In two recent Stewardship pieces, we wrote about the first of the Seven Biblical Benefits of Giving (as identified by an actual Biblical scholar – not by us non-scholars). No. 1 was Giving is Evidence of Our Obedience to God – basically being willing to follow God’s numerous instructions in both the Old and New Testaments about tithing and giving. No. 2 was Giving Sets Our Priorities Straight – that is, investing in the Kingdom of God over investing in the fleeting treasures of this world. 

Now, let’s move to No. 3 – Giving Increases Our Faith. This can be summed up by saying that giving is not about how much money you have, it’s about how much faith you have.

How much do you trust God that if you give obediently, He’ll provide for all that you need? There are countless testimonies that when a person or family obediently and faithfully gives from their ‘first fruits’ each month, that God is always faithful in providing all that they need. It’s when we don’t give that we end up lacking. I can very truthfully say that this is the case with my family and our decision to regularly give to God every month, no matter the circumstance.

Giving is clearly a matter of trust. The more you give, the more you learn to trust God that you will have enough left over for your own needs. And the more you trust, the more you’ll give. Again, put your money where your mouth is when you say “I trust God” and put Him to the test.

God takes that trust issue so seriously that the issue of money is the only area in which God tells us to test Him. Elsewhere Scripture says do not test the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 6:16, Luke 4:12, Acts 15:10). Yet, in Malachi 3:10, God said, 

“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.”

I am inviting you and your family to test God in your approach to stewardship and giving. Earnestly, obediently, and regularly give from your ‘first fruits’ and see if God doesn’t pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Remember, the purpose of giving and stewardship isn’t to fund God’s church or His work. The purpose of giving is for us to make our hearts right in our relationship with God, and to demonstrate that we are aware that our purpose on Earth is to honor and glorify Him while furthering His kingdom on earth. Please prayerfully consider where giving to God ranks among the things in your life, and remember, we are merely the stewards of our earthly possessions.

* * * * *

Giving and Expenses

Budgeted Giving, June-25 -- $155,498

Actual Giving, June-25 -- $157,079 (A good way to close out our fiscal year by just exceeding our June budget for Giving)

Budgeted Expenses, June-25 -- $155,498

Actual Expenses, June-25 -- $170,791 ($15k more than our budgeted Expenses)

* * * * *

Budgeted Giving, YTD (full 12 months of our fiscal year) -- $1,999,998

Actual Giving, YTD -- $2,020,391 ($20,393 better than budget – a solid year for Giving. Thank you to everyone that was able to support Due West!)

Budgeted Expenses, YTD -- $1,999,998

Actual Expenses, YTD -- $1,976,443 ($23,555 better than budget – very good fiscal discipline by our ministries!)

* * * * *

Ways to Give to Due West Methodist Church

Give Online – Click this link: Donate- Due West Methodist Church

Give In Person – Drop cash or a check into the offering plate at any of our services

on Sunday morning.

Mail a Check – Send your gift to the Church office at:

Due West Methodist Church

3956 Due West Road

Marietta, GA 30064

Donate Stocks - We also accept in-kind contributions of stocks. If you would like more information, please contact our Business Coordinator, Amber Wilson awilson@duewest.org

 

As most of you know, I have been on a Sabbatical for the last three months. I wanted to take a moment and share how I spent my time. 

But before I do, I first want to say “Thank you” to each and every one of you for giving me the time and for raising money for me to take this time. I am now in my 40th year as a Methodist pastor and it is the first time I’ve taken extended time off. It was an incredible gift from you to me and my family and I will always be more grateful than words can express. 

I am also grateful to Sam and the rest of the staff for their willingness to do such a great job while I was gone. We are blessed by each and every one of them. 

I said in April that there were four main things I hoped to accomplish. 

• The first one I mentioned was Sundays. I said I wanted to revisit some of the churches I have served. That has been a joy. In addition, Susan and I have been to worship with our son and daughter-in law. We’ve also gone with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. We so rarely get to do so. It was very special. 

• I also mentioned some writing I wanted to do. I’ve been working on a small bible study, an overview of the Old Testament. It is not quite finished, but it is close. I hope to share that with you all next year after Easter. The other big project I have been working on is a book. I have invested a lot of time on that. I wish I could tell you it was nearly done, but it is not. I’ve written a lot and am happy with my first draft. But I think rewriting and editing will take even longer! I do believe I will finish it. And it would not have been possible without this time. Most of my time writing has been in town. But I’ve also made a couple of trips to get away and write. I shared a definition of Sabbatical in April. It is "an extended period of time intentionally spent on something that’s not your routine job." That is exactly what I have had. 

• The third goal I shared with you all in April was to take some time to study pastoral transitions and succession plans. I don’t plan on retiring anytime soon, but that day is coming and I believe I’ve learned some things that will help the church when that day comes. I spent some time in Dallas, Texas with some representatives from a group called “Church Difference Makers”. Transitions are one of the things they focus on and it was very enlightening. 

• The final goal was time to rest and relax. Susan and I have spent time in our mountain house. I got to sit around the firepit with good friends, hike through the woods with grandchildren, and just enjoy our place. And in June, Susan and I went to Alaska. You all helped make that possible. We had a great time. It was the first vacation we’ve ever taken when at least part of my mind wasn’t thinking about the things I would need to do at church when I got back! That made it incredibly relaxing. 

That’s a quick update on the last three months. If you want to hear more, let me know and I’m happy to talk to you. It has been great, and now I am ready to be back at work! God has done so much in and through Due West, but I know our best days are ahead. 

Thanks again for such an amazing gift.

David

 

In 1954, a provision appeared in the federal tax code called the Johnson Amendment. It stated that a church could lose their nonprofit status if they participated in "any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." While it has not always been enforced, that has been the law for more than seven decades. 

That has now changed. 

A court ruling last month said that when a church speaks "in good faith speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith" it does not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment. 

Throughout the course of my life as a pastor, I have always done my best to give no signs of my political convictions from the pulpit. I have them. I’ve discussed them in casual conversations with many of you. But I have steered clear of it in my role as your pastor. There are plenty of elections where brothers and sisters in Christ will disagree on the best candidates. I do not want to be disrespectful of people who have a differing vision than I do. 

So, I avoid talking about specific candidates. 

And although the law has changed, I’m not sure my approach will. What I will share is something that I think would have been legal before. And that is this: You should vote how you pray. 

What does that mean? With much regularity we pray together the Lord’s prayer. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Sound familiar? It is how you pray. 

And I believe you should vote how you pray. What candidate… what policies… do you believe will help bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven? Simple question. And not so simple. 

No candidate or policy is going to be perfect. And no candidate or policy is going to be “the end of civilization as we know it” regardless of what you read on the internet. But who is your best choice to bring the kingdom of God into reality in our community? (I will say, there have been times I didn’t see a lot of encouragement from either candidate on a ballot and simply not voted in that race.) But for the most part, I can make a selection. 

If we reach an election where I do feel compelled by the Lord to speak out for or against someone, I will do so. But God’s voice will need to be crystal clear before I do so. 

Otherwise, my thoughts on politics from the pulpit would be: Make a Kingdom vote. 

On another note, I’m excited to be back at work. Click HERE for an article about my time away. If you would like to hear more, let me know. I’d be happy to talk about it! 

If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West, 

David

Lean Cuisine Salad Additions - Getting Me OUT of the Boring Salad Rut!

 

Its the new year and with it come all of my favorite resolutions.. to keep in touch better with friends, to get more exercise, to read more, and of course, to eat better. Sometimes I feel like I am going it alone - my husband is fit as a fiddle... my friends all look fabulous and are great at creating salad combinations that restaurants envy. But when I try to up my salad levels, I find things get into a rut in a hurry.

Lean Cuisine has heard about this phenomenon... the boring salad. I was invited to try the new Salad Additions from Lean Cuisine as a Bzz Agent. With Salad Additions, the options for a great salad have become limitless.

The Bistro, Cranberry and Chicken, and the Southwest Style Salad Additions from Lean Cuisine have been the first flavors I have tried. Included in the box are a microwave heat-able meat packet with add-ins like roasted red peppers, black beans and corn (with the Southwest salad), or cranberries, broccoli, red onions, carrot sticks and whole grains (with the Cranberry and Chicken)....Then Lean Cuisine has included a crunchy "topping" and a packet of salad dressing. All you have to do is grab a bag of lettuce (or chop one yourself) and you have a delicious, easy, low calorie, and limited CARB lunch! (I love that!)

You pop the meat packet in the microwave for about 3 minutes, while you thaw the frozen salad dressing under running water.  When the meat is heated, you pour it on your lettuce, add the dressing, and top with the crunchy topping... voila - instant amazing salad!  

Another part of these that I really like (I REALLY LIKE THIS) is that you aren't dealing with one of those plastic trays that screams to everyone "I AM EATING FROZEN FOOD". I have a feeling this little combo will, in fact, create quite the office stir. When I was trying my first Salad Addition with my family, they were having a lovely, but rather high calorie dinner. My kids wanted to know "Why does MOM get to have the really good dinner??"... I think that is what everyone will be asking you when you eat this. The combination ends up looking like you spent a lot of time prepping a great salad for yourself... something you would buy at a nice sit down place where they have linens on the table and lime in your water. But its easy and you don't have to leave your kitchen or office to get something that looks great and tastes even better.

And I do need to mention how these taste.  My favorite flavor so far is the Southwest Style.  We lived for a while in Texas and I came to love big, bold flavors and that great southwestern kick of pepper that makes things just a little spicy.  Lean Cuisine has captured that in their Southwest Style Salad Additions.  With black beans, corn, and roasted red peppers, along with spicy grilled chicken, I was transported back to the San Antonio Riverwalk!  I did add in a splash of lime juice, but it was delicious even without that.  The flavors are so good - and the corn chip strips as the crunchy "topping" were just right.  Yum.

With the salad (and I put about 4 cups of lettuce in my big bowl for this) the calorie count for the meal is about 300 calories... easy to fit into any diet, or just into a regular routine of eating. The packages also have the "Weight Watchers Points Plus" calculated on the side - handy if you are following that plan - even though Weight Watchers isn't a sponsor (that I can tell) of Lean Cuisine.

At the end of the day I think these are a wonderful new option for those of us wanting to watch what we eat... they will certainly keep you out of the boring salad rut... and I love how these are limited in their carbs - something I have been trying to watch more lately, too! Two thumbs up for Lean Cuisine Salad Additions.

Thanks Bzz Agent for giving me the opportunity to try and talk about these great salad add ins. I love getting free samples and coupons to try new products, then share my opinion. Its great being a Bzz Agent!

Private Selection Makes for Happy Holidays!

Its the season for friends and family..  Having guests drop in can be so wonderful - sitting down with a cup of coffee in hand and some snacks, and catching up on how friends have been reminds me of the things I love about the holiday season.  Kroger's Private Selection line comes to the rescue in those moments, helping ease my mind by providing high quality gourmet foods at a price that won't break the bank. 

 

Here at our home we enjoy our snacks.. the kalamata olives and water crackers were delicious paired with a variety of cheeses and meats on Thanksgiving.  A green apple slice topped with Private Selection marbled cheddar cheese, on a water cracker has become our new favorite "fast" appetizer. Warmed slightly in the microwave, the cheese melts down over the apple slices and onto the crisp crackers.  It took me a minute to make them and everyone was impressed.  The great thing was the only "work" I had to do was washing and slicing the apples... it was so simple.   

Our mornings are much more alert, thanks to the Private Selection coffees.  Kroger has a number of roasts and strengths - from a milder "Breakfast Blend" to the bold "Costa Rican Tarrazu" (our new favorite coffee) there is something for everyone to enjoy.  And its impossible to tell that you are having a "store brand" as the quality is gourmet and delicious. With the finer grind of the coffee we have also found we are getting more pots of coffee for our buck and we love that. 

The Private Selection line at Kroger can be found throughout the store - from the deli area, to the baked goods, and even in the crackers, coffee, and frozen section.  I am keeping my eye out for the brown "Private Selection" labels at Kroger.  With quality I can depend on and prices that beat the national brands, Kroger is going to save me stress and pennies (that I can give to the bell ringer at the door!) this Christmas!

I had the chance to try a few items from the Private Selection line thanks to my friends at Bzz Agent. A free coffee bag, crispy water crackers, coupons for free olives and cheese, along with coupons to use and share on other items provided me with a taste of the Kroger Private Selection gourmet line of foods.   I love getting to try products and give my honest opinion - I love being a BzzAgent!

Delicious Fish in a Flash!

With shopping to be done, parties to attend, and family coming into town, the holidays are wonderful, but so very busy. Keeping my diet in check while making sure the family is happy adds another challenge to the mix. Thankfully Gorton's has come up with a new fish sensation that helps both me and the family!

Gorton's new Skillet Crisp Tilapia is SUPER easy to use. You just choose the number of filets you want to prepare, follow the easy instructions on the box, and dinner is ready in no time. No thawing necessary - which I loved. You can prepare the filets stovetop or do what I did and cook them in the oven. I liked that because it freed the stove top up for me to heat the rest of dinner and have it all on the table in under half an hour. Either way, the end result will be a fish filet that your family loves.

My family said again and again,"Mom, these are so good!" and "These taste like they are from a restaurant"... who gets that kind of praise at dinner? I sometimes do, but rarely with prepared foods. The fillets were light and flaky - the perfect texture and tasted great.

My family tried the Classic Seasonings flavor of the filets - it was lemony and lightly breaded. We loved that because there was more fish and less bread. The Garlic and Herb flavor is also available... I love that when I read the side of the box there was no MSG, artificial flavors or colors... more like the fish I prepare for my family without Gorton's help.

Each box comes with 4 fillets, so for my family of 5 I had to get 2 boxes, but they ate them up and really enjoyed that great flavor! These would be good as dinner, but also great as lunch, in a pinch, if you were at home.

Gorton's has done it again - brought fish to the family, made it taste great, and surprised me by making the preparation super easy! Thanks to BzzAgent for the coupons so I could try this great fish out and tell everybody what I think. I love being a BzzAgent.

Glade Expressions - Design for a Lovely Home

 

With the change of seasons I switch up the decor in the house.  We hang a new colored wreath on the front door, change out the table cloth for something that echoes the colors on the trees, and I bake apple pie and pumpkin bread.  Glade has made creating that inviting home a little more fun with their additions to the Glade Expressions line. 

The new design of the Fragrance Mist container is so pretty.  It looks more like a vase than a spray bottle.  I have mine sitting in the living room and I don't feel like I need to find a place to hide it.  I chose the Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice Scent - it really goes with the fall decor in my home.  To spray it you grasp the top of the outer shell and gently squeeze it.  After using it a few times, I find myself thinking of my mother...this container would be ideal for her to use - no funny button to push and nothing to figure out.  The ease of use is wonderful and the apple and spice scent is so nice!

If I would have a complaint with the Fragrance Mist it would be that the scent doesn't linger.  It takes care of those immediate smells that you want to dispel, but once its done, its done. 

That provides a great opening for me to talk about the oil diffuser.  The new container for the oil diffuser is very pretty - it adds to the decor instead of being a problem item that I need to hide.  I chose the bamboo container with the Pineapple and Mangosteen scent.  We have a room that has a "smell" and I put the diffuser in there.  I immediately noticed the pleasant scent that lightly lingers in the air.  The fragrance isn't overwhelming and I haven't found myself avoiding that space because the scent is too strong.  In fact, I was walking down the hall close to the room and did a double take - trying to determine what the nice scent was.  Its great that no plug in is required for this to work, too, and you have 30 days (or so) of great scent.  

I knew I would like the new products from Glade - they are a brand name that I have come to trust and they are good at creating fragrances that I like.  But the addition of great design to this line has won me over.  I hope to find an oil diffuser with the Fuji Apple scent, before fall gets too far gone.  I want that spicy scent to linger in the air.  

Here is a big shout out to BzzAgent - thanks for sharing these great products with me.  Its fun to try new products and tell my friends about them.  I love being a BzzAgent.