Steve Betz’s Neighborhood

In Heaven:

The Engineers are German

The Cooks are French

The Police are English

In Hell:

The Engineers are French

The Cooks are English

the Police are German

Yesterday, I spoke to our church's Friday MOPS group.  Their theme this year centers around the book, Make Today Count by Maxwell.  I was asked to choose one of the chapters, which consist of values that one should incorporate into daily life.  Since it was their final meeting before Christmas, I chose Generosity.

Here are some thoughts from the talk:

Most know that today's Santa Claus originates with St. Nicholas, who lived during the third century in what is now Turkey.  After his parents death, he devoted his life to the Church and gave away his entire fortune to those in need.  "St. Nick" lived his life in such a way that he became known as a gift-giver.

But, I am not sure Nicholas was just - POOF - a giver. 

Do we have to teach children to share?  If you've ever been a room with a couple of 2-year-olds, you know the answer to that!

I once watched a recording of Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz), and he talked about how we all believe this life is our own movie.  "I am the star!  The rest of you are just supporting players."

The reality is, we have to be purposeful in our giving – it doesn't come naturally to most of us.

So, what does it mean to be generous?

First, it's not just about money.  Give of yourself: your time, your attention, your talent...to name a few not-for-sale gifts.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (NIV)

But sometimes we are called to share our money/wealth.

Jesus said, “Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” (Matthew 5:42)

A caveat: don't lend money.  But Nicole, you just quoted a verse that says don't turn away someone asking to borrow.

I know of a family that if they agree to give someone money, they never look at it as a loan.  They make a conscious decision to never expect to get it back.  If they can't give it away, they don't give it.

Anyone every loaned a friend or family member a bit of cash and you're still waiting for that payback?  Makes holiday get-togethers a bit awkward, eh?  If they even come around you any more.

Just give it - expecting nothing in return.

Okay - I get it.  I need to be generous.  But how?

1) Value Others

Treat everyone with respect.  Yes, even that annoying woman in the grocery store line!

A week or two ago I was at our local Kroger.  The lines were four and five people deep.  A manager opened the register next to my line and directed me over.  As I loaded my purchases on to the belt, a woman checking out to the right of us loudly vied for the mangers attention:

"EXCUSE ME!  I need to tell you that if you don't get some baggers in this store, I am never shopping here again!  The cashiers don't know how to bag my groceries, and I am tired of doing it myself.  Are you listening!?  Are you going to get some baggers over here..."

On and on went the diatribe, as the manager, softly and graciously, called over some department managers to bag the woman's purchases as her sheepish husband looked at the floor.

My first thought was, "Wow, I didn't know it was my constitutional right to demand a bagger at the grocery store."  I had a few other thoughts that weren't as "nice".

But as I left the store, a still small voice whispered, "What if that woman just lost someone close to her?  What if she just got word that someone she loves is facing a terminal illness?"

Bottom line: we have no idea what someone might be going through that would cause them to spring a leak - a rather loud one at that! - in a grocery store while dozens of bystanders gawk.  Sure, some people are just rude, but God loves even them, doesn't He? 

God calls me to a lot of things, but one of them is certainly not judging (and thank goodness too).

2) Know what people value

This will mean giving of your time – getting to know them.  If you are like me, the last thing you have is time!  But the dividends of taking time to get to know those you say you love: unmeasurable.

3) Make yourself more valuable

Work on you!  What are you doing to cultivate character and personal growth in your own life?  A few ways to do that include time with God (prayer, Bible reading), being a part of a church, developing relationships there via small groups or discipleship classes, and finding that friend who knows and loves you enough to tell you when you are crazy.  (Seriously.  If you don't have one of those, you need one.  Pronto.)

4) Love people unconditionally

It doesn't get more specific than this: “The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.” (1 John 4:21, MSG)

5) Find a reason to give every day – and then DO IT!

It could be as simple as letting that guy with just a gallon of milk jump in front of you in line at the wholesale club.  It doesn't have to cost a lot of money or involve a lot of fanfare - it's simply looking for those small moments when you can be an encouragement to someone else.

6) Don't wait for “better times” to be generous

Let's be real.  If you are saying, "I'll give more when the economy rebounds or I get a raise at work or my retirement fund is at a respectable level again," you're really just kidding yourself.  There will always be something - braces for the kids, a blown tire, leaky faucets.  As the old Nike ads said, "Just do it."

As I finished up this little talk, I handed out tea bags with a small note attached: Generosi-tea.  I asked those moms to do something generous - big or small - before they enjoyed that herbal brew.  I hope each one will look at that small gift and be encouraged to embrace a new mantra: I will live to give.

That's exactly what God's Son did for each one of us.  He chose life here on earth, and then He gave it away that we ALL might live.

Of all the gifts you give this Christmas, may Generosi-tea be at the top of the list.

(*I can't take complete credit for the big ideas represented here - Maxwell's chapter on Generosity was vital as a jumping off place.)

I'm kind of bummed, I left 80 some degree weather for this....

Dec 2009 snow

This picture was stolen from my sister's FB page because I left my camera in Florida (I should have left myself in Florida.)

I will enjoy my family at Christmas but certainly not this weather!  Hey, Mom you were wise to stay in the south!

This is man's greatest folly thinking that one can seperate and then calculate man's activities

from the world's natural forces. Since the industrial revolution technology has advanced

mankind and industry is cleaner and more efficient. We are getting better not worse despite

the hyperbole coming out of the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.

--Zak Arthur Klemmer, American citizen

If there is anything my mother isn't known for, it's being graceful on her feet. My mother trips and bumbles over the smallest things, sometimes over nothing at all. 

Sh2

GM announced today that it is shutting down Saab. More destruction by the idiots at GM. Saab once an innovative and distinctive brand was missmanaged by the General. Too many brands in a soft [bad] car market. I once owned a 1974 Saab 99 one of the most enjoyable vehicals that I've ever owned. Saab will be missed by its millions of fans.

A link to Saab History: http://www.saabhistory.com/videos/

Bah Humbug:

1. The Steelers football season is basically over for this year.  They have to give another team a turn ;)  We have so many injured players that it's just pretty hopeless.
2. It causes me great stress to just be mailing my Christmas cards.  I know that's probably odd but I like to have them out at the beginning of Dec.  Dumb computer crash!

Merry Christmas:

1. A friend and I made a shopping trip today to buy Christmas presents for a family whose having a rough December.  It's a single mom of 5 and she crushed her wrist in a 4-wheeling accident so is unable to work.  I have to say it finally got me in the holiday spirit!
2. Our entire house is carpeted!  Well, except for the theater which we don't plan to finish for a year or two.  By the end of Monday, the rest of the flooring will be finished as well as the kitchen counter.  We have 2 working toilets, too!  (I'll post some more pictures soon).
3. We've made plans to go back to Jamestown January 1-3 to move the rest of our furniture.  Could still use some prayers for that house to sell.  Anytime now would be just perfect!!
4. We'll be moving in after we get our things.  There will still be little stuff to do but we can do that while living there.  I finally feel like I can get excited!!
5. My grandma, aunt & uncle, brother & girlfriend, parents, and cousin's family will all be here for Christmas.  I love a big Christmas!  Ray is thrilled to not have to pack up every single present and travel this year.

Finished The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  This is a prequel to my favorite book ever, The Shadow of the Wind.

This is very different from Shadow of the Wind but it's still great.

Here's the synopsis from the back of the book--I don't want to spoil anything, because this is really good.

"In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Martin, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym.  The survivor of a troubled childhood, he spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city's underworld.  But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at an unsolved mystery.

Like a slow poison, the history of the place and an impossible love bring David close to despair.  But then he receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime.  He is to write a book unlike any other - a book with the power to change hearts and minds.  In return, he will receive a fortune, perhaps more.  But as David begins the work, he realzies that there is a connection between this haunting book and the shadows that surround his home.

Set in the turbulent 1920s, The Angel's Game takes us back to the gothic universe of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and the Sempere & Sons bookshop, in a masterful tale about the magic of books and the darkest corners of the human soul."

The Angel's Game

Carlos Ruiz Zafón

No doubt if Mark Twain were in Copenhagen today:

"I can't decide if the world is run by smart people who are putting us on or imbiciles who really mean it."

--Mark Twain

What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

Wreath-TapestryBird

Blankets. Chai tea and movies. Books. Winter-themed items. This time of year is nice when I'm prepared. Pajamas and slippers. It's been soooo cold!

The house is looking more spacious. Just a few large, cozy pieces of furniture and throw blankets for us and the cats. And winter mugs. I'm going to be reading stacks of books this year. I was browsing the local bookseller's store last night. I found a lot of great non-fiction. Yoga calendars. Travel books.

One magazine author was talking about getting gifts from people for whom she hasn't reciprocated. She said she considers that part of the ebb and flow of holidays from year to year. What a great thought. I think ebb and flow will be a theme for us this year. We don't need a lot of stuff. And to put together a good travel package so we can go anywhere and be comfortable.

**ps I apologize for any spelling errors today, or any other goofy behavior. My thoughts are obscured by pain. Nice to be among friends, though.