The hope of heaven in times of pain
When I received the email saying my brother John had died suddenly of a heart attack, I was shocked and devastated. John was just 50—too young to leave this earth, I thou... »
Personal Accounts
The search for Mary Magdalene
For centuries, we’ve heard dozens of varying stories and interpretations of Mary Magdalene (also called Mary of Magdala), one of the leading female figures in the New Tes... »
We’re keeping the dent
Recently a young woman who is a friend of my daughter backed up into my car, leaving a dent and some scratches. She offered to pay for the damages, so we got a quote. It... »
Overcoming the phantom zone
Nowadays, I can't help but notice when watching movies that the lines between good and evil have become increasingly blurred. Decades ago, most movies illustrated values,... »
Algebra and prayer
For the last few weeks, I have felt like God has kept saying no. It seems like my prayers just aren’t good enough. I’m not seeing results, or if I am seeing results, they... »
The cornerstone of faith
Nurturing a deep personal relationship with Jesus is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. We can cultivate habits that keep us connected to Jesus, allowing His presenc... »
Jesus and Jim
The story is told of a certain minister who was disturbed to see a shabbily dressed old man go into his church at noon every day and come out again after a few minutes. W... »
No barriers
I often have friends ask me to pray for them in matters pertaining to their personal lives. One friend even stops me in the street whenever he sees me and asks me to pray... »
It’s not odd, it’s God!
My friend Michael has a favorite saying for when God does something inexplicable in answer to prayer: It’s not odd, it’s God. For some months, Michael and a few others of... »
Let the water do the work
When I was young, my mom would ask me to help with the household chores. Sometimes I was reluctant, my focus still on my unfinished tower of blocks. But I would try to pu... »
The tangled bird
My wife and I were walking in a grassy field in Australia. We passed a fence that enclosed some horses calmly grazing, when suddenly we heard a pitiful racket. A small sp... »
Seize the Moment
A desire to do good, to make a difference, and to find purpose in life seems to be an inbuilt compass for most of us. However, it’s easy to minimize the little acts of ki... »