Throughout scripture, we are told repeatedly of God’s many wonderful attributes. The first is that He loves us, cares for us and has a plan of redemption for us.  In addition, He wants us to know Him, represent Him, and even partner with Him.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is the highest grossing tour in history and the first to surpass $1 billion dollars in revenue, and it’s not over yet. With millions of tickets sold in a single day for tour dates across the globe that have fans flocking to stadiums and arenas to gladly congregate for the chance to see, hear, and sing along with Taylor Swift live and in person, it’d be hard to argue that humanity does not know how to worship.

A line in the sand.  That’s how Our State Magazine described NC Highway 12 in a story published back in 2020. 

In a world where we are pressed on every side: chaos, moral and spiritual decay; divisions; wars, strife, divorce, abortions, etc. – We need a refuge; a might fortress; a stronghold; a solid rock on which to stand as the world is “Slip sliding away’” from God.

Years ago, my husband Brad and I were in a waiting period. His company had gone through a merger and was collapsing positions and territories, which left his employment in jeopardy. For months we didn’t know if Brad would keep his job or if he’d need to find another one. During that time, we had to choose to trust God. And it wasn’t easy.

Good versus evil. Darkness versus light. Righteous versus wicked. Is it really that simple? As Pastor Ben pointed out in Sunday’s sermon, we don’t live like it is. We create grey areas to suit our comfort level.

There is nothing like preparing, serving, and eating a delicious meal at home. It is a simple, yet profound, pleasure of mine.

There is a real freedom when we give everything we have, and everything we are, to God, and ensure all glory goes to Him, where it belongs. Our heavenly Father will withhold no good thing from us. He only expects His rightful place in our lives, and acknowledgement of who He is.

We long for every man, woman, and child to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. Sometimes that response is rejection. In the end, all we can do is point and pray. We point to the glory of God revealed in creation and in Christ and pray that God would do the miraculous work of opening blind eyes to see it.

Most likely you’ve heard the term “fight or flight,” an expression coined by American physiologist Walter Cannon in the 1920s to describe the body’s natural responses to stressful, frightening, or dangerous situations. Whether stimuli is real or perceived, our bodies want to automatically spring into action, subduing an anxious circumstance (or thought) by fighting it off or running as far from it as possible.

An award-winning journalist was retiring after 40 years from a major network as a writer and news anchor. During an interview he was asked a great question: “So, after writing so many story lines of thousands of words, what do you consider is the most important word in the English language?” He did not hesitate and said “Maintenance.” 

Giving as a percentage of household income averages between 1.7% and 2.2%, falling far shy of the 10% that God requires. With about 63% of the US population identifying as Christian, the national giving average should be skewed much higher. If cheerful giving has not been a hallmark of your spiritual disciplines, there is no time like the present to obey God’s command and bless the socks off a non-profit who needs you!

“What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine.” My husband and I used to joke that this was the unspoken motto of our kids when they were little. Toddlers have no qualms about grabbing a toy, snack, or any random item of interest from other people or pets. It’s rare to see a child share her cherished possessions generously. 

Like a soon-to-be retiree checks the balance of their 401(k), the believer will one day see the fruits of their labor on earth.  And as it takes many years of regular small deposits to build the retirement nest egg, so also it takes a lifetime of small deposits into the spiritual portfolio to be told, “Well done, good and faithful servant” at the end of our race.  

We’ve all been to an “all you can eat” buffet in our lives, and for many of us, it’s our favorite type of restaurant. We pick a plate and inch down the line, weaving in between the tables laden with tasty dishes, indulging our preferences in whatever amount is enticing in the moment.

Throughout my career in financial services, in NYC, I heard every woman ask a simple question: “Crown or sword”?

When we give our utmost for His highest, our best for His Glory, He will order our steps and we will live out Psalm 1 - like a tree planted by the river of water that brings forth fruit in due season and whatever we do shall prosper.

Llamas are a thing lately. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing a llama on a book, card, or wall art. And I’m good with that. This mama loves llamas! Llamas are like sunshine on a cloudy day.