Topic > Christian Beliefs > Sin >
When Others Won’t Forgive
I was having lunch with two men who had opened their lives to Christ while they were in prison. The younger man had been discouraged by the fact that the family from whom he had stolen would not forgive him.
Where Are You?
The two teenage boys heard the sound of their parents’ car and panicked. How would they explain the mess in the house? Their father’s instructions had been clear that morning before he and their mother drove out of town: no parties, no rowdy friends. But the unruly friends came and the boys allowed them to stay, despite their father’s warning. Now the house was in a jumble and the boys were tipsy and disheveled. In fear, they hid.
Breaking Free from the Smoke
One of my neighbors—a middle-aged woman—was diagnosed with pneumonia. She had been smoking for half of her life, puffing on more than a pack of cigarettes a day. You could see her at almost all times of the day standing on her balcony, enveloped in a cloud […]
Discover why suffering is not always the result of sin
We often equate pain with punishment. When something goes wrong in our life, we often assume it’s because we did something wrong. Let’s study the example of Job, which challenges our thoughts about both justice and mercy.
Repeat Warnings
Caution, the moving walkway is ending. Caution, the moving walkway is ending.” If you’ve ever used an automated walkway at an airport, you’ve heard this kind of announcement repeatedly.
Let’s discover the purpose behind trials of faith, and conclude our series in James chapter 1
God doesn’t allow us to go through trials and temptations just to see us squirm. There’s a reason and goal behind every challenge we face. It’s an inspiring message to help us hang on and stay the course.
Discover answers for dealing with life’s challenges in James 1
Is there a difference between a “trial” and a “temptation”? Let’s explore James 1 for answers on dealing with life’s challenges. We’ll find that our response to those challenges makes all the difference!
Lasting Regrets
While I was talking with a gifted pianist, she asked me if I played any musical instruments. When I responded, “I play the radio,” she laughed and asked if I had ever wanted to play any instrument. My embarrassed answer was, “I took piano lessons as a boy but gave it up.” Now, in my adult years, I regret not continuing with the piano. I love music and wish I could play today. That conversation was a fresh reminder to me that life is often constituted by the choices we make—and some of them produce regret.
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.
Good Friday
By Benedict Tan The crowds were gathered, crying for blood, demanding death. They could not accept Almighty God’s redemptive plan. In the mockery and scoff, I heard my own reviling voice. The hands that wrought the frames of earth Was nailed—held to a wooden frame. God could not behold the Righteous One, Filthy with the […]
Discover how it’s our very brokenness that makes us candidates for serving the Lord
Ever feel like all the flaws in your family history make you ineligible for God’s work? Maybe you’ve heard God’s call for your life, but don’t feel qualified to accept. It’s the conclusion of the series “The Beauty of Broken.
Will you also betray me?
He was one of the Twelve. He walked and talked with Jesus, heard the sermons He preached, and witnessed the miracle He performed. This man was part of the group who cast out demons and worked miracles; he was doing the same ministry work that Jesus’ other disciples did. But after 3 years of walking […]
Dressed To Deceive
Hiking in the mountains of Utah, Coty Creighton spotted a goat that didn’t look like the rest of the herd. A closer look revealed that the unusual animal was actually a man dressed as a goat. When authorities contacted the man, he described his costume as a painter’s suit covered in fleece, and he said he was testing his disguise for a hunting trip.
Covering Sinkholes
In late May 2010, tropical storm Agatha hit Central America, producing torrential rains and landslides. Once it finished its course, a 200-foot-deep sinkhole opened in downtown Guatemala City. This sinkhole caused the ground to collapse suddenly, sucking land, electrical poles, and a 3-story building into the depths of the earth.
Buyer’s Remorse
Have you ever experienced buyer’s remorse? I have. Just prior to making a purchase, I feel the surge of excitement that comes with getting something new. After buying the item, however, a wave of remorse sometimes crashes over me. Did I really need this? Should I have spent the money?
