Lake Deaton at Home

My story began when playing table shuffleboard.  Doug Wilcox invited me to a men’s breakfast at New Covenant UMC.  My soul was fed by the spirit and community of men wanting to know Jesus more deeply.  I grew to like the church and began to attend the Lake Deaton breakfast and church service by my home.  

Joanne and I joined Lake Deaton UMC in February 2020.

After the Church transition, Loida and Jim asked me to become the Treasurer which I gladly accepted.     

In our previous Church home, we gave our Time, Talent and Treasure to God’s purpose.  Just like Matt and Keri’s story in the 5 Practices book, we were asked to share our journey.  My wife and I encountered the same struggles as the couple in the book.

When I was a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, I counseled hundreds of people and found that the happiest clients were the people who were Jesus Centered.    

I would help clients with their budget.  The people who were most at peace wanted to joyously give to their Church first. The believers in Christ were willing to give up Starbucks and not go out to eat everyday so that they could Tithe to their Church.    

In Proverbs, people are reminded to Honor the Lord with the first fruits of all your produce. (Proverbs 3:9) How people use their material resources either honors or dishonors their relationship to God.  Generosity aligns one’s life with God’s purpose.    

Will you consider Extravagant Generosity to express your Love of God and your neighbor?  You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity.   (2 Corinthians 9:11)   

Reflection Questions:

1. Did you ever buy things that you did not need with money you did not have to impress people you didn’t know?
2. Do you believe that the practice of generosity is a means by which God builds you up, strengthens your spirit and equips you to serve God’s purposes?