Painting Pictures of Peace
“First, go and be reconciled to your brother.” Matthew 5:24The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the great Renaissance masterpieces. It took da Vinci 3 years to complete, and during...
View ArticleBull’s-Eye!
"Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth." Psalm 86:11If we’re not careful, we may become like the man who prided himself on being an expert archer. The secret to his success was that...
View ArticleSolid Rock and Sinking Sand
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24Over the past several years we’ve seen hurricanes wreak...
View ArticlePay Attention!
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16I would love to have a dollar for every time I heard my Mom...
View ArticleMy Only Hope
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions” Psalm 51:1Any Star Wars fans out there? Remember the opening scenes of Episode...
View ArticleAgents of God’s Glory
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1...
View ArticleGetting Away From It All
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3A pastor friend of mine was telling another pastor about the long-awaited vacation that he...
View ArticleSaying “I Do”
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25No doubt about it, wedding season is in full swing. It’s the time when the words “I do” are heard...
View ArticleSummertime
“God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:3The old Porgy and Bess tune that declares, “Summertime, and the livin’...
View ArticleVisible Reminders
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2What’s the first image you see when you turn on your computer? Maybe it’s a family portrait or a special vacation picture. Or...
View ArticleIt’s All Good
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28Auguste Bartholdi traveled from France to Egypt in 1856. His...
View ArticleLove and Life on the Big Screen
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8One problem with Bible-polished rule keepers is that from a distance we all tend to look...
View ArticleMore Than a Hobby
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19For most people I know, fishing is a hobby. Some approach it casually, picking up a pole and dipping a few worms in the...
View ArticleAt Just The Right Time
When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4Why is being on time so challenging for some of us? Even when we start early, something inevitably gets in our way to make...
View ArticleBorn Free
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36I remember one commute when I ended up following a busted-up pickup truck that sported a bumper sticker proudly announcing, BORN FREE. As I...
View ArticleWhat We Really Need
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing’” Revelation 3:17Veruca Salt, one of the not-so-sweet characters in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was notorious...
View ArticleGetting Along
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1I can still remember what it was like to take our family on vacation, only to have the kids in the...
View ArticleLike There’s No Tomorrow
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” James 4:14I expected some challenges when I took on the presidency of Moody Bible Institute, but I never expected a death threat. It happened...
View ArticleCross Bearing
“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38Right now it’s summer! When I’m wearing flip-flops to the grocery store and running the air conditioner in my car...
View ArticleV.I.P Treatment
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:6A quick read through the Old Testament leaves no doubt that God wants His people to take His Word seriously. The...
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