“What does Jesus have against sleep?” One of our kids asked that question several years ago while we were on our way to church on a Sunday morning in December. Our family had been invited to lead “a responsive call to worship” that morning – a short time at the beginning of the service in […]
We’re entering a season that seems to play out in three different ways for people. For many, it’s “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” — most importantly, a time of celebrating Christ’s miraculous birth. Of course, it’s also a favorite time of year for shopping, with many people eagerly anticipating the Black Friday and […]
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She […]
I love the fact that the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving. It’s so healthy to take some time to remember all that we’re grateful for. One of the best ideas for doing so was introduced to me by a remarkable couple I know. Prioritizing Their Use of Money Bob and Jody provide a great demonstration […]
Each Christmas season when our kids were younger, we would change their bedtime routine to include singing some traditional Christmas carols like Silent Night and O Holy Night. The songs made for a soothing transition from playtime to bedtime. Silent night, holy night. They’re still two of my favorite Christmas songs. Maybe it’s because this […]
A weekly roundup of some of the more interesting and helpful personal finance articles I’ve read recently. 5 alternative gift ideas that don’t come from a toy store (Magnify Money). Good ideas for gifts that will be greatly valued while subtly instilling the values of what matters most. A lazy person’s guide to happiness (The Atlantic). Lessons […]
A weekly roundup of some of the more interesting and helpful personal finance articles I’ve read recently. After you strengthen your online passwords, here’s how to store them (NY Times). Want to build a strong defense against hackers? There’s an app for that. Americans are making it way too easy on ID thieves (Bankrate.com). Many […]
When my friend, Craig, lost his mom to cancer, it was a defining experience for him. He loved his mom. That was obvious by the moving tribute he gave during her memorial service. But he often thought of her simply as a hard-working, low-income single mom, not as a woman of significant influence. During a […]
With the hype that surrounds each holiday, it’s easy to get jaded and miss all that’s good about the occasion. This year, what helped me focus on the best parts of Valentine’s Day was rereading one of the most powerful love letters I’ve ever come across. Union Army Major Sullivan Ballou wrote the letter to […]
The recession is prompting more people to pay cash for their holiday gifts this year. According to a study by the market research firm Morepace, 40 percent of people plan to avoid using credit cards for any of their holiday gifts this year – up from 35 percent last year. For those making less than […]
