We live in polarizing times. There are days when I feel that our news programs, social media feeds, and ways of communicating, are set-up to be combative and divisive. But hear this warning from Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer … Continue reading Three unhelpful over-simplifications
grace
One of the reasons ‘the world is falling apart’?
While speaking to a friend, Donald Miller said: “The entire world is falling apart because nobody will admit they are wrong.”* Whenever I say that to people—either in person or in a group—I see heads nodding. Generally speaking, people don’t like to admit they are wrong. It makes them look… well… wrong. And we prefer … Continue reading One of the reasons ‘the world is falling apart’?
The older ones first
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus famously said this to the mob of scribes and Pharisees: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). He turned the situation around and appealed to their own conscience. Verse 9 tells us … Continue reading The older ones first
Grace opens doors
She had been caught in the act of adultery. In the very act! She was dragged out in public for everyone to see. According to the law, they could have stoned her. They brought the case to Jesus to test him. He said: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first … Continue reading Grace opens doors
We want Scott!
In 1991 Scott Norwood played for the Buffalo Bills football team. It was the Super Bowl. There was time for one last play. The Bills were down by one point. That’s when Norwood came onto the field. He was their leading scorer. If he scored, they would win. The world watched as he got ready … Continue reading We want Scott!
Disgrace, dignity and wine
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
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
The Up Devotional 