Author: Dwight Clough

For those struggling financially …I’m blessed to be married to one of the best money managers in the world. I’ve watched Kim go grocery shopping and the check out clerks will stare at the total bill and the overflowing shopping cart in amazement. How does she buy so much with so little? Well … here are a couple of food buying tips I’ve picked up along the way. You’re really trying to buy the most nutrition for your dollar (or franc or yen or whatever). Here in America, the more cardboard, the more plastic, the less nutrition, as a rule.…

For those struggling financially …I know this is a time when many of you – especially you dads – feel a deep hurt in your hearts because you are unable to give your children the Christmas gifts you want to give. I know that feeling well. So let me speak a word (I think from the Lord) to you dads (and moms). Your hands are not empty. Bring the loaves and the fish that you have to Jesus. He will perform the miracle for you. He will multiply the love that you have in your heart for your children. They…

For those struggling financially …We’ve experienced financial challenges for many years. One of the hardest parts of that is watching our children slowly awaken to the realization that we are poor compared to the families of their friends. My youngest is in that process now. She asks me for things I can’t give her, and I respond by hugging her and saying, “I love you, sweetheart.” She ignores the affection and replies, “That means ‘no,’ doesn’t it?” But I was having a conversation with my oldest daughter the other day. “You have two fathers,” I told her. (That got her…

For those struggling financially …Wealth comes in many forms. The capacity to love is one form of wealth. Gratitude is a form of wealth. Optimism is a form of wealth. The ability to experience wonder and awe is a form of wealth. And the list goes on. My family teases me because I’m always exclaiming, “What a beautiful day!” But I like ’em all. Hot, cold, sunny, cloudy, rainy, foggy, snowy – they all hold beauty to me. You bank account may be empty, but that doesn’t mean your heart needs to be.This is how the birth of Jesus Christ…

For those struggling financially …There’s an old saying, “God closes one door before He opens another.” It’s trite, I know. It’s a cliché. But it’s also very often true. Sometimes the disaster is merely a stepping stone in the plan of God to get you where He wants you to be. Giddy expectancy is an act of faith, but it isn’t misplaced when it comes to the plan of God.Abraham was the father of Isaac … — Matthew 1:2Matthew begins his gospel by reminding us that Jesus didn’t get here by accident. He arrived as the culmination of a series…

For those struggling financially …If you suddenly find yourself in the job market, let me offer a few practical tips for your resume. (I’ve written thousands of resumes for clients over the years.) 1. Don’t lie. There are plenty of attractive ways to tell the truth. 2. Have a target job. You don’t necessarily need to identify it on the resume, but every part of your resume should be designed to show how you are qualified for that target job. 3. Resumes get scanned in seconds. That means you must control what the employer reads. Here’s how you do that.…

For those struggling financially …Money means power. Most of us don’t truly understand that (I’m guessing) until we have no money. When God gives us a tour of how the powerless experience life, note well what that experience is like. When power (money) is restored to us, we will be, I think, much more wise in how use the power (money) God has given us.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. — John 1:14The way of love is to enter the world of the person you wish to love. In the summer of 2002 I interviewed Tamara…

For those struggling financially …You may feel as though you have run out of options. But God does not run out of options. I get the picture here of lichen growing on rocks in the tundra, tough yet beautiful. Lichen thrive in places where nothing else can grow. God does not run out of options for His children.And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … — Ephesians 2:6Discovering our deepest identity is as simple as opening the Bible. Experiencing it, however, requires a miracle from God.The real you…

New for DecemberThroughout December, I’d like to do two things. First, I’d like to celebrate Christmas, my favorite time of year, that moment when God placed eternity’s plan into the hands of a carpenter and a peasant girl. In a couple days, I’m going to start focusing on Christmas. Second, I’d like to reach out to those of you who are experiencing financial struggles. Throughout the world, many are now experiencing financial turmoil. Many of you are experiencing lack, some of you for the first time in your lives. Throughout December I want to add something to our daily devotional.…

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 6:1Who are we really? As we search to uncover who we really are, we often start with the identity we give ourselves.This first identity is who we pretend to be – the persona we project that we hope everyone else will buy. The image we try to portray to others usually reflects how we see ourselves and/or how we want others to see us. It controls many of our…