At our February “Seasonings with Sarah” we talked about the social media phenomenon of using #hashtags. A hashtag is a # symbol followed by a clever combination of words with no spaces, or even a company or product name. If you watched Super Bowl commercials or spend anytime online using Facebook or Twitter, you’ve likely seen lots of #hashtags.

Because we don’t want to be left out, Salt and clay has created our own brand #hashtag:

It’s our way of encouraging you to think about how you can #besalty in your daily life.

Some ideas: bring a meal to a neighbor, do a favor for a friend in need, pray for someone who’s hurt you, share your “story” with someone, do something out of the ordinary for God…you get the idea!

And WHEN you are #supersalty (get the idea?) send us an email at info@saltandclay.org, post it on our Facebook wall, tweet it to your friends, or shout it from the rooftops! Just be sure that if you’re writing it on Facebook or Twitter you mark it with #besalty!

Think of it as our little way to show the world what Jesus meant when he said,
“You are the salt of the earth.”

Sarah Beckman is the co-founder and owner of Salt and clay ministries which is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Sarah is a Christian speaker/teacher and blogger, and also hosts a local coffee hour twice monthly at Dunn Bros in Eden Prairie, MN which is open to the public. For more information on her ministry and how and where she spreads her salt check out Salt and clay ministries website.

In December, “Seasonings with Sarah” was about “Game Changers” - and ironically, not long after that- boy, did our Christmas change! December 23 we enjoyed bell ringing for Salvation Army with our family and some close friends followed by a fun dinner to celebrate, only to be interrupted by a sick daughter half way through dinner! This meant a whole different game plan for Christmas this year. Interestingly, my scrabble tile (read the blog if you weren’t there) was a letter “R” which I immediately determined meant: “Ready”.

Little did I know it would involve being “ready” for the onslaught of sickness in the house for Christmas and all that entailed. But, had I not been “ready” with the gifts wrapped, preparations for travel made, laundry finished- I might not have been able to completely dote on my daughter. And I savored the wee hours in her room, even though it was watching over her poor little sick body.

The unexpected sickness resulted in the “Recalibrated Christmas of 2011.” Instead of Christmas Eve church and dinner at my inlaws, our would-be dinner was delivered to our house. Instead of church, I directed the car to the nearest Walgreens for medications, liquids of all forms and additional kleenex! Hubby took 2 kids to church, while 2 of us stayed home. Our Christmas morning dawned with illness still on the horizon, so we aborted our plans to travel 6 hours by car to WI, thereby sacrificing the cherished “Moran Family Christmas.”

So, with no food in the house, no relatives to join due to our potential contagion, and no “plans”, we had to continue to recalibrate! Despite the sadness, once Mom and Dad made the final, behind closed doors, decision to stay home, everyone was “all in” for our new Christmas adventure.

It turns out, staying home together in MN was a true Christmas blessing. Brothers and sisters showed tenderness and encouragement. Neighbors lent groceries to provide for our recalculated freezer Christmas meal (homemade pizza from frozen dough) Kids rallied to watch the required minimum 1/2 hour of “A Christmas Story” to make their crazy Dad happy. Everyone savored jammie time and new gifts as opposed to jumping in the car for a long trip. And when the light of day finally dawned for our sick one, we experienced an apparently popular tradition (as evidenced by sold out shows and throngs of people!) of seeing a movie Christmas day.

In the end, nothing mattered except that we were all in it together! And perhaps my little scrabble tile had multiple meanings – from Ready to Recalibrate. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts, whatever form they come in!

And we are especially thankful for the gift of our Savior. No matter where we are.

The following is an excerpt of today’s live presentation of “Seasonings with Sarah” held at Dunn Bros Coffee in Eden Prairie. Please join us on the THIRD WEDNESDAYS of the month in 2012 at 9:30 a.m.

The last blog, gave 3 reasons Christmas was a game-changing event of epic proportions. We promised to tell you how you could become a game-changer because of Christmas.

Today’s blog is based on the Christmas story as told in Luke 1-2, and Matthew 1-2 (read it!). In these pages of scripture we learn about 3 Game Changing contributions made by three players in the Christmas story who show us how it’s done.

Game changing contribution #1: Encourage

In Luke 1:39-45 we hear about how Elizabeth affirms and encourages Mary. Mary has become pregnant through the Holy Spirit while betrothed to Joseph. Mary is distraught, but trusts God for her future. She leaves her home town and heads to the hill country of Judea to see her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant (in her old age). The two have an instant bond when Mary arrives, but the real game changer is when Elizabeth affirms Mary. She says to her, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45

These two relatives were both pregnant in very unlikely circumstances that would produce lots of gossip and criticism in their social circles. But Elizabeth changes everything for Mary because she validates Mary’s experience and lets her know that she is blessed for believing God – not crazy like some might have said!

What experience have you had that you could share with someone to encourage them?

Game-changing contribution #2: Testify

As told in Luke 2:8-18, the Shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks at night when a Heavenly Host of Angels appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…telling them to go and see the King who would be born in Bethlehem. Not only were they compelled to go to Jerusalem to see for themselves, but “when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed…” Luke 2:17-18

I’m sure that the other shepherds might have experienced distrust, wonder, doubt, even jealousy upon hearing this account. But that didn’t stop the Shepherds from trusting God, praising Him and testifying to the wonder of all they’d seen and heard.

What has God done, big or small, that you need to tell others about?

Game Changing Contribution #3: Sacrifice

It turns out that the quaint manger scenes adorning our homes, replete with Wise Men aren’t necessarily accurate. Actually the Wise Men, or Magi, would have traveled for some time, over thousands of miles coming from the East to Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:1-12) When they arrived Jesus was thought to be one or two years old, living in a house with Mary and Joseph. The Wise men sacrificed much more than their gifts of wealth in the form of gold, incense and myrrh. They first traveled great distance, leaving family and homes. Then they faced Herod, who pretended to have noble intentions when it came to Jesus, asking the Magi to be sure to notify him of Jesus’ whereabouts, when Herod actually wanted to have Jesus killed. Following their gift giving, they sacrificed safety and security, because “having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

The Magi could have told Herod where Jesus was, but instead, they risked their lives by not reporting back to him and heading back to their countries, (no doubt looking over their shoulders the whole time) by an entirely different route!

Is God asking you to sacrifice by taking a detour, giving of your time, or relinquishing some of your wealth or possessions?

Don’t let another December 25th go by without recognizing YOUR part in the game-changing event of Christmas. Will you become a game changer?

The following is an excerpt of November’s live presentation of “Seasonings with Sarah” held at Dunn Bros Smith Douglas More House in Eden Prairie, MN. Please join us next month on EITHER Friday, Dec. 16 or Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for special Christmas edition of Seasonings!

Memories of childhood Thanksgivings flood my thoughts this time of year. Our whole clan gathered around the family table, with extra tables extending the length so all would have a place…And then after the meal, the fabled “be thankful” part arrived -to the chagrin of my complaining brethren.

Nonetheless we would always go around the table and each would express the thing, large or small, they were grateful for that year. And perhaps why my brothers would complain each time was the length of time it took to complete the rounds. Or was it because we always got emotional (to the heart of things)?

After all, with a single mother and many mouths to feed with non-commensurate income, it was a small miracle each time we arrived at that lovely table to pause and reflect on the bounty that got us this far.

These days, the hardships are different, but still pierce the soul as poignantly.

Sometimes it’s just hard to give thanks amidst the circumstance.

The death of a dear friend, yet another dear one fighting seemingly insurmountable odds against cancer, those struggling daily with employment, housing or family strife. Even the “little stuff”, trouble with the house, a missed appointment, a minor setback in health or schedule. All of it stacks up and if we’re not careful, one toppling domino will cause our whole precious countenance to follow quickly in succession.

But all those years of Thanksgiving table proclamations accomplished something valuable:

I understand what it looks like to give thanks, in ALL circumstances. Just like Paul urges us to do in Thessalonians:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Thanks, Mom.

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The following is an excerpt of our October “Seasonings” presentation held at Dunn Bros Coffee Shop in Eden Prairie, MN. Please join us for our next gathering, Wednesday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. – the Third Wednesday of the month.

As a kid, we didn’t always follow directions. As a spouse, maybe we struggle to follow our partner in dancing. As a student, we didn’t always follow the way of the teacher. As a parent, we don’t always follow the crowd.

Any way you look at it, we often like to do things our own way.

Yet, Jesus is very clear when he says to us, “Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me.” Easier said than done, I say.

Following hard after God requires starting with two steps.

The first is to walk in his way. Most often, when I’m going the way I shouldn’t, I’m acutely aware of it. We all have a “God compass” inside of us…but we choose to ignore it.

Interestingly, even the Israelites wanted to choose going back to slavery in Egypt as opposed to following God’s way when they were pressed up against the Red Sea with their oppressors in hot pursuit. The good news for them was that God made a clear way (thru the Red Sea!) and there was a wall of water on their right and on their left, and the whole Sea became a perfect path to follow toward God’s promises for their future.

Knowing the way is one thing, walking in it is a whole different matter.

Will you choose to walk in God’s way?

The second step toward following hard after God is to allow him to shape you for his purposes. This means letting go of our own agenda -and being flexible enough to follow God’s plans. Think of all the gifts, talents and abilities you possess. Even the experiences you’ve had are no accident – good, bad or indifferent.

God chose Moses at 80 years old to lead His people – precisely because of his previous experiences and abilities, and even in spite of them. It was no accident that Moses was raised as Pharoah’s son and later would spend a huge amount of time in the Royal Court, nor was his time living in exile (think preparation for more time in the desert.) And even though he wasn’t a gifted public speaker, God still used him to reach the masses when he delivered the 10 Commandments.

Moses didn’t change his characteristics or abilities, God just molded them till they were suited to His purposes…not Moses’ comfort zone.

Are you letting God be the Potter?

Don’t be fooled by the ways of the world. God’s way is always best – so pick up your cross, and follow.

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