January 2: Generous Giving
♫ Music:
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15
GENEROUS GIVING
DEAR LORD, if we know that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously, will also reap generously, then why are we so often not only reluctant to give, but selective about to whom and why? Paul emphasized the spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God's work with no strings attached.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
We know that whoever receives help in God's name will praise Him in their own unique way.
Thanks be to God!
LORD, what would we do if you "picked and chose" whom to bless?
We’re so thankful that you don’t!!
What if you weren't available for us to worship, to bow down before, to say that you're our God?" What if your indescribable gift didn't exist?
But thanks be to God because He does exist!
"LORD, You're all together lovely, all together worthy, all together wonderful to us."
Thanks be to God!
Help us to use your gifts wisely -- to lift you up and praise your holy name by being cheerful and generous givers to those who are both similar and different from us.
Thanks be to God for His incredible example!
LORD, we praise you as Savior and Keeper. We lift you up Lord; we thank you for your indescribable gifts. For without you, we are nothing. For without you our gifts are null.
Thanks be to God!
To whom should we share your marvelous, loving ,indescribable gift? Be with us Lord. Guide us in this New Year--in what you want to show us. Stretch us Lord. Stretch us.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Amen.
Gail Buck, Director of Center for Cross-Cultural Engagement
The Long Awaited One
Rachel Pearsey
Oil on Fabric
About the Art and Artist:
Rachel Pearsey’s mixed media oil paintings on used fabric are layered with depth and symbolism. She explores transcendent realities and seeks to convey them through images that penetrate the heart. Her work is exhibited in galleries throughout Southern California and is in private collections in North America, New Zealand, Australia, Morocco, and North Africa. Rachel has been living and working as an artist in Morocco, where the colors, culture, and history are highly influential, especially when it comes to biblical imagery. She is the co-founder and director of women’s initiatives and studios at Green Olive Arts in Tetouan, Morocco - a new art residency and collaborative art space. In The Long Awaited One Pearsey juxtaposes the Priest Simeon elevating the newborn Christ with hints of the redemptive work this holy infant will accomplish.
Website: http://www.rachelpearsey.com/Art/Home.html
About the Performers
The King’s Men are a six member, vocal a cappella ensemble from the Conservatory of Music at Biola University. Their director, Walt Harrah, arranges the music they sing. They represent the university in concerts throughout Southern California and beyond.
About the Composer
Tim Hughes is a British-based Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter. Widely respected in Christian music circles, Tim in known for his Dove Award-winning worship anthem: Here I Am to Worship. In 1999 while still in college, Tim sat down to craft a musical response to his reading of Philippians 2:5, "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." "I was playing around with my guitar when the verse just came out. However, I couldn't get a chorus that I was happy with. The original one was embarrassingly bad!" Tim recorded the verse into his dictaphone, and months later during a quiet-time, he patched it together with another strong melody idea and brought Here I Am To Worship to life.
Website: http://www.last.fm/music/Tim+Hughes
Here I am to Worship Lyrics:
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days, oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me