My identity as a Steward has developed along with the sense that I do not belong to this world. It is a feeling of being a stranger here - an alien, as the stranger in a strange land (1 Peter 2)...of not being a native. I mean to say, my physical existence in time and space is as though I do not belong here because my soul belongs to another dimension.
This was brought home to me especially when my son, Tyson, died and I realized he was alive in eternity and I was caught here in time and space. That was the moment the Master spoke, "but you are eternal, for you have my life in you. Zoe is the life force of God and it was given to you the minute you were born again." "I have come that you might have Life (Zoe) and have it more abundantly."
So, I have a strong sense that I am eternal one even as I walk in time and space. Without that reality, being a steward would not make sense. The mystical world view belongs to two of my favorite authors, Blake and Pascal who are able to blow holes in the philosophies and kiingdoms tied to this world which are possibilities only in this world and can extend no further.
When Satan offered the "kingdoms of this world" to Jesus he could only offer powers, ideas, things that are corruptible, culpable and passing away. Dust. For all kingdoms are being shown up for what they are today as we watch the news. There is only One Kingdom and there is only One God. There is no other. Satan is no god but a defeated foe who only works with deception - smoke and mirrors.
I was so aware of my own emotional response to the Royal Wedding - a longing for a kingdom where a beautiful King and Queen govern with love and equity - peace and justice. That is the longing in every person for that land, that place...that garden wherein all are safe, beautiful and free from dangers. Even deeper is to be that king or queen.
But, even kings and queens are under stewardship training until they are given the right to rule. The Steward is in training for rulership. How one responds to the tasks and assignments in the earth as a good steward, will determine the placement in the Kingdom one day. Luke 19:12
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Steward's Path
"Two roads diverged in a yellowed wood
and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler" wrote Robert Frost in 1920. This poem has become my daily reminder that every day there is choice. Malcom Muggridge posits that man's free will is governed by his passions and with each choice his destiny is confirmed. That intrigues me because the path to the Steward's life is full of life choices that begins to narrow and expose what passions are at play.
This is a daily activity for me as I face my own ego's way (which is a dark cage of unclear motives) or the way marked out by love's sacrifice. Today, as I did my morning reading, I remembered that Jesus spoke of a broad way and a narrow way. Many went the broad and open path - so inviting because so many were going that direction so happily. But, it is the narrow way that leads to life and few therebe that go that direction. Perhaps that is because that way is decided on by the individual - alone- without (or even against) the force of the crowd.
The cross was the narrowest of ways, taken by the Master, alone. Thousands dropped off the path the closer He got to Golgotha. Could we say that He had been on the broad path for three years with the crowds and the excitement. He had cut a wide swath over the countryside with teachings, healings and miracles. Yet, none of that counted towards the changing of a single human being's nature. At the end of 3 years, He could take no one to heaven with Him....He had nothing to show for all his heroic obedience to teach them Truth. No man had changed intrinsically preparing Him to live the eternal life. He had no fellowship with another Spirit-filled man.
There was only one way - sacrificial death that others might have Life. I cannot compare my daily choices to the one choice that freed mankind from everything which kills him. But, I recognize the daily choice of serving the Master with everything I have which extends Life to others or join the crowd and enjoy my own life which changes little. As love for the Lord's gift of Life, His Royal Blood, grows, I know the passion to live as He did impacts which path I choose and moves me closer to my destiny.
and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler" wrote Robert Frost in 1920. This poem has become my daily reminder that every day there is choice. Malcom Muggridge posits that man's free will is governed by his passions and with each choice his destiny is confirmed. That intrigues me because the path to the Steward's life is full of life choices that begins to narrow and expose what passions are at play.
This is a daily activity for me as I face my own ego's way (which is a dark cage of unclear motives) or the way marked out by love's sacrifice. Today, as I did my morning reading, I remembered that Jesus spoke of a broad way and a narrow way. Many went the broad and open path - so inviting because so many were going that direction so happily. But, it is the narrow way that leads to life and few therebe that go that direction. Perhaps that is because that way is decided on by the individual - alone- without (or even against) the force of the crowd.
The cross was the narrowest of ways, taken by the Master, alone. Thousands dropped off the path the closer He got to Golgotha. Could we say that He had been on the broad path for three years with the crowds and the excitement. He had cut a wide swath over the countryside with teachings, healings and miracles. Yet, none of that counted towards the changing of a single human being's nature. At the end of 3 years, He could take no one to heaven with Him....He had nothing to show for all his heroic obedience to teach them Truth. No man had changed intrinsically preparing Him to live the eternal life. He had no fellowship with another Spirit-filled man.
There was only one way - sacrificial death that others might have Life. I cannot compare my daily choices to the one choice that freed mankind from everything which kills him. But, I recognize the daily choice of serving the Master with everything I have which extends Life to others or join the crowd and enjoy my own life which changes little. As love for the Lord's gift of Life, His Royal Blood, grows, I know the passion to live as He did impacts which path I choose and moves me closer to my destiny.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Steward's Beginnings
The roots of my thinking of myself as a Steward occurred in the late 1980's when I was feeling the pressure of living in a household with a husband and a son caught in the web of addictions along with a mother who was dying of a brain tumor.. After one particularly difficult day, I grabbed my coat and ran out into the cold winter blast for a walk to clear my head. I found myself sitting in the sanctuary of my local church, alone and crying out to God in my distress. I suggested - perhaps begged - to be able to stay in His house and just be the doorkeeper. "I will clean and sweep and open the doors. I will clean the toilets and wash up after everyone left. Could I just be the "doorkeeper in the house of the Lord"? It is too hard at my house!"
Silence was deafening. No comfort, no direction, no sense of His presence let alone His hearing me. In the dark I trudged home with the stinging wind on my face drying the tears even before they fell. Up the drive way to the door, I walked with shoulders humped in the attitude of exhausted hope.
As I turned the handle, the Lord spoke clearly in words only my spirit could hear. "This is the House of the Lord and You are the Doorkeeper." In the twinkling of an eye, everything changed. Not the circumstances, not the people in the house, but me. This revelation opened the door to a new reality that I have lived ever since. My home was the Lord's Sanctuary and I was the honored DoorKeeper. Church was not to be an escape, because my home had become the place where the Lord resided.
Everyone in this story has since died...husband, son, mother. Because the Lord changed my perspective, I was able to see them through to the end without complaint, bitterness or rancor. The house became the Blessing House, even before so named, wherein dwelt hope, peace, and love even in the chaos and uncertainties.
Perhaps that is why in the summer of 1993, I could so easily give everything to the Lord with the great reward of being able to live there in the riches of my Lord and King.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Steward and Circumcision
I have always wondered what it meant when we are called the ":circumcision" (Phil. 3:3) and now I am realizing how that is an aspect of being a Steward. The circumcision of the Jewish man was a private mark or cut that was hidden from the world unless discovered like Moses was. The woman who found him in the basket noticed that the boy was an Israelite with one glance.
Jesus talked about the circumcision of the heart that occurs when one is born again. True the heart is hidden from view, also, but it manifests the cut in the flesh life - the life of self-sustaining, self-interest, self-centeredness, self-ishness, etc. as one becomes a Steward. The mark of circumcision in the life of the Steward is the fact that what the world holds dear not longer has value for her in comparison to the life given over to the Master's use.
Jesus was circumcised from all He "owned" when He left the Heavens to come to earth. It was all cut away...the power, the glory, the position, the ownership as king, His name and wealth. In the earth he was a no-name, born in poverty as an out of wedlock child, not recognized for his power and knowledge and title - who had his chance at fame, His three years in the sun, and then died broken, alone and defeated by the world. Who could have known that a member of the supreme godhead would be so circumcized as to even having his very flesh cut off from the world.
Who could have known that in His circumcision, we, too, were circumcised of the flesh life only to rise to higher levels of life then unknown to a human being as we were also raised again all the way to Heaven's thrown.. Recognizing yourself as a Steward of the Most High God is recognizing that you have been circumcised of the flesh life and are called to live that publically - not keeping it a secret that all that belongs to this world is as dung compared to knowing Christos and the Life that comes with Him.
I am learning these deep truths, but I still struggle to live in the reality of them on a daily basis. But, I am getting quicker at recognizing the fact that I have fallen back into old ways. Knowing the truth is very important in recognizing the lie and deception, otherwise, a self-centered life seems normal, routine and happy. And that is the greatest error we can live in. I am ready for the fullness of resurrection life!
Jesus talked about the circumcision of the heart that occurs when one is born again. True the heart is hidden from view, also, but it manifests the cut in the flesh life - the life of self-sustaining, self-interest, self-centeredness, self-ishness, etc. as one becomes a Steward. The mark of circumcision in the life of the Steward is the fact that what the world holds dear not longer has value for her in comparison to the life given over to the Master's use.
Jesus was circumcised from all He "owned" when He left the Heavens to come to earth. It was all cut away...the power, the glory, the position, the ownership as king, His name and wealth. In the earth he was a no-name, born in poverty as an out of wedlock child, not recognized for his power and knowledge and title - who had his chance at fame, His three years in the sun, and then died broken, alone and defeated by the world. Who could have known that a member of the supreme godhead would be so circumcized as to even having his very flesh cut off from the world.
Who could have known that in His circumcision, we, too, were circumcised of the flesh life only to rise to higher levels of life then unknown to a human being as we were also raised again all the way to Heaven's thrown.. Recognizing yourself as a Steward of the Most High God is recognizing that you have been circumcised of the flesh life and are called to live that publically - not keeping it a secret that all that belongs to this world is as dung compared to knowing Christos and the Life that comes with Him.
I am learning these deep truths, but I still struggle to live in the reality of them on a daily basis. But, I am getting quicker at recognizing the fact that I have fallen back into old ways. Knowing the truth is very important in recognizing the lie and deception, otherwise, a self-centered life seems normal, routine and happy. And that is the greatest error we can live in. I am ready for the fullness of resurrection life!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Steward's Life Begins at the Cross
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" goes the song. Well, according to the Scriptures, I was!
As that reality grows within my consciousness, I am able to process the shedding of the chains of the world 's values and thinking. One begins to let go of all that the world holds dear and knows the freedom of living in the eternal truths. In fact, eternity is already within and not one thing that my inner man needs can I get from this world. Therefore, I have freedom to walk away from the ownership of my life and live in the power of ZOE, the life force of God called eternal life in the Scriptures.
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet, not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Gal. 2:20
"Know you not, that so many of us that were baptized, were baptized into his death...knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin"
Rom 6
The Steward Spirit resides within the Lord and is released into us "when we are born again from "being dead in trespasses and sin." " Now we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God Rom 6:11 Until the Steward reorganizes her thinking along these lines, the self-life hovers and protects itself. What is crazy about this is that the self-life doesn't even know that it has been crucified with Christ.
As you go through the Lenten week with Christ, can you imagine that you were on that cross and all the self life you have lived was crucified along with Him....dead and buried? Can you imagine that you, also, are already alive with resurrection life that has power to cancel everything that rears its ugly head? As that happens, one can live freely the life of the Steward.
As that reality grows within my consciousness, I am able to process the shedding of the chains of the world 's values and thinking. One begins to let go of all that the world holds dear and knows the freedom of living in the eternal truths. In fact, eternity is already within and not one thing that my inner man needs can I get from this world. Therefore, I have freedom to walk away from the ownership of my life and live in the power of ZOE, the life force of God called eternal life in the Scriptures.
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet, not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Gal. 2:20
"Know you not, that so many of us that were baptized, were baptized into his death...knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin"
Rom 6
The Steward Spirit resides within the Lord and is released into us "when we are born again from "being dead in trespasses and sin." " Now we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God Rom 6:11 Until the Steward reorganizes her thinking along these lines, the self-life hovers and protects itself. What is crazy about this is that the self-life doesn't even know that it has been crucified with Christ.
As you go through the Lenten week with Christ, can you imagine that you were on that cross and all the self life you have lived was crucified along with Him....dead and buried? Can you imagine that you, also, are already alive with resurrection life that has power to cancel everything that rears its ugly head? As that happens, one can live freely the life of the Steward.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Steward and the Master Share the Same Spirit
This amazing truth, that the Steward shares in the same Spirit as does the Master, makes everything possible in the Steward's life. When the Master was on the earth, there was no one else alive, ever, who shared in His Spirit. That had to have been a lonely experience even though He had perfect communion with the Father in Heaven. No one like Himself in the earth.
He was the Seed that was alone unless He died (Jn. 12:24), was slain open so other seed could come forth. He was the Seed in which Life dwelt so abundantly that it would be enough to bring every person to God if they chose to receive that Life. It...He...the Seed...had only to die.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was able to die trusting in the promise of the Father to be raised again to new life with a new family waiting to receive the same Spirit. No wonder He values fellowship in the Spirit. He died to gain brothers and sisters of the same Spirit.
As a Steward of the Master, then, I am more than a servant. He calls me friend and family. We share the same Spirit! It is this relationship that enables the Steward to let go of all that the world says is a "must have!" and know a contentment at every level.
Being a Steward comes out of a desire born of the same Spirit that lived within Him as He walked the earth. It is not a role one plays or a life-style or a career....although it includes those things. It goes much deeper into the mystery of" apprehending what one is apprehended for" according to Paul in writing to the Philippians.
By that same Spirit, the Steward is able to die to "all that he has" and be raised again with new life free from the pressures of ownership. Stewardship is a living spiritual reality of joy that can bring others life. It is a great way to live!
He was the Seed that was alone unless He died (Jn. 12:24), was slain open so other seed could come forth. He was the Seed in which Life dwelt so abundantly that it would be enough to bring every person to God if they chose to receive that Life. It...He...the Seed...had only to die.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was able to die trusting in the promise of the Father to be raised again to new life with a new family waiting to receive the same Spirit. No wonder He values fellowship in the Spirit. He died to gain brothers and sisters of the same Spirit.
As a Steward of the Master, then, I am more than a servant. He calls me friend and family. We share the same Spirit! It is this relationship that enables the Steward to let go of all that the world says is a "must have!" and know a contentment at every level.
Being a Steward comes out of a desire born of the same Spirit that lived within Him as He walked the earth. It is not a role one plays or a life-style or a career....although it includes those things. It goes much deeper into the mystery of" apprehending what one is apprehended for" according to Paul in writing to the Philippians.
By that same Spirit, the Steward is able to die to "all that he has" and be raised again with new life free from the pressures of ownership. Stewardship is a living spiritual reality of joy that can bring others life. It is a great way to live!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Steward's Unconventional Life
I have been musing over a visual God gave me this weekend as I sat in prayer with a friend of mine about the Blessing House. I have come to understand that when all I had was given into the hands of the Father for His use, it became a sacred trust. My hoe was no longer just a physical place, but a spiritual house whose roof imparted spiritual blessings to whomever walked through the door, whose doors and windows opened into the spiritual realm, and whose paths and halls led people to one another and the Lord. They slept deeply under blankets of protection and warmth and ate spiritual food upon awaking. Conversation occurred whether words were spoken or not and worship flowed through their eyes as they walked the gardens.
One day the Lord said very clearly to me "This is the House of the Lord and you are the door keeper." which changed the nature of how I regarded what I lived in with my family. The life of this Waconia Blessing House has laid a foundation of stewardship as a life style. Now this year begins the building of a new Blessing House in Victoria which will cover 4 acres instead of a double lot. It is an overwhelming task for me to do alone and the Master has begun gathering others who are excited about the vision to help.
The visual He gave me was stunning. "I am bringing living stones together to build my house." I haven't quite mined the depth of those words as yet. They are found in 1 Peter 2 and describe those who have come to the The Living Stone which poured out refreshing water in the desert and is the Stone rejected by others, stumbled over by some and yet chosen to be the foundation stone of the spiritual house. So, the Master builder is bringing living stones to the work of the Blessing House - ones who are a holy priesthood who will offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What does that all mean? I don't know as yet, but I know it to be true because He is using unconventional resources to design and create this new place.
One day the Lord said very clearly to me "This is the House of the Lord and you are the door keeper." which changed the nature of how I regarded what I lived in with my family. The life of this Waconia Blessing House has laid a foundation of stewardship as a life style. Now this year begins the building of a new Blessing House in Victoria which will cover 4 acres instead of a double lot. It is an overwhelming task for me to do alone and the Master has begun gathering others who are excited about the vision to help.
The visual He gave me was stunning. "I am bringing living stones together to build my house." I haven't quite mined the depth of those words as yet. They are found in 1 Peter 2 and describe those who have come to the The Living Stone which poured out refreshing water in the desert and is the Stone rejected by others, stumbled over by some and yet chosen to be the foundation stone of the spiritual house. So, the Master builder is bringing living stones to the work of the Blessing House - ones who are a holy priesthood who will offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What does that all mean? I don't know as yet, but I know it to be true because He is using unconventional resources to design and create this new place.
I have been musing over a visual God gave me this weekend as I sat in prayer with a friend of mine about the Blessing House. I have come to understand that when all I had was given into the hands of the Father for His use, it became a sacred trust. My hoe was no longer just a physical place, but a spiritual house whose roof imparted spiritual blessings to whomever walked through the door, whose doors and windows opened into the spiritual realm, and whose paths and halls led people to one another and the Lord. They slept deeply under blankets of protection and warmth and ate spiritual food upon awaking. Conversation occurred whether words were spoken or not and worship flowed through their eyes as they walked the gardens.
One day the Lord said very clearly to me "This is the House of the Lord and you are the door keeper." which changed the nature of how I regarded what I lived in with my family. The life of this Waconia Blessing House has laid a foundation of stewardship as a life style. Now this year begins the building of a new Blessing House in Victoria which will cover 4 acres instead of a double lot. It is an overwhelming task for me to do alone and the Master has begun gathering others who are excited about the vision to help.
The visual He gave me was stunning. "I am bringing living stones together to build my house." I haven't quite mined the depth of those words as yet. They are found in 1 Peter 2 and describe those who have come to the The Living Stone which poured out refreshing water in the desert and is the Stone rejected by others, stumbled over by some and yet chosen to be the foundation stone of the spiritual house. So, the Master builder is bringing living stones to the work of the Blessing House - ones who are a holy priesthood who will offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What does that all mean? I don't know as yet, but I know it to be true because He is using unconventional resources to design and create this new place.
One day the Lord said very clearly to me "This is the House of the Lord and you are the door keeper." which changed the nature of how I regarded what I lived in with my family. The life of this Waconia Blessing House has laid a foundation of stewardship as a life style. Now this year begins the building of a new Blessing House in Victoria which will cover 4 acres instead of a double lot. It is an overwhelming task for me to do alone and the Master has begun gathering others who are excited about the vision to help.
The visual He gave me was stunning. "I am bringing living stones together to build my house." I haven't quite mined the depth of those words as yet. They are found in 1 Peter 2 and describe those who have come to the The Living Stone which poured out refreshing water in the desert and is the Stone rejected by others, stumbled over by some and yet chosen to be the foundation stone of the spiritual house. So, the Master builder is bringing living stones to the work of the Blessing House - ones who are a holy priesthood who will offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What does that all mean? I don't know as yet, but I know it to be true because He is using unconventional resources to design and create this new place.
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Steward Has No Bad Day!
Waking up each morning with the shout, "Be not afraid!" is a good way to remind myself of the paradigm shift I have made as the Steward of the Most High God. One must be intentional in knowledge and understanding of the spiritual realm and how the kingdom operates in the earth because it is easy to get sucked down into the culture and the perspective of the physical realm. The spirit is to rule - not the body or soul which is subject to the winds and whims of feelings, circumstances and other people's words and reactions.
"Be not afraid" brings up the reality that I have an enemy and also that I am the enemy of the dark realm.
There are forces at work to kill, steal, and destroy the works of El Elyon. But, more importantly, I have been given the powers and authority of the Kingdom which is established in Spirit and in Word. The enemy must obey because he possesses no power over me unless I give into his deceptions, lies and smokescreens.
The Steward is capable of working in joy and freedom only to the extent that the spiritual realm and the amazing truths of the Word become the operating system by which she lives. She scatters and beats up the enemy to the extent of the power of the word working within her. Once you know in your heart that your life is intimate with Christos so that He lives through you by the Holy Spirit...then you begin to take seriously the truth that all of heaven's resources have been poured out for you because you have been chosen from before the foundation of the world to be holy, blameless, forgiven through Royal Blood, adopted by Adonai to receive all the inheritance as a child of the Most High...a real nightmare to the enemy. Good! I hope to give him more than one black eye today.
I also know the mystery of the Father's will:
In the dispensation of the fullness of times Father will gather together into one all things
in heaven and earth. And until then Father will complete the good work He has begun
in me until that day of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I am confident that the new Blessing House
will be the work of His hands and give Him praise and glory in the earth.
Does this sound crazy? Check it out in Ephesians. Not my words - take it up with the Father.
"Be not afraid" brings up the reality that I have an enemy and also that I am the enemy of the dark realm.
There are forces at work to kill, steal, and destroy the works of El Elyon. But, more importantly, I have been given the powers and authority of the Kingdom which is established in Spirit and in Word. The enemy must obey because he possesses no power over me unless I give into his deceptions, lies and smokescreens.
The Steward is capable of working in joy and freedom only to the extent that the spiritual realm and the amazing truths of the Word become the operating system by which she lives. She scatters and beats up the enemy to the extent of the power of the word working within her. Once you know in your heart that your life is intimate with Christos so that He lives through you by the Holy Spirit...then you begin to take seriously the truth that all of heaven's resources have been poured out for you because you have been chosen from before the foundation of the world to be holy, blameless, forgiven through Royal Blood, adopted by Adonai to receive all the inheritance as a child of the Most High...a real nightmare to the enemy. Good! I hope to give him more than one black eye today.
I also know the mystery of the Father's will:
In the dispensation of the fullness of times Father will gather together into one all things
in heaven and earth. And until then Father will complete the good work He has begun
in me until that day of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I am confident that the new Blessing House
will be the work of His hands and give Him praise and glory in the earth.
Does this sound crazy? Check it out in Ephesians. Not my words - take it up with the Father.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
It seems that Stewardship is less about accumulating wealth and more about utilizing it as a function of living in community. Although I taught school for about 6 years before the children came, I have not been involved in the making of money since. I functioned as a steward of the home and affairs of family, friends, church and community.
However, I consider capital as any asset that produces benefits over time and that includes human capital. Therefore, a good steward would preserve, increase and manage themselves so as to produce continuing benefits of their work. I have no idea how much I am worth according to worldly figures and have no scale on which to value myself as a steward. I live with the operation of heaven in sowing and reaping which covers much more than finances
Stewardship of my home and all of it's extensions into other lives enriched myself and others and created an environment that enabled my husband to focus on the financial capital. With his death I was faced with the financial aspect of stewardship in a new reality. I had great advantage with the Berger financial team handling the "making of money" so I was free to explore the M-Div and work in ministry. But, even with the work, I made precious little. My interest has always been in the utilizing of the "riches of life" to bless others.
I believe that the function of capital is to enhance community because God created us as individuals who are meant for relationships in community. We are operating most like God when we reflect love in action among ourselves as does the Godhead. Whatever capital of goods, finances, or talents, abilities, education, experience etc, we will all be accountable as stewards of whatever God has given us. So the Steward keeps her eye on the prize of the glorious kingdom even while enjoying the riches of blessing that comes from the life of the Steward in the earth.
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