One of the great paradoxes of my early family life was when my father would correct or punish some behavior he thought would be detrimental to my character or contrary to our family values. Inevitably he would say, “this will hurt me more than it will hurt you” — a statement I certainly didn’t understand and almost never believed at the time!
What ...
No one is attracted to a grumpy christian! Whether it is the “Church Lady” on Saturday Night Live, or the Reverend I. M. Jolly on Scottish Television (who ironically was always on the brink of despair), the secular world only perceives them as objects of humor at best or cause for scorn at worst. We need to be reminded that humanity was created not ...
Among the more challenging passages in the Old Testament is the account of King Saul, where Scripture states that “the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him” (1 Samuel 16:14, NLT). For thoughtful readers, this raises a serious theological concern: how can a good and holy God be associated ...
Our human experience teaches us how fragile promises can be. Especially with children, a single broken promise can give rise to doubt that will linger long after an apology is offered. Because of this, we often mistakenly project our uncertainty onto God, assuming that His promises are likely to falter in the same way ours do.
Scripture, ...
The turning of the calendar to a new year often gives us the opportunity to reflect on what has been, to weigh successes and failures, and assess joys and regrets. For many, the New Year represents hope, a chance to begin again. Scripture affirms this desire for renewal, reminding us that new beginnings are not merely human ambitions but gifts rooted ...
The turning of a new year naturally prompts a desire for change. As the calendar resets, many of us resolve to trim our waistlines, manage our finances, or master new skills. While these goals are not inherently wrong, Scripture invites the believer to begin renewal at a far deeper level than outward behavior. True, lasting transformation begins ...
Among the figures surrounding the birth of Jesus, Joseph conspicuously stands in the background. He speaks no recorded words in Scripture, but his life and actions speak volumes. Matthew describes him simply as “a righteous man” (Matthew 1:19 NLT), and from this brief description we can deduce a portrait of character, obedience, humility, ...