The Giver Should be Thankful

Another way to look at Stewardship. Not that we shouldn't say "Thank you", but what is the wisdom in this story for you?

While Seisetsu was the master of Engaku in Kamakura he required larger quarters, since those in which he was teaching were overcrowded. Umezu Seibei, a merchant of Edo, decided to donate five hundred pieces of gold called ryo toward the construction of a more commodious school. This money he brought to the teacher.

Seisetsu said: "All right. I will take it."

Umezu gave Seisetsu the sack of gold, but he was dissatisfied with the attitude of the teacher. One might live a whole year on three ryo, and the merchant had not even been thanked for five hundred.

"In that sack are five hundred ryo," hinted Umezu.

"You told me that before," replied Seisetsu.

"Even if I am a wealthy merchant, five hundred ryo is a lot of money," said Umezu.

"Do you want me to thank you for it?" asked Seisetsu.

"You ought to," replied Uzemu.

Why should I?" inquired Seisetsu. "The giver should be thankful."

from www.Spiritual-Short-Stories.com

Then add this thought:

Tzedakah (sa-da-ka) is the Jewish tradition of giving at least ten percent of one’s income to charity. Rather than referring to generosity, it is more related to justice or fairness, giving the poor their due. According to tradition, the spiritual benefit of giving to the poor is so great that the one who receives the aid actually does the giver a favor

More Autumn

Autumn has two phases
The color phase is the one that gets the kinder attention and this year I had more times to enjoy the unique scenery of this season while the maples were in all their glory.
The other phase of autumn is more about the falling leaves.
It's the 'fall" season. Its about the leaves on the ground and I know this has some work involved. Even with all the raking, I remember this part with some warm nostalgia as well. I remember jumping into leaf piles and playing in the leaves when I was young, and then again with our children, Sara and Nick
But when we get to November most of the leaves have been raked up. The trees, accept for the stubborn oaks, or the evergreen varieties, are pretty bare. We will move into the season of the browns, the grays , and yes the white of snow.
But what if autumn is not over until we have listened to its wisdom? Is Auteum done with you yet? Every season has its lessons. and the work of the church is to help us think about our lives. Listen to the spirit. As yourself "Where do I see God? What is God teaching me in this moment? So before we have pushed autumn into its thanksgiving holiday, or set it aside for the start of Advent on November 28think, spend some time , get personal with this autumn prayer.
AUTUMN GOD, the planet turns
and the earth signals a change.
Open me to the transitions I need to face in my own life.
Be with me in the letting go,
the saying good-bye
to habits, relationships, and plans
that stand in your way of growing.
Deepen my trust that as I let go,
like the falling leaves,
I will always fall into your embrace. Amen.
- Larry Peacock
(Openings From p. 303 of Openings: A Daybook of Saints, Psalms, and Prayer by Larry James Peacock. Copyright © 2003 ) by way of Upper Room website

Sharing the reading today from the Upper Room website
It reminds me to be mindful, keep Christ in mind, count my blessings, and stay in love.

“GOD, LET US COUNT the ways you never leave us. Your Light of Day greeted us this morning. The smell of life filled our nostrils with the crisp, chilly air of a new day. The melody of gently crackling leaves whispered your love in our ears. These are among the Good Morning gifts we thank you for. You have given us another day in your Precious Presence.

Come what may this day: angry traffic, angry words, paved roads, paved ways, we will praise your Holy Name! And so we greet you this day with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. Amen.

- Sherrie Dobbs Johnson”
The Africana Worship Book: Year A

From page 77 of The Africana Worship Book: Year A, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2006 by Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved.

“MAY I SEE TODAY
the largeness of your love
in even the smallest part of creation.
May I be ravished
by traces of your beauty
in earth and sky.
May I experience
the eternity of your grace
pulsing within each moment.

- Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation

From p. 130 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore

Pastor Jeff in Heels, story

link; address is this

http://www.minnesotaumc.org/News/Brainerdpastorsstepupinheelstowitnessagain/tabid/47175/Default.aspx

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence






Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot