t’s not what you’d call the “typical” response to bad news.
When art dealer and author Forrest Fenn was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1988, he hid a bronze chest in an undisclosed location, attempting to create the ultimate treasure hunt.
New Release! Money and Spirit: Surrendering Our Finances to the Work of the Holy Spirit
Barnabas Foundation announces the upcoming release of Money and Spirit: Surrendering Our Finances to the Work of the Holy Spirit by Heather M. Day. A biblically grounded study on the intersection of faith and finances, Money and Spirit is designed to be a practical resource for individuals, couples, and small groups.
Money and Spirit will be released in bookstores on January 21, 2025, and is now available for pre-sale from all major online retailers.
Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes Magazine named Money and Spirit one of its "must-read” new releases for Christian leaders.
Ken Blanchard, bestselling co-author of The New One Minute Manager and Simple Truths of Leadership, has also endorsed new-coming author Day’s book.
"Heather uses transparency, humor, and biblical insight to present a message of hope for all," said Blanchard.
Each chapter of Money and Spirit includes an in-depth exploration of the fruit of the Spirit (as listed in Galatians 5), stories from real people who have experienced financial transformation, reflection questions and journaling space, and guided prayers. The book also includes small group discussion questions and access to online teaching videos.
Heather M. Day is an author and communication specialist with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and nonprofit ministry. She’s spent the bulk of her career in the nonprofit arena, including in her current role as director of marketing for Barnabas Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and an executive MBA from Olivet Nazarene University.
Money and Spirit will be released in bookstores on January 21, 2025, and is now available for pre-sale from all major online retailers. Learn more and order at MoneySpirit.org.
The Secret to Peace
Finding Calm in the Chaos
From the moment he shouted the words, he regretted their absurdity.
It had been a bad day—a very bad day. A thankless job, leaky faucets, and traffic citation kind of day. A why-did-I-ever-get out of bed day.
Adding insult to injury, he was wearing his last resort, worn-out socks, and they had once again slumped to his heel. Exasperated, the man yanked the limp cotton stockings back to their proper position. Then, with unbridled passion, he bellowed his rage to the world.
“These SOCKS are RUINING my LIFE!”
When We Reach the End of Our Rope
We’ve all been there, right? That moment of frustration, hopelessness, bitterness, and utter done-ness when we reach the end of our rope.
Occasionally, in hindsight, we recognize those problems were as piddly as slouching socks. Other times, the obstacles, setbacks and situations remain justifiably deflating.
Take, for instance, our politically divisive, economically unstable, war-torn and disaster-ridden global climate. Just five minutes of watching the news could make anyone crumble in defeat!
When all hope is gone, when everything seems lost, of this we can be sure: God is faithful.
God is good. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
He cannot be shaken. (Isaiah 54:10)
He never grows tired or weary. (Isaiah 40:10)
God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8)
His promises never fail. (Joshua 21:45)
The Not-So-Secret Solution
Considering these truths, how, then, shall we respond?
In the words of the Apostle Paul – who faced more than a few bad days himself – “we do not lose heart…We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.)
This is the not-so-secret solution to finding peace: fixing our eyes on Him.
God is not surprised by our circumstances, nor is He derailed by whatever challenges we might face. No election, recession, transgression, aggression or oppression could ever stand in God’s way.
So, keep moving, keep giving, keep doing the work to which God has called you. Live and give as if He can do the impossible because, indeed, He will.
God is in control, and His love remains the same—yesterday, today and forever.
—
This article was originally written for Barnabas Foundation and published in Generosity Today (2024, Issue 4).
Money and Spirit
Surrendering Our Finances to the Work of the Holy Spirit
Available January 2025
Break the endless cycle of poor financial decisions and experience freedom from the anxiety, emptiness, and broken relationships of misplaced priorities.
Stop relying on the world’s tactics and solutions. Start pursuing the Holy Spirit’s real, lasting transformation – from the inside out
The Weighty Issue I Don’t Discuss
I’m excited at the possibilities—but I’m not at all enthusiastic about taking that journey in public.
Strangely, my biggest fear is that the surgery will accomplish exactly what it’s supposed to do, and people will notice. And talk about it. And think things about me. And ask questions. And I hate that.
Let’s Build a Wall! (3 Truths and a Lie)
When All My Files Are Gone
Talk Like a Teenager: 4 Steps to Communicating Vision
I should have seen it coming. After all, communicating persuasively runs through her genes.
My husband and I were adamantly opposed to my 16-year-old daughter getting a job – at least during the school year. We were fine with the occasional babysitting gig. What we didn’t want was for her family time/homework availability to be dictated by minimum wage. However, my daughter seldom sees "no" as the final answer.
This is Where I Draw the Line
Faith in the Unseen
She was the epitome of a “plain Jane.” Faithful and unassuming, Jane attended weekly church services with her family, and she gave regularly to those in need. Her dad was a pastor, and two of her brothers followed in his footsteps. Jane, meanwhile, was more likely to put her thoughts on paper than to preach.
