Believe, Trust and Move On

“Mommy, when I was a baby my eyes were purple, right?” As I looked down into the big beautiful brown eyes of my then 3-year-old firstborn, Alena, I felt my own eyes begin to fill with tears. Kaitlyn, our 2nd baby girl, was born with crystal clear gray eyes. By the time she was six months old they had morphed into sun dusk green and had become a normal part of conversation amongst family, friends and even strangers. I have to admit, mixed......

Read more »

Walking into Parenting

As a dad of two girls, I’ve rarely had the advantage of accidental parenting. That’s because I came at this thing with some rather hefty handicaps: I grew up surrounded by boys in a family that’s only time together involved staring at the TV and eating microwave dinners. Yet God, in His great sense of providential humor, gave me two pink-loving, doll-swaddling, nail-painting ballerinas. As you might imagine, there have been some bumps......

Read more »

The Charitable Giving Deduction and Churches

The tax deductibility of gifts to churches and other charities continues to be an issue of high interest on Capitol Hill. In the 2012 presidential race, both candidates proposed capping the charitable deduction—so this is hardly a partisan issue. Even though supporters of churches are generally more committed to make charitable gifts as compared with those who give for other charitable purposes, any reduction in giving incentives would not......

Read more »

10 Essential Truths about Christian Giving

Very often, people ask or wonder “what are the basic biblical principles for Christian giving?” As we seek God’s answer to that question and as we contemplate our own giving to the Lord’s church in response to the clear teaching of His Word, perhaps it would be wise and helpful to review those principles here. First, let us go to the Word of God itself, without comment: Matthew 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to......

Read more »

Precious Lord, I’m weary after a long day

Precious Lord, I’m weary after a long day. Fill me up afresh and restore my soul. Help me to release my cares into Your hands and wrap myself up in Your promises. Surround me with Your tender mercies ’till I know in my soul that more rests on Your shoulders than on mine. I can rest in Your grace and trust in Your love. Help me to sleep deeply and sweetly tonight and wake up full of expectancy, ready to face the day tomorrow. Amen. ~ Susie......

Read more »

Home Faith Faith Giving Prayer Parenting March 14, 2013 SAVING OUR CHANGE

March 14, 2013 SAVING OUR CHANGE When it comes to money, some of us try to save our change so we can accumulate more money over time. Some use it for mad money to spend on something we couldn’t usually afford. Others put it in the bank to allow our savings to grow. While others of us use it for everyday things because we don’t make enough for our spending habits. Rather than saving our change for this last reason, we need to change our saving......

Read more »

Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling DO NOT HESITATE TO RECIEVE joy from Me, for I bestow it on you abundantly. The more you rest in My Presence, the more freely My blessings flow into you. In the Light of My Love, you are gradually transformed from glory to glory. It is through spending time with Me that you realize how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. Sometimes the relationship I offer you seems to good to be true. I pour......

Read more »