Before becoming a believer I was a world class enabler. That poor trait didn't just fall away over night, either, but as I grew in my walk with Messiah, I began to discern the signs. In all fairness to folks who rely on enablers, the enablers are definitely responsible for their role in the problem. For the most part, folks who need enablers are addicts of some sort, but our society now has so many addictions beyond alcohol and drugs, it truly does take discernment to see the spirit of addiction or control in the situation. In using the term "spirit" I'm not implying that all addicts are victims of demons, although there often is demonic activity involved in addiction. Many addictions are psychological. While drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are not only psychological, but physical addictions as well. Are you wondering how addiction is the topic in kingdom economy? As a delivered enabler, please let me share.
I believe enabling is a psychological addiction that is all too often excused, encouraged, and even respected when camouflaged. Enabling is costly. It can be costly financially, physically, emotionally, and definitely spiritually. Enabling is really a form of idolatry. It literally robs one of time, energy, and gives a very false sense of importance. An enabler "needs" an addict in their life. This addict can be addicted to anything from alcohol to shopping to sex. An enabler is so focused on their own need to be needed, the specific addiction is irrelevant. The addiction must require the enabler to be involved in some capacity of caretaking or counseling. The enabler literally gives their time and makes the addict a top priority, robbing time and energy from true responsibilities and what could be genuine accomplishments. Often enablers will actually contribute financially to "replace" or provide what is omitted or neglected by the addict's behavior and expenses.
The story of the Good Samaritan is a good example of helping without enabling. First, the victim of thieves was a genuine victim of a specific event. It was not his lifestyle that had caused his problem. Second, the Good Samaritan did not set aside his own goal in offering assistance. The Good Samaritan also obtained qualified help for the time of recovery, the inn keeper. The passage states that even in all that, he still had business to transact and would check back on his return trip. His offering help was just that, not his new project!
Messiah gave a perfect example with the man by the pool who attempted to offer excuses about having no help. Messiah simply asked him, "Do you want to be made whole?" When Peter met the crippled beggar on his way to the Temple, he clearly stated, he didn't have any money to give him, but in the Name of Y'hshuwah he could rise up and walk. So often now, an addiction is treated like an illness, and enabling is another's self appointed position of caretaking. Our society has carefully structured many agencies around addiction and enabling, which have no place in the kingdom. The time spent on addictive behaviors, including enabling is hay and stubble in the economy of kingdom.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
No Donation Button
I have a ministry website, an online store, as well as a state license for old fashioned storefront business and . . . heading for expansion, so there's no need for a donation button on my site. I've noticed a number of ministry websites that also have a store or sell merchandise, and have a donation button and to be honest, I don't get that. Recently, we featured a video link from Paul Nison on the subject of the ministry conflict between claiming to trust G-d while asking for money.
After 20 years of ministry, I can state clearly, if Adonai has ordained something, His projects do not require begging for funds, although others may want to willingly participate without being solicited. Those folks should be welcomed to share in the blessing! I truly believe the website "donation" button can be a hindrance. I have noticed some sites that have set up specific requests for someone else and when that goal is reached, they announce that, thank everyone who participated and remove the request. That's a different matter and I support those who take the time to discover needs and find a way to collect for others. I think there are a number of us who keep a few dollars in a paypal account to offer assistance when a need like that comes into our awareness and touches our heart. I have no qualms about buying a product or book in support of certain outreaches as well, but selling products and collecting donations sounds confusing at best and a tax nightmare at worst!
When the Goshen Gazette first began, I looked for contributors who did not solicit funds. I still do look for that in our regular links, but as the links have increased, I'm sure donation buttons appear on occasion. I would like to offer a bit of advice for those who are considering expanding a ministry outreach, but unsure of the coverage of cost. Make it a serious matter of prayer before adding that donation button. Abba is amazingly creative in His provision. I can't tell even begin to count the number of times, I've read about a health issue or emergency that I simply responded to with either product or a few dollars, that have turned into regular customers and regular contributors, and often the blessing of new and lasting friendships.
The donation button limits what we can receive from our Creator. He is so good, so great, and so creative, His provision is manifest far beyond a few dollars in PayPal or Western Union.
After 20 years of ministry, I can state clearly, if Adonai has ordained something, His projects do not require begging for funds, although others may want to willingly participate without being solicited. Those folks should be welcomed to share in the blessing! I truly believe the website "donation" button can be a hindrance. I have noticed some sites that have set up specific requests for someone else and when that goal is reached, they announce that, thank everyone who participated and remove the request. That's a different matter and I support those who take the time to discover needs and find a way to collect for others. I think there are a number of us who keep a few dollars in a paypal account to offer assistance when a need like that comes into our awareness and touches our heart. I have no qualms about buying a product or book in support of certain outreaches as well, but selling products and collecting donations sounds confusing at best and a tax nightmare at worst!
When the Goshen Gazette first began, I looked for contributors who did not solicit funds. I still do look for that in our regular links, but as the links have increased, I'm sure donation buttons appear on occasion. I would like to offer a bit of advice for those who are considering expanding a ministry outreach, but unsure of the coverage of cost. Make it a serious matter of prayer before adding that donation button. Abba is amazingly creative in His provision. I can't tell even begin to count the number of times, I've read about a health issue or emergency that I simply responded to with either product or a few dollars, that have turned into regular customers and regular contributors, and often the blessing of new and lasting friendships.
The donation button limits what we can receive from our Creator. He is so good, so great, and so creative, His provision is manifest far beyond a few dollars in PayPal or Western Union.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
A Test
Interestingly, most of my tests do not actually come with a dollar sign. They did at first in my walk, but now most of my purchases are high end investments for the project or livestock, so the deals are pretty cut and dried. They are made and paid or don't take place. The other day, though, was an interesting dilemma that came wrapped in disappointment and debilitation.
The other day, I went to lunch with Mr. B. I make a point of patronizing a particular place for a number of reasons. It's family owned and operated, the food is really good . . . or was, and the prices are quite reasonable. This restaurant doesn't include pork on the menu, which is rare in this part of the country. This business was established about a year ago, and it has been consistently quality food with excellent service, until the new Roman year. Just before the end of last year, my waiter had brought a dessert on the house, saying it was his gift. I had a twinge that he was saying, "good-bye."
When I went in January, the place seemed different and he wasn't there. Upon receiving my salad, I knew something had changed. Then the entree arrived to confirm, not only had the waiting staff changed, so had the kitchen staff. When making inquiry, the waitress assured me, the only thing different was the south wall had been painted. I didn't press further, until I revisited this past week. There was another new waiter, very few customers through the lunch hour, and another customer asked regarding the authenticity of the Italian chef.
The service was poor, but the kid was new, so I cut him some slack. When the food came out, it was inedible. It was truly terrible! When the waiter asked how the meal was, I simply asked him, when the place had changed hands . . . not if . . . He fessed up, the first of the year. Apparently, there'd been a problem with too much management, so the former chef and staff had moved on to start their own restaurant. He then also asked me how I knew. I told him the food was obviously different. The poor kid had the nerve to ask if it was better or worse. I tried to be kind, but I did say, the flavor and quality were inferior to the former fare. He said he'd heard that a lot, and he'd just started this week.
Lousy food and disoriented service wasn't the worst of the deal. When it came time to pay the check, the disappointment reached a new height or low, as the case may be. The waiter was also the cashier . . . which should be ending with "nuff said," but it didn't end there. He spent ten minutes trying to ring in the total, with the cash drawer opening several times, but for some reason, he continued to press keys. Since Mr. B and I were in town on business, our one ticket consisted of two meals, each under $7.00, with mine in a carryout container to be fed to the chickens. When a figure of "twelve something" finally appeared in the total screen, I thought the ordeal was finally over, but I was mistaken.
The young man proceeded to count back the "twelve something" for change from a $20.00. I let him finish, in hopes of avoiding confusion, then proceeded to explain to him, the "twelve something" was the total for two meals and the change should be $6.00 something. His expression was completely void of understanding. I tried it again, even showing him the two meals on the check, to which he replied, "I'm new." With that, I stopped trying to explain and simply handed back $6.00 plus change and told him to have a nice day.
Bad food and lousy service is a sure way to an empty restaurant, but giving excess change is the fast track to an empty cash register. I have no idea if the young man ever figured out what I was trying to convey, but I'm so glad, I insisted that he take the full amount. As I headed to the vehicle I thought to myself, how sad it was that this business would soon be shuttered.
The other day, I went to lunch with Mr. B. I make a point of patronizing a particular place for a number of reasons. It's family owned and operated, the food is really good . . . or was, and the prices are quite reasonable. This restaurant doesn't include pork on the menu, which is rare in this part of the country. This business was established about a year ago, and it has been consistently quality food with excellent service, until the new Roman year. Just before the end of last year, my waiter had brought a dessert on the house, saying it was his gift. I had a twinge that he was saying, "good-bye."
When I went in January, the place seemed different and he wasn't there. Upon receiving my salad, I knew something had changed. Then the entree arrived to confirm, not only had the waiting staff changed, so had the kitchen staff. When making inquiry, the waitress assured me, the only thing different was the south wall had been painted. I didn't press further, until I revisited this past week. There was another new waiter, very few customers through the lunch hour, and another customer asked regarding the authenticity of the Italian chef.
The service was poor, but the kid was new, so I cut him some slack. When the food came out, it was inedible. It was truly terrible! When the waiter asked how the meal was, I simply asked him, when the place had changed hands . . . not if . . . He fessed up, the first of the year. Apparently, there'd been a problem with too much management, so the former chef and staff had moved on to start their own restaurant. He then also asked me how I knew. I told him the food was obviously different. The poor kid had the nerve to ask if it was better or worse. I tried to be kind, but I did say, the flavor and quality were inferior to the former fare. He said he'd heard that a lot, and he'd just started this week.
Lousy food and disoriented service wasn't the worst of the deal. When it came time to pay the check, the disappointment reached a new height or low, as the case may be. The waiter was also the cashier . . . which should be ending with "nuff said," but it didn't end there. He spent ten minutes trying to ring in the total, with the cash drawer opening several times, but for some reason, he continued to press keys. Since Mr. B and I were in town on business, our one ticket consisted of two meals, each under $7.00, with mine in a carryout container to be fed to the chickens. When a figure of "twelve something" finally appeared in the total screen, I thought the ordeal was finally over, but I was mistaken.
The young man proceeded to count back the "twelve something" for change from a $20.00. I let him finish, in hopes of avoiding confusion, then proceeded to explain to him, the "twelve something" was the total for two meals and the change should be $6.00 something. His expression was completely void of understanding. I tried it again, even showing him the two meals on the check, to which he replied, "I'm new." With that, I stopped trying to explain and simply handed back $6.00 plus change and told him to have a nice day.
Bad food and lousy service is a sure way to an empty restaurant, but giving excess change is the fast track to an empty cash register. I have no idea if the young man ever figured out what I was trying to convey, but I'm so glad, I insisted that he take the full amount. As I headed to the vehicle I thought to myself, how sad it was that this business would soon be shuttered.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Again I'm Analyzing Time
The value of time is one of those things that I just keep considering. I don't want to obsess over the topic, but in the reality of this world, the way we use our time is the only thing that is really exclusively within our own control. The past three and a half years has been a time of coming to a greater understanding of this gift from our Creator, that we spend, often with little thought and great abandon.
Our days are numbered. Y'hshuwah spoke succinctly about how much in life we can't control and how little we can actually change, and yet the way we spend the time we're given is within our control. In looking back, I have obviously made some poor investments when it comes to how I spent my time. I don't want anymore of that! I'll be 57 years old in a few weeks and I'm taking inventory. I've invested time in relationships that dead-ended. I've invested time in projects that were unnecessary, as well as projects that need to be completed. I'm not a procrastinator, but there have been a couple of rather lengthy projects that have taken some extensive time, now nearing completion. HalleluYah!
The last few weeks of social media, I found myself feeling that my time could be better spent, and when I return, that is the plan. The "randomosity" of social media took it's toll on my direction and accomplishment in the past few weeks. That's not to lay the blame away from my own responsibility, but rather to recognize that it must be managed. I was attempting to be far more interactive than I am, and I was also trying to protect private alternative health information. Just in my very short break, two ideas have come to mind to address both concerns.
As to my attempt to be interactive, I'm an introvert and I've been led to establish this place for folks who will gather in community, as well as encourage others who have been led to do the same. I have not been led to establish this place for folks who see the calamity coming but are still dependent upon the system, while scoping out a place to go when society collapses. Abba did not call me to prepare a place for those who are aware of prophecy but are not preparing. That same time and effort is to be used to encourage other homesteaders, square foot gardeners, and folks raising chickens in the city. No more time spent listening to why something can't be done!
Abba is definitely leading me to help others in seeking alternative health modalities and deliverance. He's enabled me to be available by internet, while offering the information outside of mainstream social media. I'm still working on some of the details, but it is coming along and certainly worth the time being spent. Abba has blessed me with information that must be shared in the Name of Y'hshuwah.
Not to be a Lot's wife, but in looking back over the last 3 1/2 years, I wouldn't be ready or able to do what lies ahead, had I continued to invest time and effort on what is not part of the plan.
Our days are numbered. Y'hshuwah spoke succinctly about how much in life we can't control and how little we can actually change, and yet the way we spend the time we're given is within our control. In looking back, I have obviously made some poor investments when it comes to how I spent my time. I don't want anymore of that! I'll be 57 years old in a few weeks and I'm taking inventory. I've invested time in relationships that dead-ended. I've invested time in projects that were unnecessary, as well as projects that need to be completed. I'm not a procrastinator, but there have been a couple of rather lengthy projects that have taken some extensive time, now nearing completion. HalleluYah!
The last few weeks of social media, I found myself feeling that my time could be better spent, and when I return, that is the plan. The "randomosity" of social media took it's toll on my direction and accomplishment in the past few weeks. That's not to lay the blame away from my own responsibility, but rather to recognize that it must be managed. I was attempting to be far more interactive than I am, and I was also trying to protect private alternative health information. Just in my very short break, two ideas have come to mind to address both concerns.
As to my attempt to be interactive, I'm an introvert and I've been led to establish this place for folks who will gather in community, as well as encourage others who have been led to do the same. I have not been led to establish this place for folks who see the calamity coming but are still dependent upon the system, while scoping out a place to go when society collapses. Abba did not call me to prepare a place for those who are aware of prophecy but are not preparing. That same time and effort is to be used to encourage other homesteaders, square foot gardeners, and folks raising chickens in the city. No more time spent listening to why something can't be done!
Abba is definitely leading me to help others in seeking alternative health modalities and deliverance. He's enabled me to be available by internet, while offering the information outside of mainstream social media. I'm still working on some of the details, but it is coming along and certainly worth the time being spent. Abba has blessed me with information that must be shared in the Name of Y'hshuwah.
Not to be a Lot's wife, but in looking back over the last 3 1/2 years, I wouldn't be ready or able to do what lies ahead, had I continued to invest time and effort on what is not part of the plan.
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