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He Walked in Our Shoes
To help his staff of young architects understand the needs of those for whom they design housing, David Dillard sends them on “sleepovers.” They put on pajamas and spend 24 hours in a senior living center in the same conditions as people in their 80s and 90s. They wear earplugs to simulate hearing loss, tape their fingers together to limit manual dexterity, and exchange eyeglasses to replicate vision problems. Dillard says, “The biggest benefit is [that] when I send 27-year-olds out, they come back with a heart 10 times as big. They meet people and understand their plights” (Rodney Brooks,…
The Bread That Satisfies
I learned to recite the Lord’s Prayer as a boy in primary school. Every time I said the line, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), I couldn’t help but think about the bread that we got only occasionally at home. Only when my father returned from his trip into town did we have a loaf of bread. So asking God to give us our daily bread was a relevant prayer to me.
How curious I was when years later I discovered the booklet Our Daily Bread. I knew the title came from the Lord’s Prayer, but I also knew it…
An Amazing Love
The final major historic acts of the Old Testament are described in Ezra and Nehemiah as God allowed the people of Israel to return from exile and resettle in Jerusalem. The City of David was repopulated with Hebrew families, a new temple was built, and the wall was repaired.
And that brings us to Malachi. This prophet, who was most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, brings the written portion of the Old Testament to a close. Notice the first thing he said to the people of Israel: “ ‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.” And look at their response: “How…
Great Sacrifice
W. T. Stead, an innovative English journalist at the turn of the 20th century, was known for writing about controversial social issues. Two of the articles he published addressed the danger of ships operating with an insufficient ratio of lifeboats to passengers. Ironically, Stead was aboard the Titanic when it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. According to one report, after helping women and children into lifeboats, Stead sacrificed his own life by giving up his life vest and a place in the lifeboats so others could be rescued.
There is something very stirring about self-sacrifice. No…
The Hollywood Hills Cross
One of the most recognizable images in the US is the “HOLLYWOOD” sign in Southern California. People from all over the globe come to “Tinseltown” to gaze at cement footprints of stars and perhaps catch a glimpse of celebrities who might pass by. It’s hard for these visitors to miss the sign anchored in the foothills nearby.
Less well known in the Hollywood hills is another easily recognized symbol—one with eternal significance. Known as the Hollywood Pilgrimage Memorial Monument, this 32-foot cross looks out over the city. The cross was placed there in memory of Christine Wetherill Stevenson, a wealthy heiress…
The motive behind Jesus laying down his life
Why we do something is as important as how we do something. That’s because motive matters. Today on “Discover the Word,” we talk about Jesus’s motive for laying down His life on the cross. Hebrews 12 tells us that it was “for the joy that was set before Him.” But what was that joy? It’s all wrapped up in the words “It is finished.” Listen to the Good Friday edition of “Discover the Word.”
The perfect sacrifice completed on the cross
Jesus’s death on the cross appeared to be a failed rescue mission. Yet, His final words, “It is finished,” meant the perfect sacrifice had been completed once and for all. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will explore the ancient Jewish context of sacrifice. It will give you a deeper understanding of Christ’s atonement for your own sins. That’s today on “Discover the Word”!
Dashed expectations
Everyone experiences dashed expectations. We expect things to finish one way, but they turn out completely different. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss how the Jewish people had trouble accepting Jesus as the Messiah because they expected Him to come as a conquering king. Instead, He came as a suffering servant. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
Stories in a Cabin
The vintage cabin, expertly constructed from hand-hewn logs, was worthy of a magazine cover. But the structure itself was only half the treasure. Inside, family heirlooms clung to the walls, infusing the home with memories. On the table sat a hand-woven egg basket, an ancient biscuit board, and an oil lamp. A weathered pork pie hat perched over the front door. “There’s a story behind everything,” the proud owner said.
When God gave Moses instructions for constructing the tabernacle, there was a “story” behind everything (Ex. 25–27). The tabernacle had only one entrance, just as we have only one way to…
Touching the lives of those around us
This week, we’re remembering how Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins. But today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss how part of Jesus’s mission was also to touch the lives of people in front of Him, day by day, moment by moment. And that’s our mission too, it’s all part of fulfilling the work He’s called us to do. An insightful conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
A magnificent masterpiece of finishing well!
In the first-century Roman world, to be crucified meant your life did not “finish well.” Only the worst of criminals were executed on a cross. Today on “Discover the Word,” we begin a new study for Easter called, “It Is Finished.” Jesus’s crucifixion was a horrible picture that turned into a magnificent masterpiece that gives us hope that we can finish well! Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
When the Water Blushed
Why did Jesus come to Earth before the invention of photography and video? Couldn’t He have reached more people if everyone could see Him? After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
“No,” says Ravi Zacharias, who asserts that a word can be worth “a thousand pictures.” As evidence, he quotes poet Richard Crashaw’s magnificent line, “The conscious water saw its Master and blushed.” In one simple line, Crashaw captures the essence of Jesus’ first miracle (John 2:1-11). Creation itself recognizes Jesus as the Creator. No mere carpenter could turn water to wine.
Another time, when Christ calmed a storm with…
Do we compromise truth to keep the peace?
Building a coalition is good when we’re doing it for the right motive. Compromise is an important part of politics on many different levels. But today on “Discover the Word,” as we continue our look at Pontius Pilate, we will discuss how compromising truth in order to “keep the peace” is not a good idea. Join the discussion today on “Discover the Word”!
How do we respond under pressure?
How do you respond under pressure? Hopefully not like Pontius Pilate. He released Jesus to the Jewish leaders for crucifixion to avoid an uprising. And to appease the emperor, Caesar. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss how we too can respond the wrong way when caught between a rock and a hard place . . . depending on what . . . or Who . . . is our moral compass. A challenging discussion . . . today on “Discover the Word”!
What is truth?
What is truth? Do you know who first asked that famous question? Well, today on “Discover the Word,” we begin a new study called “Pontius Pilate.” And you guessed it—Pilate was the one who, at Jesus’s trial, was confused and tormented by that question. Find out why on “Discover the Word”!
