By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving

As I looked outside today, I noticed that the leaves on the trees here are starting to change color. Their tips are transforming into beautiful shades of reds and golds. God is so creative and so consistent. Every year the trees decorate creation glouriously.

It remined me of a forum post I made the other day about whether Christians are worried about the economy right now. Here is my post:

"I am learning what I can about the stimulus plans and things so that I can be well informed about what is going on. But I don't feel worried about it. I think that many people (including us probably) are in for some tough times in the next couple years, but God is BIGGER than that. He has promised to care for those who call on His name and he has never failed in that. A friend of mine always said, "I serve a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills!" and it is so true - He is able to provide all that we need.

I would also like to encourage all of you Christians not to give up tithing during rough times. Keep bringing your tithe to the Lord. He tells us this will lead to blessings in our lives. I know it can be hard to trust that giving money to the Lord first when there are so many bills to pay will not lead to destruction, but I've never heard anyone say, "I went without the necessities because I tithed to the church." God always provides."

I'm so glad to be serving our great God. I truly can "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phil 4:6