One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is “but God.” The phrase is peppered throughout Scripture. And it makes my heart smile every time I come across one of those verses. They bring a vertical perspective to my horizontal circumstances. They remind me that my...
What’s the point of praying for peace when your adversary is dead-set (no pun intended) on war? As the weeks of December move us toward Christmas, many Christians recognize Advent themes that traditionally include hope, peace, joy, and love. Last week, I wrote about...
If there’s one thing in short supply these days, it’s hope. Politicians promise, but fail to deliver on their promises. Family members make commitments, but disappoint us. Terrorists strike with seeming impunity. Jobs are scarce, money is tight, and the more we wish...
The 2017 solar eclipse is now history. The special glasses we sought in a frenzy have been cast aside. Life is back to normal once again. So, has anything really changed? For some, the waltz between the moon and the sun merely provided a diversion from the routine—a...
“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...
The Role of Government and the King Who Rules Summer is over and the season of pumpkin-flavored everything is...
Who Is El Elyon and Why Should We Care? The more I read and listen to news reports of current events, the more...
He is Mine: Experiencing God’s Attributes Our culture offers a variety of opinions as to who God is, presuming...