The Five W’s And One H of Stewardship

May 7, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

Christians often associate the term “stewardship” with church campaigns to raise funds, perhaps for a new building or to support the budget. But stewardship is much broader than a one-time effort to obtain an infusion of money. In fact, the concept touches every aspect of a believer’s life. As a result, knowing the five W’s and one H of stewardship provides a good foundation for the Christian walk. WHAT Is Stewardship? The dictionary says stewardship concerns careful and responsible management... Read more

Trust In God, Not Horses

May 2, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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The 150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday May 4th puts horses in the spotlight. Owners, jockeys, and bettors trust their horse to bring them success at Churchill Downs. While relying on horses for a positive outcome is required in horseracing, humans’ reliance on “horses” in life is a poor choice. The Bible urges trust in God, not horses. Ever-Present Equines Horses, those graceful four-legged animals with hooves, a long nose, a tail, and a mane of hair atop their backs, are... Read more

Takeaways From The Tamarisk Tree

April 25, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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With a history stretching back to Genesis, the tamarisk tree provides an example of a hardy survivor. Not only can Christians appreciate the tree’s long history and beauty, but they can derive valuable faith lessons from it. Endurance in adversity and helping others are two takeaways from the tamarisk tree. What’s A Tamarisk? The tamarisk is a shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. Over 54 species exist, with uses for it ranging from shade tree... Read more

Thorncrown Chapel – Attraction Offers Thin Place With Heaven

April 16, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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Tourists may aim for a slice of heaven during their travels. Although often disappointed, that result would not occur with a visit to the stunning Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Nestled in the Ozarks, the attraction offers a thin place with heaven. The Chapel Thorncrown Chapel is a creative masterpiece uniting architecture with environment. Located just outside Eureka Springs in the rolling Ozark hills, the woodlands structure with free admission is a tourist favorite. In fact, over seven million... Read more

Eclipse of the Son? Total Darkness at Jesus’ Death

April 8, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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Causing a great media stir, the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, known as the Great North American Eclipse, provided a wonderful viewing opportunity for scientists and average citizens alike. Although this eclipse is a big deal today, history contains records of numerous eclipses, with one possibly occurring almost 2,000 years ago upon Jesus’ crucifixion. Was the total darkness covering the land when he died the result of an eclipse, making it an eclipse of the Son? What’s An... Read more

Hot Cross Buns Offer Tasty Teaching About Easter

April 1, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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For Americans, Easter evokes thoughts of eating a ham dinner and indulging in chocolate candy shaped like eggs and bunnies. But another food, hot cross buns, boasts a long history with the religious holiday. Indeed, hot cross buns offer tasty teaching about Easter. What’s A Hot Cross Bun? Truth in advertising prevails with a hot cross bun. The spiced bun, normally eaten while warm—often toasted with butter—bears a cross on top. Some describe it as a mix between a sweet... Read more

Susanna Wesley – Model Mom And Mother Of Methodism

March 26, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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March brings not only the arrival of spring but the celebration of Women’s History Month. Those honored typically include high profile women such as Sally Ride (the first female US astronaut), Amelia Earhart (an aviation pioneer), and Susan B. Anthony (a leading activist for a woman’s right to vote). But a woman who spent her life tending the home fires, homeschooling her children, and serving God faithfully out of the limelight deserves recognition. This woman is Susanna Wesley, model mom... Read more

Small Size Doesn’t Matter With Mustard Seed Faith

March 18, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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Today’s society offers super-sized items. People want big vehicles, big TVs, and big fast-food meals. But some things are naturally small, tiny even, such as the mustard seed. How can believers grasp the concept of faith like a mustard seed when the societal clamor is for all things big? The key is understanding that small size doesn’t matter with mustard seed faith. What’s A Mustard Seed? Mustard plants, a member of the cabbage family, produce small, round seeds colored from... Read more

Look Up At The Stars To Learn About God

March 12, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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A view of the star-filled heavens creates a sense of wonder and awe in everyone. The scene inspires a small child to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” spurs a scientist to conduct astronomical research, and led a famous Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh, to capture the scene in his oil work “The Starry Night.” The dazzling night lights studding the black velvet heavens provide an amazing opportunity for believers to look up at the stars to learn about God. God’s... Read more

Celebrating Biblical Judge Deborah For Women’s History Month

March 4, 2024 By Alice H. Murray

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Along with the beginning of spring, the month of March brings Women’s History Month. Typically, female figures such as suffragette Susan B. Anthony, aviator Amelia Earhart, and astronaut Sally Ride are mentioned and honored. But another book full of history offers additional women on which to focus. Celebrating biblical character Judge Deborah for Women’s History Month allows learning about a woman who achieved much in a time men monopolized leadership roles. Who Was She? Long before Judge Judy became famous... Read more