Some things are so obvious we almost miss them.One of them is found in Mark 6. The disciples have been walking and talking with Jesus himself. What an amazing opportunity! They have seen him preach and teach, heal people, cast out demons, calm a storm, and raise a dead child back to life. As if … Continue reading He will never allow us utterly to fail
hardship
Being knocked down and knocked out are different things
Some people think that being a Christian inoculates you from hardship. Not always. Yes, there are innumerable benefits; God is most certainly a provider, protector, rock and redeemer. At the same time, Jesus warns us against the delusion of smooth sailing. In John 16:33 he says: “In this world you will have trouble.” He also … Continue reading Being knocked down and knocked out are different things
Rejoice—always?
It’s one of the most frequently-quoted verses in the letter. Philippians 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” It’s a frequent theme throughout the letter. In fact, a form of this word is used 9 times in 4 short chapters. Seems fairly positive, doesn’t it? But can we really … Continue reading Rejoice—always?
Suffering can produce perseverance
I recently learned about a bird in the Australian rainforest called the Cassowary. If you google a picture you’ll see that it is not to be messed with. It can fight off large predators, and even humans! A little known fact is that it plays a part in germinating the seeds of the rare Ryparosa … Continue reading Suffering can produce perseverance
When all seems broken, uncertain or wrong
Professor Michael Reeves says: “When all seems broken, uncertain, or wrong, remember God the unchanging who, through it all, cannot be broken, uncertain, or wrong.”* Let’s just sit with that for a minute. Are there times when things seem broken?Are there times when things seem uncertain?Are there times when things seem wrong?Yes, yes, and yes. … Continue reading When all seems broken, uncertain or wrong
Don’t let today’s defeat steal tomorrow’s victory
Philip Yancey tells a story about a professor in Spain’s golden age who worked to translate the Song of Songs (a biblical book) into the Spanish language. Sounds good, right? Well, at that time it wasn’t allowed. As a result, the professor was taken away and tortured—for four years! Eventually, he was allowed to return. … Continue reading Don’t let today’s defeat steal tomorrow’s victory
The first thing I plan to do on resurrected legs
We can learn a lot from the perspective of other faithful people who have endured adversity and pain. One of those people is Joni Eareckson Tada. She became a quadriplegic in her teens. Over the years she has been an advocate for people navigating life with various disabilities, and she has done so with grace, … Continue reading The first thing I plan to do on resurrected legs
Closed doors aren’t always dead ends
In Colossians 4:3 Paul writes: “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” Paul was in prison. Instead of being overwhelmed by his dire situation, he used it for good. He taught, sent letters, … Continue reading Closed doors aren’t always dead ends
Prayer, meditation, affliction
The biblical writers were very honest! What God says through them is refreshing, helpful, hopeful, truthful… and sometimes challenging. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Technically, it’s anonymous. Verse 71 says: “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” Can you repeat that again? Did … Continue reading Prayer, meditation, affliction
Where you’re at, not where you should be at
Johnny Cash is known as the “man in black.” Early in his music career he got into some pretty bad things. His life was not going well. At all. “I never wanted to see another dawn. I had wasted my life. I had drifted so far from God and every stabilizing force in my life … Continue reading Where you’re at, not where you should be at
