JESUS FAITH and The Church

When we think about giving, our minds often jump immediately to finances. We picture offering plates, donation envelopes, and church budgets. But what if our understanding of biblical generosity has been far too narrow? What if God's invitation to give encompasses so much more than the contents of our wallets? The Bible mentions giving over 1,500 times. That staggering number tells us something important: this isn't a peripheral topic that God mentions in passing. It's central to the life of faith, woven throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. And when we examine these passages closely, we discover that giving involves three distinct categories: our time, our talents, and our treasures. The Three T's of Generosity Time  is perhaps our most democratic resource. Whether wealthy or struggling, young or old, we all receive the same 168 hours each week. How we allocate those hours reveals what we truly value. Are we willing to invest time in serving others, particip...

There's something profoundly human about standing at a crossroads, staring at the place where someone you loved used to be, wondering what comes next. That's where we find ourselves when we consider the hillside outside Jerusalem—dust settling, air cool, disciples watching as Jesus ascends into the clouds and disappears from sight. Two angels appear with a question that echoes through the centuries: "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" It's a question for all of us living in what we might call "the after." The Weight of the Before Before we can understand the power of transformation, we need to sit with the reality of brokenness. Consider the fisherman Simon—impulsive, emotional, talking too much, acting too fast. He was the man who promised loyalty and delivered denial. Three times before the rooster crowed, he insisted he didn't even know Jesus. That moment in the courtyard, warming himself by the fire while Jesus stood trial, represents r...

  Spring has a way of awakening something deep within us. The warmth returns, life emerges from dormancy, and we feel energized to step forward into God's work. There's something about resurrection—whether we're celebrating Christ's victory over death or witnessing new life breaking through winter's grip—that stirs our souls and propels us toward purpose. The Great Commission Lives On When Jesus gathered His disciples on that mountain in Galilee, He spoke words that would echo through the centuries: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). These weren't just instructions for eleven men standing on a hillside two thousand years ago. They were—and remain—marching orders fo...

The resurrection account captures one of history's most profound invitations: "Come and see." These three simple words echo throughout Scripture, carrying weight that extends far beyond a casual suggestion. They represent an open invitation to witness truth, to examine evidence, and to encounter the divine personally. A Phrase Rooted in History The angel's words to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at Jesus's tomb weren't arbitrary. "Come and see the place where he lay" connected to a rich biblical tradition. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly called His people to witness His mighty works. The phrase carried authority—not demanding blind acceptance, but inviting investigation. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, His disciples used these same words. Philip found Nathanael and told him about the Messiah. Nathanael was skeptical, questioning whether anything good could come from Nazareth. Philip's response? "Come and see." Not...