I don't want the "American dream."
Please read my Intro found in Feb. if you are new to reading my blog.
I don't want the "American Dream"
I don’t care how crazy this title makes me sound. I absolutely don’t want the “American Dream.” I want to build treasure in Heaven, and minister in some way to as many people as I can. How will having more money, or a different type of house, or more things help me do this? It won’t. I may not always be cash rich, but I have been blessed beyond belief in many ways, and constantly do what I can to bless others who also may not be cash rich, but do need what I don’t or that I know I have too much of anyways. Not saying I only give when I have extra, because I don’t. I have always tried to live by the principle that the bible teaches in “if a man needs a shirt, give him the one off your back.” I am sure these aren’t the exact words, but it is the principle. Even when I feel powerless or like I have nothing to give, I have been faithful and given anyways in some form (be it tithe, above and beyond tithe, or stuff like clothes others could use more).
Families are broken whether they are rich or poor, but the part that I can’t comprehend is why those living the “American Dream” as Christians still don’t usually have friends that are in a much different situation financially than themselves. How is this doing God’s work? I do know many who are blessed because of God and have faced their own hardships to get to where they are; that is not what this is about. In my own life I have seen my family be restored. I will not say my family is perfect, but what God has done so far is amazing. This did not come from money or things, this came from a lot of prayer, forgiveness, and growing spiritually.
God chooses which blessings to give, but most of the time His blessings are not at all in line with the “American Dream.” Do we notice blessings when they are not what we have been told is how we are to live by society? There are so many people who can’t be reached unless you are willing to be “down in the dirt” with them. Most feel judged if they don’t live in the right neighborhood, city, or demographic; this is not what Jesus would want. Jesus loved all. He saw past their sin, past their lifestyles and material things, and just loved them until they were no longer broken in spirit and heart. I don’t want to be labeled as being a hater because I choose to be a Christian. I want to be someone who can show that Christ really is with me, as the title states. That being said, I am ok living in my mobile home forever if that is God’s plan to help me minister. I am ok with never being a home owner if God sends us in a direction away from here. I am ok with the possibility of never being wealthy or even middle class. If this makes you decide I am crazy, I will accept that graciously.
Final thoughts; It’s not Karma, it’s God. It’s not Mother Nature, It’s Father God (who created the world? Why do we give notice to Pagan things, when we know the truth?). Don’t fake it until you make it, Pray until He makes it (Our way may not be best, but He has forever been perfect, so we need to trust in this much more than ourselves, as many of us were raised)!
I don't want the "American Dream"
I don’t care how crazy this title makes me sound. I absolutely don’t want the “American Dream.” I want to build treasure in Heaven, and minister in some way to as many people as I can. How will having more money, or a different type of house, or more things help me do this? It won’t. I may not always be cash rich, but I have been blessed beyond belief in many ways, and constantly do what I can to bless others who also may not be cash rich, but do need what I don’t or that I know I have too much of anyways. Not saying I only give when I have extra, because I don’t. I have always tried to live by the principle that the bible teaches in “if a man needs a shirt, give him the one off your back.” I am sure these aren’t the exact words, but it is the principle. Even when I feel powerless or like I have nothing to give, I have been faithful and given anyways in some form (be it tithe, above and beyond tithe, or stuff like clothes others could use more).
Families are broken whether they are rich or poor, but the part that I can’t comprehend is why those living the “American Dream” as Christians still don’t usually have friends that are in a much different situation financially than themselves. How is this doing God’s work? I do know many who are blessed because of God and have faced their own hardships to get to where they are; that is not what this is about. In my own life I have seen my family be restored. I will not say my family is perfect, but what God has done so far is amazing. This did not come from money or things, this came from a lot of prayer, forgiveness, and growing spiritually.
God chooses which blessings to give, but most of the time His blessings are not at all in line with the “American Dream.” Do we notice blessings when they are not what we have been told is how we are to live by society? There are so many people who can’t be reached unless you are willing to be “down in the dirt” with them. Most feel judged if they don’t live in the right neighborhood, city, or demographic; this is not what Jesus would want. Jesus loved all. He saw past their sin, past their lifestyles and material things, and just loved them until they were no longer broken in spirit and heart. I don’t want to be labeled as being a hater because I choose to be a Christian. I want to be someone who can show that Christ really is with me, as the title states. That being said, I am ok living in my mobile home forever if that is God’s plan to help me minister. I am ok with never being a home owner if God sends us in a direction away from here. I am ok with the possibility of never being wealthy or even middle class. If this makes you decide I am crazy, I will accept that graciously.
Final thoughts; It’s not Karma, it’s God. It’s not Mother Nature, It’s Father God (who created the world? Why do we give notice to Pagan things, when we know the truth?). Don’t fake it until you make it, Pray until He makes it (Our way may not be best, but He has forever been perfect, so we need to trust in this much more than ourselves, as many of us were raised)!
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