Five Purchases You Can’t Afford Not To Make

In Windows last month I suggested to you Six Hot Investment Tips You Don’t Want to Miss. This month, I’d like to suggest to you, Five Purchases You Can’t Afford Not To Make. Some of these purchases are intended for you, others are intended to be a gifts. Either way, if you dare to take the risk, you won’t be disappointed! Two of the five are music, one is a book, and two are others oriented. Please let me know what you think!

(1) If you are reading Windows, it is likely you have a son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandkids, or that you know a young person in junior high or high school. If you do, PLEASE read on. For the most part, today’s popular music does not glorify the Lord. It’s not the style or sound that concerns me in the least, it’s the lyrical content that I hear on the radio and TV and see in kid’s ipods (parents, do you know what’s in you kid’s ipods?). One of the best CD’s ever produced within Contemporary Christian music came out in end of 1995.

Album: Jesus Freak Group: DC Talk

Produced: November 1995 Number of Songs: 13

Approximate Price: $12.99

Available At: www.christianbook.com

CBD Stock # WWCD0105

Though it is nearly 11 years old, the 13 songs have lyrics that honor the Lord, challenge the mind, and amazingly still sound good to today’s youth. Music is on of the most influential components of a young person’s development. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Buy it now for a future gift J

(2) An album for the entire family that will please, encourage & edify and is also one that many youth in our church say this is their favorite CD, comes from Lincoln Brewster.

Album: All To You (Live) Artist: Lincoln Brewster

Produced: August 2005 Number of Songs: 13

Approximate Price: $11.99

Available At: www.christianbook.com

CBD Stock # WWCD62129

All To You, is an album of fresh worship songs mixed with some classics, that encourage and inspire. It gets mellower as the album progresses, but retains a zesty and alive sound. Lincoln is one of the most gifted guitarists in Christian music today, so be ready to be impressed!

(3) Question: What is stewardship? Answer: It is being a wise custodian of what God has entrusted you with. Regardless of our age, income, mobility or perceived skill set, all of us are called to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted us with (see the parable of the servants and talents in Matthew 25). Our time, energy, interests, skill sets, tools, connections, finances, etc., all belong to the Lord. A great (short) book to read about this is Andy Stanley’s, Fields of Gold.

Book: Fields of Gold Author: Andy Stanley

Published: August 2005 Number of Pages: 130

Approximate Price: $11.99

Available At: www.christianbook.com

CBD Stock # WW85405

Fields of Gold shares true stories of people who gave generously even when they didn't have much. Stanley confronts our anxieties about money, revealing that open-hearted giving is an invitation for God to get involved in, among other things, our finances. As you move from guilt and fear into confidence, security, and excitement, you'll see God's abundant provision for your whole lifetime! Be warned, there are no promises of health & wealth, just understanding and encouragement to challenge and nudge you towards living how the Lord would have you live. Of all the magazines, newspapers, news casts, TV shows and movies you will spend time with in 2006 and then completely forget, this is something I believe that will stay with you for the rest of you life. It’s worth many times over, the cost of the book!

(4) Christ calls us to help those in need, regardless of the reason for the need. All of us are recipients of undeserved forgiveness, mercy and grace on a daily basis. Some of us make bigger and more costly mistakes than others, but when we are down, our one hope is to get back up. We often need (or really desire) help in getting back up. Urban Salt and Light is a ministry born and operated out of First Church, that does this very thing.

We are calling on all of those that worship with us and issuing this challenge to you: Will you help us expand our ministry? How? Simple, 99 cents at a time. Our new campaign you have surely heard of by now, is called Every Week. Every week when you go to the store, pick up one 99cent item (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, or razors) and drop it off in the collection bins in the FLC or outside the church office. If half of those who worship with us on a Sunday morning will participate, it will provide over 6000 additional items for USL this year alone! The power of multiplication, 99 cents at a time can do AWESOME things for those in need in the name of the Lord. How will you respond to Christ’s call when I was hungry, thirsty, naked, etc.?

(5) The last purchase I would encourage you to make is one that might cost you almost nothing, $3, $10, or $20. Let’s play a matching game. Draw a line to the approximate cost of each item:

Having someone over for a cup of coffee or tea $10.00

Having someone over for dinner $0.00

Taking someone out for coffee $20.00

Taking someone out for lunch $3.00

Taking the time to get to know someone better (either from the church, your neighborhood, work, etc.) will be a blessing to both you and the other person. I am firmly convicted that each of us needs to be actively discipling someone else and have someone actively discipling us as well. This generally starts with a somewhat awkward ‘getting to know you’ period, that quickly turns into a genuine relationship. Whether for discipleship purposes or for the pursuit of a new or deeper friendship, Scripture tells us we are to live no longer for ourselves but for others. Above are four easy ways to start.

There you have it, Five Purchases You Can’t Afford Not To Make. With all five of these items, it’s not the money that matters. Money is simply a tool. In our consumer driven, me me me culture, my hope is that you will strategically choose to pursue items that deliver spiritual content. These five are suggestions to help you get started. I encourage you to wrestle with the Lord about how you are using all of the blessings and resources He has given you. Then go out and get started!

May we each live in such a way that we glorify Him with every component of our lives,

Michael

Acting Associate Pastor of Families & Caring Ministries