Monday, January 09, 2023

~ everything is prayer ~everything is tithing to (me!) ~topps


 everything is prayer:  cleaning the house; a thank you for our house prayer.  taking a hike; a thank you for our physical well being and thank you for your gorgeous landscape prayer.   cooking and/or enjoying a meal; thank you for each ingredient prayer..    shopping; thank you for these stores, these items, the ability to purchase.. thank you for this special time with my mom, daughter..  any/all shopping friends.  creating yard art; labor of love, thank you for the verve, the materials, the joy, our supportive neighbors..     -so, in this way, i relate to the scripture pray without ceasing.   i do not, kneel down, join my hands, in a formal way throughout the day, but i am ever aware, and spiritually thank God throughout my every day, every activity.    -very brief but frequent gratitude prayers.   i do stop, and formally pray in a very focused way when it regards the protection/safety/health of loved ones


everything is tithing:  i regard every penny we give or spend as tithing.  tithing toward a greater good; supporting local businesses, restaurants, services..    -my husband appreciated when i shared it this way with him:   -upon purchasing from a local small family business (noting price increases);

    do you want this business (bakery/restaurant/coffee shop/gift store, etc) to be here the next time we visit this area?   if you do, if the answer is yes..  tithe.    it is expressing gratitude 

   every business you spend at; you are investing in..  you are contributing to a working/contributing persons livelihood; you are helping them pay rent; pay employees; pay insurance, benefits, etc.   if you want to see a business succeed; tithe   - and many businesses donate to good causes of their choice, so it is a win/win

also, tithing, fundamentally, biblically and historically speaking, it has to do with giving your first fruits back to God as a way of recognizing the source of your blessings and saying thank you.

  -biblically, old testament, it was 10%

but this 10%; these first fruits, it can apply to much more than agriculture or income.    it can apply toward creative energy, toward your time..      -we give God first fruits by keeping God first place in our lives everyday; that is, we wake up, watch church tv, pray,  -before we do anything else.   -first fruits of our day.. our time.. our energy.    we do this because we are inspired to do so; not out of any obligation.

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and speaking of being inspired..   for lent 2023, feb 22 -through easter, all my posts will be independent bible studies of one sort or another. 

In Jesus Name,  hallelujah & amen. 

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