Courage
Fear is what draws us back most of the time. When we intend to step out from our comfort zone, when we are facing our greatest fear, when we are trying to change—fear is that one thing that draws our feet back to the door. Bamp! You shut the door; breathe in […]
Roadside Assistance
An acquaintance of mine was hunting with friends near Balmoral, the country estate of the queen of England. As they walked, he twisted his ankle so badly that he couldn’t go on, so he told his friends to continue and he would wait by the side of the road.
Wisdom From Above
If Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an A. But instead she was charged with causing an explosion. Although she had planned to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom. When she mixed chemicals inside a plastic bottle, it exploded and she unintentionally unsettled some fellow students.
Let’s take a closer look at Jacob’s life-transforming vision
Exhausted from running from his lies and deceit, Jacob finally fell asleep. And the dream God gave him turned his entire life around! Have you had a moment that changed your life?
why didn’t He protect us?
Our lives began to fall apart when my daughter took her life,” the woman told me during a break in the conference we were both attending. “And then our second daughter spiraled into depression and started to ‘self-harm.’ After several months we discovered the reason why: While my husband and I were missionaries in Indonesia, two of our three children had been sexually abused at a mission-run school. We had given our lives to serve God. . . . Why didn’t He protect us?” I would hear similar stories at that conference—people who felt betrayed by God.
Unity in diversity
With the World Cup tournament in full motion, there’s only one word in many people’s mind now: Football. Being a Christian and football fan, I observe that there are certain parallels between a Christian community and a football team. For example, no Christian walks alone in his or her faith, just as […]
Find out how God uses flawed families
Does your family fight and bicker? Perhaps there are a few skeletons in your family’s closet. Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Let’s reveal the decades-old feud that took place in Jacob’s family, and how God’s mercy showed up in the midst of domestic conflict.
who can i trust?
In 1942, more than 250,000 Jews were transported by the Nazis from Warsaw to the death camp in Treblinka, Poland. Most of these Jews were killed. A social worker named Irena Sendler, however, posed as a nurse to get into the Warsaw ghetto and rescue children. She managed to smuggle more than 2,500 to safety. In hopes of reuniting the children with their families after the war concluded, she hid the children’s names in two jars buried under an apple tree.
Veins Of Gold
While visiting the charming Cotswold area of England, I purchased some bone china mugs as souvenirs. I used them carefully, but eventually one fell into the sink and shattered. I thought about that mug recently when I learned about the Japanese art of Kintsugi.
Find out how to avoid making the mistake of missing a potential blessing
Have you ever misconstrued a conversation? It can happen when we hear only what we want to hear. Discover how Jacob’s family misinterpreted a God-given prediction, and almost missed the potential blessing! Learn how to avoid making the same mistake.
not less in your mess
God’s royal family in Genesis was a bit seamy. Consider Abraham’s family. He slept with his female slave and later consented to his wife’s desire to banish the woman and his son by sending her into the wilderness (Genesis 21:14). What family could be worse than that?
Restored By The Master
Over the centuries, many attempts have been made to restore damaged and time-worn masterpieces of art. While some of these efforts have skillfully preserved the original work of artists, others have actually damaged many works of genius, including ancient Greek statues and at least two paintings by da Vinci.
out of the abyss
Why did I repeatedly deny I knew Him? How could I have betrayed His trust?
The Day My Dad Met Jesus
My grandfather, my father, and his brothers were all tough men who, understandably, didn’t appreciate people who “got up in their faces about faith.” When my father, Howard, was diagnosed with a rapid and deadly cancer, I was so concerned that I took every opportunity to talk to him about Jesus’ love. Inevitably he would end the discussion with a polite but firm: “I know what I need to know.”
reminders
As a Christian radio host, I occasionally get to ask songwriters and musicians about the writing process that leads to the creation of their music. These worshipers often refer to a specific event that became the inspiration for a particular song. Then when I hear the track, I’m reminded of the story behind the lyrics. Just as these songs contain reminders of an individual’s journey, so do poems, blogs, paintings, and social media updates. They all serve as ways we can remind ourselves and others of the provision, deliverance, and presence of God.
