Why? “Why did my baby die?” “Why did I have to grow up in an abusive home?” “Why did my spouse leave me?” “Why did I have to have an alcoholic father?” “Why did I lose my job when I’m more qualified than others who kept theirs?” “Why?” When we face difficult days, it’s easy to...
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Jan
8
2016
It’s amazing how much of the typical Christian’s spiritual life is all about them. If we’re serious about our faith, we may spend a lot of our time taking our spiritual temperature and blood pressure—sort of like spiritual hypochondriacs. But in the scriptures it’s all about God. And under the New Covenant it’s all about the...
Jan
4
2016
In the scriptures, we can see the heart of Jesus expressed in two directions: First, we see his obedient heart toward the Father in the garden of Gethsemane where, by sheer exercise of will, He chooses to submit to the Father’s will that He die: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless,...
Dec
23
2015
It’s Christmastime and many people are celebrating a baby being placed in a manger. A baby, whose mother (according to one Christmas carol) went through labor “silently” and gave birth to a baby that didn’t cry! But these sentimentalized, popular ideas about the birth of Jesus completely miss the force of the Gospel accounts. What was...
Dec
17
2015
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13 (ESV) This is the surprise ending to Jesus’ short discourse on prayer. From what He had just said, we might think about praying...
Dec
10
2015
I remember when timed release medicine first hit the streets. Dristan touted this new technology. When the capsule dissolved the tiny pellets inside were released. Some of them were absorbed immediately and brought quick relief to the sinus sufferer. But others had a different coating so that they dissolved later and sustained the effect of the...
Dec
3
2015
Gypsy, a furry, wheat-colored collie, found herself in possession of several hundred acres of hills and woods full of good things like rabbit trails and streams and intriguing burrows, and she delighted in it all. She was given a comfortable bed and good meals. Perhaps she rather took it all for granted. Of obligations there were...
Nov
20
2015
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak..."I was walking through town yesterday when...