The Right Way To Ask

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QuietWaters Compass Online

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COMPASS ONLINE
A Digital Help Toward Renewal from QuietWaters Ministries
Volume 10, Number 9October 2010
Man praying
Greetings!  

How often do you preach about stewardship?  Is it once a year or quarterly?  Most pastors are hesitant to bring up the subject.  The main reason is that the people in the pews don’t want to hear about giving and money.

I’m told that money is one of the most often written about topics in the Bible.  Evidently, God knew that we would have a problem with money.

I’m also hesitant to talk about stewardship in my writings.  In fact I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about stewardship in this newsletter.

So for maybe the first time I’m asking for help to ask the right way.  I hope it helps you think about the subject in a little different way.

Jim
The Right Way To Ask
by Jim Schlottman 
This week a letter will going out to several churches throughout the United States who know about QuietWaters Ministries.  The letter asks the church leaders to consider an offering or designated gift to QuietWaters Ministries.  I’m not certain how these letters will be received.  Hopefully many will respond generously, others may struggle with how to respond, and still others may even be offended that we asked.

Robert Schuller tells the story of the first million-dollar contributor when they were building the Crystal Cathedral.
Crystal Cathedral
Crystal Cathedral
 It was a Lutheran businessman who didn’t even attend Schuller’s church. The millionaire’s pastor asked the man, “Why didn’t you give the million dollars to us?”

The man said, “Because you didn’t ask.”

In Exodus 25 the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering (NKJV).  In the NIV it is “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering.”  Those are stronger words than “ask.”  In light of these scriptures, we feel that our directive from God is to ask.  The verses go on to say, “From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart . . . ,” or “. . . from each man whose heart prompts him to give.”

Moses was only to ask, God moved the hearts.

When you follow that story to Exodus 36 you read, “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more,” (NIV).  That means that they had more than enough to finish the project.  I’m sure that you and I are looking forward to the day that we can say, “Please don’t send any more money – we have enough.”

Keith Meyer, executive pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota says, “One of the greatest gifts we can give people is the opportunity to become more fully what God has created them to be. And giving is a natural extension of being a person who seeks to live the life of faith.”

This is the first time that I’ve mentioned our requests for money for QuietWaters Ministries.  It is not meant to be a request for your church to give.

My request to you is when you are asking for a gift for your church or from your church for a ministry such as QuietWaters that you will do it in a way that is honoring to God and then let Him work in people’s hearts what He wishes churches and ministries to receive.

P.S. We wouldn’t mind if God prompted your church leaders to select QuietWaters Ministries to be included in your church giving.
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GENE MEERDINK MEMORIAL
 
Gene Meerdink, former Director of Donor Care for QuietWaters Ministries passed away this April 29, 2010.
 
Gene served with his wife Arlene as missionaries to Mexico and as a supervisor of missionaries in Africa.
 
Many of you may have known Gene for his work with QuietWaters or you may have known him through his work in missions.
 
Therefore we wanted you to know of Gene passing.
 
The family has said that those wishing to honor Gene may contribute in his name to QuietWaters Ministries.  Gene will be recognized with the naming of the prayer chapel at the new Retreat Center.
 
To make an online memorial gift please  CLICK HERE, fill in the Donor Information and in the Gift Designation window select the “Gene Meerdink Memorial Fund.”
 
Or mail your memorial gift to QuietWaters Ministries, 9185 E Kenyon Avenue, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80237.
 
The QuietWaters Compass Online is published monthly as a free service of QuietWaters Ministries, whose mission is to renew, restore, and strengthen Christian leaders and their families. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of QuietWaters Ministries, its personnel or trustees. Material contained in this publication is not intended as a substitute for the professional assistance you can receive from a counselor, or health care provider. Requests for permission to reprint articles should be directed to the editor at the address below.
 
James L. Schlottman
QuietWaters Ministries
(303) 639-9066
 
© Copyright 2010 by
QuietWaters Ministries
Bethesda Foundation, Inc.
All rights reserved.

OPT-OUT
We hope you enjoy receiving this FREE newsletter from us, but if for any reason you’d rather not receive this email newsletter from us in the future, just e-mail us at [email protected] with your request to be removed from the newsletter mailing list.
 
PRIVACY
 
Protecting your privacy is very important to us at QuietWaters Ministries of the Bethesda Foundation, Inc. We will not rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose.
In This Issue
The Right Way To Ask
GENE MEERDINK MEMORIAL
QUICK LINKS
 
LOGO EFFECT
 
10th
ANNIVERSARY
YEAR
 
 
 smaller retreat with border
RETREAT CENTER
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
 
Psalm 23:1-3

Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner Doubles the Venues, Doubles the Fun

Two dinners in two locations. That was the 2010 plan for the annual QuietWaters Ministries fundraiser called the Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner. Having maxed out the facility at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in 2009, the challenge for planners was to figure out how to keep growing while still providing some continuity for faithful supporters.

The solution: In April 2010, Shepherd’s Blessing Dinners were held at two locations—Family in Christ Community Church, in Westminster, CO, and Cherry Creek Presbyterian in Englewood, CO. The first dinner drew 101 people to register for a north location, and the second dinner was convenient for over 200 people living in the south Denver suburb…

Download the full version hereBe sure to download the full version.

Double Honor – Highest Regard

QuietWaters Compass Online

QW logo without white background 

COMPASS ONLINE
A Digital Help Toward Renewal from QuietWaters Ministries
Volume 10, Number 5May 2010
Man praying
Greetings!  

This month we have received a record number of inquiries about our Leadership Counseling Intensive program and many have scheduled to come to participate in a LCI at our Retreat Center.  That has prompted me to ask for your prayers for these colleagues as well as the counselors and host couples that will be serving them.
 
Prayer is vital to the ministry of QuietWaters. 
 
Double Honor – Highest Regard
by Jim Schlottman 
Paul Azinger
Paul Azinger
 
This week I played hooky from work and attended the PRO-AM of the 2010 Senior PGA Tournament that is being held at the new Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colorado.  The golf club is just a few miles from our new QuietWaters Retreat Center which is also in Parker.  For those golfers attending a Leadership Counseling Intensive at the Retreat Center you won’t be able to play at the Colorado Golf Club because it is a private club.  However other public courses are close by.
 
If you are not familiar with a PRO-AM, it is four amateur golfers playing with a touring professional player.  The rumor was that each amateur paid $2,500 for the opportunity to play.  For you golfers, they played a modified scramble they call a stramble.
 
To play as a professional in the Senior PGA you must be 50 years or older.  Being over 50 myself I knew the names of most of the professional players.  Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, and Ben Crenshaw were just a few of the players I was able to see play.
 
As I watched the start of the PRO-AM I noticed something that I found very interesting.  As the professional player was introduced there was loud applause, but when the amateurs were introduced there were only a few isolated hands clapping.
 
This scene reminds me of what James says in James 2:1, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”  Was the crowd showing favoritism?  Remember the professional players are well known because they have played for many years and have demonstrated their expertise in golf.  The crowd doesn’t know how well the amateur players can play.  Only their close friends knew them, thus the scattered applause.
 
Now look at the words Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who direct the affairs of the Church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching”.  Or the words he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13, “Now we ask you brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work”.
 
I don’t believe that favoritism is the same as showing double honor or holding in highest regard.  There may have been a little of both taking place during the introductions at the PRO-AM.  However, the professional players have worked hard at perfecting their ability at golf and they have played the game well.  So they deserve to be respected for that ability.
 
Notice the qualifiers in the above verses.  In 1 Timothy it says, “who direct the affairs of the Church well” and in 1 Thessalonians it says, “who work hard among you’.  Also notice that the favoritism in James was bestowed because of wealth and wearing fine clothes, not service.
 
Although I would have preferred to have every player receive loud applause, I believe that it was understandable and even O.K. for the professionals to receive double the applause – double honor.  They have played well and have worked hard at the game of golf.  Yes, a few of them were wearing fine golf clothes, most of which was given to them by the manufacturer.  The clothes were not the reason they were receiving applause.
 
In the church you are the professional.  The one called to preach and teach.  So as the professional golfers received loud applause, you are worthy of double honor and to be held in highest regard.  I think it would be great if each Sunday as you stepped into the pulpit you received loud applause from your congregation.  I’m sorry to say that’s not going to happen unless it is a special occasion.
 
However, you are worthy of double honor, because your work is preaching and teaching and you should be held in the highest regard in love because of your work.  But before that statement goes to your head, remember the qualifiers.  Those qualifiers are, “. . . who direct the affairs of the Church well are worthy” and “. . . those who work hard among you”.
 
For the past 10 years, from the founding of QuietWaters, it has been my soap box speech that every congregation should demonstrate both 1 Timothy 5:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.  Every day I talk with pastors where that is not happening, so I continue my speech at every opportunity.
 
My charge to you pastors is to continue to direct the affairs of the Church well and to work hard among your congregation.  If your congregation responds by showing you double honor and holding you in highest regard that will be a blessing.  But always remember that the Lord does.
GENE MEERDINK MEMORIAL
 
Gene Meerdink, former Director of Donor Care for QuietWaters Ministries passed away this April 29, 2010.
 
Gene served with his wife Arlene as missionaries to Mexico and as a supervisor of missionaries for the Reformed Church in America.
 
Many of you may have known Gene for his work with QuietWaters or you may have known him through his work in missions.
 
Therefore we wanted you to know of Gene passing.
 
The family has said that those wishing to honor Gene may contribute in his name to QuietWaters Ministries.  To make an online memorial gift please  CLICK HERE, fill in the Donor Information and in the Gift Designation window select the “Gene Meerdink Memorial Fund.”
 
Or mail your memorial gift to QuietWaters Ministries, 9185 E Kenyon Avenue, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80237.
 
The QuietWaters Compass Online is published monthly as a free service of QuietWaters Ministries, whose mission is to renew, restore, and strengthen Christian leaders and their families. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of QuietWaters Ministries, its personnel or trustees. Material contained in this publication is not intended as a substitute for the professional assistance you can receive from a counselor, or health care provider. Requests for permission to reprint articles should be directed to the editor at the address below.
 
James L. Schlottman
QuietWaters Ministries
(303) 639-9066
 
© Copyright 2010 by
QuietWaters Ministries
Bethesda Foundation, Inc.
All rights reserved.

OPT-OUT
We hope you enjoy receiving this FREE newsletter from us, but if for any reason you’d rather not receive this email newsletter from us in the future, just e-mail us at [email protected] with your request to be removed from the newsletter mailing list.
 
PRIVACY
 
Protecting your privacy is very important to us at QuietWaters Ministries of the Bethesda Foundation, Inc. We will not rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose.
In This Issue
Double Honor – Highest Regard
GENE MEERDINK MEMORIAL
Quick Links
 
QuietWaters Ministries
 
10th
Anniversary Year
 
 smaller retreat with border
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
 
Psalm 23:1-3

10th Anniversary Edition

Download the full version hereBe sure to download the full version.

With this issue we are introducing you to the new QuietWaters Retreat experience. Our former retreat site—the donated private home of a doctor and his wife—served hundreds. We continue our tradition of providing a safe place, a resting place where renewal can take place, with our new retreat site: a beautiful, spacious home that is already welcoming pastors and missionaries. The scene on the cover of this issue represents what you will see around the new QuietWaters Retreat. Deer regularly visit the Retreat property. As you know, our name comes from the last words of the second verse of Psalm 23. With our new Retreat location, we can appropriately use the entire verse. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” The Jack and Jill nursery-school rhyme will take on new meaning as you read David Ragsdale’s article in this issue of Compass. He introduces you to what he calls the Distinctives of Counseling Intensives, which can help you better understand what you will experience at a QuietWaters Retreat. Dave describes these seven Distinctives of Counseling Intensives: Accelerated Change, Redemptive Focus, Seasoned Counselors, Integrated Treatment, Systems Oriented, After Care, and the Experiential Context.

THE BLIND SIDE

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COMPASS ONLINE

A Digital Help Toward Renewal from QuietWaters Ministries

 

 

Volume 10, Number 4 April 2010
MountainCanoe crop 2

Greetings!  

 

 

Tonight we will hold our second Shepherd’s Blessing Dinner.  We are holding two dinners this year because we outgrew our location last year.  The first dinner was last Friday and the final dinner is tonight.  The speaker is Dr. Tom Varney, a counselor with QuietWaters Ministries.  Please pray that everyone will be blessed and that we will be a blessing our shepherds by following the instructions from 1 Thessalonians 5. 
 
“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”
 
 
 
 

THE BLIND SIDE
by Jim Schlottman 

 

Baby sleepingA couple of week’s ago we rented the movie “The Blind Side.”  I know you’ve heard of it, and you may have already seen this outstanding movie.  It is the life story of football player Michael Oher who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.  In his position at offensive tackle he protects the quarterback’s blind side – thus the name of the movie.
 
The movie begins with a lesson on the value of the blind side offensive tackle.  In the movie Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock has Oher’s blind side.
 
As I reflected on the lessons of the movie I thought about how each of us needs someone to protect our blind side.  Who has your blind side?
 
After sharing about QuietWaters Ministries on a local radio station, I received a call from an elder with questions about our ministry for his pastor.  He said that his pastor was doing well, but he didn’t want to wait until there was a crisis before making sure his pastor and spouse had some renewal time to avoid a crisis.
 
I’m thrilled when I received calls from elders concerned about their pastor’s well being.  This elder had his pastor’s blind side.  It is my opinion that protecting the pastor’s blind side is a good description of the role of an elder.
 
Is someone protecting your blind side?  If not it is time for you to find that person and ask them for their protection through prayer, as a sounding board, and as an accountability partner.
 
This week I lost the person who has had my blind side for over 10 years.  His name is Gene Meerdink and he died of cancer yesterday.  I’m very sad, but can rejoice because of the wonderful life he lived and because I know that today he is in the presence of our Lord.
 
It was at the event at which we launched QuietWaters Ministries that Gene approached me and asked if he could pray for me and the ministry.  I’m confident that up until yesterday, Gene was praying for me.  What a wonderful gift he gave me of praying for me each and every day.
 
It is my prayer that you have someone like Gene who has your blind side or that you are taking steps to invite someone into your life to protect your blind side.

 

 

GOD’S LEADING AND PROMPTING OF YOUR HEART

The Open Door Campaign

 

 

The New QuietWaters Retreat is open and serving Christian leaders.  This “God Provided” home will be a blessing to many over the coming years.
 
When we say that God has provided the new QuietWaters Retreat, we must remind everyone that although he has led us to this new place we must still secure the funding.  God will provide this funding by prompting the hearts of friends like you to give generously to the Open Door Campaign.  To help us Open the Door please consider a gift or pledge today.
 
To make an online donation to the Open Door Campaign CLICK HERE
 
Or mail you donation to QuietWaters Ministries, 9185 E Kenyon Avenue, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80237.

 

 
 
The QuietWaters Compass Online is published monthly as a free service of QuietWaters Ministries, whose mission is to renew, restore, and strengthen Christian leaders and their families. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of QuietWaters Ministries, its personnel or trustees. Material contained in this publication is not intended as a substitute for the professional assistance you can receive from a counselor, or health care provider. Requests for permission to reprint articles should be directed to the editor at the address below.
 
James L. Schlottman
QuietWaters Ministries
(303) 639-9066
 

© Copyright 2009 by
QuietWaters Ministries
Bethesda Foundation, Inc.
All rights reserved.

 

OPT-OUT

We hope you enjoy receiving this FREE newsletter from us, but if for any reason you’d rather not receive this email newsletter from us in the future, just e-mail us at [email protected] with your request to be removed from the newsletter mailing list.

 

PRIVACY

 

 

Protecting your privacy is very important to us at QuietWaters Ministries of the Bethesda Foundation, Inc. We will not rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose.
 
 
In This Issue
THE BLIND SIDE
GOD’S LEADING AND PROMPTING OF YOUR HEART
Quick Links
 

QuietWaters Ministries

 

 

 10th Anniversary Year
 

Lake

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

 

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

 

 

Psalm 23:1-3

 




 

To renew, restore and strengthen Christian leaders and their families

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