Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  I was an avid coin collector when I was little. Back then, you could still find old coins in your regular change. I’d regularly check my parents’ change and all the coins I got on my paper route. Sometimes, I’d even get a roll of coins from the bank so I could look through them. Once in awhile I hit the jackpot when we found some old coins that had been put away somewhere and then forgotten. I’m not an active collector now but I still have all my old coin books.   It’s interesting who and what goes onto the face of a coin. I was fascinated by the different designs that were on the state quarters a few years ago. I’m amazed at the quality of the designs and inscriptions that I see on some ancient coins.   When I see an old Roman coin, I’m reminded of the time when Jesus’ enemies tried to trap Him with a question about paying taxes. He said to them,   “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them,...

  My wife sent me to the grocery store today because they were running a special (cake mix for 50 cents!). One of the advantages of being retired is that I can go to the store first thing in the morning before the specials are sold out. I got there early but the shelves were already close to empty. It reminded me of the days when Black Friday was only on the day after Thanksgiving. People would wait for hours outside stores in the middle of the night, even in bad weather, in order to be able to get a great deal.   When you think about the great deal God has for us - eternal life with Him in heaven and His love and help here on earth - you wonder why our churches aren’t filled to overflowing with enthusiastic people. Why aren’t there more takers? Some people undervalue the offer, not accepting it for what it is. Others overvalue the cost, not wanting to give up their worldly lifestyle.   Jesus said, “ The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a...

  I’ve written before about our pepper plant. It was a runty little thing when I pulled it up out of the veggie garden a few years ago to beat the frost. We kept it inside for the winter and put it out on the porch once the weather turned warmer. It’s now in its third year and, although it doesn’t look like much, it’s becoming more and more productive. We currently have four peppers growing and some additional flowers that might become new peppers.   Our little pepper plant has taught me several things.   1. Don’t waste your talents. I could have let the first freeze kill it off and start anew the next year but I thought it was worth keeping. In the same way, God values us. He may have a particular task for us to do. There may be others who could do it, but He may want us to do it. We are all called to service. Peter writes, “ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter ...