I’ve previously defined hope like this: Hope is knowing that better is coming. But there’s more. Not only is hope knowing that better is coming, but hope is showing that better is coming. When we know something to be true, that truth gets reflected in our words and actions. In 1 Peter 1:3 the apostle … Continue reading Knowing and showing that better is coming
Podcast
Illness has an end-date
There are seven miraculous “signs” in John’s Gospel. One is the healing of a boy with a death-threatening fever. “The royal official said, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live’” (John 4:49-50). But what purpose do these signs serve? They certainly provide compassionate help! But they also confirm … Continue reading Illness has an end-date
Pray big at the throne
John 4:47 describes a desperate plea by a desperate father: “When [he] heard that Jesus had arrived… he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.” They were in Cana, but the sick child was in Capernaum. Nevertheless, Jesus healed him—right then and there, and from … Continue reading Pray big at the throne
Living each day like death is dead
I saw a sign in a home decorating store. “Live each day like it’s your last.” It’s a nice thought. I like it. But how many of us actually live like that? To be honest, I don’t. If I knew that today was my last day on earth I wouldn’t bother paying the electric bill, … Continue reading Living each day like death is dead
Extreme individualism is on the rise
“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). Something we could call “extreme individualism” is on the rise. Here’s how I would define it: “We are our own ultimate authority—not God, community, government, family, etc. Each person has their own truth, which isn’t necessarily connected to any source outside … Continue reading Extreme individualism is on the rise
Love and hate both take energy
For several weeks I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ encounter with the woman from Samaria. Something which would have made it particularly noteworthy in the 1st century would have been the history of bad blood between the Jews and Samaritans. After the exile, the Samaritan’s didn’t support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem; in the … Continue reading Love and hate both take energy
Saved FROM calamity FOR abundance
“Jesus saves.” We’ve heard it. We’ve said it. We’ve seen it on a thousand billboards. When we put our trust in who Jesus is and what he has done for us, he saves us from the consequences of our sin. Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) this is extremely good news! He … Continue reading Saved FROM calamity FOR abundance
Help is never far away
In the cartoon version of The Pilgrim’s Progress, there is a scene near the beginning where the main character, Christian, falls into the swamp of despondency. It is an allegory so the swamp is meant to remind us of a place into which we fall mentally, not physically. The mud isn’t really mud; it is … Continue reading Help is never far away
The launching pad for life
We worship and praise God because God is great. He deserves it. Accordingly, Karl Barth says that worship is “the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in human life.”* But we can’t miss the fact that how you worship impacts how you live. This isn’t about worship style. It’s not about … Continue reading The launching pad for life
Stumbling into (or preparing to) worship
We have been talking about worship and how Jesus says to worship God “in the Spirit and in truth.” In fact, “they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23). Wow. What do you seek? The weekend, a raise, losing 10 pounds? God seeks people to worship him in a certain way. Today … Continue reading Stumbling into (or preparing to) worship
