What comes before redemption? The answer is surprising and true
The book of Ruth offers us a picture of the pattern God has used again and again to bring his people close to him.
‘Back in the day’ we see patterns still present here in our day
“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The problematic pattern of another age still is with us today.
A formula for finding wisdom—and maybe even sleeping better!
Nearly every night I step out onto my deck and look up at the stars, and I think I can feel the same things David declared in Psalm 8.
Why we need a God who is always trustworthy (Psalm 23, Part 1)
I don’t know if I can, but I’ll try. That’s a sentence to describe many situations in life, including my goal to write about Psalm 23 five Saturdays in a row.
So much better than a rule book: Jesus, ‘Full of grace and truth’
Law upon law will never bring the solutions needed for our broken world. We need truth, yes, along with the same measure of grace.
Did you see Jesus there, when ‘two or three’ of you were together?
How many times has Jesus been standing there and we missed him? I suspect far more than we can count. But I realize I saw him today.
A woman prayed, an angel appeared, and God’s answer brought hope
God may sometimes seem distant, but he is always nearby and working even when we don’t see him until suddenly he steps in again.
How should we feel when know the Lord turns and looks at us?
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
How to overcome our fear by believing what God says about us
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
God spoke, they listened, and the result was a change for the ages
God spoke to both of them, giving all of us an example for overcoming barriers and putting aside prejudices in answer to his call.
Valor or fear or complaint? How will we respond when God calls?
Gideon had quite a few push-backs when he received God’s call through the angel. Maybe we can relate.
We argue about Bible doctrines or practices, but Jesus loves us anyway
Christians have been arguing about Communion and other things since Jesus walked the earth. But he still entrusts us with his work.
A different kingdom, the challenge to risk, a mandate for today
Jesus talked about money and vineyards, but his point was larger than finances and grape-growing.
A challenge to any of us who think they have it all figured out
When we see how miserably the Pharisees understood the Scriptures they had studied, we pause to reconsider whenever we think we have it all figured out.
After nearly 40 years, I still know the steadfast love of God
I don’t know how many people heard it. I don’t know if it helped anyone who did hear it. What I do know is that singing it over and over for some 40 years continues to increase my confidence in God’s love.
These five elements will enrich your weekend worship services
A list of ideas for demonstrating God’s surprising diversity in the worship we offer back to him.
The example and teaching of Jesus lead us to keep on praying!
Again and again, Jesus teaches us not to give up, to trust God’s timing, and to keep on praying.
Two prayers, two perspectives, and a challenge for us to choose
The sting in Jesus’ parable was for the spiritually proud who heard him then—and now.
It will happen to all of us, and for all of us the work will continue
None of us has the promise of old age. But if we live to enjoy it, God will still need us to spread kingdom influence.
Few or many? The answer from Jesus has always been surprising
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made a point that may help us understand his answer to the man who asked if few would enter the kingdom. According to Jesus, the wide gate is easier to navigate.