Changing Perspectives

Over the course of this year God has been transforming us. He is making us more aware of what He values, and of course, what he does not value. Since getting married Sarah and I have both held good jobs, and made good money for people our age. We made what we thought was an investment and bought a house, hoping to secure our financial future a bit while living the American Dream. A lot of our monthly income went to that house. The other money went towards all the “stuff” that we needed wanted. Throughout the years we were demonstrating to God what we valued, a nice house and a lot of possessions. Now we have turned over a new page. We are delighting in letting go of stuff to devote ourselves to ministry.

On our fundraising journey we have had many surprises of how friends, family and even strangers have stepped up to support us. To date we have received 75% of our need. We still are waiting on another $500 per month to reach our goal. We cannot achieve this alone. We understand that funds often run out before the end of the month. We have been there. However, we all will continue to get the same results if we don’t change something. Our hope has been, and continues to be, that others will join us in faith on this journey with a financial gift, showing in a tangible (and sometimes uncomfortable) way that they believe in us, believe in God’s work in the broader world, and believe that God provides for what we need.

We are asking for your financial support. Christ spoke often about money, yet too often topics like money, especially tithing and giving, is made taboo. We believe that what we spend our money on shows what we value. Will you join us in valuing ministry over stuff? Maybe that means you give up daily Starbucks runs. Maybe you don’t need 250 television channels. Maybe you don’t need to go out to eat every weekend. Give up eating out just one time a month and you could easily support us for $30/month. We are giving up these comforts for a whole year (maybe more) and hope that you can join us by stretching and giving up some of your comforts for this ministry also.

We knew this journey would not be easy. When the enemy sees good he gets angry and combative. We think Satan loves the American Dream. He wants us to be comfortable and complacent. He wants us to be inwardly focused, both in our lives and in the church. He wants us to turn our eyes away from the hurting, the broken, and the poor.

Thankfully our Lord is greater. Our Lord is stronger. And with the Holy Spirit we have His radical power. We are guided by the One who created all things. God delights in using us to accomplish (for His glory) more that we could ever imagine in our own strength. That is pretty amazing to ponder. The gift given to each of us on the cross is not to be taken lightly. Christ expected great things from His Disciples, and He expects such great things from us.