Topic > Christian Beliefs
“And It Was Night”
During a business trip to Philadelphia, I attended an evening service on the Thursday before Easter—a service of Communion and Tenebrae (darkness) held in a small chapel lit by candles. Following the bread and the cup, a passage was read aloud from the gospel of John, one candle was extinguished, and we sang a verse from a hymn about Jesus’ journey to the cross.
Out Of Context
When a friend started making random despairing statements, people were concerned for him and started giving advice and offering encouragement. As it turned out, he was simply having fun by quoting song lyrics out of context to start a conversation.
Our Father’s World
When Amanda Benavides was a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, she began to rethink her views on Christian stewardship of the earth. Amanda had grown up thinking that being conscious of the environment had nothing to do with her relationship with Jesus. All this changed when she was challenged to consider the Christian’s role in caring for the planet—especially how that relates to reaching the most needy in the world.
Too Heavy
As I started up my car in the dark hours of early morning, I noticed a seatbelt light on the dashboard. I checked my door, opening and pulling it shut again. I tugged on my seatbelt to test it. But the sensor light still beamed. Then, in slow realization, I reached over and lifted my purse a few inches above the passenger seat. The light clicked off.
Hope Is For . . .
Although I try not to be shocked by the things I see these days, I was caught off-balance by the message on the woman’s T-shirt as she walked past me in the mall. The bold letters declared: “Hope Is For Suckers.” Certainly, being naïve or gullible can be foolish and dangerous.
Make It Count
In his battle with cancer, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., said: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.” His suffering influenced the choices he made.
Let’s explore the tools we need to win the battle against our spiritual foes
The apostle Paul wrote that our fight is not against people or governments, but against unseen spiritual forces that wish to see us fall! An inspiring discussion on the power we have in God.
Discover who’s really behind the sin that so easily entangles us
When we’re surrounded by temptation and there seems to be no way out, it’s easy to think God is setting us up for failure. A look at the Garden of Eden.
First Things First
When our granddaughter Sarah was very young, she told us she wanted to be a basketball coach like her daddy when she grew up. But she couldn’t be one yet, she said, because first she had to be a player; and a player has to be able to tie her shoelaces, and she couldn’t tie hers yet!
Discover our enemy’s age-old schemes, so we won’t fall for them anymore!
Since the beginning of time, the Evil One has been using the same proven strategies to get us to fall into temptation!
The importance of praying “Lead us not into temptation”
What’s your weakness? Whether it’s chocolate cake, a corner office, or a pretty face, we all have things that tempt us at our most vulnerable points. A lesson on avoiding the pitfalls in life.
Broken Bones
Years ago, I played collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. It was more fun than I can describe here, but all that fun came at a hefty price—one I continue to pay today. Being a goalie means that you are constantly throwing your body into harm’s way to prevent the other team from scoring, often resulting in injuries.
An insightful study on Jesus’ words, “Lead us not into temptation”
Temptation is all around us. And if we’re not careful, we’re liable to fall right into its trap! Let's suggest ways to avoid getting caught in the snare!
Black Boxes
Commercial aircraft carry two flight-data recorders called “black boxes.” One logs the performance and condition of the aircraft in flight, and the other records the conversation of the crew with air-traffic controllers on the ground. These boxes are insulated to protect against extreme temperatures and are fitted with underwater locator beacons that emit sounds to the surface.
Take a practical look at dealing with temptation
As believers in Christ, we have an ancient foe doing all he can to trip us up. But thankfully, God has provided spiritual tools to combat our enemy and gain the victory!
