What is really Tithe?

Ok.  I'm really trying to figure this out and I am totally torn. I fully believe that all mine and Marty's money is God's and we are blessed to have every penny and we only have every penny because of Him.  Our church is a small church and like most churches are having financial issues because the world is having financial issues.  One of the first things that people cut back on when their money gets tight is their money to the church.  Marty and I are really wanting to do our part and feel it is our obligations to follow the word of God but here is where I'm confused.  Is tithe 10% of our gross or our net?

Now I'm not trying to split hairs here or to short God.  I would give him 20% if I could but I would like to know where the line is.  Here is why I ask.  (I'm using round fake numbers here to make the math easier and to not just say I make X amount so don't read anything into the numbers.  If you want to know my income, call me.  I've got nothing to hide but I'm not publishing it on the net.)  I make a good salary.  As does Marty.  And because of that Uncle Sam really likes to collect "his fair share".  From my salary is taken: retirement, social secrity, state taxes, federal taxes, health care insurance, dental insurance, FICA, TSP.  This equates to 49% of my gross income that I never, ever see.  At least I will see some (I pray) when I retire (which I will tithe on then), but 49% that is not available for use by Marty or me to pay any bill or use as we would like.  So if I make $500 a week, Uncle Sam gets $246 a week and Marty and I get $254 a week.

So if Marty and I give $25.40 a week to the church, are we considered tithers?  Or must we give $50.00 a week? 

I'm really serious about this because my goal is to be a tither.  I just don't know what that really is.  This year we are reaching down and doing the 10% of net for the first time and it is really going to be scarifical giving.  I don't know how the money will stretch each month, though I know God does.  I guess that's why it bugs me so much because I want to be called  tither but if it's gross I don't know if I have the faith to make that jump.

Pinnacle Mountain Day

Headed to Pinnacle Mountain this morning to hike to the top but found that they are doing some trail maintenance.  You can still go up the west side but you have to take the base trail around to the park access road and then go up from there.

The view from about marker 5, maybe 6 looking back north.  It was a beautiful clear day.  Just wish my camera lens had been clean.  Dang it!!!!

The girls were full of themselves today.  We laughed all the way up and all the way down the mountain.  From watching them hanging out in trees, to scaling the rocks, to striking poses, they were cracking Marty and me up!  The joy of being parents of two fabulous girls.

Dad found himself in a bit of trouble and required a hand from the girls.  Ha Ha.

Erin was enjoying being at the top of the world striking poses for me.  She has been looking forward to the day when I would let her scramble across the rocks without hollering at her to be careful.

I think the smile says it all!!!  Thank you God for the beautiful day that you blessed us with.

What is there to say?

I sit here trying to think of something to write and find myself without words.  Or is it that I'm without subject.  Of course I could use the obvious ones of new years and new resolutions.  I could talk more about my hopes and dreams but really those are boring.

What about the fact that the tree is now down and the decorations (for the most part) are put away.  I could look back at the many changes of 2011.  The making of new friends or the lost of old ones.  The many attempts to change either through weight lose to the journey of walking as Christ.

There have been moments of pure joy (not as many as I would have liked) and days of great pain that caused tears to fall without ceasing (far more then I care to remember).  Each and every moment though, are pieces of my life that make me, well, me.  Through some pain, I learned that each moment is precious and to take for granted our time with those  whom we love could lead us regretting our choices and the priorities that led to those choices.  Through other pain, I learned that we can only change ones self and it matters not if we forgive someone of their actions, we may still need to set limits concerning them if their actions continue to be the same.  I have learned that secrets are some times kept by others because they think it is the best for all, but in all actually secrets only cause more pain and sorrow and leave people feeling lonely.  Joy came from witnessing 17 women deepen their walks with God over a period of 72 hours and from seeing the joy on a 14 year old's face as she passed her driving test and made 3rd chair 2nd alto at All Region choir.  More joy came through the deepening of a relationship over the summer with two family members that I had not had an opportunity before to really get to know.

There are many things from 2011 to think about and learn from but that's just it, they are to be learned from.  They are not the to be hung onto and wallowed in.  It's a new day.   And a new day is a new opportunity to be whom God is calling me to be.