Topic > Christian Beliefs
Marvelously Unique
Human beings are not special—at least according to the London Zoo. In 2005, the zoo introduced a four-day exhibit: “Humans in Their Natural Environment.” The human “captives” were chosen through an online contest. To help visitors understand the humans, the zoo workers created a sign detailing their diet, habitat, and threats. According to the zoo’s spokesperson, the goal of the exhibit was to downplay the uniqueness of human beings. One participant in the exhibit seemed to agree. “When they see humans as animals, here, it kind of reminds them that we’re not that special.”
What a stark contrast to what the…
What Does “Sharing The Gospel” Mean?
The word gospel has a number of meanings and connotations. So what exactly did the disciples mean when they said they were “sharing the gospel”? Today on Discover the Word, we explore the history of the word gospel and consider its implications for us today. It’s a new series titled, “Reading the Gospels” today at on Discover the Word!
Divine Escape
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot mystery The Clocks features antagonists who commit a series of murders. Although their initial plot targeted a single victim, they found it necessary to take more lives in order to cover up the original crime. When confronted by Poirot, one of the conspirators confessed, lamenting, “It was only supposed to be the one murder.”
Like the schemers in the story, the chief priests and Pharisees of Jesus’s day formed a conspiracy of their own. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38–44), they called an emergency meeting and plotted to take His life (11:45–53). But they didn’t…
The Crooked Steeple
Turns out that crooked church steeples make people nervous. When we visited with some friends, they shared how, after a fierce windstorm, their church’s proud steeple was . . . crooked, causing some alarm.
Of course, the church quickly repaired the flagging spire, but the humorous image got me thinking. Often church is seen as a place where everything is expected to look perfect; it’s not seen as a place where we can show up… crooked. Right?
But in a fallen, broken world, all of us are “crooked,” each with our own collection of natural weaknesses. We might be tempted to keep…
God’s Amazing Hands
Twenty minutes into a flight from New York to San Antonio, the flight plan changed as calm gave way to chaos. When one of the plane’s engines failed, debris from the engine smashed through a window causing the cabin to decompress. Sadly, several passengers were injured and one person was killed. Had not a calm, capable pilot been in the cockpit—one trained as a Navy fighter pilot—things could have been tragically worse. The headline in our local paper read, “In Amazing Hands.”
In Psalm 31, David revealed that he knew something about the Lord’s amazing, caring hands. That’s why he could…
Bear Hug
“Bear” was a gift for my grandchild—a heaping helping of love contained in a giant stuffed animal frame. Baby D’s response? First, wonder. Next, an amazed awe. Then, a curiosity that nudged a daring exploration. He poked his pudgy finger at Bear’s nose, and when the Bear tumbled forward into his arms he responded with joy joy JOY! Baby D laid his toddler head down on Bear’s fluffy chest and hugged him tightly. A dimpled smile spread across his cheeks as he burrowed deeply into Bear’s cushiony softness. The child had no idea of Bear’s inability to truly love him. Innocently…
A Kind Critique
During a landscape painting class I took, the teacher, a highly experienced professional artist, assessed my first assignment. He stood silently in front of my painting, one hand cupping his chin. Here we go, I thought. He’s going to say it’s terrible.
But he didn’t.
He said he liked the color scheme and the feeling of openness. Then he mentioned that the trees in the distance could be lightened. A cluster of weeds needed softer edges. He had the authority to criticize my work based on the rules of perspective and color, yet his critique was truthful and kind.
Jesus, who was perfectly qualified…
Love Won’t Stop
After I turned nineteen, and years before I owned a pager or a cell phone, I moved more than 700 miles away from my mom. One morning, I left early to run errands, forgetting our scheduled call. Later that night, two policemen came to my door. Mom had been worried because I’d never missed one of our chats. After calling repeatedly and getting a busy signal, she reached out to the authorities and insisted they check on me. One of the police officers turned to me and said, “It’s a blessing to know love won’t stop looking for you.”
When I…
Wisdom Is The Fruit Of Repentance
Hiding your sin will tear you up inside, but wisdom is the fruit of repentance. Today on Discover the Word, we talk about the profound wisdom David gained when he finally came clean about his hidden sins. Find out why we can have joy when we’re corrected and disciplined by God today on Discover the Word!
Hiding Sin And The Dangerous Place It Can Take Us
Have you ever tried to hide your failures as a way of controlling how people perceive you? Most of us probably have. Today on Discover the Word, we discuss how King David’s attempt to hide his sins put him in a precarious place with God. That is, until he confessed! Join the conversation today on Discover the Word!
What We Lose When We Don’t “Fess Up” To Sin
People often worry about what they’ll lose if they “come clean” about their sins. But we lose a whole lot more when we’re too stubborn to “fess up,” and instead try to hide what we’ve done. Today on Discover the Word, the group discusses David’s “year of hiding and denial.” Join the group today for Discover the […]
Correction And Forgiveness Go Hand In Hand
Most of us wince a little when someone corrects us. It’s awkward and often painful. But we love it when someone extends forgiveness! Today on Discover the Word, the group takes a look at Psalm 32. It’s a poem that shows how forgiveness and correction often go hand in hand, and both are a blessing from […]
The Joy Of God’s Correction
Nobody likes being corrected. And most people would choose just about anything over being disciplined! Today on Discover the Word, the group begins a study in Psalm 32, in which King David talks about the joy of God’s correction. Really? The joy of correction? Is this an oxymoron? Find out today on Discover the Word!
Come and Get It!
I peeked over the grape-stake fence that encloses our backyard. There, I saw folks running, jogging, walking, shuffling around the track that surrounds the park behind our home. I used to do that when I was stronger, I thought. And a wave of dissatisfaction washed over me.
Later, while reading the Scriptures, I came across Isaiah 55:1, “Come, all you who are thirsty,” and I realized again that dissatisfaction (thirst) is the rule, not the exception in this life. Nothing, not even the good things of life can fully satisfy. If I had strong legs like a Sherpa (mountain-climbing guide), there would…
