No more muzzles on our workers!

Hmmm.  I  have been thinking about this article for a long time and how to write it the right way.  Here goes.

The Bible says  'don't muzzle the ox that's treading out the grain' (Deut.25:4).  This was not a common practise in the days when people used oxen because the ox would always stop to eat.  So the driver would have to goad the ox to keep him treading out the grain.  Also,  the owners risked the animals health because the ox could get sick from eating so much grain at one time.

So any farmer would wonder what does this scripture mean?  I think we need to remember that Jesus was really concerned about people and often used analogies to convey a thought.

If this scripture is really talking about people then maybe we need to investigate what the oxen was doing. Really, the ox was doing the work that no one else wanted to do.  He was doing a very important, yet boring job of walking around in circles pulling a very heavy log or roller to crush the grain.

If I am correct,  then what this scripture means is that we are to treat 'well' the people who do the work no one else wants to do.  We are not to treat them with less respect or prevent them from enjoying all the rewards (the grain).  The rewards can mean the spiritual, physical and financial benefits of the church.

1Titus 5:18 says "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."  This cuts into the prevailing mentality of free volunteer work.  So where's the balance?  If you can't get anyone else to do the job then maybe there's a reason for that?  

Churches say they can't afford good help.... I say they can't afford not to pay for good, reliable help.  And who's to say that the Lord won't tell the person to give back their wages in the offering bucket?  

The bible has many examples of where the priests had to leave the temple work because they weren't getting paid. Have we learned nothing in all these years?  Enough said.

I've seen way too many people who were good volunteers leave churches because they got tired of feeling used and unappreciated.  I've got to ask,  how bad does it have to get?   The library where I work part time has volunteer and staff appreciation events every couple of months.  Funny, but they have had the same volunteers for years and some of the staff have been there over ten years.

Maybe they have caught onto something?   The volunteers put in a few hours a week doing the easiest jobs and yet they are so appreciated and affirmed!  Maybe we need to ask our volunteers how we can make them feel more appreciated?

I don't have all the answers.  I sure miss my friends who helped me on the video camera, sound board and projection screen.  So if the video isn't following the person... cut me some slack.  I'm probably trying to fix the sound board feed or trying to figure out how to get a video ready to play on the big screen.

Let's pray:  Thank You Lord for your help in our lives.  Thank You Lord for your constant encouragement.  Help us all to rely on you more for our daily provision, guidance and problem solving ability.  Thank You Lord for joy in our journey.  Thank You Lord that You said whoever wants to be great must be the servant of all.  Thank You Lord for helping us pass the tests along the way.  Thank You Lord for healthy boundaries and for helping us recognize control and manipulation in our relationships.  Thank you Lord for showing us how to stop it gently,  with the right attitude.
Thank You Lord for all your prophetic words over our lives! Thank you Lord that they are coming to pass! Thank You Lord that because we are 'willing and obedient', (with a good attitude) we eat the good(the best) of the land.  Hallelujah!   Amen!

You have a great day with Holy Spirit!  I just know He's working on your behalf, going ahead of you and preparing the way for you!

Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson
(ps. Please share my blog with others if you like what you are reading!)

Summer is almost here!

Hi.  I haven't dropped off the planet.  I have gotten my gardens going this year and I put in two hummingbird feeders so there wouldn't be so many fights.

Also, I have been riding my horse with a dear friend and it's been so much fun!

Here's me before we actually go out.

 Anyhow, I was recently asked how I manage to keep smiling with all the work I do volunteering at church.  I think the key is to ask God how much you are supposed to do and only do that amount.  I'm having to get better at saying, "No."  And no means no.  No guilt trips will move me.  If God's not in it I don't want to do it.

Too many people get burnt out at churches with the work load and then they don't want to do anything.  I don't want to get to that point.  When I struggled with saying 'no' to people in authority over me I got a book out from the library about boundaries and how to enforce them.

You can only do so much!   It's not your responsibility to keep their world turning!   So make sure you take your day off a week and keep your relationship with God your top priority.   If you expect your reward from God you are doing well. If you are expecting promotion, recognition or opportunities from your Pastor etc. you might be disappointed.

Clear concise communication about what you can and can't do will help to avoid conflicts down the road.  It's so important.

I hope what I shared helps you to keep your priorities straight.  There's absolutely no point in getting so busy that you don't have time for God.  You can't replace that hour every day with him.  That's how the growth happens.  We think we're waiting on God to do something and all the while He's waiting for us to come away and just spend time with Him. It's tragic how easily the days slip by!

I am reminded of an acronym that Gloria Copeland uses...

S = Satan
C = Constantly
U = Uses
D = Distractions!

Therefore, let's keep scheduling in our time with God before the day fills up.

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Cords That Can't Be Broken

I'm reminded of an old song, "Bind us together Lord, Bind us together Lord, with cords that cannot be broken...  Here's the link to the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emCaGJfM0gs

I know but I know that God wants to do greater things in our church but we need helpers to come along side and make the work load easier.  Even Moses needed help!  His father-in-law came and told him what he was doing was not good!  "You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (ref. Ex. 18:14-24)

Moses obeyed and selected capable people and trained them so they could deal with the majority of the issues. They would report back any exceptional cases that they wanted him to handle.

So there needs to be a selection process, a training and mentoring process and then ongoing communication to make sure things keep running smoothly.

Every church will work this process out differently so the best thing to do is pray.

"Lord, we want camaraderie in our church groups. Bind us together with cords that can't be broken! Help us to esteem one another better than ourselves. Remind us Lord of the benefits of buying into a greater vision than just ourselves!"

"Lord, get us past surface greetings to real relationships! Show us how to get together in smaller groups where we can grow together and have good fellowship. Open up new lines of communication and feed back in our churches so everyone feels valued and important.  In Jesus' name we ask.  Amen!"

I bless you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally and financially.

Big hugs,

Brenda Gale Thompson