Jesus Wept

Sometimes the significant figures of history seem distant with little humanity. George Washington is a monolith on the National Mall. Abraham Lincoln sits in a big chair, staring off into the distance. They existed, but don’t feel real. But Grandpa, I could relate to...

Ozymandias

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” That’s the only phrase I remember from that poem. We read it in high school and were taught that it had a double meaning. On the one hand, Ozymandias wrote it to terrify other kings into submission. On the other hand, it...

Double-take

Sometimes we have to do a double-take. We miss it at first glance, and we have to look at it again to really see it. In John 17, we read Jesus’ prayer to the Father. In this single chapter, Jesus uses the word “world” 18 times! How important was the world to Jesus if...

Parsimony is a Virtue

The colonel told me to keep it short. His exact words were, “Parsimony of word is a virtue.” I don’t know if he quoted someone famous, but it did reflect an ancient American proverb, “Waste not, want not.” In John 12:3-5, Mary opened very costly perfume, poured it on...

It Is Finished

How much longer? Maybe you have a countdown app on your phone, or you place a big “X” on the calendar every day. Sometimes it can’t just get here soon enough. A birthday, graduation, retirement, or getting out of a cast/quarantine can make time feel like it is...

Why Did God Give Us the Book of Acts?

What did Bradbury mean when he wrote Fahrenheit 451? Many students of literature will give many different answers to that question. The easiest way to know what he meant was to ask him, “What did you mean?” But what if Bradbury is no longer available for an...

Blasphemy

If you ever find yourself in front of a court, look very carefully at the American flag. If it has a yellow fringe, that means the court is declaring itself an admiralty court, and they have no jurisdiction over you. (Note: This is NOT legal advice! Don’t do this!)....

Looking for a Place of Prayer

The new year is upon us. Perhaps you are reviewing this past year. Maybe you are resolving yourself to the next. In all of the flurry of our daily lives, make time for quiet time. When you feel crushed by compounding and increasingly urgent priorities, push back and...

I’ll Sell You Two Surgical Masks for $200

Price-gouging means that someone offers little in exchange for much. It is not a new concept. Faithful Jews were coming to the temple to offer God worship. Unfaithful Jews were selling over-priced offerings of oxen, sheep, pigeons, and even official money with a...

Look for the Right Things!

“There’s your problem!” He found the problem. The air conditioner stopped, but that was a symptom, not the cause. A short in the outlet literally burned away the metal prongs. Fix the outlet, and the AC will sort itself out. Why did I need help to figure out the...

New Testament

Silver-tongued Devils

Silver-tongued Devils

Jim Jones promised his followers paradise. He could never follow through on this promise. Still, he placed himself above others by taking on the mantle of godly authority. What a tragedy! In Acts 12:22, Herod (an evil, self-serving king) accepted praise as a god...

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How Could He Do That?

How Could He Do That?

Sometimes this is a negative question, but sometimes a positive one. For example, Thom’s cancer came back with a vengeance. The morphine was no longer working, and he was in horrible pain. Then Violet walks in, and for the duration of his grandchild’s visit, he smiles...

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Can Any Forbid Water?

Can Any Forbid Water?

“Sir, you’re dehydrated.” The sergeant was checking how long the pale, pinched hands took to regain color. After ambush training, he checked everyone, including observers. “I know.” There was zero chance of me taking a lift from medical staff, especially in front of...

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Old Testament

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