Jim Lewellen

True Christian giving is not a duty or a financial obligation—it is an act of worship. When we manage God’s resources with faithfulness, gratitude, and excellence, we declare with our lives that He is worthy of everything we have. Giving flows from the heart of a worshiper who recognizes that God owns it all and deserves our very best.

Prayer is one of the most talked-about practices in the Christian life—and one of the most quietly difficult. We believe in prayer. We tell others we’re praying for them. We know it matters. And yet, many of us struggle to actually pray in a way that feels meaningful and alive. Sometimes prayer feels repetitive. Sometimes it feels rushed. Sometimes it feels like our words barely make it past the ceiling.

Christmas is often described as the season of joy. We sing about it, decorate for it, and greet one another with it. Yet for many, joy at Christmas can feel elusive. The pressures of family expectations, financial strain, grief, or loneliness can make joy seem more like a command than a reality. The good news of Christmas, however, reminds us that true joy is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive.