Every day, with every word, we get to decide: Do we mar the world, or mark the world?

When we know Christ, we always know how things are going to go...always for our good and always for His glory.

I glance back in the mirror to the concrete bridge, the one I've boldly driven straight across without second thought, and I see truth reflecting back at me: Every time fear freezes and worry writhes, every time I surrender to stress, aren't I advertising the unreliability of God? That I really don't believe? But if I'm grateful to the Bridge Builder for the crossing of a million strong bridges, thankful for a million faithful moments, my life speaks my beliefs and I trust Him again.

We're not giving what we're called to give, unless that giving affects how we live - affects what we put on our plate and where we make our home and hang our hat and what kind of threads we've got to have on our back. Surplus Giving is the leftover you can afford to give; Sacrificial Giving is the love gift that changes how you live - because the love of Christ has changed you. God doesn't want your leftovers. God wants your love overtures, your first-overs, because He is your first love.

Being joyful isn't what makes you grateful. Being grateful is what makes you joyful.

You, who were made by Love, made for love-- be still and know and watch love come down.

God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.