The question arises, how do we persuade people to cross over to the beautiful land of grace? How do we persuade people of the greatness and liberty and power and true virtue of the life of freedom? How can we convince someone that it is enough to believe that we are God’s beloved pearl, the […]
I have heard SO MANY terrible things about the church! Everyone I talk to, Christian, agnostic, and atheist, seems to think that it is the most flawed institution ever. I am certain that it is the root of all prejudice, hypocrisy, greed, heresy, small-minded ignorance, and petty fear. It is too inward, too materialistic, graceless, […]
“And He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3, NASB. […]
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to […]
A certain young musician was gifted and enthusiastic. He came under the tutelage of a teacher who had a reputation as being very effective in guiding young musicians to great skill. The student practiced diligently week after week, and at each lesson the teacher pointed out many flaws in the student’s playing. Month after month, […]
Two guys were standing at the edge of a great canyon, a huge gaping gash in the earth. They stood on the edge of the cliff, looking down to the tiny ribbon of the great river flowing so far below. It was a bit dizzying and frightening to look over the edge into such a […]
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15, 16, NKJV. This […]
Once there was a young man who arrived at a banquet hall. He looked in the window and saw everyone smiling, sipping wine, eating hors d’oeuvres, dancing, and conversing with one another. He came to the door and realized that it seemed to be locked. He knocked, and waited, with no result. He began to […]
“”Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:45, 46, NASB. Once the merchant went and sold all he had, and bought the pearl which he desired, he was otherwise in […]
As usual, I was thinking the other day about the prodigal son story, and I remembered a particular insight that I really wanted to share. As Henri Nouwen observes, we may identify with the younger prodigal son, or we may identify with the disapproving elder son, but God is calling us to a place where […]