Topic > Christian Beliefs
Late Arrivals Welcome
One night when I visited a nursing home, a resident named Tom slipped out quietly from his room, hoping to catch me to chat. After we talked awhile, he asked, “Won’t God be insulted if I become a Christian this late in life?” Tom’s question wasn’t a surprise. As a chaplain, I often hear it in varying forms from the elderly, from those who struggle with addictions, from former prisoners. They think they have a legitimate reason to believe it’s too late for them to know God or to be used by Him.
Her Worst Day Ever
n May 2011, a young woman took cover in a bathtub during a tornado that devastated her city of Joplin, Missouri. Her husband covered her body with his and took the blows from flying debris. He died, and she survived because of his heroism. She naturally wrestles with the question, “Why?”
Jesus’ teaching about having a right perspective in our hearts
We say things like, “I’m as hungry as a horse,” or “He’s my knight in shining armor.” These word pictures help get our point across.
A word picture Jesus used in His Sermon on the Mount that may cause confusion for modern-day readers
Have you ever run across a metaphor in the Bible and thought, “Now what does that mean?”
How does Jesus’ sermon to a first-century audience affect us?
Pick up a book written last century, and you’re bound to run across some language that sounds almost foreign! Join us as we put Scripture into context.
Flight Simulator
When airplane pilots are training, they spend many hours in flight simulators. These simulators give the students a chance to experience the challenges and dangers of flying an aircraft—but without the risk. The pilots don’t have to leave the ground, and if they crash in the simulation, they can calmly walk away.
Water Problems
Our church family was excited to see work begin on our new sanctuary. Each Sunday we eagerly looked at the big hole in the ground. But progress seemed slow.
It all came down to water. Too much in one place and not enough in another. An underground spring was one problem.
Hanging On Nothing
A world map published by the National Geographic Society has this notation: “Earth’s mass is 6.6 sextillion tons.” And what supports all that weight? Nothing. The planet we inhabit spins on its axis at 1,000 miles per hour as it hurtles through space in its orbit around the sun. But it’s easy for that to remain unnoticed in the midst of our daily concerns about health, relationships, and how to pay the bills.
Greedy Birds
Every year when I put out the hummingbird feeder, the busy little birds start battling for position. Even though there are four places at the “table,” the birds fight for whatever place one of their neighbors is using. The source of food at each place is the same—
Rock Of Refuge
One year during my vacation, I walked along the shoreline of a large lake. As I approached a pile of boulders, I noticed a small alcove between the rocks and observed that a tiny plant had taken root there. The plant appeared to be absorbing the right amount of sunlight and water, and it was also getting something else: protection.
Let’s take an honest look at what Jesus had to say about money and possessions
Some people claim that God wants everyone to be rich, healthy, and happy. But a closer look at Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount shows that assumption is off base.
Play In Pain
Baseball Hall-of-Fame catcher Gary Carter was a follower of Jesus. During his 19-year career, he drew strength and endurance from his faith in God to compete day after day. In an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal shortly after Carter died of brain cancer at age 57, writer Andrew Klavan told how Carter had influenced his life.
A challenging conversation about how treasure has the undivided attention of our heart
A winning lottery ticket. An overflowing bank account. A healthy stock portfolio. We tend to think of “treasure” in monetary values. Treasure can include anything that has the undivided attention of our heart!
The relationship between our heart and the things we treasure
We might say we love our car. But if we don’t spend the time and money necessary to maintain it, is it really a priority? An insightful dialogue from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
