ShaunaWritesStuff

[shaunawritesstuff]

“This Ministry of Giving”

“Thank you God for this gift too wonderful for words!”

  I’ve always wanted to be rich.  You know, just have tons of money in the bank, available to me for whatever, whenever.  Like in the old Disney movie, Pete’s Dragon, “Money, money, money by the pound!”  I know I’m not the only one, here.

  Have you ever thought of giving as a ministry?  I’m not talking about giving here and there.  I’m not talking about giving tithes or giving used clothes to the homeless shelter.  I’m talking about money. And a ministry of giving it.  

  (2 Corinthians 9:1, the Apostle Paul mentions this ministry of giving and he’s specifically talking about money.  “I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers...”)

  We usually think of things like doing nursery, teaching Sunday school, playing on the worship team, cleaning the church, outreach ministry, etc … but is anyone a part of the ministry of giving?  I can see the conversation something like this, “What ministry are you a part of? …. I give money.” …. blank stare… “Cool…”  I mean, really, who says that?  

  I do know one person in my life that does actually say that and as far as I know, does truly give his money when needed.  I also know one other couple that would give you the shirts off their backs if you needed them, but I don’t believe they would say they have “this ministry of giving.”

  Jesus was talking to his disciples in Matthew 10:8 and said, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received; freely give.”

  That’s it right there!  That’s what I’m talking about!  I am so quick to pray for people, to heal the sick, and yes, I’d give you my shirt if you needed it without hesitation… but to give money as quickly and freely as I pray for people…. That right there is a goal! A dream!

(When you get a chance, read 2 Corinthians 9 again and notice “this ministry of giving.”)  

  It’s so easy to say that we can’t “afford” to give… but really, we can’t afford to not give.  I want so much that this ministry of giving would reflect me… that’s why I’ve always wanted to be rich.

  2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

  We don’t have to be rich to give.  This has always been evident in my life.  Even when our family budget (on paper) said that we would be $k’s short, month after month… we’ve always seen the faithfulness of God.  We have always made giving tithes, offerings, missions offerings and whatever else God showed us to give a priority and He has always generously provided all that we need, with plenty left over to share and with even enough for our enjoyment.  

But this!  This “ministry of giving” is definitely a “ministry” I want to join!

  My Prayer:  Lord, this ministry of giving stirs up my heart.  Let it, also, stir up the one reading this.  Enrich us in every way, so that we can always be generous.  Cause us to be the givers, the people you created us to be.  That the needs of believers everywhere would always be met. That the Good News of your saving grace and healing power would be expressed and preached to those who are seeking you.  May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, be glorified through us.  

In the name of Jesus, Amen!

[shaunawritesstuff]

The Green Grass Gets the Water.

One of my favorite areas is Provence, France.  We lived in Germany for a few years as pastor missionaries and France was just a few hours drive away for us.   One 4th of July week, we traveled to see the famous lavender fields.  I can’t tell you where exactly we found this very old and little monastery, but it sure is a beautiful little place.  

The building was well cared for and the grounds and fields were carefully cultivated.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  It’s so easy to daydream of living in such a beautiful place.

The other day while scrolling through Instagram, I came across a picture of a beautiful villa with a fabulous outdoor eating area. Of course, it was “picture perfect,” right.  I could totally see myself sitting there, drinking my cup of coffee and having my personal morning time with God there.

It’s easy to come across these gorgeous photos or even see fabulous places in person and think to myself, “How great it would be to live there.”  Yet, I tend to forget or maybe don’t even think about all the work that goes into taking care of the grounds, let alone all the time and money.  Yikes!  

Then of course there’s the cleaning and regular daily maintenance.  Ugh.  

These pictures make me think of my relationships with people and with God.  We can look at good relationships people seem to have with other people and with God... and it’s easy to “wish” we had those great relationships... yet we tend to forget that just like these fabulous properties, they take a lot of time, effort, and investment to upkeep and maintain.  

My husband’s been working on an upcoming online discipleship conference and so, I was able to go to lunch with him and the key speakers the other day.  These pastors are older and they’ve been friends for years and so their relationship with each other was pretty cool to watch.  

One of the pastors, who was the younger, told us that it took a lot of work to build that relationship. Then speaking of another friendship he has with another pastor friend of his, he said that what it took for that relationship was for him to constantly make the calls and pursue the friendship.  (That it started out as one-sided.)  He had to make the investment and calls to get together etc.Today, still, he is super glad that he put in the effort.  

God created us to be with people, not alone.  It’s not good for any of us to be alone.  Be encouraged.  If your friendships with people and with God aren’t where you wish or would like them to be... put in more time and effort.  

Maybe you feel that you don’t even have any friendships to speak of... don’t let that stop you or discourage you.  I know someone that knows you, sees you, and loves you.  If you already have a relationship with Him, awesome!  The Bible tells us in John 15:13 that Jesus calls you and I friends.  Jesus is your friend.  

[If you don’t have this relationship with Jesus that I just mentioned, please know that He wants to be your friend more than anything else.  He has been putting in time and effort and even made the most amazing investment just to be YOUR friend.  His name is Jesus and his father is God.  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16-17]  

Good relationships don’t happen overnight ...they take time, effort and maintenance.  

The grass looks greener on the other side, because it gets the water.  

Love ya,

[shaunawritesstuff]

The Healing Touch As Christians or followers of Jesus, we know we are part of his “body.” And often times in the Bible, we are each even referred to as “different parts of the same body.” There is no mention in the Bible that I know of, of Jesus ever being sick while he was here in physical form … and I also know that if He ever were, He most likely would’ve just touched the sick area and it would have been healed immediately. No questions asked. He had and has the power to do so. If Christians are part of His body, why do we still have so much sickness in our bodies when all God has to do is touch us? The Bible says that Jesus came to give us life and to give it to us abundantly. It also tells us that if we have faith even as tiny as a seed that we can say to the mountain to be thrown into the sea and it would be so. We don’t need to ask if it’s His will for us to be whole, body, soul (psyche), and spirit… It IS His will. And He can. Funny thing is, God will not impose His will on us… we have a responsibility to be a part. Kind of like in the movie “Hitch.” Hitch is teaching Albert about “the kiss?” He tells Albert that he has to lean in for the kiss but not go all the way? God doesn’t force us into anything. Jesus CAN heal us. He paid the bill for it already. AND He WANTS to heal us.

[shaunawritesstuff]

A „Three-in-One Package“

Why is it so much more easy for us to believe in Jesus, his death, and his resurrection than for peace and healing?

Isaiah 53:5 says, „But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” (NLT)

This tells me that what Jesus did for us was a three-in-one package... he died on that cross to take my rebellion, my sin, my fear, pain, and sickness. He took all of it! Our person in it’s entirety can be whole, body, soul, and spirit.

‭‭

[shaunawritesstuff]

Catching My Breath

It has been such a busy and hectic few months. I feel like I'm only just now starting to catch my breath.  Our days are much shorter now and Christmas and winter will be here soon.  I'm looking forward to our second daughter being “home” for Christmas.  (It’s not really home to her since we moved from our home just before she went to finish school.)  This feeling is so weird.  I don't know if it comes from the season of life our family is in having grown kids or if it's a result of the decision we made to be missionaries at such an already changing season in our life... Whatever it is, it's strange and mostly uncomfortable.  I hope to make our house here in Germany feel like it's really home, not just for our daughter who doesn't live with us, but also for the rest of us.  I almost feel like it's not a possible task.  We'll see.

This year will be our second Christmas in Germany.  Last year, we eased into it with family from the USA for both Thanksgiving and for Christmas.  It was strange being in a different place, but having the family here with us helped to take the edge off of missing "home."  I'm curious to see how we will all feel this time around.  

Our oldest daughter, that is here with us as part of our team is out getting her visa renewed as I write this.  The first time around getting visas was a painless and quick process for all of us. This time, she needs to get one on her own, as an adult.  

So far, we’ve seen God's favor on most everything we've put our energy to do here with visas, purchasing the vehicle and furniture, renting the house, services and outreaches.  One thing that happens to us so often here that we should be used to already, is being told "No..." or "You cannot..." or "In Germany we don't..."  It's so frustrating, but even more, it's frustrating when we fall for it...time and time again.  I have to remember to remind myself that 95% of the "no's" and "cannot's" have not been true or real.  I don't know if people just give advice or instruction without having actual facts or if it's God's favor on us. I think it's a little of the one and a lot of God's favor.

One thing I constantly pray for is favor with God and favor with people.  I don't deserve for God to hear and answer my prayers, but He always does.  One thing I've learned is that God always honors obedience to Him and He honors prayers that are in alignment with His Word and will.  

When God puts something in your heart and the voices of bystanders try to drown it out or tell you, "No" or "Not possible," pray.  If it truly is from God, He will make a way.

[shaunawritesstuff]

[shaunawritesstuff]

A Difficult Decision

It's funny, most people that know us thought it was a no-brainer that we were going to the mission field.  Only, it wasn't.  It was one of the most difficult decisions we've made so far.

Paul and I both grew up in foreign countries as missionary pastor's kids.  Missions has always been a part of our lives.  And always something that's been dear to our hearts.  We had planned on being missionaries even before we were married.  

Once we started having kids, we home-schooled. It was for many reasons, but one of my biggest, unspoken reasons was so that we would be ready to move overseas at the drop of a hat.  (When I say overseas, I really mean Asia, which is what is familiar to us.)

But... that never happened... not until our kids were mostly all grown. We lived and worked most of the past twenty three years in Southern California.  The longest time either one of us had spent in any one place.  Our oldest, our Daughter was twenty and finishing up college.  Our second daughter was eighteen and just finished her first year of college.  Our youngest, our son was fifteen with only one and a half years left to graduate and grand plans for university and his career.

Picking up and leaving now would mean that either our adult girls come with us or they would be forced to move out earlier than expected.  And our son was at the crucial age where life altogether just wouldn't be easy.  I remember when I was a kid in Hong Kong and a new kid came to youth group I attended.  His parents went to Hong Kong when he was about the same age as my son was and I will never forget how miserable he was and how slighted he felt and how he hated one of the most fabulous cities in the world because of the "injustice" done to him of making him pack up and leave his home at such a crucial age... and I was terribly afraid of the same thing happening to my son.

I had already resolved to stay in our house, have my (future) grand kids come stay with me in my house and to take them to the same park my kids' grandparents took my kids to.  I was very comfortable with our life and ministry and didn't have any desire to go anywhere.  It was easiest and most comfortable to just stay put.

Is being comfortable really the best place to be?

It definitely hasn't been the easiest thing being in a new and very different country and culture in this particular season of our family.  But I can't say it hasn't been worth it...

A friend of ours that has been coming to the service we do on Sunday mornings has been struggling with nicotine addiction for quite a while now.  She's also been noticing different things in her life that need to be changed.  I haven't told her these things.  The Holy Spirit did/is showing her these things.  The more she focuses on following Jesus and pleasing Him, the more He has been showing her that needs to be changed.

We had a guest preacher and his wife with us this past Sunday, Don and Liz McPherson.  As he was praying for my friend after the preaching, she handed me her pack of cigarettes.  It took me a second to figure out what she was handing me and when I "got it," I wanted to do the happy dance!  We've been praying for this. This may seem little, and maybe it is a little step, but for her (and for me), this was beyond significant.  I will hang onto these cigarettes as a reminder of what God will allow us to be a part of when we are obedient to his call.  Obedient to His call to GO and obedient to His call to GIVE and obedient to His call to FOLLOW and PLEASE Him.

Deciding to leave our home, family, church and ministry wasn't easy, but it was right.  I tell you this in hope to inspire you to step out of your own comfort zone. If I did it, you can too. 😊

[shaunawritesstuff]

Today Was Different...

This morning as I was reading my Bible, I decided to read some old post-it notes I've had in there for a few years.  The first one read, "We send our best."   This made me chuckle to myself.

About six months before my husband and I felt the need to come to Germany, we had just started to work on ways to help the missions branch of our church fellowship.  We were looking for ways to inform and inspire people to be the senders/givers that backed our missionaries.  World missions has always held a high priority in our hearts and things had just settled down in our lives enough that we could devote some time and brainpower to help out. I guess I left these post-it notes there because I thought they were good thoughts to hold onto, but I hadn't taken the time to read them since.  Until today...

Today was different.  Today, for some strange reason, I took the time to read them.  I hadn't written them for me.  I wrote them as things to tell others.  I have never and still don't think of us as "good enough" let alone our church fellowship‘s  "best."  When my husband had come to Germany to test and see if this is what God was really wanting him (our family) to do, I was watering the front lawn when he texted me and said, "We MUST come to Germany."  I read the text, and immediately told God, "Are you sure you want US to go?!"  I knew there were others way more qualified, way better at "all things ministry.“ Others who were definitely our fellowship's best way more than us.  I still don't know why God would allow us to be here vs. someone else.  Maybe He did call someone else and they just didn't respond.  I don't know. This is why I chuckled this morning.  

The second post-it read, "Greatest blessing of all- meeting someone in heaven and having them thank you for sending a missionary to them, someone who shared the Gospel so they could be saved."  Now that I'm on the missionary side vs the giving side, I'm not sure who gets the greatest blessing.  As of today, I'd have to say it's a tie...

I've been on the giving side.  And I've been on the going side.  To me, aside from family, there isn't much that is a greater blessing than to be a part of world missions.  

[shaunawritesstuff]

The Room

Ever since the first time we came to Germany, we wanted a space right on the main street for all to see. A space where people of all ages could come in, hang out, feel welcomed and comfortable.  A place where the Gospel and love of Jesus would be preached, spoken about and shown.  A place of healing, deliverance and salvation.  A place where lives are changed.

There was an amazing pizza shop here in town and back in April, a team from the USA came and we did a music outreach there.  It went so well for both us and the pizza shop that we planned to do this event once a month.  Shortly after, there was a huge rain storm and their shop flooded.  They were set to re-open in July, but then moved to a larger place in another village instead…

This last week, we noticed a “For Rent” sign.  We called. Met the owner and his wife.  Told them what our plans were.  Discussed cost and terms.  They had two other applicants before us, but they gave us until that Friday to decide. A cool thing about it is that the owners are Muslim…the Muslim owners liked us and our concept better than their other applicants and said they feel more comfortable with us! Muslims liked the Christian’s concept the best! To me that is mind-blowing!

We made the deal and have the keys to the room for the next six months and if all goes well, we can stay there… in the heart of Maulbronn, Germany where everyone can see and know us and encounter the love of Jesus.

 Pray for us!  Pray for deliverance and freedom for every person in this little town.  The room is in the heart of Maulbronn, surrounded on all sides, literally, by Islam and two other cults and every spiritual thing that goes with those.  

-Shauna

 *If you’d like to be a part of what God is doing here through us, here is the link.  Without financial partners like you, we couldn’t be here.  We appreciate every gift that comes in and pray you will be blessed more than you would ever have imagined.

 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gernev