We have a large quirky tree in our backyard. It has been badly scarred and mangled by storms. Branches, which survived breaking, hang contorted and deformed. This winter was uncharacteristically severe, with bitter cold and more snow than normal. The winds were strong and relentless. Still, much of our quirky tree stubbornly clings to its crunchy brown leaves.Life’s storms and trauma not only leav...  Read More

Struggles! We’ve all faced something that challenged our peace—big decisions, diseases, moves, and even our faith.In Job 7:1 (NLT), Job says, “Is not all human life a struggle?” as he recalls long, weary nights of suffering.Lately, I have been caught in one of these moments of struggle.  I am a caregiver to my husband, who has Alzheimer’s/Lewy bodies disease. I know this disease does not end well ...  Read More

Do you believe that the struggles we endure in life can help others if we allow them to? If we are open to it, our hurts can lead us to our most effective ministry.  As Christians, we know we will walk through many different valleys throughout our lifetime.  During these times, a godly response to rest in faith and hope will offer the peace that passes all understanding. We will find that our stor...  Read More

When it comes to suffering, I’m no stranger. Perhaps you have also experienced this or witnessed unspeakable trauma in person or via the news.There have been deaths in my family and among my dear friends. I’ve suffered much trauma at the hands of a husband, the one earthly person a woman ought to be able to trust, and afterward navigated the ruins of that relationship. I’ve suffered extreme financ...  Read More

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,and there are no grapes on the vines;even though the olive crop fails,and the fields lie empty and barren;even though the flocks die in the fields,and the cattle barns are empty,yet I will rejoice in the Lord!I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)Life can be a struggle. Overworked and overwhelmed, we tick off a never-ending ‘...  Read More

I trust God’s provision, but I still worry about finances when writing a check or giving online to church. I have never gone hungry but have wondered if this will be the week where the groceries don’t stretch far enough. I have example after example of how I have seen this provision come into play in my life, but when we receive notice that a bill price is going up and the paycheck isn’t, I still ...  Read More

Have you ever felt that you don’t have anything to give or that your gift is so small that it is insignificant? Have you ever thought, why bother? It’s not big enough to make a difference.I wonder how the poor widow with only two mites, in Luke 21:1-4, felt when she was in the presence of the rich. I wonder if she felt despised. I wonder if she felt out of place. I wonder if she thought her gift w...  Read More

Let us continue “March-ing” forward and ask ourselves, “What type of giving is good and pleasing to God?”“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – (Hebrews 13:16 ESV). This verse, by itself, may seem vague or ambiguous. However, combined with our January topics of prayer and fasting, a clearer picture begins emerging. There is another form o...  Read More

“One person gives freely; yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24 NIV).From a human, logical standpoint, this verse makes no sense. How can you give away your money and gain more?As a lifelong tither, many years of experience have proven the truth in this scripture. However, at one point in my life, thirty years ago, we quit tithing and started occasiona...  Read More

“Remember that our Lord Jesus said, "More blessings come from giving than from receiving" (Acts 20:35b CEV).This scripture about giving became startlingly real to me as a teenager.Growing up as a PK (preacher’s kid), the only family “vacation” we took was to our denomination’s camp meeting each summer. This consisted of a week of church services, fellowship with friends, eating many sandwiches, an...  Read More

In the times we are living, we give gifts frequently. We have Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and of course, birthdays. It has become such a way of life that some joy has been lost. The pressure of what to get and the anticipation of gifts can be overwhelming. I’ll be honest, I have bought gifts out of obligation. The kind of joy that comes from finding that special gift is getting lost in exp...  Read More

I know exactly how she felt. She had lost so much. Her husband. Her position. Her future. Now she came to the temple. Others who gathered gave gifts that would make a genuine difference. The widow’s mite held little ability to help. Even though her gift felt insignificant, it probably scared her. She had nothing more. No money for food. No money to survive on. She gave amid loss, facing an uncerta...  Read More