From a Biblical perspective, some are chosen, hand-picked by God to carry out a sequence of events and circumstances purposed by God. Does this really happen to normal people? ◊ Does God intervene in the affairs of man? Absolutely. Though beyond… Read More ›
Purpose
The Defense in ACTS 22
Fellow citizens can become so angrily opposed to one another. Beyond politics and health policies, religious faith can also cause major divisions. Sometimes even the best oral arguments don’t hold up. ◊ If you’re human, you’ve had disagreement with other… Read More ›
“Last Days” Understanding Revisited
Do “Last Days” references in the Bible always mean the future, like our own 21st century? Good question. Confusion over this matter occurred with 1st century Jews and with many Christ-followers today. ◊ A group of friends was studying the… Read More ›
The Super Bowl, Olympics and the Blessed
Whether the Super Bowl or the Olympics, this week we are watching wins and losses on large public stages. The Christian life, while not a game, is also full of wins and losses. Can one be happy in losing? ◊… Read More ›
The Accommodation in ACTS 21
Religion can cause such a divide between people equally devoted to their God, even the same God. Sometimes wisdom involves flexibility and accommodation. ◊ Have you ever had an argument with a fellow believer in God over certain acts of… Read More ›
Redeeming Love – the Movie
A movie called Redeeming Love, inspired by the story of the Biblical prophet Hosea, was released last week in movie theaters. Like the God-inspired book by Francine Rivers, this too brought me to tears. ◊ I can only recall… Read More ›
The Farewell in ACTS 20
He seems to me like a football coach, motivational speaker, entrepreneurial CEO, and charimastic politician all wrapped up with the Love of God. ◊ The Apostle Paul really was a pastor-teacher-mentor that is beyond reproach. Yes, he was tough and bold,… Read More ›
The Strategy in ACTS 19
In this chapter, Paul does something very strategic that impacts the ultimate worldwide growth of Christianity. Is the strategy useful today? ◊ In ACTS 19 the Apostle Paul is now on his final missionary journey a year after his time… Read More ›
The Couple in ACTS 18
This couple is mentioned several times in the Bible. They seem like people we all could know and love. What makes them different? ◊ After the Apostle Paul’s famous oratory event in Athens (see The Greeks in ACTS 17), we… Read More ›
The Larger Story of Christmas
Christmas is only the beginning of the climax of a larger story that goes back hundreds of years before the time of Jesus. Even after 400 years of silence. ◊ We are all familiar with the Christmas Story of the birth of… Read More ›
The Tale of Three Trees
A morality tale that fits the season and provides a thoughtful lesson for those of us who have big dreams, great disappointments, or long periods of waiting and longing. ◊ This past week my wife had the chance to read… Read More ›
The Greeks in ACTS 17
How do you explain God and Christianity to intelligent but curious people? Very carefully and thoughtfully, as Paul does in Athens. ◊ Mars Hill in Athens, Greece (also called the Hill of Ares or the Areopagus in the Bible –… Read More ›