February 4, 2025

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. [Psalm 73:14] Asaph the psalmist watched in dismay as the wicked prospered and life in general just didn’t go as the concept of “fair” would seem to dictate. Whether it’s […]

January 28, 2025

Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. [Mark 1:35] The “next morning” after what? The next morning after an extremely busy and trying day when Jesus calls his disciples, teaches in the synagogue, drives out an […]

January 21, 2025

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was […]

January 14, 2025

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. [Psalm 103:10] Aren’t you glad for that?! It sure goes contrary to our way of thinking. Commit a crime, do the time. You reap what you sow. Actions have their consequences. But God blows up the paradigm and […]

January 7, 2025

“Happy are the poor, the mourners, the hungry, the thirsty…” (Jesus’ Sermon(s) on the Mount) The Cambridge Dictionary defines a paradox as a “situation or statement that seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics.” In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the Christian life is the […]

December 24, 2024

He came unto his own and his own did not receive him. [John 1:11] Happy Christmas Eve. By the end of today, our deadlines and preparations ought to be complete. Now we can prepare for the celebration of the Coming of Emmanuel. The Rescuer. The Worth-Affirmer. The Answer. The Restorer. The Life-Giver. And yet, from […]

December 17, 2024

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [Luke 2] These familiar words stir up plenty of emotion and thoughts in our hearts and minds. The stark contrasts that the […]

December 10, 2024

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. [Romans 8:1] Joseph was told to name his son Jesus, for “he will save his people from their sins.” A beautiful benefit of the Christmas event: God mercifully addresses our guilty consciences and our shame. In a world ready to cancel anyone at the […]

December 3, 2024

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [Galatians 6:9] Don’t grow weary in doing good—if you are caring for an elderly parent.Don’t grow weary in doing good—if you have a special needs child.Don’t grow weary in doing good—if […]

November 26, 2024

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. [Hebrews 12:28] More than an annual holiday, but certainly expressed in a kind word or handwritten note or an unexpected gift, thankfulness is first a disposition. A person chooses to be thankful and then readily expresses gratitude and gives thanks. […]