Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
1st Family Vacation
We had a great time up north this weekend. To us "up north" usually means the Traverse City area, about 3 hours north of us. Dave spent 4 summers at Lake Ann Camp in that area, and we enjoy reconnecting with his friends and finding new experiences to have together. Rolland had some firsts along the way, including sprouting his first toothbud!!! Thanks to everyone who helped us make this a budget-friendly vacation. Mi apartment es su apartment!
On this, our first trip up with Rolland, we
On this, our first trip up with Rolland, we
- visited Grace Adventures Camp
- stayed with the Goods
- took a drive up Old Mission Peninsula
- hung out with the DeShanos
- ate lots of cherries
- stopped by a few wineries
- relaxed at Camp Gembis
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Beggars Can't Be Choosers
When I was a kid we lived by simple laws like, "beggars can't be choosers." Practically applied, this rule means that if you expect me to share a Starburst, you better not complain when you get the yellow one. I suppose someone's mom probably coined the famous line while tring to stop an argument. Since those innocent days have met some very choosy beggars in my life. If we had been better informed we might have said, "beggars shouldn't be choosy."
Recently, I have been interviewing people in ministry about their philosophy and practice. One of my questions is always about money, and the answers kind of make me think about the ol' playground creed. As someone who depends on the financial partnership for ministry, do I have the right to be "choosy" about who I ask for money or from whom I accept it? Here's my two-part answer: 1) I am not a beggar and 2) I should be discerning, but not picky about incoming funds.
The reason I am posting these thoughts is because part one (I am not a beggar) was a bit of a shocking revelation to me. It is something that I should've known, and probably did know in my head, but it was a fact that was not effecting how I live or approach ministry. As a child of God and a servant of The King, I am not lacking in anyway. When we share about our ministry we give people an opporunity to partner with us and enjoy the blessings and encouragment of giving and being a part of something big. So, I am not begging. My family and I are simple waiting for God to give us what we need, when we need it.
Recently, I have been interviewing people in ministry about their philosophy and practice. One of my questions is always about money, and the answers kind of make me think about the ol' playground creed. As someone who depends on the financial partnership for ministry, do I have the right to be "choosy" about who I ask for money or from whom I accept it? Here's my two-part answer: 1) I am not a beggar and 2) I should be discerning, but not picky about incoming funds.
The reason I am posting these thoughts is because part one (I am not a beggar) was a bit of a shocking revelation to me. It is something that I should've known, and probably did know in my head, but it was a fact that was not effecting how I live or approach ministry. As a child of God and a servant of The King, I am not lacking in anyway. When we share about our ministry we give people an opporunity to partner with us and enjoy the blessings and encouragment of giving and being a part of something big. So, I am not begging. My family and I are simple waiting for God to give us what we need, when we need it.
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