Stuck with a Thorn?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9A small, older, hunched-over lady greeted us with a glowing smile at the doorway of our little son Matthew’s...
View ArticleSee Ya in Heaven
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40Periodically, current world events stir up discussion about the endtimes. While I believe in...
View ArticleLoving a Great God
Although we’ve all encountered people with hardened hearts, sometimes the most difficult thing to accept is the hardness in our own hearts, as Dr. Stowell reveals in this powerful message on Luke 7....
View ArticleSpeak Up!
"If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3If you’re like most people, you think that when God does something important, He uses...
View ArticleCompete Or Converge
"[Ruth] bore a son. . . . They called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David." Ruth 4:13,17Walking through campus one day, a seminary professor came upon a custodian reading the...
View ArticlePut A Lid On It
“In your anger do not sin.” Ephesians 4:26Now that the weather is getting warmer, it will be my job to barbecue the hamburgers, or steaks if I’m fortunate! Over the years I have learned, through trial...
View ArticleLeaving Sin City
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’—and you forgave the guilt of my sin” Psalm 32:5A seriously disturbing...
View ArticleThe Great Race
“Run in such a way as to get the prize” 1 Corinthians 9:24The month of June brings many sure signs of summer: the sweet smell of cut grass, soft breezes, picnics, fireflies, thunderstorms—and runners....
View ArticleFinger Pointer’s Anonymous
“Stop passing judgment on one another.” Romans 14:13A glass of wine or not a glass of wine? To dance or not to dance? To work on Sunday or not to work on Sunday? To play cards or not to play cards? Or,...
View ArticleInterruptions Part 1
"'She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:21We often think about Christ’s arrival on earth in joyful terms....
View ArticleMake Way
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. —Isaiah 40:3Dwight D. Eisenhower was known for his courageous leadership during World War II. His battle-tested skill...
View ArticleWhat’s For Dinner?
"It came to pass . . . that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 22:1"I can hardly imagine inviting special friends over for dinner and then throwing a few...
View ArticleOur Rally Cry
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.” Luke 10:33Whether or not you’re a history buff, you probably remember learning about the historic...
View ArticleHoliness Has an Edge
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2All of us who have kids have been guilty of ending an argument about why they...
View ArticleNot Quite Dead…
“We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:2Paul Harvey tells a fantastic story about an encounter with a kangaroo. The Italian sailing team was in Australia for the America’s Cup...
View ArticlePeace in the Midst of the Pieces
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10There I was, minding my own business, shopping for an anniversary card for Martie when something on another shelf caught my eye. It was a box with a...
View ArticleOut of Luck
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11An oft-quoted movie line comes from Napoleon...
View ArticleThe Sting of Betrayal
“Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.’” John 13:21Most of us are familiar with the events in the upper room, where we see Jesus washing...
View ArticleInterruptions Part 2
"'She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" Matthew 1:21As we approach a new year, we can count on experiencing...
View ArticleNational Pride
"You are a chosen generation, . . . a holy nation . . . that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness. " 1 Peter 2:9My wife, Martie, and I have grown to love England—its...
View Article