I Own Nothing

Starting a new series at The Quest this Sunday. Focusing on "Biblical perspectives on ownership." This is a "stewardship" series. I've always struggled with "stewardship" series' in the past - and I'm a pastor! The problem with them is that they have an end destination in mind - getting people to give money toward a budget that the church is trying to raise. Is that really a worthwhile destination? Is is lasting? Or is it self-serving? Don't get me wrong - we have a budget, too. But shouldn't the destination in a series like this be for people to make a paradigm shift - from thinking we OWN our little world/life/story to understanding that God OWNS it all? And then trying to figure out how my story fits into HIS story?

Why do we settle for such small expectations of people - just getting them to give to a budget? God wants so much more - He requires so much more - He wants ALL of us. We are HIS.

Corrie Ten Boom and my daughter

Corrie Ten Boom has always intrigued me. Amazing woman who was a Dutch holocaust survivor and who helped many Jews escape the Nazis during WW II.

My daughter, Morgan, just finished the book "Prince Caspian," and we went looking for a new book for her to read during our Friday "Father Daughter Times" together (we read the Bible, another book, pray, etc --- intentional discipleship time). I saw a biography on Corrie Ten Boom's life and thought that Morgan needed to read about her.

So my daughter - who is just 9 and living in 2008 - is about to meet Corrie Ten Boom through this book. After this biography we may go on to read "The Hiding Place" - written by Ten Boom herself - telling her story in her own words.

I have a passion to raise my kids to know Christ and to see authentic models of what it means to follow Him in the real world - even when it is difficult. Ten Boom's story is certainly an example of that.

Looking forward to reading this incredible story together!