Blogs and Articles

Open Bible and mug with heart on it

To encourage worshipful, generous-hearted living

For the most recent blog or to see articles by dates, look down the list on the right.

The Bible in Time

Oct 25, 2021

I The Age of the Earth               II The Age of Human Beings               III The Age of the Written Word               Prepared By Robert W. Moon, 1980  

God’s Heart is Forgiving . . .

May 9, 2021

“God fashions the hearts of them all”         Psalm 33:15 God has made every one of us to live as a part of God’s entire creation. Life itself is a wondrous gift given to us moment by moment, to shape and to use as we see fit. This is stewardship: whatever we do on God’s behalf…

Confessions of a Downsizer

Apr 19, 2021

Okay, I admit it: I have been obsessed with things, especially in this past year or more. For the last several years, we have looked forward to major downsizing. So we did it – moved from a rural paradise that requires constant hard work beyond our current sustained efforts, to a house half the size…

Prayer for an Open Heart **

Mar 17, 2021

Lord, grant me a simple, kind, open, believing, loving, and generous heart worthy of being your dwelling-place.       ** — From prayer by John Sergieff, 1829-1908, in The Harper Collins Book of Prayers: A Treasury of Prayers Through the Ages (HarperSanFrancisco, 1994); cited in When True Simplicity Is Gained: finding Spiritual Clarity in…

Ten Reasons to Choose a Simpler Lifestyle

Dec 16, 2020

We can choose to live a simpler lifestyle as an act of: Personal integrity and commitment to a more equitable distribution of wealth in the world. Self-defense against the mind-numbing effects of over-consumption. Sharing with others what has been given to us, or returning what we have unequally received at the expense of others around…

Ten Reasons to Choose a Simpler Lifestyle

Dec 16, 2020

We can choose to live a simpler lifestyle as an act of:          Personal integrity and commitment to a more equitable distribution of wealth in the world. Self-defense against the mind-numbing effects of over-consumption. Sharing with others what has been given to us, or returning what we have unequally received at the expense of others around…

The Treasure Principle

Oct 2, 2020

The Treasure Principle, by Randy Alcorn, is a small gift book with loads of wisdom for Christians in process. Its subtitle says it all: Discovering the secret of joyful giving. The foundation of our hidden treasure, says Alcorn, is in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus says that earthly treasures won’t last, in contrast to our treasures…

The Bible on the Church and Ministry

Sep 29, 2020

The People of God The historic community whose origin stemmed from God’s covenant promises and whose pilgrimage had been sustained by God’s call. 1 Peter 2:9-10 – You are . . . God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of the One Who called you out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.…

Ask, Thank, Tell

Sep 20, 2020

“Stewardship has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by a sinister villain named Paying the Bills,” states Charles R. Lane in his book, Ask, Thank, Tell. But authentic stewardship is really about discipleship, biblically based, and centered on three simple verbs that can renew and clarify our local-church stewardship efforts. This refreshing book helped…

“Give Thanks in All Circumstances”

Sep 16, 2020

St. Basil the Great was born in 329 A.D. An influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed, he was one of the Cappadocian Fathers and a doctor of the Eastern Church. He was known for his prolific writing and his care for the poor. Basil lived out his deep faith in humble service. He taught…