"So Abram went, as the LORD had told him . . . At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb." ~ Genesis 12:4a, 6b-9

I read this passage this morning. Here's what I noticed: Abram stopped twice. The first time it was because "the Lord . . . had appeared to him." He worshiped God for His revealed will. The second time Abram stopped was to "call upon the name of the Lord." Why did he need to call on God's name? Since I have been here with missionaries and read about them frequently recently, and because I am a follower of Christ myself, I think Abram was growing discouraged and needed God to reassure him about what He was doing. Apparently God answered, because then "Abram journeyed on." God is incredibly faithful to those who need consolation that God is there, He is in control, and He is guiding every step.

Another possibility is that Abram just wanted to dot the path with alters of God to sort of mark God's territory. What do you think?

Because I work at the EERC, I read a lot of articles about environmentalism. I tend to disdain the media's over-green take on the earth. When there is a big fight about whether to dig for oil (especially concerning President Bush's policy on America using some of its own oil instead of importing so much), I lean toward digging. Yet this has started me thinking about how God wants us to take care of the earth. Today's sermon was about reaping what we sow, which continued me along the same line of thought. So I am posting some of those thoughts here. I want to know what you all think also, about the balance between stewardship and tree-hugging, the way God wants us to use our finances, etc. Please feel free to comment extensively, because that is the main reason I am posting this: to learn more.

I really want to live my life keeping up to some extent with technology that is more environmentally sound, like that car that doesn't use as much gas, (its a Honda). Also things like recycling, and conserving energy by not wasting things like AC and electricity. I don't want to spend all my time conserving, but just be careful that I am not being wasteful and I am using the knowledge God is providing men with about what the best way to use His resources is.

Part of the reason I want to conserve is that I want to live my life saving money as best I can so that I can always give to missions as tithes and offerings. I was so blessed last summer to learn how much my Dad and Grandparents give and gave to missions all around the world. I read a book once where a couple lived on half their salary so they could give away the rest. I don't think I want to have a set amount, I just want to live very modestly and conservatively so that I can give as much as possible to others.

On the other hand, I don't think it is wrong to rejoice when God has blessed a family monetarily, and to use those resources on some material comforts. I don't think I really want to live that way though, if God does choose to bless me that way. And I firmly believe that if I live in a state of giving that God will bless me financially; I believe the Bible promises that. But I don't want to be rich. I have long wanted to be poor, or live like I am poor (well, not exactly poor, but close thereunto). Maybe I am being unrealistic about my own living style, though.

And also, I want to live in such a way that I can be constantly providing for others through my home. I want to be hospitable the way the Matoviches are. I want my home to be anyone's home who needs it. I want people to stay in my house whenever they need to. And to do that, I have to have a large enough house, and enough food, etc. etc. to provide for those people. There will have to be a balance between those two aspects for them to both work.

Anyway, that's what I think. I really do want to hear from you all, whoever reads this. What do you believe God says about stewardship and finances? How do you want to live? What comments might you have on what I have said? Please post! I wish we could sit together and debate it!

Another big theme God has been showing me since I arrived in ND is that He is the Great Provider. I am amazed at what He has blessed me with (Blessed be Your Name!). Here is a short list of some things in particular I am thankful for:

~ Time to spend in God's Word extensively

~ Opportunities to share my faith with those who don't know Him, both with my Chinese friend and the 2 girls at work: Rosemary and Missy

~ A church where I can worship God and hear from Him, found on my first Sunday here

~ Rain! I much prefer the cold and wind of today to the stifling HUMID heat of the week before

~ My wonderful Family

~ Keeping my family safe through the adventures they have been experiencing

~ Friends, both from school (who have been incredible, even at such a great distance), at home, and here. In particular here, I am thankful for Caty, Joy, Heidi, Amy, and Tara

~ A piano where I can play without bothering anyone (there is a whole music building just sitting there! Pianos everywhere! Yay! and usually there is no one in the building)

~ The opportunity to hear so much about what God is doing in missions overseas

~ The time to read books which have been very edifying, extracurricularly

~ The beautiful campus here, which reminds me of God's great creation, and stimulates thought (brick buildings and trees are a very thought provoking environment)

~ In the vein of "Thank you for being a sinner," the ability to worship God and see His intense work in my life while at the same time being increasingly aware of my own deep rooted, serious spiritual struggles and failures daily. He is amazing! May I love Him more each moment!

(ps: don't forget to respond to the first part of the post!)

Last night when it was too hot to sleep:

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. . . . "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.  I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. . . . O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

     ~ John 17:3-4, 6-9a, 25-26

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. . . . Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. . . . At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison

     ~ Colossians 2:13-14; 3:16-17; 4:3

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

     ~ 3 John 5-8