Glad TithingsFamily newsletter of Christian Stewardship Ministries "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Cor. 4:2)
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| March 1997 Volume 16 No 1 Joyful Dividends © 1997 by Christian Stewardship Ministries Glad Tithings is a newsletter of Christian Stewardship Ministries, a nonprofit public foundation. To receive Glad Tithings regularly, send your name and address (with a zip code) to CSM. Gifts are tax deductible, greatly needed and deeply appreciated. The ministry's annual cost per person is approximately $15. Any portion of this newsletter may be quoted or reproduced without further permission, provided excerpts are in context, by adding the following credit line: "Reprinted from Christian Stewardship Ministries' newsletter Glad Tithings, Fairfax, Virginia," and furnishing a copy to CSM. Christian Stewardship Ministries, 10523 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Telephone 703-591-5000, fax 703-273-1795, e-mail ken@csmin.org |
Dennis Rupert: Finding Balance
Routine, organization and balance--those are the blessings CSM's Life Management Study has brought to Dennis Rupert, pastor for 13 years at New Life Community Church in Stafford, Virginia. "I thought I was organized, but I didn't have a daily routine. Establishing a daily routine has really reduced the stress in my life," Rupert says. Further, LMS helped the busy pastor, who watches over a flock of 100 families, organize the workload coming across his desk. But most importantly, Rupert now experiences the balance between his role as a husband and father of eight children and his role as a pastor. As part of the LMS process, Rupert looked honestly at his time allocation. "You assume you know how your time is spent, but until you add up how much time you are devoting to family, the Lord, the job and yourself, you really don't," he says. Through LMS, he learned to manage his time to achieve a healthy balance among his roles. Elder Simon Poljakow led the first LMS class at New Life, and Rupert led the second while his wife Sue taught a women's group. About 50 of the 175 adults at Rupert's church have taken or are currently taking the LMS, and the class is now strongly recommended for those training to become elders. Joyful DividendsLetters of encouragement, support and thanks poured in during 1996. Here are just a few of the many CSM received recently. From LMS participants... Dear Ken, ...Most importantly, I am learning to put more time in planning and scheduling up front, which is time consuming at fires, but has saved me countless hours this fall. Don't get me wrong, I still have miles to go in this process, and there are still weeks when the wheels come off...Still, even the small changes I've made in the last six months have had such a major impact that I plan to review the course material by myself as part of my devotions for the next three months...Again, many thanks. In Christ, A Northern Virginia pastor
From Glad Tithings readers... Dear Ken, Glad Tithings has been a source of very useful knowledge, wisdom and understanding to [my husband] and I for several years. Your personal help helped us see our mistake before we went broke in our business. We are recovering and hope to be debt-free, except for our mortgage, in the next six months, Lord willing. God bless you, Northern Virginia couple
Dear Ken, I really look forward to receiving Glad Tithings, and I keep all my back issues and refer to them as needed or share them with a friend. Thank you so much for this ministry. GT reader
From It's About Time readers... Dear Ken, This book has been life changing. I want to read it again much slower in order to apply more principles. The first time around I was so hungry for the information and I wanted to learn more of what was ahead. Next time(s) around I hope to apply more to my life. I am eager to share with other women, too! Thanks so much for your obedience to God in writing all this down. I am a full-time working mother of six children, ages 4-21 and really need this. God bless you abundantly in your ministry, Pennsylvania mom
Dear Mr. Smith, I wept as I finished the book because I'm so desirous of this finally being the book that is going to make the difference in my getting organized and balanced in my life. This is the only one that approaches the problem as one of obedience to God, and if I succeed here, this will be the reason. I do so desire to be obedient, but have struggled for 20 years with punctuality, procrastination, and overcommitment. You do give me hope though. It's About Time reader
From CSM counselees Dear Ken, Thank you for the time you gave and for the good help. I've pondered your questions and comments. I see now more clearly what the issues are. ...I'm thankful for all that you do...I believe many homes could be much more harmonious with some help. And that would bring Glory to the Lord. I am enclosing a check for CSM and will send another one later. God bless you, Recent counselee
Dear Mr. Ken Smith, It has been almost a month since our counseling session on money management. The counseling I received has been very beneficial for me. I was greatly helped in setting up a monthly budget to follow as a guideline in managing finances. CSM is a blessing to those of us struggling in the area of being better stewards of God's resources (i.e. finances, time). Thank you for taking time to counsel with me. In the counseling session, I became aware that I need to pay attention in the area of procrastination, overcommitment, lack of structure and poor time management. I am interested in being part of the Life Management STudy group starting in late January 97.... I needed to be confronted in the area of procrastination in order to change and do something about it. I thank you for being God's instrument for that.... I praise the Lord for your ministry. I am glad that I heard about CSM and was able to come for counseling. I will recommend it to others I know who can use help with better life management (time, finances). May God bless you. Sincerely in Jesus, CSM counselee |