[The Mayor]

February 15, 2005

All Year Long

Read:
Isaiah 58:6-12

[The Lord said], "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: . . . Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?" -Isaiah 58:6-7

Bible In One Year: Leviticus 20-23

During Lent (the 40 days prior to Easter) many Christians follow the practice of giving up something and taking the time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice of Himself for us.

One group of middle-class believers in a church in the UK decided to live on the minimum wage. Their goal was to identify with those who live on little, to learn the joy of giving, to invite God to change their attitude toward money, and to challenge others in their church to do the same. For their study they chose Isaiah 58.

Afterward, one of the leaders of the group said they learned an important lesson. Living on less "makes you realize just how much you really can give away. It makes you look at what you normally give and realize that it is far from being sacrificial."

What they learned agrees with God's idea of what fasting and sacrificial living are all about. The Lord said to Israel, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: . . . Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out?" (Isaiah 58:6-7). God was chiding His people because their fasting had become an empty ritual with no concern for others.

Let's give sacrificially to others-not just during Lent but all year long. -Anne Cetas

Grant us, then, the grace for giving
With a spirit large and free,
That our life and all our living
We may consecrate to Thee. -Murray

Your standard of giving is more important than your standard of living.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Knowing God Through Isaiah

[JustAmy]

2-15-05
Graphic by Billie

Sparkle and Shine

Spring is a time for friendships, for dressing up in style,
For celebrating Nature’s gifts for just a little while.
It’s timing that’s the issue, and sending out the signs,
Take time to smell the flowers while you’re practicing your lines.

Weddings are in Summertime. Spring’s when the trap is set,
Though the quarry to be captured has not quite been sighted yet.
We will know him by his sparkle, and the shine upon his shoes,
And we’ll have a private chuckle as he tries to then amuse.

Then he’ll think that he has charmed us, and he’ll smile a happy smile,
And he’ll come into the parlor just to chat a little while.
Then the spider-webs will tangle that he doesn’t even see,
He’ll be grateful that he spied her, and he’ll then forget to flee.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1, 2005

[JustAmy]

"Grant us, then, the grace for giving
With a spirit large and free,
That our life and all our living
We may consecrate to Thee.
-Murray-"

Thank you for these wise words, Mr Mayor.

Good Mornin, Rus.
Happy Tuesday. Hope you are having a wonderful week.