Tag Archives: Krum First UMC

February 26, 2013 · 10:05 am

Taxes, Details, Money, and Peace

????????????????????????????????????????After about five hours of uninterrupted work on my computer, I finally had to say, “Time to quit.”  Would that I had been writing an article, or composing a message, or catching up on correspondence or something else wonderfully creative!  But this task was far more mundane:  going over my 2012 financial records in preparation for the income tax deadline.

Clergy taxes are extremely complicated, as we are considered self-employed, and so pay the extra SE tax, but really are not. Every expense needs to be categorized. Good hardware and software help manage this herculean job of exacting record-keeping, but the task still nearly brings me down each year.

Intense attention to detail is needed to sort these figures coherently.  I’m not a particularly good detail person–just ask the people who proofread my work.  I miss a lot of stuff.

But there is a greater issue here than just massive detail work:  it is seeing in one place a picture of how I spent the money entrusted to me last year.

How I indulged my love of books and reading! Perhaps buying them perhaps just a bit too freely, both for myself and for my grandchildren in whom I hope to instill a love for reading.

Clothes got almost no attention, hardly a surprise for those who see me as a fashion disaster. Yes, somebody, someday is going to report me to “What Not to Wear.”

I also gave much money away, experiencing good satisfaction in those decisions.  Much freedom to be found there.

Financial freedom—people dream about it, fantasize about winning the lottery (sure ticked for destruction, by the way), and wonder what it would be like to have no money worries.

It’s hard to get there.  All sorts of forces encourage us to get into financial chains that bind us uncomfortably.  Those chains can get so tight that circulation cuts off and life disappears.

I’ve seen it happen.  I’ve experienced it myself.  An unplanned baby, a car needing expensive repairs, credit cards maxing out, unexpected health care bills, growing children, school expenses, needed vacations. Any of these things can put a family in a tough financial position.

The vast majority of marital strain and the cause of most family arguments come from money issues.  Anxiety over unpaid bills rises, one wants to save, another wants to spend, children need something and need it NOW, and tensions build, too often to the explosion level.

Little happiness or peace there.

Knowing how complex our financial lives can be, and wanting to help those who are looking for a way to handle those issues, the church I serve is offering the Dave Ramsey course, Financial Peace University.  The nine week class starts this Sunday, March 3, at 4:00 pm.  All are welcome—this program is for anyone interested, not just church members.  Registration is available on the church website:  www.thekrumchurch.com.  We’ll provide child care if it is needed.

Dave Ramsey is not going to tell you how to spend you money, or make your financial decisions for you.  Those decisions belong to you. He will give some extremely effective tools that you can use, “baby steps” he calls them, that will indeed set you free and give peace where there has been conflict before.

Millions have found this program to deliver well on what it promises.  People do find financial peace.  They start living freely in a way that they’d never experienced before. The chains fall off.  Circulation is restored.  Life returns.

Sounds so good to me that I’m taking the course myself.  I know I have things to learn.

If you want to come, go ahead and sign up.  Your materials will not arrive until next week, but it is important to start with the first session, this Sunday at 4:00 pm, Krum First United Methodist Church, 1001 E. McCart Street in Krum.

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February 5, 2013 · 10:12 am

A Time to Feast and a Time to Fast

If every day were Christmas, we’d be miserable.  We’d be stuffed, bored, broke and fractious.  Irritations would win the day and gloom and unfulfilled expectations would slather everyone with despondency. Adults would desperately turn to TV, youth and teens to video games, as a way to disconnect from person-to-person contact.  Children, surrounded by piles of overly-stimulating toys, would resort to whining, “Is that all there is?” as a way to remove themselves from their mental and emotional chaos.

Christmas is special because it comes just once a year. But no one can stay in a fever pitch of excitement for long. Instead, we are made with certain rhythms of living that need to be respected.

Periodically, we must slow down, take stock of who we are, celebrate our progress and examine our failures in order to learn from them. Just as we need to repair and maintain our houses, tools and automobiles to prolong their usefulness, we also need to repair and maintain our souls, our relationships with each other, with the created world and with the Creator.

We need plans and places to free ourselves from habits that threaten to shut us down.  Some habits operate like sand in the gears or viruses in computer programs—they bring everything to a halt if we won’t stop and clean things out. That’s what Lent is all about: time intentionally set aside for self-examination. The best of Lenten disciplines takes place both in private, in our chosen fasts, and in community, in accountability with others with like goals.  It is much like Boot Camp: each must do the exercises but as teammates we can do more, cheering each other on.

Lent starts with a day called “Ash Wednesday.” Often, this follows a night of partying, such as Mardi Gras celebrations.  Mardi Gras, which actually  means “Fat Tuesday,” began as a way to rid the household of all food forbidden during the 40 days of Lent. Mardi Gras, also known as “Carnivale” in Brazil, now has almost completely removed itself from its religious roots. It has unfortunately turned more into a time of wanton excess and competitions to see who can engage in the most degraded actions. Ideally, it is a time of communal celebration before the communal fast, with the expectation that everyone seen partying on Tuesday night will also be seen in church on Ash Wednesday morning, preparing for the extended fast.

Ash Wednesday is the day to mark, and I mean literally mark, the formal entrance into Lent.  As part of Ash Wednesday worship, participants will have the cross marked with ashes (from burned palm fronds) on their foreheads or hands.  Then, ideally, they will begin with a fast of some sort, and an additional activity to help build their spiritual muscles.

Our society has nearly forgotten the art and practice of fasting.  We’re so self indulgent that if we don’t get what we want immediately, we resort to temper tantrums in response.

Fasting teaches us much. It exposes our unhealthy addictions. It teaches the vital art of self-denial and the even more vital art of delayed gratification.  Fasting calls us to freeing maturity as we struggle to stay faithful to our fast.  Ideally, an extended fast reminds us of our human state, our need for God’s loving grace, and teaches us deep compassion for the endless suffering of others as we experience our own momentary suffering and discomfort.

Do a fast this year.  Start Wednesday, February 13.  Not before, not later.  Go to a service somewhere–they’ll be all over the place.  The church I serve, Krum First UMC, will have them at 7 am, noon and 7 pm and everyone is welcome.

I do not know of any other act that will give you more self-awareness, and more God-awareness, than to engage in this time of sacrifice, fasting, and discipline.  It will set you more free than you have ever been.

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November 5, 2012 · 1:00 pm

Three Hundred Words to Convince or It Vanishes

The WordPress blogging challenge for the day, “You have three hundred words to justify the existence of your favorite person, place, or thing. Failure to convince will result in it vanishing without a trace. Go!”

My response:

Light.  We are light, this small community of faith.

Grace and forgiveness glue us together, yet hearts and arms open to anyone wishing entrance. The young acolytes solemnly hold their candlelighters. The worshippers see their clear faces shine. Holy smiles race around the room.  An elderly woman holds her neighbor’s sleeping baby. Her life comes full circle, as she, thinking herself unneeded and unnoticed, discovers instead that practiced arms give blessings.

Miracle. We sit, staring at a screen, looking at expenses, seeing them rise yearly. Line by line, we speak of office supplies, of payroll, of utilities, of mortgages, of community needs.  A building, bulging with children gently loved, patiently potty trained, taught to pray, to read, to play, to live with kindness. Yes a building that must be clean, bug-free, temperature controlled, safe.  We look at each other and say, “It will take a miracle.” We look at the past year and say, “We have had a miracle.”  Give us today our daily bread.  Today, we have enough bread.

Death. One by one, worshippers call the names of those they loved and lost.  A white rose lands in the hands of each. A sense of sorrow settles. Then they come, receive the sacrament of bread and wine. Tears spill over, both giver and receiver.

Beauty: An a cappella “Down to the River to Pray” in perfect harmony, joined by piano for triumphant finish brings us to our feet in response, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” The presence of God permeates,

Call: “Tell me more about the acreage set apart for a community garden.  I feel God calling me to this work.” Connection with another, emails and phone number exchanged, time set to explore feeding the hungry.

Yes, we are light, this small community of faith.

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October 27, 2012 · 10:15 am

Chocolate Festival is Today

OK, we really are having a blast at church today.  Come join us, 10-2, Krum First United Methodist Church, 1001 E. McCart, Krum TX 76249.

Tickets, $20, entitles you to 12 different taste sensations.  All funds raised go to relieve suffering in the local and world wide communities.

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October 23, 2012 · 1:14 pm

Calories Don’t Count When Eaten For Charity!

Newsflash!

Crank the presses for these two vital pieces of information:

One:  calories consumed for charity do not count!  And this is especially true for calories obtained from chocolate based treats, when, of course, being consumed for charity.

Two:  If you eat a lot of chocolate you are more likely to win a Nobel Prize.  Let’s face it:  the Swiss eat more chocolate than any other nation.  AND they win the most Nobel Prizes!  Surely there is a connection.

Now, I admit swallowing these “facts” might take a bit of an imaginative stretch.  Nonetheless I also say that the consumption of chocolate is one of humanity’s greatest gustatory pleasures.

Chocolate, like so many other pleasurable food sources, has been alternately demonized and angelized (I think I just made up that word) over the years.  When I was growing up, teens were routinely told not to eat chocolate because it would cause ugly pimples to pop up everywhere.  I so remember some of my early teen friends returning from a despairing trip to the dermatologist with this instruction:  “Never eat chocolate again if you want clear skin.”

Of course, it did not work, and eventually that claim was disproved. Right at the moment, chocolate is, in its “angelized” state, being touted as a health food and mood elevator.  It probably won’t be long before it makes one of the essential food groups for nutritional health.

Think about the history of some of our favorite foods.  For years, eggs were almost completely persona non-grata.  We were told that tasteless egg whites were the only safe way to ingest these deadly objects. Now, whole eggs have made a strong comeback as scientists suggest that the cholesterol eaten in eggs doesn’t generally end up raising cholesterol blood levels.

Saturated fat, another substance found in many animal products and equally as demonized these days, is poised to make its own return.  If you don’t believe me, check out the writings on paleo (as in Paleolithic times) eating plans.

Today, sugar (unless it is in chocolate consumed for charity, of course!!!!), especially in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, is starting to wear the “demon” label.  Evidence suggests now that excess sugar (unless it is in chocolate consumed for charity) is almost immediately stored as fat.

Possibly in the near future, wheat may take over the spot as the worst food around (unless it is found in chocolate consumed for charity!).  Why?  Because all the wheat we eat now is genetically modified.  Our bodies may not have adapted yet to digest it properly.  So some researchers say wheat consumption leads to all sorts of health ills.  And I admit it:  I’ve bought into it and am completely gluten/grain free these days—and yes it has helped.

But, let us leave behind these sad food predicaments and get back to the luscious thoughts of chocolate.  Breathe deeply, remembering the enticing odor of chocolate brownies coming out of the oven.  Mentally take a moment and lick the beaters after whipping up a homemade chocolate cake.  Let the texture of smooth, creamy, freshly made homemade fudge melt in your mouth.

Pretty good, huh?  OK, I now shamelessly invite you to the Fourth Annual Chocolate Festival at Krum First United Methodist Church, 1001 E. McCart St. in Krum, Saturday, October 27, 10 am to 2 pm.

For a $20 ticket, you get TWELVE luscious samples of chocolate, and one ticket can be shared with several people.

My friends even tell me that both sugar-free and gluten-free delicacies will abound.  And for those who do need their dose of saturated fat, rumor has it that chocolate-dipped bacon can be found!

Every penny made goes right back out the door to support agencies that relieve suffering in this immediate area and around the world.

Remember, CALORIES EATEN FOR CHARITY DON’T COUNT!

See you on the 27th.

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