God Says?
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NIV) Paul wrote those amazing words to the Philippian church while in a Roman prison, contemplating his own mortality. It is a wonderful reminder that life is transitory, but heaven is forever. When our lives belong to Jesus, we can be […]
As Far as I’m Concerned…
“As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said […]
Five Stones
“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.“ (1 Samuel 17:40, NIV) Perhaps the most famous underdog victory in history – young David eschewed King Saul’s armor and sword […]
Lines of Communication
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17, NIV) A couple of weeks ago my wife woke up after having a strange dream the night before. The dream […]
Schadenfreude
Getting ready for bed last night, there were signs…the onset. As the sun rose this morning, it had arrived. A real malady. I felt like the hero in Kafka’s short story, The Metamorphosis, who woke up one morning to find he had turned into a giant bug overnight! When your wife wakes up, looks you […]
You Should be Ashamed?
“Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush… (Jeremiah 8:12).” Many of us have a negative connection to shame, but it is really a symptom of a healthy society. In the same way we experience pain in our bodies to alert […]
Down the Mountain
“As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)“ (Luke 9:33, NIV) You’ve probably read about the Transfiguration – Peter was with […]
A Hidden God
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?“ (Psalm 10:1, NIV) Have you ever asked that question? You and I phrase it differently: “God, where are you?” Vere tu es Deus absconditus (truly you are a hidden God) said Pascal. Isaiah said the same thing (Isa. […]
I Learned It All in Kindergarten
It’s graduation time – time for sage advice from renowned speakers. But I was thinking Everything You Really Need to Know, You learned in Kindergarten. Listen to the teacher – her job is to teach, protect us and keep us from eating the glue. Pay attention in class –if we wanted to be successful in […]
You who are far off…
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”“ […]
Babel Reversed
“That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.“ (Genesis 11:9, NIV) “When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.“ (Acts […]
Cast Your Cares on Him
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 2:00 in the morning […]
