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In Deuteronomy Chapter 14, the Israelites are given detailed instructions on tithing beginning in verse 22. If followed, God would be pleased. Anything less was unacceptable. Remaining in good standing with the God of the universe is always costly because it requires our whole being . Denying ourselves something we value and giving it to God demonstrates in a concrete way that God is placed as the highest value in our lives and in our hearts. Anything less is idolatry in

I was reading a meditation on stress yesterday. It came on the heels of another source of spiritual thought that I regularly frequent meditating on Jesus’ admonition in the sermon on the Mount not to worry. It got me to thinking—- Lent starts on February 18. Do I participate this year and what might be a worthy focus? I’m not wise enough to discern fully but feel prompted to advocate an examination of stressors in life. Simply put, our hearts need to incorporate the truth t

There is a familiar scene in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. It is the day after Christmas and Bob Cratchit comes into Ebenezer Scrooge’s office about 18 minutes late. Scrooge bellows and mockingly berates him for his tardiness. Cratchit’s excuse was “I was making rather merry yesterday, Sir”. I will apply Cratchit’s line to my tardiness in getting this installment on advent Joy out a bit late. I have gratefully had the opportunity to make merry with family this past we