Archive for 2017
The Gratitude Perspective
As we close out the month of Thanksgiving, all of us have battled through difficult circumstances at one time or another. These events are different for all of us: the loss of a job, health concerns, financial insecurity, family struggles, grief. In the midst of these times, we feel anything but grateful. However, gratitude is…
Read MoreThe “Yes” Perspective
When I was a very young girl, I realized that the coloured papers in my mother’s purse could get you things. That was my introduction to money. Growing up, I remained fascinated by the intense influence money has on human behaviour. The Bible has a lot to teach about our relationship with money. Adopting a…
Read MoreGratitude Adjustment
Adapted from and inspired by Giving With a Pure Heart by Edwin Friesen I adore this time of year when the last harvest comes in from the garden and I can make apple cinnamon rolls, crabapple muffins, and pumpkin scones. As I worked in my kitchen a couple weeks ago, I could just feel myself completely…
Read MoreTrusting Enough To Give
Inspired by the blog You will never have enough by Edwin Friesen Giving with Extra is Easy Recently, I had the opportunity to do some work that gave us a little extra money at the end of the month. That boost made it so easy to pay the blessing forward as a gift to charity.…
Read MoreGenerations of Generosity
Crafting Kindness Handicrafts vendors at summer farmer’s markets are getting ready to pack up their wares for the season. Many will soon find their way to harvest sales and Christmas markets in the coming months. The trend towards handmade, artisanal gifts reminds me of my grandmother’s intricately knitted afghans and delicately crocheted doilies. Grandma loved…
Read MoreContagious Generosity!
For many years my wife and I raised our family in an older community with many beautiful boulevard trees but very few young families. Despite our best efforts, our neighbours were aloof and at times confrontational. Yet we loved our little home and the family we were building there. Last summer, we made the big…
Read MoreThe Gift of Joyful Giving
Hope in Dark Times The recent confluence of global political tensions, natural disasters, and everyday stresses has left no lack of things for people to worry about. Most recently, heartbreaking photos of the devastation from Hurricane Irma dominate my newsfeed. Yet, alongside these images of debris and submerged buildings are stories of ordinary people selflessly giving…
Read MoreThe Many Ways You Can Give
When you think of giving, what comes to mind? Writing a cheque to your favourite charity? Or buying an apple from the boy scouts? There are various ways you can give. Here are a few: Giving from Your Income Giving as you earn your income is a way of declaring God first in your finances…
Read MoreEnough is Enough
This 2001 article by Old Testament Theologian Walter Brueggemann might be the best article I have read explaining the biblical intentions of God’s creation, the relationship people are to have with one another, and how that manifests itself in the use and sharing of resources. We have reprinted the entire article here. As Brueggemann articulates…
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