Public shaming, unyielding punishment, or grace for accidental error?
God told Moses to provide for those who killed someone accidentally. Does this speak to our own tendency to rush to judgment whenever someone is accused of wrong?
The tattoo artist on the airplane opened my eyes to how God works
The guy crammed in the middle seat beside me was fully tattooed, looked like he could have picked me up and thrown me down the aisle, and wanted to talk.
How women set the example in this last chapter of Jesus’ life
Among men we wouldn’t want to imitate, possibly two women stand out in Matthew’s account of this Passover celebration.
In the silence we wait for the only solution with sure promise
In all the noise surrounding us, we hear many offering solutions to the problems of our hearts and situations. But there is only one source. And there is one sure way to find it.
Why evaluate the journey’s start, and see the steps along the way?
Moses chronicled each stop and start on the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. Likewise, we do well to mark where we began and where we’re going.
He who predicted his resurrection gave us resources for our mission
As he neared his crucifixion, Jesus told how his believers should respond after his resurrection. Since he prevailed against death, let us serve him with our life.
Words from Jesus I can’t forget, with a promise I must remember
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The sentence is both comforting and strangely sobering.
When you’re tempted to complain, remember Moses and his people
We may think the Jews in the wilderness had a right to complain. But a closer look may leave us less convinced about ourselves.
Here are three life-changing lists for you and for anyone you know
Everyone makes lists. Making lists gets things done! But in today’s brief passage, the apostle presents lists that can make all the difference no matter what other tasks we’re planning.
The overlooked qualities that open—or shut—the door to another’s faith
‘The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’
A warning: They knew the Scripture, but they missed the truth
These were the religious leaders of their day, but they couldn’t see the truth standing before them. Could it be that I sometimes miss something crucial, too?
The most important stories fathers can be telling their children
Some remember long talks with their father. Other fathers were distant with few words. Scripture reminds fathers of their spiritual responsibility to their children.
The questions Jesus answered—and asked—prompt our answers too
As I think today about these questions in Matthew, I wonder if sometimes we read past some questions Jesus asked for the same reason the Pharisees did. We don’t want to think or act differently.
A picture of Paul on mission, an example for our witness, too
Find common ground, show love, be persistent. We see all of this in Paul; we need all of this today.
No matter what kind of storm you’re enduring, God says, ‘Be still’
I’ve been in all kinds of storms, some of them more difficult than the first hurricane I experienced. Today’s story and psalm remind me how to get through them.
What it takes to follow Jesus, what we need to hear God’s voice
We don’t always want to hear what Jesus is saying. We don’t always want to go where he is leading. To make sure we’re really following, we must pursue a simple strategy.
Like us, they were unprepared. Like today, Jesus came through
If they weren’t ready to feed the hungry crowd, at least they should have anticipated how Jesus would do it. But he came through for them, in spite of their shortsightedness. Just as he does today.
No one has found what only Jesus offers, the fountain of life
The fountain of life in St. Augustine proved to be little more than a tourist trap. But the living water Jesus offers is real.
Helpless in the face of war, we can—we must do this one thing
It will become clear what else we must do in this season of war, but for now I am confident we must pray.
Why greatness is not about being an insider with power and prominence
To be great in the kingdom of Heaven requires less reaching for the top and much more serving at what we perceive to be the bottom.