I get the opportunity to interact with people who aren’t totally sure about Jesus yet. Sometimes these interactions are online, and sometimes they’re in person. One of the stumbling blocks people identify is that the Bible seems to advocate teachings that are “behind the times” or “morally regressive.” And that makes them uncomfortable. I appreciate … Continue reading Behind the times?
daily devotional
Credit where credit is due
Psalm 115:1 starts like this: “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” It’s a prayer for God to get all the glory. And yet we don’t always glorify God, do we? Jud Wilhite pastors a church in Las Vegas. He writes, “God … Continue reading Credit where credit is due
Getting in the way of God’s way
Here is what Jesus preached in Matthew 4:17: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The “kingdom of heaven” refers not only to life after death, but to the quality of our lives before death. In this sense, the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are the same. Maybe it’s obvious, … Continue reading Getting in the way of God’s way
Messier’s bold prediction — and the Bible’s
On May 25, 1994, Mark Messier did something bold. He was the captain of the New York Rangers hockey team. It was the playoffs. His team was down 3 games to 2 in the Eastern Conference final. They had to win two games to beat their opponent, the New Jersey Devils, if they were to … Continue reading Messier’s bold prediction — and the Bible’s
Why joy is wiser than happiness
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt says that “people need adversity, setbacks, and perhaps even trauma to reach the highest levels of strength, fulfillment, and personal development.” I really wish that wasn’t true! After all… Who WANTS adversity? Who WANTS setbacks? And who WANTS trauma? Not me! But regardless of whether we WANT those things are not, many … Continue reading Why joy is wiser than happiness
How you can emerge from the ashes
Who you are and who you can be emerges from the ashes of what you’ve been through. Hold on. Let me back up a minute… We all have hurts. And hurts CHANGE us. We may not like it, but it’s true. Our difficult experiences influence our attitudes and decisions. They certainly don’t define us, but … Continue reading How you can emerge from the ashes
Trust in the jungle of unpredictability
Life can be chaotic. And volatile. And hard. That’s why friendship is so important. Christian ethicist Lewis Smedes wrote an article about the power of making a promise. He says that when you make a promise to someone, “You have created a small sanctuary of trust within the jungle of unpredictability.” I think that’s great … Continue reading Trust in the jungle of unpredictability
What my dog teaches me about following Jesus
My family has a new dog. He’s a tiny, ten-week-old Cockapoo named Buddy. And yup, we are instantly in love! He’s a social little guy. As soon as he sees me in the morning he runs over with his mini paws to say hello. If I sit at the table for breakfast, he comes and rests … Continue reading What my dog teaches me about following Jesus
The power of perseverance
King David was able to persevere through many challenges in his life. I think he was able to do this—even through such pain and difficulty—because he was CALLED by God to a godly purpose. 1 Samuel 16 tells the story of his anointing as the future king of Israel. He knew that God has summoned … Continue reading The power of perseverance
What you’re doing impacts how you’re doing
Yesterday I highlighted Psalm 37. David was feeling frustrated by his lot in life. He felt persecuted and under threat. He had a concern that bad people seem to prosper more than good people. He was angry, and was somehow hurting. Despite all this, he stressed that God’s people should do good regardless of their … Continue reading What you’re doing impacts how you’re doing
