While driving in my car the other day, I found myself thinking about our pledge, the money we have promised to give to our church. I was thinking about it since I was also thinking about the unforeseen expense we just learned of when a contractor came over to our home and told us the front stone steps had to be redone. I did the math in my head-three months of pledged money.

The amount happened to be almost equivalent to the cost of a quick vacation my sister just took to Europe. My sister does not go to church, but she does take lots of trips. 

And I admit to you, my dear brothers and sisters, I wondered what our life would be like if we did not pledge. I began to think of the burdens of being a Christian. If only we did not belong to a church-oh, the things we could do with the money we gave away!  We could fix our house, we could take a trip, we could afford things we cannot right now because of our sacrificial offering to the church. And I admit to you, my brothers and sisters, I felt resentment that we belonged to a church that asked us to pledge. I was getting more and more irritated as I began to think about the numbers and, I tell you the truth, I also began to rethink our pledge. And then, I tell you the truth, in a turn of events not of my doing, my thoughts were hijacked and, all of the sudden, I stopped thinking about my pledge, and I began to remember God.

And there appeared before me the kind face of God, and I felt God's warmth and unconditional love for me right there, in my car. And then, as I drove, the most amazing thing happened: image after image of the gifts given to me appeared on my windshield.

My beautiful family danced in front of my eyes. I saw my church, and all the faithful people who I live in community with and who mean the world to me because I am a Christian and God lets me love them. I saw my own body, given to me so I may experience and enjoy God's beautiful world. I saw the things I get to call my own: my house with so many wonderful things that keep us in comfort, and the car in which I was seeing all these stunning visions. I saw the gift of my vocation, the reason I find meaning and purpose in my life. God showed me my paycheck, and I remembered again the full amount came from him in the first place. All of the sudden, instead of resenting my pledge, I realized how grateful I was to have some way to show God my immense appreciation for his presence in my life and all the things he did for me and gave me. 

I am sure this happens to you, too. When you are struck by God's inestimable generosity to you, you want a tangible way to show God your gratitude. Words don't suffice. You want to give God things, gifts, because God showers things and gifts on you. In the days of the Old Testament, the people would give God a thank offering of animals, or produce, or oil, those things which God had originally given to them. God had no need of whatever the ancient people gave, but it didn't stop them;  they gave it to the Lord anyhow, and because the gift was offered out of their thankfulness, God accepted it. 

Today, the Lord gives us money. Thus, it is natural for us to want to give a thank offering of money back to God. God doesn't need it, but it doesn't stop us; we give it to God anyhow, and because our gift is offered out of our thankfulness, the astounding news is God accepts it. 

As I pulled up to the driveway and eyed the broken front steps, I thought about my pledge again, but my thoughts had changed. I was grateful my church gave me an opportunity to pledge my income, because I wanted and needed God to know I am in awe of what he does for me.

- Pastor Manisha

We live, as the saying goes, in interesting times. Religion, once considered a spent force in society, continues to figure in world events as a source of conflict and compassion, of violence and peace, of wounding and healing. Join us for an informative and interesting look at some of the world's religions as we look for the overlaps that exist between them as well as their different claims about God and humanity.

This weekend: October 11 - Troy Dostert and & Pastor Manisha present - Overcoming the Illusion of Self: Jainism and Buddhism

"The Swimmer" (1968)

October 22, 6:30 PM, Hospitality Center

Please join us for this symbolic, thought provoking, and unconventional film starring Burt Lancaster in one of his finest roles.  Based on the famous short story by John Cheevers, Lancaster plays a suburbanite in upscale Westport, Connecticut. He notices the many swimming pools in the neighborhood, and decides one day to use them to swim/walk his way home.  At each location, insights into his difficult past life are revealed for all to see.  Mike Frank will provide interesting insights and lead the post-movie discussion.

How would you like to participate in a small group of dedicated people and begin to understand the Bible in its historical context and literary setting? Create a close community where we delve deeply into matters of faith and theology? Participate in an environment that supports the exploration and expression of ideas so that personal discovery and learning can occur? EfM might be for you. Please come for an informational meeting October 7 at 7 PM in the library. We will discuss the EfM program and learn more about the course of study that guides parishioners on our journey into a deeper understanding of our faith. If you have any questions please contact Edie Gardner 248.608.4675.