"The LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the LORD has heard the complaining that you utter against him." --Exodus 16:8
The desert was a frightening place. Even as slaves in Egypt, the Jews had become accustomed to a city life of relative luxury. The desert, however, was dry and hostile. Scared by scarcity, the people could only see how little water, how little food, how little security they had. But Moses spoke a word of divine abundance-of quail in the evening and manna in the morning-that silenced their muttering and revealed a God of bounty and faithfulness.
Seeing abundance when others see only scarcity is an act of faithfulness. It is to fly in the face of what others consider self-evident, limiting, and problematic. Those who see abundance see possibility and future while others dwell on caution, security, and practicality. Seeing abundance allows one to remain hopeful and gives one the courage to be venturesome and bold.
The opposite of faith is not doubt, as we often suppose, but fear. For the root of "faith" is trust. When we cannot fully trust, we fall into a fearfulness that seeks to preserve, protect, and control the world around us. Drawing in on ourselves, we close ourselves off to the world around us. We go into a fortress of self-preservation. Leadership requires that we resist the urge to preserve and open ourselves instead to the abundance of God.
Leaders see talents, possibility, and potential all around them as gifts of God. They help others hear God's call that we trust in the fullness of God's bounty-that there will always be enough, and more than enough, and that what we have is not to be conserved but given away. Leaders dare to be venturesome and courageous even in the dryness of the desert, for they know we are being well fed on our journey to the promised land.
In what way is your congregation rich, and how are you spending those riches?
Note: I can't speak for everyone but myself, and I feel that my church is the most wonderful place to be. We are so blessed with caring loving people that want to be part of life's solutions instead of life's problems. We are human so it is our job to make mistakes but there is nothing so great that we cannot get past it with love. I am so grateful to Jesus that when He left this earth that He left the church behind for us to be a part of and I feel it's my home (here on earth) away from home (heaven).
FRIENDS:
Father, Open our hearts to see your bounty, to trust your promises, and to venture forward in faith. May we lead with boldness, confident that your goodness and gifts will forever sustain us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~JUNE~
19. Luke 5:27-32; Phil 2:12-18; Psalms 119:137-144; 2 Kings 10-11
20. Luke 5:33-39; Phil 2:19-30; Psalms 119:145-152; 2 Kings 12-13
10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. A rainstorm that clears the air
2. Having a friend make you tea in a teapot
3. Singing to your favorite music
4. A warm terry cloth robe when you step out of the shower
5. A good haircut
6. The feel of the sand underfoot
7. Stretching out on the carpet to play a game
8. Burying the hatchet with someone whom you have had a falling out
9. A moment that you know could only be from God
10 .Watching the sun glistening on the lake
FOOD:
It is often said that having guests over for brunch is one of the easiest ways to entertain people. This could be served after church or on a Saturday morning. A little fruit and some good coffee and this makes a special meal.
BRUNCH Casserole
2 pounds hot bulk sausage (mild can be used)
8 slices bread, crusts removed
3/4 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese
8 large eggs, beaten
3 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
In a large skillet, brown sausage, crumble and drain. Butter a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Place bread (torn into bite-sized pieces) in bottom of dish. Place sausage on top of bread. Sprinkle cheese over top. In a large bowl, mix beaten eggs, milk, salt and dry mustard. Blend well. Pour over other ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes uncovered.. Slice into squares
FUN:
How to cool off in the summer.....
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