Feeling God's Pleasure

October 22, 2007
 
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
 
While on vacation over the weekend, Jessica and I enjoyed reading a hysterical new book by Esquire columnist A.J. Jacobs called The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible (Simon & Shuster, 2007). Jacobs, a self-avowed agnostic, sought to spend a whole year following every command in the Bible – more than seven hundred total, by his count!  
 
Doing so impacted every aspect his life, often with comical results.  Like when he “stoned” an adulterer in a public park with a handful of pebbles (Leviticus 20:27).  Or when he carried a folding chair everywhere to avoid sitting on chairs used by women who had just had their period (Leviticus 15:20).  Or when he stopped wearing t-shirts and jeans because they were made of “mixed fibers” (Leviticus 19:19).
 
Despite the hilarity, Jacobs was both earnest and respectful in his endeavor, sharing several poignant experiences throughout the book.  One such occasion was his decision to start tithing.  After researching numerous charitable organizations, he went online to make the first of several contributions that would, over the course of the year, add up to ten percent of his salary.  After sending money to his first agency through the internet, he wrote:
 
When the confirmation e-mails ping in, I feel good.  There’s a haunting line from the film Chariots of Fire.  It’s spoken by Eric Liddell, the most religious runner, the one who carries a Bible with him during his sprint.  He says:  “When I run, I feel His pleasure.”  And as I gave away money, I think I might have felt God’s pleasure.  I know:  I’m agnostic.  But still – I feel His pleasure.  It’s a warm ember that starts at the back of my neck and spreads through my skull.  I feel like I am doing something I should have been doing all my life.
 
To share any more of Jacobs’ story would spoil the book for those interested in reading it.  Suffice it to say, his memoir was as endearing as it was entertaining.  And of course, it led me to think about what it would mean for us to take the Bible just as seriously, particularly in the area of financial stewardship.

REMEMBER! REJOICE!  RESPOND!

This Sunday, we begin our annual Stewardship Series, guided by the theme “Remember! Rejoice! Respond!”  Unlike many stewardship campaigns you may have experienced in this or other churches, these weeks will not primarily be about fund-raising, meeting budgets, or giving money to the church.  It will be a time of faith-raising, soul-shaping, and commitment-strengthening in our relationship with God.  Along the way, we will hear stories of people in our congregation who have experienced the transforming impact of God’s love in their lives.  You will not want to miss a Sunday in this powerful series.
 
After church this Sunday, you will be given a packet of material that contains the feature piece of this year’s campaign:  a devotional booklet specially produced to guide us together in our daily quiet times with God. The booklet contains scripture readings and writings from Christian authors relevant to our themes.  I hope you will come this Sunday to begin our journey together.
 
And, you’ll want to mark on your calendars the culmination of the campaign:  Commitment Sunday on November 18, followed by our Thanksgiving Celebration Dinner in the fellowship hall.
 
Come along for this exciting journey!
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Magrey


Luke 12:16-34
16  Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly.
17  And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?'
18  Then he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19  And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'
20  But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
21  So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."
22  He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
23  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
26  If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?
27  Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
28  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith!
29  And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.
30  For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33  Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.