It’s almost Halloween, so let me tell you about an important gast. “What’s that?” you ask. Well, it’s the Old English word for a ghost. Old English is the phase that our language went through before William the Conqueror. Traces of it remain in Modern English. Old English words can be fun. If you happen […]
“It makes for a harmonious marriage,” they said. “She will respect you more if you involve her in every decision,” they said. Yeah. Right! But my father Terah and the other elders had never had to reckon with the Lord. They had a settled life; since leaving Haran, mine had been an unpredictable journey. The […]
“I will get up and go to my Father, and will say to Him, ‘Father I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight . . .’” (Luke 15:18) ((These are the words of the younger brother, but I imagine the older brother saying something similar if he ever came to his senses.)) . . […]
Tribulation: On Groups and Causes Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But […]
God’s question to Elijah at Horeb, the mountain of God, is a question for all of us as we approach God. “What are you doing here?” Elijah seemed to have no other objective than to run as far from trouble as he could and deliver a resignation speech to God. He was done. But there […]
I used to think that persistence was a mixed virtue. After all, when I kept asking my parents for things they eventually got irritated. My persistence came across as begging or nagging, trying to force them to give me what I wanted. “And hurry up, please.” I struggled with Jesus’ parable on persistence in prayer. […]
Occasionally someone asks, “What is your favorite Christian festival day?” I struggle to answer. Other followers of Jesus would probably say Easter or Christmas; a few might say Good Friday. But I doubt if more than a tiny percentage would think of Ascension Day or Pentecost. Each special day has a meaning of its own. […]
When another driver does something stupid or dangerous my expressions, though mild, come quickly. Injustice or abuse produces a stronger reaction in most of us. So, have you ever wondered why Jesus said so little at His trials? Faced with false accusers at the high priest’s house Jesus kept silent. ((Matthew 26:57-63.)) His answers to […]
If we allow them to, life’s awkward or threatening situations will spur our spiritual growth. They face us with our wrong thinking and give us an opportunity to change. Here’s an example where Peter ((John 18:10 gives us this detail.)) reached his flash point while Jesus remained at peace. One of those who were with […]
[Salome] said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. (Matt. 14:8-10) Even the ruthless Herod had a conscience. […]