Tonia Woolever 
Most of us see tithing as a sacrifice given over to God, never to be seen again. While the first part is true (and needs to be fully true in our hearts), we need to understand more about God’s purposes in the offerings we bring. These purposes are revealed in God’s instructions through Moses in … Read more
The mention of reading the Biblical book of Numbers often brings eye rolls. But like every other book in the Bible, God reveals His heart in this book in unique ways not seen elsewhere.
This winter, I am suddenly captivated by the capillary beauty of non-evergreen trees revealed against bare blue winter skies — a glory I’d never noticed before, hidden by other seasons. Now, my eyes are drawn irresistibly to them as I drive the roads and walk about Son Rise, the retreat center where I live. What … Read more
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 Anyone familiar with me through friendship, teaching, counseling or my books, knows my experience of God has always been measured by how He satisfies my heart. I learned early on that God doesn’t provide a charmed, perfect life. … Read more
Do you remember those parental scoldings that turned into lectures — where all you could do was get comfortable and endure while Mom or Dad went on and on in an attempt to get something through your “thick skull”? These usually came because our repeated behavior revealed we just really didn’t get it, whatever “it” … Read more
I have a confession to make; I am co-dependent. I start going wonky if I don’t experience the nearness of my Lord. Or what I affectionately call “sightings of the King.” Though I know He is with me always, I prefer times when I sense his closeness and hear his voice. Or even catch a … Read more
Okay, this blog is supposed to be about SPIRITUAL things. But my heart is bursting to share my new love affair with one of God’s greater creations, the humble, divine, onion-meets-garlic, SHALLOT. One of the benefits of working from home is that you can break from mental tasks to play with food. One can make … Read more
…Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests… were ordained to serve as priests… Numbers 3:3, NIV The word ordained in this verse is also translated as consecrated in other Bible versions. If I asked you to define either word, I doubt you would come within a mile of its meaning in as used here in the Hebrew … Read more
God is into freedom, especially where his children are concerned. I have often experienced Him more easily through spontaneous encounters — on a walk, in the shower, musing over my morning cup of sweet black tea — than in times of disciplined prayer. In the beginning of that recognition, that way of being, it felt … Read more
The Lord of all Creation has made me a teacher, a writer, and a witness to his awesome love and goodness. Every morning when I sit with the Lord, I enjoy things with him that I long to share with the world, in hopes that someone out there wondering about God will be encouraged to … Read more
