G.R.A.C.E. MINISTRY

  Writing my chapter for Blooming in the Process brought to the surface feelings and emotions I had not fully recognized before. If any of the experiences below resonate with you, I encourage you to read Blooming in the Process —not only my chapter, but also the powerful contributions from the other writers. You can purchase the book for $25, which includes tax and shipping, visit my website: https://www.graceministries.net/book-store  

  Whose Money Is It? Leadership Guide The Whose Money Is It? Leadership Guide has now been completed. This addition to the original book is designed specifically for small group Bible studies and leadership discussions. Like the original book, this guide takes participants deeper into discovering the wonders of what God says about finances and how believers are called to be faithful stewards of all He has provided. Exploring Stewardship: Heart, Focus, Greed, Treasure, and Idols There are many reasons why individuals sometimes struggle to manage their time, talents, and treasures responsibly. This series highlights several key areas that greatly influence stewardship: the heart, focus, greed, treasure, and idols. Where a person stands in each of these areas ultimately determines whether they are acting as a faithful steward of God’s gifts. Session Structure and Approach This five-part study is designed to be divided into five sessions, with each session consisting of two pa...

I recently had the honor of contributing to an anthology alongside several women of faith in a project coordinated by Dr. Paulette Harper Ministries called Blooming in the Process. About Blooming in the Process Blooming in the Process is a devotional for women who are learning to trust God not only with the outcome, but also with who they are becoming along the way. It is written for women who are still growing, still healing, still waiting, and at times wondering whether anything beautiful is happening at all. Through Scripture-centered reflections, heartfelt prayers, and faith-filled declarations, the book offers gentle encouragement for every stage of the journey. · Growth does not happen overnight, and it is not meant to. · God develops roots before flowers. · He forms character before fruit. · He is intentional in every season of pruning, waiting, and unseen work. The Heart of the Message This devotional invites women to release the pressure to "arrive" and inste...

Hope. Dreams. Life... Love: Blast From the Past : <   Write Now Literary  is pleased to be organizing a book blast for Blast From The Past by M. E. Marshall. The book blast tour will run ...

What is it that inspires you? Is it a person? Is it a musician, or an athlete, or someone spiritual in your life who you look up to? Maybe it is not necessarily a person, but something like an event or experience that someone has had. Everyone draws inspiration from someone or something. The world watches for anything they can to find inspiration in, but yet they won’t look to the Lord. They allow others to hold that spot in their lives, but not the Creator. When we as Christians draw inspiration from the Lord, each other, Christian resources, and the Bible, we will find strength, and we can share it with the world. There are many places we can go to find inspiration. Christian books and resources are a great place to find hope and you can also find accountability when you meet with other believers. The Bible holds many stories and experiences that we can find inspiration from. For example, look at the story of Noah. He was so willing to follow the Lord and His will, that He worked f...

We can show our faith when we honor God with our finances. We can also do the complete opposite: we can show lack of faith when we are greedy with money or live in such a way that does not show our trust in Him. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” The way we treat money shows whether or not we trust in the Lord.   Money can cause divisions in families, can create bitterness and hatred, and can drive people to make decisions they will regret. However, it can also be a blessing when given as a gift or offering and can have lasting effects when used to make good decisions. For example, when a person budgets and uses extra money each month to save toward either getting rid of debt, investing in the future by making a big purchase like a house, or giving toward a ministry or someone in need, the rewards can bring joy, peace, and satis...

Trials can have great effects on our lives. They can either devastate us and leave us lonely, helpless, bitter, and unforgiving, or they can inspire us and shape who we become. We are in charge of how we handle our trials; we choose how we let them affect us. However, there is always a reason in everything we experience. If we allow Him, God will give purpose to our pain and healing to our hurt. So how can we endure through hard times and trust God in everything?   Know that God is always working for our good, even when it doesn’t seem like it. Romans 8:28 tells us that “ we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” This doesn’t mean that we will never experience anything bad; it just means that in every situation, God will work to bring about something good. As a child of God, we are guaranteed His presence and His love in our lives forever. He cares about every little detail, every ma...

We are coming to the end of 2020.  In a few weeks, we will be entering the final quarter for the year.  We are in an election year,  Much of 2020 has been focused on the pandemic, called COVID-19, or the corona virus.  Many families have been quarantined in their homes for months.  Schools have had to adjust to the restrictions caused by the virus and develop a new approach to teaching their students.  Many people have lost their jobs, or have had their hours drastically reduced because of the State directive to stay home, and practice social distancing.  We call it the "New Normal"!  I'm not sure I like that term, but it's sticking.  Many people struggle with financial challenges, loss of family and friends to the virus, loss of the way things used to be, social gatherings, even churches are holding their services virtually!.  We have to adapt to Zoom meetings instead of in-person meetings.  Businesses struggle to survive by coming...

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2

Do you know the origin of Black Friday?   It’s the retailers trying to get out of the red.   In accounting terms, being in the ‘red’ means you have a negative balance, or a negative cash flow.   Being in the ‘black’ means you have a positive balance, or a positive cash flow.   Retailers seemingly mark down the prices on their big-ticket items, like cell phones, flat screen TV’s or other technology, to entice you to purchase them so that they can end the year in the black.   Especially if their 3 rd quarter sales were not that great.      Not a bad idea, but is that really your problem?   Consider this, according to an article by Aaron Tilly a former staff member of Apple in Forbes magazine , the average cost to make an Apple watch was $89.70 in 2017.   This same watch is sold for anywhere from $350 to over $900.   That’s a 25% to a 98% mark up or more.     Considering technology changes rapidly, this ...

John 2:13-17 (NIV) - 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money . 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts , both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables . 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market !” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Some people use these verses to justify their anger at one thing or another.   In some cases, it’s used correctly, as it was intended, but in other cases, it’s not.   I’d like to take a stab at how we should think about these verses, and in what context.    Verse 17 gives us a clue, the reference made “Zeal for your house will consume me” comes from Psalms 69:9.   The rest of t...

It's payday, time to pay bills.  This can be a frustrating day.  Which bills do you pay first, how much can you spend on the things you want?  Well, the answer is simple IF you have a budget. Budgeting your paycheck is a matter of planning how to distribute your money.  You determine what expenses you have, and what things you want to plan for in the future.  Where many of us get lost is, not know where the money is actually going.  We spend money unconscientiously aware of how much those little things add up. But, if you have a budget, you know exactly where every dollar goes.  For example; if you are paid weekly and your check is $1000.  That's $4,000 a month.  If your household expenses; rent/mortgage, utilities, insurances etc. total $2500, that leaves you $1500 for other expenses, and savings.  However, if you spend blindly, say in vending machines, eating out on the run, you can overextend yourself without realizin...

I’ve completed the first of what I hope to be several financial money management books; Whose Money Is It?   In this book, what I tried to accomplish was identify some of the reasons we have trouble with managing money.   Instead of focusing on the obvious: the economy, job loss, unexpected expenses etc, I turned my attention inward.   To the individual, and the causes of our misstep in finances.   Isn’t it funny how we have money to do the things we want to do, but when it comes to tithing or paying bills, we’re broke.   No money to be found.   I see men and women wearing designer items, but are deep in debt, and have nothing left over for God.   The thing is, God doesn’t want our left overs.   He wants our first, our hearts, our minds, our focus.   God wants all of us, period.   But, we have other ideas, don’t we? In my book, I explore the areas of our heart, our focus, our idols, yes we do have idols.   The car, or house, ...

When writing my latest book Whose Money Is It?, I tried to explore the possibility of there being a root cause to why we have so many challenges handling our finances.  As human beings, we are basically selfish people.  We want what we want, when we want it.  When you look at a photo you're in, who is the first person you look for?  If you guessed, yourself, you're correct.  Then if you don't like your picture, don't you want a do over?  We handle our finances in the same way.  We think we should have complete control over what we spend, and how we spend it.  But is that what God wants?  If you get a change, take a look at the preview of Whose Money Is It? and share your thoughts on the subject, and the material.  Book Preview

Matthew 25:14-18 - Parable of the Talents “ For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions.   To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey.   The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money ." What comes to mind when you read this parable?   Did you notice that the man gave talents (money) to his servants based on their ability?   One received five, one received two, and one received only one.   What does that say about those individuals ability and their work ethic?   If you read the account of when the man returned to see what h...

G.R.A.C.E.  Ministry has started a fund raising campaign to raise money for supporting the evangelist efforts of the organization.  G.R.A.C.E.   is a nonprofit ministry; however it has not yet obtained its 501c3 status.  The funds raised by the campaign will aid in obtaining this status and be better positioned to apply for grant and foundation funding for future projects.  The funds donated will also be used to cover various memberships, publishing costs for G.R.A.C.E.  Publishing and marketing efforts.  It is the goal of G.R.A.C.E.   to impact the community in three distinct areas; outlined below. Please consider partnering with G.R.A.C.E.   by financially supporting the organization and become part of what God is doing in the life of G.R.A.C.E.   Financial Ministry.   You can donate any amount by going to the link https://www.gofundme.com/G.R.A.C.E. 20 , no amount is too small and all monies will be used in the service...

Share the Responsibility Make sure you're not the only member of your household concerned about your budget. If you're working hard to save money, but your spouse is out spending you into debt, you're fighting a losing battle. Sit down together and make a plan to determine how much each of you will have for spending money.   Remember, finances are a major cause of stress and strife in a relationship. Cut Bad Habits Whether it's alcohol or tobacco, if you use much of either, you know how expensive bad habits can be. Stop smoking and drinking, and put the beer/cigarette money toward your other expenses. You'll see your bills come down and your physical health will improve as well. Use Cash Take out enough cash to last one week at a time; it’s much easier to turn down a $60 pair of shoes when it will take the last of your week's cash.   It’s an eye opening experience to realize how much you really spend when you start spending only cash, and not sw...

Questions??? Why is it people are quicker to go shopping, by a lottery ticket or something else that has no signficant affect on another person's life, but if you ask for a donation for something that could help someone else, like old clothes for someone who is working to re-enter the work force, or food to help supply a food shelter, or feed the homeless, then all of a sudden they don't have any money?  Where are their prorities?  Have we become so self absorbed we don't care about those who are less fortunate?

When you think of the Catholic Church, what comes to mind? The Vatican, the Pope, Nuns, Priests, Rome? It dawned on me not so very long ago, that when people say they are a Christian, the meaning could be almost anything, and have nothing to do with Christ.   The reason I bring this point up is, my hearts desire is to see the Body of Christ united, strong, and economically empowered, and ministry's funded, mission work done and the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached to all the ends of the earth.       I know, but they are soooo cute!!! Have you ever seen shoe salesmen begging for you to come in and by the latest pair of Prada shoes? Of course not!   How about that $750.00 Coach bag, (at the outlet stores)? Men, just why do you have to have those $916.00 rims? Does it really make the car drive better?   How much for those Stacy Adams shoes, yes, men love to shop for the best too! If not Stacy Adams, what about Tommy Hilfiger? The point I want to make...

There are many songs written about money.  In the 70's the R&B group The O'Jays had a popular song that said, "for the love of money, people can't even walk the streets, because they'll never know who in the world they're gonna meet ..."   In the 80's Donna Summers told us "she works hard the money"   Why?  What is it we hope to do with all this money we're working for?  Is it to buy a bigger house, car, clothes, take better vacations?  Do we really find happiness and joy with each dollar we earn, or that comes into our possession?   I say a loud resounding NO!  It's not so, it's nothing like the media wants us to believe.  Just look at the lastest issue of any gossip magazine, or entertainment show.  Rehab facilities are full of wealthly, but very disfunctional people.  Money didn't bring them the peace and happiness they'd hoped it would, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. What does the ...