Topic > Christian Beliefs
Anchors In The Storm
When Matt and Jessica tried to navigate their sailboat into a Florida inlet during Hurricane Sandy, the craft ran aground. As the waves crashed around them, they quickly dropped anchor. It held the sailboat in place until they could be rescued. They said that if they had not put down the anchor, “We would have lost our boat for sure.” Without the anchor, the relentless waves would have smashed the vessel onto the shore.
Waiting for God to show up
Anticipating medical test results, standing in a long line, sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, sometimes waiting seems impossible! Let’s study a passage in Mark chapter 5 where a woman has been waiting 12 years for God to show up and heal her. What was taking Him so long?
Jesus cares for and redeems the people our world typically tosses aside
Ever stopped to think about how much garbage we throw away? Once something stops being useful, into the trash it goes! An insightful conversation about a story in Mark chapter 5.
Interruptions
My sister and I were looking forward to our holiday in Taiwan. We had purchased our plane tickets and booked our hotel rooms. But 2 weeks before the trip, my sister learned she had to stay at home in Singapore to handle an emergency. We were disappointed that our plans were interrupted.
Surfacing
Human beings straddle visible and invisible realities—the natural and the supernatural. I thought about these two worlds when I went out in a boat to watch whales off the coast of New Zealand. A whale would rest on the surface for a while, then breathe deeply a few times, his exhalations creating a spectacular spout, before plunging a mile deep to feed on squid.
Discover a greater story that impacts each of us personally
The story of Jesus and the leper could just be another amazing miracle in the Bible with no relevance to our lives today. There’s a greater story at play here. One that impacts each of us personally!
God’s Life-transforming Grace
This is who I am. I do believe I am king; in God I do not believe. I rule my world. Never will I say, “For my sin, Jesus died.” I can say, “By my own actions, I am a good person.” It is foolish to say, “Believe in the Lamb and you are saved.” […]
Slow Healing Process
Just 4 weeks after our son Mark joined the US Army, he injured his knee seriously in a training exercise. As a result, he was released from the military. So, at age 19, he had to use a cane to get around for a while; and because of the severity of the injury he endured 2 years of recovery, rest, and rehab. Finally, Mark was able to set aside the knee braces he had worn since the accident. Although he still experiences residual pain, the long, slow healing process has brought him back to full use of his leg.
How desperation led one man to brave embarrassment and rejection in order to see Jesus
When we’re out of answers, desperation sets in. And often we’re led to do things we normally wouldn’t even consider!
New Birth
What is there about babies that makes us smile? Many people will stop everything at the sight or sound of a baby and will flock to gaze at the little one. I noticed this when I visited my dad at a nursing home. Though most of the residents were wheelchair-bound and suffered from dementia, the visit of a family with a baby almost unfailingly brought a spark of joy to their eyes that—tentatively at first but then undoubtedly—became a smile. It was amazing to watch.
Let’s look at how Jesus touches the untouchable
Leprosy is a deadly skin disease that leaves its victims disfigured and feeling rejected and completely unlovable. It’s the story of God’s healing of one leper, and us. A brand new series in Mark, chapter 1.
Words To Live By
For many years I’ve maintained a file folder labeled “Speaking.” It has become thick with articles, quotations, and illustrations that might be useful. Recently I went through it to discard things that are out of date. I found it difficult to throw away many of the items, not because I haven’t used them in a talk but because I haven’t put them into practice. I closed the folder thinking, “These aren’t words to talk about; these are words to live by.”
Way Out
While in London recently, I decided to take the underground train to my destination. So I paid my fare and descended into the depths of London to catch my train. But getting out of the station can be a scary experience for someone who is unfamiliar with the system. If you don’t find the exit, you can quickly get lost in the tunnels.
Promises Still Kept
In the ancient Near East a treaty between a superior (a lord or king) and an inferior (his subjects) was called a suzerain treaty. The ratification ceremony required animals to be sacrificed and cut in half. The animal parts were then arranged in two rows on the ground, forming an aisle between them. As the suzerain walked between the halves, he was publicly declaring he would keep the covenant and would become like the slain animals if he failed to keep his word.
