Decisions

Weighing for the Trip

Airlines have lowered their baggage weight limits and tightened their restrictions. Whenever we return to Brazil after weeks in the U.S., we usually take back clothing, gifts and even a small piece of home or office equipment at times. These days, however, it's harder to take back much more than the essentials. ...

To See the Face of God

Perhaps Philip was thinking of this verse when he said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content" (John 14:8 NET). Both contexts deal with betrayal and treachery. One, an appeal for God to act and deal with his enemies. The second, betrayal and denial by the Lord's own disciples.

Shotguns, Rifles and Spiritual Service

A shotgun ejects a group of pellets into an ever-widening pattern. It provides a better chance at hitting the target. A rifle shoots a single projectile that must be completely accurate in its aim. One site describes the difference this way. "With a wider stream of potentially deadly projectiles, a shotgun is like ...

Selective Zeal

Selective hearing, especially on the part of children or husbands, is a common phenomenon. One hears what one wants to hear and ignores the rest. "Take out the trash," is one of those phrases that gets tuned out. "Do your homework," has to be repeated. But say, "There's ice cream in the freezer," and reception is crystal clear. Or proclaim that one's best friend called and the hearer makes a beeline for the telephone.

The Echoes of Mount Carmel

Elisha had just lost his mentor. He'd insisted on following him from Gilgal to Bethel, to Jericho, and then to the Jordan, where he saw the fiery prophet swept up into heaven. Elisha crossed back over the Jordan River and went to Jericho where he cured the city's water supply. From there he went up to Bethel and on the way ...

Prayer and Asking in James 4

In James 4:2-3, the readers fail to receive something because they failed to ask. But ask whom? One person thought there was nothing in 4:1-3 to suggest that James has prayer in mind. But the context and several vocabulary clues do point to prayer.

Deeds Tell the Story

I've been following the One Year Bible schedule for my daily readings. Each day a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs provides balance while covering the entire Bible in a year's time. Often the juxtaposition of texts provides interesting perspectives from passages that I would seldom have considered together. ...

Outbursts

People like to name things. People, pets, and places are obvious, but even things acquire names. In the UK, houses have names as well. Some like to call their cars or tools by a term of endearment (or not). In...

Don't Tell God What to Do

False teachers say that God has promised to give health and riches to Christians. They teach that God expects us to demand that he fulfill these promises. But read the Bible carefully. Never can a human being tell God what...

Constantly Pray

A 13-year-old girl won an LG competition by being the quickest to send cell phone text messages. American Morgan Pozgar thumb-typed, in 15 seconds, the word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," from the Mary Poppins song. She said she sends more than 8,000 text...

Constant Reminders

"Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have" (2 Peter 1:12 NET). I'm a forgetful person. And my mind stays focused like...

Considered Normal

My children are third-culture kids (TCKs). They grew up as Americans in another culture and formed from the two their own little world. At college, my son Micah was playing a new video game with friends. After he had made...

Why Have You Come?

"'Friend,' Jesus asked him, 'why have you come?' Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him" (Matthew 26:50). Judas came to betray Jesus. He kisssed him in order to identify him for the authorities. He came to...

Spiritual Is

Spirituality focuses upon doing the whole will of God and in teaching other to do so as well. Jesus' Great Commission points up the task of the disciple is to "observe all that I have commanded you," and to teach...