Live
Practical stewardship involves the whole life, as seen in the five "T"s of stewardship, i.e. our time, temple (body), talents, treasure, testimony. Become a good steward of the gifts of health, family, friends and personal spirituality.
Here are some helpful sites:
- Health Ministries
- Family Ministries
- Youth Ministries
- Women's Ministries
- Sabbath School and Personal Ministries
Serve
Mission Opportunities
The Seventh-day Adventist Church upholds the gospel commission through the work of departments such as Adventist Mission and Adventist Volunteer Services, and Personal Ministries. Visit the websites below to view how this work is conducted and to see what opportunities there may be for you to get involved:
- http://www.adventistmission.org/
- http://www.adventistvolunteers.org/
- Sabbath School and Personal Ministries
Opportunities to Serve - ADRA
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned with practical Christianity. Caring for basic human needs is the practical aspect of the gospel. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) proactively leads out in this work for the Church world-wide. Visit their site to see the latest news and see where you may become involved:
Save
Stewardship of the Environment
Since creation, God has placed the earth and its creatures in our care. This has often been interpreted as a right to exploit nature for personal gain. In the prophecies of Revelation, we see that at the end of time, the Lord will hold us accountable. Environmental concerns are therefore a fundamental part of any holistic stewardship message. These nature photos and short messages kindly provided by Dick Deurksen are presented on this page to draw our attention to the beauty of nature and our responsibility to God.
It takes families to give life to a swamp – Cypress Families – each encouraging the other, adding oxygen, building strong foundations, linking arms with a steadying purpose.
The Minnesota Prairie glows green in the Summer, but its emerald patterns are often broken by iris blooms – individual gems of amethyst standing tall and adding new brilliance to the rolling hills
One tree, many colors. Diversity is one of Adventism’s greatest strengths.
Stand in the light of The Son, and His brilliance will cast a strong shadow wherever you walk.
The bike is new, a father's choice that fills mom's heart with pride and her son's heart with hope. One bicycle can help make dreams come true.
Come to southern Mexico, and you'll find Aguas Azul pouring down an emerald valley near Palenque. It's a playground for the kids, a place where life slows and the hours fill with simple joys.
Trillium. Three petals sending praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Look closer and you will discover that every part represents God's presence. What do others see when they look closely into your life?
If you walk across this bridge near Mendocino (it's allowed) you will linger long above this azure Pacific bay. The colors, the breezes, and the sounds bring waves of peace. And The Creator’s peace will fill your heart with Thanksgiving.
If you want almonds, you must plant two varieties row beside row. They will blossom at different times, allowing the bees to pollinate each bloom and assure a delicious crop – of almonds and honey!
Sunsets are red. Or yellow. Or even pink. But seldom salmon. That is, unless God feels like changing the colors for an evening.
The story is told that the first pair of Anhingas were late arriving at the Eden kiosk where God was applying oil to all the birds' feathers. Though they collected excellent diving skills, after each dinner dive they must spread their wet wings to dry before the sun. Choices Do affect our lives.
Granite boulders provide perfect cities of refuge for God's tiny Coneys. There, in the shadows, they find just enough of everything to fill life with pleasure.
Take one spider web, add a dollop of dew, a breath of wind, and stir slightly. Some of God's brightest gems are the smallest.
The tree has a funny name and the fruit is inedible. But, oh the flowers. They hang like hearts swollen with praise.
Even tarantulas have their troubles - Tiny marauding ants wondering where this hairy path may lead…
Cormorants love to climb high in a tree to dry their wings, using the necessary wait time to call greetings to friends.
Every Giant Maple leaf is a map - roads and rivers spreading golden pathways to the most distant points of Maple Space, like narrow trails leading upward to Hope.
"The pier is so long it must go clear to China!" said one small girl. "It may," answered her father, "but look at the lights. Wherever you walk, God will light the way."
Have you noticed that reflections are just like the "real," only often clearer? I wonder, does that mean when I look at you I can see God even better than when I try to look up through the clouds?
"You are the light of the world," Jesus said. "So let your light shine – scattering God Colors wherever you are."
When the Shepherd sang of Hope, he included a verse praising the benefits of Green Pastures - places where God's voice can be heard more clearly.
If your swimming costume is red, use the box on the far right. If it is green, yours is the fourth one in. If your togs are blue, choose the box with the blue door. At God's beach, He's ready for all colors.
This orchid, an Oriental Smile Dendrobium, fills the house with the sweet fragrance of cloves - and is so brilliant that it brings an instantaneous smile from anyone who comes near. Like a Christian who is in full bloom.
Swamps are dark places of mist and mold. …Unless you choose to meditate on the brilliant green leaves and perfect reflections. Then, in the crackling rhythm of constant growth, you may hear the heartbeat of the Creator.
Redwood forests are the homes of Ancient Giants. Wherever you look you will see the scars of fires, the ravages of drought, the high-water marks of floods, and even the drill-holes of hungry woodpeckers. But, you will also see the Giants, standing above their troubles, breathing life into the forest.
We call him a Cattle Egret, a disparaging moniker that assumes his inferiority. Then, for a few months each year, he transforms into an Emperor, confusing our prejudices and encouraging us to look closer and admire his royal robes.
"And on the fourth day He made the sun to rule the day." No, the sun is not God, nor is it being chased across the heavens by God. It's simply part of the Creator's EarthWorks, a gift He knew we'd need, and be proud of.
It's easy to glance at the Blacksmith Bird and assume he's rather proud of his looks! However, what if he's just staring through the mirror hoping for a quick lunch to swim by? It's better to watch awhile rather than assume quickly!
t seems odd, but no matter how you look at Salvation, it always points to the Blood of Christ.
"White like snow." That's how clean God's laundry makes filthy sins.
Horny Bouganvillia bushes bloom wherever the sun is hot and the humidity high. Their flowers are always white – wonderfully protected in cups of lavender, pink, white, yellow, blue, orange, cream, rose, or red.
This is a useless bottle brush. The pink tines, that should clean the insides of my almost-empty mayonnaise bottle, are good for nothing except holding high the tiny seeds of its future. It's far too soft for its name.
The photo and words are provided by Dick Duerksen, Storyteller at Maranatha Volunteers International. For greeting cards, posters, or prints of Dick's photos, please email him at [email protected]
