Greater to be Known
I guess it’s natural to be curious about our Creator. Who is he? What’s he like? Can he be trusted? For me, it’s been more than a curiosity. It’s been a life long journey of discovery. But in my pursuit to know the one true God, and in spite of the knowledge I’ve stored up in this regard, there remains a gaping hole in my spirit that…
The Wisdom of Joy
There are plenty of good reasons in this world to be sad. And news events are a constant reminder. Our own struggles alone can be enough for unhappiness and depression. Even a sense of hopelessness. But in the midst of a broken world filled with dysfunction, tragedy and grief, Jesus calls us to his joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may…
Who Removed My Coat?
In a ministries class I once took at Azusa Pacific University, we studied the life and work of Mother Teresa. Her early work took place in one of the poorest places on earth at the time; Calcutta, India. We watched films of her and her fellow nuns as they carefully removed emaciated souls from the streets. They offered affection, food and water.…
When Forgiveness Comes
Jennifer’s story was one of family abuse. As a little girl, she watched her father beat her mother until bruises appeared on her face. She remembers walking on the sidewalk that led to their church entrance as her mom wore sunglasses to hide the bruises. She refused to remove them as they entered the sanctuary. Jennifer was hurt beyond words…
The Opposite of Love; How Fear Keeps us From What we Want the Most
Everyone wants love in their life. Perhaps it’s our deepest yearning. But love eludes many Christians. Statistically, our failure rate is about the same as any other group. One may even feel they’re a catch. Finding the life long love seems rare still. Why the scarcity? Why the confusion? In order to get a clearer picture of how love works…