Week 8: Servanthood

Mar 13, 2008 11:33 PM
There have been numerous times since I began working in full time ministry, that someone has engaged in the tradition of "gifting" me because I'm a "pastor". Once, a guy walked up after a Christmas service, wished me a Merry Christmas and pressed a hunderd dolar bill into my hand as he shook it, ala a drug deal. I felt kinda dirty at first. Like a prostitute or something.

Another time I happened to mention some car trouble we were having, and this guy whipped a check book out and wrote a check for $500.00. It was around this time that I realized God was meeting my families needs through the body of Christ.

I've learned to get over the "feeling like a hooker thing", and I simply serve where God calls me to, and I accept the service that God calls someone else to offer me. I think the problem is that in our culture everything is TRANSACTIONAL, and it's hard not to keep accounts (debits OR credits)..so just accepting something is hard...

Mar 14, 2008 12:56 AM
Since it is better to give than to receive, someone needs to have the humility to receive; that allows someone else to be able to give. (Acts 20:35.)

How did you get the words hooker and prostitute past the web master? I guess we have all been watching CNN. What causes a man to self-destruct like that?

Mar 14, 2008 08:44 AM
Maybe the web master's mom was too permissive...or too strict?! ;-)

Assuming you're talking about his honor, the Gov. of New York...my feeling these days is that we're born "destructed" and then life and culture, and religion and politics and achievement get tossed over our brokenenss...we all hide it...some better than others.

And then for some reason (providence, chance or malice) our coverings are torn away and we're seen for what we really are...what we have always been.

I'm a pervert too.

There are only two "real" differences between the Gov. and me:

1) I'm not talented, rich or well-connected enough to achieve his level of public notoriety.
2) God graciously ripped my coverings off, and I have nothing to hide anymore.

I'm free.

Sweet, sweet grace....

Mar 14, 2008 01:03 PM
Well said, Dan. True and certain.

Mar 14, 2008 10:30 PM
You are much better looking though Dan!!!

Mar 16, 2008 07:15 AM
And Blake...you have remarkable taste!

Mar 17, 2008 12:59 AM
Dare I suggest that Blake is looking through some very dark sunglasses?

Mar 17, 2008 08:28 AM
They are "rose" colored glasses, and I sold them to him!
I still have a few pairs left I can offer you a bargin on!

Mar 17, 2008 01:28 PM
Glasses are only required because my holy countenance is so bright...

THPPPPPTTTTTTT!

Mar 17, 2008 10:28 PM
This is the hottest thread on the HooDoo site. No glasses baby, he is just straight up sizzling. I mean look at that doo, or is that your halo glowing up there.

Mar 17, 2008 11:28 PM
I agree with you about hot threads and halos. Just to make sure, my comment about glasses was intended to harass Dan. He remains un - harrass - able.
I asked Shea what thpptt means. You guys are fun.

Mar 18, 2008 07:28 AM
what does thpptt mean?

Mar 18, 2008 12:39 PM
Shea said that it has something to do with Looney Tunes.

Mar 18, 2008 09:08 PM
Place your thumbs in your ears, extend your fingers vertically in a fanned-out array, wiggle them back and forth as you expell CO2 from your mouth with your tongue extended forward.

Squinting to a create a disdainful expression also adds to the effect:

THHPPPPPTTTTTT!

Mar 18, 2008 09:14 PM
This is not something a lady is going to do.

Mar 19, 2008 09:31 PM
Well, I don't know Kristine, I have done a few times in my day... I just tried it again though, and spit all over my key board - icky : )

Apr 18, 2008 03:38 PM
THIS is why I love the people of AC3. Fun any where you go! And good community. It's family. :) ...where else would a respected pastor go TTHHPPPTTTTT at someone?

Thinking about my experience with stewardship...I have been TERRIBLE at it. Completely horrible. It's been to the point that I'm surprised God hasn't treated me as the servant who hid his talent. Mainly I speak of money, but it has been everything from my schooling to my singing to my writing, too.

My biggest experience of grace, though, concerning my LACK of proper stewardship (and and excellent example of someone's proper use of it) was way back towards then end of my time here at AC3 in 2001. I was writing one last petition to the benevelance fund board to assist me with a final bill I had before I moved away. I couldn't pay it, plain and simple, and it was my fault. I hadn't done what I could have. And worse yet, I knew that my request would have been likely (and justifiably) declined BECAUSE of my poor choices.

As I sat in the the office chair (where Julie works now), one of the other ladies came in and asked how I was doing. I guess I must have told her what my situation was because she immediately pulled out her check book and wrote me one for $700. Straight out of her own funds. I am ashamed that it has taken me 8 years to finally get to a point where I can 100% say I am managing my money right, keep track of my expenses and paying my bills on time with the funds I have now. I sometimes feel that that $700 was rather wasted because it took me this long to get my rear-in-gear. I guess one might call it an investment...which is, after all, what we're called to do with what God's given us.

I wish I could remember the lady's name... I have wanted to thank her again over and over for YEARS. I'm not even sure if she still attends AC3.