What comes first: Generosity or Wellbeing? Do generous people experience wellness or do people who experience wellness tend to be more generous? Either way, the scriptures are clear that both a generous spirit and wellbeing come from God who generously gives us life!

Each and every one of us long for a life that is happy and healthy. We want to live lives that are meaningful and joyful. The key component in all of this is to choose generosity. The sci- ence is in: Generosity is connected to happier and healthier lives! Plus, Jesus and the early Christians had this all figured out. We have a lot to learn from them!

It is very easy to take Scripture out of context. People pick and choose verses all the time to suit their needs, the meaning that they want it to have, or even to hurt and condemn others. As Disciples of Christ it is important for us to know how Jesus would have looked at the Old Testament. And how the wonderful words of the Bible are relevant and vital today.

Life is difficult, with many demands. When we face the stress of life,
what are we called to do? God promises to provide, but we also have to do our part to find the answer. It is when we take those steps of faith that we find God already working on our behalf.

Have you ever encountered coincidences or repeated events that cause you to pause? Have you ever wondered if God was trying to get your attention? In Scripture this week, God uses a talking animal to highlight God's presence and a person's attitude. Let's pay close attention: God is on the move to bring blessings!

Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person.  Each one of us must come to terms with who we are; then we can be awakened to God's joy for our unique identity and realize that we are all God's children!  In our commitment to God, we find our best selves!

The Scriptures have some of the most interesting, yet odd, stories. Stories about giants, a talking donkey, and a coin found in a fish are all in the Christian Scriptures.Yet, these stories are not just folklore; they highlight the human condition in need of grace, identity and God.

It is amazing that Ancient Wisdom holds so much truth and relevance for us today. Who thought that Proverbs would instruct us on how to deal with internet comment threads, quarrels with spouses, coworkers, arguing adolescents, and even speaking to dark issues of depression and suicide? Join us this Sunday as we continue our scripture study by exploring practical ways to keep our calm and use words that bring life and hope.

“In a world where information is so easily attainted, where do we find wisdom? And when we receive information, how do we discern what to do with it? Not everything we hear in the media is accurate or relevant to our lives. This is why we must return to the ancient Wisdom in the biblical book of Proverbs;
in these short spiritual teachings we learn to take a closer look at our selves in the sight of a generous loving God.” -Pastor Angela

Life brings plenty of struggle and
pain. We need to come together at every opportunity to celebrate the gi􏰀 of life and love that God has already provided for us. Let us proclaim in song and voice that God is generous and kind, li􏰀ing us from despair!