War and Peace

War and Peace

The human body, by design, is a happily-running, perfectly-oiled, machine. It is not innate in its creation to bear the multi-faceted burden of sin and death. Those two things alone place terrible stress on each of a body’s functions. When serious conflict, be it...
The best before and afters

The best before and afters

Hazarding a guess, I’d say there was no such thing as a normal day for Jesus’ disciples. They never knew what to expect, or if they were expecting a certain outcome for the day, they would end up confused. There was always, just waiting around the corner, another...
A perspective on victory

A perspective on victory

In our readings of God’s Word, we encounter some incredible people. They were people who grew to understand God and his ways, their relationship with him becoming more and more solid with each ‘rite of passage’ spiritually speaking. They were people who knew what it...
Lesson # 2,000 and something

Lesson # 2,000 and something

As John opens his telling of the Good News of Jesus, he simultaneously connects and separates the Old and New, the ‘what was,’ and the ‘what is.’ He deftly acknowledges Moses’ critical role in Jewish history while shining a spotlight on the Person and Mission of...
Finding Joy in the Lord

Finding Joy in the Lord

TGIF is a well-known abbreviation that will be heard in many a location tomorrow. It’s a plaint about the difficulty of the winding-down workweek. It’s often an admission of workplace frustrations – long hours, low pay. It’s said as a sigh of relief for those...
It boils down to this

It boils down to this

In Virginia every spring, there’s a big event called Garden Week. During these seven days, in various pockets of the state, local garden committees prepare for this annual extravaganza. It includes tours of a few private homes with wildly creative flower arrangements...
All Things New

All Things New

It’s a global phenomenon, loved by children (of all ages). In the US it’s called cotton candy, In the UK, candy floss. In France, ‘barbe à papa’ (daddy’s beard). It’s a no-brainer when asking children if they want some of this sugary treat. The answer is typically...
A different kind of army

A different kind of army

It’s almost humorous the number of times it has to be repeated in Scripture. The phrase so often heard is: ‘Do not be afraid.’ One would have to conclude that the reason for this command is that the audience was, in fact, afraid.  Jesus says it to his...
Like a Waldo in the crowd

Like a Waldo in the crowd

In multiple countries now, there are televised talent shows offering as prizes either huge sums of cash or rigorous coaching by a famous personality in a matched category. Each platform has massive crowd appeal and tens of millions of faithful viewers. A percentage of...
Speaking from the heart

Speaking from the heart

To Nicodemus, Jesus spoke an encoded message, pure Kingdom-speak which, to ears listening with world-speak filters in place, came across as ludicrous, impossible. As a matter of fact, it was that way to the Pharisees, too, and to the disciples, and to Martha and Mary,...