With 4 intriguing lessons, the Book of Ruth is a deeply touching story in its movement from sadness and tragedy to heart-warming kindness, love, redemption and personal restoration. ♦ This story reads well with a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day…. Read More ›
Jesus
Got Biblical Historical Context?
Context is everything. Do you really know when things happened? Have you thought through the implications of documented Bible history? ♦ Like many people I used to get the years and periods of history mixed up. When was the US Civil… Read More ›
Love Worth Fighting For
A recent marriage conference wakes up a powerful notion: that we are fools for do’s and don’ts and creative ideas that obscure the source and power of true and unfathomable love. ♦ Most of us men really don’t like it when our wives… Read More ›
So Really…Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Death, poverty, suffering, evil, war. Set-backs, trials, accidents, tragedies. If God is so good, why does He allow bad things to happen? Does He control this world? Does He even care? ♦ An innocent 9 year-old girl is plowed into by a 240 pound errant… Read More ›
God and Vocational Direction
It wasn’t until my mid-40’s that I awoke to a deeper understanding of full surrender in the area of one’s vocation. ♦ Many years ago a pastor at our church speaking to a group of men on the topic of… Read More ›
Fathers Love and Wound Best
Sometimes significant past damage has been done to otherwise full functioning individuals who cannot even themselves recognize the depth and impact of their wounded heart. ♦ If there is a recurring theme in Christianity it’s that “we are all sinners.” Yes,… Read More ›
Here Comes the Flood
We should all be wary of cultural or secular attempts at Biblical storytelling. However, if Hollywood makes us look deeper into facts, then this is a good thing. ♦ There’s an upcoming Hollywood movie hitting the big screen in March 2014. The… Read More ›
Tithing and God’s Grace
This matter can be a turnoff, guilt trip, or legalistic compulsion. Consider the pressures and mixed messages on this highly personal and controversial topic. ♦ The topic of tithing makes many people uncomfortable. From the pulpit to the pew it’s a subject… Read More ›
Yesterday, Today, and the New Year
A year winds down and another starts immediately. What did we learn yesterday that helps us today and prepares, or even leads us, to tomorrow? ♦ We’re still in the bubble or even afterglow of the Christmas season. We have… Read More ›
Merry Christmas – Believe It or Not
Whether people honor the birth of the world’s savior or celebrate a secular culture’s happy holiday season, it’s Christmas nonetheless and a time of reckoning. ♦ In a casual conversation she initiated about religions, I once asked a young Jewish coworker what she… Read More ›
Christian Holiday Drift
The birth of Jesus was fraught with uncertainty, danger, fear and hardship. It worked out well in the end. What about our own lives? ♦ When you think about it, most people associated with the very first Christmas had very… Read More ›
Christmas Prophecy and Typology
With the Christmas season comes the citing of Biblical passages that inspire and encourage. At the same time close examination may raise questions that confuse and dissuade. ♦ As mentioned in a previous post (see Nov 29, Nehemiah the Comforter), typology is common… Read More ›