John 2:6-7: “Nearby stood six stone water jars… each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.” One of Jesus’ most popular miracles is turning water into wine. We like a party, don’t we! And it’s not like it was … Continue reading Disgrace, dignity and wine
grace
Truth-less “grace,” or grace-less “truth”?
In John 1:14 (and elsewhere) we learn that Jesus is God come to us in human form. In that same verse we also read: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Notice how Jesus is full of grace and … Continue reading Truth-less “grace,” or grace-less “truth”?
Why you can approach this throne with confidence
When you’re in over your head, who do you go to? You go to someone you know personally, who is trustworthy, and who has a track record of being helpful. I think that one of the reasons we don’t open up to God and invite him into our most desperate places is because, perhaps, we … Continue reading Why you can approach this throne with confidence
With a fire hydrant, not an eye dropper
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is one of those words we use so much we can forget what it means. A well-known definition of grace is that it is God’s unmerited favour. In other words, … Continue reading With a fire hydrant, not an eye dropper
Giving Grace
Things are crazy right now. Can I get an Amen? Remember when the pandemic started and everyone was very supportive of one another? Fast forward to today and we’re all wearing thin. We are stretched. We are tired. We are weary. We are impatient. We are bombarded by news reports, conspiracy theories, and decisions which … Continue reading Giving Grace
Mountain Goat Grace
I heard a story about some mountain goats that lived near the top of a rocky mountain. Around one end of the mountain was a narrow ledge. It was only a foot wide. Fortunately, mountain goats can navigate narrow ledges. One goat started to walk around the ledge from one side of the mountain, and … Continue reading Mountain Goat Grace
It’s not You-ianity
The word ‘religion’ comes from the same Latin root as ‘ligament,’ meaning ‘to bind.’ In this sense, ‘religion’ refers to a system of beliefs and practices that ‘bind’ us to God and other people in a community. That’s obviously a good thing. But there’s another way the word ‘religion’ is used which I think is … Continue reading It’s not You-ianity
Going out of your way for compassion
Before I tell you about Evan, let me share Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…” Okay, back to Evan. He was a boy from St. George, Ontario in Canada. He had an inoperable brain tumor. He was so ill that they worried he wouldn’t live long … Continue reading Going out of your way for compassion
What to do when you’re persecuted
Millions of Christians face persecution. And it will increase in North America too. So what do you do? (It has something to do with retaliation.)
Hypocrisy (on both ends of the spectrum)
“You’re a hypocrite.” Has anyone ever said that to you? It’s a nasty and unpleasant thing!
A hypocrite is a pretender—someone who says they believe certain ideals but doesn’t actually live them out in their own life. Hypocrites were the people Jesus often railed against.
But guess what? Regardless of your theological leanings, it’s easy to become one!
The Up Devotional 