Happy Birthday Treasure Chest Ministries

Our journey though life has afforded us both as individuals and as a couple to be a part of the Christian community in many different capacities; observer, participant as individuals and as part of a community as well as both volunteer and paid staff in a para-church ministry and at church. The life lessons we have and are learning have resulted in Treasure Chest Ministries.

I like to say it’s really pretty simple, but it’s not always easy. The crux of the deal is that we were all created for relationship. Relationship with God first and foremost. If you don’t have a relationship with Him none of this will make sense. So one of TCM’s main purposes is to challenge you to grow your relationship with God. Do you really know God or do you just know of Him? Knowing God that is your priority, not how much you “do” for God. You don’t have to work to be loved by God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) He created each and every one of us. He created us with a purpose which is the same and different for each of us. (Psalm 139: 14-16) Our first purpose is to be in relationship with Him. Then we all reflect Him by the way we live. (I John 4) How we do that is different for each of us. TCM is here to encourage and challenge each of us to live lintentionally loving God first and foremost. How and what we do will grow out of that relationship. Simple, right?

The problem we have experienced and observed everywhere is that we live distracted lives. I believe this is by design. It’s the only real play Satan has. He is not a creator. He can only use what is already in play. That said he can make full use of our fears and pride. People everywhere make most of their decisions based on fear and pride. We compare ourselves to those in our immediate world and those we see in the media. We think that happiness comes from being like ___________. (You fill in the blank)  Sadly this happens to those of us who believe in God as well as to those who don’t.

So one way TCM can help is by helping you focus your life. We challenge people and ministries to intentionally seek God in order to deepen their relationship with Him. When we do this He will lead us to our purpose in life. Our unique purpose, not necessarily what everyone around you is doing or to fill every need you are aware of. Often with a kind loving intent or sometimes out of a feeling of obligation we want to help all those around us. We want to give money to every not-for-profit organization that touches lives in our community or has a friend of ours working for it. We want to help feed the hungry, clothe the penniless, house the homeless, teach those that can’t read and the list could go on and on. While there is nothing wrong with having a compassionate, servant’s heart it is just not possible to everything. It’s certainly not possible to do it all well. That’s where the scheme of distraction comes in. If we try to do everything nothing gets done completely or with our best efforts. It’s like trying to cook supper, greet your spouse and answer the phone or the kids questions all in the same 1/2 hour. None of them get your full attention and the odds are pretty good that something will get forgotten or burned in the process.  Besides that it is extremely tiring to live this way. Eventually many people get so tired or discouraged they just give up.

TCM was birthed to help end that vicious circle in lives. Romans chapter 12 tells us that as believers we are all a part of the Body of Christ, one part.  A hand cannot completely do what a foot does for any length of time nor can it do it as well. You do not have to nor should you do what your sister or brother is doing even though it is a great thing. We can and should “pinch hit” now and then but the idea is not allow your “pinch hitting” to become your every day occurence. So we strive to help you find your passion in life. The chances are very good that whatever you are called to do is related to what you are passionate about. Once you find that we want to help you do it! We listen, watch, discover and share needs with all that we come in contact with to help fill those needs with people who really fit. People who not only can but want to do what they are being asked to do. We call it treasure hunting. Those “Treasures” are God’s people. More than 50% of the time the word “treasure” is used in the Bible it refers to God’s people not things of value proving YOU are a treasure to God.

Our friend and fellow Treasure, Joshua Becker (becomingminimalist.com) talks about “rational minimalism”. He defines it this way, “The intentional promotion of everything we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.” That’s how we are choosing to live. What do you most value? Are you living in a way that reflects that?