by Dr. James Porch
Frequently, a surge of hope rushes into my life and passes my abiding expectations with an element of serendipity. The word of Persian origin, born in the writings of Horace Walpole, finally gained legitimacy into both Funk and Wagnall’s and Webster’s Dictionary.
The testy term, coined from a fairy tale “The Three Princes of Serendip,” alludes to experiencing desirable, exciting, favorable discoveries unsought and unexpected.
Our Heavenly Father does arrive on His time with His load of hope, and often in unexpected ways.
An often overlooked Old Testament reference describing the military ability of the tribe of Issachar assuredly affirms this conclusion.
These warriors, quite possibly progenitors of our Southern “good ole boys,” came from an original tribe of Israel named for one of Jacob’s sons born to Leah.
The nomadic family, one of 12 to escape Egypt under Moses’ shepherding, maintained vigilance and readiness to fight the oppressors of God’s chosen people.
Once the nation left Mount Sinai, the tribe took up a flanking position to the left of the tribe of Judah and the Ark of the Covenant. Consistently responsive to opportunities to assist in the Exodus trip, the heritage of the tribe extended even into the time of King David.
A general call for military aid prompted the warriors of Issachar to join the other tribes at Hebron, “to turn the Kingdom of Saul to him (David)” (1 Chronicles 12: 23).
Reflecting upon the arrival of the allies, the chronicler wrote, “All came (including Issachar) with a perfect heart to make David King over all Israel, all of one mind” (verse 38).
While the record emphasizes the fighting strength of each tribe, only Issachar received a commendation with unexpected hope, “… the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Such a serendipity announced the wedding of reality and readiness to respond. Evidently, these boys came to Hebron to bear hope beyond fighting strength. As I have born witness before, Father God’s name includes surprise.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Things to Consider: Retirement Contributions
CONDSIDER THESE BEFORE STOPPING CONTRIBUTIONS TO RETIREMENT
By: Richard Skidmore
I remember my father trying to teach me to “measure twice and cut once.” When you are cutting a board for a barn or fence, if you aren’t careful, you can cut too much off the board. Then the board will not fit and you will have to cut another board and hope for a shorter place to use the one you miscut. That same principle might apply to some of the current financial decisions being made by churches. It would seem wise to use caution and try to measure all potential results and other possible areas to consider before making cuts. A prime example is the Church Retirement Plan.
Before contributions are suspended to the Church Retirement Plan, careful consideration needs to be given to the outcome. Every minister serving a Tennessee Baptist Convention church, bivocational or fully funded, regardless of ministry position (pastor, music, youth, etc.) has some protection provided to them if they are active in the Church Retirement Plan. A Tennessee Baptist minister who has a contribution made to the plan by the church, either as a benefit from the church or by salary reduction, has up to $500 per month coverage for disability and up to $100,000 payable to their family as a survivor benefit in the event of the minister’s death. These benefits are provided by the Tennessee Baptist Convention in partnership with GuideStone Financial Resources. The premium for these benefits is paid monthly for each month a contribution is made to the Church Retirement Plan. If no contribution is made in any given month, there is immediately a gap created in the coverage. The operative words here are minister, active, monthly, gap. Decisions about changes in retirement contributions should involve staff members. If the church contribution is decreased, staff should be reminded of the opportunity to begin or alter a salary reduction agreement to have tax sheltered contributions sent to the retirement plan.
These protection benefits are provided to other church support staff members who work 20 hours or more weekly and have 36 months of Baptist employment. Again, a monthly contribution means the monthly premium is paid by the TBC. Churches or staff members who have questions can call the Tennessee Baptist Convention at 800-558-2090 and ask for Richard Skidmore at extension 2009 (e-mail rskidmore@tnbaptist.org) or Joyce Harvey at extension 2053 (e-mail jharvey@tnbaptist.org).
By: Richard Skidmore
I remember my father trying to teach me to “measure twice and cut once.” When you are cutting a board for a barn or fence, if you aren’t careful, you can cut too much off the board. Then the board will not fit and you will have to cut another board and hope for a shorter place to use the one you miscut. That same principle might apply to some of the current financial decisions being made by churches. It would seem wise to use caution and try to measure all potential results and other possible areas to consider before making cuts. A prime example is the Church Retirement Plan.
Before contributions are suspended to the Church Retirement Plan, careful consideration needs to be given to the outcome. Every minister serving a Tennessee Baptist Convention church, bivocational or fully funded, regardless of ministry position (pastor, music, youth, etc.) has some protection provided to them if they are active in the Church Retirement Plan. A Tennessee Baptist minister who has a contribution made to the plan by the church, either as a benefit from the church or by salary reduction, has up to $500 per month coverage for disability and up to $100,000 payable to their family as a survivor benefit in the event of the minister’s death. These benefits are provided by the Tennessee Baptist Convention in partnership with GuideStone Financial Resources. The premium for these benefits is paid monthly for each month a contribution is made to the Church Retirement Plan. If no contribution is made in any given month, there is immediately a gap created in the coverage. The operative words here are minister, active, monthly, gap. Decisions about changes in retirement contributions should involve staff members. If the church contribution is decreased, staff should be reminded of the opportunity to begin or alter a salary reduction agreement to have tax sheltered contributions sent to the retirement plan.
These protection benefits are provided to other church support staff members who work 20 hours or more weekly and have 36 months of Baptist employment. Again, a monthly contribution means the monthly premium is paid by the TBC. Churches or staff members who have questions can call the Tennessee Baptist Convention at 800-558-2090 and ask for Richard Skidmore at extension 2009 (e-mail rskidmore@tnbaptist.org) or Joyce Harvey at extension 2053 (e-mail jharvey@tnbaptist.org).
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hard Time Hope from Biblical Folk - Joseph
by: Dr. James Porch
Personal hope rises to abide at some point in a season of struggle against despair, provided…
Admittedly blocked and struggling to complete my own sentence, I realized desperation to discover and validate my own role in knowing new hope.
The following perspective offers my best shot, up to now.
Remember Joseph? This child of papa Jacob’s pride, the many-colored-coat boy, adolescent dreamer, slave victim of his brother’s treachery, chief operating officer for Pharaoh, also took a big risk in a time of serious economic threat. Stated further, the Hebrew in Egypt dared to defy his own potentially do- nothing attitude rather than merely accepting the plight of the time.
Remember Pharaoh of Egypt? One night he had two successive dreams—one of seven ugly range cows devouring seven feedlot cows, and the other visualizing seven nubbins of corn swallowed by seven well filled out ears. Furious and frustrated as his magicians offered no conclusive answer, the high potentate called in Joseph, currently serving a long stretch in prison. The young man appeared before Pharaoh, heard the dreams and cut right to the issue, predicting seven years of good harvest followed by seven successive years of famine. Scared, angry, or whatever, Pharaoh impressed by Joseph’s insight elevated him to governor with the assigned task to manage the duties to prepare for the coming hunger plight. Also Joseph got a wife, Asenath, as a further expression of Pharaoh’s grace.
Now by his faith in God and Pharaoh’s confidence, Joseph possessed a free from slavery future. The stress of detailed planning and meticulous management could have possessed his life to the point of total reluctance to choose to add anything to his new responsibilities.
Nevertheless, “before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph.” One he named Manasseh meaning “God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father’s household.” The second carried the name Ephraim, “for…God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41).
Facing lean known but yet to what extent unknown years ahead, Joseph started his family. RISK. No way over, beside, or around the fact Jacob’s son took the risk to not be halted wondering, “What’s over on the other side of the famine?” Even his son’s names announced the strength of his risk—release from the power of past affliction and positive focus toward his life encounters ahead.
Your trials toward hope may inevitably run through a big new land of risk. Personally, my hope road not yet traveled has been and will be toward and through risk. For me, the principle composes part of my personal DNA. The year of my birth, 1941, the United States government declared The Great Depression of the 1930’s had ended. That proclamation had no affect on my home community. Actually, the 1929 Wall Street crash received little attention. According to my parents, they had planned for me and hoped for me all the way through hard economic times. I suppose a birth child of risk just learns to court risk as a part of his life.
Personal hope rises to abide at some point in a season of struggle against despair, provided…
Admittedly blocked and struggling to complete my own sentence, I realized desperation to discover and validate my own role in knowing new hope.
The following perspective offers my best shot, up to now.
Remember Joseph? This child of papa Jacob’s pride, the many-colored-coat boy, adolescent dreamer, slave victim of his brother’s treachery, chief operating officer for Pharaoh, also took a big risk in a time of serious economic threat. Stated further, the Hebrew in Egypt dared to defy his own potentially do- nothing attitude rather than merely accepting the plight of the time.
Remember Pharaoh of Egypt? One night he had two successive dreams—one of seven ugly range cows devouring seven feedlot cows, and the other visualizing seven nubbins of corn swallowed by seven well filled out ears. Furious and frustrated as his magicians offered no conclusive answer, the high potentate called in Joseph, currently serving a long stretch in prison. The young man appeared before Pharaoh, heard the dreams and cut right to the issue, predicting seven years of good harvest followed by seven successive years of famine. Scared, angry, or whatever, Pharaoh impressed by Joseph’s insight elevated him to governor with the assigned task to manage the duties to prepare for the coming hunger plight. Also Joseph got a wife, Asenath, as a further expression of Pharaoh’s grace.
Now by his faith in God and Pharaoh’s confidence, Joseph possessed a free from slavery future. The stress of detailed planning and meticulous management could have possessed his life to the point of total reluctance to choose to add anything to his new responsibilities.
Nevertheless, “before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph.” One he named Manasseh meaning “God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father’s household.” The second carried the name Ephraim, “for…God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41).
Facing lean known but yet to what extent unknown years ahead, Joseph started his family. RISK. No way over, beside, or around the fact Jacob’s son took the risk to not be halted wondering, “What’s over on the other side of the famine?” Even his son’s names announced the strength of his risk—release from the power of past affliction and positive focus toward his life encounters ahead.
Your trials toward hope may inevitably run through a big new land of risk. Personally, my hope road not yet traveled has been and will be toward and through risk. For me, the principle composes part of my personal DNA. The year of my birth, 1941, the United States government declared The Great Depression of the 1930’s had ended. That proclamation had no affect on my home community. Actually, the 1929 Wall Street crash received little attention. According to my parents, they had planned for me and hoped for me all the way through hard economic times. I suppose a birth child of risk just learns to court risk as a part of his life.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hard Time Hope from Biblical Folk - Job
By James Porch
In a hurry, attempting to rescue my grandson from the daycare center before the after hours late charge kicked in, I veered off the urban street to the right, rolled down the paved shoulder, passing a line of traffic. Nearing the corner, I experienced a sudden unexpected encounter—flashing blue lights from the car of a metro policeman. Quickly acknowledging his beckoning, I wheeled into a nearby parking lot, jumped out of the car and proceeded to confess my broken law error to the tune of a “personal emergency” reason.
The officer’s smile and statement, “I’m going to help you out” birthed immediate hope. He continued, “I will write this ticket as fast as I can, and you can be on your way.” Hope shattered, I silently waited as he kept his word.
Sometime the same person(s) who gives immediate hope can suddenly take away the rising joy. Remember Job’s encounter with his “friends?”
Following his series of devastating losses, Job’s spirit assuredly rose with the arrival of Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. According to Scripture, “they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him” (Job 2:11).
The Scripture offers little indication the man of multiple sorrows expected commentary and especially a heavy dose of imposed guilt. The boys just could not be content to be present and by presence alone stand by their friend. On the other hand, possibly the vocal deluge of the three and the ensuing debate ignited Job’s deep profession of faith to move up and out into their ears, “I know my redeemer liveth.” The longing to hope man proved pastor unto himself.
Presence alone can bring comfort while awaiting forthcoming hope. Even the absence of words may bring on the occasion of a surprise. The late John Claypool told of rushing into a hospital emergency room in response to the news of a church family being involved in a serious automobile accident. Kneeling before the wife/mother as her husband and son received focused care of the physicians and nurses, the lady put her finger to her lips and spoke, “John, don’t say anything until God gets through with this.” The grace of presence, yours and mine, may just be sufficient. Besides, Abba Father can be in attendance through you and me.
In a hurry, attempting to rescue my grandson from the daycare center before the after hours late charge kicked in, I veered off the urban street to the right, rolled down the paved shoulder, passing a line of traffic. Nearing the corner, I experienced a sudden unexpected encounter—flashing blue lights from the car of a metro policeman. Quickly acknowledging his beckoning, I wheeled into a nearby parking lot, jumped out of the car and proceeded to confess my broken law error to the tune of a “personal emergency” reason.
The officer’s smile and statement, “I’m going to help you out” birthed immediate hope. He continued, “I will write this ticket as fast as I can, and you can be on your way.” Hope shattered, I silently waited as he kept his word.
Sometime the same person(s) who gives immediate hope can suddenly take away the rising joy. Remember Job’s encounter with his “friends?”
Following his series of devastating losses, Job’s spirit assuredly rose with the arrival of Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. According to Scripture, “they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him” (Job 2:11).
The Scripture offers little indication the man of multiple sorrows expected commentary and especially a heavy dose of imposed guilt. The boys just could not be content to be present and by presence alone stand by their friend. On the other hand, possibly the vocal deluge of the three and the ensuing debate ignited Job’s deep profession of faith to move up and out into their ears, “I know my redeemer liveth.” The longing to hope man proved pastor unto himself.
Presence alone can bring comfort while awaiting forthcoming hope. Even the absence of words may bring on the occasion of a surprise. The late John Claypool told of rushing into a hospital emergency room in response to the news of a church family being involved in a serious automobile accident. Kneeling before the wife/mother as her husband and son received focused care of the physicians and nurses, the lady put her finger to her lips and spoke, “John, don’t say anything until God gets through with this.” The grace of presence, yours and mine, may just be sufficient. Besides, Abba Father can be in attendance through you and me.
Monday, May 4, 2009
How to Have Physical Well-Being in Times of Fiscal Uncertainty
By James Florence
Headlines, news anchors, internet service homepages, all announce the unpleasant reality: we are in the midst of a serious national financial crisis. Nearly everyone feels its impact.
We dread looking at our monthly retirement savings statements; we flinch at the grocery store checkout stand; we cringe at the fuel pump.
Our pocketbooks may not be the only victim in times of fiscal uncertainty. Excess stress associated with unemployment may increase the risk for certain chronic health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
But a recent large study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (Christopher J. Ruhm, “Healthy Living in Hard Times,” Journal of Health Economics, vol. 24, Mar. 2, (2005): pp. 341-363), suggests that this does not always have to be the case. In fact, overall risk for death may actually decrease during times of recession.
It appears that during temporary economic downturns smoking and obesity rates decline and physical activity rates increase. People tend to make better food choices, spend less money on unnecessary items like cigarettes and junk food, and they walk more.
These activities, coupled with reduced work hours and more leisure time, actually promote overall well-being and even longevity, but only in the people who make these sensible lifestyle changes. Those who don’t are not helped and may even be at greater health risk.
There’s even biblical precedent for this. After losing their jobs, their homes, and even their country, Daniel and his friends had better physical and mental health than others when they followed a healthy diet and trusted God fully in spite of their circumstances (Daniel 1:1-16).
In keeping with this “Daniel Effect,” here are a few suggestions for maintaining your physical health even if you’re financially strapped. Also included are some websites you can visit for reliable advice if you need help getting started. Of course, health information alone should never replace the counsel of your physician. The “big three” health activities, good for anyone at any time are:
· If you smoke, now would be a good time to stop for good.
· If you are overweight, drop the pounds you need to, but do it sensibly.
· If you don’t exercise regularly, begin making it a habit. Walking would be a good place to start.
· Eating out less gives you better control over portion sizes, ingredients, and cost.
· Prepare healthy homemade meals in advance and take your lunch to work.
· Replace expensive and unhealthy junk food with natural snacks like apples and baby carrots. Get creative; look for bargains. Eat fruits and veggies in season.
· Drink lots of water (tap water costs less than bottled); try flavoring with a squeeze of lemon or lime.
· Purchase foods in their natural state: less processing means less fat, no additives and less money.
· Eat a more plant-based diet. Ounce for ounce beans have half the calories, a third of the protein and none of the fat and cholesterol of beef.
Recommended websites for more health information are:
· To quit smoking, http://www.smokefree.gov/.
· To eat better or lose weight, www.webmd.com/diet.
· To view the nutritional content of foods, http://www.nutritiondata.com/.
· To get tips on eating for less, http://www.weeatcheap.blogspot.com/.
· To start an exercise program, www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise.
Florence is associate professor of Community Health at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.
Reprinted by permission from the March 25, 2009 issue of the Baptist & Reflector.
Headlines, news anchors, internet service homepages, all announce the unpleasant reality: we are in the midst of a serious national financial crisis. Nearly everyone feels its impact.
We dread looking at our monthly retirement savings statements; we flinch at the grocery store checkout stand; we cringe at the fuel pump.
Our pocketbooks may not be the only victim in times of fiscal uncertainty. Excess stress associated with unemployment may increase the risk for certain chronic health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
But a recent large study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (Christopher J. Ruhm, “Healthy Living in Hard Times,” Journal of Health Economics, vol. 24, Mar. 2, (2005): pp. 341-363), suggests that this does not always have to be the case. In fact, overall risk for death may actually decrease during times of recession.
It appears that during temporary economic downturns smoking and obesity rates decline and physical activity rates increase. People tend to make better food choices, spend less money on unnecessary items like cigarettes and junk food, and they walk more.
These activities, coupled with reduced work hours and more leisure time, actually promote overall well-being and even longevity, but only in the people who make these sensible lifestyle changes. Those who don’t are not helped and may even be at greater health risk.
There’s even biblical precedent for this. After losing their jobs, their homes, and even their country, Daniel and his friends had better physical and mental health than others when they followed a healthy diet and trusted God fully in spite of their circumstances (Daniel 1:1-16).
In keeping with this “Daniel Effect,” here are a few suggestions for maintaining your physical health even if you’re financially strapped. Also included are some websites you can visit for reliable advice if you need help getting started. Of course, health information alone should never replace the counsel of your physician. The “big three” health activities, good for anyone at any time are:
· If you smoke, now would be a good time to stop for good.
· If you are overweight, drop the pounds you need to, but do it sensibly.
· If you don’t exercise regularly, begin making it a habit. Walking would be a good place to start.
· Eating out less gives you better control over portion sizes, ingredients, and cost.
· Prepare healthy homemade meals in advance and take your lunch to work.
· Replace expensive and unhealthy junk food with natural snacks like apples and baby carrots. Get creative; look for bargains. Eat fruits and veggies in season.
· Drink lots of water (tap water costs less than bottled); try flavoring with a squeeze of lemon or lime.
· Purchase foods in their natural state: less processing means less fat, no additives and less money.
· Eat a more plant-based diet. Ounce for ounce beans have half the calories, a third of the protein and none of the fat and cholesterol of beef.
Recommended websites for more health information are:
· To quit smoking, http://www.smokefree.gov/.
· To eat better or lose weight, www.webmd.com/diet.
· To view the nutritional content of foods, http://www.nutritiondata.com/.
· To get tips on eating for less, http://www.weeatcheap.blogspot.com/.
· To start an exercise program, www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise.
Florence is associate professor of Community Health at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.
Reprinted by permission from the March 25, 2009 issue of the Baptist & Reflector.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hard Time Hope from Biblical Folk - Nahum
by James Porch
“Nahum.” As a newly recognized presence in my great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 11:1), please excuse me for neglecting your message before now.
Wow, I feel better!
As usual with me, a story precedes a confession. Last week rumbling again through my Mama’s stuff (she died in 1997), I happened upon a printed sermon—a Norman Vincent Peale (late pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City) homily. Reading toward the printed manuscript, I sensed a growing tug by the text, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7 KJV).
I quickly reacted to a flood of questions, including where, why, and how did Mama find that sermon? These and more unresolved questions prompted me to remember events in her life around the date of the sermon’s publication, a season in her days offering very little nurture for hope. I, her only child, lived 400 miles away, two sisters who lived nearby were experiencing serious health challenges meriting her attention, and vocationally Mama had begun transitioning from hospital nursing to a nursing home ministry. And, as she commented, “I have spent my life helping folk regain health, now I seem to be assisting folks preparing to die.” Most stressful, she lived day by day in an abusive second marriage, (my Dad died in 1960) yet determined to keep her marital vows. Overall, loneliness assuredly overshadowed her days.
Repeatedly turning over the pamphlet in my hands, viewing her underlining, written notes, and the worn appearance of the pages I found, I believe, her “why.” There in the biblical text and commentary, I realize she had discovered a gem of hope through the great surprising work of the living God.
In her lineage, I glean a hope for hope in the ’09 season of economic distress.
Nahum the prophet emphatically wrote, “He [God] knows those who trust in him.” This direct message, prior to the fall of Nineveh, must have awakened his initial audience to a blatant reality—our Father God’s relation with us includes reciprocal trust. Simply, in addition to my trust in Him, His grace extends to His attention toward knowing who of His family abides intentionally in trust in Him.
Eureka!
My trust in the Father matters to Him!! He acts toward me on no assumption, must less presumption!!! I am in His mind of minds!!!! (Psalm 8). Oh, to live in the awareness of Almighty God as revealed in Jesus Christ to the extent He cares for my trust in Him.
Hallelujah!
Thanks, Nahum, for hearing the Father.
“Nahum.” As a newly recognized presence in my great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 11:1), please excuse me for neglecting your message before now.
Wow, I feel better!
As usual with me, a story precedes a confession. Last week rumbling again through my Mama’s stuff (she died in 1997), I happened upon a printed sermon—a Norman Vincent Peale (late pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City) homily. Reading toward the printed manuscript, I sensed a growing tug by the text, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7 KJV).
I quickly reacted to a flood of questions, including where, why, and how did Mama find that sermon? These and more unresolved questions prompted me to remember events in her life around the date of the sermon’s publication, a season in her days offering very little nurture for hope. I, her only child, lived 400 miles away, two sisters who lived nearby were experiencing serious health challenges meriting her attention, and vocationally Mama had begun transitioning from hospital nursing to a nursing home ministry. And, as she commented, “I have spent my life helping folk regain health, now I seem to be assisting folks preparing to die.” Most stressful, she lived day by day in an abusive second marriage, (my Dad died in 1960) yet determined to keep her marital vows. Overall, loneliness assuredly overshadowed her days.
Repeatedly turning over the pamphlet in my hands, viewing her underlining, written notes, and the worn appearance of the pages I found, I believe, her “why.” There in the biblical text and commentary, I realize she had discovered a gem of hope through the great surprising work of the living God.
In her lineage, I glean a hope for hope in the ’09 season of economic distress.
Nahum the prophet emphatically wrote, “He [God] knows those who trust in him.” This direct message, prior to the fall of Nineveh, must have awakened his initial audience to a blatant reality—our Father God’s relation with us includes reciprocal trust. Simply, in addition to my trust in Him, His grace extends to His attention toward knowing who of His family abides intentionally in trust in Him.
Eureka!
My trust in the Father matters to Him!! He acts toward me on no assumption, must less presumption!!! I am in His mind of minds!!!! (Psalm 8). Oh, to live in the awareness of Almighty God as revealed in Jesus Christ to the extent He cares for my trust in Him.
Hallelujah!
Thanks, Nahum, for hearing the Father.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
When Life Tumbles In What Then?
By Archer Thorpe
I frequently talk with people that feel that life is tumbling in, and they fear that they will not be able to dig their way out. The economy is being described as one that is contracting and tumbling in upon itself. Some may be feeling that their business is going under, and they fear that the ground beneath their feet could tumble in on them. They wonder what then? The Cooperative Program provides almost all the funding for Tennessee Baptist Convention’s Executive Board Ministries. Many of our churches have had to tighten their belt financially, so the support for missions through the Cooperative Program in Tennessee is currently below last year’s receipts. The TBC staff has cut our ministry budget in order to live within our income.
When I attempt to look into the future, I begin to ask, the “What then?” question. Will decisions I make be based on fear or faith? Without Christ in my life, fear would reign. By faith, I will remember God’s many promises to sustain us and never leave us. As an expression of faith, my wife Linda and I are continuing our commitment to honor God’s mandate for us to tithe the first fruits of our income to the ministries of our church. By faith we will increase the amount we will give as an offering.
Our church, ClearView Baptist Church, Franklin, among churches in Tennessee moved from 40th place in the amount given through the Cooperative Program in 2007 to 27th place in 2008. In my opinion, the primary reason is the leadership of our pastor Mark Marshal. Our church is modeling the way for my family. It’s not trite to say, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.”
When life tumbles in what then will you do? Here is some real help from Howard Dayton at Crown Financial Ministries:
“First, find God’s direction for your life. Many frustrations we experience are the result of patterning our life after someone else, rather than finding through prayer and study of God’s Word, God’s direction for us. Next, make a conscious effort to trust God. Put thoughts, words and commitments into action, and don’t buy on credit or hoard. Wait for God to supply and plan ahead. Then develop a long-range viewpoint. Trust God’s directives and guidance, even when you cannot see the end result or are unable to understand why He may be doing it that way (Matthew 6:34). Finally, pray always. Diligent prayer is the key that unlocks God’s blessings, power and direction (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).”
Archer Thorpe is a Ministry Strategist/Leadership Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Reprinted by permission from the March 25, 2009 issue of the Baptist & Reflector.
I frequently talk with people that feel that life is tumbling in, and they fear that they will not be able to dig their way out. The economy is being described as one that is contracting and tumbling in upon itself. Some may be feeling that their business is going under, and they fear that the ground beneath their feet could tumble in on them. They wonder what then? The Cooperative Program provides almost all the funding for Tennessee Baptist Convention’s Executive Board Ministries. Many of our churches have had to tighten their belt financially, so the support for missions through the Cooperative Program in Tennessee is currently below last year’s receipts. The TBC staff has cut our ministry budget in order to live within our income.
When I attempt to look into the future, I begin to ask, the “What then?” question. Will decisions I make be based on fear or faith? Without Christ in my life, fear would reign. By faith, I will remember God’s many promises to sustain us and never leave us. As an expression of faith, my wife Linda and I are continuing our commitment to honor God’s mandate for us to tithe the first fruits of our income to the ministries of our church. By faith we will increase the amount we will give as an offering.
Our church, ClearView Baptist Church, Franklin, among churches in Tennessee moved from 40th place in the amount given through the Cooperative Program in 2007 to 27th place in 2008. In my opinion, the primary reason is the leadership of our pastor Mark Marshal. Our church is modeling the way for my family. It’s not trite to say, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future.”
When life tumbles in what then will you do? Here is some real help from Howard Dayton at Crown Financial Ministries:
“First, find God’s direction for your life. Many frustrations we experience are the result of patterning our life after someone else, rather than finding through prayer and study of God’s Word, God’s direction for us. Next, make a conscious effort to trust God. Put thoughts, words and commitments into action, and don’t buy on credit or hoard. Wait for God to supply and plan ahead. Then develop a long-range viewpoint. Trust God’s directives and guidance, even when you cannot see the end result or are unable to understand why He may be doing it that way (Matthew 6:34). Finally, pray always. Diligent prayer is the key that unlocks God’s blessings, power and direction (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).”
Archer Thorpe is a Ministry Strategist/Leadership Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Reprinted by permission from the March 25, 2009 issue of the Baptist & Reflector.
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