I ran across a few statistics this week that intrigued me. According to the National Retail Federation, only 50% of those who receive gift cards for Christmas have used them by April of the following year. Further, a 2019 survey found that 51% of consumers have unused gift cards, with an average value of $167. And a 2020 study estimated that Americans have $3 billion in unused gift cards lying around the house! Wow! 3 billion dollars. That’s a lot…
I’m looking forward to Easter Sunday. It’s my favorite Sunday of the year. I love the joy of celebrating the resurrection, new life and Jesus’ victory over death. But let’s not forget Good Friday. Today’s the day when redemption of purchased, sin was atoned, and our forgiveness was won. But at what cost? Jesus our Savior, Creator of heaven and earth, innocent and and sinless was brutally slain- beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross in public humiliation. Like countless…
I have friends I talk to almost every week. We have a standing Facetime video appointment 5 PM on Tuesdays. I’ve known Chris and Kathy for years. It’s an unusual relationship in that we don’t talk about the weather, sports, or the normal stuff of life. Instead, I would call it a “spiritual friendship”, in that we talk almost exclusively about what God is doing in my life, the struggles and challenges I’m facing, and what it means to walk…
Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend our Adult Bible Fellowship, second hour down in the fellowship hall. It’s a rare occurrence for me since I’m usually preaching. The lesson for the week was about “sowing and reaping,” which was part of the winter study on the metaphors of Scripture. I had a great time participating and it was a timely discussion since Spring is on its way. I’ve noticed that farmers in our area are already plowing their…
One of the standing jokes between Pam and me is our method in packing a suitcase. I pack my suitcase once and Pam packs hers 3 times… at least. It happens most every trip. A week or two before we’re scheduled to leave, a suitcase appears in our bedroom and a small pile of clothes and sundries begins to form. As the days go by, the pile grows- jeans, capris, shirts, a dress or two, several pair of shoes, a…
by Pam Benedict Spring is my favorite season! Now before you begin your argument for a different season, let me nod and agree that yes, there’s nothing more beautiful than snowflakes drifting down and covering the dull gray of winter with a fresh, white blanket of snow. And it’s true, there’s nothing sweeter than a cold slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. And you are also correct in saying that there is nothing more invigorating that a walk…
For as long as I’ve been in ministry, I’ve longed to see and be part of a revival; to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that radically reshapes and renews my faith and the faith of the church. Some would say that this desire is misplaced or even unfounded. They argue that God most often works through the mundane and ordinary circumstances of life to conform us to the image of Christ. Change, they say, primarily happens little-by-little…
A devotional by Sandy Martin… It had been a particularly stressful week and I was numbing my brain by scrolling through some video clips from “America’s Got Talent” on YouTube. Now, don’t get all judgy… you do it too! 😊 But as I watched, there was one that caught my eye and my heart. A contestant, who described himself as a teacher and father of 5 children, was asked, what was his motivation in coming on the show. He simply stated…
STEVE: Today I sit where it all began, at the Sienna Beach Hotel in Entebbe on the north shore of Lake Victoria. It’s sunny and eighty degrees with a moderate breeze out the southwest gently rustling the palm trees. The lake water laps the shore and Pam is wandering down on the beach attempting to sneak up on some unknown variety of exotic bird. This is the hotel where we stayed to recover from jetlag two weeks ago, after our…
On Sunday we had the joy of worshiping at Pakwach Full Gospel Church and the privilege of witnessing the real-life version of a widow’s mite. Located on a dirt path just off the main road, the church was in the middle of a community of round thatched roofs over square mud homes. As we entered the cement building with an uneven cement floor, @70 women & children’s voices filled the air with beautiful African harmonies. The room pulsated with energy…