God’s desire is that we give willingly and joyfully knowing that we’re sharing God’s gifts with others. Generosity is a witness to the world of God’s goodness and grace. Ultimately, God calls us to giving that costs us something and makes us better understand what it means to sacrifice for the sake of others in […]
John Wesley encouraged people to “earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can” as a way to serve God and others well. Earning means using what God has given us to make more. Saving is a part of God’s plan so that we’re prepared for whatever comes. Giving is a […]
Part of our purpose on earth is to care for God’s good creation and to create with the gifts that God has given to us. Meaningful work is about using our gifts and looking at the outcome we produce, not the income we receive. Indebtedness is not God’s intention for us, nor is it an […]
This weekend we gathered at the Founder’s Home at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center in Norton Shores to plan worship for the upcoming year. What an amazing weekend!!! Pastor Mary shared this with the participants: Thanks to each one of you for your time and commitment to this first-ever worship planning retreat. I am […]
We may not think that we worship idols at all, but anything or anyone that receives the energy and resources that should belong to God first is an idol. When we worship the gift that God has given instead of the Giver (God), we begin to become the center rather than putting God at the […]
This new series is based on Mike Slaughter’s books first: putting GOD first in living and giving and shiny gods. The companion book of devotions is available at church for $6.00. “Why do we exist as a church? For one reason: The church isn’t a a community designed just for us to make ourselves better; […]
Jesus describes the Kingdom of God with images that start out small (a seed and a bit of yeast) and then become larger. As we consider how we’re a part of building God’s Kingdom here and now, we recognize that our actions and offering make a difference and change the world. To read Pastor Mary’s […]
All of us are part of God’s creation, created in God’s own image. We are connected to one another and called to care for each other as the larger family of God. Jesus is clear that caring for those in need is a way that we show our love for him, and it’s also true […]
Throughout Scripture, God is described as One who loves justice and righteousness, which is defined as caring for the most vulnerable. Jesus constantly broke social boundaries and reached out to those who were written off by others in order to show the depth of God’s love. Risk-taking mission and service in Christ’s name calls us […]
The connections between our words and actions matter, especially when it comes to our walk with Christ. Faith is more than what we say we believe; faith is also about how we live what we believe. In our Wesleyan heritage, this is a call to personal holiness and social holiness – loving God with heart […]