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Where did the name "Tuppence"
come from?
As a writer, I enjoy playing with words. The name Tuppence results from just such a word game. First, Tuppence reflects the fact that there are "two Pences" involved in this ministry. When Laurel and I married in 1980, she became my partner in life and in ministry. And although most of her work is behind the scenes, without her, Tuppence Creative Ministries would not exist.
A second reason I chose the name Tuppence to represent this ministry is because it reminds me of the adage about putting in "your two cents worth." I began drawing and writing because I saw in it a way for me to put in my two cents about my relationship with Christ. Through doing chalk drawings, writing novels, articles, and op-ed pieces I get my "tuppence" in by using creative means to communicate to the world and other Christians about the love of God in Jesus Christ. And, of course, part of this ministry is encouraging other Christians to be creative and get their tuppence in, too.
Finally, and most important to me, Tuppence reminds me of an incident in the life of Jesus Christ. As he and his disciples watched people entering the Temple and leaving their gifts, they observed many wealthy folks giving large donations. Then, up crept a poor widow, perhaps in tattered clothes, hair disheveled, looking as if she had no one in the world. She drops two small coins into the collection box. Jesus remarks to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" (Lk 21:3-4, NIV). This verse serves as a reminder to me of my responsibility to give everything I have to the Lord, whether it be time, or talent, or finances -- all must be his. My personal resources are not mine to use for my own benefit, but rather a stewardship which must be used for his glory. The widow's "tuppence" reminds me to give all, not just part, to the Lord.
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Why does Tuppence Creative Ministries exist?
Tuppence Creative Ministries was founded with three purposes in mind:
- To share the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God creatively through the mediums of chalk art, music, and writing.
- To encourage Christians everywhere to develop their own creative ministries through seminars, workshops, and conferences.
- To provide creative assistance to churches and non-profits through Web design, brochure design, and layout development.