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What a full day it’s been. A truly restful Sunday.

Last night, I spent the night at the Everett’s house with Kellie & Olive (Shane Everett’s wife and daughter), since both of our “Shanes” were gone to Austin for a morning service today and a concert tonight. No labor went down, but just in case, I took up some space at their house for the night. AND, it was just a good excuse to hang with those girls! This morning, we got up, had breakfast, met them at church, had some Tex Mex for lunch, then came over to my place to swim away this afternoon. So, so fun. And now, I’m currently sitting on our couch in a quiet house (savoring what that’s like for just a little while longer!), and resisting the temptation to turn on the TV.

I’m still thinking about the sermon Pastor Scott Wilson preached this morning at church… and then, when I just opened my Bible and saw the space my notes were stuck in, it made the message from this morning even more profound and relevant to my present moment.

We’ve been on a series called “How To Be Rich” – which, yes, sounds very prosperity gospel; and, in fact, is the exact opposite, which I really love. : ) Not how to GET rich, but how to BE rich… stepping back, looking at where we are compared to the rest of the people on this planet, how we are almost all (even those of us who consider ourselves to be just making ends meet) in the top 10% income made WORLDWIDE, asking ourselves WHY God has blessed us and given us more than we need, how to have a generous heart in that… you get the point. It has been… SO… GOOD. Shane and I both — and our close friends that go to the Oaks– have been really challenged and inspired by it. Re-evaluating the way we do life. If you want to hear some of the sermons in the series (which I highly recommend!) you can go to

our church’s website:: http://www.theoaksonline.org

OR, the page that takes you directly to the message library is::  http://www.theoaksonline.org/members–attenders/red-oak-fellowship/resources/message-library/

So, all of that to say, I just opened my Bible to 1 Timothy 6, read it, felt it hit me like a ton of bricks, and then really felt led to post it. I know you could just pull out your Bible and read this, but maybe there’s something to seeing the Word in different places than a page. Sometimes there is for me. Also, I just wanted to type these powerful words in order to really soak them in… let’s read these words together with a heart and mind to really process and search out what they mean for us in the specific place we’re in today.

“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

BUT AS FOR YOU, O man of God, flee these things.

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Fight the good fight of faith.

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will display at the proper time–

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen!

AS FOR THE RICH in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

:: 1 Timothy 6:2-19 ::

Praying you’ll take hold of that which is truly life, and that I can as well.

Have a lovely rest of your weekend, friend!

Beth

PS– I almost forgot! Whilst bragging on our amazing church, The Oaks Fellowship, I need to mention an amazing program they have that my hubby + Shane Everett + lots of other amazing people are involved in called The Oaks School of Leadership. It’s a fully accredited college 2-year course, and you get amazing ministry training! There are still some slots open for this year, so if you have just graduated high school and haven’t made definite college plans, or are a college student feeling led in a direction like this, head over to theoaksonline.org and look for “The Oaks School of Leadership” under “Ministries”! : )