“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” John the Baptist exclaimed. Why would John say such a thing? The answer is found way back in the book of Exodus. After God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery, He established Passover as a time for them...
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could declare a day for all conflicts to be resolved? Well, someone came up with that idea and declared October 15 Conflict Resolution Day. Actually, true and perfect conflict resolution will come when Jesus Christ returns. Still, I don’t...
Ever been told a fish tale? You know, a story about “the one that got away.” With every telling of the story, the fish gets bigger and bigger. When it comes to the Bible, the book of Jonah is maligned as a “fish tale” by those who don’t believe the Bible. The biggest...
It’s a letter we’d all like to receive. The envelope bears the return address of an unfamiliar law firm. With shaky hands, we tear open the envelope. Is it a lawsuit? A collection notice? No. It’s notification of a bequest from the estate of a long-lost relative. You...
This was supposed to be such a productive week. My to-do list for spring break was filled with all the little projects I haven’t gotten to since Christmas break. That was the plan. Reality was a bit different. I haven’t been this sick in more than thirty years. Not a...
I deserve this. I earned it. It’s my right. A sense of entitlement. We see it in political debates about whether certain government benefits are a “gift” or have been earned. We see it in marriages and other relationships as individual people focus more on their...
When you read a Bible verse, how do you decide which words to focus on? For example, which would you say are the important words in the following verses: “Blessed be the LORD, my rock… My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer; My shield and He...
I don’t like my “one word” for 2015, but I’m keeping it anyway. Let me explain… I have many friends who have been selecting one word to focus on for each new year as a substitute for new year’s resolutions. I've thought about doing it, but was never really motivated...
Filthy. Smelly. Not fit for decent society. Outcasts. Otherwise known as shepherds. Shepherds fulfilled an important need in ancient Israel. They watched over the flocks—flocks that provided food for the nation’s physical sustenance as well as temple sacrifices for...
Keep prayer out of schools. Don’t talk to me about Jesus. Believing in God is fine for you, but I don’t need a crutch. How could you believe in a God who allows bad things to happen to good people? Jesus. There’s something about that name…but not always in a good way....
Three Ministries of the Holy Spirit Navigating this crazy world as a follower of Christ is becoming more and...
How Big is Your God? My God isn’t big enough. Of course, I never...
God is Personal ! Forty-five years ago, a phrase entered our collective frame of reference. Regardless of your...