It amazes me that only in the process of moving did I start to really appreciate the home that I used to have. Suddenly, as I started to get used to my new apartment, wonderful features of my old home came sharply into focus. The convenience of having lights in my closets. The fast and… Continue reading This Old House Through a New Lens
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Please Pass the Salt of the Covenant
In my Bible reading, I have reached the book of Leviticus. I think I almost heard your groan as I typed that. Like most people, if we are honest, I dread Leviticus. All of it is a bit difficult. It saddens me to think of the animal sacrifices. The amount of rules and laws is… Continue reading Please Pass the Salt of the Covenant
When Jesus Became Just Like Me
As Holy Week is upon us, I have been reflecting about the last few days and hours of Jesus, as most of us do at this time of year. But I experienced Him in a different way this time. Isn’t it an amazing moment when something you have heard over and over again suddenly takes… Continue reading When Jesus Became Just Like Me
Fresh Baked Bread on the Valley Floor
In this season, my family and I are dealing with tragic and untimely loss. The layers of pain and raw emotions are so difficult to walk through. Not only do I have my own personal grief, I carry a burden for the tremendous grief of those who were closest and most affected by this loss. … Continue reading Fresh Baked Bread on the Valley Floor
Finding the Famine God Is Using to Move You
There is a law in science called the Law of Inertia, discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. It says that an object at rest will stay at rest until acted on by a force. In nature, that is a very good thing! Without inertia, rocks could suddenly jump off the ground and move toward you, or… Continue reading Finding the Famine God Is Using to Move You
Maybe the Hardships Are Really the Greatest Love
As I concluded my study of Job, it became obvious that the most destructive thing that happened to Job wasn’t the loss of his livestock, or the painful sores, or even the loss of his children. Yes – all of those things were terrible, agonizing events. I will not minimize the pain he felt. But… Continue reading Maybe the Hardships Are Really the Greatest Love
The Same Faith for Today and Forever
As I continue my study of Job, something leaps out at me that doesn’t make sense. Job is so angry – so entitled and self-righteous. He is calling God to account for the unfair treatment he is getting. At the same time, we find in the account of Job the most beautiful statements of faith… Continue reading The Same Faith for Today and Forever
The Destructive Myth of ‘Better Than Most’
How do you tell how you are doing in God’s estimation? How can you know if He is in “well done faithful servant” mode or if He is in all-out “get thee behind me” mode? That is the problem we face when we approach God with the attitude of trying to please Him. If He… Continue reading The Destructive Myth of ‘Better Than Most’
Praying Prayers That Rise Like Incense
Every time I read Psalm 141, I imagine the prayers of people rising like the smoke from burning incense toward heaven. Psalm 141:2 says, “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” We also have a verse in Revelation that talks about the same… Continue reading Praying Prayers That Rise Like Incense
My 2024 Resolution Experiment
It’s that time of year again – the New Year – a time for looking back on the old and setting goals for the new. It is a time when exercise equipment sales soar, health food sales explode, and money management seminars actually get watched. Resolution time. Even if you gave up on resolutions at… Continue reading My 2024 Resolution Experiment