There's no doubt the past couple months have been a challenge for most of us.

From everything we like being closed, to constant negativity wherever you look, to a lot of parents who have all of a sudden turned into teachers - 2020 has been quite the decade so far.

I recently recorded a devotional video for my church stressing the importance of actually getting to know our neighbors.

In it, I explain how by simply having conversation with some of my neighbors, I found out what they needed (toilet paper, marinara sauce, human interaction, etc).

As a matter of fact, I have lost track on how many people have reached out to me during this time to see if we "need anything."

While COVID has been a challenge, I feel it's rallied our country's spirit of generosity. If only we would look out for each other once things fully normalize, we might be on to something!

This leads into the third of four values for Salt Church. 
 

Value #3 - Willingly live with an open hand.
 

Proverbs 11:24 says, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."

This is yet another example how the principals of Scripture are backwards compared to how culture would guide us.

If you read these emails (God bless you if you read the whole thing), hopefully you've picked up on my heart to reach our community. 

I'm a firm believer that God has led us to Waddell to push back darkness.

We are going to be called to give many things - time, effort, money, etc.

There will be men and women sacrificing their early mornings on Sunday to set up a stage and children's ministry to not only have church but also have guests attend.

There will be volunteers that lead ministries or groups in their home, spending hours on something strictly as a volunteer - so people can fall in love with Christ.

We all will be called to practice the discipline of giving to the church (the last discipline I picked up on in my adult life), so the mission of Jesus can move forward not only in the West Valley but through dozens of missionaries.

Pushing back darkness will mean sacrifice. It will mean giving of ourselves so others can benefit. We must be able to look around, see the gifts that God has given us, and figure out ways to use them to grow the Kingdom.

We must be a people who not only understand the needs of those around us, but also have the willingness to step in and meet them.

To be the hands and feet of Christ either in our church or our neighborhood, we have to view life as a gift from God. 

We are going to have opportunity to bless schools, neighborhoods, care facilities, and individuals. 

May we not be a people who hoard things unto ourselves, but instead, let us be a people who are a shining light of God's blessing to both the people who live next to us and those who God will bring in our path.

Let generosity be a clear marker of the people of Salt Church.

- Michael