile. She is a young 84. Happy Mother's Day to an awesome Mom.
This is a very special Mother's Day to me as I got to start the day with all three of my precious children. Lisa is becoming such an awesome lady. She just quietly does what needs done without complaining or moaning. I love the person she has become. Karen keeps me on my toes, surprising me and it is always special to spend time with her as these times are way too infrequent. She tromped me in scrabble and she even makes up words! And my baby graduated college and gave me roses and gluten free brownie mixes. Brian is very sensitive and kind and I am glad that he lets this show unashamedly. I am so, so proud of my children. God has truly blessed me with giving me children that make me a better Mom. And Miss Amanda Sue feels like she is part mine as I have watched her grow up and mature into an awesome Mom herself. I was blessed to be present when she first became a Mom herself and she has three awesome children that I could not love more. Karen has 17 precious children she is Mom to, every day and they all share their love wit me when I visit them. Cindy Lou and Antonio can not be erased from my heart. Then there is my grand puppy, Samson. He has the decency to act crazy whenever he sees me and I think he considers me his Grandma. So on this Mother's Day I am blessed extremely and feel very grateful for all that God has showered on me. Life is good, God is awesome!

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

Confused

I am confused about how so many people complain that as a Christian country we should be allowed to have prayer in school and we fight to the end on whether the Then commandments are hanging in our courthouses. I think Jesus told us that we would be judged by how we feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick. I don't think that what matters is whether the ten commandments are posted or even if we have christian nativity scenes in our public parks

It seems to me that the fight over the health care reform is over how much money we will spend on those who do not have insurance. The senators and representatives have very good health care plans plus they will have a great pension when they leave office. The elected senators and representatives who have voted against the health care reform are voting to put more money into the coffers of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. They may have been given money from the lobbyists from those companies. I think I was informed that the insurance companies have been spending $2.1 million a day to defeat the reform.

When are we going to take care of our neighbor? What about the people who turn 19 on their next birthday? What about the people who have lost their jobs and soon will lose their insurance? Do you know anyone who has insurance that has low premiums, low deductible and pays 100%?

So many people have vocalized the fear that our nation is becoming a socialist country. Do people not realize that Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans program and Medicaid are government programs? Truly, I am more fearful of the huge corporations, the banks, and investors on Wall Street than being a socialist.

We are in a financial mess right now because of the oil companies, lending institutions; the insurance, pharmaceutical companies and Wall Street have had a heyday without regulation. We are paying a large debt because of two wars. Some of the above groups have made a lot of money from the wars. Not only have the CEO's made sure they received huge salaries but they have benefited from a huge tax break for the last several years.

Then on Thursday, Jan. 21, our Supreme Court made it legal for corporations to give as much money as they want to people who are running for office. this scares be much much more than too much government.

The American Dream is that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right to life means more than being born. It means the right to sufficient food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education, and employment.

I for one want health care reform that will ensure a choice of affordable health care plans regardless of pre-existing conditions ... close gaps in prescription coverage for those on Medicare ... and enhance the quality of health care. We need reform for our older Americans and those who do not have coverage.

When I understand why those who want to fight for our Christian rights show their fruits by being Christ like then I won't be confused.