Dare to Think Differently…No More Debt and Dis-ease!

Blog

  • Dad…do we have to go to Church!

    Dad…do we have to go to Church!

    I will never forget the Sunday many years ago when our children first objected to attending Mass. They were teenagers at the time. I thought to pull the ‘obligation’ card, however, the spirituality of stewardship had taught me better. I reminded them of the many blessings they enjoy every week. For example: a warm bed; mom’s excellent cooking; their friends at school; and sports. Asking if they were grateful for it all, they responded, “Of course we are!” Then, I reminded them that it was all God’s gift and going to Mass was the best way to thank Him for it all. They never complained about going to Mass again. They still attend, with joy, today. Gratitude moves people much more than obligation; and they move with joy.

    I thought to pull the ‘obligation’ card, however, the spirituality of stewardship had taught me better!

    Secularism is removing the Ten Commandments from public places and policy. Secularists are ignoring that “God spoke all these words”. (Exodus 20:1) I like to look at the Ten Commandments through the lens of stewardship. For example, the Fourth Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy. Every day is a gift from God and something that we can always be grateful for. Gratitude inspires us to be good stewards of each day.

    Gratitude moves people much more than obligation; and they move with joy!

    In total, there are 168 hours in a week. Attending Mass every Sunday is a great way for us to give one of those hours back to God, in thanksgiving. And, we can do even better than that! Let’s reclaim the whole Sabbath. There is such joy in dedicating the entire day to God. Spending the day with family or taking some time for yourself is so rewarding – God has set it up that way. Being a good steward of Sunday is like imitating God’s own rest on the seventh day of creation. Moreover, putting God first every day of the week is the way to experience the abundant life (John 10:10) that Jesus came to give us.

  • “Get out of the way!” 

    “Get out of the way!” 

    “Get out of the way!”  – Discovering Healthy Humility

    U2’s new album ‘Songs of Experience’ has an awesome song (actually every track is awesome!) entitled ‘Get Out of Your Own Way’. This song has reminded me of an event in my life many years ago that changed everything…

    I was not looking for Christian stewardship when it found me in 1992. That is when I was introduced to this beautiful way of life by our parish priest Fr. Darrin Gurr.

    Once again I did not see it coming, when God called me to make promoting Christian stewardship my life’s work and ministry in 1999. That calling is a story for another time. My God-given mission in life is to share my belief in the Christian stewardship way of life. It is a calling that I believe I need to live boldly and confidently!

    Still, at the same time I feel like I need to be gentle and remain humble. In the early years of my ministry I frequently experienced a tension between my desire to remain humble and the need to show confidence. Everything changed for me when I attended a ‘Face-to-Face’® retreat in 2007. I attended the retreat that weekend in search of finding a balance between humility and confidence. Something happened at the very start of the retreat that caught my attention to say the least. I heard Jesus’ voice and had a vision I will never forget!

    We were all gathered for opening prayer and worship to begin the retreat. We were calling on the Holy Spirit to come fill this place! Then I heard it…“Get out of the way!” I could hear His voice, as if He were standing right beside me. It came again, “Get out of the way, my Father is trying to do something through you and you keep getting in the way.” The vision was as clear as the voice – Jesus swooping down out of the clouds, and He seemed to have a certain sense of urgency about Him. He stood behind me, and with almost an air of frustration with me, yelled, “Get out of the way!” I thought, “Am I physically in the way?” Then I had an epiphany; it was my pride that was in the way.

    That vision was another God-incidence that became the turning point at which I began to embrace a ‘healthy humility’. At the same time I discovered a new ‘God-grounded confidence’. Following the experience of that retreat, I found a great deal of strength in remaining humble by simply keeping my eye on Jesus.  I realized we can do anything if we stay focused on Jesus.  By staying focused on Jesus, we can be all that God has called us to be, and do what He has called us to do. Peter could only walk on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, when he looked away, he started to worry about what was going on around him, and he sank. (Matthew 14:30)   When I worry about what people think, or become concerned about receiving recognition for my work, I am not being very humble. I believe that lack of humility inhibits my ability to receive God’s wisdom and guidance. Since that, “Get out of the way” retreat experience, I spend time in prayer every day – I don’t begin a day without it – no bible, no breakfast! Spending time in God’s word reflecting on the life and teachings of Jesus is AWESOME because He shows us the way to humility.

    Humility is one of the virtues we must possess if we are to experience the fullness of life that Jesus came to give us. (John 10:10) Only by placing ourselves completely under Christ’s authority will we be given the wisdom and, any authority to boldly share the Good News with others. Pride is a very serious obstacle to authentic discipleship. My pride manifested itself in worrying too much about what people thought of me. The feeling that I had to prove something or impress someone was rooted in pride.  Today, the most important audience for me is God. I simply keep “getting out of the way” and through the power of the Holy Spirit, God does the rest.  

    How do you cultivate the virtue of humility in your life? I’d love to hear from you.

    Always grateful and hopeful in our good and gracious God,

    J. Daniel

  • Sunday Stewardship Reflection for December 31st – Holy Family

    Sunday Stewardship Reflection for December 31st – Holy Family

    It was more than thirty years ago that I first laid eyes on our first child, a new born son.

    I recall an overwhelming feeling of how amazing God is.

    He created this wonderful gift!

    Day-to-day family life can be a challenge for many of us at times. It helps to look to the example of the Holy Family; of Joseph and Mary as the best model for living out our vocations as parents. Inspired by their example, and led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are able steward the gift of our children as God desires. The most important gift any of us can give our children is to nurture them in faith; so that, like Jesus, “they grow and become strong, filled with wisdom” and have the “favor of God” upon them.

    Caring for our families is indeed a most vital; and a good example of every day, real life Christian stewardship.

  • Top Ten Reasons for GIVING on Giving Tuesday

    Top Ten Reasons for GIVING on Giving Tuesday

    Let’s get GIVING GOING…please share this video!

     

     

  • Dare to Think Differently

    Dare to Think Differently

    When I first heard about stewardship in 1994 it radically changed my thinking. This new way of thinking seemed so counter-cultural to me. Was I ready to take the risk? I took the risk and discovered a remarkably rewarding way of life. The rewards come as a result of the new habits and daily choices that stewardship has inspired me to embrace. Still, there have been many occasions when I have experienced those ‘out-of-nowhere’ rewards of stewardship that I can only explain as God-incidences.

    For decades, the most popular approach for promoting stewardship in a parish has been the Time, Talent, & Treasure model. While this method may be tried, tested, and true, it is also a little tired. The three ‘T’s program is tired because it simply places a demand on people the moment they hear it. They think, “Oh, the parish wants me to volunteer and give more!”

    Let’s dare to think differently about how we invite people to a greater commitment to this beautiful spirituality and way of life. Hearts and minds are transformed when we think outside the box of time, talent, and treasure. There is a better way to stewardship than the annual three ‘T’s appeal, a way that is both joyful and sustainable. God showed me this way at an International Catholic Stewardship Conference in 2008. I believed then that God was calling me to apply this way in my own life first, and then with time, God would make me ready to share it with others. It’s time.

    Hearts and minds are transformed when we think outside the box of time, talent, and treasure

    How do we change the way people think about stewardship? We can begin by demonstrating that stewardship is joyful when it is formed, not out of obligation or duty, but gratitude. At that conference in 2008, God introduced me to ten virtues that are the heart of the Christian steward’s way of thinking. Cultivating these stewardship virtues is God’s new and improved way to a more fruitful response to stewardship in a parish. This way is founded in the virtue of gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation because “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all the others” (Cicero). Prayer, humility, discipline, simplicity, trust, generosity, perseverance, patience, and mercy are the virtues that complete the way. I intend to explore each of the ten stewardship virtues in future posts.

    Always grateful and hopeful in our good and gracious God,

    J. Dan Potvin

     PS I’d be most grateful to hear your thoughts on stewardship.

    You can contact me at the Companions of the Cross

    Telephone: 613-728-3175 (local)

    1-866-885-8824 (toll free)

    Mobile: 613-808-3309

    Email: jdanielp@joppastewardship.com

  • Joppa Stewardship Leaders Bulletin Reflections for June 4th, 2017 Pentecost Sunday

    Joppa Stewardship Leaders Bulletin Reflections for June 4th, 2017 Pentecost Sunday

     

    Over 2000 years ago God poured out His Holy Spirit at the first Christian Pentecost. The undying power and strength of Pentecost remains available to us today! We have the Holy Spirit. The question is how much of us does the Holy Spirit have? Give the Holy Spirit permission to work in you. The Holy Spirit wants to move us; to “activate our gifts” as we hear in today’s second reading. Today St. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives each of us different gifts, and a variety of ways to serve. And, it is important for us to remember that stewardship is not limited to serving in the Church. Think about how you serve others and name it for what it is…you are being a good Christian steward.

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

  • Sunday’s Stewardship Reflection

    Sunday’s Stewardship Reflection

    May 28th – Ascension of the Lord  

    Immediately before Jesus’ Ascension he commissions his followers. In our baptism we have received the same calling. Baptism summons us to be Jesus’ disciples. As his disciples each of us are to be good stewards of the faith that we have received. We do so by sharing our faith with others, especially those who do not yet know Jesus. In today’s first reading Jesus lays out his plan for how we are to be good stewards of our faith. We are to be Jesus’ “witnesses” and take the Gospel to the “ends of the earth”.  Sounds like a daunting task, yet we have the confidence of knowing that we have “the power of the Holy Spirit upon us”! Evangelization is our common vocation as followers of Jesus. We do not need much formal education or formation to evangelize. Our love for the Lord is more than enough to be effective in making disciples in our little part of the world. “So what are we waiting for?” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel)

     

    Used with permission, Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

  • Joppa Stewardship Leaders Bulletin Reflections for May 7th, 2017

    Joppa Stewardship Leaders Bulletin Reflections for May 7th, 2017

    May 7th – 4th Sunday of Easter

    Peter’s transformation by the Holy Spirit is nothing short of amazing! He immediately goes out and calls the people to repentance with zeal and confidence. This is a man who was once so afraid he even denied knowing Jesus. Repentance is to change the course of our entire lives. As good stewards of the faith we profess, we too can give people an opportunity to change the course of their lives. When we share our faith with others we offer them the greatest gift they could ever receive! Each of us are agents in the New Evangelization. Good stewards are bold yet gentle in sharing their faith. Always careful to avoid condemning or criticizing. It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows but “by attraction”. (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel) Let the light of Christ in you shine and you will be attractive to others.

     

    Used with permission, Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

  • Sunday Stewardship Reflections

    Sunday Stewardship Reflections

    Bulletin Stewardship Reflections for April 2nd to 30th, 2017

     April 2nd – 5th Sunday of Lent

     …and you shall know that I am the Lord

    The people of Israel failed again and again to be good stewards of God’s covenant with them. A stiff-necked and prideful people, they followed their own advice. Still, God is always merciful, and through the prophet Ezekiel he promises to restore them, not simply for their own good, but to remind them of his divine sovereignty over all that they are ever able to accomplish or possess. God is the one and only true source of all of our talents, abilities, opportunities, and possessions. Humbly accepting this stewardship reality is the way to avoid a prideful disposition. Humility is the stewardship virtue that gets pride out of the way and enables God to use us, and the gifts given to us, to advance his Kingdom.

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

    April 9th – Passion Sunday

    He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him… 

    Jesus humbled himself and became the suffering servant for our salvation. As stewards of the good news entrusted to us, we too may suffer for the faith from time to time. Jesus completely emptied himself in serving God’s purpose, and ultimately his suffering was rewarded. For us, being God’s servants has its rewards in the life to come, but also in the life we enjoy here and now. Rewards like peace of mind that comes from trusting in God, and the feeling that we are making a difference in the lives of others. Still, we may occasionally suffer rejection for being good stewards of what we profess to believe. So, we pray this Holy Week that we may empty ourselves of pride or fear, and have the humility, wisdom, and courage to share our faith where and when needed.

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

    April 16th – Easter Sunday

    Each year at Easter Vigil we renew our baptismal promises. Our baptism changes us forever. Baptism calls us to be Disciples of Christ. Responding to the call to follow Jesus involves many choices – choosing a lifestyle of stewardship is the response of an authentic disciple. Stewardship is to walk the road of joy. When we take care to cultivate and share our gifts we experience the joy of returning our gifts to God with increase. Today we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, which changed our world forever. How might your discipleship and stewardship change your world, and the world around you, this year?

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

    April 23rd – 2nd Sunday of Easter

    Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe

    Believing is seeing! Stewardship is rooted in the belief that all we possess, the goods of this earth, the relationships we enjoy, the talent and abilities we have, even our opportunities are all created by and come from our good and gracious God. Having this belief, we see all of life with new lenses – it’s all God’s gift, and he desires for us to be good stewards of it all. In believing this basic truth about stewardship our eyes are further opened to seeing God’s goodness and generosity everywhere around us.

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

    April 30th – 3rd Sunday of Easter

    Today’s gospel is a familiar story. Why did these men not immediately recognize Jesus? With all the busyness of modern life, do we sometimes miss opportunities to recognize Christ in our midst? “Stewardship always starts with a personal experience of the Risen Christ in our midst and in our hearts” (Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan). Let us pray this Easter season, and all year, that we may be good stewards of each 24 hour day and take some time to quiet ourselves every day so that we may be attentive to the voice of God in our lives.  Moreover, giving the Holy Spirit permission to guide all of our decision making processes and thoughts will aid us in drawing even closer to the risen Christ, and in doing so we become even better disciples and stewards of the mysteries of God.

    Copyright © 2017, by Joseph Daniel Potvin, Joppa Stewardship Leaders, Ottawa

     

  • To Give or Not to Give… Is that the Question?

    To Give or Not to Give… Is that the Question?

    To give or not to give? This is a reasonable question; however, I don’t see it as being ‘the’ question when it comes to our giving.

    Why to give is another good question, although I think, still not ‘the’ question…I’ll get to that in a moment. The “why” points us to considering stewardship as part of our reason to give or not to give. We can give because the church or charity needs our gift and that is a good place to start when asking “why” should I give? We can give because we hope our giving will make a difference in the lives of others, be it giving time to God in praying for others, or serving the poor, or giving financial gifts to a cause we feel passionate about. Desiring to make a difference is a noble “why” to give.

    Consider for a moment the familiar scripture story of the poor widow and her gift to the temple treasury. She gave just two small coins and Jesus said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others” (Luke 21:3). The ‘others’ of course being the rich people who were tossing their gifts into the treasury. Why did she give? I don’t think she gave because she felt the temple needed her gift. I don’t imagine she gave believing that her gift would have a huge impact. We know why she gave. Her love for God and gratitude inspired her to give all that she had. (Luke 21:4) This poor widow must have experienced much joy in making her gift because when love for God and gratitude are behind the gift joy naturally accompanies the act of giving.

    As stewardship leaders, we do well to inspire a need to give in gratitude as the “why” for giving.

    Stewardship is all about needed to give,

    more than giving to a need.

    Still, before we inspire the “why” to give, start with “whose is it” that we give. Stewardship reminds me that anything I can accumulate or accomplish in my life is not of my own doing, is not mine, and not for my glory. It all comes from and belongs to God, and is for his glory.

    But why should we be happy that we have given you these gifts? They belong to you, and we have only given back what is already yours.  But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone’s heart, and you are pleased when people are honest. 

    1 Chronicles 29:14,17

    I would suggest that while good stewardship does indeed call us to carefully consider “what” we should give, or “where” we should give, and “why” we should give;

    “the” most important question is “whose is it” that we give?

    How has this question impacted your giving? Maybe something here to think & pray about this LENT?

    I’d love to hear your thoughts!