There have been many sermons given on tithing. This is an important subject, and each pastor has tackled it at least once in their ministry and probably more. I know it’s sometimes difficult to listen to this topic too. If you’re like me, you would rather skip that day when tithing is the topic! There are other ways of giving. You can give of your time, your talent, a shoulder to lean on, or be th...  Read More

I want to believe in the goodness of people when it comes to giving to others. According to Maslow’s five levels of a human’s basic needs, food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter are necessary to survive. For many people, these needs cannot be met without the help of charitable organizations.  We have all seen the devastation left behind by a storm. The aftermath is unbelievable, but many people...  Read More

Have you ever saved something for a rainy day? Perhaps you set aside funds for emergencies like car repairs or health needs. I know I have. I have a backup plan for multiple scenarios because I don’t like surprises. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m worried that God won’t come through when I need it most. Perhaps, you have felt the same.The Bible reminds us that God cares and knows exactly what we need. ...  Read More

Giving is when you freely transfer something to someone other than yourself. However, God’s Word gives us an example of what the giver’s heart should look like.2 Corinthians 8:7 (MSB) says, “Just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us---see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”  Graceful giving is freely devoting, sett...  Read More

Do you love shopping as much as I do? My love of shopping began as a little girl when I was given an allowance of fifty cents per week. At first, I would spend every penny on candy. Then later in my middle school years, I started saving up my allowance for something I wanted, like a boogie board. Later in my teens, I went nuts and purchased a lot of unneeded souvenirs on family vacations. In adult...  Read More

Whenever a doctor comes into the room during an ultrasound and tells you that something isn’t quite right with your unborn child, your life changes; at that moment, my twenty-three years old self unknowingly signed up for a lifetime of “different.” My dreams of this little boy that would one day play baseball in the yard, ski with cousins, and be as tall as his dad came crashing down. My son was b...  Read More

Does serving others ever seem stressful, uncomfortable, scary, overwhelming, or even intimidating?A few weeks ago, the Youth Ministry from my church delivered cards and sang hymns to our elderly and sick church members. The first stop went off without a hitch. However, soon, I began to hear grumbles from our young people. “It’s too cold!” “It’s dark outside!” “This house looks scary!” “Is this the...  Read More

We’re into February 2023 and the hoopla is gone. Are you feeling a letdown?I challenge you! When did you last serve someone else? Christ said the two greatest commandments are: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:30-31a ESV).It wa...  Read More

An old Bill Gaither song says, “I will serve You because I love You; you have given life to me.”That song tells the story of why we serve God by serving others. Because of His great love and sacrifice for us, we feel compelled to love others by serving them.Our ten-year old granddaughter is ornery, but she has a servant’s heart. While on a cruise last summer, Charlotte noticed Poppy standing in th...  Read More

Do those words "living sacrifice" make you think of one of the “Giants” of the faith, someone like the world-famous evangelist Billy Graham, the missionary/martyr Jim Elliott, or perhaps the saintly Mother Teresa?Although each one of these great ones became that living sacrifice and shared Christ with a lost and hurting world, and although I admire them greatly, they aren’t the only ones I think o...  Read More

Most people would say my love language is the act of service. It brings me joy to do for others. Whether it is making lunch for my son, dinner for the family, or taking my husband his supper in bed because he is so tired after a ten-hour day. My dogs even get served breakfast (egg and green beans).I think about others in my life a lot. If I care about someone or something, I make it a point to let...  Read More

Like most young girls, I dreamed about being in love. My hero would want to spend every moment with me. We’d look deeply into each other’s eyes, laughing endlessly. We’d hold hands and cuddle all day. He’d always bring me flowers and never tire of telling me how much he loved me. We’d travel together, every day better than the one before because true love is wonderful like that. Let’s be honest th...  Read More